Papers of a provisional governor of the
Oregon Territory, churchman, and merchant. Includes letterpress copybook,
1847-1850; additional correspondence, including correspondence with Neil M.
Howison, captain of the schooner
Shark, wrecked on the bar of the
Columbia River; papers of the Brig Henry Association, ca. 1850; papers of
George's son William Abernethy; legal, military, and business papers; receipts,
biographical data, clippings and ephemera.
Funding for encoding this
finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for
the Humanities.
Biographical Note
George Abernethy was a churchman, a merchant, and the first and only
provisional governor of Oregon. He was born in New York City on October 7, 1807
and married Anne Cope in 1830. He was recruited by Rev. Jason Lee to assume
financial management of the Methodist mission in Oregon and accompanied him on
the ship
Lausanne, sailing around the Horn to Oregon
in 1840.
Abernethy was in charge of the mission store at Willamette Falls, later
Oregon City. This was his center of activity where he is said to have erected
the first brick structure built in the state. He also obtained a printing press
and aided in the establishment of the first newspaper in Oregon.
Abernethy promoted the lumbering and fishery businesses and established
commercial connections with the Sandwich Islands (Hawaiian Islands), California
and the Atlantic Coast. He was in the Sandwich Islands in 1845 when he was
elected governor of the Oregon Territory, two years after the first Provisional
Government was founded. He was re-elected to the office in 1847.
He had many business enterprises in Oregon City, but a flood destroyed
most of his physical property in 1861. Afterwards, with considerably reduced
circumstances, Abernethy moved to Portland, where he lived out his declining
years. There, for a time, he formed a partnership with Michael Herr. Their
business card stated they were "commission & forwarding agents, for the
sale or forwarding of flour, grain, mill, feed, hay, fruit, pork, bacon, lard,
etc., agents for the sale of Oak Point lumber...," with offices on Knott's
wharf. Abernethy died in Portland on May 2, 1877.
George Abernethy's son William was born in New York state in 1832 and
came to Oregon with his family in 1840. He married Sarah Fidelia Gray, and the
couple had 10 children. He died in Forest Grove, Oregon, in 1917.
Content Description
George Abernethy's papers cover the period 1834-1897 and include
correspondence, legal documents, ephemera, business records, the papers of
William Abernethy, George's son, and the Brig Henry Association. The papers
cover business matters, political and personal activities.
Correspondents include John McLoughlin, Jason Lee, James Douglas,
William Fraser Tolmie, Joel Palmer, Henry A. G. Lee, Peter Skene Ogden, and
Jesse Applegate. Subjects include: mission finances, the Oregon boundary
settlement, the Hudson's Bay Company, the U.S. war with Mexico, the Whitman
Massacre, the Cayuse War, and other conflicts between Native Americans and
settlers. Legal documents contain land and business agreements.
The letterpress copybook contains copies of approximately 250 letters,
1847-1850, dealing with Abernethy's business affairs. Although the book is
physically well-preserved, the handwriting is often difficult to decipher.
Abernethy family papers (designated Mss 929-1) contain: correspondence,
invoices, and statements pertaining to Abernethy's business interests,
including partnerships with Michael Herr and plaster and cement business; deeds
to land purchased by Abernethy, mostly in Oregon City; land records and sewing
machine business correspondence of William Abernethy; letters from J. Quinn
Thornton and Samuel R. Thurston; quitclaim deed for lots in Oregon City, from
John and Margaret McLoughlin to J. Quinn Thornton; tax receipts; and maps.
Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Access :
The collection is open to the public.
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 reproduction 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.
Alternative Forms Available :
Selected papers available on microfilm at the Oregon Historical Society
Research Library
Preferred Citation :
George Abernethy Papers, 1836-1897, Mss 929, Oregon Historical Society
Research Library
Administrative Information
Arrangement :
The collection is arranged in two series as follows
Series A: General papers, Mss 929, 1834-1897
Series B: Abernethy family papers, Mss 929-1, 1833-1905
Acquisition Information :
Letterpress copybook deposited by William Abernethy, 1893
Additional papers, gift of Camilla Abernethy, Oct. 20, 1967, Library
Accession 10329
Materials in Mss 929-1, gift of Dorothy Gaines, August 1985, Library
Accession 18505
Separated Materials :
Daguerreotype of George Abernethy & Co. store, Oregon City, ca.
1855, transferred to the Cased Images Collection, Oregon Historical Society
Research Library
Detailed Description of the Collection
The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in
the collection.
List of correspondents found in box 1, folders 3-13
Vernon, George
Notification of Abernethy's election as mayor
Jan. 1, 1844
McLoughlin, John
Concerns a woman imprisoned for wrongdoing
Feb. 1, 1844
Lee, Jason
Mission finances; Ladd & Co. (original and copy)
March 21, 1844
McClure, John
Repair of the Peacock launch; John
McLoughlin
Feb. 7, 1846
McClure, John
Peacocklaunch
Aug. 13, 1846
Tibbets, C.
Fracas between settlers and Clatsop Indians
Aug. 19, 1846
Howison, Neil M.
Sale of
Peacock launch
Aug. 14, 1846
Howison, Neil M.
Sale of
Peacock launch
Aug. 15, 1846
Howison, Neil M.
Sale of
Peacock launch
Sept. 10, 1846
Howison, Neil M.
Deserters
Sept. 11, 1846
Howison, Neil M.
Wreck of the
Shark
Sept. 15, 1846
Howison, Neil M.
Wreck of the
Shark
Oct. 6, 1846
Roberts
Shipment of millstones and other articles
Oct. 7, 1846
Howison, Neil M.
Letter
Oct. 23, 1846
Howison, Neil M.
Oregon boundary settlement; war with Mexico
Oct. 28, 1846
Douglas, James
Oregon boundary, with enclosure containing a copy of a letter
from A. Forbes to Sir George Seymour
Nov. 2, 1846
Howison, Neil M.
Letter
Nov. 11, 1846
Howison, Neil
Deserters; Hudson's Bay Co.
Nov. 25, 1846
Howison, Neil
First U.S. flag in Oregon; murder of an Indian woman
Dec. 1, 1846
Burnett, Peter H.
Letter of resignations Supreme Court judge
Dec. 29, 1846
Howison, Neil M.
Letter
Jan. 10, 1847
Howison, Neil M.
Mexican war news
Feb. 9, 1847
Howison, Neil M.
Oregon boundary & Hudson's Bay Co.; government in California
and Oregon
Feb. 19, 1847
Brown, John
Thank you note and request for help in securing
employment
April 15, 1847
Gary, George
Details of his passage down the Columbia River
July 30, 1847
Tolmie, William Fraser
Harvest, roads, temperance elections
Aug. 21, 1847
Douglas, James
Whitman massacre and military actions taken; with enclosure of
copy of letter from William McBean to the Board of Management, Nov. 30, 1847,
regarding Whitman massacre
Dec. 7, 1847
Lee, H. A. G.
Whitman massacre; Indian war council at The Dalles
Dec. 16, 1847
Lee, H. A. G.
Wascopam; First Co. of Oregon Riflemen
Dec. 26, 1847
Folsom, J. L.
Request for report on Oregon coal resources, needed for
steamers
Dec. 27, 1847
Douglas, James
Proposed levy on Hudson's Bay Co. [original and copy]
Dec. 31, 1847
Douglas, James
Hudson's Bay Co. payments to Indians of ammunition [original and
copy]
Jan. 4, 1848
Lee, H. A. G.
Non-arrival of reinforcements; skirmish with Indians
Jan. 20, 1848
Gilliam, Cornelius, Colonel
Plan to raid Indian camp on Deschutes River for
livestock
Jan. 25, 1848
Major, R.
Request and plan to raise a volunteer infantry battalion to
assist in Mexican War
Jan. 28, 1848
Lee, H. A. G.
Indian and military policy; Leletsa, a friendly Indian
Feb. 8, 1848
Lee, H. A. G.
Military tactics; battle at Meek's crossing
Feb. 8, 1848
Ogden, Peter Skene
Cayuse War
Feb. 29, 1848
Gilliam, Cornelius, Colonel
Battle near Umatilla River
Feb. 29, 1848
William, William, Captain
Report on fort's condition; suspicion of imminent attack
Feb. 29, 1848
Penning, John
Mr. Curry; morality and Oregonians
March 2, 1848
Gilliam, Cornelius, Colonel
Request for more men
March 10, 1848
Applegate, Jesse
Settler-Indian conflicts
March 12, 1848
Douglas, James
News from Walla Walla and Fort Colville; meeting of Nez Perce
Indians with commissioners; encloses copy of letter from Joel Palmer to William
McBean, report on status of hostilities, March 4, 1848
March 15, 1848
Applegate, Jesse
Capt. Scott; immigrants
March 20, 1848
Ogden, Peter Skene
Letter
March 21, 1848
Palmer, Joel
Resignation as Superintendent of Indian Affairs
March 28, 1848
English, S.
Reports that the enemy is scattered
March 28, 1848
[name illegible]
Complaints of officers' lack of action
April 4, 1848
Hardie, J.
Military supplies
April 12, 1848
Lee, H. A. G.
Military organization
April 17, 1848
English, S.
Raising men near the Umpqua
April 24, 1848
Blanchet, Augustin Magloire Alexandre, Bishop of Walla
Walla
Missionary work and philosophy [original and
translation]
April 29, 1848
Lee, H. A. G.
Cayuse war
May 5, 1848
Waters, James
Arrival at Fort Waters of Col. H. Lee; council with Nez Perce
Indians
May 14, 1848
Cooke, C. W.
Concerns military commission
May 14, 1848
Lee, H. A. G.
Council with Indians
May 14, 1848
Jones, Ap. C.
Letter to G. E. Pickett: inability to send ships to Oregon due
to Mexican War; copy sent to G. Abernethy
May 24, 1848
Palmer, Joel
Financial difficulty in supplying the army
June 4, 1848
Eyck, A. Ten
Enclosing letter of June 5, 1848, to Thomas Ap. C. Jones,
regarding Indian receipt of ammunition from Hudson's Bay Company and attack of
Hudson's Bay Co. fort
June 11, 1848
Ogden, Peter Skene
Letter
June 5, 1848
Palmer, Joel
Suggests discharge of the men, who are restless
June 19, 1848
Lee, H. A. G.
Concerns misunderstanding over his temporary post of Lt.
Col.
June 24, 1848
Rodgers, Alexander T.
Complaint of a priest's causing a disturbance with
Indians
July 9, 1848
Hardie, James A.
Gold rush, Sacramento River, Calif.
July 10, 1848
Palmer, Joel
Board of Loan Commissioners' refusal to supply troops
July 12, 1848
Burnett, L.
Acknowledging receipt of Abernethy's letter
Aug. 9, 1848
Rodgers, Alexander T.
Asks directions concerning boat load of guns and ammunition
consigned to French priests
Aug. 21, 1848
U.S. House of Representatives
Disposition of arms and ammunition seized at Wascopam
undated
U.S. House of Representatives
Land claim
July 12, 1849
Pritchette, K.
Meeting with Cayuse chiefs for surrender of murderers
March 26, 1850
Morris, George
Personal
Oct. 12, 1850
Morris, George
Personal
undated
Herr, Michael
Personal
Jan. 5, 1851
Herr, Michael
Concerns his Oregon property
Aug. 26, 1851
Stanley
Placement of the gallery in Smithsonian
Dec. 31, 1851
Spalding, Henry H.
Solicits testimony with regard to mission claims accruing from
Cayuse War
April 27, 1852
Hall, Margaret M.
Asks news of her brother, Theodore Chambers
Feb. 4, 1852
Holbrook, Henry
Political gossip about Democrats, Whigs, Oregon
Legislature
Dec. 20, 1853
U.S. Treasury Department
Encloses form of power of attorney for receiving money awarded
to Hiram Clark in Cayuse War claim
April 22, 1854
Gurnett, Lesley
Personal
March 15, 1855
Gibbs
Military road survey; territorial election
July 31, 1856
Hodges, Henry
Intention to marry Abernethy's daughter, Anne, and giving
character references
Dec. 30, 1858
Holbrook, H.
Attempts to secure an appointment for Abernethy and compensation
for services as Governor during Cayuse War
June 8, 1861
Neyce
Order for lumber
Oct. 2, 1862
Clay, J.
Personal
July 2, 1868
Hodges, Henry
Personal
Sept. 27, 1875
Thurston, Samuel R.
Order for foodstuffs
Dec. 10, 1880
Johnson, Josephine D.
Requests historical data on the Baptist Church
July 8, 1897
Series A: General papers, Mss
929, 1834-1897
Container(s)
Description
Box/Folder
1/1-2
Legal documents and
ephemera, 1834-1881
Includes legal documents pertaining to a trespass case in
1846, in which George Abernethy was a defendant; certificate of the re-election
of George Abernethy as Governor of the Oregon Territory, July 14, 1847; land
deeds and land grants, 1857-1873.
Correspondence
Box/Folder
1/3
General, 1844
1/4
General, January-October 1846
1/5
General, November-December 1846
1/6
General, 1847
1/7
Cayuse War, January 1848
1/8
General, February 1848
1/9
Cayuse War, March-April 1848
1/10
Cayuse War, May-December 1848
1/11
General, 1849-1850
1/12
General, 1851-1897
1/13
Letters from George Abernethy, 1846-1877
Includes: letterpress copy of a letter from George
Abernethy to President James K. Polk regarding the conditions and political
situation in the Oregon Territory; letters from Abernethy to his brother,
written from New York, 1851-1855; and a letter from Abernethy, probably to his
son-in-law Henry Hodges, 1877, supposedly the last letter he wrote before his
death.
1/14
Brig
Henry Association
papers, 1850-1852
Includes land deeds and letters from the Association's agent
in Massachusetts to its agent in Oregon.
1/15-16
Business records,
general, 1848-1872
Includes ledger sheets, probably listing gold received from
various persons for purposes of refining, with location of mines.
1/17
William Abernethy
papers, 1863-1894
Includes personal letters; two orders from the Office of the
Chief Quarter Master, Dept. of Columbia, to William Abernethy to examine
certain properties; a statement from the U.S. Treasury Department to Henry
Hodges about the condition of Hodges's accounts as Quartermaster during and
following the Civil War; and Civil War letter from a friend of William
Abernethy in the army of General [William Stark] Rosecrans, Sept. 5, 1863, from
the Tennessee River, providing details of the campaign.
1/18
Letterpress copybook of
George Abernethy, 1847-1850
Series B: Abernethy family papers, Mss 929-1, 1833-1905
Container(s)
Description
Box/Folder
2/1
Abernethy & Herr business papers, 1850-1865
George Abernethy papers
Box/Folder
2/2
Orders for merchandise, bills, 1870; , 1874
2/3-4
Business correspondence and bills, 1871-1873
2/5
Deeds, land transactions, 1844-1868
2/6
Land records, general, 1864-1873
2/7
Promissory notes and tax receipts, 1852-1872
2/8
John McLoughlin to J. Quinn Thornton: quitclaim deed
to Oregon City lots, 1850
2/9
J. Quinn Thornton correspondence, 1865; , 1867
2/10
William Abernethy: Land records, business
correspondence, 1858-1897
2/11
Ephemera and general papers, ca. 1860-1905
Includes: pages on Coos County, Oregon, from
Lewis and Dryden's Railway
Guide; sonnet by Herbert H. Arnston to Daisy Abernethy, 1905; and
lyrics to a music hall song,
I'd choose to be a baby! sung by
Joe Murphy at the American Theater, San Francisco, ca.1860.
Folder
Oversize folder
Oversize materials, 1833-1889
Contains: certificate for George Abernethy as a member of
the New York State Artillery, 1833; land patent to George and Ann Abernethy in
Clackamas County, 1873, signed by President U.S. Grant; chart of the entrance
to the Columbia River, 1878; plat of Rosedale Addition to Astoria, Oregon,
ca.1889.
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.
Personal Names :
Abernethy,
George, 1807-1877--Archives
Applegate,
Jesse A., 1811-1888--Correspondence
Douglas,
James, 1803-1877--Correspondence
Lee, Henry A. G., 1918-1850--Correspondence
Lee,
Jason, 1803-1845--Correspondence
McLoughlin, John, 1784-1857--Correspondence
Ogden,
Peter Skene, 1790-1854--Correspondence
Palmer,
Joel, 1810-1881--Correspondence
Tolmie,
William Fraser--Correspondence
Family Names :
Abernathy family
Corporate Names :
Hudson's
Bay Company
Methodist
Episcopal Church--Missions--Oregon
Geographical Names :
Canada--Boundaries--United States
Oregon City
(Or.)--History
Oregon--History--To 1859
Oregon--Politics and government--To 1859
United
States--Boundaries--Canada
Subject Terms :
Cayuse
Indians--Wars
Governors--Oregon--Correspondence
Indians of North
America--Oregon--Government relations
