Sidney H. Marsh Papers, 1817-1943

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Marsh, James W. (James Wheelock), 1827-1860; ; Marsh, Sidney H. (Sidney Harper), 1825-1879
Title
Sidney H. Marsh Papers
Dates
1817-1943 (inclusive)
Quantity
5.0 cubic feet, (5 record boxes)
Collection Number
MS.1
Summary
This collection documents the activities of Sidney H. Marsh while at Tualatin Academy and later as President of Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon from 1853 until his death in 1879. The majority of the correspondence and documents record his efforts in obtaining monies for the college through subscriptions, the financial records for the school, writings promoting and defending education in Oregon, relationships between business partners, early founders, students, and faculty members.
Repository
Pacific University, Archives
Pacific University Archives
2043 College Way
Forest Grove, OR
97116
Telephone: 5033521400
archives@pacificu.edu
Access Restrictions

Collection is available for research.

Additional Reference Guides

Alphabetical card index of correspondents for a select author found in series 1; transcriptions for some materials available in reference notebook; and biographical information on persons in the collection available in the vertical files.

Languages
English
Sponsor
Sponsored by a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Sidney Harper Marsh was born on August 29, 1825 at Hampden-Sidney College, Virginia. He was the son of James Wheelock Marsh and Lucia Wheelock Marsh. He had a brother, James Wheelock Marsh, and a stepbrother, Joseph Walker Marsh from his father’s second wife, Laura Wheelock Marsh, the sister of Lucia. He lived the early part of his life in Burlington, Vermont.

Mr. S. Marsh graduated from the University of Vermont in 1846, receiving a D.D. degree from the same school in 1862. Some of his classmates that he stayed in contact with from the university were Judge Jameson, of Chicago and Hon. H.O. Houghton, of Cambridge, Massachusetts. Mr. Sidney H. Marsh taught for two years at Leesburg Academy in Leesburg, Virginia. As part of the American College and Education Society, he relocated in 1853 to the Oregon territory to become principal of Tualatin Academy in Forest Grove. Shortly after, he became the President of Pacific University in 1854, which he remained president for 25 years. He was ordained as a Congregational clergyman during his early years in Oregon where he gave sermons throughout the Willamette Valley, from Forest Grove to Eugene.

As the President of Pacific University, Mr. Sidney Marsh worked tirelessly to promote education in the West and to gain subscriptions in the East to help fund the school from 1859-1860 and 1875- 1876. During this time, he sent many letters to his wife Eliza and children James Wheelock, Mary and Lucia. Throughout his life, Mr. Sidney Marsh devoted his services to the Pacific University and his ministry to the Congregational church. His devotion to the college and belief in education encompassed his life to the end, as noted in his obituary in the Free Press, “He worked for it to the last, making a journey to Portland, Oregon, on business for it, but ten days before he died, and he gave it almost his last thoughts and breath.”

He died on February 2, 1879 at the age of 81. He was married to Eliza Haskell from Bloomfield, Ohio in 1860 and had eight children, three died young. Surviving children were James Wheelock Marsh, Mary Henrietta Marsh, Lucia Marsh, George Haskell, Winifred Marsh.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

This collection documents the activities of Sidney H. Marsh while at Tualatin Academy and later as President of Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon from 1853 until his death in 1879. The majority of the correspondence and documents record his efforts in obtaining monies for the college through subscriptions, the financial records for the school, writings promoting and defending education in Oregon, relationships between business partners, early founders, students, and faculty members.

The writings include sermons as a Congregational Minister, early writings before his move to Oregon including poetry and a play. Notable writings include a history from Sidney H. Marsh and George H. Atkinson, a composition on “Hamlet,” and the play “Schools for Young Ladies.” The subject index for Tualatin Academy and Pacific University consists of financial records, samples of student compositions, papers closing Tabitha Brown’s estate, and some resolutions and meeting minutes. Records from the Congregational Church in Forest Grove section contain two account books created by J. S. Griffin, resolution and meeting minutes, plus the minutes from the inquiry into Harvey Clark in 1854.

A portion of the collection has been acquired through James Wheelock Marsh, Sidney H. Marsh’s son, which includes letters after the death of Sidney H. Marsh, examples of his own writings “Oregon Reports” and notes on the collection. Unless otherwise noted in the series and sub-series descriptions, the arrangement scheme for the collection was imposed during processing in the absence of a usable original order.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Pacific University owns the copyright to some, but not all, of the materials housed in its archives. Copyright for materials authored or otherwise produced as official business of Pacific University is retained by Pacific University and requires its permission for publication. Copyright status for other collection materials varies. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.

Preferred Citation

[item identification], Sidney H. Marsh Papers, Pacific University Archives, Forest Grove, Oregon

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

Organized into 5 series: 1. Correspondence, 2. Writings, 3. Subject Index, 4. Personal Papers, 5. Memorabilia and Personal Effects

Future Additions

No accruals are expected.

Acquisition Information

Collection acquired through gifts from circa 1953 and 1978 from James Wheelock Marsh, son; copies from Theodore Whittelsey, Jr., grandson; and materials from Emily Peterson, grand-daughter of Joseph W. Marsh.

Custodial History

The materials were part of Marsh family collections that were gifted or acquired from the members or various sellers.

Separated Materials

Books were separated from the collection and cataloged in the Rare Books collection and some are storage.

Related Materials

Books owned by Sidney H. Marsh can be found in the Rare Books, Sidney H. Marsh Collection. Related materials to George Atkinson can be found in the George Atkinson Papers collection.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Series 1:  Correspondence, 1824-1900Return to Top

The series is separated into two sub-series that include 1.1, General, which contains letters by and to Sidney H. Marsh and the sub-series 1.2, Third-party, which contains letters to and from individuals associated with S.H. Marsh's family and Pacific University. Correspondence has been arranged alphabetically then chronologically within folders, unless otherwise noted. Transcript copies are provided for some letters and have been placed behind the corresponding original.

The sub-series 1.1, General, persons containing less than three letters are filed alphabetically in “letter” general files (e.g., “A” general). Correspondents with unknown surnames are filed after all known correspondents under the given name. Unknown letters are filed at end of the series under, Unidentified/Anonymous Persons. Eliza Haskell Marsh folders 49- 62 have been kept in original order. The sub-series 1.2, Third-Party, also contains letters of introduction and recommendation for Sidney H. Marsh. This section is arranged by sender or receiver that was prominent in the life Sidney H. Marsh.

Container(s) Description Dates
Sub-series 1.1: General
 1847-1879
Box Folder
1 1
"A" General
 1859-1876
1 2-3
Atkinson, George
 1852-1879
1 4
"B" General
Includes a letter to Brodyman and one to Bowditch about his efforts in Boston to raise money.
1854-1860
1 5-8
Baldwin, Theron
 1858-1867
1 9
Butterfield
 1874
1 10
“C” General
 1859-1878
1 11
Chamberlin, B.B.
 1859-1860
1 12
Clapp, Frances
 1872-1879
1 13
Corbett, Henry Winslow
 1861-1876
1 14
Craig, Wheelock
 1859-1860
1 15
"D" General
 1859
1 16
Dionell, T. E.
 1860
1 17
"F" General
 1860-1873
1 18
First National Bank of Portland
 1875-1876
1 19
"G" General
 1860
1 20
"H"- "Hitchcock, R." General
Includes a letter to Harris about the grave monument for his brother James.
1857-1873
1 21
"Hitchcock, S."-"Hy" General
Includes a letter Hlett describing the different Indian languages they have encountered along with a journal entry from Log River.
1854-1873
1 22
Hale, Edward E.
 1864
1 23
Hale, Josiah
 1854-1860
1 24
Harrison, Matthew
 1860-1867
1 25
Haskell, P.N.
The undated letter is missing a page.
1859-1873
1 26
Haskell, T.N.
 1860-1875
1 27
Hodgdon, M.A.
 1861-1876
1 28
Houghton, H.O.
 1861-1875
1 29
Howard, O. O.
 1875-1876
1 30
Hoyt, T.S.
 1855-1856
1 31
Huntington, C.A.
 1866-1869
1 32
Ivison and Phinney
 1853-1857
1 33
"J" General
 1861-1869
1 34
James,
 1861
1 35
Jameson, John A.
 1846-1866
1 36
"K" General
 1856-1875
1 37
Keeler, J.M.
 1853-1855
1 38
Kirk, Edward H.
 1859-1869
1 39
"L" General
 1854-1869
1 40
Ladd, M.S.
 1864-1869
1 41
Luce, H.B.
 1875
1 42
Lyman, Horace
 1860
1 43-44
“M” General
 1859-1873
1 45
Marsh Family General
Includes a letter from Benjamin S. Marsh found inside a book of poetry.
1845-1877
1 46
Marsh Children
 1875
1 47
Marsh, Anna L.
Letter missing first page.
1873-1875
1 48-61
Marsh, Eliza Haskell
 1859-1878
1 62
Marsh, James W. (brother)
Transcript copies of replies can be found folder 98, Copies from Theodore Whittesley Jr. Collection.
1846-1857
1 63
Marsh, James W. (son)
 1866-1878
1 64
Marsh, Joseph Walker
 1860-1875
1 65
Marsh, L(yndon)?
 1859-1870
1 66
Marsh, Lucia
 1875-1876
1 67-68
Marsh, Mary H.
Non-correspondence items have been placed in Family Papers.
1866-1878
1 69
Marsh, Mary M.
 1861-1867
Momotaro, Sato
 1870
1 72
“N” General
Includes letters to the Editor of the New York Times and from Japanese student A.M. Nossea.
1859-1876
1 73
Nimman, A.
 1867-1876
1 74
Noyer, Daniel P.
 1861-1863
1 75
“O” General
 1869
1 76
Oregon Central Railroad Company
 1875-1878
1 77
"P" General
 1853-1878
1 78
"R"-"Ri" General
 1847-1856
1 79
"Ro"-"Ru" General
Includes a letter to Rev. Roy expressing his role to the founding of Pacific University with a note from SHM’s sons.
1859-1875
1 79
Rich, A. B.
 1860-1870
2 80-82
"S” General
 1853-1877
2 83
Saito, Kinpay
 1876-1878
2 84-85
Shattuck, E. D.
Letters have faded, handle with care.
1852-1867
2 86
Shedd, W.G.T.
 1859-1873
2 87
Starr, Milton B.
 1857-1860
2 88
"T" General
 1855-1866
2 89
Tamura, Hatsuatra
 1876-1878
2 90
Tanner, Edward A.
Letters faded, handle with care.
1860-1865
2 91
University of Vermont
 1853
2 92-94
"W” General
 1851-1875
2 95
Walley, S.H.
 1861-1866
2 96
Williams, T. W.
 1860-1866
2 97
____, Charles
 1878
2 98
Unidentified/Anonymous Persons
 1854-1875
Sub-series 1.2: Third-party
 1824-1943
Box Folder
2 1
Copies from Theodore Wittelsey Jr. Collection
 1849-1876
2 2
Letters of recommendation of Sidney H. Marsh
 1847-1851
2 3
Letters of recommendation or introduction of Sidney H. Marsh
 1852-1869
2 4
Atkinson, George
 1852-1883
2 5
Clark, Harvey
 1857
2 6
Farnham, Mary
Letter from her son Kenneth Thomas
1900
2 7
Highley, Sarah
 Undated
2 8
Keeler, J.M.
 1855
2 9
Lyman, Horace
 Undated
2
Lyman, Sarah
2 10
Lyman, Sarah
 Undated
2 11-12
To Marsh, Eliza Haskell
 1863-1879
2 13
Marsh, Joseph W.
 1854-1886
2 14
Marsh, Lucia W.
Correspondence to Eliza Haskell Marsh.
1824
2 15
Marsh, Mary H.
 1875-1880
2 16
Marsh, W. F.
 1875
2 17
Thomas, N.
 1943

Series 2:  Writings, 1842-1943Return to Top

This series consists of writings on Pacific University, lectures, editorials, and the many sermons as a Congregational minister. The sermons and lectures were found in two bundles tied together by string. Many of these writings are individually sewn together and written in pencil, and handled with care. Writings are arranged chronologically.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
2 1
Pacific University Inaugural Discourse
 1856
2 2
Baccalaureate Address
 1868 May 3
2 3
Narration of Pacific University
 1871
2 4
Writings on Pacific University
 1859-1874
2 5
Editorials
 1874-1875
2 6
Scheme of Missionary(?) and educational work in Oregon
 Undated
2 7
"Gentleman of the Society"
 Undated
2 8
Money
 Undated
2 9
Money and Currency
 Undated
2 10
"The matter of education…"
 Undated
2 11
"It has been said by someone that he should show the connection between the interests of vital religion and learning..."
 Undated
2 12
Untitled, missing first page
 Undated
2 13
"Our nation has been startled from the repose of peace by the clarion call to arms"
 1862 July 2
2 14
"I propose to consider what education is …."
 1862 July 30
2 15
Principles to Men
 1863 March 4
2 16
Address before the Sanitary Aid Apouration(?) of Oregon City
 1864 June 8
2 17
Address before the Teachers' Institute, Albany
 1864 August 3
2 18
Teaching as a Profession, before Gamma Sigma
 1868 April 10
2 19
Wait I say on the Lord
 Undated
2 20
Congregationalism
 Undated
2 21
Ed Congregationalism
 1862
2 22
"It is the office of the ministry to publish spiritual truths to a carnal world."
 Undated
2 23
Mathew 10:16
 Undated
2 24
Mark 16:3
 Undated
2 25
Deuteronomy 30:15
 Undated
2 26
Isaiah 58:13-14, On the Sabbath
 circa March 1862
2 27
Psalm 84:1
 1863 March 22
2 28
Proverbs 8:17
 circa April 1863
2 29
1st Corinthians 4:7
 1863 April 5
2 30
Mathew 16: part of the 3rd verse
 1863 April 27
2 31
John 20:28
 1893 July 5
2 32
2 Samuel 18:14
 1863 August
2 33
Thanksgiving Psalms 68, 78, and 107:43
Includes a newspaper clipping of President Lincoln’s Proclamation of Thanksgiving from the Oregonian (newspaper), July 25, 1863.
1863 August 6
2 35
Genesis 3:14
 1863 November 15
2 36
Psalm 37:31
 circa November 1863
2 37
Fast Day Sermon - Deuteronomy 29
 1863 November 26
2 38
1 Corinthians 6:2
 1863 December 20
2 39
2 Corinthians 14:40
 circa March 1864
2 40
1st Epistle of John 2:8
 1864 May 8
2 41
Joshua 13:1
 1864 June 19
2 42
Luke 19:9
 1864 June 25
2 43
Galatians 6:7
 1864 December 4
2 44
Thanksgiving Psalms 99:8
 1864 September 25
2 45
Hagar 1:7
 1865 January 1
3 46
…stram rehearse in the language of worldly joy the gifts of Providence"
Missing first page.
1868 November 26
3 47
John 15:5
 1869 February 7
3 48
Psalm 2:3
 1869 February 21
3 49
Zachariah 4:6
 1869 May 2
3 50
Acts 16:31
 1870s
3 51
Romans 13:13
 1870s
3 52
Acts 5:38
 1870s
3 53
The Lord be merciful and heal my soul.
 1870s
3 54
James 4:14
 before 1871
3 55
Psalm 17:15
 circa 1871-1876
3 56
Hebrews 10:35
 circa April 1873
3 57
Luke 8
 circa August 1874
3 58
John 12: 24
 circa December 1875
3 59
Christmas, Romans 10:17 and Genesis 28:16
 1876 December 25
3 60
Acts 1:2, 1st Sabbath
 1877
3 61
Psalm 34:11
 1877 January 14
3 62
Psalm 2:3
 1877 February 4
3 63
Isaiah 1:18
 1877 February 11
3 64
1 Corinthians 1:24
 1877 March 4
3 65
Psalm 74:5
 1877 March 18
3 66
1 Kings 2:2
 1877 April 1
3 67
Hamlet Composition pp. 1-14
 Undated
3 68
Hamlet Composition, pp. 15-30
 Undated
3 69
Hamlet Composition, pp. 31-39
 Undated
3 70
Hamlet, bound
 Undated
3 71
Book of Poetry
Letter to Benjamin S. Marsh removed and placed in correspondence.
circa 1842-1858
3 72
Untitled Poem
 1858
3 73
Play "Schools for young Ladies"
 1865 May 3
3 74
Notes and incomplete writings
 Undated

Series 3:  Subject Index, 1842-1903Return to Top

This series is divided into two fields of interest between Tualatin Academy and Pacific University and the Congregational Church of Forest Grove, Oregon. The sub-series, 3.1, Tualatin Academy and Pacific University contains documents of resolutions, meetings, book lists, financial records and papers relating to former students. The Financial Papers folders (29-36) have been kept in their original order. The sub-series 3.2, Congregational Church of Forest Grove, Oregon contain documents of early record books, meeting minutes and the church inquiry into Harvey Clarke. The records are arranged chronologically.

Container(s) Description Dates
Sub-series 3.1: Tualatin Academy and Pacific University
 1845-1903
Box Folder
3 3
Faculty appointment and recommendation
 1886-1903
3 4
Papers closing estate of Tabitha Brown
 1864-1877
3 5
Printed materials for events and stationary
 undated
3 6
Sample of Student Compositions
 1879
3 7
11th Annual Report of the Society for the Promotion of Collegiate and Theological Education at the West
 1854
3 1
Synopsis of the History of Tualatin Academy & Pacific University by George H. Atkinson
 1861-1864
3 2
Resolutions and Meeting Minutes
 1853-1899
3 8
Documents related to establishing education in Washington County
 Undated
3 9
Marriage licenses of graduates
Includes the license of Harriet Hoover, the first female graduate.
Undated
3 10
Book List and Purchase
 Undated
3 11
Record Book
 1861-1864
3 12-15
Account Books
 1849-1875
3 16-18
Subscriptions Books
 Unknown-1876
3-4 19-23
Subscriptions
 1850-1870
4 24-26
Bonds
 Unknown-1855
4 27
Faculty Contracts
 1853-1866
4 28
Bills / Promissory Notes
 1851-1856
4 29-36
Financial Papers
 1849-1875
4 37-55
Receipts/Bills
 1845-1878
Sub-series 3.2: Congregational Church of Forest Grove, Oregon
 1842-1876
Box Folder
4 1
Church book of Tualatin Plains Church by J.S. Griffin
 1842-1876
4 2
Ministerial Record book and journal J.S. Griffin
 1842-1880
4 3
"Subscribers to the American and sermons in account with J.S. Griffin"
 1848 June
4 4
Resolutions and Meeting Minutes
 undated
4 5
Minutes from Inquiry into Harvey Clarke
 1854
4 6
Miscellaneous Papers
 undated

Series 4:  Personal Papers, 1817-1932Return to Top

This series contains materials related to Sidney H. Marsh’s personal life and family member materials, especially from his children. Sub-series 4.1, General, includes materials relating specifically to the personal life of Sidney H. Marsh including diaries, financial receipts, biographical papers, obituaries, newspaper clippings, educational records, diplomas, deeds, and bank accounts. The sub-series 4.2, Family Papers contain materials collected about and created by family members, such as James Wheelock Marsh “Oregon Reports” and notes on this collection. The records are arranged chronologically.

Container(s) Description Dates
Sub-series 4.1: General
Fragile, handle with care.
1833-1881
Box Folder
4 1
Biographical Information
 1846-1879
4 2
Memorial Speeches
 1879-1881
4 3
Diplomas from the University of Vermont
 1846 and 1862
4 4
Honor / Awards
 1860
4 5
Class Notes
 1843
4 6
Leesburg Academy papers
 1847-1848
4 7
Diary - Smiths Camp Hilson River
Fragile, handle with care.
1873 August 1-26
5 8
Notebook with notes and excerpts for sermons
 undated
5 9
Book of notes on speaking
 undated
5 10
Notebook of Bible quotes
 undated
5 11
Newspaper Clippings
 1852-1875
5 12
Index to Notebooks, New York
 12?
5 13
Address Book
 undated
5 14-17
Memorandum Booklet
Fragile, handle with care.
1861 and undated
5 18
Calendar & Book Slate
 1857
5 19
Letter list and memorandum booklet
 1871
5 20
Diary and appointment booklet
 1874
5 21
Catalogue of books taken to Oregon (from New York City)
 undated
5 22
Account Book, First National Bank of Portland
 1865-1874
5 23
Cancelled Checks, First National Bank of Portland
 1870-1874
5 24
Stock Receipts
 1867
5 25-28
Deeds / Mortgages
 1855-1878
5 29
Land Surveys / Donations
 1849-1851 and undated
5 30
Deed to Burial Lot
 1882, 1889
5 31
Photograph copy of letter by President Andrew Jackson
 undated (original letter dated 1833)
5 32
Printed images
 undated
5 33
Miscellaneous Papers
 undated
Sub-series 4.1: Family Papers
 1817-1932
Box Folder
5 1
Jacob Marsh Diploma from Dartmouth
 1817
5 2
“Oregon Reports'" by James Wheelock Marsh Transcript of the local history from the perspective from the events in the Oregon Court Reports from 1853-1887.
5 3
James Wheelock Marsh's booklet of composed prayers
 undated
5 4
James Wheelock Marsh's notes on collection
 undated
5 5
James Marsh Funeral Program
 1842
Lucia Marsh school compositions and notes
 1855 and undated
5 8
Mary Marsh notes and drawing
 undated
5 9
Jacob Marsh diploma from Dartmouth
 1817

Series 5:  Memorabilia and Personal Effects, 1824Return to Top

The series contains 3-dimensional objects and published material from the collection, arranged chronologically.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
5 1
Letter Covers
 1834 and undated
5 2
Booklet - "In Memoriam: S. H. March, D.D., First President of Pacific University, 1854-1879" by Myron Eells.
7 copies
1881

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Personal Names

  • Brown, Tabitha Moffatt, 1780-1858

Corporate Names

  • Pacific University
  • Tualatin Academy

Form or Genre Terms

  • Correspondence
  • Lectures
  • Sermons

Occupations

  • Clergy
  • Education administrators, postsecondary

Finding aid prepared by Elvira Sanchez-Kisser
2009

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

About Creative Commons Licenses in Archives West