Elizabeth Marie Sager, born 1837, was the second eldest daughter of Henry and Naomi Sager's seven children. While travelling on the Oregon Trail to what is now Washington State, both parents died due to illness. The children were taken to the Walla Walla Valley and adopted by the missionaires, Marcus and Narcissa Whitman. In 1847 the Whitmans and the 2 eldest Sager boys were killed in an attack on the mission by a group of men, including local Cayuse. After this, Elizabeth and her remaining three sisters were sent to Oregon City, Oregon, and were placed with the Rev. William and Mrs. Roberts. In October 1851, the eldest sister, Catherine, married, and Elizabeth and the youngest sister moved in with the couple. In 1855, Elizabeth married farmer William Fletcher Helm and lived in Prineville, Oregon. They had nine children. Elizabeth died in Portland, Oregon in 1925 at the age of 88.
This collection consists of an 8 page typescript of a letter, from Elizabeth Sager, to her relative, Frederick Sager, dated 1855 January 15.
This collection is open and available for research use.
Copyright restrictions may apply.
[Item description]
Elizabeth Sager Letter to Frederick Sager, 1855 January 15 (Cage 4106)
Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Washington State University Libraries, Pullman, WA.
Catherine Sager Autobiography Typescripts, circa 1860-1900
Marcus and Narcissa Whitman Papers, 1823-1961
Preliminary Guide to the Cornelia Shields Papers, 1981-1992
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