David Leslie Papers, 1829-1886

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Leslie, David, 1787-1869
Title
David Leslie Papers
Dates
1829-1886 (inclusive)
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 NoteReturn to Top

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 DescriptionReturn to Top

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 CollectionReturn to Top

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 InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in one series.

Acquisition Information

The collection was assembled by the Oregon Historical Society from a variety of sources.

Related Materials

For additional papers of protestant missionaries to the Pacific Northwest, see Mss 1200 through Mss 1225, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Folder
1 David Leslie sketches of life (manuscript)
Deals with a fragmentary account of his work in the Oregon missions. 24 pages.
undated
2 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.

 1837-1844, undated
3 Growth of Methodism by David Leslie
Account of growth in Methodism. Mentions Francis Asbury and John Wesley. Original, 20 pages.
undated
4 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.)

 1839
5 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.

 1837-1866, undated
6 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

 1839-1882
7 Oregon Institute financial materials 1844
8 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.
1842-1870
9 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.
undated
10 David Leslie letters to Adelia Leslie
Written before their marriage. 14 items.
1843
11 David Leslie letters to Adelia Leslie
Includes Abernethy-White conflict, Brother Waller to answer charges of Dr. White, Willamette Falls.
1844
12 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.

 1829-1860, undated
13 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.

 1841-1843
14 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.

 1844-1884
15 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)

 1844-1886
16 Account book of David Leslie circa 1838-1839

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.

Form or Genre Terms

  • Financial records.
  • Letters.

Finding aid prepared by Geoffrey B. Wexler
2006

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