Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Georgianna Pearson legal document, 1865
Overview of the Collection
- Collector
- Pearson, Georgianna, 1848-1881
- Title
- Georgianna Pearson legal document
- Dates
- 1865 (inclusive)18651865
- Quantity
- 1 vertical file
- Collection Number
- 1257 (Accession No. 1257-001)
- Summary
- Legal document related to assistant lighthouse keeper
- Repository
-
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu - Access Restrictions
-
No restrictions on access.
- Languages
- English
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
Georgianna Pearson (1848-1881) arrived in Washington Territory in May of 1864 with her father Daniel and older sister Josephine. They were part of the first "Mercer girls" group travelling with Asa Shinn Mercer from Lowell, Massachusetts. Her mother Susan, brother Daniel Orlando and youngest sister Flora followed in two years. Josie and Georgie took up teaching positions near Coupeville on Whidbey Island, while Daniel Pearson became a watchman at the Puget Mill in Port Gamble. Josie died suddenly in August of 1864, and Daniel moved to Whidbey Island to be with Georgie. When Red Bluff Lighthouse's first keeper resigned in November 1864, Daniel was appointed Keeper. Georgie was named his assistant, becoming the first female lighthouse assistant in Washington Territory. She was paid $500 per year. In 1867 Georgie married Charles Townsend Terry (1835-1922) and her sister Flora took over the assistant keeper's duties and the lighthouse logbook.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
The collection consists of the single legal document which appoints her assistant lighthouse keeper at Red Bluff Lighthouse (now Admiralty Head).
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Restrictions on Use
Creator's literary rights not transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Lighthouse keepers--Employment--Washington Territory--History--Sources
- Lighthouses--Washington Territory--Employees--History--Sources
- Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)
Personal Names
- Pearson, Georgianna, 1848-1881--Archives