Edward R. Geary papers, 1840-1878

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Geary, Edward R., 1811-1886
Title
Edward R. Geary papers
Dates
1840-1878 (inclusive)
Quantity
3 cubic feet, (1 document case, 4 flat boxes, 1 oversize folder)
Collection Number
Mss 68
Summary
Papers of Edward R. Geary, a pioneer missionary and Presbyterian minister who served as Superintendent of Indian Affairs in Oregon and Washington State from 1859 to 1861, founded Albany College, and was a Regent of the University of Oregon. Includes correspondence, writings, and financial records, including copies of letters from Geary's brother, John W. Geary; papers relating to the Oregon Central Railroad; papers relating to the estate of John Webster Perit Huntington; and detailed expenditure reports from the Oregon Office of Indian Affairs, 1859-1861.
Repository
Oregon Historical Society Research Library
1200 SW Park Avenue
Portland, OR
97205
Telephone: 503-306-5240
Fax: 503-219-2040
libreference@ohs.org
Access Restrictions

The collection is open to the public.

Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Edward R. Geary, pioneer missionary and educator, was born in Boonsboro, Maryland on April 30, 1811. He arrived in Oregon in 1851 as a Presbyterian missionary, preaching at Brownsville, Pleasant Grove and Albany, before settling in Eugene in 1875. In 1866, Geary co-founded Albany College, and in 1876 became a regent of the University of Oregon. He served as Superintendent of Indian Affairs in Oregon and Washington Territory from1859-1861.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Papers include: copies of letters (1847-1873) to Edward R. Geary from his brother, John W. Geary, containing details of John's experiences in Panama, Mexico, Harrisburg, and as the first mayor of San Francisco; financial records and correspondence concerning Indian affairs in Oregon (1853-1876), the Presbyterian church (1862-1876), and the Oregon Central Railroad; papers (1870-1874) related to the estate of John Webster Perit Huntington; typescript of letter (April 17, 1851) to John McCellan describing voyage to the Pacific coast, via the Isthmus of Panama; and certificates of nomination (1859) and appointment as Oregon Superintendent of Indian Affairs.

Indian affairs materials include extensive documentation of the the Oregon agency's expenditures from 1859 through 1861. Vouchers contain itemizations of purchases, including gifts and provisions given Native Americans in fulfillment of treaty obligations. Lists includes names of individuals and their tribes. A letter of July 9, 1861 from Indian agent A. J. Cain describes the relations between the Indians and settlers (filed in "Cattle Contracts of July 2, 1860"). The records were meticulously written and probably reflect the work of Geary's clerk, Quincy A. Brooks.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

The Oregon Historical Society is the owner of the materials in the Research Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from the Research Library prior to any use of reproductions. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all of the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from the copyright owners.

Preferred Citation

Edward R. Geary Papers, Mss 68, Oregon Historical Society Research Library

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in the following series:

  • Series A: Correspondence, 1847-1878
  • Series B: General Materials, 1840-1876
  • Series C: Indian Affairs Materials, 1853-1876

Location of Originals

Originals of John W. Geary letters located at the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisbug.

Acquisition Information

The origin of the collection is unknown.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.

Series A:  Correspondence, 1847-1878Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/1-2
Letters from John W. Geary (photostatic copies)
Detailed list of letters at front of first folder. Letters include 2 from Edward R. Geary and one from John W. Geary's son Edward.
1847-1873
1/3
Letters from John W. Geary to Edward R. Geary (originals)
Three letters written from Lecompton, Kansas, when John W. Geary was Governor of Kansas Territory. Letter of February 5, 1857, concerns political and social conditions in the state.
1857; 1859
1/4
Letter of Edward R. Geary describing trip to Oregon (typescript copies)
Letter, Clatsop Plains, Oregon Territory, April 17, 1851, to Johh McClellan, describing voyage to the Pacific Coast via Panama.
1851 Apr. 17
1/5
Letters of introduction for Edward R. Geary for his trip to the east coast
1861 Nov.
1/6
Letters regarding charges against P. B. Whitman (photostatic copies)
1872
1/7
General correspondence
Includes letter, 1848 Jan. 6, concerning the service in the Second Pennsylvania Regiment in Mexico of Lieutenant Colonel Geary (possibly John W. Geary), Colonel Robert, and Major Brindle.
1848-1878

Series B:  General Materials, 1840-1876Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/8
Papers relating to the estate of John Webster Perit Huntington
1868-1874
1/9
Oregon Central Railroad papers
1874; undated
1/10
Speeches and sermons
Includes draft of speech given at opening of a canal, Linn County, Or.
1849; undated
1/11
General materials
Includes will of Edward R. Geary, legal documents, and materials relating to the Philadelphia exposition in 1876.
1874-1876; undated

Series C:  Indian Affairs Materials, 1853-1876Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/12
Account book of Edward R. Geary
undated
1/13
Bids for supply of merchandise to the Indian Affairs office from Portland merchants
1859 Sept. 9
1/14
Cancelled checks from Ladd & Tilton Bank
1860
1/15
Correspondence
1853-1860
1/16
Correspondence
1861-1862; 1876; undated
Financial records
These records were originally folded and collated in packets. The contents of each packet is represented by each of the following folders. Folder titles duplicate titles written on the packet wrappers.
Box/Folder
2/1
Remittances
1857-1860
2/2
Money and property accounts, part of 2nd quarter
1859
2/3
Money and property accounts, 3rd quarter [part 1]
1859
2/4
Money and property accounts, 3rd quarter [part 2]
1859
2/5
Money and property accounts, 3rd quarter [part 3]
1859
3/1
Cash and property account, 4th quarter [part 1]
1859
3/2
Cash and property account, 4th quarter [part 2]
1859
3/3
Cash and property account, 4th quarter [part 3]
1859
3/4
Money and property account, 1st quarter
1860
4/1
Cash and property account, 2nd quarter
1860
4/2
Cash and property account, 3rd quarter
1860
4/3
Cash account, 4th quarter
1860
4/4
Cash and property account, frac. 4th quarter
1860
4/5
Annuity goods shiped by steamer
1860
5/1
Cattle contracts
1860
5/2
Statements of funds, #31
1860
5/3
Cash and property account, 1st quarter
1861
5/4
Cash and property account, 2nd quarter
1861
5/5
Cash and property account, frac. 3rd quarter
1861
Folder
Oversize Folder
Certificates of appointment
Two certificates for the appointment of Edward Geary as Superintendent of Indian Affairs in Oregon and Washington, signed by President James Buchanan.
1859-1860

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Indian agents--Oregon--Correspondence
  • Indians of North America--Oregon--Government relations
  • Presbyterian Church--Oregon--Clergy--Correspondence
  • Voyages to the Pacific coast

Personal Names

  • Geary, Edward R., 1811-1886--Correspondence (creator)
  • Geary, John W.--Correspondence
  • Huntington, John Webster Perit, 1831-1869
  • McClellan, John--Correspondence

Corporate Names

  • United States. Office of Indian Affairs. Oregon Superintendency--Archives
  • Oregon Central Railroad

Form or Genre Terms

  • Estate records
  • Financial records
  • Letters