Ford also lost a civil case that freed his slaves who he had brought across the Oregon Trail from Missouri.

[2] As sheriff of Howard County in Missouri, Ford acquired the Holmes family as slaves, as slavery was still legal in that state at the time.

[5] Part of this same party included fellow future Willamette Valley politician John Minto, however Ford was in charge of a different company.

[6] Once in Oregon, Ford began farming in Polk County, five miles (8 km) from a place called Nesmith's Mills.

[2] In 1844, before leaving Missouri, Ford promised his slaves Polly and Robin Holmes that he would free them after reaching Oregon and establishing a farm.