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.
This collection is arranged into series by family of origin:
Within each series, papers are arranged alphabetically by the
originating family member, then chronologically.
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.
Open to all users.
Creator's literary rights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.
[Title of item], [date of item if known], [box/folder number], Bagley, Jenner and Mercer family papers, 5532-001, University of Washington Libraries.
Source: Myrta Bagley Jenner's granddaughter, Christine Jenner Cannon, and Susan Jenner Lichtenwalner, 2008.
Processed by Sarah DeAtley in 2008.
Newspaper article describing a guide to the Bagley family papers at the University of Washington Library.
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.
Printed ephemera: small hand-colored “Reward of Merit” to A. Mercer (Alice Mercer) from A A.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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).
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."
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.
From a Seattle newspaper, dated June 21, 1929, entitled “N.W. Historian Looks Back” describing Clarence B. Bagley’s career.
Printed title page inscribed, "Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws, Officers."
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.
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.”
Newspaper report of Clarence B. Bagley’s funeral, annotated as having appeared in the
From the
Engraved Christmas greetings for unknown year from Mr. And Mrs. Clarence B Bagley.
Inscription on reverse from Lawrence M. Jenner, identifying the “[Clarence B.] Bagley home, Queen Anne Hill, razed during WWII."
Half-fare permit for rail travel in 1887 for "Rev. Dan’l Bagley" for Puget Sound area railroads.
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.
From a Seattle newspaper (likely the
Newspaper column by C.T. Conover in the
From the
Article from the
Article by Dorothy Brant Brazier (likely from the
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Daughter of Clarence B. Bagley, who married Earle R. Jenner.
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).
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.
Constitution and bylaws of the Daughters of the Pioneers of Washington including a full membership list with names, addresses, and telephone numbers.
Pass to "the senate chamber of the State of Washington", for its 23rd regular session, admitting Mrs. Earle Jenner.
From the
Photograph taken of Myrta Jenner and Margaret Maddon (spelling unclear) at Pioneer Hall June 1953.
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.
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.
"Reward of Merit" school report card for Nancy Brigham from Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire dated June 16, 1821.
Folded paper enclosing lock of hair knotted into plait. Inscription signed "N.B." [Nancy Brigham] September 15, 1832.
Dated April 12, 1866, initiated by Thomas Mercer, Clerk and Probate Judge.
From the
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.
Two different copies of the same view, one of which has been touched up.
Photograph of the third year physics class at Seattle High School dated June 15, 1898.
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.
Paper invitation to 1983 convocation honoring Queen Elizabeth.
“Washington Pioneers” pin with image of George Washington.