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David Thomas Denny II Family Papers, circa 1890-1944

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Denny family
Title
David Thomas Denny II Family Papers
Dates
circa 1890-1944 (inclusive)
Quantity
.64 cubic feet, (2 boxes)
Collection Number
2011.26
Summary
Photographs, documents and scrapbook belonging to the David Thomas Denny II family, and relating to Mt. Rainier, early Seattle history, Puget Sound maritime and logging activities
Repository
Museum of History & Industry, Sophie Frye Bass Library

P.O. Box 80816
Seattle, WA
98108
Telephone: 2063241126 x102
library@mohai.org
Access Restrictions

The collection is open to the public by appointment.

Languages
English.
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Biographical Note

David Thomas Denny (1832-1903) traveled west by covered wagon and arrived at the future site of Seattle in 1851, shortly before the party led by his brother Arthur landed at Alki Point. On January 23, 1853, David Thomas Denny married his stepsister and childhood friend Louisa Boren in a civil ceremony performed by “Doc” Maynard. It was the city’s first non-Indian wedding. The young couple received a married land claim of 640 acres, situated in what is now central Seattle. David Thomas Denny and Louisa Boren had eight children.

Their son, David Thomas Denny II (1867-1939) married Nellie Elizabeth Graham (1871-1956.) She was the daughter of pioneers Elizabeth Crammond and Walter Graham, who came to Seattle in the late 1850s. Nellie Graham Denny was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, the Washington State Pioneers Association, and Daughters of Pioneers of Washington. Their daughter, Inez Louisa Denny (1893-1968) attended the University of Washington and married John Charles Whiteaker (1894-1958.) Their son John David Whiteaker was born in 1926. Inez Louisa Whiteaker was a member of the Guild of Children’s Orthopedic Hospital and the Washington State Historical Society.

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Content Description

The series of mounted 8x10 inch photographs is attributed to the pioneer photographer John P. Soule. It includes a numbered series of Mt Rainier glaciers, summit views and other natural scenery, with captions. Other photographic subjects include Native Americans, the historic Seattle waterfront, Pioneer Square, Puget Sound maritime activities, trains, agriculture, logging and lumber mills.

The documents in the collection include a passport, property title, and City of Seattle engineering licenses issued to David Thomas Denny II. A First Presbyterian Church Diamond Jubilee booklet and Daughters of the Pioneers of Washington Convention Program belonged to Nellie Graham Denny. A scrapbook created by Inez Louisa Denny Whiteaker contains clippings, photographs, invitations and certificates.

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Use of the Collection

Alternative Forms Available

View selections from the collection in MOHAI's online collections.

Restrictions on Use

The Museum of History & Industry is the owner of the materials in the Sophie Frye Bass Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from MOHAI before any reproduction use. The museum 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.

Preferred Citation

David Thomas Denny II Family Papers, Museum of History & Industry, Seattle

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Administrative Information

Location of Collection

3a.4.10

Custodial History

Donor received these materials when, as part of his business, he was hired to clear the basement of a house being put on sale. The owner of the house was related to the D.T. Denny II family. It is possible that these materials have the same provenance as those in MOHAI accession 2014.81, the John D. Whiteaker Collection on the Denny and Graham Families.

Acquisition Information

Gift of Brad Bolger, received in 2011.

Related Materials

John D. Whiteaker Collection on the Denny and Graham Families, 2014.81.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Lumber industry--Washington (State)
  • Pioneers--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Waterfronts--Washington (State)--Seattle

Personal Names

  • Denny, David Thomas, II, 1867-1939
  • Denny, Nellie Graham, 1871-1956
  • Whiteaker, Inez Denny, 1893-1968

Geographical Names

  • Rainier, Mount (Wash.)
  • United States--Washington (State)--Seattle

Form or Genre Terms

  • Photographs
  • Scrapbooks

Other Creators

  • Personal Names

    • Soule, John P., 1828-1904 (creator)

Finding aid prepared by Sue Terrible
2016

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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