Bagley, Jenner, and Mercer families papers, 1856-1961
Table of Contents
Overview of the Collection
- Title
- Bagley, Jenner, and Mercer families papers
- Dates
- 1856-1961 (bulk)18561961
- Quantity
- .58 cubic feet (1 box)
- Collection Number
- 5532 (Accession No. 5532-001)
- Summary
- Papers of various members of the Seattle pioneer families Bagley, Jenner, and Mercer
- Repository
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University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu - Access Restrictions
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Open to all users.
- Languages
- English
Biographical Note
The Bagley, Jenner, and Mercer families are notable for their instrumental part played in the development of the city of Seattle in its early days. Rev. Daniel Bagley (1818-1905) was a Methodist preacher who came to Seattle with the Bethel party in 1852, and convinced Arthur Denny that Seattle would benefit from having a university founded there. This would later become the University of Washington, and Bagley went on to serve as the president of the university board of commissioners. His son, Clarence B. "Pop" Bagley (1843-1932), married Alice Mercer, and was well known throughout the Seattle area for his involvement with local history and publishing newspapers.
Thomas Mercer (1813-1898), father of Alice Mercer, was also part of the Bethel party. He helped name the major bodies of water surrounding Seattle, including Lake Washington and Lake Union, and initially suggested the creation of a ship canal. Myrta Bagley, daughter of Clarence and Alice Mercer Bagley, married Earle R. Jenner, connecting the three families.
Content Description
The Bagley, Jenner, and Mercer families papers document the lives of some of the family members after they all were settled in Seattle. Holdings are not comprehensive, but do include incoming and outgoing correspondence, clippings, photographs, artifacts, and printed ephemera related to members of the Bagley, Jenner, and Mercer families. Many of the materials are related to Clarence B. Bagley and his daughter, Myrta Bagley Jenner. Other family members represented are Daniel Bagley, Thomas Mercer, Earle R. Jenner, and Alice Mercer Bagley. The clippings primarily relate to the Bagleys' involvement with the founding of the University of Washington, and the photographs consist of portraits, group photos, and landscape photographs. Correspondence is usually between family members.
Use of the Collection
Alternative Forms Available
View selections from this collection in digital format.
Restrictions on Use
Creator's literary rights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.
Preferred Citation
[Title of item], [date of item if known], [box/folder number], Bagley, Jenner and Mercer family papers, 5532-001, University of Washington Libraries.
Administrative Information
Arrangement
This collection is arranged into series by family of origin:
- Bagley family papers
- Jenner family papers
- Mercer family papers
- Unspecified
Detailed Description of the Collection
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Bagley family papers
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Description: Bagley family - "Guide Prepared for The Bagley Papers at U.W."
Newspaper article describing a guide to the Bagley family papers at the University of Washington Library.
Dates: undatedContainer: Box/Folder 1/2 -
Alice Mercer Bagley
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Description: Bible
Small bible bound in red leather, presented to Alice Mercer by G.E.U. Morris on January 1, 1856. Inscribed by G.E.U. Morris. The bible is signed on the back page “Alice Mercer 1858” and includes a ribbon. G.E.U. Morris was captain of the U.S.S. Decatur, which was in Seattle’s harbor during the Indian wars. Myrta Bagley Jenner said that the ribbon inside the bible was also presented to her mother, Alice Mercer, by Captain Morris.
Dates: 1856Container: Box/Folder 1/3 -
Description: "Reward of Merit"
Printed ephemera: small hand-colored “Reward of Merit” to A. Mercer (Alice Mercer) from A A.
Dates: circa 1860sContainer: Box/Folder 1/4 -
Description: Alice Mercer Bagley and Clarence B. Bagley - 60th wedding anniversary program
Printed program commemorating at the 60th wedding anniversary of Alice Mercer and Clarence Bagley, showing photos of them taken circa 1865, and a few paragraphs of biographical text. Annoted, possibly by Myrta Bagley Jenner.
Dates: 1925Container: Box/Folder 1/5
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Clarence B. Bagley
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Description: Outgoing correspondence to David Graham
Letter from Clarence B. Bagley to David Graham, dated December 19, 1865, advising Mr. Graham that Clarence B. Bagley would be wed December 24. David Graham was the husband of Susannah Mercer Graham, Alice Mercer Bagley's sister.
Dates: 1865Container: Box/Folder 1/6 -
Description: Outgoing correspondence to Ethel, Alice Claire, and Cecil Bagley
Letter from Clarence B. Bagley to his three youngest children dated September 5, 1890, from Ford’s Hotel in Richmond, Virginia (on that hotel’s stationery). Bagley writes of his travels to Washington, D.C. with “Jenner” (presumably C.K. Jenner).
Dates: 1890Container: Box/Folder 1/7 -
Description: "Chess Carnival" clippings2 pieces
Clippings announcing the “Chess Carnival” at Armory Hall, March 21-22, 1890, where Clarence B. Bagley and Griffith Davies played a game of chess, with other citizens serving as the chess pieces, accompanied by music and stories.
Dates: 1890Container: Box/Folder 1/8 -
Description: Wedding anniversary invitation
Leather-faced handwritten invitation dated January 23, 1895, for Mr. and Mrs. C.B. Bagley to a celebration of the 42nd anniversary of the first held wedding in Seattle (for David T. and Louisa Denny in 1853).
Dates: 1895Container: Box/Folder 1/9 -
Description: Seattle Legislative Department handbook
Cover is cracked.
Encased in leather-bound cover, embossed with "C.B. Bagley", entitled "Manual of the city government of the city of Seattle, 1902-1903: containing list of city officials with their addresses--boards and council committees--council rules and order of business."
Dates: 1902Container: Box/Folder 1/10 -
Description: Incoming correspndence from unknown sender
Sent to Clarence B. Bagley from Portland, Oregon, dated January 10, 1927, advising him of a notice in "The Oregonian", December 11, 1852, describing the arrival of Daniel Bagley.
Dates: 1927Container: Box/Folder 1/11 -
Description: Clipping: "N.W. Historian Looks Back"
From a Seattle newspaper, dated June 21, 1929, entitled “N.W. Historian Looks Back” describing Clarence B. Bagley’s career.
Dates: 1929Container: Box/Folder 1/12 -
Description: Washington University State Historical Society by-laws
Printed title page inscribed, "Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws, Officers."
Dates: circa 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 1/13 -
Description: Outgoing correspondence to Alice Claire Hammons
A letter from Clarence B. Bagley to his daughter Alice Claire Hammons (whose miniature house is in Seattle’s Museum of History and Industry) dated January 1, 1930. Of special interest is the engraved stationery, which reads "An-Kut-Ty" over an image of mountains, pines, and a canoe at the edge of a lake.
Dates: 1930Container: Box/Folder 1/14 -
Description: Printed Christmas greeting cardDates: 1930Container: Box/Folder 1/15
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Description: Photograph: Meeker's log house
Inscription on reverse reads: “Meeker’s log house, where he kept store, in Steilacoom. Since boarded over as in this picture from Mr. Bagley June 3, 1931.”
Dates: 1931Container: Box/Folder 1/16 -
Description: Clipping: "C.B. Bagley to be Interred at Mount Pleasant"
Newspaper report of Clarence B. Bagley’s funeral, annotated as having appeared in the Seattle Timeson February 27, 1932. This article includes a complete list of pallbearers, contains a cartoon history of Bagley’s life, and provides a brief written summary of his life.
Dates: 1932Container: Box/Folder 1/17 -
Description: Clipping: "March of Progress May Destroy Old Queen Anne Hill Landmark"
From the Seattle Star, November 8, 1943 speaking to the imminent demolition of the “old Bagley home.”
Dates: 1943Container: Box/Folder 1/18 -
Description: Christmas greeting card
Engraved Christmas greetings for unknown year from Mr. And Mrs. Clarence B Bagley.
Dates: undatedContainer: Box/Folder 1/19 -
Description: Photograph: Bagley home, Queen Anne Hill
Inscription on reverse from Lawrence M. Jenner, identifying the “[Clarence B.] Bagley home, Queen Anne Hill, razed during WWII."
Dates: undatedContainer: Box/Folder 1/20 -
Description: Photograph: taken on the front porch of the Bagley home, looking south across the porch and beyondDates: undatedContainer: Box/Folder 1/21
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Description: Photograph and calligraphic title of a portrait of Mr. C.B. Bagley, painted by Julius Ullmann (1863-1952).2 itemsDates: undatedContainer: Box/Folder 1/22
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Daniel Bagley
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Description: Rail ticket
Half-fare permit for rail travel in 1887 for "Rev. Dan’l Bagley" for Puget Sound area railroads.
Dates: 1887Container: Box/Folder 1/23 -
Description: "Grandfather Bagley" pamphlet
Typed and hand-sewn pamphlet with a three-page message from Edmond S. Meany to Daniel Bagley entitled “Grandfather Bagley” and appearing to be the model for dedicating the University of Washington Tyee of 1903 to Daniel Bagley.
Dates: 1903Container: Box/Folder 1/24 -
Description: Clipping: "Seattle in Review...Day of Prayer"
From a Seattle newspaper (likely the Seattle Times) on May 19, 1952 highlighting Daniel Bagley conducting services in 1864 reflecting Abraham Lincoln’s wishes for a day of fasting and prayer for the American Civil War.
Dates: 1952Container: Box/Folder 1/25 -
Description: Clipping: "Just Cogitating: who was the 'father' of the University of Washington"
Newspaper column by C.T. Conover in the Seattle Times, discussing whether Daniel Bagley should be called the father of the University of Washington. Dated December 1, 1957.
Dates: 1957Container: Box/Folder 1/26 -
Description: Clipping: "University of Washington 100 Years Old"
From the Seattle Post-Intelligencerdated February 19, 1961 by Barry Farrell.
Dates: 1961Container: Box/Folder 1/27 -
Description: Clipping: "Vision and Foresight Marked Start of U.W."
Article from the Seattle Timesdated November 26, 1961, by Frank Richardson Pierce, about the beginnings of the University of Washington.
Dates: 1961Container: Box/Folder 1/28 -
Description: Daniel and Clarence Bagley--clipping: "How the Hills Here Got Their Names"
Article by Dorothy Brant Brazier (likely from the Seattle Times) reviewing the people behind names of Seattle hills.
Dates: circa 1950sContainer: Box/Folder 1/29
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Description: Susannah Bagley: outgoing correspondence to Alice Claire Bagley Hammons
Daniel Bagley's wife, Susannah Rogers Whipple Bagley, died in Seattle in 1913.
From Susannah Bagley to her granddaughter Alice Claire Bagley Hammons and her husband Fred Hammons, dated June 12, 1903, counseling a firm faith.
Dates: 1903Container: Box/Folder 1/30 -
Description: Portrait photograph of Nancy Pelton Whipple
Nancy Pelton Whipple was the mother of Susannah Rogers Whipple Bagley, wife of Daniel Bagley. She was born in 1796, and may never have visited Seattle.
Dates: circa 1880sContainer: Box/Folder 1/46
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Jenner family papers
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Description: Cornelia Jenner--outgoing correspondence to Mrs. P.C. Comstock
Cornelia Experience Comstock Jenner’s letter dated December 11, 1876 to Mrs. P.C. Comstock, Healdsburg, Sonoma County, California. Recounting her experiences traveling by sea from California to Puget Sound on a bark. Included is the original envelope. This letter has appeared in many family monographs.
Dates: 1876Container: Box/Folder 1/31 -
Earle R. Jenner
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Description: University of Washington stadium student admission pass: Engraved brassDates: 1922Container: Box/Folder 1/32
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Description: Incoming correspondence from University of Washington Board of Regents
Letter dated April 17, 1959 regarding the Bagley-Mercer Company donation to the University Library of the "Bagley Collection of Pacific Northwest Americana." Signed by Helen E. Hoaglund, secretary to the Board of Regents.
Dates: 1959Container: Box/Folder 1/33 -
Description: Incoming correspondence from Ernest Jenner
Ernest and Earle were twin sons of Cornelia Jenner.
Written by Ernest Jenner to Earle Jenner from a military hospital in San Francisco, where Ernest was confined during the Spanish American War. The letter contains many cartoons depicting military and hospital life. Dated June 12, 1898.
Dates: 1898Container: Box/Folder 1/34
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Myrta Bagley Jenner
Daughter of Clarence B. Bagley, who married Earle R. Jenner.
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Description: Incoming correspondence from Lizzie Stine
Lizzie Stine to Myrta Bagley Jenner dated June 18, 1886, postmarked Walla Walla, Washington Territory. Encloses a printed program from St. Paul’s School's closing exercises (with dried flower).
Dates: 1886Container: Box/Folder 1/35 -
Description: Photograph: group portrait
This photo is a group shot of dozens of adults, and may include many citizens of importance in Seattle at the time. Myrta Bagley appears in the photograph and signed the back. Taken at Snoqualmie Hop Ranch, summer of 1890.
Dates: 1890Container: Box/Folder 1/36 -
Description: Daughters of the Pioneers of Washington handbook
Constitution and bylaws of the Daughters of the Pioneers of Washington including a full membership list with names, addresses, and telephone numbers.
Dates: circa 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 1/37 -
Description: Admission pass, Washington state senate
Pass to "the senate chamber of the State of Washington", for its 23rd regular session, admitting Mrs. Earle Jenner.
Dates: 1933Container: Box/Folder 1/38 -
Description: Clipping: "Annual Alki fete honors city pioneers"
From the Seattle Post-Intelligencerdated November 14, 1939 discussing the Alki 12th annual luncheon celebrating early pioneers. The article includes a photograph of Myrta Bagley Jenner with a “1939 model pioneer” infant.
Dates: 1939Container: Box/Folder 1/39 -
Description: Photograph
Photograph taken of Myrta Jenner and Margaret Maddon (spelling unclear) at Pioneer Hall June 1953.
Dates: 1953Container: Box/Folder 1/40 -
Description: Incoming correspondence from Frank R. Atkins
Letter from Frank R. Atkins to Mrs. Earle R. Jenner, accompanied by a C.T. Conover column discussing the University of Washington cornerstone. Column dated June 16, 1957. Letter dated November 4, 1957.
Dates: 1957Container: Box/Folder 1/41
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Mercer family papers
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Nancy Brigham Mercer
Nancy Brigham Mercer was the wife of Thomas Mercer. Born June 6, 1816 in Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire, she died September 21, 1852 en route by covered wagon to the Pacific Northwest, at The Dalles, Oregon.
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Description: "Reward of Merit"2 pieces
"Reward of Merit" school report card for Nancy Brigham from Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire dated June 16, 1821.
Dates: 1821Container: Box/Folder 1/42 -
Description: Note
Folded paper enclosing lock of hair knotted into plait. Inscription signed "N.B." [Nancy Brigham] September 15, 1832.
Dates: 1832Container: Box/Folder 1/43
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Thomas Mercer
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Description: Probate court summons
Dated April 12, 1866, initiated by Thomas Mercer, Clerk and Probate Judge.
Dates: 1866Container: Box/Folder 1/44 -
Description: Clipping: "Seattle's Oldest Home"
From the Seattle Post-Intelligencerdated April 26, 1987, describing Thomas Mercer’s original house, including photos.
Dates: 1987Container: Box/Folder 1/45
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Unspecified
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Description: Bagley, Jenner, and Mercer family treeDates: circa 2005Container: Box/Folder 1/1
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Description: Union Democratic ticket for congressional delegate
Leaflet showing the Union Democratic ticket for delegate to congress for the Seattle district. Annotated with a date of June 1865. Specific names are identified.
Dates: 1865Container: Box/Folder 1/47 -
Description: Photograph: Seattle waterfront2 copies
Two different copies of the same view, one of which has been touched up.
Dates: 1878Container: Box/Folder 1/48 -
Description: Photograph: group portrait, Seattle High School
Photograph of the third year physics class at Seattle High School dated June 15, 1898.
Dates: 1898Container: Box/Folder 1/49 -
Description: Photograph: Seattle High School
Inscription on reverse says “the old and the new, Seattle Wash 1906.” Photograph shows a covered wagon and oxen in the foreground, led by a man beside a motorcar. In the background, atop a hill, is Seattle High School.
Dates: 1906Container: Box/Folder 1/50 -
Description: Clipping--"Seattle Album No. 14 - 'City Council' of 1892"Dates: circa 1950sContainer: Box/Folder 1/51
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Description: Correspondence--invitation to Queen Elizabeth convocation
Paper invitation to 1983 convocation honoring Queen Elizabeth.
Dates: 1983Container: Box/Folder 1/52 -
Description: "Washington Pioneers" brass pin
“Washington Pioneers” pin with image of George Washington.
Dates: undatedContainer: Box/Folder 1/53
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