Marcus and Narcissa Whitman collection, 1834-1947

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Whitman, Marcus, 1802-1847; Whitman, Narcissa Prentiss, 1808-1847
Title
Marcus and Narcissa Whitman collection
Dates
1834-1947 (inclusive)
1834-1850 (bulk)
Quantity
0.5 cubic feet, (1 legal document case; 1 shared reel microfilm; 1 reel microfilm)
Collection Number
Mss 1203
Summary
Papers of and relating to Presbyterian missionaries Marcus Whitman (1802-1847) and Narcissa Whitman (1808-1847), including their correspondence, documents and recollections relating to their murder and the aftermath, and ephemera related to their memorialization. The Whitmans established a mission in 1836 at Waiilatpu near Walla Walla in the part of the Oregon Territory that would later become Washington state, with the goal of converting the local Cayuse people. The Whitmans' relations with the Native people were often confrontational, and in 1847 a group of Cayuse people killed both Marcus Whitman and Narcissa Whitman.
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

Collection is open for research.

Additional Reference Guides

Some letters in this collection are described in "Overland passages: a guide to overland documents in the Oregon Historical Society," entries 223 and 224, and in "Platte River road narratives," entries 28 and 32.

Languages
English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Marcus Whitman was born in 1802 in Federal Hollow, New York, and grew up in Rushville, New York. Although deeply religious, he was unable to afford training as a minister. He instead earned a degree from Fairfield Medical College in 1832, and applied to be a medical missionary for the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions (ABCFM). In 1835, he and Samuel Parker traveled to the Pacific Northwest to explore the feasibility of establishing a mission to convert Native people to Protestant Christianity.

In February 1836, Whitman married Narcissa Prentiss of Angelica, New York. Narcissa Whitman had been deeply religious since childhood and desired to become a Presbyterian missionary, but had previously been rejected by the ABCFM; her marriage to Marcus Whitman enabled her to become a missionary. That year, the couple traveled westward with Henry Harmon Spalding, Eliza Hart Spalding, and William H. Gray. The Whitmans established a mission at Waiilatpu, located in the lands of the Cayuse people near Walla Walla, in what would later be Washington State, while the Spaldings established a separate mission at Lapwai in what would later be Idaho. In March 1837, Narcissa Whitman gave birth to a daughter, Alice Clarissa Whitman, who lived only two years; she drowned in 1839.

In 1838, additional missionaries arrived to assist Whitman's efforts to convert the region's Native peoples, including Elkanah Walker and Asa Smith. There were conflicts among the Whitmans and other missionaries, and by the 1840s, the Whitmans' efforts to convert Native people were proving largely unsuccessful. After receiving multiple letters from Asa Smith that were critical of the missionaries, the ABCFM announced in 1842 that it would recall Smith and Gray for reassignment and dismiss Spalding from missionary work, and that Whitman was to close the mission at Waiilatpu and relocate to Elkanah Walker's mission further north. In response, Marcus Whitman traveled east to meet with the ABCFM in person, and convinced them to rescind their orders. In 1843, he returned to the Pacific Northwest, helping guide a large wagon train of Euro-American emigrants to the Oregon Territory.

Relations between the Whitmans and the Cayuse were frequently confrontational. The Whitmans disapproved of Cayuse cultural practices, and there were misunderstandings relating to Euro-American cultural norms such as privacy. Because the Whitmans had built a sizeable mission and residence on Cayuse land, the Cayuse believed the Whitmans were obligated to distribute their goods to them, which the Whitmans interpreted as selfishness and ingratitude. In addition, as time went on, Marcus Whitman became more involved with assisting the increasing number of Euro-American emigrants coming to the region, while Narcissa Whitman became more focused on helping to raise and educate children of Euro-American emigrants and of fur trappers.

Tensions came to a head in 1847, when a measles epidemic hit the Cayuse people. The Cayuse believed that healers, such as Marcus Whitman, possessed powers and were thus responsible for the deaths of anyone in their care. Contemporary sources also indicate that there were rumors among the Cayuse that Whitman was deliberately poisoning them. On November 29, 1847, a group of Cayuse killed the Whitmans and eleven or twelve other Euro-Americans at the mission, and took the rest of those present hostage; the hostages were freed a month later, when Peter Skene Ogden of the Hudson's Bay Company paid ransom for them.

The killings, dubbed "the Whitman Massacre" by Euro-Americans, triggered a war between the Cayuse and Euro-American emigrants. In 1850, the Cayuse surrendered five men: Telokite, Tomahas, Isiaasheluckas, Clokomas, and Kiamasumkin. These five were then brought to Oregon City, Oregon, where they were tried and executed for the killings. The United States subsequently seized the Cayuse's land in 1855, and forced them to live on the Umatilla Reservation.

Sources: "Marcus Whitman (1802-1847)," by G. Thomas Edwards, Oregon Encyclopedia, https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/whitman_marcus/#.YnqytOjMIuU; "Narcissa Whitman (1808-1847)," by G. Thomas Edwards, Oregon Encyclopedia, https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/whitman_narcissa_1808_1847_/#.Ynqov-jMIuU; "Whitman Murders," by Cameron Addis, Oregon Encyclopedia, https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/whitman_massacre/#.YnqovejMIuU; "Whitman Murders Trial," by Ronald B. Lansing, Oregon Encyclopedia, https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/whitman_massacre_trial/#.Ynqxy-jMIuU; Drury, Clifford M., "Marcus and Narcissa Whitman and the Opening of Old Oregon," 1973.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The collection consists of papers of and relating to missionaries Marcus and Narcissa Whitman. A substantial portion of the collection consists of letters that they wrote to Narcissa Whitman's family. These letters describe the Whitmans' overland journey to the Pacific Northwest in 1836, and their lives as missionaries in the following decade. The letters also frequently express frustration with Native peoples' cultural norms and their reluctance to convert to Calvinist Christianity, often using patronizing and derogatory language. The letters also include pejorative terms for Roman Catholics and for biracial people of Native and European or Euro-American descent.

Other writings by the Whitmans include typescript copies of their correspondence with the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, and a typescript of Marcus Whitman's proposed legislation to establish outposts to assist Euro-American emigrants traveling westward. Other materials in the collection include original and reproduced materials regarding the Whitman killings and their aftermath; microfilm of Mary Saunders and Helen Saunders' recollections of the Whitman killings and aftermath; and items related to the memorialization of the Whitmans, including efforts in the 1890s to erect a monument in their honor.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Alternative Forms Available

Selected letters are viewable online in OHS Digital Collections.

Restrictions on Use

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

Preferred Citation

Marcus and Narcissa Whitman collection, Mss 1203, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

Collection is arranged in three series: Series 1. Marcus and Narcissa Whitman personal and missionary papers; Series 2. Whitman killings and immediate aftermath; Series 3. Recollections and memorialization.

Acquisition Information

Original letters of Marcus and Narcissa Whitman were acquired by George H. Himes from Narcissa Whitman's sister Harriet P. Jackson in the early 1890s. Photostatic reproductions of two letters were acquired from Yale University, most likely in 1945. Photostatic reproductions of documents relating to the trial for the Whitman killings were the gift of Eva A. Butler, May 1947. Typescripts of Oregon American and Evangelical Unionist articles were most likely acquired from T.C. Elliott or his estate in the early 20th century. Other original and copied materials were acquired between the late 19th century and the mid-20th century. Retrospective accession records were assigned for all of these in 2022.

Related Materials

An additional letter by Marcus Whitman is located in the Alvan F. Waller papers, Mss 1210, Oregon Historical Society Research Library. Other papers of and relating to Marcus Whitman and Narcissa Whitman are located at: Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut; Whitman College and Northwest Archives, Walla Walla, Washington; Washington State University Libraries' Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Pullman, Washington; Pacific University Archives, Forest Grove, Oregon; Bancroft Library, Berkeley, California.

Additional papers of Protestant missionaries to the Pacific Northwest can be found in Mss 1200 through Mss 1225, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.

Location of Originals

Originals of correspondence relating to the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions are housed at the Houghton Library, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Originals of records from the trial and execution of five Cayuse men for the Whitman killings are housed in the Oregon State Archives, Salem, Oregon.

Originals of Narcissa Whitman's letters dated September 18, 1838, October 10, 1840, March 1, 1842, and August 11, 1843; sections of Narcissa Whitman's letters dated March 14, 1838, and April 11, 1838; and Marcus Whitman's letter dated May 16, 1844, are housed in WA Mss 502, Whitman Family Papers, Western Americana Collection, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut.

Processing Note

Collection was originally processed in the mid-20th century, including original letters being mounted on Japanese paper and marked with pencil notations.

The collection was reprocessed in 2022. Materials were rearranged, the collection and multiple folders were retitled, and description was revised to more thoroughly contextualize the history of the Whitmans' relations with Native peoples, and to improve item-level description. Collection was previously titled, "Marcus and Narcissa Whitman Papers."

Names of people represented in the Whitmans' personal correspondence were determined through several sources, including: Drury, Clifford M., "Marcus and Narcissa Whitman and the Opening of Old Oregon," 1973; the website for Dictionary of Canadian Biography, http://www.biographi.ca/en/; and census and vital records on Ancestry.com.

Custodial History

Letters dated March 14, 1838, April 11, 1838, September 18, 1838, October 10, 1840, March 1, 1842, August 11, 1843, and May 16, 1846 were among the Whitman correspondence that George Himes acquired in the 1890s. However, fragments of the March 14, 1838 and April 11, 1838 letters and the entirety of the other five letters were either lost or removed from Oregon Historical Society collections at an unknown date. They later became part of WA Mss 502, Whitman Family Papers, in the Western Americana Collection at Yale University's Beinecke Library.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Series 1:  Marcus and Narcissa Whitman personal and missionary papers, 1834-1891,   (bulk 1834-1847) Return to Top

The bulk of this series comprises letters that Narcissa Whitman and Marcus Whitman sent to Narcissa Whitman's family and friends. Recipients include Narcissa Whitman's parents, Stephen Prentiss and Clarissa Prentiss; Narcissa Whitman's siblings and in-laws Clarissa Kinny, Edward Prentiss, Harriet P. Jackson, Jane Prentiss, Jonas Galusha Prentiss, and Lyman Judson; and missionary wives Elvira Perkins and Laura Brewer. These letters describe the overland journey that the Whitmans made in 1836, their lives and activities as missionaries, and their opinions on matters such as Euro-American emigration to the Oregon Territory and the Whitmans' concerns about the presence of Catholic missionaries in the region. A number of Narcissa Whitman's letters were written over a period of time, in some cases over the course of several months, before being sent. Many of these letters contain patronizing or derogatory sentiments regarding Native peoples, caused both by the Whitmans' disapproval of Cayuse cultural norms, and by their frustration with the Cayuse's reluctance to convert to Calvinist Christianity. Unless otherwise noted, all of these letters are originals that Oregon Historical Society founder George Himes obtained in the early 1890s from Narcissa Whitman's sister, Harriet P. Jackson.

The rest of the series contains typescripts of the Whitmans' correspondence with the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign missions, other missionaries, and U.S. government officials. With the exception of an 1836 letter from David Greene to Marcus Whitman copied by Clifford M. Drury, and a copy of a letter and proposed legislation from Marcus Whitman to the U.S. War Department, these typescripts were most likely made by Oregon Historical Society staff based on originals at Harvard University's Houghton Library and elsewhere.

Container(s) Description Dates
Subseries 1: Correspondence with the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions
1834-1847
Box Folder
1 1
Letter from B. B. Wisner to Henry P. Strong (miswritten as Henry B. Strong) about Marcus Whitman
1834 May 1
1 1
Letter from Marcus Whitman to B. B. Wisner concerning Whitman's early life, education, and desire to become a missionary
1834 June 3
1 1
Letter from B. B. Wisner to Marcus Whitman inquiring about history and current status of Whitman's health, and if Whitman would be interested in a post in the Marquesas Islands
1834 June 14
1 1
Letter from B. B. Wisner to Henry P. Strong about having inquired about Marcus Whitman's health history, and whether Strong believes Whitman is suited for missionary work
1834 June 14
1 1
Letter from Marcus Whitman to B. B. Wisner concerning his health history and status
1834 June 27
1 1
Letter from B. B. Wisner to Marcus Whitman expressing concerns as to whether Whitman's health is suitable for missionary work
1834 July 17
1 1
Letter from Henry P. Strong to B. B. Wisner, saying that Strong believes Marcus Whitman's personality is suitable for missionary work
1834 August 12
1 1
Recommendation for Marcus Whitman by James H. Hotckin, pastor of Presbyterian Church of Wheeler, New York, and co-signed by church elders; note from George R. Rudd, pastor of Presbyterian Church of Prattsburgh, New York, agreeing with recommendation
1834 November 27; 1834 November 29
1 1
Letter from Henry B. Strong, most likely to B. B. Wisner, recommending Marcus Whitman for missionary work, and concerning subscription to the Missionary Herald
1834 December 1
1 1
Letter from Marcus Whitman to B. B. Wisner, saying that he has spoken with Samuel Parker and wishes to accompany Parker's mission to the Rocky Mountains or beyond, and that his health is improved
1834 December 2
1 1
Letter from David Greene to Marcus Whitman, informing Whitman that the Board has appointed Whitman as a physician to accompany Parker's mission
1835 January 7
1 1
Letter from Marcus Whitman to David Greene about Whitman having made arrangements with Samuel Parker, and plans to depart for missionary work on February 16
1835 February 2
1 1
Letter from David Greene to Marcus Whitman about illness and death of B. B. Wisner, and about the objectives of Parker's mission
1835 February 9
1 1
Letter from David Greene to Marcus Whitman, requesting that he and Samuel Parker travel west and report their observations, but not to promise or establish a mission until the Board reviews the report, and recommending that upon his return, Whitman visit missionaries named Dunbar and Allis
1835 February 18
1 1
Letter from Narcissa Prentiss to the secretaries of the Board describing her early life and education and her desire for missionary work, with enclosed recommendations from Samuel W. May, William Bridgman, O.S. Powell, and Ellis May
1835 February 23
1 1
Letter from David Greene to Narcissa Prentiss regarding her desire to become a missionary
1835 March 19
1 1
Letter from Marcus Whitman to David Greene about preparations to depart Liberty, Missouri for missionary work in the Columbia River region
1835 May 15
1 1
Letter from David Greene to Marcus Whitman replying to a November 7, 1835 letter from Whitman, inquiring whether Whitman believes a mission in the Pacific Northwest could accommodate families, and listing potential candidates for a mission there
1835 December 8
1 1
Letter from Marcus Whitman to David Greene, sent from Rushville, New York, about enclosed journal (not included in the collection), plans to head west again the following spring, and plans to take two Native boys who are with him to Ithaca, New York
1835 December 17
1 1
Letter from David Greene to Marcus Whitman about need for the Board to view testimonials for any missionary candidates, and disapproving Whitman having brought Native boys to the east
1835 December 30
1 1
Letter from David Greene to Marcus Whitman about the Board's approval for Whitman's proposed mission to convert Native people in the Pacific Northwest (referred to in document as "Flathead Indians"), information about potential candidates for the mission, and guidelines and recommendations about what sort of people should accompany the mission
1836 January 6
1 1
Letter from David Greene to Marcus Whitman about missionaries to potentially accompany Whitman, and referring to Henry H. Spalding and Eliza Spalding accompanying the mission
1836 January 15
1 1
Letter from David Greene to Marcus Whitman, reporting that D. Clark will not accompany Whitman westward, and discussing whether or not Henry H. Spalding would be a suitable candidate for Whitman's mission
1836 January 22
1 1
Letter from Marcus Whitman to David Greene about potential candidates for the mission, and referring to Henry H. Spalding and Eliza Spalding
1836 January 29
1 1
Letter from David Greene to Marcus Whitman about uncertainty whether Henry H. Spalding will accompany Whitman or instead work to convert the Wahzhazhe (Osage) people
1836 February 5
1 1
Letter from David Greene from U.S. Secretary of War Lewis Cass, informing Cass of Marcus Whitman and Henry H. Spalding's appointment as missionaries to convert Niimiipuu (Nez Percé) and Cayuse (referred to in document as Flatheads) people, and asking War Department to send letters authorizing them to live in Native territory
1836 February 25
1 1
Letter from David Greene to Marcus Whitman about people who will accompany or potentially accompany Whitman, including Spalding, and with instructions concerning travel expenses and possessions brought on travel
1836 February 27
1 1
Letter from David Greene to Marcus Whitman with instructions and recommendations as to what Whitman should do and how he should conduct himself as a missionary
1836 March 4
1 1
Letter from David Greene to Marcus Whitman about appointment of William H. Gray to accompany his missionary party, and about possibility of J. A. Chute being of use to mission
1836 March 9
1 1
Letter from David Greene to Marcus Whitman about appointment of William H. Gray to Whitman's mission, letters and permit from the U.S. secretary of war, and unsuitability of a Mr. Hadley to join mission
1836 March 15
1 1
Letter from Marcus Whitman to David Greene listing books desired at the mission
1844 April
1 1
Note by Whitman about the location of Tshimakain mission in relation to Colville, the Spokane River, and the Columbia River
circa 1844
1 1
Letter from Marcus Whitman to David Greene about necessity for the Board to secure property for the mission, lest Euro-American emigrants claim the land, and arguing that the influx of Euro-American emigrants to the Pacific Northwest is inevitable (contains derogatory sentiments regarding Native people)
1844 May 18
1 1
Letter from Marcus Whitman to David Greene about emigrant party of 1843; potential candidates for the church; events with Methodist mission; Congregational preachers Harvey Clark and John S. Griffin; and health of Eliza Spalding and Narcissa Whitman
1844 July 22
1 1
Letter from Marcus Whitman to David Greene regarding friction between the Board and Henry H. Spalding; Euro-American emigrants passing through; events at Waiilatpu mission such as the hiring of A. Hinman as a teacher; and desire for a threshing mill
1844 October 25
1 1
Letter from Marcus Whitman to David Greene, about: arrival of Euro-American emigrants, including Sager children; mission activities; murder in California of Walawalałáma (Walla Walla) man referred to as Elijah Heading; Whitman's concerns about Native beliefs about healers; climate of Pacific Northwest; birth of Henry H. Spalding and Eliza Spalding's daughter
1845 April 8
1 1
Letter from Marcus Whitman to David Greene about the state of missions in the Pacific Northwest, including tensions between Euro-American emigrants and Native peoples and between missionaries and Native peoples, with mentions of recent visit in the area by a Jesuit missionary named De Smit and of Alanson Hinman's teaching work
1845 May 20
1 1
Letter from Marcus Whitman to David Greene mentioning the arrival of books and goods, noting recent meeting of missionaries, and requesting aid be sent to Harvey Clark, with mentions of Oregon Provisional Government's Organic Act, and Elijah White's expedition to find a southern emigration route to Oregon Territory
1845 June 30
1 1
Letter from Marcus Whitman to David Greene, discussing that year's party of emigrants, criticizing Elijah White and warning of White's plans, and describing easing of tensions between Walawalałáma (Walla Walla) Native people and missionaries, and recently hired teachers for mission, with mention of leadership change at Hudson's Bay Company
1845 October 26
1 1
Note from Marcus Whitman to David Greene enclosing an unspecified letter
1845 November 1
1 1
Letter from Marcus Whitman to David Greene about missionary schooling, agricultural activities and desires at mission, arrival and death of emigrant Joseph S. Finley (transcribed as Findlay), and dispute involving Elijah White, with mentions of Joel Palmer and Hudson's Bay Company
1846 April 13
1 1
Letter from Marcus Whitman to David Greene, mentioning that Henry H. Spalding and Elkanah Walker will be traveling to the Willamette Valley, requesting that sheep shears and materials to make plows be sent, and listing desired books
1846 May 15
1 1
Letter from Marcus Whitman to David Greene, including: current status of the mission and future plans; Whitman's belief that Catholic influence among Native people has declined; discussion of how border negotiations between Britain and the U.S. would affect missionary properties; note that Methodists will likely relinquish their mission at Waskopum (The Dalles)
1846 September 8
1 1
Letter from Marcus Whitman to David Greene about new southern emigration route to Oregon, agricultural activities of Native people, plans for a sawmill, Cushing Eells' visit, land disputes between the United States and Britain, and Whitman being too occupied with other matters to engage in religious conversion work
1846 November 3
1 1
Letter from Marcus Whitman to David Greene about severity of recent winter, Whitman's role in guiding 1843 emigrant party, comparing success of 1843 emigration with emigrations of other years, and noting the operation of a sawmill
1847 April 1
1 1
Letter from Marcus Whitman to David Greene about need for additional missionaries to counteract Catholic missionary activities, Cushing Eells' health, work of Whitman's nephew Perin B. Whitman to officially qualify as a language interpreter, and possibility of acquiring the Methodist mission at Waskopum (The Dalles)
1847 May 19
1 1
Letter from Marcus Whitman to David Greene about arrival of supplies, establishment of the Mission Press, and the importance of Waskopum mission at The Dalles, with a note about the religion of Hudson's Bay Company employees
1847 August 3
1 1
Letter from Marcus Whitman to David Greene about acquisition of Waskopum (spelled as Wascopam) Mission at The Dalles, conflicts between Native people and Euro-American emigrants, work of Whitman's nephew Perin B. Whitman as language interpreter, concerns about the arrival of more Catholic missionaries, mission expenses, and need for additional supplies
1847 September 13
1 1
Letter from Marcus Whitman to David Greene describing new road from Umatilla to The Dalles, Whitman taking materials from Native people that were allegedly stolen from Euro-American emigrants, establishment of Catholic missions, claiming credit for success of 1843 emigration, and expressing displeasure that more religious Euro-Americans are not emigrating to Oregon (includes derogatory sentiments towards French Canadians and people of partial Native ancestry)
1847 October 18
1 1
List of transcribed letters by Marcus Whitman in Volume 71 of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions archives in Boston
undated
Subseries 2: Other missionary correspondence and papers of Marcus Whitman
1838-1843; 1891
Box Folder
1 2
Certified copy of January 20, 1836 pass from U.S. Secretary of War Lewis Cass authorizing Marcus Whitman to travel through and live in Native lands (typescript copy)
1838 March 9
1 2
Letter from Elkanah Walker and Cushing Eells to Marcus Whitman, Henry H. Spalding, and William H. Gray, saying that they do not believe Whitman and Spalding should change missionary stations (typescript copy)
1842 August 10
1 2
Letter from Marcus Whitman to Commissioner of Indian Affairs T. H. Crawford, asking for indemnities for horses lost during an 1837 confrontation between William H. Gray and Lakota (Sioux) people (typescript copy)
1843 April 8
1 2
Letter from T. H. Crawford to Marcus Whitman, saying that the Office of Indian Affairs will not provide indemnity for lost horses (typescript copy)
1843 August 21
1 3
Typescript copy of 1843 proposal by Marcus Whitman to the U.S. Secretary of War for establishing posts along westward emigration routes; correspondence between Samuel J. Parker and acting U.S. Secretary of War L. A. Grant about acquiring said typescript
1891
Subseries 3: Personal correspondence of Narcissa Whitman and Marcus Whitman
1836-1847
Box Folder
1 4
Letter from Marcus Whitman to Stephen Prentiss and Clarissa Prentiss about progress of missionary party's journey westward
1836 June 4
1 4
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Clarissa Prentiss describing the Whitmans' journey from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to St. Louis, Missouri aboard steamboat Siam
1836 March 15-30
1 4
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Jane Prentiss describing witnessing Catholic Mass in St. Louis, the journey further westward on the steamboat Chariton, and the party's clothing and equipment for the journey (contains anti-Catholic sentiments)
1836 March 31-April 7
1 4
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Harriet Prentiss and Edward Prentiss describing the Whitmans' overland journey, and the Fur Company and adventurers traveling with them
1836 June 3-6
1 4
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to family describing life and travels since reaching Fort Vancouver, including difficulties of upriver journey to Walla Walla, establishing the mission, birth of Narcissa Whitman's daughter, illness among Native people, and practices of the Cayuse people
1836 December 5-1837 May 3
1 5
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to parents, discussing how letters written the previous fall to be sent by ship were delayed due to the ship captain's death, dangers of the Columbia River, visit to the Spalding mission, and the Whitmans' daughter, with mention of John McLoughlin (first four pages original, last two pages reproductions from scan of original)
1838 March 14-28
1 5
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to parents about missionary work supply needs, books and magazines the family had sent her, alleging that Cayuse chief Umtippe has converted to Christianity, and noting Jason Lee visiting the mission (first three pages reproductions from scan of original, last three pages original)
1838 April 11-May 10
1 5
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to family about Whitmans' efforts to have Native people cultivate mission land, damage to mission house from flooding, the Whitmans' daughter, Alice Clarissa Whitman, and mentioning visit of Jason Lee and Lee's plans to travel to the eastern U.S. (partial letter, four-page section)
circa 1838 April
1 5
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Elvira Perkins about visit of Archibald McDonald and Jane McDonald to mission, and about mission's efforts to convert Native people, and plans to visit Pierre-Chrysologue Pambrun and Catherine Pambrun in Walla Walla
1838 July 4-11
1 5
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Jane Prentiss about family matters and arrival of additional missionaries, including Elkanah Walker and Cushing Eells (photostatic reproduction)
1838 September 18
1 5
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Mary Ann Judson, discussing length of time it takes to send mail by ship, death of Anna Maria Lee, death of Jason Lee White (son of Elijah White and Serepta White), and death of a Native child named as Sarah Hull
1838 September 25
1 5
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Stephen Prentiss about missionary work and Alice Clarissa Whitman's illness, mentioning deaths of Anna Maria Lee and Jason Lee White
1838 September 28
1 5
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Jerusha Parker about missionary efforts to convert Native people, including alleged conversions of Charles Campo and Joseph Mahi, the formation of a temperance society, and arrival of additional missionaries in the region
1838 October 3
1 5
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Elvira Perkins about Perkins' move to the Willamette Valley, and presence of additional missionaries at the Whitman mission for the winter
1838 November 6
1 6
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Elvira Perkins about missionary efforts to convert Native people, including the Whitmans' travels in the region, and mentioning religious meeting in the Willamette Valley and presence of Catholic missionaries
1839 February 18
1 6
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Elvira Perkins about visit to Catherine Pambrun, Margaret McKay staying at the mission, Alice Clarissa Whitman, and missionary work
1839 March 23
1 6
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Jane Prentiss about birth of Eliza Hart Spalding's son and Mary Walker Richardson's son, the Whitmans' travels to Tukanon for conversion efforts, arrival of Edwin O. Hall and Sarah Hall, and Whitman's disappointment with unnamed missionaries who spent the winter at the Whitman mission
1839 May 17
1 6
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Elvira Perkins about death of her daughter, Alice Clarissa Whitman
1839 June 25
1 6
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Elvira Perkins, expressing thanks for a visit by Perkins' husband, H. K. W. Perkins, to the Whitman mission
1839 July 26
1 6
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Stephen Prentiss about death of Alice Clarissa Whitman
1839 September 30
1 6
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Clarissa Prentiss about death of Alice Clarissa Whitman, difficulties running the mission while Marcus Whitman was away, death of two Native boys, visitors to the mission, newly arrived missionaries, printing of a book and establishment of a mission school, and conflict with Catholic missionaries in the region
1839 October 9
1 6
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Elvira Perkins, expressing displeasure that she is not able to devote more time to converting Native people, and noting small number of Native people at the mission for the winter
1840 January 1
1 6
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Stephen Prentiss, complaining about lack of letters from home, describing the operation of a mission school and building activities at the mission, and discussing feelings of dejection when Marcus Whitman is away
1840 April 30
1 6
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Clarissa Prentiss about increase of Euro-American emigrants to Oregon Territory, conflicts between the Whitmans and Native people, departure of Edward O. Hall and Sarah Hall, her poor health, and including a floor plan of the mission house drawn by Asahel Munger
1840 May 2
1 6
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Clarissa Prentiss about supplies the mission has received, family affairs, birth of Mary Richardson Walker's daughter and Eliza Munger's daughter, death of native Hawaiian missionary named Joseph, and arrival of additional missionaries and the difficulties in providing for them
1840 October 9
1 6
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Stephen Prentiss about difficulties between the Whitmans and an unnamed missionary, most likely Henry H. Spalding, and conflict between missionary Asa Smith and Native people (reproduction from scan of original)
1840 October 10-19
1 6
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Harriet Prentiss, expressing pleasure that Edward Prentiss and Jane Prentiss have decided to become missionaries, and inquiring about Harriet Prentiss' doings
1840 October 20
1 7
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Elvira Perkins about Asahel Munger, alleging that he is mentally unbalanced
1841 March 2
1 7
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Edward Prentiss and Jane Prentiss about the death of Pierre-Chrysologue Pambrun, and about difficulty in missionary work
1841 May 30
1 7
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Jane Prentiss about failure to send Asahel Munger and Eliza Munger east, arrival of emigrants and of Jesuit missionaries, conflicts between the Whitmans and Native people, conflict and concern among the missionaries, and Asahel Munger's suicide
1841 October 1-1842 May 17
1 7
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Clarissa Prentiss about her thoughts about having come to Oregon Territory as a missionary, her health, and developments in the region, including mentions of the U.S. Exploring Expedition, burning of Fort Walla Walla, and establishment of a Catholic mission, and including a passage copied from a letter from Marcus Whitman to David Greene
1841 October 6-November 19
1 7
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Stephen Prentiss, copying the text of a letter from Marcus Whitman to David Greene about a series of confrontations with Native people (original and partial typescript copy)
1841 November 18
1 7
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Edward Prentiss and Jane Prentiss about her poor health, feelings of loneliness, and mission activities, including caring for Native children (reproduction from scan of original)
1842 March 1-26
1 7
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Laura Brewer about memoirs of someone only identified as "Mrs. Smith," and birth of Brewer's daughter
1842 July 22
1 7
Letter from Narcissa Whitman addressed to Rev. and Mrs. Allen, asking for their prayers, and expressing concern about Euro-American emigrants who Whitman perceives as sinful and about the presence of Catholic missionaries, and discussing agricultural developments among Native people and mission operations, with a postscript about Marcus Whitman's departure for Boston, Massachusetts
1842 August 23-October 2
1 7
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Jane Prentiss and Edward Prentiss about Marcus Whitman's departure to Boston, including a note that he is traveling with Asa Lovejoy, and asking that they come to Oregon
1842 September 29
1 7
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to family about Marcus Whitman's departure for Boston, and family matters
1842 September 30
1 7
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Jerusha Parker about conflicts between missionaries and Native people in the fall of 1841, effect of Catholic missionaries on Native attitudes, land cultivation by Native people, mission activities, and deaths among members of the Hudson's Bay Company (partial letter, last four pages)
1842 July 25
1 7
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Marcus Whitman, alleging that a Native man tried to break into her bedroom, describing mission activities and trip to Walla Walla, and saying that she was told that Francis Ermatinger had converted to Catholicism
1842 October 4-17
1 8
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Stephen Prentiss and Clarissa Prentiss about events since Marcus Whitman left, including her spending the winter at Waskopum Methodist mission at The Dalles, burning of the Whitman mission's mill, and death of Cornelius Rogers, with mentions of Elijah White
1843 February 7-March 20
1 8
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Harriet P. Jackson (formerly Harriet Prentiss), discussing Jackson's marriage, maternal associations, and inquiring if Marcus Whitman has visited her
1843 March 11
1 8
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Jonas Galusha Prentiss asking why he has not written, and discussing Prentiss' domestic troubles, rumors of Native people preparing for war, and the death of Eliza Hart Spalding's son
1843 March 31-April 14
1 8
Letter from Marcus Whitman to Edward Prentiss, advising Prentiss to complete his education before entering the ministry, discussing 1843 emigration party, and giving instructions on how to send a letter to Oregon Territory; includes mentions of John C. Frémont's expedition and Catholic missionary Pierre-Jean De Smet
1843 May 27
1 8
Letter from Marcus Whitman to Jonas Galusha Prentiss mentioning Whitman visiting Jane Prentiss in Quincy, Illinois, and discussing Euro-American emigration to Oregon Territory and plans for the mission; includes references to John C. Frémont's expedition and Catholic missionary Pierre-Jean De Smet's book about Catholic missionary work
1843 May 28
1 8
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Elvira Perkins about having accidentally taken Perkins' trunk when leaving Waskopum mission, discussing unspecified incident during Whitman's stay at Waskopum, and mentioning having almost drowned during river journey to Vancouver
1843 June 8
1 8
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Jane Prentiss about family matters, and about recuperating at Fort Vancouver under the care of Dr. Forbes Barclay and Dr. William Tolmie
1843 July 11
1 8
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Stephen Prentiss and Clarissa Prentiss, written at Fort George, about her travels in Oregon Territory, and people she has met with during them (reproduction from scan of original)
1843 August 11
1 8
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Laura Brewer about illness, and French person and children staying at Whitman mission
1844 January 30
1 8
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Elvira Perkins about day of fasting, finding the Whitman mission house fully occupied upon her return, her health, and Adeline Littlejohn establishing a school for children of Euro-American emigrants
1844 January 31
1 8
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Stephen Prentiss about Marcus Whitman's return, her stay at the Methodist mission at Waskopum (The Dalles), her illness, illness in the Spalding family, and improved relations between the Whitmans and the Spaldings
1844 April 12
1 8
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Laura Brewer, mentioning the potential effects of Euro-American emigration on relations with Native peoples
1844 April 24
1 8
Letter from Marcus Whitman to Stephen Prentiss and Clarissa Prentiss about Whitman's belief in the importance of Euro-American emigration to Oregon Territory, his missionary work to convert Native people, and consequences of Euro-American emigration for Native peoples; includes mention about the Cockstock Incident (photostatic reproduction)
1844 May 16
1 8
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Lydia C. Porter about staying at the Waskopum mission for the winter of 1842-1843, traveling in 1843, Marcus Whitman's return, and her health
1844 May 18
1 8
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Clarissa Kinny about her health, the birth of Sarah McKinlay's son, encouraging family to emigrate to Oregon Territory, and mentioning reaction of Native people to recent wave of emigrants
1844 May 20
1 8
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Laura Brewer about expected arrival of emigrants, and William H. Gray and Augusta Dix Gray visiting the Waskopum Methodist mission
1844 August 5
1 8
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Stephen Prentiss and Clarissa Prentiss about arrival of Euro-American emigrants, completion of a new gristmill, and Whitman's improved health, with mention of being asked to take in the orphaned Sager children (original and partial typescript copy)
1844 October 9-25
1 9
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Laura Brewer about having cared for Sager orphans at the mission during the winter, A. Hinman's conversion and teaching duties, Marcus Whitman's work supplying Euro-American emigrants, and delivery of seeds to Henry B. Brewer
1845 Februrary 20
1 9
Letter from Marcus Whitman and Narcissa Whitman discussing Narcissa Whitman's health, mission activities, Euro-American emigration to Oregon Territory, and encouraging the Prentiss family to come to Oregon Territory, with mentions of Elijah Heading's murder and of conflict between Marcus Whitman and Native people due to death of two Native people
1845 April 8
1 9
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Laura Brewer about care, disciplining, and teaching of the Sager children at the mission, and subscription to Mother's Magazine
1845 August 9
1 9
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Laura Brewer, referencing Jacob Rinearson's work teaching Native people at the mission, discontent among Native people, and possibility that the Whitmans might have to leave the mission the following spring
1845 November 28
1 9
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Edward Prentiss, encouraging him to emigrate to Oregon Territory and thanking him for a box of supplies including a comb
1846 April 2
1 9
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Jane Prentiss about Whitman's health, caring for children of Euro-American emigrants at the mission, and death of Joseph S. Finley, with mention of A. Hinman going to teach at the Oregon Institute (later Willamette University)
1846 April 2
1 9
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Clarissa Prentiss about Whitman's desire to see her and Stephen Prentiss again, and death of Joseph S. Finley
1846 April 9
1 9
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Stephen Prentiss about her caring for children of Euro-American emigrants at the mission, difficulty of balancing "worldly" concerns with missionary work, and encouraging him to come to Oregon Territory
1846 April 10
1 9
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Harriet P. Jackson about Whitman's care of Henrietta Naomi Sager and the other Sager children
1846 April 13
1 9
Letter from Marcus Whitman to Edward Prentiss and Jane Prentiss, encouraging them to emigrate to Oregon Territory, with postscript by Narcissa Whitman
1846 May 15
1 9
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Laura Brewer about improved relations with Native people, her own inability to do more work converting Native people due to caring for children of Euro-American emigrants, and missionary work of Perrin Whitman
1846 July 17
1 9
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Harvey P. Prentiss and Livonia L. Prentiss, encouraging them and other family members to emigrate to Oregon Territory
1846 September 11
1 9
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Laura Brewer, asking Brewer to send her children to the Whitman mission for schooling
1846 October 19
1 9
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Clarissa Prentiss about possibility of monthly mail shipments between St. Louis and Oregon Territory, state of religion among emigrants in the Willamette Valley and concerns about Catholic influence, mission activities, presence of emigrant families at the mission for the winter, and urging other members of the family to come to Oregon Territory
1846 November 3
1 9
Letter from Marcus Whitman to Lyman Judson, criticizing Judson's Seventh Day Adventist beliefs, and discussing Euro-American emigration to Oregon Territory, with postscript by Narcissa Whitman
1846 November 5
1 10
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Jane Prentiss, encouraging her to emigrate to Oregon Territory, but advising her not to come via the southern route
1847 April 15-May 18
1 10
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Clarissa Prentiss about possibility of Edward Prentiss and Jane Prentiss coming to Oregon Territory, missionary activities including efforts to purchase Waskopum mission at The Dalles, Euro-American emigrants, and Native peoples' reaction to incoming emigrants
1847 July 4-August 23
1 10
Letter from Narcissa Whitman to Jane Prentiss about plans for Prentiss and other family members to come to Oregon Territory under Thomas Glenday's guidance
1847 October 12-13
Reel
1
Mss 1200-Mss 1225 Microfilm: Personal correspondence of Marcus Whitman and Narcissa Whitman (microfilm of originals)
1836 March 15-1847 October 12

Series 2:  Whitman killings and immediate aftermath, 1848-1947,   (bulk 1848-1850) Return to Top

This series consists of original and reproduced contemporary materials regarding the Whitman killings and their aftermath. The photostatic reproductions of records from the trial and execution of five Cayuse men for the killings were donated to the Oregon Historical Society in 1947; the typescript of Oregon American and Evangelical Unionist articles, which was made in 1917, was acquired either from T. C. Elliott or his estate in 1947 or earlier; the exact provenance of other materials in this series is unknown.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
1 11
Statement of interpreter for Bishop Augustin Maglorie Alexandre Blanchet (written as Rev. A. M. A. Blanchette) named Louis about the Whitman killings and aftermath (includes graphic details about the killings, and alleges that some of the subsequent hostages were sexually assaulted) (two typescript copies, one handwritten transcript)
circa 1848
1 12
St. Louis Daily Union article about the Whitman killings (typescript copy)
1848 May 20
1 13
List of blankets and shirts to be donated to Native people in return for apprehending Telokite (written as Teloukaikt) and Tamsucky (written as Tom Suckie) and bringing them to Oregon City for trial (original)
1848 May 23
1 13
Lists of "Friendly Indians" and "Guilty Indians" with notes about each (original)
circa 1848
1 12
Typescript copy of articles from the Oregon American and Evangelical Unionist about the Whitman killings, including pieces by Henry H. Spalding accusing Catholic missionaries of involvement in the killings, and rebuttals to Spalding's accusations by Peter H. Burnett (includes derogatory descriptions of Native people)
1848-1849
1 13
Photostatic reproductions of: indictments for Telokite (written as Telakite), Tomahas, Isiaasheluckas (also written as Isiaachelucas), Clokomas, and Kiamasumkin for involvement in the Whitman killings; jury's verdict finding defendants guilty; and defendants' statements prior to their executions; with certificate from Clackamas County Circuit Court Clerk Guy H. Pace affirming that reproductions are authentic copies of originals
1850 May 21-June 3; 1947 May 15

Series 3:  Recollections and memorialization, 1878-circa 1940,   (bulk 1878-1916) Return to Top

This series consists of accounts of the Whitman killings written decades after the event, ephemera relating to people who had been at the Whitman mission during the killings, and items related to the later memorialization of the Whitmans. The exact provenance of this series' contents is unknown, though notes regarding the erection of a monument were likely acquired by Oregon Historical Society founder George H. Himes at the time, and may have even been addressed to him.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
1 14
Oregonian article about O. F. Canfield and his recollections of the Whitman killings (typescript copy)
1894 July 21
1 15
Note from G. Gillespie of Marshfield, Oregon pledging one dollar to the fund for a Whitman monument (original)
1897 November 22
1 15
Note from A. Hinman expressing appreciation for the erection of a monument to the Whitmans and regretting that he cannot attend its dedication in person (original)
circa 1897
1 15
Ink drawing by John P. Hartman replicating February 1835 certificate appointing Marcus Whitman as a missionary (photograph of original)
circa 1940
Reel
2
Mary Saunders recollections about the Whitman mission and about the Whitman killings and their aftermath (microfilm of original and typescript copy)
1916
2
Deposition of Mary Saunders about the Whitman killings and aftermath (microfilm of original and of typescript copy)
1884 July 1
2
Helen Saunders recollection of Whitman killings and aftermath (microfilm of original and of typescript copy)
circa 1915
2
Newspaper clipping about meeting of women present during Whitman killings, including Helen Saunders, and their daughters (microfilm of original)
1915 October 17
2
Invitation to 50th wedding anniversary of William D. Canfield and Sallie Ann Canfield, who were present during Whitman killings (microfilm of original)
1878 June
2
Invitation to funeral of Mary Husted, Helen Saunders' sister who was also present during Whitman killings (microfilm of original)
1885 November

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Cayuse Indians--Missions
  • Indians of North America--Missions--Northwest, Pacific
  • Missionaries--Northwest, Pacific
  • Overland journeys to the Pacific
  • Whitman Massacre, 1847
  • Women missionaries--Northwest, Pacific

Personal Names

  • Greene, David, active 1838-1847--Correspondence
  • Whitman, Marcus, 1802-1847
  • Whitman, Narcissa Prentiss, 1808-1847

Corporate Names

  • American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions

Form or Genre Terms

  • correspondence