Oregon Historical Society Research
Library
Marcus and Narcissa Whitman
collection
Whitman, Marcus, 1802-1847
Whitman, Narcissa Prentiss, 1808-1847
Mss
1203
0.5 cubic feet
1 legal document case; 1 shared reel microfilm;
1 reel microfilm
1834-1947
1834-1850
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.
English
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.
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.
Collection is open for research.
Selected
letters are viewable online in OHS Digital Collections.
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.
Marcus and Narcissa Whitman collection, Mss 1203, Oregon Historical
Society Research Library.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Whitman, Marcus, 1802-1847
Whitman, Narcissa Prentiss, 1808-1847
Greene, David, active 1838-1847--Correspondence
American Board of Commissioners for Foreign
Missions
Missionaries--Northwest,
Pacific
Cayuse
Indians--Missions
Whitman Massacre, 1847
Women
missionaries--Northwest, Pacific
Indians of North
America--Missions--Northwest, Pacific
Overland journeys to the Pacific
Missionaries
Overland Journeys to the Northwestern United
States
correspondence
Marcus and Narcissa Whitman
personal and missionary papers
Series 1
1834-1891
1834-1847 English.
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.
Correspondence with the American
Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions
Subseries 1
1834-1847
English.
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
1
1
Other missionary correspondence
and papers of Marcus Whitman
Subseries 2
1838-1843;
1891 English.
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
2
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
1
3
Personal correspondence of
Narcissa Whitman and Marcus Whitman
Subseries 3
1836-1847 English.
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
4
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
5
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
6
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
7
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
8
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
9
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
1
10
Personal correspondence of
Marcus Whitman and Narcissa Whitman (microfilm of originals)
Mss 1200-Mss 1225 Microfilm
1836 March 15-1847 October
12
1
Whitman killings and immediate
aftermath
Series 2
1848-1947
1848-1850 English.
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.
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
11
St. Louis Daily Union article
about the Whitman killings (typescript copy)
1848 May 20
1
12
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
13
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
12
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
1
13
Recollections and
memorialization
Series 3
1878-circa 1940
1878-1916 English.
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.
Oregonian article about O. F.
Canfield and his recollections of the Whitman killings (typescript
copy)
1894 July 21
1
14
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
1
15
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
2