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Edward Evans Parrish papers, 1854-2001

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Parrish, Edward Evans, 1791-1874
Title
Edward Evans Parrish papers
Dates
1854-2001 (inclusive)
1854-1876 (bulk)
Quantity
0.7 cubic feet, (2 document cases)
Collection Number
Mss 648
Summary
Diaries of Edward Evans Parrish (1791-1874), an Oregon pioneer, preacher, and farmer of Marion County. Also includes poetry; related papers; a travel diary of Parrish's daughter Rachel Marinda Parrish Knox; transcriptions of diaries; and biographical information written by James M. Knox, a descendant of Parrish.
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

Collection is open for research.

Languages
English
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Historical Note

Edward Evans Parrish, the son of Edward and Rachel Evans Parrish, was born in Monongalia County, West Virginia, in 1791. He came overland to the Oregon Country in 1844 and eventually settled in Marion County, Oregon, first at a farm near Parrish Gap, then in Jefferson City, to which he moved in 1865. Around 1873, he moved to the farm of his daughter and son-in-law, Rachel and Samuel Knox, near Knox Butte, Linn County, Oregon. Parrish died in 1874.

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Content Description

The collection contains the diaries of Edward Evans Parrish, written from 1854 to 1873, with many gaps. In these he records daily events, farm life, family news, and his religious convictions. Other materials consist of poetry and related papers of Edward Parrish; the diary of Parrish's daughter, Rachel Marinda Parrish Knox, written on a trip to San Jose, California; and extensive biographical and genealogical information by James M. Knox, a descendant of Parrish. Typed transcriptions of selected diaries and other items are also included.

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Use of the Collection

Preferred Citation

Edward Evans Parrish papers, Mss 648, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.

Restrictions on Use

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.

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Administrative Information

Acquisition Information

Gift of James M. Knox, July 2001 (Lib. Acc. 24596).

Custodial History

The diaries were handed down through the Parrish and Knox families and were given to the Oregon Historical Society by Edward Parrish's great-great grandson, James M. Knox.

Related Materials

Two transcriptions of an 1843-1944 diary kept by Edward Evans Parrish during his overland journey to the Oregon Country are also held at the Oregon Historical Society Research Library: "The Oregon trail diary of Edward Evans Parrish in 1844" (published 1988), call number 917.8 P261o 1988; and "An 1844 overland diary" (published 1976), call number 9679.105 P2618ov, 1976L. The original diary is held at the Idaho State Historical Society, MS 2/0226.

Bibliography

Parrish, Edward Evans, "The Oregon trail diary of Edward Evans Parrish in 1844" (Medford, Or.: Webb Research Group, 1988)

Parrish, Edward, "An 1844 overland diary" (Portland, Or., publisher not identified, 1976)

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Detailed Description of the Collection

  • Description: Manuscript diary of Edward Evans Parrish, with transcription by James M. Knox
    Dates: 1854 February-1855 February 14
    Container: Box 1, Folder 1-2
  • Description: Manuscript diary of Edward Evans Parrish, with preservation photocopy
    Dates: 1855-1869
    Container: Box 1, Folder 3-4
  • Description: Diary of Edward Evans Parrish (typed transcription)
    Dates: 1854-1855
    Container: Box 1, Folder 5
  • Description: Diary of Edward Evans Parrish (typed transcription)
    Dates: 1860
    Container: Box 1, Folder 6
  • Description: Manuscript diary of Edward Evans Parrish
    Dates: 1860 January 7-1862 May 5
    Container: Box 1, Folder 7
  • Description: Manuscript diary of Edward Evans Parrish
    Dates: 1862 May 6-1865 September 10
    Container: Box 1, Folder 8
  • Description: Manuscript diary of Edward Evans Parrish
    Dates: 1865 September 24-1868 October 23
    Container: Box 1, Folder 9
  • Description: Manuscript diary of Edward Evans Parrish
    Dates: 1868 October 23-1871 February 2
    Container: Box 1, Folder 10
  • Description: Manuscript diary of Edward Evans Parrish
    Dates: 1871 February-1873 June
    Container: Box 1, Folder 11
  • Description: Travel diary of Rachel Parrish Knox (original)
    Dates: 1875-1876
    Container: Box 2, Folder 1
  • Description: Travel diary of Rachel Parrish Knox -- notes and transcriptions by James M. Knox
    Dates: 1875-1876; circa 2001
    Container: Box 2, Folder 2
  • Description: Poetry and related papers
    Dates: circa 1854-1855
    Container: Box 2, Folder 3
  • Description: Correspondence and notes on the collection by James M. Knox
    Dates: 1990-2001
    Container: Box 2, Folder 4

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Agriculture--Oregon--19th century
  • Farm life--Oregon--19th century
  • Pioneers--Oregon

Personal Names

  • Knox, Rachel Parrish--Diaries
  • Parrish, Edward Evans, 1791-1874--Diaries

Family Names

  • Knox family
  • Parrish family

Geographical Names

  • San Jose (Calif.)--Description and travel--19th century

Form or Genre Terms

  • diaries
  • genealogies (histories)

Other Creators

  • Personal Names

    • Knox, James M. (transcriber)
    • Knox, Rachel Parrish (author)
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