Talk:John Ordway

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Dedication Page link[edit]

This is a "Dedication Page link" from the John Ordway page. This is just a personal message from "me" (the founder of the John Ordway page).

You can use the John Ordway page as a reference for the DAR American History Essay Contest. In fact, please do, since I (the founder of the John Ordway page) would be very pleased and delighted that my basic foundation for this informational page was useful and used by people who enjoyed it! Any other report that you might be working on (if possible) can use the page for information. IF YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO USE SPECIFIC INTERNET RESOURCES (OR ANY INTERNET RESOURCES AT ALL) DO NOT USE THIS PAGE AT ALL!!! I just used the DAR as an example since it is a major report across the U.S. I would like to share my page with some specific people. I would like to thank Mrs. Armitage, friends Megan Nacionales, Valerie Shih, Ashlee Saenz, & many others!Thanks!! :P :D :) ;P ;D Thanks, again!!!

— Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.120.205.28 (talk) 06:19, 11 October 2004 (UTC)[reply]

Some text (2006)[edit]

One of ten children, Sergeant John Ordway was a young soldier from Hebron, New Hampshire. A major contributor to the expedition’s success, Ordway was one of the few well-educated men recruited for the expedition. His many responsibilities included issuing provisions, appointing guard duties, keeping all registers and records, and commanding the group during absences of Lewis and Clark. He was also instructed to keep a journal, and his descriptions about the Native American life provide a valuable historical account.

Many violations of orderly conduct (refusing to obey orders, stealing, and rebelliousness) occurred while Sergeant Ordway was in command. One problem occurred in February 1804, while Captain Lewis was in St. Louis attending ceremonies for the transference of the Louisiana Territory from France to the United States. With Ordway in charge of the men back at Camp Wood, several men had visited a local tavern and gotten drunk, in defiance of Ordway’s orders. When Lewis returned, he confined the offenders to the camp area for 10 days, and told them that “the Commanding officer feels himself mortifyed and disappointed at the disorderly conduct . . . A moment's reflection must convince every man of our party” that the captains would sometimes be absent and that “on such occasions the directives of duly appointed sergeants had the same authority as the captains.”

However, after four months at Wood River, the men continued to be restless. On March 29, there were fights among the men. Both Privates John Shields and John Colter disobeyed orders and threatened Sergeant Ordway’s life. Both were put on trial for mutiny where they “asked the forgivness &c & promised to doe better in the future.” Two days later both men were welcomed into the permanent party.

As the Corps was about to begin the journey, Ordway wrote to his parents about the purpose and determination of the expedition: “We are to ascend the Missouri River with a boat as far as it is navigable and then go by land, to the western ocean, if nothing prevents, &c. This party consists of 25 picked Men of the armey & country and I am So happy as to be one of them pick’d Men....We are to start in ten days up the Missouri River....We expect to be gone 18 months or two years....If we make Great Discoveries as we expect, the united States, has promised to make us Great Rewards more than we are promised, &c.”

On the return trip from the Pacific Ocean, Ordway was given the task of leading a party of 10 men to the head of the Jefferson River, where the Corps had left its canoes before crossing the mountains. After repairing the canoes, Ordway would lead the men down the Jefferson to the Great Falls of the Missouri, portage around the falls, and then proceed to the mouth of the river to reunite with the groups led by Lewis and Clark. This was done successfully and without incident.

After the expedition, Lewis and Clark had the task of preparing a work of their journey. They agreed to buy Ordway’s journals and incorporate his writings in their book, and paid him $300 for the journals. Ordway returned to New Hampshire, married, and later moved to Missouri to farm the 320 acres of land that he was awarded for his service in the Corps. He also received double pay, on Lewis’ recommendation, as did most of the men in the Corps. Ordway lived the remainder of his life as a successful landowner. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Denmarkdv (talk • contribs) 18:45, 15 December 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Exact date of birth?[edit]

Does anyone know of the exact DOB of John Ordway? I have to do it for a project65.33.96.202 00:06, 8 March 2007 (UTC) The SOAD Fan[reply]

Information (2009)[edit]

Sgt. John Ordway is one of 10 children born to Hannah & John Ordway, who moved from Amesbury MA to near the town boundary line between Bow, NH and Dunbarton, NH, in 1774. Sgt. Ordway was not born in Hebron N.H. (50 miles away from Bow, NH), however a brother (Stephen) did move there and lived most of his life in Hebron. Sgt. John Ordway visited him there in 1806 or 1807, before moving to Missouri. Those seeking information for his date-of-birth could check municipal, church, or historical-society records at either the Town of Bow, NH, or Town of Dunbarton, NH.

Sgt. John Ordway died in Missouri in 1817. Jreference (talk) 21:18, 23 November 2009 (UTC)[reply]