Thompson Coit Elliott resided in Walla Walla, Washington, from 1886 until his death in 1943 at the age of 80. Born in Newington, Connecticut and educated at Amherst College in Massachusetts, Elliott traveled west and made his living as an investment banker. He married Anna A. Baker in Walla Walla in 1890.
T. C. Elliott's passion for history is revealed by an outpouring of
historical publications, mostly in the
T. C. Elliott wrote widely on subjects relating to Pacific Northwest
history. Much of his work focused on the early fur trade and explorations of
the Inland Empire, with later work devoted to early contact along the Oregon
coast. Although he principally wrote for historical publications, he did for a
time pen a column in the
This collection includes correspondence between T. C. Elliott and members of the historical profession, as well as other individuals with knowledge of historical events in his area of interest. Also included are Elliott's notes and copies of historical documents used in his research. Other correspondence relates to Elliott's book purchases for his extensive library, and to his involvement in history organizations and activities. A number of speeches, publication manuscripts, and published articles are also found in the historical subject files.
The collection is arranged into the following series:
The collection is open to the public.
The Oregon Historical Society is the owner of the materials in the Research Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from the Research Library before any publication use. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all of the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from the copyright owners.
Thompson Coit Elliott Papers, MSS 231, Oregon Historical Society Research Library
Gift of Thompson Coit Elliott, 1947. Library Accessions 229-319
Subject files are largely those recorded in the accessions record and assumed to be those created by Mr. Elliott, although a few new subject files have been added. Where appropriate, correspondence and materials previously filed as "miscellaneous" was redistributed to subject files.
Davies, Barbara Coit Elliott . Interview by Charles Digregorio of Mrs. David Lloyd Davies. Portland, OR, 18 June 1976. SR 9372, Oregon Historical Society Research Library, Portland.
Elliott, T. C.
The collection is indexed under the following headings in the online catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search the catalog using these headings:
Historical research, copies of documents, and writings, and related correspondence to and from T. C. Elliott. Folders are Aarranged alphabetically by subject. Subject-related correspondence within each folder is arranged chronologically.
List of Correspondents in Historical Subject Files:
Handscript memo on the name Bourbon and the Fort, Lake, and River "Bourbon."
Typed notes on the discovery and mapping of the Columbia River.
Documents and correspondence regarding William Craig and his land claim. (See also Ward Massacre file.)
Notes on Ramsey Crooks' Letterbook. Crooks led the reorganized American Fur Company.
Notes and correspondence concerning the estate of John Day, hunter for the Pacific Fur Company and American Fur Company.
Excerpt from the life of Sir James Douglas, Hudson's Bay Company Chief Factor and Governor of Vancouver Island and the Crown Colony of British Columbia. Correspondence re:garding his daughter Alice Douglas's elopement. Poem, " Chief Douglass Daughter" with letters regarding concerning its authorship.
Excerpt from the life of Sir James Douglas.
Early writings of Oregon pioneer, publisher, and suffragette
Abigail Scott Duniway.
Letters from G. T. Emmons to T. C. Elliott regarding George F. Emmons, a member of the U. S. Exploring Expedition, 1838-1842.
George Emmons sailed aboard the
Copies of documents, notes, and research correspondence regarding Edward and Francis Ermatinger of the Hudson's Bay Company Columbia District. Includes copies of Edward Ermatinger's correspondence, primarily from John McLoughlin, John Work, and Archibald McDonald. Correspondence related to the Ermatinger papers in the hands of the County of Elgin.
Manuscript excerpt regarding fur trader Russel Farnam.
Corresondence regarding the Flathead Indian delegation to St. Louis, Missouri, ca. 1831, and the Flathead Medicine Tree.
Notes, documents, and correspondence related to the original site of Fort Hall.
Essay, poem, and correspondence regarding Hudson's Bay Company post Fort Walla Walla from J. S. Whiting of Seattle.
Notes, document, and correspondence regarding fur trade explorer Simon Fraser, his journal, and his descent of the Fraser River.
Correspondence, notes, and copies of documents regarding the fur trade in the Pacific Northwest. Pamphlet, "The Fur Trade in the Columbia River Basin Prior to 1811," address by T. C. Elliott, Pacific Coast Branch of the American Historical Association, Seattle, May 21, 1914.
Documents (typescript copies), research notes, and correspondence regarding Richard Grant, his family, and Fort Hall. Autographed typescript of "Richard 'Captain Johnny' Grant, and Fort Hall on the Oregon Trail," by Frederick John Shaw, 1934. Two typed and hand annotated drafts of "Richard Grant."
Correspondence regarding Captain Robert Gray. Pamphlet: "Haswell's Log of Sloop Washington," introduction by T. C. Elliott.
Correspondence and notes regarding Joseph Howes of the Hudson's Bay Company, Rocky Mountain House, and the mapping of Flathead Lake.
Tentative outline of "Overland to the Pacific: A Narrative and Documentary History of the Far West During the Great Half Century 1819-1869," edited by Archer Butler Hulbert (typescript carbon).
Correspondence regarding Wilson Price Hunt, leader of the 1812 overland Astorian expedition to the mouth of the Columbia River.
Research notes and correspondence regarding the Walla Walla Council of 1855 and related Indian treaties.
Photostat and typescript copies of council proceedings, treaties, and personal accounts and statements regarding the Walla Walla Council and treaties. Includes excerpts from the journal of secretary James Doty; statements of a Cayuse chief; the Nez Perce chief, Lawyer; Pe-pe-mox-mox; Umatilla chief, Owhi; and Joel Palmer.
"A true copy of the Record of the Official Proceedings at the Council in the Walla Walla Valley held jointly by Isaac I. Stevens Gov & Supt. W. T. and Joel Palmer Supt. Ind affairs O. T. on the part of the United States with the Tribes of Indians named in the Treaties made at that Council June 9th and 11th 1855" (typescript).
Handscript article by M. FitzGerald, "'Spokane Jack' Volunteers to Visit Camp of Hostiles to Dissuade Chief Egan from Going on the War-path."
Correspondence regarding the Modoc War.
Correspondence regarding the Nez Perce War. Statement of the Nez Perce War by OWHI, 1919 (annotated typescript).
Letter from R. Douglas of the Geographic Board, Canada, regarding Scottish botanist John Jeffrey.
Correspondence and notes regarding the ships
Correspondence, notes, and typescript copies of documents regarding William Kittson and his family.
Flathead Indians delegation to St. Louis, Missouri
Correspondence and notes on the site of Kootenai House (also New Fort Kootenay) and on David Thompson's itinerary (1809-1812). Address by Basil G. Hamilton before the Wilmer Improvement Society, May 1912.
Correspondence and notes regarding Kullyspell House and David Thompson. (see also file on Kootenai House) Typescript excerpts from journal, attributed to Thompson (1809-1812). (See also Spokane House and David Thompson files.)
"Sketch of Captn. Lewis's Voyage to the Pacific Ocean by the Missesourri [sic] & Columbia Rivers from the States of America," 1806 (typescript copy).
Correspondence and memorial address (2 copies; draft and possible final copy) regarding explorer Alexander MacKenzie. Documents relating to Columbia, Fraser, and Lewis Rivers (1824-1825); extracts from 1825 journal of Alexander McKenzie (photostat copies).
Correspondence, articles, and copy of document related to fur trader Donald MacKenzie.
Correspondence, copies of documents, and research notes regarding Hudson's Bay Company chief trader Angus McDonald and family.
Correspondence, notes, and documents (handscript, typescript, and photostat copies) relating to Hudson's Bay Company chief factor Archibald Mc Donald and his son Ranald McDonald. Reprint of "Archibald McDonald: Biography and Genealogy" by William S. Lewis.
Correspondence, notes, and typescript copies of documents relating to Finnan McDonald of the Northwest Company and Hudson's Bay Company. "'Finn McDonald' Explorer, Fur Trader and Legislator," by J. A. Meyers, 1922 (typescript). Handwritten and typewritten draft manuscripts of "The McDonalds of Oregon: Big Finnan The Grand" by T. C. Elliott and John A. Chisolm.
Typescript copy of autobiography of John McDonald of Garth, and correspondence regarding the document.
Correspondence and notes regarding Alexander McKay and his son Thomas.
Document and correspondence regarding Archibald McKinlay, chief trader of the Hudson's Bay Company post, Fort Walla Walla.
Handscript and typescript copies of documents relating to John McLeod, Sr., chief trader of the Hudson's Bay Company. Correspondence regarding copies.
Correspondence to and from T. C. Elliott regarding the McLoughlin and Wadin families, typescript copies of documents, and typescript draft manuscripts by T. C. Elliott. John McLoughlin was chief factor of Fort Vancouver and founder of Oregon City.
Correspondence with Richard Minthorne regarding the Minthorne [Minthorne] family of the Whitman Mission and Umatilla Indian Reservation.
Notes from T. C. Elliott's conversations with Barry Burgunder, Charles Clark, and H. E. Johnson on assorted topics not addressed in other subject research files.
T.C. Elliott's notes on topics not clearly related to those of the subject files.
Correspondence regarding Robert Newell, his land holdings, and his work as Agent for the Nez Perce Indians.
Letters to and from T. C. Elliott regarding Hudson's Bay Company expedition leader and chief factor Peter Skene Ogden and his family. Includes a handscript letter, reportedly from Peter Ogden, son of Peter Skene Ogden, to William R. Smith of the Red River settlement, 1 September 1866.
Typescript draft with handwritten notations and published
reprint of "Peter Skene Ogden: Fur Trader" by T. C. Elliott, which was
published in the
Research notes and typescript and handscript copies of documents pertaining to the life of Peter Skene Ogden. Includes some notes on Ogden family genealogy and Ogden's estate.
Typescript copy of article appearing in the
Correspondence and handscript copies of documents relating
to Jonathan Carver and the name "Oregon." Includes excerpts from
Correpsondence and handscript and typescript copies of
documents relating to Richard Rogers and the name "Oregon." Includes Rogers'
Typescript excerpts of Joel Palmer's journals of 1845-1846, and of Peter H. Burnett's "Recollections and Opinions of an Old Pioneer."
Typescript and handscript copy of documents, correspondence, notes, and newspaper clipping regarding the crimes and assassination of J. F. (Fred) Patterson in Walla Walla, Washington, 1866.
Copy of a letter from J. H. Pelly, Governor of the Hudson's Bay Company, to the Lords of the Committee of Privy Council for Trade, 7 February 1838 (12 page typescript).
Recollections of Z. F. Moody, addressed to the President of the Umatilla Historical Society, Pendleton (3 page typescript).
Copy of letter from Zebulon Pike to Hugh M'Gillis, 6 February 1805 (5 page typescript).
Correspondence to and from T. C. Elliott, notes, and copies of documents relating to United States Commissioner J. B. Prevost and the surrender of the Fort George (Astoria) in 1818.
Correspondence and notes regarding schools and religious activity at the Red River Settlement.
Correspondence and documents regarding fur trappers Francois and Antoine Rivet and their families, and the estate and land holdings of Francois Rivet. (Rivet is also spelled Rive, Rivet, Revais, and Reve.)
Correspondence regarding old roads in Washington Territory. Copy of "Something about Fording Rivers in Pierce and Thurston Counties in Washington Territory between 1850 and 1890" by E. Higgins, Ft. Nesqually, Aug. 1st, 1901 (3 page typescript).
Typescript excerpts of explorer Alexander Ross's journal, 1824, and annotations and editorial notes by T. C. Elliott.
Correspondence concerning the Hudson's Bay Company outpost Salish House, Thompson Falls, and environs.
Correspondence and notes regarding James Allan Scarborough, Hudson's Bay Company employee on the Columbia and Puget Sound, his residence and family.
Copies and excerpts of documents authored by Sir George Simpson, Governor of the Hudson's Bay Company, including 24 June 1848 letter to Archibald McKinlay. Correspondence to and from T. C. Elliott regarding Governor Simpson and his family. Notes regarding Simpson family genealogy.
Correspondence to T. C. Elliott regarding James Sinclair,
Oregon Company clerk, and his brother, Chief Factor William Sinclair, both of
the Hudson's Bay Company. Excerpts from documents in the Hudson's Bay Company
archives, as well as Elliott's notes on the Sinclair brothers. Typescript copy
of "Across the Continent Sixty Years Ago Early Travels of James Sinclair,"
Letters to T. C. Elliott regarding American fur trapper and brigade leader Jedediah S. Smith, the route of his travels up the Columbia River and to California, and members of Smith's expeditions. Also discussed is the naming of the Humboldt River.
Letters to and from John W. Pullman to T. C. Elliott, including Pullman's handscript memoranda of the life of the Hon. Samuel DeWitt Smith, member of the Washington Territorial Legislature. Typescript copy of both is included. Notes from Lewis McNorris.
Letter from H. H. Spalding, Fort Vancouver, to Rev. David Green, Boston, 20 September 1835 (handscript, photostat). Excerpts from H. H. Spalding's journal, 1836 (handscript, photostat). Typescript copy of "Diary of Mr. H. H. Spalding", 1838-1839, from the Whitman Museum.
"Narrative of an Overland Journey to Fort Vancouver and Lapwai in 1836 Together with an Account of the Beginning of the American Protestant Missions Beyond the Rockies" by H. H. Spalding (typescript).
"History of Indian Affairs Among the Nez Perces. No. 1. From Pacific May 25, 1865" (typescript copy). Lectures by Rev. H. H. Spalding, "Early Oregon Missions -- Their Importance in Securing the Country to Americans" (nos. 1-9, typescript).
Correspondence to and from T. C. Elliott regarding Spokane Garry, son of a Spokane chief, sent to Red River Settlement for education. Photostat copy of letter from Cyrus H. Walker to Hon. Henry F. Ashurst, Chairman of Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, 29 November 1917. "Indian Account of the Settlement of Spokane County," Spokane Historical Society, 1916 (typescript). Excerpts from documents in the Hudson's Bay Company Archive on the topic "Spokan Garry and the Church Missionary Society's School at Red River Settlement"
Correspondence regarding the location of the fur trade post Spokane House. Statements of James Mondahann, George Herron, and H. C. Burnett. Hand drawn maps of proposed sites for Spokane House.
Materials regarding Isaac Stevens as governor of Washington Territory. Typescript copies of documents from "Message of the Governor of Washington Territory." "Transcripts and notations from Report of the Sec. of War, Jefferson Davis, dated Dec. 1st, 1856, 34th Congress, 3rd Session, House of Rep. Exec. Doc. No. 1 (Vol. II)" (typescript). Letter regarding copies.
Correspondence, notes, copies of documents and draft manuscript regarding fur trade explorer David Thompson and his journeys through the Spokane country. "Narrative of the Expedition to the Kootanae & Flat Bow Indian Countries, on the Sources of the Columbia River, Pacific Ocean by D. Thompson on behalf of the NW Company 1807" (typescript copy). Typescript excerpts from "Journey to the Lake Indian Country 1808" and other Thompson journals.
Correspondence and notes, and typescript copies of documents relating to Dr. William Fraser Tolmie of the Hudson's Bay Company's Fort Nesqually and Fort Victoria. Typescript excerpts from Dr. Tolmie's journal of 1832-1833, when he first arrived in the Pacific Northwest.
Correspondence to and from T. C. Elliott and notes regarding
the ship
Correspondence, notes, and copies of documents relating to
George Vancouver's voyage to the Pacific Northwest with the ships
Daniel Waldo's "Critiques," based on Hubert Howe Bancroft's 1878 interview of pioneer Waldo in Salem, Oregon (typescript copy from the Bancroft Collection, University of California -- Berkeley).
"Narrative of Adventures thro. Alabama, Florida, New Mexico, Oregon, California etc. by Joel P. Walker, A Pioneer of Pioneers dictated by him to R. A. Thompson, Esq. of Sta. Rosa. Bancroft Library 1878" (typescript copy). Account includes Walker's 1840 visit to Oregon.
Recollection of the 1854 massacre of Alexander Ward emigrant party, by an unnamed son-in-law of John Ward (typescript copy).
Letter from Marcus Whitman to James M. Porter, regarding Whitman's views on the importance of the Oregon Territory (handscript, photostat).
"Perrin B. Whitman. A Stirring Recital by Dr. Whitman's Nephew and Son." (typescript copy; author unknown).
Letters to and from T. C. Elliott regarding the historical contribution of missionaries Marcus and Narcissa Whitman and the transcription of Whitman documents for Mr. Elliott.
Chapter 26, "Oregon," from
Works by William I. Marshall on Marcus Whitman. "The Authorship and Value of the Account of the Migration of 1843 to Oregon Which Was Published as Part Two of George Wilkes' 'History of Oregon' New York, 1845" 1893 (typescript carbon copy). Manuscript draft refuting S. B. L. Penrose's defense of Marcus Whitman's place in Oregon history, as well as Appendices 3 and 6 to "The Whitman Saved Oregon Humbug" and Appendix to Chapter IX. (All documents are typescript carbon or mimeograph copies, some with the author's handwritten notation).
More works by William I. Marshall on Marcus Whitman. "Review
of "Marcus Whitman and the Early Days of Oregon' by W. A. Mowry" 1902. "Is the
Proper Basis of History 'Atmosphere' and 'Tradition' or the Study of
Contemporaneous Documents?
Notes and copies of documents regarding Marcus Whitman. Works by other historians, including "Dr. Marcus Whitman. An Estimate of the Services Rendered to Oregon by the Pioneer and Martyr," Frances Fuller Victor, 1884 (typescript), "Heroes and Heroines of the Long Ago" (typescript mimeograph signed C. G.), and "Undeveloped Factors in the Life of Marcus Whitman" by Archer Butler Hulbert (typescript carbon). Undated draft of speech by T. C. Elliott to the Narcissa Prentiss Chapter of the DAR in Walla Walla.
Letters to and from T. C. Elliott, on matters not treated in the subject files. Topics include publications, research, professional activities, and miscellaneous historical subjects. Also includes some draft manuscripts sent to Mr. Elliott by their authors. Arranged alphabetically by last or corporate name, and chronologically for each author. Many of the correspondents are booksellers, librarians, or other historians.
American Historical Association, James M. Ashton, James E. Babb, C. B. Bagley, J. Herbert Bainton, T. L. Ball, William S. Bell, John H. Benton, R. B. Berks, J. Q. A. Bowlby, Albert Britnell, J. B. Brooks, W. H. Brooks, Cornelius Brosnan, Burrelle's Press Clipping Bureau, Canadian Pacific Railway Company, Rev. William H. Clagett, C. P. Coburn, Katharine Coman, Neil S. Coventry, Department of the Interior [Canada], Asa Don Dickinson, Stella M. Drumm, and Allen B. Eaton.
Correspondence with Frederick J. Teggart and James R. Robertson concerning the York manuscript and other matters of interest to Mr. Elliott's research.
Correspondence with booksellers regarding book purchases.
W. H. Gilstrap, W. B. Godfrey, R. E. Gosnell, Caroline Hathaway, Idress Head, Frederick V. Holman, Hensley R. Holmden, Franklin F. Hopper, A. L. Kirkpatrick, Henry H. Kohlhauff, Katharine B. Judson, H. T. Lockyer, M. S. McDonald, B. F. Manring, E. J. C. Markgraf, Sr., Archer Martin, Cornelia Marvin, Edmond S. Meany, A. G. Morice, Hugh Munro
Correspondence between F. W. Howay and T. C. Elliott, research notes, and manuscript, "The Lengthy Voyage of the Jefferson, 1791-1795," by F. W. Howay. Other letters from Howay to Elliott appear in the historical research subject files. The two historians collaborated on a number of projects.
Letters to T. C. Elliott from Jacob A. Meyers, some including Mr. Meyers's research notes on topics relating to the exploration of the Pacific Northwest. Other letters from Meyers to T. C. Elliott appear elsewhere in the collection.
Correspondence regarding the annual parade of the Northwest Indian Congress in Spokane, Washington. T. C. Elliott was secretary of the Walla Walla Committee and Chairman of the Float Committee for Walla Walla.
National Americana Society, North British and Mercantile Insurance Company, W. Y. Pemberton, S. H. Piles, Nellie B. Pipes, Wilbur F. Prock, Thomas W. Prosch, Mr. Root, P. H. W. Ross, E. O. S. Scholefield, Joseph Shafer, Smithsonian Institution, Omar C. Spencer, Gen. James Clark Strong, Benjamin Sulte, Reuben G. Thwaites, Henry L. Tolkington, J. B. Tyrell, United States Geographic Board, United States Geological Survey, L. Van Alstyne, F. P. Wagner, John T. Walbran, Mrs. C. M. Waters, J. R. Wilson, F. G. Young
Correspondence relating to business of the Oregon Historical Society Board.