Elkanah and Mary Richardson Walker Papers

Elkanah and Mary Richardson Walker Papers, 1830-1938

Overview of the Collection

Creator: Walker, Elkanah, 1805-1877
Title: Elkanah and Mary Richardson Walker Papers
Dates: 1830-1938 (inclusive)
18301938
Quantity: 13 Linear feet of shelf space, (14 Boxes)
Collection Number: Cage 57 (collection)
Summary: Correspondence, diaries, photographs and other papers, as well as artifacts, related to country life in New England, overland journey to Oregon in 1838, missionary work among the Spokane Indians at Tshimakain Mission, 1839-1848, and educational and religious activities in the Willamette Valley. Correspondence includes letters to and from family members, the ABCFM Mission Board, and other missionaries and settlers in Oregon.
Repository: Washington State University Libraries' Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections (MASC)
Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections
Terrell Library Suite 12
Pullman, WA
99164-5610
Telephone: 509-335-6691
mascref@wsu.edu
Access Restrictions: This collection is open and available for research use.
Languages: English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

When Elkanah Walker (1805-1877) was a senior at the Bangor (Maine) Theological Seminary in 1836, he was planning a mission career among the Maritime Zoolaks of South Africa. He was told that it would perhaps be better for him to be married before undertaking such a mission. At the same time Mary Richardson (1811-1897) of Baldwin, Maine, was told that she too must be married to become a missionary. The result was a whirlwind courtship and marriage which did not go to South Africa but the equally distant and rudimentary Oregon Mission. Eventually settling at Tshimakain on Walker's Prairie near Spokane they ministered to the Spokane Indians and their fellow missionaries: Marcus Whitman, Cushing Eells, Henry H. Spalding and William H. Gray and their wives. After the Whitman Mission killings in 1847, the Walkers moved to Fort Colville for nearly three months and then spent the remainder of their days in the Willamette Valley in Oregon. Here they helped establish the Congregational Association of Oregon City and Tualatin Academy (now Pacific University) at Forest Grove.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The papers of the Walkers can be divided into three groups: the manuscripts, correspondence, photographs, documents and other papers of the Walkers and their family; photocopies of Walker papers from the files of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions (ABCFM) and from the Huntington Library, as well as from the papers at Washington State University; and typescript transcripts of the documents and photocopies.

The original papers of Elkanah and Mary Walker consist of their correspondence, diaries, autograph albums, essays and photographs. In addition there is some correspondence and reminiscences of their children. The extensive correspondence file, while mostly incoming, is very complete for the earlier school days, their courtship and marriage, and their missionary experiences. There is very little regarding their life in the Willamette Valley. Perhaps the largest body of material is family letters from relatives in New England.

In addition there is an extensive run of the diaries of Mary Richardson Walker from 1833-1878, except for the two volumes which are now in the Huntington Library. There is also a volume of Elkanah Walker's diary, 1854-1857, which is primarily a register of ministerial services.

Both of the Walkers maintained autograph albums which were also used in the manner of a guest book while at Tshimakain. Other papers include Elkanah's theological notes made as a student, Mary's essay on the Discouragements & Consolations of missionaries written in 1837, constitutions of Maternal Associations, Elkanah's translation of the Book of Matthew into the Flathead or Spokane language, and Mary's drawings and paintings of botanical subjects.

Sons Joseph and Samuel wrote accounts of their parents which are in the collection, as is a portion of son Levi's scrapbook of clippings. The photographs are mostly portraits of the Walkers and their family.

Rounding out the gaps in the collection are photocopies of the material from the Huntington Library, San Marino, California, and the archives of the American Board of Commissioners of Foreign Missions, now in the Houghton Library, Harvard University. These include additional diaries and correspondence. A large part of the photocopies are of original material in the Washington State University Library.

Artifacts are also included in the collection: John Mix Stanley's portrait in oil of Abigail B. Walker, C.A. Geyer's sketch of Tshimakain, a pencil sketch of Mary Walker, and a photograph portrait of Samuel T. Walker; clothing and other textile items; a portable writing desk and bread paddle.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Preferred Citation

[Item description]

Elkanah and Mary Richardson Walker Papers, 1830-1938 (Cage 57)

Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Washington State University Libraries, Pullman, WA.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in four series: Series 1. Manuscripts and papers, 1830-1966; Series 2. Photocopies of documents from Walker collections at other repositories; Series 3. Typescript transcripts; Series 4. Artifacts.

Location of Collection

(MASC STAFF USE): Boxes 9-14: Holland 428, W4-7-1 and 2

Location of Originals

Rounding out some gaps in the collection are photocopies of the material from the Huntington Library, San Marino, California, and the archives of the American Board of Commissioners of Foreign Missions, now in the Houghton Library, Harvard University. These include additional diaries and correspondence. A large part of the photocopies in the collection are of original material in the Washington State University Library.

Acquisition Information

The papers of Elkanah and Mary Richardson Walker were acquired by gift and purchase from members of the family: S.T. Walker, Ruth Karr McKee, Eunice V. Karr, Elda R. Walker, Leva B. Walker, Josephine Claghorn Walker, Herbert J. Gilkey and Nellie M. Walker; and from Dr. C.M. Drury. Much of the collection was acquired through the efforts of Dr. Drury in researching the lives of the missionaries. These materials were acquired by Washington State University Library between 1935 and 1966. In 2014, the textiles and other artifacts in boxes 9-14 were transferred to the WSU Libraries from the WSU Historic Costume and Textile Collection (part of MS.2014.09).

Processing Note

The preliminary processing of the collection in the early 1940s was done by Lucille M. Luttropp, and included the preparation of typescripts of nearly all the manuscript and photocopy material in the collection. Much of this was bound and includes the diaries, the correspondence between the Walker's and the ABCFM, and the correspondence between Elkanah and Mary. Other transcripts, now in chronological order, were also made. In 1972, additional processing was done by Terry Abraham.

Bibliography

These papers were extensively used by Dr. Clifford M. Drury in the preparation of his book Elkanah and Mary Walker; pioneers among the Spokanes. (Caldwell, Caxton, 1945. 283 p. illus.) Portions were also edited and used by Ruth Karr McKee, a grand-daughter of the Walkers, in Mary Richardson Walker: her book. (Caldwell, Caxton, 1945. 357 p. illus.)

Dr. Drury described this collection in the Oregon Historical Quarterly 42 (September, 1941) 269-271.

Related Materials

In addition to manuscripts the Washington State University Library has received a large collection of books owned and used by the Walkers. These books are now cataloged and a web site devoted to the library may be found on the WSU MASC web site.

Cushing and Myra Fairbanks Eells Papers, 1838-1938 (Cage 148)

Additional materials on the Walkers may be found at the Whitman National Monument Collections, Walla Walla (NUCMC 61-1597); at the University of Oregon Library (Schmitt); Yale University Library (Washington); the Oregon Historical Society Manuscript Collections; at the Henry E. Huntington Library, San Marino, California (NUCMC 61-2207); and in the papers of C.M. Drury at the Eastern Washington State Historical Society, Spokane (NUCMC 61-1109). The archives of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions are now in the Houghton Library, Harvard University (NUCMC 61-1964).

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Series 1: Manuscripts and papers, 1830-1966Return to Top

750 items.

Container(s)		Description	Dates
		Subseries 1.1: Correspondence, 1830-1934 650 items.
Box	Folder
1	1	undated 11 items.
1	2	1830-1831 21 items.
1	3	1832 22 items.
1	4	1833 27 items.
1	5	1834 33 items.
1	6	1835 47 items.
1	7	1836 47 items.
1	8	Jan-Jun, 1837 42 items.
1	9	Jul-Dec, 1837 33 items.
1	10	1838 36 items.
2	11	1839 25 items.
2	12	1840-1845 37 items.
2	13	1846-1848 28 items.
2	14	1849-1851 37 items.
2	15	1852-1854 32 items.
2	16	1855-1859 27 items.
2	17	1860-1869 32 items.
2	18	1870-1879 37 items.
2	19	1880-1934 10 items.
		Subseries 1.2: Diaries of Mary Walker, 1833-1878 14 items.
Box	Folder
3	20	January 1, 1833-May 6, 1837 1 volume.
3	21	December 20, 1848-September 9, 1849
3	22	May 16, 1851-February 23, 1852
3	23	March 2, 1852-April 9, 1854
3	24	April 10, 1854-October 24, 1855
3	25	February 15, 1859-August 1, 1861
3	26	1871-1874 4 volumes.
3	27	1876-1878 3 volumes.
3	28	Diary and accounts of Elkanah Walker, November, 1854-November, 1857 1 volume.
		Subseries 1.3: Autograph albums, 1832-1892 2 volumes.
Box	Folder
3	29	Autograph album of Elkanah Walker 1 volume.	1837-1853
3	30	Autograph album of Mary R. Walker 1 volume.	1832-1892
		Subseries 1.4: Essays and notes, 1836-1846 19 items.
Box	Folder
3	31	E. Walker. Theological studies and notes 26	1836-1838
3	32	M.R. Walker. The discouragements & consolations of missionaries; or the bitter and the sweet (an address)	October, 1837
3	33	Constitution of the Willamette Falls Maternal Association	undated
3	33	Constitution of the Lynn and Oregon City Maternal Association	undated
3	34	Bible. New Testament. Matthew. Flathead. Translated by E. Walker	1846
3	35	M Walker. Drawings and paintings 14 items.	Some dated 1832
		Subseries 1.5: Miscellaneous items, reminiscences, letters, photographs, clippings, etc., 1840-1966 200 items.
Box	Folder
4	36	Joseph Elkanah Walker. A sketch of the lives of Rev. Elkanah Walker and Mary Richardson Walker	undated
4	37	Joseph Elkanah Walker. Pedigrees, Walker, Richardson, Thompson, Hay, Boutwell, Kendall with foreword and additional notes by Herbert J, Gilkey	1910, 1968
		Photographs
Box	Folder
4	38.1	Elkanah Walker.	1855
4	38.2	Mary Richardson Walker (photo by Bowers, Lynn, Mass.)	Sept 27, 1871
4	38.3	Mary and Elkanah Walker.	1855
4	38.4	Marcus W. Walker and Samuel T. Walker by D.G. Hendee, Milwaukee, Oregon	1855
4	38.5	Joseph Richardson.	1840
4	38.6	Samuel, Levi, Joseph and Cyrus Walker, Forest Grove.	1907 September 7
4	38.7	James A. Karr.	1913 September 14
4	38.8	Abigail B. Karr.	1913 September 14
4	38.9	Jannetta M. Walker, Foochow, China.	October, 1873
4	38.1	Geyer drawing of Tshimakain Mission.	1843
4	38.11	Samuel T. Walker.	1939
4	38.12	Walker Family: Mary, Cyrus, Abigail, Marcus, Joseph, John, Levi, and Samuel on lawn in front of first frame house in Forest Grove.	1896
4	38.13	Four Generations: Mary, Abigail, Olive and Wilna.	1891
4	38.14	Mary Walker's trunk.	1936
4	38.15	Mary Walker's trunk and briefcase.	1936
		Clippings, reminiscences, and miscellaneous items
Box	Folder
4	39	Clippings re: Tshimakain Centennial Celebration 5 items	1938 September 18
4	40	Levi C. Walker scrapbook: clippings and other papers re: missionary work in Oregon and China 20 items	1887-1908
4	41	Samuel T. Walker. (Reminiscences)	1935
4	42	First Congregational Church of Christ in Baldwin and the "Emerson Meeting-House."	1936
4	43	Donor File and container list 150 items	1935-1966

Series 2: PhotocopiesReturn to Top

225 items.

Container(s)		Description	Dates
		Subseries 2.1: Huntington Library 8 items.
Box	Folder
4	44	Elkanah Walker. Journal to the Rocky Mountains (Huntington Library)	1838
4	45	Elkanah Walker. Diary (Huntington Library)	June 3-October 13, 1848
4	46	Mary Richardson Walker Diary (Huntington Library)	May 9, 1837-March 5, 1838
4	47	Mary Richardson Walker. Diary (Huntington Library)	September 30-November 11, 1848
4	48	Letters to Elkanah Walker, from P.C. Pambrun, A.B. Smith and David Greene (Huntington Library) 3 items, photocopy.	1840-1843
		Subseries 2.2: American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions 17 items.
Box	Folder
5	49	American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions Correspondence received. Letters from E. Walker, M.R. Walker and others in favor of their going on the mission to Oregon; and the authorization by the Oregon Mission for Whitman to return to the U.S. 17 items, photocopy.	1836-1842
		Subseries 2.3: Indian Office 1 item
Box	Folder
5	50	E. Walker and C. Eells Letter, Cimakain, to Elijah White, sub-agent, Indian Office re: Spokane Indians. Also White's explanatory note and statement: "This is a true copy. E. White"	January 9, 1843
		Subseries 2.4: Washington State University Library 200 items.
Box	Folder
5	51-55	Photocopies of Walker Mission material in the Washington State University Library 200 items.

Series 3: Typescript transcriptsReturn to Top

120 items.

Container(s)		Description	Dates
Box	Folder
6	56	Journal of Mary Richardson Walker	January 1, 1833-May 6, 1837
6	57	Journal of Mary Richardson Walker	March 5, 1838-October 1, 1848
6	58	Journal of Mary Richardson Walker	September 30, 1848-January 1, 1879
6	59	Letters concerning Elkanah and Mary Richardson Walker and American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, 1836-1859. State College of Washington	1941
7	60	Letters between Elkanah Walker and Mary Richardson Walker, 1837-1873. State College of Washington	1940
7	61	Walker family correspondence, obituaries and geneology	1917-1921.
7	62-63	Diary of Mary Richardson Walker, 1838-1848. Transcription by C.M. Drury	1960
		Subseries 3.1: Letters, diaries, essays, notebooks and other papers connected with the Walker Mission	1821-1885
Box	Folder
7	64	1821-1838 64 items, typescript.
7	65	1839-1885 42 items, typescript.

Series 4: ArtifactsReturn to Top

Container(s)	Description	Dates
Box
8	"Tshimakain" drawing by Karl Geyer (pen and ink on paper, 31 x 51 cm). Depicts the Tshimakain mission.	circa 1843-1844
8	Portrait of Abigail B. Walker by John Mix Stanley (oil on board, framed), 36 x 29 cm.	1847
8	Items removed from Walker family books (pressed flowers and leaves; two small paintings)	circa 1800s
9	Cape (Mary Richardson Walker)
10	Lengths of homespun fabric, with repairs (2); baby shirt
11	Collection documentation file (transferred with artifacts from WSU Historic Costume and Textile Collection)
12	Thimbles (4), pincushions (2)
13	Lace collar, ribbons, scarf, hot pad
14	Writing desk

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

Indians of North America -- Missions -- Northwest, Pacific
Missionaries -- Oregon -- Correspondence
Missionaries -- Washington (State) -- Correspondence
Missions -- Oregon -- History -- Sources
Missions -- Washington (State) -- History -- Sources
Overland journeys to the Pacific
Spokane Indians -- Missions

Personal Names

Walker, Elkanah, 1805-1877 -- Archives
Walker, Mary Richardson, 1811-1897 -- Archives

Geographical Names

New England -- Social life and customs

Other Creators

Personal Names
- Walker, Mary Richardson, 1811-1897 (creator)
Corporate Names
- American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions (creator)

Archives West Finding Aid

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