David Leslie Papers, 1829-1886
Table of Contents
- Overview of the Collection
-
Historical Note
- Content Description
- Use of the Collection
- Administrative Information
-
Detailed Description of the Collection
- David Leslie sketches of life (manuscript), undated
- Letters from David Leslie, 1837-1844, undated
- Growth of Methodism by David Leslie, undated
- Letters to Mary Kinney and daughter, 1839
- Letters to David Leslie, 1837-1866, undated
- Miscellaneous letters to Leslie, 1839-1882
- Oregon Institute financial materials, 1844
- General materials, 1842-1870
- Adelia Leslie, Lausanne voyage, undated
- David Leslie letters to Adelia Leslie, 1843
- David Leslie letters to Adelia Leslie, 1844
- Letters to Adelia addressed "Miss Judson, Mrs. Tarkington, Mrs Olley", 1829-1860, undated
- Letters to Adelia Olley, 1841-1843
- Letters to Adelia Turkington (later Leslie), 1844-1884
- Letters to Adelia Leslie, 1844-1886
- Account book of David Leslie, circa 1838-1839
- Names and Subjects
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Leslie, David, 1787-1869
- Title
- David Leslie Papers
- Dates
- 1829-1886 (inclusive)18291886
- Quantity
- .25 cubic feet (1 document case)
- Collection Number
- Mss 1216
- Summary
- Papers of a pioneer Methodist missionary to Oregon who was associated with the Jason Lee Mission and later lived in Oregon City. Includes correspondence of David Leslie and his second wife, Adelia Judson Olley Leslie, financial records, essay "The Growth of Methodism," Adelia Leslie's account of her voyage to the Pacific coast on the LauanneΒΈ and biographical information.
- 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.
Historical Note
Reverend David Leslie was born in Washington, New Hampshire in 1797. He left New York in 1837 and traveled to Oregon via Cape Horn, arriving in September 1837. In Oregon he served in Jason Lee's Willamette Methodist Episcopal mission, and in 1839 he was appointed as one of two magistrates of the country south of the Columbia River. He went to the Hawaiian Islands in 1842 and returned to Oregon to open a church in Oregon City in 1843. He had six children with his first wife, Mary A. Kinney, who died in 1841. He then married Adelia Judson Olley in 1844. She had had two previous marriages: first, in April 1835, to Robert Turkington, who died on September 15, 1837; and then on October 2, 1839 to James Olley, who drowned in the Willamette on December 10, 1842. David Leslie remained a prominent figure in the Willamette Valley until his death on May 1, 1869, in Salem.
Content Description
The papers include: correspondence (1829-1886) of David Leslie and his second wife, Adelia Judson Olley Leslie, concerning missionary activities and family matters; account (1840) by Adelia Leslie describing her voyage to Oregon on the ship Lausanne; David Leslie's essay "Growth of Methodism" (n.d.); miscellaneous financial, personal, and biographical records, including David Leslie's account book (1838-1847). Correspondents include Susan Gary, Phoebe Chapman, Maria Lee, Jason Lee, Daniel Lee, Mary Leslie, Elvira Perkins, and Anne Abernethy.
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
David Leslie papers, Mss 1216, Oregon Historical Society Research Library
Administrative Information
Return to TopDetailed Description of the Collection
-
Description: David Leslie sketches of life (manuscript)
Deals with a fragmentary account of his work in the Oregon missions. 24 pages.
Dates: undatedContainer: Folder 1 -
Description: Letters from David Leslie
-
To Brother and sister
January 5, 1837
Concerns appointment to Oregon mission. Fragment of a letter and unsigned. Plainfield. (1 p.)
-
To Mr. and Mrs. Lowell Smith
August 10, 1843
Giving news of drowning of Cornelius Rogers and his wife and sister. Fort George. (4 pp.)
-
To Mary Leslie (Rev. D. Leslie's daughter
from Elvira Perkins
November 1844
Personal matters. Vancouver. (3 pp.)
-
To E. Pierce
none
Unfinished and unsigned. Complains of receiving no letters. 1 p.
Dates: 1837-1844, undatedContainer: Folder 2 -
To Brother and sister
January 5, 1837
-
Description: Growth of Methodism by David Leslie
Account of growth in Methodism. Mentions Francis Asbury and John Wesley. Original, 20 pages.
Dates: undatedContainer: Folder 3 -
Description: Letters to Mary Kinney and daughter
-
To Mary Leslie (first wife of D. Leslie)
from A. Smith
August 10, 1839
Honolulu. Sending clothes. Waits to know what other necessities are needed. 2 pp.
-
To Mrs. Mary Leslie (first wife of D.
Leslie) from L. Bingham
March 1, 1839
Personal matters. Honolulu. (4 pp.)
Dates: 1839Container: Folder 4 -
To Mary Leslie (first wife of D. Leslie)
from A. Smith
August 10, 1839
-
Description: Letters to David Leslie
-
To David Leslie from T. Peirce
(2)
August 6, 1837; April 20, 1842
Personal affairs. Miss Smith appoints to teach in Oregon mission. Met Dr. White and has unfavorable opinion of him. Boston, Lynn, Mass. (7 pp.)
-
To Leslie from Jason Lee (2)
Nov. 21, 1838; Feb. 15, 1841
Attempt to get more missionaries for Oregon. Brother Perkins taken out of ministry. 2 pp. Burial of Leslie's wife, 2 pp. N.T. and Mission House
-
To David Leslie from Fanny Dryer
March 19, 1839
N.Y. Religious matters. 3 pp.
-
To David Leslie from Jonathan Leslie and
John Chafey
March 25, 1839
Religious matters. Albany. 3 pp.
-
To David Leslie from Maria Norton
(1)
September 5, 1839
Fair Haven. Religious matters. 4 pp
-
To David Leslie from Daniel Lee
(1)
1840; January 20
Religious matters, Vancouver. 3 pp.
-
To David Leslie from Levi Chamberlain
(2)
March 31, 1841; August 12, 1843
Honolulu. Catholic problem. Illness of Sarah, Mr. Leslie's daughter. 2 originals and 1 photostat
-
To David Leslie from John Work
July 4, 1842
Personal matters. Fort Simpson. (3 pp.)
-
To David Leslie from Elvira Perkins
(3)
Aug. 15, 1842; June 1, 1843; Feb. 8, 1844
Personal matters. Wascopam. (2 pp.) Situation of his daughters. Wascopam. (4 pp.) Departure of Jason Lee and Gustavus Hines for U.S. Leslie superintendent pro-tem of mission. Epidemic of whooping cough. Translating the Gospels for Indians of Walla Walla. Dalles. (3 pp.)
-
To David Leslie from Cornelius
Rogers
October 15, 1842; Mar. 25, 1844
Mr. Willson leaves service of mission Enters partnership with Dr. White to practice medicine. Annual meeting of Milling Co. Dr. White. Account of death of Leslie's daughter, October 11, 1843. Lee & Frost embark for Boston. State of Islands. Chenams takes fire and is scuttled. (4 pp.) Departure of Chenamus. Affairs of Oregon mission. Daughter returning to Oregon with Babcocks. Honolulu, 4 pp.
-
To David Leslie from A. Cooke
(1)
November 19, 1842
Concerning daughter living with the Cookes. Nuccanu. 1 p., original.
-
To David Leslie from Mrs. Emily
Dole
July 20, 1843
Concerning state of Sarah Leslie's health and means of taking care of Mr. Punchow. (4 pp.)
-
To David Leslie from A.P. Olley
(2)
November 24, and December 4, 1843
Concerning Leslie's intentions of marriage. Mission Mills. 5 pp.
-
To David Leslie from John N.
Colcord
March 26, 1844; Sept. 2, 1844
Relates to collection of debt for Felix Hathaway. To leave the islands. Adjustment of business matters. Oahu. (2 pp.)
-
To David Leslie from W. W. Raymond
(1)
August 22, 1844
Oregon Institute. Raymond released from Institute. Release mission from further obligation. 2 pp., original
-
To David Leslie from G. Gary (1)
August 27, 1844
Quarterly meeting at Dalles. Conflict with Br. Beers. (3 pp.)
-
From John McLoughlin
October 30, 1844
Payment to McLoughlin of $612.00 by draft signed by George Gary. Vancouver. 1 p., original
-
To David Leslie from Ira L.
Babcock
January 29, 1845
Arrival in Honolulu. Opinion of foreign ministers that Oregon should be separate government. Failure of Ladd & Co. Honolulu. Photostat copy. (3 pp.)
-
To David Leslie from Bradford
Peirce
April 24, 1848
Introducing Mr. Tappan, employed by Aggassiz to make drawings of animals insects of Ore. Mission to Indians in Ore. a failure. Family matters. Boston. (3 pp.)
-
To David Leslie from Charles D.
Cushman
May 18, 1850
Personal matters. Mentions the return of H.K.W. Perkins to the States. San Francisco. (3 pp.)
-
To David Leslie from Isaac
McElroy
January 15, 1852
Domestic troubles. Asks to be reinstated in church, Chehalem Valley. (9 pp)
-
To David Leslie from William Wright
(2)
September 20, 1854; July 7, 1855
Olympia growing. Working as carpenter and painter. Opened business. No Methodist in Olympia. Gold discovery at Ft. Colville. Olympia. 6 pp.
-
To Leslie from James Abraham
November 29, 1865
Forwarding strawberry plants, their planting and care. Portland. 3 pp., original
-
To David Leslie from D.W. Williams
(2)
June 3, June 8, 1866
Postponing meeting of Oregon Bible Society. Portland. 3 pp.
-
To David Leslie from Jemima Peirce
(1)
August (no year)
Family matters. Boston. 3 pp.
-
To David Leslie from Rev. Dole
August [?]
Illness of Sarah Leslie. Unable to study. Hawaii. 2 pp.
Dates: 1837-1866, undatedContainer: Folder 5 -
To David Leslie from T. Peirce
(2)
August 6, 1837; April 20, 1842
-
Description: Miscellaneous letters to Leslie
-
To David Leslie from miscellaneous
persons.
1839-1882 (9)
Family maters. Deed for two lots in Astoria. Return of Leslie's daughter from Hawaii.
-
To David Leslie from Lowell Smith
(3)
August 12, 1843; March 21, 1844; Sept. 13,
1844
Condition of daughter's health and difficulties of caring for her. Restoration of Hawaiian flag: celebration. Honolulu. (4 pp.) Indian agent, has difficulty with Jason Lee. W.H. Gray to take boarding school. Family matters. Willamette Falls. (4 pp.) Leslie's daughter's illness. Business troubles in Hawaii. Honolulu, 2 pp.
-
To Leslie from J.S. Green
October 1, 1843
Death of Leslie's children. Growth of Hawaiian missions. Hawaii. 3 pp., original
-
To David Leslie from Hamilton
Campbell
May 26, 1845
Gives points in dispute between himself and John B. McClane. Asks for an investigation. Oregon Mission. 2 pp.
-
To Leslie from J.G. Smith
January 4, 1848
Licensing of Smith for ministry. Outbreak of measles. Salem. 4 pp., original
-
To Leslie from L.F. Grover
April 12, 1852
Resignation as secretary of Salem Temperance Society. Salem. 1 p., original
Dates: 1839-1882Container: Folder 6 -
To David Leslie from miscellaneous
persons.
1839-1882 (9)
-
Description: Oregon Institute financial materialsDates: 1844Container: Folder 7
-
Description: General materials
Includes: materials dealing with financial matters; information regarding the appointment of a temporary superintendent to the Oregon Methodist Mission in Lee's absence; controversy with E. White; "Prospectus for literary institution in Willamette Valley"; auction bills. Also includes document granting power of attorney for Mary Scott, Boston, 1837 January 19.
Dates: 1842-1870Container: Folder 8 -
Description: Adelia Leslie, Lausanne voyage
Account of Adelia Leslie's voyage on the ship Lausanne to Oregon in 1840, written when she was married to James Olley.
Dates: undatedContainer: Folder 9 -
Description: David Leslie letters to Adelia Leslie
Written before their marriage. 14 items.
Dates: 1843Container: Folder 10 -
Description: David Leslie letters to Adelia Leslie
Includes Abernethy-White conflict, Brother Waller to answer charges of Dr. White, Willamette Falls.
Dates: 1844Container: Folder 11 -
Description: Letters to Adelia addressed "Miss Judson, Mrs. Tarkington, Mrs Olley"
-
To Mrs. Leslie from A. Raymond
June 21, [?]
Church matters. 3 pp., original
-
To Adelia Leslie from family and
friends
1829-1860 (10)
Death of uncle. Legal liquor selling law. Family matters. Included are letters addressed to Mrs. Leslie, 1 to Mrs. Olley, 3 to Mrs. Turkington, and 1 to Miss Judson.
-
To (Adelia Leslie) addressed to Adelia
Turkington, married name prior to marriages to James Olley and David Leslie,
from Horace S. Giller
July 20, 1833
Cost of living. School enrollment. Cholera outbreak. [Adelia at Bethel, Conn.] Columbus. 4 pp.
Dates: 1829-1860, undatedContainer: Folder 12 -
To Mrs. Leslie from A. Raymond
June 21, [?]
-
Description: Letters to Adelia Olley
-
To (Adelia Leslie) addressed to Adelia
Olley, married name prior to marriage to David Leslie from N. Daniels
(1)
August 29, 1841
Family matters. 4 pp., original
-
To (Mrs. Leslie) addressed to Adelia Olley,
married name before marriage to David Leslie from Phoebe Chapman
(2)
January 26 November, 1843
Family matter. Death of Mr. Olley. Redding. 8 pp., original
-
To (Adelia Leslie) addressed to Adelia
Olley, married name prior to marriage to David Leslie from Gustavus
Hines
December 2, 1843
Estate of the late Mr. Olley. Willamette. 2 pp.
Dates: 1841-1843Container: Folder 13 -
To (Adelia Leslie) addressed to Adelia
Olley, married name prior to marriage to David Leslie from N. Daniels
(1)
August 29, 1841
-
Description: Letters to Adelia Turkington (later Leslie)
-
To (Adelia Leslie) addressed to Adelia
Olley, married name prior to marriage to David Leslie, from Robert Turkington
(1)
1836; February 14
Concerning visit to Redding. Westport. 2 pp.
-
To (Adelia Leslie) addressed to Adelia
Turkington, married name prior to marriages with James Olley and David Leslie,
from L.W. Carr (1)
May 8, 1836
Personal matters. Otego. 2 pp.
-
To (Mrs. Leslie) addressed to Adelia
Turkington, married name prior to marriages with James Olley and David Leslie,
from Lucy Daniels and N.A. Daniels
May 19, 1836
Family matters. Butternuts. 3 pp.
-
To (Adelia Leslie) addressed to Adelia
Turkington, married name prior to marriages with James Olley and David Leslie
from Nancy Fairchild
April 20, 1837
Teaching school. Family matters. 3 pp.
-
Letter[s] To (Adelia Leslie) addressed to
Adelia Turkington, married name prior to marriages with James Olley and David
Leslie, from Lucy Spalding.
April 6, 1838
Personal matters. N.Y. 2 pp.
-
Letters To:(Adelia Leslie) addressed to
Adelia Turkington, married name prior to marriages with James Olley and David
Leslie, from Lewis Judson (1)
August 18, 1839
Death of Adelia's child. Possibility of Adelia accompanying brother to Oregon. South New Berlin. 3 pp.
Dates: 1844-1884Container: Folder 14 -
To (Adelia Leslie) addressed to Adelia
Olley, married name prior to marriage to David Leslie, from Robert Turkington
(1)
1836; February 14
-
Description: Letters to Adelia Leslie
-
To Mrs. Leslie from A. W. Smith
(2)
Sept 14, 1844; June 11, 1845
Concerning her new marriage. Request information about Oregon society. Flu epidemic in Hawaii.
-
To Mrs. Leslie from Mrs. Susan Gary
(2)
July 27, 1847; Jan. 12, 1847
Leaving Oregon for the States. Astoria. (1 p.) Br. Raymond has new son. (3 pp.)
-
To A Leslie from Anne Abernethy
May 1850
Refers to the trial of the Whitman murderers. Green Point. 2 pp.
-
To Adelia Leslie from Phoebe Chapman
(3)
1850-1854
Deaths in family. Church growth. Redding. Originals, 12 pp.
-
To Mrs. Leslie from Anna Judson
August 15, 1858
Sending Robert to stay with Leslies'. Robert in trouble, taken into court. Gold fever in Oregon. Clastsop Plains. 2 pp.
-
To Adelia Leslie from Martha Elleu
(1)
August 8, 1859
Church matters. Religious feelings. Fair Haven. 4 pp.
-
To Adelia Leslie from Sarah A. Crofut
(1)
October 23, 1859
Death of aunt. Roxbury. 4 pp., original
-
To Mrs. Leslie from L.H. Judson
(2)
June 15, 1860; March 18, 1858
Domestic affairs. Vancouver. (4. pp.) Divorce complaint of wife. Astoria (4 pp.)
-
To Mrs. Leslie from Mrs.
Thornton
July 26, 1866
Invitation to stay at her house. Fairmount Lake. (3 pp.)
-
To Adelia Leslie from C. Ge, Cole
(3)
June 19, 1869 September 20, 1871
Death of son. Working to benefit Chinese females. Sympathy for Mr. Judson. San Francisco. 4 pp.
-
To Mrs. Leslie, from Maria T. Lee
(3)
1884-1886
Personal matters. Death of H.K. Perkins. Life in Oregon. Health broken so returning to States. Caldwell, Kansas. (10 pp)
Dates: 1844-1886Container: Folder 15 -
To Mrs. Leslie from A. W. Smith
(2)
Sept 14, 1844; June 11, 1845
-
Description: Account book of David LeslieDates: circa 1838-1839Container: Folder 16
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Indians of North America--Missions--Northwest, Pacific.
- Methodist Episcopal Church--Missions--Northwest, Pacific.
- Missionaries--Northwest, Pacific--Correspondence.
- Voyages to the Pacific coast.
- Whitman Massacre, 1847.
Personal Names
- Abernethy, Anne--Correspondence.
- Chapman, Phoebe--Correspondence.
- Gary, Susan--Correspondence.
- Lee, Daniel, 1806-1895--Correspondence.
- Lee, Jason, 1803-1845--Correspondence.
- Lee, Maria, 1812-1892--Correspondence.
- Leslie, Adelia--Correspondence. (creator)
- Leslie, David, 1787-1869--Correspondence. (creator)
- Leslie, Mary--Correspondence.
- Perkins, Elvira--Correspondence.
