Rose came to Oregon in 1849, as a slave of Dr. William Allen. According to family lore, Allen knew about the Exclusion Laws, and decided not to bring Rose with them. However, Rose convinced the family to take her and travelled in a wooden box with ventilation holes, in order not to be seen. Rose was freed when they got to Oregon, but Dr. Allen died soon after they arrived. She is credited with helping the family survive the first winter by working as a laundress to bring in money.  ​