Oregon Historical Society Research Library
Elkanah Walker and Mary Richardson Walker papers
Walker, Elkanah, 1805-1877
Walker, Mary Richardson, 1811-1897
Mss 1204
0.5 cubic feet
1 legal document case; 1 shared reel of microfilm
1828-1931
1838-1868
Diaries, correspondence, and other papers of Elkanah Walker and his wife, Mary Richardson Walker, missionaries in the Oregon Territory in the mid-19th century. The diaries describe their overland journey and efforts to establish a mission among the Spokane Indigenous people. Correspondents in the collection include other missionaries such as Henry H. Spalding, Narcissa Prentiss Whitman, Marcus Whitman, and John Lee Lewes. Most of the materials are typescript or photostatic copies, except the Elkanah Walker diary of 1842 and a small number of letters. Also includes some correspondence by the Walkers' children.
English
Collection is open for research.
Acquired prior to 1971, mostly in the late 19th century, early 20th century, and mid-20th century, including acquisitions in 1896, 1900, 1906, 1945, and 1947 (RL2021-028-RETRO, RL2021-029-RETRO, RL2021-030-RETRO, RL2021-031-RETRO, RL2021-032-RETRO, RL2021-033-RETRO. RL2021-034-RETRO, RL2021-035-RETRO, RL2021-036-RETRO, Lib. Acc. 29208).
The collection is arranged in three series: Series 1. Elkanah Walker papers; Series 2. Mary Richardson Walker papers; Series 3. Other family papers.
Reverend Elkanah Walker (1805-1877) was a Congregational missionary in Oregon and Washington. He was born in North Yarmouth, Maine, and graduated from Bangor Theological Seminary in 1837. Following his ordination in 1838, he came overland to the Oregon Country to convert the Spokane people, bringing along his bride, Mary Richardson Walker (1811-1897), with whom he would have seven children. The Walkers established their mission at Tshimakain (the place of the springs) in a part of the Oregon Territory that would later become northeastern Washington State, where they studied the Npoqínišcn (Spokane) language and prepared a primer which was published by the Mission Press at Henry H. Spalding's mission at Lapwai.
After the Whitman killings in 1847, the Walkers moved to Oregon City, Oregon, where they assisted in the organization of the Congregational Association. In 1848 they helped establish the Tualatin Academy (later Pacific University) at Forest Grove, and they moved to the Forest Grove area in 1850 to begin farming. They lived there the rest of their lives, taking an active role in religious and educational matters. Elkanah Walker died on November 21, 1877, and Mary Richardson Walker lived until 1897.
Originals located at Washington State University, Pullman, Washington; Yale University Library, New Haven, Connecticut; the Houghton Library at Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts; and the Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
The 1838 diaries of Elkanah Walker and Mary Richardson Walker are described in "Overland passages: a guide to overland documents in the Oregon Historical Society," entries 214 and 215. Mary Richardson Walker's 1838 diary is also listed in "Platte River road narratives," entry 43.
Elkanah Walker and Mary Richardson Walker papers, Mss 1204, Oregon Historical Society Research Library
Additional papers of Protestant missionaries to the Pacific Northwest can be found in Mss 1200 through Mss 1225, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.
The collection consists largely of typescript and photostatic copies of the Walkers' diaries and papers, although the original of Elkanah Walker's 1842 diary is included, along with a few original letters.
The collection includes Elkanah Walker's diaries for 1838, 1841, and 1842, and Mary Richardson Walker's diaries for 1838, 1847, and 1852. Diary entries from 1838 to 1847 describe the Walkers' overland journey with fellow missionaries William H. Gray, Cushing Eells, and Myra F. Eells, including hardships along the trail, child bearing and nursing, and arguments among the missionaries; and missionary work both at the Whitman mission at Waiilatpu and the Walkers' own mission at Tshimakain. Mary Richardson Walker's 1852 diary describes life in Forest Grove, Oregon.
The collection also includes correspondence of Elkanah Walker (1837-1868) and Mary Richardson Walker (1828-1885) concerning religious and personal matters, mission operations, the Whitman killings, and the Cayuse War. Correspondents include Henry Harmon Spalding, Marcus Whitman, Narcissa Prentiss Whitman, William Henry Gray, David Greene, Cushing Eells, Peter Skene Ogden, John Lee Lewes, and Mary Richardson Walker's parents, Joseph Richardson and Charlotte Richardson. Some letters contain anti-Catholic and anti-Indigenous sentiments.
Additional materials in the collection include: an 1865 letter from one of Elkanah Walker and Mary Richardson Walker's sons, Cyrus H. Walker, to another of the Walkers' sons, brother Samuel T. Walker, about military service at Fort Hoskins; and Samuel T. Walker's handwritten transcript of an 1853 letter sent to Elkanah Walker, with Samuel T. Walker's own commentary.
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.
Annotated versions of Elkanah Walker and Mary Richardson Walker's diaries are in Drury, Clifford Merrill, "Nine years with the Spokane Indians: the diary, 1838-1848, of Elkanah Walker" (Glendale, Calif.: A. H. Clark Co., 1976). Annotated versions of Elkanah Walker's letters are in "The Oregon missions as shown in the Walker letters, 1839-1851," Sources of Northwest History, Historical Reprints No. 13 (Missoula, Mont.: s. n., 1930). An annotated version of Mary Richardson Walker's 1838 diary is in "The diary of Mary Richardson Walker, June 10-December 31, 1838, Sources of Northwest History, Historical Reprints No. 15 (Missoula, Mont.: State University of Montana, 1931).
Walker, Elkanah, 1805-1877
Walker, Mary Richardson, 1811-1897
American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions
Missionaries--Northwest, Pacific
Women missionaries--Northwest, Pacific
Indians of North America--Missions--Northwest, Pacific
Overland journeys to the Pacific
Spokane Indians--Missions
Whitman Massacre, 1847
Cayuse Indians--Wars
Overland Journeys to the Northwestern United States
Missionaries
Elkanah Walker papers
Series 1
1838-1868
English.
Diaries
Subseries 1
1838-1842
English.
Diary about time at and around Waiilatpu Mission (2 typescript copies)
1838 September 10-October 9
English.
1
1
Diary about missionary work at Tshimakain (two typescript copies)
1841 January 1-December 31
English.
1
2
Diary about missionary work at Tshimakain (original and typescript copy)
1842 January 1-November 20
English.
1
3
Diary about missionary work at Tshimakain (microfilm of original)
Mss 1200-Mss 1225 Microfilm
1842 January 1-November 20
1
Correspondence from Elkanah Walker
Subseries 2
1839-1859
English.
Letter to Mary Richardson Walker about journey to Clearwater (photostatic reproduction)
1839 February 14
English.
1
4
Letter to David Greene about importance of mission, plus note that Walker added to letter from Cushing Eells to David Greene (typescript copy)
1842 October 3; 1842 October
English.
1
4
Letter to David Greene about Marcus Whitman's trip east, conflicts between missionaries and Indigenous peoples, conflicts among missionaries, and Walker's defense of Henry H. Spalding's conduct (photostatic reproduction and typescript copy)
1843 January 23
English.
1
4
Letter to David Greene, thanking him for retaining southern branch of Oregon Territory Mission and retaining Spalding as a missionary, and discussing mission expenses (typescript copy)
1843 November 1
English.
1
4
Letter of introduction for Peter Skene Ogden, chief factor of Hudson's Bay Company, addressed to W. G. Armstrong (photostatic reproduction)
1844 April 20
English.
1
4
Letter to David Greene expressing concern that Greene has lost confidence in him, based on recent treatment (photostatic reproduction)
1845 October 8
English.
1
4
Letter to editor of the Christian Mirror about Christian revival and the importance of missionary work (photostatic reproduction)
1846 February 20
English.
1
4
Letter to Mary Richardson Walker about trip with Marcus Whitman (photostatic reproduction)
1847 June 21
English.
1
5
Letter to David Greene discussing concern about arrival of Jesuit missionaries, importance of Tshimakain mission, and Walker's reluctance to be reassigned (photostatic reproduction)
1847 October 1
English.
1
5
Letter to David Greene discussing progress at mission, and concerns of Indigenous people about disease (photostatic reproduction)
1847 November 16
English.
1
5
Letter to David Greene about Whitman killings and aftermath, including a transcript of letter from John Lee Lewes of Hudson Bay's Company written to Walker on December 13, 1847, in response to learning about Whitman killings (photostatic reproduction)
1848 April 3
English.
1
5
Letter to David Greene about Walker's departure from Tshimakain mission and state of affairs in region following the Whitman killings, and expressing doubts about accusation that Catholics are responsible for killings (photostatic reproduction)
1848 July 8
English.
1
5
Letter to S. B. Treat about upcoming expedition to determine feasibility of reestablishing mission (typescript copy)
1851 January 9
English.
1
6
Letters written to family during expedition to determine feasibility of reestablishing mission (typescript copy)
1851 June 6; 1851 June 8
English.
1
6
Letter to family written in style of diary entries about expedition to determine feasibility of reestablishing mission, expressing homesickness (photostatic reproduction and typescript copy)
1851 June 15-July 8
English.
1
6
Letter to S. B. Treat expressing skepticism of success in reestablishing mission, and discussing proposed compensation for Whitman killings (typescript copy)
1851 November 3
English.
1
6
Letter to S. B. Treat, expressing disappointment at Dr. Dart's estimate for Whitman killings compensation, which excluded stations at Clearwater and The Dalles (typescript copy)
1851 December 1
English.
1
6
Letter to S. B. Treat listing material goods from the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions that Walker had retained (typescript copy)
1852 June 17
English.
1
6
Letter to S. B. Treat deriding character of Indigenous people, expressing his opinion against William H. Gray being given charge of Waiilatpu mission or Henry H. Spalding being sent to reestablish mission among the Nimiipuu (Nez Perce) people, and answering questions Treat had sent him (typescript copy)
1857 December 7
English.
1
6
Letter to S. B. Treat written on behalf of Cushing Eells about issues with land title for Methodist mission at The Dalles (typescript copy)
1859 February 22
English.
1
6
Letter to S. B. Treat, approving plan to sell mission property to Cushing Eells (typescript copy)
1859 September 13
English.
1
6
Correspondence to Elkanah Walker
Subseries 3
1847-1868
Letter from William H. Gray about necessities for overland journey (photostatic reproduction)
1837 December 1
English.
1
7
Letter from William H. Gray about plans for overland journey (photostatic reproduction)
1838 February 21
English.
1
7
Letter from Marcus Whitman to Walker, Cushing Eells, and Asa Bowen Smith about their journey and Whitman's desire for their early arrival (photostatic reproduction)
1838 August 21
English.
1
7
Letter from Henry H. Spalding about birth of Walker's child, and Spalding's desire for Walker to accompany him to Wieletpoo (typescript copy)
1839 January 8
English.
1
7
Note, probably from Henry H. Spalding, about his arrival (photostatic reproduction)
1841 September 11
English.
1
7
Letter from Archibald McKinlay about progress of the Spalding mission school (typescript copy)
1842 January 23
English.
1
7
Letter from Archibald McDonald about journey to Walla Walla, dated only as "31st May" (typescript copy)
circa 1845 May 31
English.
1
7
Letter from Marcus Whitman about meeting of Oregon Territory missionaries at Tshimakain (photostatic reproduction)
1846 February 3
English.
1
7
Letter from John McPherson about McPherson's arrival at Scappoose and description of farm there (typescript copy)
1846 February 17
English.
1
7
Letter from Henry H. Spalding about the school at the Waiilatpu mission, the misfortunes of the Applegate emigration party, and the weather (2 photostatic reproductions and 1 typescript copy)
1847 March 8
English.
1
8
Letter from John Mix Stanley about the Whitman killings and their aftermath (photostatic reproduction)
1847 December 31
English.
1
8
Letter from Henry H. Spalding to Walker and Cushing Eells about aftermath of the Whitman killings, and urging them to relocate to Fort Colville (typescript copy)
1848 January 1
English.
1
8
Letter from John Lee Lewes about toll of disease on local Indigenous people, lack of knowledge about Henry H. Spalding's fate following Whitman killings, and potential of further attacks by Indigenous people (typescript copy)
1848 January 2
English.
1
8
Letter from John Lee Lewes about the spread of rumors that Euro-Americans have been killing all Indigenous people near Walla Walla, and concerns about the potential consequences of said rumors (handwritten transcript and typescript copy)
1848 February 10
English.
1
8
Letter from John Lee Lewes about potential threat of Indigenous attack on Fort Colville (handwritten transcript and typescript copy)
1848 February 12
English.
1
8
Letter from John Lee Lewes about support from Indigenous tribes, and unexpected arrival of individuals identified as Demont, elder Finley, and Dominique the Spaniard (handwritten transcript)
1848 February 14
English.
1
8
Letter from John Lee Lewes questioning the motives of Nicholas Finley, and about dispelling of rumors among Indigenous people, thoughts on whether Walker should stay at his mission or leave (handwritten transcript)
1848 February 18
English.
1
8
Letter from John Lee Lewes about developments in the Cayuse War, Lewes' suggestion that Walker and Cushing Eells send at least their families to Fort Colville, and surrender of Mexico City to U.S. forces (handwritten transcript)
1848 March 10
English.
1
8
Letter from Cushing Eells about plans to meet the Army and evacuate the mission to Fort Colville (typescript copy)
1848 May 19
English.
1
8
Letter from Peter Skene Ogden about payment of amounts against the mission branch (original)
1848 July 15
English.
1
9
Letter from Peter Skene Ogden about the arrival of Walker's and Cushing Eells' material goods from the mission by boat (original)
1848 November 6
English.
1
9
Letter from P. B. Chamberlain requesting that Walker preach at George Atkinson's church on the third sabbath of the month (original)
1859 November 5
English.
1
9
Letter from M. Crawford requesting $105 reimbursement dated only as "June 27th" (original)
circa 1860 June 27
English.
1
9
Letter from L. Jay S. Turner about Turner's visit to a recently-established school in Salem, Oregon (original)
1864 October 20
English.
1
9
Letter from Elwood Evans about Evans' work on a history of the Oregon Provisional Government, and the importance thereof (original)
1867 July 16
English.
1
9
Letter from J. Q. A. Bonelby about news from Oregon, including the rebuilding of the Eells residence, issues with schools, recent deaths, and Ulysses S. Grant's re-election (original)
1868 November 8
English.
1
9
Other papers
Subseries 4
1849-1858
English.
Extract of sermon by Walker sent to the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions (typescript copy)
1845 October 8
English.
1
10
List of payments for purchases of property in Oregon City (original)
1849
English.
1
10
Description of land claims made by Walker and William Stokes (original)
1851 November 18
English.
1
10
Certificate appointing Walker as sub-Agent for the Spokane Indigenous people (photostatic reproduction)
1852 June 20
English.
1
10
Promise signed by Horace Lyman and Walker to support Alvin B. Smith's efforts to build a Congregational meeting house (original)
1858 September 13
English.
1
10
Indenture agreement for mission land at The Dalles, and related affidavit (photostatic reproduction)
1858 November 23
English.
1
10
Mary Richardson Walker papers
Series 2
1828-1885
English.
Diaries
Subseries
1838-1852
English.
Diary describing overland journey and time at Waiilatpu mission, with some passages omitted (typescript copy and preservation copy of typescript)
1838 June 10-December 31
English.
1
11
Diary describing overland journey and time at Waiilatpu mission, without omissions (typescript copy and preservation copy of typescript)
1838 June 10-December 31
English.
1
12
Diary describing missionary activities and events in the aftermath of the Whitman killings (two typescript copies)
1847 September 1-1848 November 11
English.
1
13
Diary describing life in Forest Grove (typescript copy)
1851 May 16-1852 March 2
English.
1
14
Correspondence from Mary Richardson Walker
Subseries
1828-1848
English.
Letter to Joseph Richardson and others about journey to and taking residence in Boston, Massachusetts (photostatic reproduction)
1828 March 12
English.
1
15
Letter to Joseph Richardson and others about journey to Independence, Missouri by boat (photostatic reproduction)
1832 April 23
English.
1
15
Letter to Joseph Richardson and others about overland journey westward (photostatic reproduction)
1838 July 27
English.
1
15
Letter to Joseph Richardson and others about missionary work (photostatic reproduction)
1838 September 14
English.
1
15
Letter to Elkanah Walker about activities at mission, work on Nimiipuu (Nez Perce)-English dictionary, and relationship with other missionary wives (photostatic reproduction)
1838 October 8
English.
1
15
Letter to Charlotte Richardson about missionary work, and need to learn Indigenous language (photostatic reproduction)
1838 October 29
English.
1
15
Letter to Joseph Richardson and others about life at mission, birth of Walker's son, and arrival of Catholic missionaries (photostatic reproduction)
1839 March 25
English.
1
15
Letter to Elkanah Walker about Cyrus H. Walker missing his father, crops and livestock, and disagreements among missionaries (photostatic reproduction)
1841 June 9
English.
1
15
Letter to Mrs. Hill expressing skepticism about success converting Indigenous people and deriding character of Indigenous people (photostatic reproduction and typescript copy)
1848 April 20
English.
1
15
Correspondence to Mary Richardson Walker
Subseries 3
1839-1885
Letter from Narcissa Whitman about birth of the Spaldings' son and possible misunderstanding or hurt feelings on Eliza Spalding's part from a previous letter by Walker (photostatic reproduction)
1839 December 3
English.
1
16
Letter from Narcissa Whitman about Elkanah Walker's arrival at Waiilatpu, the safe arrival of the Griffens, and supplies sent from the east (photostatic reproduction)
1840 July 25
English.
1
16
Letter from Narcissa Whitman, including discussion of Myra F. Eells' health (photostatic reproduction)
1841 January 21
English.
1
16
Letter from Narcissa Whitman about Mr. Rogers' and Eliza Spalding's illness (photostatic reproduction)
1841 April 19
English.
1
16
Letter from Narcissa Whitman, including news of Mr. Munger's death, discussion of weather, and Whitman taking in more children (photostatic reproduction)
1842 January 24
English.
1
16
Letter from Narcissa Whitman expressing concern about Marcus Whitman's absence due to possible influence of Catholic missionaries in his absence, and relaying news of the birth of Mary Gray's second daughter (photostatic reproduction)
1842 March 26
English.
1
16
Letter from Narcissa Whitman alleging an attempted break-in of her room by an Indigenous man, and discussing her health (photostatic reproduction)
1842 November 5
English.
1
16
Letter from Narcissa Whitman, including Whitman's arrival in Walla Walla by boat, recent death of Demerse family's son by drowning, and rumors of potential war between Indigenous people and Euro-Americans (two photostatic reproductions)
1843 April 11
English.
1
16
Letter from Narcissa Whitman asking Walker for advice on whether she should go from The Dalles to Fort Vancouver or to Waiilatpu (photostatic reproduction)
1843 April 18
English.
1
16
Letter from Narcissa Whitman alleging the robbery of someone named Ann by Indigenous people on the way to The Dalles, and new housekeeper at Waiilatpu (photostatic reproduction)
1844 July 15
English.
1
16
Letter from Narcissa Whitman about Cyrus H. Walker being happy and contented at Waiilatpu (photostatic reproduction)
1845 December 3
English.
1
16
Letter from Narcissa Whitman about Marcus Whitman canceling a planned visit to Tshimakain, and Cryus H. Walker doing well at Waiilatpu school (photostatic reproduction)
1846 February 3
English.
1
16
Letter from Narcissa Whitman about visit of Cushing Eells and Myra F. Eells, and Cyrus Walker's recently-ended stay at Waiilatpu (photostatic reproduction)
1846 June 3
English.
1
16
Letter from Narcissa Whitman expressing disappointment that Elkanah Walker won't accompany Henry H. Spalding and others to the Willamette Valley, and her own regrets that she cannot visit Tshimakain (photostatic reproduction)
1846 June 22
English.
1
16
Letter from Narcissa Whitman about end of a cold winter, and expressing regret at not being able to travel to Tshimakain (photostatic reproduction)
1847 March 20
English.
1
16
Letter from Narcissa Whitman about Mr. Hinman coming to visit the Walkers, and the possibility of the Walkers hiring him (photostatic reproduction)
1847 July 15
English.
1
16
Letter from P. C. Pumbrum about Walker's watch being sent either to England or to Hawaii for repairs (typescript copy)
1838 October 14
English.
1
17
Letter from Sarah G. Smith to Walker and to Myra F. Eells about her illness and issues concerning supplies (photostatic reproduction)
1839 December 18
English.
1
17
Letter from E. Perkins about the sinking of the warship Peacock on the Columbia Bar, Perkins' children, and the importance of missionary work (typescript copy)
1841 September
English.
1
17
Letter from Mary A. Gray about Marcus Whitman and William Gray's lives being threatened, and her perception of Indigenous people as sinful (typescript copy)
1841 October 18
English.
1
17
Letter from Myra F. Eells about Eells's visit to site of Tshimakain mission (photostatic reproduction)
1862 November 27
English.
1
17
Letter from Cushing Eells inquiring about dates of a meeting at Waiilatpu mission in September 1842 (photostatic reproduction)
1885 January 29
English.
1
17
Other family papers
Series 3
1865-1931
English.
Letter from Cyrus H. Walker to his brother Samuel T. Walker about conditions at Fort Hoskins, plus addendum by Cyrus H. Walker's wife, Mary Walker (original)
1865 February 2
English.
1
18
Handwritten transcript by Samuel T. Walker of letter from Milton Tuttle to Elkanah Walker about events in the Oregon Legislature, including restoration of John McLoughlin's property, and S. T. Walker's commentary about the letter (original)
1931 January 16
English.
1
18