Andrew Jackson Chambers family papers, approximately 1853-1947
Table of Contents
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Chambers family
- Title
- Andrew Jackson Chambers family papers
- Dates
- approximately 1853-1947 (inclusive)18531947
- Quantity
- 1.47 cubic feet (4 boxes and 1 oversize folder)
- Collection Number
- 0939
- Summary
- Correspondence and legal and financial documents from members of a pioneer family, Washington Territory
- 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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Creator's literary rights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.
- Languages
- English
Biographical Note
Andrew Jackson Chambers was born on November 25, 1825 in Indiana to parents Letitia and Thomas McCutcheon Chambers. He was named for President Andrew Jackson, who was said to be Letitia Chambers’ cousin. Chambers and his family moved to the Pacific Coast in 1845, and settled six miles from Oregon City. He was active in the development of the area, and assisted with building roads around Mud Mountain near Chehalis and from the falls of the Deschutes River to Chambers Prairie, a 700-acre area of land near Olympia, Washington. In 1847 the family moved to Chambers Prairie. Chambers lived there for the remainder of his life, with the exception of three years spent in California during the Gold Rush.
Chambers’ first wife, Rebecca V. Buckner Chambers, died in 1853. He remarried to Margaret White Chambers, who died in 1911. He had ten daughters: Viretta Chambers Denny, Elizabeth V. Chambers Hunsaker, Eliza Letitia Chambers Grainger, Addie Jane Chambers Talcott, Selma Chambers, Margaret Chambers Calhoun, Edith M. Chambers, Estella Chambers, Leonora Chambers Hoskins, and Ella Chambers Raymond. Andrew Jackson Chambers died of pneumonia on April 25, 1908, at the age of 82. He is buried at Odd Fellows Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Tumwater, Washington.
Viretta (Retta) Chambers Denny (1862-1951), grew up on Chambers Prairie. She attended the Washington Territorial University during the 1879-1880 school year and took classes in the Commercial Course, but did not complete her degree. Her family was on personal terms with the University President, A. J. Anderson. She married Charles L. Denny on June 15, 1887 in Olympia. She and her husband were founding members of the first Seattle Camera Club, which formed in 1895, as well as the Seattle Amateur Photographic Club in 1901. She was also a painter and a historian for the Seattle Historical Society (now the Museum of History and Industry).
The Denny family figures significantly in Seattle history. With his partner Elbert F. Blaine, C. L. Denny established the Denny-Blaine Land Company in 1899 and bought land to develop several parks in Seattle, forming the Denny-Blaine Lake Park neighborhood in the early 20th century. Viretta Denny and Mr. Blaine's wife, Minerva Stone Blaine, are commemorated in the names of Viretta Park and Minerva Fountain. Viretta and Charles Denny had two children, Andrew Chambers Denny (1893-1973) and Horton Hershel Denny (1888-1925). Andrew was named for Viretta's father, while Horton was named for Dexter Horton, who partnered with Charles' father, Arthur Denny (1822-1899), in 1854.
Elizabeth V. Chambers Hunsaker (1854-1938) was married to Jacob Hunsaker and had three children, Lloyd, Harlowe, and Hallie.
Eliza Letitia Chambers Grainger (1857-1921) was married to Robert Grainger.
Addie Jane Chambers Talcott (1858-1938) was married to George Noyes Talcott and had two children, Everett and George Noyes. The Talcott family were early settlers in Olympia, Washington and established Talcott Jewelers. Addie and George lived on Eastside Street in Olympia before moving to a Craftsman home at 2003 Capitol Way S in 1923.
Ella Chambers Raymond (1860-1884) was married to Herbert R. Raymond.
Selma Chambers was born in 1865, and died in 1903.
Margaret Chambers Calhoun (1868-1953) was married to William M. Calhoun.
Edith M. Chambers was born in October 1874 and died on November 23, 1884.
Estella Chambers died in infancy.
Leonora (Nora) Chambers Hoskins (1876-1951) was married to William T. Hoskins and had two children, William T. and James Marquis. The Hoskins family lived in Sacramento, California for some time.
Content Description
Correspondence between members of Andrew Jackson Chambers' extended family, including Margaret Chambers Calhoun, Nora V. Chambers, Viretta White, Selma Chambers, Lydia Grainger, Elizabeth Chambers Hunsaker, Addie Chambers Talcott, and Viretta Chambers Denny and Charles Denny. Also included are reminiscences, articles of agreement and land claims, receipts and other financial documents, and some miscellaneous materials.
Use of the Collection
Alternative Forms Available
View selections from this collection
Restrictions on Use
Open to all users.
Administrative Information
Arrangement
Organized into 2 accessions.
- Accession No. 0939-001, Andrew Jackson Chambers family papers, 1853-1947
- Accession No. 0939-002, Andrew Jackson Chambers family papers, approximately 1900-1911
Acquisition Information
Laurence Tyler (5/1/1967); Ann Denny (6/19/1968); Viretta Chambers Denny (1930).
Processing Note
Processing completed by J. MacDowell in 2015. Andrew Jackson Chambers family papers (0939-002) and Viretta Chambers Denny papers (4643-001) were merged with this accession in 2015.
Separated Materials
Material Described Separately:Photographs, negatives, and postcards were relocated to Visual Materials to form the Chambers Family Photograph Collection (PH2004-097) .
Related Materials
Andrew Jackson Chambers Photograph Album (PH0012) and Viretta Chambers (Mrs. C. L.) Denny Photographs and Albums (PH0805)
Detailed Description of the Collection
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Accession No. 0939-001: Andrew Jackson Chambers family papers, 1853-1947
1.47 cu ft (4 boxes)Scope and Content: Correspondence (primarily to Retta Chambers and Charles Denny from her sisters, aunt, mother, and friends), reminiscences, articles of agreement and land claims, receipts and other financial documents, and some miscellaneous materials.
Arrangement: Arranged in 4 series.
- Series 1, Writings and Correspondence
- Series 2, Legal Documents
- Series 3, Financial Documents
- Series 4, Miscellaneous
Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.
Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.
Acquisition Info: Bibliographic Source: Purchased from Ann Denny
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Series 1: Writings and Correspondence
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Description: Reminiscences written by Andrew Jackson Chambers, Elizabeth Harrison Chambers, Margaret White Chambers, and Elizabeth Chambers HunsakerDates: 1911-1947Container: Box/Folder 1/1A, Accession 0939-001
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Andrew Jackson ChambersDates: 1853, 1854, 1871Container: Box/Folder 1/1B, Accession 0939-001
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Retta and Addie ChambersDates: 1878Container: Box/Folder 1/2, Accession 0939-001
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Retta ChambersDates: 1879Container: Box/Folder 1/3, Accession 0939-001
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Retta, Nora, and Addie ChambersDates: 1879Container: Box/Folder 1/4, Accession 0939-001
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Retta ChambersDates: 1880Container: Box/Folder 1/5-8, Accession 0939-001
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Retta Chambers and other members of the Chambers familyDates: 1881Container: Box/Folder 1/9, Accession 0939-001
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Retta ChambersDates: 1881-1882Container: Box/Folder 1/10-11, Accession 0939-001
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Retta Chambers and Retta WhiteDates: 1883Container: Box/Folder 1/12, Accession 0939-001
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Retta Chambers and the Chambers familyDates: 1884Container: Box/Folder 1/13, Accession 0939-001
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Retta Chambers and her sistersDates: 1885Container: Box/Folder 1/14, Accession 0939-001
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Retta ChambersDates: 1886Container: Box/Folder 1/15, Accession 0939-001
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Retta Chambers DennyDates: 1886, undatedContainer: Box/Folder 1/16-17, Accession 0939-001
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Retta Chambers Denny and Margaret Chambers CalhounDates: 1886, undatedContainer: Box/Folder 1/18, Accession 0939-001
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Retta Chambers Denny and Charlie Denny, and the Dennys' marriage announcementDates: 1887Container: Box/Folder 1/19, Accession 0939-001
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Retta Chambers DennyDates: 1887Container: Box/Folder 1/20, Accession 0939-001
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Retta Chambers Denny and Margaret Chambers CalhounDates: 1887, undatedContainer: Box/Folder 1/21-2/2, Accession 0939-001
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Margaret Chambers CalhounDates: 1887Container: Box/Folder 2/3-5, Accession 0939-001
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Retta Chambers Denny and Charlie DennyDates: 1888-1889Container: Box/Folder 2/6-7, Accession 0939-001
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Retta Chambers DennyDates: 1890-1891Container: Box/Folder 2/8, Accession 0939-001
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Retta Chambers Denny and Charlie DennyDates: 1892-1894Container: Box/Folder 2/9-13, Accession 0939-001
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Retta Chambers DennyDates: 1894Container: Box/Folder 2/14, Accession 0939-001
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Retta Chambers Denny, Charlie Denny, and Horton DennyDates: 1894-1897Container: Box/Folder 2/15-16, Accession 0939-001
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Retta Chambers Denny, Charlie Denny, and Andrew and Horton DennyDates: 1898-1899Container: Box/Folder 2/17, Accession 0939-001
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Retta Chambers Denny and Charlie Denny, and report cards for Andrew and Horton DennyDates: 1900-1901Container: Box/Folder 3/1, Accession 0939-001
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Retta Chambers Denny and Charlie DennyDates: 1902Container: Box/Folder 3/2, Accession 0939-001
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Retta Chambers Denny and Nora Chambers HoskinsDates: 1903Container: Box/Folder 3/3, Accession 0939-001
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Retta Chambers DennyDates: 1903Container: Box/Folder 3/4, Accession 0939-001
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Retta Chambers Denny and Charlie DennyDates: 1903-1905Container: Box/Folder 3/5-7, Accession 0939-001
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Retta Chambers Denny and Mossalien ChambersDates: 1906-1907Container: Box/Folder 3/8, Accession 0939-001
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Retta White, Nora Chambers Hoskins, and Retta Chambers DennyDates: 1908-1909Container: Box/Folder 3/9, Accession 0939-001
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Retta Chambers Denny and Charlie DennyDates: 1910-1913Container: Box/Folder 3/10, Accession 0939-001
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Retta Chambers DennyDates: 1919-1922, 1946Container: Box/Folder 3/11, Accession 0939-001
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Retta Chambers Denny, Charlie Denny, and MargaretDates: undatedContainer: Box/Folder 3/12, Accession 0939-001
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Description: Invitations and incoming correspondence to Andrew and Horton DennyDates: undatedContainer: Box/Folder 3/13, Accession 0939-001
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Description: Loose pages of correspondenceDates: undatedContainer: Box/Folder 3/14, Accession 0939-001
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Description: Louise Corbin Denny's autograph bookDates: 1879-1883Container: Box/Folder 3/15, Accession 0939-001
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Description: The Chambers' JournalDates: 1900Container: Box/Folder 3/16, Accession 0939-001
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Series 2: Legal Documents
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Description: Estate of John Chambers, Order of SaleDates: 1878Container: Box/Folder 3/17, Accession 0939-001
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Description: Articles of AgreementDates: 1868, 1892, 1897, 1903, 1910Container: Box/Folder 3/18, Accession 0939-001
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Description: Land claimsDates: undated, 1853Container: Box/Folder 3/19, Accession 0939-001
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Description: Joel Risdon Power of Attorney to Andrew Jackson Chambers, Viretta Chambers' Teacher's Permit, and Warranty Deed from Andrew Jackson Chambers to Margaret ChambersDates: 1862, 1883, 1885Container: Box/Folder 3/20, Accession 0939-001
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Description: Court papers for L.S. Barker vs. Oliver G. McGilvery and Charles L. DennyDates: 1919Container: Box/Folder 3/21, Accession 0939-001
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Series 3: Financial Documents
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Description: Tax receiptsDates: 1920Container: Box/Folder 3/22, Accession 0939-001
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Description: ReceiptsDates: 1896-1909Container: Box/Folder 3/23, Accession 0939-001
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Description: Receipts and financial correspondenceDates: 1894, 1899, 1921Container: Box/Folder 3/24, Accession 0939-001
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Description: Report of Supervisor/PayrollDates: undatedContainer: Box/Folder 3/25, Accession 0939-001
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Description: Tax receiptsDates: 1858-1905Container: Box/Folder 3/26-27, Accession 0939-001
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Description: ReceiptsDates: 1853-1909Container: Box/Folder 3/28-4/6, Accession 0939-001
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Description: Financial inquiries and correspondence, receiptsDates: 1859-1873Container: Box/Folder 4/7, Accession 0939-001
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Series 4: Miscellaneous
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Description: School and church programsDates: 1871-1905Container: Box/Folder 4/8, Accession 0939-001
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Description: Washing recipeDates: undatedContainer: Box/Folder 4/9, Accession 0939-001
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Description: Andrew Jackson Chambers pocket diaryDates: 1865Container: Box/Folder 4/10, Accession 0939-001
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Description: Accession No. 0939-002: Andrew Jackson Chambers family papers, approximately 1900-19111 oversized folder
Scope and Content: A family history chart with hand coloring and drawings. Lists births, deaths, and marriages from 1825-1911.
Physical/Technical Access: Removed from wood frame.
Restrictions on Access: No restrictions on access.
Removed from wood frame.
Restrictions on Use: Creator's copyrights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries Special Collections.
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Frontier and pioneer life--Washington (State)
- Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)
Family Names
- Chambers family--Archives
Other Creators
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Personal Names
- Calhoun, Margaret Chambers, 1867- (creator)
- Chambers, Andrew Jackson, 1825-1908 (creator)
- Chambers, Dora (creator)
- Chambers, Nora V (creator)
- Chambers, Selma, 1865- (creator)
- Denny, Andrew Chambers, 1893-1926 (creator)
- Denny, Charles L., 1861-1919 (creator)
- Denny, Horton Hershel, 1888-1925 (creator)
- Denny, Viretta Chambers, 1862- (creator)
- Grainger, Eliza Chambers, 1856- (creator)
- Grainger, Lydia (creator)
- Hoskins, Nora Chambers, 1876- (creator)
- Hunsaker, Elizabeth Chambers (creator)
- Raymond, Ella Chambers, 1860-1885 (creator)
- Talcott, Addie Chambers, 1858 (creator)
- White, Viretta (creator)
