Letitia Carson: Defiant Pioneer

Letitia Carson, a black woman, traveled the Oregon Trail with David Carson in 1845. After David's death, she fought a legal battle to inherit his estate, winning a groundbreaking case. She later claimed land through the Homestead Act, becoming the only black woman in Oregon to do so. Letitia built a prosperous life, defying the odds in a time when black rights were restricted.

What percentage of settlers on the Oregon Trail were black?

• 5%

• 3%

• 10%

• 1%

What was the main reason Letitia Carson went to court after David Carson's death?

• To seek custody of her children

• To challenge land ownership laws

• To claim her inheritance

• To protest against racial discrimination

What was significant about Letitia Carson's court victory?

• It was the first case of its kind in the Oregon Territory

• It led to changes in inheritance laws

• It granted her full ownership of David's estate

• It was a rare victory for a black woman in a restrictive territory

What did the Homestead Act of 1862 allow settlers to do?

• Build homes without legal restrictions

• Receive government grants for farming

• Claim up to 160 acres of land for free

• Purchase land at a discounted rate

How did Letitia Carson's life progress after her court victory?

• She struggled to maintain her land

• She became a prominent political figure

• She built a stable and prosperous life

• She moved back to Missouri