Sidney H. Marsh Papers
MS.1
Pacific University, Archives
http://www.pacificu.edu/library/services/archives/
2043 College Way
Forest Grove, OR, 97116
503-352-1405
archives@pacificu.edu
Collection materials are in English.
1
2
3
4
6
5
5.0 cubic feet
5 record boxes
1817-1943
This collection documents the activities of Sidney H. Marsh while at Tualatin Academy and later as President of Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon from 1853 until his death in 1879. The majority of the correspondence and documents record his efforts in obtaining monies for the college through subscriptions, the financial records for the school, writings promoting and defending education in Oregon, relationships between business partners, early founders, students, and faculty members.
Marsh, James W. (James Wheelock), 1827-1860;
Marsh, Sidney H. (Sidney Harper), 1825-1879
Biographical Note
Sidney Harper Marsh was born on August 29, 1825 at Hampden-Sidney College, Virginia. He was the son of James Wheelock Marsh and Lucia Wheelock Marsh. He had a brother, James Wheelock Marsh, and a stepbrother, Joseph Walker Marsh from his father’s second wife, Laura Wheelock Marsh, the sister of Lucia. He lived the early part of his life in Burlington, Vermont.
Mr. S. Marsh graduated from the University of Vermont in 1846, receiving a D.D. degree from the same school in 1862. Some of his classmates that he stayed in contact with from the university were Judge Jameson, of Chicago and Hon. H.O. Houghton, of Cambridge, Massachusetts. Mr. Sidney H. Marsh taught for two years at Leesburg Academy in Leesburg, Virginia. As part of the American College and Education Society, he relocated in 1853 to the Oregon territory to become principal of Tualatin Academy in Forest Grove. Shortly after, he became the President of Pacific University in 1854, which he remained president for 25 years. He was ordained as a Congregational clergyman during his early years in Oregon where he gave sermons throughout the Willamette Valley, from Forest Grove to Eugene.
As the President of Pacific University, Mr. Sidney Marsh worked tirelessly to promote education in the West and to gain subscriptions in the East to help fund the school from 1859-1860 and 1875- 1876. During this time, he sent many letters to his wife Eliza and children James Wheelock, Mary and Lucia. Throughout his life, Mr. Sidney Marsh devoted his services to the Pacific University and his ministry to the Congregational church. His devotion to the college and belief in education encompassed his life to the end, as noted in his obituary in the Free Press, “He worked for it to the last, making a journey to Portland, Oregon, on business for it, but ten days before he died, and he gave it almost his last thoughts and breath.”
He died on February 2, 1879 at the age of 81. He was married to Eliza Haskell from Bloomfield, Ohio in 1860 and had eight children, three died young. Surviving children were James Wheelock Marsh, Mary Henrietta Marsh, Lucia Marsh, George Haskell, Winifred Marsh.
Collection is available for research.
No accruals are expected.
Collection acquired through gifts from circa 1953 and 1978 from James Wheelock Marsh, son; copies from Theodore Whittelsey, Jr., grandson; and materials from Emily Peterson, grand-daughter of Joseph W. Marsh.
The materials were part of Marsh family collections that were gifted or acquired from the members or various sellers.
Pacific University owns the copyright to some, but not all, of the materials housed in its archives. Copyright for materials authored or otherwise produced as official business of Pacific University is retained by Pacific University and requires its permission for publication. Copyright status for other collection materials varies. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.
Books were separated from the collection and cataloged in the Rare Books collection and some are storage.
Books owned by Sidney H. Marsh can be found in the Rare Books, Sidney H. Marsh Collection. Related materials to George Atkinson can be found in the George Atkinson Papers collection.
Alphabetical card index of correspondents for a select author found in series 1; transcriptions for some materials available in reference notebook; and biographical information on persons in the collection available in the vertical files.
[item identification], Sidney H. Marsh Papers, Pacific University Archives, Forest Grove, Oregon
Organized into 5 series: 1. Correspondence, 2. Writings, 3. Subject Index, 4. Personal Papers, 5. Memorabilia and Personal Effects
This collection documents the activities of Sidney H. Marsh while at Tualatin Academy and later as President of Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon from 1853 until his death in 1879. The majority of the correspondence and documents record his efforts in obtaining monies for the college through subscriptions, the financial records for the school, writings promoting and defending education in Oregon, relationships between business partners, early founders, students, and faculty members.
The writings include sermons as a Congregational Minister, early writings before his move to Oregon including poetry and a play. Notable writings include a history from Sidney H. Marsh and George H. Atkinson, a composition on “Hamlet,” and the play “Schools for Young Ladies.” The subject index for Tualatin Academy and Pacific University consists of financial records, samples of student compositions, papers closing Tabitha Brown’s estate, and some resolutions and meeting minutes. Records from the Congregational Church in Forest Grove section contain two account books created by J. S. Griffin, resolution and meeting minutes, plus the minutes from the inquiry into Harvey Clark in 1854.
A portion of the collection has been acquired through James Wheelock Marsh, Sidney H. Marsh’s son, which includes letters after the death of Sidney H. Marsh, examples of his own writings “Oregon Reports” and notes on the collection. Unless otherwise noted in the series and sub-series descriptions, the arrangement scheme for the collection was imposed during processing in the absence of a usable original order.
Brown, Tabitha Moffatt, 1780-1858
Pacific University
Tualatin Academy
Colleges and universities
Missionaries
Oregon
Religion
Correspondence
Lectures
Sermons
Clergy
Education administrators, postsecondary
Correspondence
Series 1
1824-1900
The series is separated into two sub-series that include 1.1, General, which contains letters by and to Sidney H. Marsh and the sub-series 1.2, Third-party, which contains letters to and from individuals associated with S.H. Marsh's family and Pacific University. Correspondence has been arranged alphabetically then chronologically within folders, unless otherwise noted. Transcript copies are provided for some letters and have been placed behind the corresponding original.
The sub-series 1.1, General, persons containing less than three letters are filed alphabetically in “letter” general files (e.g., “A” general). Correspondents with unknown surnames are filed after all known correspondents under the given name. Unknown letters are filed at end of the series under, Unidentified/Anonymous Persons. Eliza Haskell Marsh folders 49- 62 have been kept in original order. The sub-series 1.2, Third-Party, also contains letters of introduction and recommendation for Sidney H. Marsh. This section is arranged by sender or receiver that was prominent in the life Sidney H. Marsh.
General
Sub-series 1.1
1847-1879
"A" General
1
1
1859-1876
Atkinson, George
1
2-3
1852-1879
"B" General
1
4
1854-1860
Includes a letter to Brodyman and one to Bowditch about his efforts in Boston to raise money.
Baldwin, Theron
1
5-8
1858-1867
Butterfield
1
9
1874
“C” General
1
10
1859-1878
Chamberlin, B.B.
1
11
1859-1860
Clapp, Frances
1
12
1872-1879
Corbett, Henry Winslow
1
13
1861-1876
Craig, Wheelock
1
14
1859-1860
"D" General
1
15
1859
Dionell, T. E.
1
16
1860
"F" General
1
17
1860-1873
First National Bank of Portland
1
18
1875-1876
"G" General
1
19
1860
"H"- "Hitchcock, R." General
1
20
1857-1873
Includes a letter to Harris about the grave monument for his brother James.
"Hitchcock, S."-"Hy" General
1
21
1854-1873
Includes a letter Hlett describing the different Indian languages they have encountered along with a journal entry from Log River.
Hale, Edward E.
1
22
1864
Hale, Josiah
1
23
1854-1860
Harrison, Matthew
1
24
1860-1867
Haskell, P.N.
1
25
1859-1873
The undated letter is missing a page.
Haskell, T.N.
1
26
1860-1875
Hodgdon, M.A.
1
27
1861-1876
Houghton, H.O.
1
28
1861-1875
Howard, O. O.
1
29
1875-1876
Hoyt, T.S.
1
30
1855-1856
Huntington, C.A.
1
31
1866-1869
Ivison and Phinney
1
32
1853-1857
"J" General
1
33
1861-1869
James,
1
34
1861
Jameson, John A.
1
35
1846-1866
"K" General
1
36
1856-1875
Keeler, J.M.
1
37
1853-1855
Kirk, Edward H.
1
38
1859-1869
"L" General
1
39
1854-1869
Ladd, M.S.
1
40
1864-1869
Luce, H.B.
1
41
1875
Lyman, Horace
1
42
1860
“M” General
1
43-44
1859-1873
Marsh Family General
1
45
1845-1877
Includes a letter from Benjamin S. Marsh found inside a book of poetry.
Marsh Children
1
46
1875
Marsh, Anna L.
1
47
1873-1875
Letter missing first page.
Marsh, Eliza Haskell
1
48-61
1859-1878
Marsh, James W. (brother)
1
62
1846-1857
Transcript copies of replies can be found folder 98, Copies from Theodore Whittesley Jr. Collection.
Marsh, James W. (son)
1
63
1866-1878
Marsh, Joseph Walker
1
64
1860-1875
Marsh, L(yndon)?
1
65
1859-1870
Marsh, Lucia
1
66
1875-1876
Marsh, Mary H.
1
67-68
1866-1878
Non-correspondence items have been placed in Family Papers.
Marsh, Mary M.
1
69
1861-1867
Momotaro, Sato
1
71
1
70
1870
“N” General
1
72
1859-1876
Includes letters to the Editor of the New York Times and from Japanese student A.M. Nossea.
Nimman, A.
1
73
1867-1876
Noyer, Daniel P.
1
74
1861-1863
“O” General
1
75
1869
Oregon Central Railroad Company
1
76
1875-1878
"P" General
1
77
1853-1878
"R"-"Ri" General
1
78
1847-1856
"Ro"-"Ru" General
1
79
1859-1875
Includes a letter to Rev. Roy expressing his role to the founding of Pacific University with a note from SHM’s sons.
Rich, A. B.
1
79
1860-1870
"S” General
2
80-82
1853-1877
Saito, Kinpay
2
83
1876-1878
Shattuck, E. D.
2
84-85
1852-1867
Letters have faded, handle with care.
Shedd, W.G.T.
2
86
1859-1873
Starr, Milton B.
2
87
1857-1860
"T" General
2
88
1855-1866
Tamura, Hatsuatra
2
89
1876-1878
Tanner, Edward A.
2
90
1860-1865
Letters faded, handle with care.
University of Vermont
2
91
1853
"W” General
2
92-94
1851-1875
Walley, S.H.
2
95
1861-1866
Williams, T. W.
2
96
1860-1866
____, Charles
2
97
1878
Unidentified/Anonymous Persons
2
98
1854-1875
Third-party
Sub-series 1.2
1824-1943
Copies from Theodore Wittelsey Jr. Collection
2
1
1849-1876
Letters of recommendation of Sidney H. Marsh
2
2
1847-1851
Letters of recommendation or introduction of Sidney H. Marsh
2
3
1852-1869
Atkinson, George
2
4
1852-1883
Clark, Harvey
2
5
1857
Farnham, Mary
2
6
1900
Letter from her son Kenneth Thomas
Highley, Sarah
2
7
Undated
Keeler, J.M.
2
8
1855
Lyman, Horace
2
9
Undated
Lyman, Sarah
2
Lyman, Sarah
2
10
Undated
To Marsh, Eliza Haskell
2
11-12
1863-1879
Marsh, Joseph W.
2
13
1854-1886
Marsh, Lucia W.
2
14
1824
Correspondence to Eliza Haskell Marsh.
Marsh, Mary H.
2
15
1875-1880
Marsh, W. F.
2
16
1875
Thomas, N.
2
17
1943
Writings
Series 2
1842-1943
This series consists of writings on Pacific University, lectures, editorials, and the many sermons as a Congregational minister. The sermons and lectures were found in two bundles tied together by string. Many of these writings are individually sewn together and written in pencil, and handled with care. Writings are arranged chronologically.
Pacific University Inaugural Discourse
2
1
1856
Baccalaureate Address
2
2
1868 May 3
Narration of Pacific University
2
3
1871
Writings on Pacific University
2
4
1859-1874
Editorials
2
5
1874-1875
Scheme of Missionary(?) and educational work in Oregon
2
6
Undated
"Gentleman of the Society"
2
7
Undated
Money
2
8
Undated
Money and Currency
2
9
Undated
"The matter of education…"
2
10
Undated
"It has been said by someone that he should show the connection between the interests of vital religion and learning..."
2
11
Undated
Untitled, missing first page
2
12
Undated
"Our nation has been startled from the repose of peace by the clarion call to arms"
2
13
1862 July 2
"I propose to consider what education is …."
2
14
1862 July 30
Principles to Men
2
15
1863 March 4
Address before the Sanitary Aid Apouration(?) of Oregon City
2
16
1864 June 8
Address before the Teachers' Institute, Albany
2
17
1864 August 3
Teaching as a Profession, before Gamma Sigma
2
18
1868 April 10
Wait I say on the Lord
2
19
Undated
Congregationalism
2
20
Undated
Ed Congregationalism
2
21
1862
"It is the office of the ministry to publish spiritual truths to a carnal world."
2
22
Undated
Mathew 10:16
2
23
Undated
Mark 16:3
2
24
Undated
Deuteronomy 30:15
2
25
Undated
Isaiah 58:13-14, On the Sabbath
2
26
circa March 1862
Psalm 84:1
2
27
1863 March 22
Proverbs 8:17
2
28
circa April 1863
1st Corinthians 4:7
2
29
1863 April 5
Mathew 16: part of the 3rd verse
2
30
1863 April 27
John 20:28
2
31
1893 July 5
2 Samuel 18:14
2
32
1863 August
Thanksgiving Psalms 68, 78, and 107:43
2
33
1863 August 6
Includes a newspaper clipping of President Lincoln’s Proclamation of Thanksgiving from the Oregonian (newspaper), July 25, 1863.
Genesis 3:14
2
35
1863 November 15
Psalm 37:31
2
36
circa November 1863
Fast Day Sermon - Deuteronomy 29
2
37
1863 November 26
1 Corinthians 6:2
2
38
1863 December 20
2 Corinthians 14:40
2
39
circa March 1864
1st Epistle of John 2:8
2
40
1864 May 8
Joshua 13:1
2
41
1864 June 19
Luke 19:9
2
42
1864 June 25
Galatians 6:7
2
43
1864 December 4
Thanksgiving Psalms 99:8
2
44
1864 September 25
Hagar 1:7
2
45
1865 January 1
…stram rehearse in the language of worldly joy the gifts of Providence"
3
46
1868 November 26
Missing first page.
John 15:5
3
47
1869 February 7
Psalm 2:3
3
48
1869 February 21
Zachariah 4:6
3
49
1869 May 2
Acts 16:31
3
50
1870s
Romans 13:13
3
51
1870s
Acts 5:38
3
52
1870s
The Lord be merciful and heal my soul.
3
53
1870s
James 4:14
3
54
before 1871
Psalm 17:15
3
55
circa 1871-1876
Hebrews 10:35
3
56
circa April 1873
Luke 8
3
57
circa August 1874
John 12: 24
3
58
circa December 1875
Christmas, Romans 10:17 and Genesis 28:16
3
59
1876 December 25
Acts 1:2, 1st Sabbath
3
60
1877
Psalm 34:11
3
61
1877 January 14
Psalm 2:3
3
62
1877 February 4
Isaiah 1:18
3
63
1877 February 11
1 Corinthians 1:24
3
64
1877 March 4
Psalm 74:5
3
65
1877 March 18
1 Kings 2:2
3
66
1877 April 1
Hamlet Composition pp. 1-14
3
67
Undated
Hamlet Composition, pp. 15-30
3
68
Undated
Hamlet Composition, pp. 31-39
3
69
Undated
Hamlet, bound
3
70
Undated
Book of Poetry
3
71
circa 1842-1858
Letter to Benjamin S. Marsh removed and placed in correspondence.
Untitled Poem
3
72
1858
Play "Schools for young Ladies"
3
73
1865 May 3
Notes and incomplete writings
3
74
Undated
Subject Index
Series 3
1842-1903
This series is divided into two fields of interest between Tualatin Academy and Pacific University and the Congregational Church of Forest Grove, Oregon. The sub-series, 3.1, Tualatin Academy and Pacific University contains documents of resolutions, meetings, book lists, financial records and papers relating to former students. The Financial Papers folders (29-36) have been kept in their original order. The sub-series 3.2, Congregational Church of Forest Grove, Oregon contain documents of early record books, meeting minutes and the church inquiry into Harvey Clarke. The records are arranged chronologically.
Tualatin Academy and Pacific University
Sub-series 3.1
1845-1903
Faculty appointment and recommendation
3
3
1886-1903
Papers closing estate of Tabitha Brown
3
4
1864-1877
Printed materials for events and stationary
3
5
undated
Sample of Student Compositions
3
6
1879
11th Annual Report of the Society for the Promotion of Collegiate and Theological Education at the West
3
7
1854
Synopsis of the History of Tualatin Academy & Pacific University by George H. Atkinson
3
1
1861-1864
Resolutions and Meeting Minutes
3
2
1853-1899
Documents related to establishing education in Washington County
3
8
Undated
Marriage licenses of graduates
3
9
Undated
Includes the license of Harriet Hoover, the first female graduate.
Book List and Purchase
3
10
Undated
Record Book
3
11
1861-1864
Account Books
3
12-15
1849-1875
Subscriptions Books
3
16-18
Unknown-1876
Subscriptions
3-4
19-23
1850-1870
Bonds
4
24-26
Unknown-1855
Faculty Contracts
4
27
1853-1866
Bills / Promissory Notes
4
28
1851-1856
Financial Papers
4
29-36
1849-1875
Receipts/Bills
4
37-55
1845-1878
Congregational Church of Forest Grove, Oregon
Sub-series 3.2
1842-1876
Church book of Tualatin Plains Church by J.S. Griffin
4
1
1842-1876
Ministerial Record book and journal J.S. Griffin
4
2
1842-1880
"Subscribers to the American and sermons in account with J.S. Griffin"
4
3
1848 June
Resolutions and Meeting Minutes
4
4
undated
Minutes from Inquiry into Harvey Clarke
4
5
1854
Miscellaneous Papers
4
6
undated
Personal Papers
Series 4
1817-1932
This series contains materials related to Sidney H. Marsh’s personal life and family member materials, especially from his children. Sub-series 4.1, General, includes materials relating specifically to the personal life of Sidney H. Marsh including diaries, financial receipts, biographical papers, obituaries, newspaper clippings, educational records, diplomas, deeds, and bank accounts. The sub-series 4.2, Family Papers contain materials collected about and created by family members, such as James Wheelock Marsh “Oregon Reports” and notes on this collection. The records are arranged chronologically.
General
Sub-series 4.1
1833-1881
Fragile, handle with care.
Biographical Information
4
1
1846-1879
Memorial Speeches
4
2
1879-1881
Diplomas from the University of Vermont
4
3
1846 and 1862
Honor / Awards
4
4
1860
Class Notes
4
5
1843
Leesburg Academy papers
4
6
1847-1848
Diary - Smiths Camp Hilson River
4
7
1873 August 1-26
Fragile, handle with care.
Notebook with notes and excerpts for sermons
5
8
undated
Book of notes on speaking
5
9
undated
Notebook of Bible quotes
5
10
undated
Newspaper Clippings
5
11
1852-1875
Index to Notebooks, New York
5
12
12?
Address Book
5
13
undated
Memorandum Booklet
5
14-17
1861 and undated
Fragile, handle with care.
Calendar & Book Slate
5
18
1857
Letter list and memorandum booklet
5
19
1871
Diary and appointment booklet
5
20
1874
Catalogue of books taken to Oregon (from New York City)
5
21
undated
Account Book, First National Bank of Portland
5
22
1865-1874
Cancelled Checks, First National Bank of Portland
5
23
1870-1874
Stock Receipts
5
24
1867
Deeds / Mortgages
5
25-28
1855-1878
Land Surveys / Donations
5
29
1849-1851 and undated
Deed to Burial Lot
5
30
1882, 1889
Photograph copy of letter by President Andrew Jackson
5
31
undated (original letter dated 1833)
Printed images
5
32
undated
Miscellaneous Papers
5
33
undated
Family Papers
Sub-series 4.1
1817-1932
Jacob Marsh Diploma from Dartmouth
5
1
1817
“Oregon Reports'" by James Wheelock Marsh Transcript of the local history from the perspective from the events in the Oregon Court Reports from 1853-1887.
5
2
Fragile, handle with care.
James Wheelock Marsh's booklet of composed prayers
5
3
undated
James Wheelock Marsh's notes on collection
5
4
undated
James Marsh Funeral Program
5
5
1842
Lucia Marsh school compositions and notes
5
6-7
5
6-7
1855 and undated
Mary Marsh notes and drawing
5
8
undated
Jacob Marsh diploma from Dartmouth
5
9
1817
Memorabilia and Personal Effects
Series 5
1824
The series contains 3-dimensional objects and published material from the collection, arranged chronologically.
Letter Covers
5
1
1834 and undated
Booklet - "In Memoriam: S. H. March, D.D., First President of Pacific University, 1854-1879" by Myron Eells.
5
2
1881
7 copies