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Diaries, 1848-1973

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Brown, Hiram, 1823-1898
Title
Diaries
Dates
1848-1973 (inclusive)
1855-1896 (bulk)
Quantity
3 cubic feet, (2 card file boxes; 3 document cases)
Collection Number
Mss 370
Summary
Diaries of Hiram Brown, captain of a river steamboat operating between Portland and Astoria, Oregon, from the mid to late 19th century. Includes notations on ship movements and tides. Includes transcripts and notes by Joseph Schiwek.
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

The collection is open to the public.

Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
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Biographical Note

Hiram Brown was born in Cayuga County, New York, on December 14, 1823. He was first employed as a deckhand on a Mississippi River steamboat and came West during the California gold rush. Brown returned to maritime work as a deckhand on the river steamer Lot Whitcomb in 1851, sailing between Portland and Astoria, Oregon. In 1857, he was promoted to captain and worked continuously for the next 32 years, until his retirement in December 1889. He died on March 9, 1898, in Astoria.

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Content Description

Diaries record Brown's daily activities in Portland, Oregon, and Astoria, Oregon; also contains information about ships in port, including their names, arrival and departure times, and notes on tides. All years between 1855 and 1896 are represented except 1858 and 1874. Most entries are brief. Personal information, such as family events, is written in cipher. A key to the cipher is included in the collection.

In 1973 the diaries were transcribed by Joseph A. Schiwek. Besides these transcriptions, the collection includes Schiwek's extensive notes on people and places mentioned in the diaries.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

The Oregon Historical Society is the owner of the materials in the Research Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from the Research Library before any reproduction use. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all of the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from the copyright owners.

Alternative Forms Available

A transcription of the diaries by Joseph A. Schiwek, Jr., 1973, is included in the collection.

Preferred Citation

Hiram Brown Diaries, Mss 370, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

The diaries are arranged in two series as follows

  • Series A: Original diaries, 1855-1896
  • Series B: Transcriptions, notes, and related materials, circa 1973

Acquisition Information

Acquisition information unavailable.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Ship captains--Oregon--Diaries
  • Steam-navigation--Columbia River
  • Steam-navigation--Oregon--Willamette River
  • Steamboats--Columbia River
  • Steamboats--Oregon--Willamette River

Personal Names

  • Schiwek, Joseph Anthony, 1947- (creator)

Form or Genre Terms

  • Diaries
  • Ledgers
  • Weather diaries

Occupations

  • Ship captains

Other Creators

  • Personal Names

    • Brown, Hiram, 1823-1898--Archives


2004

CC0

About Creative Commons Licenses in Archives West

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