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Seth Lewelling papers, 1854-1937

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Lewelling, Seth, 1820-1896.
Title
Seth Lewelling papers
Dates
1854-1937 (inclusive)
Quantity
1.5 cubic feet (3 document cases, 2 card file boxes)
Collection Number
Mss 23
Summary
Papers of an Oregon pioneer nurseryman dating from the late 19th century and containing business correspondence, letterpress copy book, account books and financial records, and daily diaries with business-related entries. Also includes correspondence and legal documents from Lewelling's stepdaughter, Florence Olson.
Repository
Oregon Historical Society Research Library
1200 SW Park Avenue
Portland, OR
97205
Telephone: 503-306-5240
Fax: 503-219-2040
libreference@ohs.org
Access Restrictions

The collection is open to the public.

Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
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Historical Note

Oregon pioneer Seth Lewelling (1820-1896) was a native of North Carolina, where his family conducted a nursery business, later moving to Indiana. Seth came to Oregon via California with his brother John, in 1850. There they joined their brother Henderson, who had traveled overland in 1847 with stock to start a nursery. Settling near present-day Milwaukie, Oregon, Seth built a successful fruit orchard business, specializing in apples, pears, peaches and cherries. He was known for his introduction of the "Black Republican" and "Bing" cherries.

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Content Description

Papers include: Pocket diaries (1854-1877); business correspondence (1892-1893); letterpress book (1881-1886) containing correspondence sent by Seth Lewelling; materials describing family and horticultural history; day book and account (1876) of fruit sold; ledger (1883-1891) of Lewelling & Harvey Company; Lewelling & Sons nursery catalog (1878); nursery business sales book (1883-1889); property title abstract (1892) from the Clackamas Title Company; amendments to city charter of Milwaukie, Or. (1915); loan notes, credit ratings and personal letters (1884-1890); award certificate from the International Exhibition of 1876; correspondence and legal documents of Florence Olson (Seth's step daughter).

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

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.

Preferred Citation

Seth Lewelling Papers, Mss23, Oregon Historical Society Research Library

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in the following series:

  • Series A: Business correspondence, 1892-1893
  • Series B: General materials, 1878-1937
  • Series C: Financial records and letterpress copy book, 1859-1893
  • Series D: Diaries and pocket account books, 1854-1875

Acquisition Information

Portions of the collection were a gift of Dr. Vern Wirtz, Nov. 1973.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Nurseries (Horticulture)--Oregon--Milwaukie
  • Nursery growers--Oregon--Milwaukie--Correspondence
  • Nursery growers--Oregon--Milwaukie--Diaries
  • Pioneers--Oregon--Milwaukie--Correspondence
  • Pioneers--Oregon--Milwaukie--Diaries

Personal Names

  • Lewelling, Seth, 1820-1896--Correspondence (creator)
  • Lewelling, Seth, 1820-1896--Diaries
  • Olson, Florence--Correspondence

Geographical Names

  • Milwaukie (Or.)

Form or Genre Terms

  • Diaries
  • Financial records
  • Ledgers
  • Letterpress copybooks
  • Letters

Finding aid encoded by Geoffrey B. Wexler
2006

CC0

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