Shadden, Thomas J.

Thomas Jefferson Shadden (1809-1894) was identified in Riptide as an Arkansas native who accompanied the Vardamon Bennett family from Arkansas to Oregon, then to California. The Find-a-Grave page identifies Shadden as emigrating to Oregon via the Oregon Trail in 1843, which does not conflict with what is known of the Bennetts.

Daughter Drusilla Shadden married John Hames. Hames also came to California in 1843, so he may have also been traveling in that wagon train, and met Drusilla during the journey.