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Francis Lyman Worden letters, 1850-2011(bulk 1853-1889)

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Worden, Francis Lyman, 1830-1887
Title
Francis Lyman Worden letters
Dates
1850-2011(bulk 1853-1889) (inclusive)
Quantity
1.0 linear foot
Collection Number
Mss 800
Summary
This collection includes 148 letters, mostly correspondence from friends and family to Francis Lyman Worden. Many letters are from Troy, New York, and other East Coast locales. The envelopes' addresses chart Worden's travels from San Francisco to Washington Territory and finally to Montana. The majority of the letters are from 1853-1889. Also included are summaries of all letters, and full and partial transcripts of a few letters, created by Charles N. Leach in 2011.
Repository
University of Montana, Mansfield Library, Archives and Special Collections
Archives and Special Collections
Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library
University of Montana
32 Campus Dr. #9936
59812-9936
Missoula, MT
Telephone: 406-243-2053
library.archives@umontana.edu
Access Restrictions

Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of Archives and Special Collections, the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, and The University of Montana-Missoula.

Languages
English
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Biographical Note

Francis Lyman Worden was born in Vermont in 1830 and attended school in Troy, New York. He began clerking in a store when he was fourteen. In 1852, he went to San Francisco, California, and clerked in a store there. He then went to Oregon, mined for a year, and settled in The Dalles near the east end of the Columbia River Gorge, where he fought in the Indian wars of 1855. He worked as clerk in the Indian Department under Isaac J. Stephens. He moved to Walla Walla, Washington Territory, and opened a store. He was also postmaster of Walla Walla for two years.

In 1860 he formed a partnership with Christopher P. Higgins and they located in Hell Gate, Washington Territory, a site that would become part of Missoula, Montana. Soon afterward, they moved their business to Missoula, Washington Territory, and started the first store in that town, Worden and Company.

In 1862, prospectors discovered gold on Gold Creek east of Missoula, and Worden and Higgins went to that area to supply the mining camps until 1863. They then moved to Deer Lodge and opened the first store in that town. In 1864, they built a sawmill and gristmill, and in 1866 completed a milling operation. In 1868, they sold their interests in Deer Lodge and, with Washington J. McCormick, laid out 100 acres of the townsite of Missoula, Montana Territory.

Worden and Company prospered and by 1865 the company’s holdings also included a saw and gristmill on the present site of Missoula. Worden and Higgins laid out the townsite, built bridges, established a water works and bank, and generally fostered the town’s growth. Both men were active in territorial politics and had diverse side interests. Worden and Company were a dominant mercantile establishment in Western Montana until the late 1870s when Eddy, Hammond and Company entered the competition. In July, 1886, in attempt to gain more capital, Worden and Company merged with Murphy, Hart and Company, a general merchandise company, to form Murphy-Worden and Company. In 1902, the Murphy-Worden Company was replaced by Murphy-Greenough and Company, which continued exclusively as a grocery store in the same location.

Worden married Lucretia Miller at Frenchtown, Montana Territory, in 1866. They had seven children: Lucina L., Henry O., Carolyn (Carrie) M., Louise M., Frank L., Horace B., and Ruth M. Mr. Worden died on 5 February 1887. Lucretia Miller Worden died in 1913 at the age of 61.

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Content Description

This collection includes 148 letters, of which 145 are correspondence to Francis Lyman Worden. Many letters are from Troy, New York, where Worden worked in his uncle's store before sailing to San Francisco. Justus H. and Henry Worden were Francis Worden's brothers. E.K. Powers is Ellis King Powers, Worden's slightly older cousin. Most letters are accompanied by their original envelope addressed to Worden. The 3 letters addressed to others include an 1877 letter to Mrs. Worden from Sarah Lent, an 1889 letter from a San Francisco lawyer regarding Worden's estate, and a 1918 letter from Lt. Philip E. Bradley to his father.

The collection includes the original handwritten index list of the letters, 1851-1918, done by Worden's son, Horace Worden. Also included is a brief note to Francis Worden written in 1850 and a list of the letters with summaries of their contents created by Worden's great-grandson, Charles Leach Jr., 2011. Dr. Leach also transcribed or partially transcribed some letters.

This letter collection offers insight into Worden's early relationship with friends and family.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. and any other applicable statutes. Copyright transferred to The University of Montana-Missoula.

Preferred Citation

[Name of document or photograph number], Francis Lyman Worden Letters, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana-Missoula.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

The letters were maintained in Horace Worden's chronological order with the exception of the single note, 1850, that was not included in his handwritten index. That note is at the end. The folders were replaced but the individual housing of each letter was maintained.

Custodial History

The letters were held by family before donation.

Acquisition Information

Donated by Charles N. Leach, Jr., 2011.

Processing Note

When received, the letters were enclosed in plastic sleeves and individually foldered. The plastic sleeves were discarded and the letters were individually foldered in acid free folders. The letters to Francis Lyman Worden are all listed by sender's name as they were in the Horace Worden index and on each original folder.

Related Materials

Another collection held in this repository, Mss 021, Francis Lyman Worden Papers, holds materials relevant to Worden's businesses and a few family papers.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

  • Description: Justice H. Worden
    Dates: 1851 December 20
    Container: Box/Folder 1/1
  • Description: Justice H. Worden
    Dates: 1852 February 22
    Container: Box/Folder 1/2
  • Description: E.K. Powers
    Dates: 1852 November 4
    Container: Box/Folder 1/3
  • Description: Julian N. K.
    Dates: 1852 December 2
    Container: Box/Folder 1/4
  • Description: Lyman Power and Jim
    Dates: 1853 January 3
    Container: Box/Folder 1/5
  • Description: John Oldfield
    Dates: 1853 January 4
    Container: Box/Folder 1/6
  • Description: Lyman Powers - no letter

    While this letter is included in Horace Worden's list along with a labeled folder, the letter itself was removed in years prior to donation.

    Dates: 1853 January 7
    Container: Box/Folder 1/7
  • Description: Justus H. Worden
    Dates: 1853 January 16
    Container: Box/Folder 1/8
  • Description: E.K. Powers
    Dates: 1853 January 19
    Container: Box/Folder 1/9
  • Description: E.K. Powers
    Dates: 1853 February 4
    Container: Box/Folder 1/10
  • Description: J.H. Housman
    Dates: 1853 February 15
    Container: Box/Folder 1/11
  • Description: E.K. Powers
    Dates: 1853 February 18
    Container: Box/Folder 1/12
  • Description: John Housman
    Dates: 1853 February 24
    Container: Box/Folder 1/13
  • Description: E.K. Powers
    Dates: 1853 March 4
    Container: Box/Folder 1/14
  • Description: E.K. Powers
    Dates: 1853 March 19
    Container: Box/Folder 1/15
  • Description: A.J. Mattison
    Dates: 1853 March 28
    Container: Box/Folder 1/16
  • Description: Jim
    Dates: 1853 March 30
    Container: Box/Folder 1/17
  • Description: Charles Sumner
    Dates: 1853 April 1
    Container: Box/Folder 1/18
  • Description: Justus Worden
    Dates: 1853 April 3
    Container: Box/Folder 1/19
  • Description: Charles R. Sumner
    Dates: 1853 April 4
    Container: Box/Folder 1/20
  • Description: E.K. Power
    Dates: 1853 April 19
    Container: Box/Folder 1/21
  • Description: E.K. Powers
    Dates: 1853 May 4
    Container: Box/Folder 1/22
  • Description: Lyman and Mary Power
    Dates: 1853 May 4
    Container: Box/Folder 1/23
  • Description: John D. Housman
    Dates: 1853 May 18
    Container: Box/Folder 1/24
  • Description: E.K. Powers
    Dates: 1853 May 19
    Container: Box/Folder 1/25
  • Description: Charles R. Sumner
    Dates: 1853 May 21
    Container: Box/Folder 1/26
  • Description: E.K. Powers
    Dates: 1853 May 27
    Container: Box/Folder 1/27
  • Description: E.K. Powers
    Dates: 1853 June 4
    Container: Box/Folder 1/28
  • Description: E.K. Powers
    Dates: 1853 June 11
    Container: Box/Folder 1/29
  • Description: E.K. Powers
    Dates: 1853 June 18
    Container: Box/Folder 1/30
  • Description: Jim
    Dates: 1853 June 19
    Container: Box/Folder 1/31
  • Description: E.K. Powers
    Dates: 1853 June 27
    Container: Box/Folder 1/32
  • Description: Charles R. Sumner
    Dates: 1853 June 29
    Container: Box/Folder 1/33
  • Description: E.K. Powers
    Dates: 1853 July 4
    Container: Box/Folder 1/34
  • Description: Henry C. and Melissa Worden
    Dates: 1853 July 4
    Container: Box/Folder 1/35
  • Description: Charles R. Sumner
    Dates: 1853 July 14
    Container: Box/Folder 1/36
  • Description: A.S. Mattison
    Dates: 1853 July 15
    Container: Box/Folder 1/37
  • Description: E.K. Powers
    Dates: 1853 July 17
    Container: Box/Folder 1/38
  • Description: Andrew M Learned
    Dates: 1853 July 19
    Container: Box/Folder 1/39
  • Description: E.K. Powers
    Dates: 1853 August 4
    Container: Box/Folder 1/40
  • Description: Lyman Powers
    Dates: 1853 August 15
    Container: Box/Folder 1/41
  • Description: Justus H. Worden
    Dates: 1853 August 16
    Container: Box/Folder 1/42
  • Description: John Oldfield
    Dates: 1853 August 19
    Container: Box/Folder 1/43
  • Description: E.K. Powers
    Dates: 1853 September 3
    Container: Box/Folder 1/44
  • Description: E.K. Powers
    Dates: 1853 September 19
    Container: Box/Folder 1/45
  • Description: E.K. Powers
    Dates: 1853 October 4
    Container: Box/Folder 1/46
  • Description: John H. Housman
    Dates: 1853 October 13
    Container: Box/Folder 1/47
  • Description: Jim
    Dates: 1853 October 15
    Container: Box/Folder 1/48
  • Description: E.K. Powers
    Dates: 1853 Ocotober 19
    Container: Box/Folder 1/49
  • Description: E.K. Powers
    Dates: 1853 November 4
    Container: Box/Folder 1/50
  • Description: E.K. Powers
    Dates: 1853 November 19
    Container: Box/Folder 1/51
  • Description: E.K. Powers
    Dates: 1853 December 3
    Container: Box/Folder 1/52
  • Description: Justus Worden
    Dates: 1853 December 13
    Container: Box/Folder 1/53
  • Description: Lyman and Mary Powers
    Dates: 1853 December 17
    Container: Box/Folder 1/54
  • Description: E.K. Powers
    Dates: 1853 December 19
    Container: Box/Folder 1/55
  • Description: A.J. Mattison
    Dates: 1854 January 23
    Container: Box/Folder 1/56
  • Description: John Oldfield
    Dates: 1854 January 3
    Container: Box/Folder 1/57
  • Description: E.K. Powers
    Dates: 1854 January 4
    Container: Box/Folder 1/58
  • Description: Andrew M. Learned
    Dates: 1854 January 15
    Container: Box/Folder 1/59
  • Description: E.K. Powers
    Dates: 1854 January 19
    Container: Box/Folder 1/60
  • Description: Jim Hedenberg
    Dates: 1854 January 19
    Container: Box/Folder 1/61
  • Description: Andrew M. Learned
    Dates: 1854 January 27
    Container: Box/Folder 1/62
  • Description: Charles R. Sumner
    Dates: 1854 January 27
    Container: Box/Folder 1/63
  • Description: Andrew M. Learned
    Dates: 1854 February 1
    Container: Box/Folder 1/64
  • Description: E.K. Powers
    Dates: 1854 February 4
    Container: Box/Folder 1/65
  • Description: A. Haney
    Dates: 1854 February 4
    Container: Box/Folder 1/66
  • Description: George Worden
    Dates: 1854 February 16
    Container: Box/Folder 1/67
  • Description: E.K. Powers
    Dates: 1854 February 18
    Container: Box/Folder 1/68
  • Description: A.S. Mattison
    Dates: 1854 February 20
    Container: Box/Folder 1/69
  • Description: A.S. Mattison
    Dates: 1854 February 23
    Container: Box/Folder 1/70
  • Description: E.K. Powers
    Dates: 1854 March 4
    Container: Box/Folder 1/71
  • Description: Andrew M. Learned
    Dates: 1854 March 8
    Container: Box/Folder 1/72
  • Description: A. Haney
    Dates: 1954 March 17
    Container: Box/Folder 1/73
  • Description: E.K. Powers
    Dates: 1854 March 18
    Container: Box/Folder 1/74
  • Description: A. Haney
    Dates: 1854 April 14
    Container: Box/Folder 1/75
  • Description: A. Haney
    Dates: 1854 April 14
    Container: Box/Folder 1/76
  • Description: E.K. Powers
    Dates: 1854 April 19
    Container: Box/Folder 1/77
  • Description: Andrew M. Learned
    Dates: 1854 April 25
    Container: Box/Folder 1/78
  • Description: John H. Housman
    Dates: 1854 April 28
    Container: Box/Folder 1/79
  • Description: E.K. Powers
    Dates: 1854 May 4
    Container: Box/Folder 2/1
  • Description: John H. Housman
    Dates: 1854 May 17
    Container: Box/Folder 2/2
  • Description: James Hedenberg
    Dates: 18545 May 18
    Container: Box/Folder 2/3
  • Description: E.K. Powers
    Dates: 1854 May 19
    Container: Box/Folder 2/4
  • Description: A. Haney
    Dates: 1854 May 28
    Container: Box/Folder 2/5
  • Description: Henry C. Worden
    Dates: 1854 May 28
    Container: Box/Folder 2/6
  • Description: E.K. Powers
    Dates: 1854 June 4
    Container: Box/Folder 2/7
  • Description: Andrew M. Learned
    Dates: 1854 June 6
    Container: Box/Folder 2/8
  • Description: Andrew M. Learned
    Dates: 1854 June 16
    Container: Box/Folder 2/9
  • Description: E.K. Powers
    Dates: 1854 June 19
    Container: Box/Folder 2/10
  • Description: John H. Housman
    Dates: 1854 June 19
    Container: Box/Folder 2/11
  • Description: Andrew M. Learned
    Dates: 1854 June 19
    Container: Box/Folder 2/12
  • Description: Justus H. Worden
    Dates: 1854 July 17
    Container: Box/Folder 2/13
  • Description: Melissa Worden
    Dates: 1854 July 30
    Container: Box/Folder 2/14
  • Description: E.K. Powers
    Dates: 1854 August 4
    Container: Box/Folder 2/15
  • Description: Justus Worden
    Dates: 1854 August 8
    Container: Box/Folder 216/
  • Description: E.K. Powers
    Dates: 1854 August 19
    Container: Box/Folder 2/17
  • Description: Andrew M. Learned
    Dates: 1854 August 29
    Container: Box/Folder 2/18
  • Description: E.K. Powers
    Dates: 1854 September 4
    Container: Box/Folder 2/19
  • Description: E.K. Powers
    Dates: 1854 September 19
    Container: Box/Folder 2/20
  • Description: E.K. Powers
    Dates: 1854 October 4
    Container: Box/Folder 2/21
  • Description: Charles R. Sumner
    Dates: 1854 October 9
    Container: Box/Folder 2/22
  • Description: Andrew M. Learned
    Dates: 1854 October 13
    Container: Box/Folder 2/23
  • Description: Geo. H.L. Smith
    Dates: 1854 October 17
    Container: Box/Folder 2/24
  • Description: E.K. Powers
    Dates: 1854 December 4
    Container: Box/Folder 2/25
  • Description: E.K. Powers
    Dates: 1854 December 18
    Container: Box/Folder 2/26
  • Description: Andrew M. Learned
    Dates: 1854 December 21
    Container: Box/Folder 2/27
  • Description: Henry C. Worden
    Dates: 1855 January 2
    Container: Box/Folder 2/28
  • Description: E.K. Powers
    Dates: 1855 January 4
    Container: Box/Folder 2/29
  • Description: E.K. Powers
    Dates: 1855 February 19
    Container: Box/Folder 2/30
  • Description: Geo. H.L. Smith
    Dates: 1855 February 23
    Container: Box/Folder 2/31
  • Description: E.K. Powers
    Dates: 1855 March 3
    Container: Box/Folder 2/32
  • Description: E.K.
    Dates: 1855 March 19
    Container: Box/Folder 2/33
  • Description: E.K. Powers
    Dates: 1855 April 4
    Container: Box/Folder 2/34
  • Description: Justus H. Worden
    Dates: 1855 April 16
    Container: Box/Folder 2/35
  • Description: E.K. Powers
    Dates: 1855 May 19
    Container: Box/Folder 2/36
  • Description: E.K. Powers [with enclosed letter from Henry C. Worden]
    Dates: 1855 June 4
    Container: Box/Folder 2/37
  • Description: Andrew M. Learned
    Dates: 1855 June 4
    Container: Box/Folder 2/38
  • Description: Henry C. Worden
    Dates: 1860 December 30
    Container: Box/Folder 2/39
  • Description: Lyman Powers
    Dates: 1861 May 5
    Container: Box/Folder 2/40
  • Description: Amandrin Powers
    Dates: 1861 June 16
    Container: Box/Folder 2/41
  • Description: Henry C. Worden
    Dates: 1861 August 12
    Container: Box/Folder 2/42
  • Description: Henry C. Worden
    Dates: 1862 April 5
    Container: Box/Folder 2/43
  • Description: Laura A. Stowe [Letters from Laura Power and E.K. Powers enclosed]
    Dates: 1863 April 1
    Container: Box/Folder 2/44
  • Description: Melissa Worden
    Dates: 1863 April 12
    Container: Box/Folder 2/45
  • Description: Lyman Powers
    Dates: 1863 April 12
    Container: Box/Folder 2/46
  • Description: N. Connolly
    Dates: 1864 May 23
    Container: Box/Folder 2/47
  • Description: N. Connolly
    Dates: 1864 December 11
    Container: Box/Folder 2/48
  • Description: Thomas Adams
    Dates: 1865 August 2
    Container: Box/Folder 2/49
  • Description: (?) Morgan
    Dates: 1866 February 7
    Container: Box/Folder 2/50
  • Description: Clement M. Seaman
    Dates: 1866 April 28
    Container: Box/Folder 2/51
  • Description: Worden and Co.
    Dates: 1867 May 30
    Container: Box/Folder 2/52
  • Description: O.N. Worden
    Dates: 1867 October 29
    Container: Box/Folder 2/53
  • Description: Tyler Woodward
    Dates: 1868 December 2
    Container: Box/Folder 2/54
  • Description: H.W. and Caroline Miller
    Dates: 1869 January 24
    Container: Box/Folder 2/55
  • Description: J.J. Worden
    Dates: 1869 April 3
    Container: Box/Folder 2/56
  • Description: O.N. Worden
    Dates: 1869 April 22
    Container: Box/Folder 2/57
  • Description: Caroline Miller
    Dates: 1869 April 25
    Container: Box/Folder 2/58
  • Description: Caroline Miller
    Dates: 1869 October 9
    Container: Box/Folder 2/59
  • Description: Rev. James Halley
    Dates: 1874 August 22
    Container: Box/Folder 2/60
  • Description: Melissa S. Stetson
    Dates: 1876 January 9
    Container: Box/Folder 2/61
  • Description: Alvin Lent
    Dates: 1876 February 3
    Container: Box/Folder 2/62
  • Description: Henke and Co.
    Dates: 1876 February 3
    Container: Box/Folder 2/63
  • Description: Thomas Newman
    Dates: 1876 February 7
    Container: Box/Folder 2/64
  • Description: Alvin Lent
    Dates: 1876 February 8
    Container: Box/Folder 2/65
  • Description: Mrs. Sarah Lent
    Dates: 1877 February 27
    Container: Box/Folder 2/66
  • Description: Andrew W. Swaney
    Dates: 1886 October 5
    Container: Box/Folder 2/67
  • Description: T.J. Crowley
    Dates: 1889 April 5
    Container: Box/Folder 2/68
  • Description: Lt. Philip E. Bradley to his father
    Dates: 1918 January 21
    Container: Box/Folder 2/69
  • Description: Partial list of letters created by Horace Worden, son of Francis L. Worden
    Dates: undated
    Container: Box/Folder 2/70
  • Description: Letter from E.A. Lander Seely
    Dates: 1850 December 16
    Container: Box/Folder 2/71
  • Description: List of letters with summaries and partial transcriptions created by Charles Leach, great-grandson of Francis L. Worden

    Archives staff edits of this list include replacing 1-148 numerical designation with relevant folder numbers for each letter, date corrections, format standardized for readability, and occasional words or phrases added for clarity.

    Dates: 2011
    Container: Box/Folder 2/72