Bushrod Washington Wilson letters to Joseph P. Wilson , 1846-1875

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Clark, Robert Carlton, 1877-1939; Wilson, Bushrod Washington, 1824-1900
Title
Bushrod Washington Wilson letters to Joseph P. Wilson
Dates
1846-1875 (inclusive)
Quantity
0.1 linear feet, (2 containers)  :  2 folders
Collection Number
A 135
Summary
Bushrod Washington Wilson (1824-1900) was a sailor, gold miner, and carpenter who eventually settled in Corvallis, Oregon, where he became a prominent citizen. The collection consists of Wilson's letters to his brother, Joseph.
Repository
University of Oregon Libraries, Special Collections and University Archives
UO Libraries--SCUA
1299 University of Oregon
Eugene OR
97403-1299
Telephone: 5413463068
spcarref@uoregon.edu
Access Restrictions

Collection is open to the public. Collection must be used in Special Collections and University Archives Reading Room. Collection or parts of collection may be stored offsite. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives in advance of your visit to allow for transportation time.

Additional Reference Guides

See the Current Collection Guide for detailed description and requesting options.

Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for production of this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).

Historical NoteReturn to Top

Bushrod Washington Wilson (1824-1900) was born in Maine. In 1833 the Wilson family moved to New York, and in 1838 to Illinois. In 1843 Bushrod left home abruptly and signed on a whaler out of New Bedford for a voyage of three years. In 1849 he sailed on the William Gray, New York to San Francisco. In 1850 he travelled to Corvallis, Oregon, where he resided until his death. He married Priscilla Owsley Yantis in 1855, and they went on to have 13 children.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The collection consists entirely of Wilson's letters to his brother, Joseph. The letters are highly descriptive and lively, and comment on politics, business, and religion. There is one letter from Henry Clay Wilson, a cousin, to Joseph, written from Port Townsend, "Oregon Terr." in 1853, describing the prospects of the region.

The second folder consists of type-written transcriptions of the letters and a biographical sketch of Bushrod Wilson by R. C. Clark, head of the University of Oregon Department of History (1934).

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Gold miners--West (U.S.)
  • Pioneers--Oregon Territory--Correspondence

Personal Names

  • Wilson, Bushrod Washington, 1824-1900

Geographical Names

  • Oregon Territory--History

Form or Genre Terms

  • Correspondence