Washington State University Libraries, Manuscripts, Archives and Special Collections
Cage 57
Walker, Elkanah, 1805-1877
Elkanah and Mary Richardson Walker Papers
1830-1938
13 Linear feet of shelf space
14 Boxes
Correspondence, diaries, photographs and other papers,
as well as artifacts, related to country life in New England, overland journey to
Oregon in 1838, missionary work among the Spokane Indians at Tshimakain Mission,
1839-1848, and educational and religious activities in the Willamette Valley.
Correspondence includes letters to and from family members, the ABCFM Mission Board,
and other missionaries and settlers in Oregon.
(MASC STAFF USE): Boxes 9-14: Holland 428, W4-7-1 and 2
Collection materials are in English
Rounding out some gaps in the collection are photocopies of the
material from the Huntington Library, San Marino, California, and the archives
of the American Board of Commissioners of Foreign Missions, now in the Houghton
Library, Harvard University. These include additional diaries and
correspondence. A large part of the photocopies in the collection are of
original material in the Washington State University Library.
When Elkanah Walker (1805-1877) was a senior at the Bangor (Maine) Theological
Seminary in 1836, he was planning a mission career among the Maritime Zoolaks of
South Africa. He was told that it would perhaps be better for him to be married
before undertaking such a mission. At the same time Mary Richardson (1811-1897) of
Baldwin, Maine, was told that she too must be married to become a missionary. The
result was a whirlwind courtship and marriage which did not go to South Africa but
the equally distant and rudimentary Oregon Mission. Eventually settling at Tshimakain
on Walker's Prairie near Spokane they ministered to the Spokane Indians and their
fellow missionaries: Marcus Whitman, Cushing Eells, Henry H. Spalding and William H.
Gray and their wives. After the Whitman Mission killings in 1847, the Walkers moved
to Fort Colville for nearly three months and then spent the remainder of their days
in the Willamette Valley in Oregon. Here they helped establish the Congregational
Association of Oregon City and Tualatin Academy (now Pacific University) at Forest
Grove.
The papers of the Walkers can be divided into three groups: the manuscripts,
correspondence, photographs, documents and other papers of the Walkers and their family;
photocopies of Walker papers from the files of the American Board of Commissioners for
Foreign Missions (ABCFM) and from the Huntington Library, as well as from the papers at
Washington State University; and typescript transcripts of the documents and
photocopies.
The original papers of Elkanah and Mary Walker consist of their correspondence, diaries,
autograph albums, essays and photographs. In addition there is some correspondence and
reminiscences of their children. The extensive correspondence file, while mostly incoming,
is very complete for the earlier school days, their courtship and marriage, and their
missionary experiences. There is very little regarding their life in the Willamette Valley.
Perhaps the largest body of material is family letters from relatives in New England.
In addition there is an extensive run of the diaries of Mary Richardson Walker from
1833-1878, except for the two volumes which are now in the Huntington Library. There is also
a volume of Elkanah Walker's diary, 1854-1857, which is primarily a register of ministerial
services.
Both of the Walkers maintained autograph albums which were also used in the manner of a
guest book while at Tshimakain. Other papers include Elkanah's theological notes made as a
student, Mary's essay on the Discouragements & Consolations of missionaries written in
1837, constitutions of Maternal Associations, Elkanah's translation of the Book of Matthew
into the Flathead or Spokane language, and Mary's drawings and paintings of botanical
subjects.
Sons Joseph and Samuel wrote accounts of their parents which are in the collection, as is a
portion of son Levi's scrapbook of clippings. The photographs are mostly portraits of the
Walkers and their family.
Rounding out the gaps in the collection are photocopies of the material from the Huntington
Library, San Marino, California, and the archives of the American Board of Commissioners of
Foreign Missions, now in the Houghton Library, Harvard University. These include additional
diaries and correspondence. A large part of the photocopies are of original material in the
Washington State University Library.
Artifacts are also included in the collection: John Mix Stanley's portrait in oil of
Abigail B. Walker, C.A. Geyer's sketch of Tshimakain, a pencil sketch of Mary Walker, and a
photograph portrait of Samuel T. Walker; clothing and other textile items; a portable
writing desk and bread paddle.
This collection is arranged in four series: Series 1. Manuscripts and papers,
1830-1966; Series 2. Photocopies of documents from Walker collections at other
repositories; Series 3. Typescript transcripts; Series 4. Artifacts.
This collection is open and available for research use.
Copyright restrictions may apply.
[Item description]
Elkanah and Mary Richardson Walker Papers, 1830-1938 (Cage 57)
Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Washington State University Libraries, Pullman, WA.
The papers of Elkanah and Mary Richardson Walker were acquired by gift and purchase
from members of the family: S.T. Walker, Ruth Karr McKee, Eunice V. Karr, Elda R.
Walker, Leva B. Walker, Josephine Claghorn Walker, Herbert J. Gilkey and Nellie M.
Walker; and from Dr. C.M. Drury. Much of the collection was acquired through the
efforts of Dr. Drury in researching the lives of the missionaries. These materials
were acquired by Washington State University Library between 1935 and 1966. In 2014,
the textiles and other artifacts in boxes 9-14 were transferred to the WSU Libraries
from the WSU Historic Costume and Textile Collection (part of MS.2014.09).
The preliminary processing of the collection in the early 1940s was done by Lucille
M. Luttropp, and included the preparation of typescripts of nearly all the
manuscript and photocopy material in the collection. Much of this was bound and
includes the diaries, the correspondence between the Walker's and the ABCFM, and the
correspondence between Elkanah and Mary. Other transcripts, now in chronological
order, were also made. In 1972, additional processing was done by Terry Abraham.
These papers were extensively used by Dr. Clifford M. Drury in the
preparation of his book Elkanah and Mary Walker; pioneers among the Spokanes.
(Caldwell, Caxton, 1945. 283 p. illus.) Portions were also edited and used by
Ruth Karr McKee, a grand-daughter of the Walkers, in Mary Richardson Walker:
her book. (Caldwell, Caxton, 1945. 357 p. illus.)
Dr. Drury described this collection in the Oregon Historical Quarterly
42 (September, 1941) 269-271.
In addition to manuscripts the Washington State University Library has
received a large collection of books owned and used by the Walkers. These books
are now cataloged and a
web site
devoted to the library may be found on the WSU MASC web site.
Cushing and Myra Fairbanks Eells Papers, 1838-1938 (Cage 148)
Additional materials on the Walkers may be found at the Whitman
National Monument Collections, Walla Walla (NUCMC 61-1597); at the University
of Oregon Library (Schmitt); Yale University Library (Washington); the Oregon
Historical Society Manuscript Collections; at the Henry E. Huntington Library,
San Marino, California (NUCMC 61-2207); and in the papers of C.M. Drury at the
Eastern Washington State Historical Society, Spokane (NUCMC 61-1109). The
archives of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions are now in
the Houghton Library, Harvard University (NUCMC 61-1964).
This 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.
Walker, Elkanah, 1805-1877 -- Archives
Walker, Mary Richardson, 1811-1897 -- Archives
Walker, Mary Richardson, 1811-1897
American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions
New England -- Social life and customs
Missionaries -- Washington (State) -- Correspondence
Missionaries -- Oregon -- Correspondence
Missions -- Washington (State) -- History -- Sources
Missions -- Oregon -- History -- Sources
Overland journeys to the Pacific
Spokane Indians -- Missions
Indians of North America -- Missions -- Northwest, Pacific
Pioneers
Missionaries
Overland Journeys to the Northwestern United States
Native Americans
Washington (State)
Oregon
Series 1: Manuscripts and papers, 1830-1966
750 items.
Subseries 1.1: Correspondence, 1830-1934
650 items.
1
1
undated
11 items.
1
2
1830-1831
21 items.
1
3
1832
22 items.
1
4
1833
27 items.
1
5
1834
33 items.
1
6
1835
47 items.
1
7
1836
47 items.
1
8
Jan-Jun,
1837
42 items.
1
9
Jul-Dec,
1837
33 items.
1
10
1838
36 items.
2
11
1839
25 items.
2
12
1840-1845
37 items.
2
13
1846-1848
28 items.
2
14
1849-1851
37 items.
2
15
1852-1854
32 items.
2
16
1855-1859
27 items.
2
17
1860-1869
32 items.
2
18
1870-1879
37 items.
2
19
1880-1934
10 items.
2
20
January 1, 1833-May 6,
1837
1 volume.
Subseries 1.2: Diaries of Mary
Walker, 1833-1878
14 items.
3
21
December 20,
1848-September 9, 1849
14 leaves
3
22
May 16, 1851-February
23, 1852
13 leaves
3
23
March 2, 1852-April 9,
1854
24 leaves
3
24
April 10, 1854-October
24, 1855
16 leaves
3
25
February 15,
1859-August 1, 1861
12 leaves
3
26
1871-1874
4 volumes.
3
27
1876-1878
3 volumes.
3
28
Diary and accounts of Elkanah
Walker, November, 1854-November, 1857
1 volume.
Subseries 1.3: Autograph
albums, 1832-1892
2 volumes.
3
29
Autograph album of Elkanah
Walker
1837-1853
1 volume.
3
30
Autograph album of Mary R.
Walker
1832-1892
1 volume.
Subseries 1.4: Essays and
notes, 1836-1846
19 items.
3
31
E. Walker. Theological studies and
notes
1836-1838
26
3
32
M.R. Walker. The discouragements &
consolations of missionaries; or the bitter and the sweet (an
address)
October, 1837
4 leaves
3
33
Constitution of the Willamette Falls
Maternal Association
undated
2 leaves
3
33
Constitution of the Lynn and Oregon
City Maternal Association
undated
2 leaves
3
34
Bible. New Testament. Matthew.
Flathead. Translated by E. Walker
1846
2 leaves manuscript
3
35
M Walker. Drawings and
paintings
Some dated 1832
14
items.
Subseries 1.5: Miscellaneous items,
reminiscences, letters, photographs, clippings, etc., 1840-1966
200 items.
4
36
Joseph Elkanah Walker. A sketch of the
lives of Rev. Elkanah Walker and Mary Richardson Walker
undated
19 leaves manuscript; 21 leaves manuscript
4
37
Joseph Elkanah Walker. Pedigrees,
Walker, Richardson, Thompson, Hay, Boutwell, Kendall with foreword
and additional notes by Herbert J, Gilkey
1910, 1968
32 leaves manuscript notebook
Photographs
4
38.1
Elkanah Walker.
1855
1 copy negative (2 images): 12 x 18 cm.; 1 copy
photoprint: 11 x 8.5 cm.
4
38.2
Mary Richardson Walker (photo by Bowers, Lynn,
Mass.)
Sept 27, 1871
1 copy negative (2 images): 12 x 18 cm.; 1 copy
photoprint: 11 x 8.5 cm.
4
38.3
Mary and Elkanah Walker.
1855
1 copy negative (2 images): 12 x 18 cm.; 1 copy
photoprint: 11 x 8.5 cm.
4
38.4
Marcus W. Walker and Samuel T. Walker by D.G. Hendee,
Milwaukee, Oregon
1855
1 copy negative (2 images): 12 x 18 cm.; 1 copy
photoprint: 11 x 8.5 cm.
4
38.5
Joseph Richardson.
1840
1 copy negative (2 images): 12 x 18 cm.; 1 copy
photoprint: 11 x 8.5 cm.
4
38.6
Samuel, Levi, Joseph and Cyrus Walker, Forest
Grove.
1907 September 7
1 photoprint, mounted: 14 x 23 cm.; 1 copy negative: 10 x
12.5 cm.; 1 copy photoprint: 12 x 17.5 cm.; 1 copy negative:
12.5 x 17.5 cm.
4
38.7
James A. Karr.
1913 September 14
1 photolithograph: 24.5 x 17 cm.; 1 copy negative: 10 x
12.5 cm.
4
38.8
Abigail B. Karr.
1913 September 14
1 photolithograph: 24.5 x 17 cm.; 1 copy negative: 10 x
12.5 cm.
4
38.9
Jannetta M. Walker, Foochow, China.
October, 1873
1 photoprint: 10 x 6 cm.
4
38.1
Geyer drawing of Tshimakain Mission.
1843
1 negative: 10 x 12.5 cm; 2 photoprints: 12 x 18 cm., 10
x 12.5 cm.
4
38.11
Samuel T. Walker.
1939
1 photoprint (mounted): 17 x 12 cm.
4
38.12
Walker Family: Mary, Cyrus, Abigail, Marcus, Joseph,
John, Levi, and Samuel on lawn in front of first frame house
in Forest Grove.
1896
1 photoprint (mounted): 16 x 23.5 cm.; 1 copy photoprint:
10 x 12.5 cm.
4
38.13
Four Generations: Mary, Abigail, Olive and Wilna.
1891
1 photoprint: 23 x 17.5 cm.; 1 copy negative: 10 x 12.5
cm.; 1 copy photoprint: 19 x 23.5 cm.; 1 copy negative: 25 x 20
cm.
4
38.14
Mary Walker's trunk.
1936
1 photoprint: 25.5 x 31 cm.
4
38.15
Mary Walker's trunk and briefcase.
1936
1 photoprint: 25.5 x 27.5 cm.; 1 photoprint (mounted): 19
x 24 cm.
Clippings, reminiscences, and
miscellaneous items
4
39
Clippings re: Tshimakain
Centennial Celebration
1938 September 18
5
items
4
40
Levi C. Walker scrapbook:
clippings and other papers re: missionary work in Oregon and
China
1887-1908
20
items
4
41
Samuel T. Walker.
(Reminiscences)
1935
11 leaf manuscript
4
42
First Congregational Church of
Christ in Baldwin and the "Emerson Meeting-House."
1936
5 p. typescript (carbon)
4
43
Donor File and container
list
1935-1966
150
items
Series 2: Photocopies
225 items.
Subseries 2.1: Huntington
Library
8 items.
4
44
Elkanah Walker. Journal to the Rocky
Mountains (Huntington Library)
1838
18 leaves photocopy
4
45
Elkanah Walker. Diary (Huntington
Library)
June 3-October 13,
1848
13 leaves photocopy
4
46
Mary Richardson Walker Diary
(Huntington Library)
May 9, 1837-March 5,
1838
4 leaves photocopy
4
47
Mary Richardson Walker. Diary
(Huntington Library)
September 30-November
11, 1848
4 leaves photocopy
4
48
Letters to Elkanah Walker, from P.C.
Pambrun, A.B. Smith and David Greene (Huntington
Library)
1840-1843
3 items,
photocopy.
Subseries 2.2: American Board of
Commissioners for Foreign Missions
17 items.
5
49
American Board of Commissioners for
Foreign Missions Correspondence received. Letters from E. Walker,
M.R. Walker and others in favor of their going on the mission to
Oregon; and the authorization by the Oregon Mission for Whitman to
return to the U.S.
1836-1842
17 items,
photocopy.
Subseries 2.3: Indian Office
1 item
5
50
E. Walker and C. Eells Letter,
Cimakain, to Elijah White, sub-agent, Indian Office re: Spokane
Indians. Also White's explanatory note and statement: "This is a
true copy. E. White"
January 9,
1843
3 leaves photocopy.
Subseries 2.4: Washington State University
Library
200 items.
5
51-55
Photocopies of Walker Mission material
in the Washington State University Library
200
items.
Series 3: Typescript transcripts
120 items.
6
56
Journal of Mary Richardson
Walker
January 1, 1833-May 6,
1837
78 p. bound, typescript.
6
57
Journal of Mary Richardson
Walker
March 5, 1838-October 1,
1848
293 p. bound, plus 4 p. index, typescript
6
58
Journal of Mary Richardson
Walker
September 30, 1848-January
1, 1879
308 p., 6 p. index, bound, typescript.
6
59
Letters concerning Elkanah and Mary
Richardson Walker and American Board of Commissioners for Foreign
Missions, 1836-1859. State College of Washington
1941
200 p. bound transcript.
7
60
Letters between Elkanah Walker and Mary
Richardson Walker, 1837-1873. State College of Washington
1940
216 p. bound typescript.
7
61
Walker family correspondence, obituaries
and geneology
1917-1921.
34 leaves, bound typescript.
7
62-63
Diary of Mary Richardson Walker,
1838-1848. Transcription by C.M. Drury
1960
331 p. typescript.
Subseries 3.1: Letters, diaries, essays,
notebooks and other papers connected with the Walker Mission
1821-1885
7
64
1821-1838
64 items,
typescript.
7
65
1839-1885
42 items,
typescript.
Series 4: Artifacts
8
"Tshimakain" drawing by Karl Geyer (pen
and ink on paper, 31 x 51 cm). Depicts the Tshimakain
mission.
circa 1843-1844
8
Portrait of Abigail B. Walker by John Mix
Stanley (oil on board, framed), 36 x 29 cm.
1847
8
Items removed from Walker family books
(pressed flowers and leaves; two small paintings)
circa 1800s
9
Cape (Mary Richardson Walker)
10
Lengths of homespun fabric, with repairs
(2); baby shirt
11
Collection documentation file (transferred
with artifacts from WSU Historic Costume and Textile
Collection)
12
Thimbles (4), pincushions (2)
13
Lace collar, ribbons, scarf, hot
pad
14
Writing desk