The Journal of Levi Lathrop Smith, 1847 – 1848
Edited by James Robert Tannis
[full text of the diary follows Tannis’ preface] [Transcribed 2003 by Roger Easton. Note: Excerpted text from Smith’s Journal
entries contains all mispellings, errors, etc. as in the original]
May 17. the Eldest Sow was deliverd of Five Sow pigs.
Oct. 26, rainy this morning. Sylvester just started for the falls to commence
the mill. dug sum potatoes to day.
Dec. 31. this is the last day of the year O time how art thou flying. rainy
this morning nothing a doing rain continues all day I have seen no person
today
Since 1868 when the existence of the diary of Levi Lathrop Smith was first
generally known, such brief excerpts as the above alone formed the picture of
Olympia’s first settler. The native poetry of Smith’s writing and the hidden
historical allusions in his diary were never available to excite the caual
reader or the local historian. Ever since H. H. Bancroft noted the existence of
this diary in his History of Washington, every history of early Washington has
mentioned it, but, despite the positiveness with which these histories describe
it, a comparison of the diary with Bancroft, Snowden, and all the others reveals
that none of these historian saw or used the original manuscript.
Smith, with his partner Edmund Sylvester, arrived on Puget Sound in the fall of
1846, and, before the following summer, the former realized the great
potentialities of this newly viewed and yet unsettled wilderness. “…the
facility this part of the country possesses as a commertial nead not be
commented on”, he wrote. “every person who has any idear of the locality of the
country must be aware of its advantiges as a commertial country. the exporting
of lumber from this part of the country at no subsequent period must form a very
extensive and profitable buisiness and were the country settled at the preasant
I have no [doubt] but what it would soon attract shipping to a larg extent.”
These and other chance jottings have now become significant clues in piecing
together the story of the first days of the Americans in what is now the state
of Washington. Smith’s diary, much more adequately than latter-day descriptions,
gives the real flavor of solitary pioneer life.
American settlement north of the Columbia had scarcely begun when Smith arrived
there in 1846. The first americans attempting reconnaissance of the Sount for
settlement started north in December of 1844, but they were successful only in
reaching the Cowlitz. The exporation was led by Michael T. Simmons, who with his
band of settlers had come across the great expanse of the West from Missouri to
Oregon. In July of the following year Simmons, whit a party of seven others,
started again toward the Sound country, this time reaching it in the month of
August. Soon after the arrival of this first group, the community was joined by
a small immigration including four families. By the time of their arrival,
Simmons had already staked out his claim where the town of Tumwater now stands;
his claim he named New Market after a town he had left in Missouri. All the
newcomers settled in the same general vicinity. Small groups sometimes of only
two or three each, continued to migrate to the Sound during the months that
followed. But during the first few years the region was never composed of more
than a few scattered claims.
In the meantime the Oregon government claimed the area north of the Columbia
River, and, on December 19, 1845, it established, as Lewis County, all the land
above the Columbia and west of the Cowlitz River. The region soon became
important politically, for all Oregon awaited the decisive vote of Lewis County
in the extremely close gubernatorial election of the 1846 session of the
Provisional Government.
As to occupations, most of the settlers in the county busied themselves with
clearing their land claims and farming the prairie lands adjoining. In August,
1847, however, eight of these pioneers joined together to form the Puget Sound
Milling Company — the first corporate commercial venture in this new American
settlement. The land selected for the mill was part of Simmons’ New Market
claim, and the following agreement was drawn up with him:
Oregan Teritory Lewis County New Market.
August 20th 1847. I, Michael T Simmons of said County do lease to the
following persons Namely [M. T. Simmons, J. Ferguson, G. Jones, A. D.
Carnefix, J. K. Kindred, B. F. Shaw, E. Sylvester, and A. B. Rabbeson] for
the period of 5 years and ten if said Company shall think advisible the
North-West part of my lower falls as a bilding spot for a sawmill for the
said Company reserving to myself during the period of 5 years liquise [
i.e. likewise] extendingto 10 should said company desire no right or
authority whatever any more than each induvidual of said Company is
possessed of in testamony whereof I have signed my Name this 20th day of
August 1847 before the following Witness L. L. Smith
-Michael T. Simmons
The company purchased the equipment for the mill from the Hudson’s Bay Company
for three hundred dollars in lumber which they delivered to the landing of Fort
Nisqually at the enviable rate of sixteen dollars per thousand. As Smith notes
in his diary, on October 25 Simmons was “elected supertendant of affares” of
the company; and, on the next day, the co-partners commenced building the mill
which they completed during that fall and winter.
A threefold combination of events in 1848–the Mexican war, the Whitman
massacre, and most important, the California gold discoveries–almost halted the
growth of settlement around the Sound. As Smith notes, however, on June 14 of
that year a small party of Oblate missionaries under Father Pascal Ricard
arrived on the Sound, established at New Market under the patronage of St.
Joseph, Ricard, assisted by Father Georges Blanchet and eight other Oblate
missionaries, founded the mission on the east side of Budd Inlet next Smith’s
claim–the old site is now Olympia’s Priest Point Park.
Smith won public office in 1848 when Lewis County elected him representative to
the Oregon Provisional Legislature. Unfortunately he died before he could begin
his term of service; nor did he live to hear that on August 14 the United States
Congress established Oregon with full territorial status.
Of our diarist, almost nothing is known of his early life. He was born in New
York State; and, it was said, he had there studied for the Presbyterian
ministry–though, as will be seen, this is quite unlikely. He emigrated early
to Wisconsin, where, so the story goes, he became attached to a half-breed girl
of Catholic faith. Under opposition to this affair he moved to Oregon where, in
1845, he met Edmund Sylvester. Sylvester, born in Maine in 1820, journeyed to
Oregon in 1843, and, after meeting Smith, came with him in October, 1846, to
Puget Sound. They soon placed their land claims, establishing them in
partnership. Under the law this meant that each owned half share in the other’s
claim, and, upon the death of either one, both claims were to pass to the
survivor. Sylvester staked his claim on the edge of Chambers’ Prairie, while
Smith located his where Olympia now stands. The latter moved on his claim on
October 20, 1846, and soon erected there his cabin about sixteen feet square,
two miles from the extreme head of Budd Inlet, near present Capitol way between
today’s State and Olympia Avenues. The land along the shore, north of what is
now State Avenue, was then occupied during the winter months by between 250 and
300 Duwamish Indians–though they were usually not there at the same time. The
Smith claim was in the midst of a heavily timbered coastal region with his
nearest American Neighbors at Tumwater, at that time still New Market. Access
to these nearby settlers required tramping through the woods, for a trail was
not blazed to this New Market settlement until August 24, 1848–a few days
before Smith’s death. In the summer of 1847 he wrote of his claim:
In it you will find one house built of split cedar, with a stone fire-place and
a stick chimney. It is covered with four-foot shingles put on with weightpoles.
It has three lights and one door, with a rough puncheon floor, made of split
cedar, with a closet and a bed-room made of the same materials. The furniture
consists of two tables, one bedstead, which is made by boring holes in the side
of the house and driving in sticks, three benches and two half-pint tin kettles,
one basin and a trencher.
The enclosure, two acres of land, with one and a half under cultivation, with
corn, beans, pumpkins, squashes, potatoes, peas, turnips, cabbages, melons,
cucumbers, beets, parsnips, carrots, onions, tomatoes, radishes, lettuce,
parsley, sweet fennel, peppergrass, summer savory and sunflowers.
The out-houses, one hog house and one hen-house, with five hogs, three pigs,
seven hens, a cock, cat and a dog, one yoke of oxen and two horses. [This
reading of the descripstion is taken from the Washington Standard (Olympia) of
February 1868. It is there ascribed to Sylvester, but from its form and content
it is apparently one of the notes that Smith wrote to occupy his lonesome
hours.]
The claim he called Smith Field, and, as seen above, he had soon cleared it
sufficiently to farm.
This soil [he wrote] is admirable adapted for potatoes partickualy the prairie
soil garden vegitables thrive most luxuriously this county taken generly
possesses one great advantage the power of retaining and exhaling during the dry
season a certin quantity of humidity which is emited in gread abdundance
[during] the warm season thereby enabling the vegatation to withstan the effects
of caloric which is so strongly intermixed with the atmosphere. but the most
important part of the country for agriculture unquestionably is the timberland.
this is composed of an a an adheasive and strong clay the surface for sum
considerable distance is coverd with decayed vegatation and when mixed with the
clay is rich and productive.
The account of Smith in the Washington Centennial Booklet states that he was
cultured and solitary. In conversation, in all likelihood, he appeared
cultured, for even his brief diary entries reveal a large vocabulary for a
Northwest frontiersman. His spelling and grammar, however, as will be seen, are
quite another matter and betray the fact that his formal education was probably
quite brief. In spite of his poor spelling, he managed, nevertheless, to
portray in writing the extreme state of his loneliness and the odd searchings of
his mind. On one of the miscellaneous notes that accompany his diary he writes,
“Now as I sat alone viewing that Most Misterious form of Man, an intercourse
commensed between those light and airy formes which once had formed the thinking
part of Man it seamed a thing so strange for that for sum time I could not
decide the reality” Though the precise meaning escapes the reader, the
fascination of the wording alone can scarcely help but charm. If the diary is
perused slowly–and it can be meaningful only when read that way–many such
finely turned phrases will great and please the reader.
As has been noted, this lonely settler died before Smith Field grew to a
population larger than “two”. Bancroft says that Smith’s canoe overturned and he
drowned; Snowden writes that he was found dead in his boat. In either case the
epilepsy which had so long harassed his life undoubtedly caused his death at the
end of August, 1848. Though he entered in his diary that March 6 was his
birthday, no information previously noted agreement, passed to his partner
Sylvester. Smith falling out on March 11. In addition, on one of his doodle
sheets, Smith whets the reader’s appetite by commenting to [?] Sylvester,
“Edmund you are a fine fellow and that is not all. you are given to committing
that heinous act so expressly forbidden by sacred write of that lothsum practice
which I much fear will cut assunder the bond of friendship betwene you and all
virtous persons.” Beyond this brief fragment the reader is left to speculation.
On Smith’s death Sylvester abandoned his own prairie claim, took over Smith
Field, and two years later (1850) he platted the town of Olympia. The name,
suggested by Hugh Allan Goldsborough who did the definitive survey of Olympia in
1850, was taken from the Olympic range of mountains, so beautifully visible from
the budding settlement.
The manuscript itself is written mostly on large sheets of paper, 16″ by 13″,
folded to half their size. In spite of the difficulties afforded by an almost
total lack of punctuation and “unique” spelling, the diary is, with effort,
legible throughout. In addition to his sparing use of punctuation, Smith uses
commas for apostrophes, and his 1/2 he very originally inverts. These
peculiarities have been retained as he wrote them, though, in this printing,
unpunctuated sentences have been set off from each other by generous spacing. A
possibility of variant readings in some spots has made this difficult, but it is
hoped that what has been done will be an aid for the reader. When Smith uses
superior letters in his date headings, they are usually illegible, and so where
he indicates he wants one, the correct form has been supposed. The original
capitalizations and spelling have been carefully retained, and all emendations
in the text have been noted. With the exception of some completely insignificant
jottings–a few of wich interestingly enough are in Chinook–Smith’s writing are
here reproduced in toto. There are no omissions whatever from the text of the
diary. Snowden says of the diary that it includes details of the agreement with
Sylvester; if this is true, those sheets are now missing, and there is no way to
determine whether he actually wrote any entries covering this missing period.
The whereabouts of the manuscript for the twenty years following Smith’s death
is not known. That the previously quoted comment on Sylvester was not destroyed
would lead to the supposition that the papers had not come into Sylvester’s
possession. The earliest knowlege of them are now extant is that Elwood Evans
obtained them during the latter part of February, 1868. From whom he received
them, he leaves no information. Evans compiled comments on the diary and
excerpts from it which appeared in the Washington Standard (Olympia) in 1868 All
references to it since that time appear to be based on the Evans article rather
than on an examination of the manuscript itself. (Such a description is found in
the Centennial Commemorative Booklet previously alluded to.) Where Snowden got
his information, noted above, is not known, though perhaps it is from conjecture
rather than fact. The manuscript remained in Evans’ keeping until his death, at
which time it was stored, with the rest of his invaluable historical collection,
on his daughter’s property. There the collection remained lost for all practical
purposes until brought to light by the late Winlock William Miller, Jr.,
grandson of William Winlock Miller of early territorial fame. In accordence
with the wishes of Winlock, Jr., this outstanding collection was presented to
his alma mater, Yale University; and now, through the courtesy of the Yale
Library, this diary is printed for the historian’s information and the chance
reader’s enjoyment.
Journal of Levi L. Smith
1847
May 17, the Eldest Sow was deliverd of Five Sow pigs.
Wenesday 19 sumwhat recoverd from my illness sum prospect of regaining
helth. this indisposition has prostrated Me more than any heartofore.
Sunday 23 quite indisposed as yet
[September]Monday 27th a betiful day. seen one canoe going down. nothing a sturing in
the least. another canoe just gon down the bay. just the old-woman cam with
Salmon bought eleven. just Mr Foards Son [1] came to see about Mr Handcocks
[2] canoe returned again to the praire.
Tuesday 28th a beautiful day. quite unwell this morning Mr Wanch [3]
Jack and Mr Fords son came this Morning a going to the Fort. [Fort Nisqually,
the Hudson’s Bay Company post near Steilacoom is usually referred to in this
diary simply as “Nisqually” or “the Fort.]
Wednesday 29th a fine day very much indisposed in helth this morning
very ill day.
Thirsday 30th A beautiful day Mr. Crocket [4] was hear to day staid till
after dinner.
Friday 1st a fine day Mr Wanch and Mr Foard Just started from here. helth
sum what better today found one pig dead and kild one
Saturday 2nd a rainy morning helth gaining. nothing sturing one cano
with a sail going down the bay and one a going up this afternoon this is
melancholy.
Sunday 3rd a rainy day have seen one cano going down the Bay helth
improving. commensed letting the Calf suck again last night to see the effect
on the Cow. Much better in helth
this is a steady rain. the flowing of the tide is commensing.
Monday 4th a rany day one Cano going down early this Morning. last night
the Cow commenced giving thick and curdled Milk gave only a few spunfuls
the Calf is sucking she dous not appear to have much Affection for it
dous not lick it nor pay any attention to it neither dous she eat much
I think she is unwell. one Cano just a going up the bay. the rain
desends steady.
Tuesday 5th the Rain desends regular nothing a sturing. left off Milking
the Cow last night
the Milk is thick and curdled. and she dous not give more than a pint
including what the Calf sucks gethering the Squashes this afternoon. I
have seen one Cano going up this afternoon. found two dead Pigs to day.
helth is improving I am much better than I was two days ago. the rain
descends refreshing. Another lodded Cano going down the Bay the Indians
are all buisy caching Salmon
Wednesday 6th quit a fine day three or four Canoes has been up and down the
bay this forenoon. this is pleasant. last night the Cow remained out.
the Wind is at the Northend. another Pig is just died only two
remaining.
Thirsday 7th Just been to dinner quit a good day. nothing as yet a sturing
have not seen the least thing passing it is now 4 Oclock and their is a
Cano just a going up with three Indians in it. this is the first to day.
Friday 8th A beautiful day. Sylvester has just arived. In good helth. it
will not be twenty-eight days until Monday next [that he has been away].
I had not the least expation of seeing him before a week or fortnight at
least. their has been two Canoes down and three up this afternoon. this is
a beautiful day.
Saturday 9th a beautiful day Sylvester just started after the Cattle
Canoes traveling up and down the bay.
Sunday 10th rather lowry all day. rather indisposed all day. this evening
Sylvester and an Indian arrived with the Cows
Monday 11th a fine day nothing a sturing. except bying cramberys of the
Squaws. and cleaning the things arived.
Tuesday 12th a fine day diging the sellar. bought cramberys of the Indians.
Iam banking up the house
Wednesday 13th Sylvester has just started for [Fort] Nesqualy. nothing a
sturing. finished banking the house 3 Oclock
Thirsday 14th Rainy early in the Morning but cleard up and a find day. have
seen one Cano very still all day.
Friday 15th Rather lowery in the Morning sum indications of rain. but a
fine day. very dull all day nothing a moving. it is now half past
four and not the least thing opperating. the
Cattle are in fine grasing went over their on Wednesday
Saturday 16th Nothing a doing no travling of any consequence Kimsey [5]
came after Sylvester for to repay for work
Sunday 17th Iill helth partickilary in the Morning dull and still all
day.
Monday 18th compleated the Cellar. all ready for potatoes.
Tuesday 19 to day Sylvester is gon to repay work for Kimsey. to day
commensed diging the potatoes all of them as yet small
Wednesday 20th A fine day Mr Packwood [6] an another yong Man just started
for Nisqualy stopt here all night. this is a beautiful day nothing in
the least a doing.
Thirsday 21st a fine day diging potatoes nothing a doing
Friday 22nd a fine day diging potatoes Mr Handcock just arived.
nothing a sturing
Saturday 23rd commensed putting up the barn
Sunday 24th Rather a lowry day Mr Sheperd [7] has ben here to day
yesterday several
ware at the raising. Mr Packwood, Simmons [8], Robertson [9], Ferguson
[10] Crocket, Kendred [11], Sheperd. Silvester has ben up on the prairie to Mr
Joneses [12] got a quantity of beef
Monday 25th a fine day Sylvester has gon up to the falls to organise and
choose a supertendant or overseer for the company Just returned Mr
Simmons elected supertendant of the affares. Mr Packwood remained all
night.
Tuesday 26th rainy this morning. Sylvester just started for the falls to
commence the mill. dug sum potatoes to day.
Wednesday 27th a beautiful Morning commensed diging potatoes very erly dug
until twelve then commensed raining. all alone.
Thirsday 28th Rainy all day diging potatoes. very disagreeable enough
as I have suffered the consequences.
Friday 29 Rainy all day cold and disagreeable
Saturday 30th exceeding rainy sylvester just arrived
Sunday 31st Rainy and lowry all day diging potatoes all day. Sylvester
chinking up the Barn.
started for the falls in the evening with Cabbage.
Monday 1 of November. diging potatoes clear in the afternoon the Boat
just started for the fort Mr Kendred is gone
Tuesday 2nd rainy in the afterpart of the day diging potatoes
Wednesday 3rd a beautiful day diging potatoes strong breeze from the
North a heavy frost in the Morning
Thirsday 4 a fine day to day at Noon finished the potatoes.
Friday 5. Rainy nearly all the day warking and mending.
Saturday 6 Rainy in the forepart of the day Nothing a sturing.
Sylvester arived in the evening. cold and winterish.
Sunday 7th a cold day Sylvester just started for the falls after killing
two ducks. thought it would be to cold in the morning Mr Handcock
started for the prairie to borrow a saw.
Monday 8 quite a pleasant day gethering the Carrots and Beets still an
gloomy nothing a sturing seen no living Mortal as yet.
Tuesday 9th A beautiful day. this Morning two Indians came here after Mr.
Handcock
Wednesday 10th A beautiful day quit indisposed. in helth to day and last
night. the dog has followed sum Indians to day.
Thursday 11th A Clowdy day. quite unwell to day nothing a sturing no
persons but Indians in sight
Friday 12 a lowry Morning And a Rainy day quite unwell
Saturday 13th A Rainy day sumwhat better Sylvester arrived Ratterson
and George [13] came likewise
Sunday 14th A Rainy day Making Sourcrout quite indisposed in helth to
day not able to set up all day
Monday 15 A good deal improved in helth. I Must have had A Very severe
time to have prostrated Me so several [days] in succession Mr Handcock
was here untill 6 in the evening Sylvester did not cum. I do not feel
right to day although I am about.
Tuesday 16 helth sumwhat mended althoughg I am not exackly aright yet My
head is still confused and I sum of the time hardly know what I am doing
it is just a week to night since I was taken. Mr Handcock has been here
and Milked and cut some wood Sylvester arived likewise. and I think I
shall improve.
Wednesday 17th Indications of a clear day helth improving
Thirsday 18 A Rainy day helth improving gradualy No person has been
here this day Sylvester has been here all day
Friday 19th this Morning Sylvester has gon to the falls. I feel Much better
and I think it will gradualy leave me. Mr Handcock was not up yesterday.
Nor as yet [today]. I feel much better this afternoon. this is A
beautiful day.
Saturday 20th A Rainy Morning and indications of Rain. commensed about three
in the morning. I feel much better both in Body and Mind. and can I ever
render the gratitude which is due to Nature,s Author for this. No
Involved I am but this consolation the Benefactor is Mercy and in the
harangue of the Poet to thee belongs all adoration for thy Vast form
embrases all that lives. it is now Eleven and it still continues [rainy].
Mr. Handcock has just started for the Cowlitz. I am all alone and am subject
to a curious sensation at times lonsum Tides very high. nothing a
sturing I think my helth is improving all the time things look more
rational.
Sunday 21. A Rainy day helth improving. Nothing of interest a sturing
contentment prevailing. Mr Handcock arived not A going to the Cowlitz
remained all Night. still continues to rain.
Monday 22nd Raining. Sylvester started this morning at half-past three.
helth improving. Handcock staid last Night
Tuesday 23 helth improving A fine day I have been butting up the loft
in the Barn employment if not too hard has A tendancy I think to bennefit
the mind and to
proppegate strength to the Animal functions. but great caution must be
avoided in too much excitement.
Wednesday 24 A Beautiful day. helth still improving in Mind and body. I
have been gethering the Cabages this Morning. nothing a sturing
Thirsday 25 Indication of rain. Mr Foards two sons just started for
Nisqualy. been very buisy to day
Friday 26 A beautiful day arose at three A Most Heavnly Morning. Mr.
McAlester [14] has been here and left me 1/4th of a Pig gave him sum turnips and two
Squashes Jack Steavens also feel on the gain.
Nov. Saturday 27th Rain commensed this morning at 6 2/1 Indications of a
rainy day. Mr Foards Sons arived last Night a Seven from Nesqualy
remained all night started at Six this morning. feel remarkabley
brilliant in spirits [and] body liquise [i.e., likewise]. the influence which
the human bodys has on each other is demonstrative of wisdom to an
ulimitable extent.
Sunday 28th A lowrey day indications of rain all day. Sylvester came holm
last night. helth rather improving. nothing of interest.
Monday 29th A Rainy day. Sylvester started this morning for the falls.
Mr Handcock moved down to his place
Tuesday 30th this is the last fall day rather lowrey sum rain last
night. this is A dull way of spending wht few moments appertains to this
life every day is one the less although little is thought that wee are
one day nearer the fatal Gulf. I have not seen but one person to day and
that was an Indian Mr Handcock came last night and remained untill twelve
Wednesday December 1st 1847
This is the first day of Winter. dense and lowrey sum indications of
rain. helth improving. the Boat just gone again to Nisqually. still
continues clowdy Mr came up and returned again
Thirsday 2nd A beautiful Morning. nothing a sturing helth improving.
dull and melancholy nothing a sturing solitude of death reigning.
the effect on the Mind has an unfavorable result and increasing Just
seen two Canoes with three Indians. this is A Most delightful afternoon
it is now 3 1/2
Friday 3rd Rather thick over head. not in very good health this Morning
had A Slight Turn of falling sickness between 9 and 9 not however very
severe soon revived. Another turn which lasted a few minuits. this
afternoon feel rather dull
Saturday 4th feel Much better this Morning Rather a dens day nothing A
moving at all.
Sunday 5th A Rainy day. Sylvester came last night helth on the gain
Monday 6th had a fine starlight night and A beautiful day. Sylvester started
this morning at six my helth is on the gain considering.
Tuesday 7th rather clowdy. nothing A moving helth about the same no
material difference in Mind. .
Wednesday 8 had a storrmy day just came from the falls with Mr Handcock
rather stormy no difference in helth nor mind as I know.
Thirsday 9th A Misty day. Mr. Handcock just gone holm. helth about the
same. nothing a sturing about twelve th rain commenced
Friday 10th Rainy in the morning. helth rather improving nothing a
sturing. quit buisy.
Saturday 11th A beautiful Morning. had a cold Snowy Night untill about
twelve then cleard up most Hevenly. I arose at half-past two to contumplate
the Heavens never did it appear to me those shining orbs looked so
beautiful. the reflections brought on an enthusiastick feeling and sleep
departed from me and had it not been for one thing I should have enjoyed the
Sight. Mr Handcock came up in the evening to see me and remaind untill
half past seven. the wind blowing quit hard when he came up and after
being up a short ime it increased. he however thinking he could proceed safly
started holm. the wind blowing all the time but in the Morning not seeing
any smoke I began to think it might have proved fatal to him and it was
not for sum time before I could purswade myself but what I was subject to
Mental Hallucination. this is A beautiful day I feel much better to
day than I have for a long time. the Author of Nature is deserving of
all Admiration.
Sunday 12th last night Sylvester came holm. a fine day for winter feel
quite well. nothing sturing
Monday 13th A windy morning. Sylvester just started for the falls. feel
very well. nothing sturning
Tuesday 14th A beautiful Morning feel better all the time. have seen one
Indian Cano this Morning Several this afternoon. just finshed work.
rather dull and disquieted nothing moving
Wednesday 15th indications of rain feel quite spirited. one Canoe just
past. Just found the Calf dead got cast in the creek and the tide arose
over it several Indians sailing about the bay
Thirsday 16th hasthe appearance of a fine day. feel uncommonly well both
in body and spirits
Friday 17th Rainy this morning and the appearance of continuing been buisy
in strengthing the jois in the Barn and in pulling the turnups. Indians
have been here with ducks to day.
Saturday 18th Indications of a fine day. arose at three to bake. been
very buisy this Morning in looking after the cattle non of them came holm
last night. this morning went out and [found] Muly and Piabald [two of
Smith’s cows] neither did the Boar come last night.
Sunday 19th Sylvester came last Night. helth about the same. very misty
all day nothing a moving
Monday 20th this Morning the boat started for Nisqualy. Sylvester with it.
helth about the same. rather low in spirits. Mr Handcock assisted me in
fixing the barn. putting under studs this is a dull day
Tuesday 21st A fine day feel quite Well. buisy in pulling Turnups all
day nothing a sturing.
Wednesday 22nd a beautiful day Winter Solstice. to day left of milking
Polly Deram.
Thursday 23 a thick day I have got the Indians assisting me in pulling the
turnups. Muly and Polly Deram did not cum holm last night neither have
they came yet. An they have just came.
Fraday 24th Misty this morning. rather uwell this Morning. quite
indesposed in the Night though on the whol rather better. nothing A
doing. this is a glorious evening the Sun defuses his radiance in splender
Saturday 25th this [is] Chrstmass. rather thick over head nothing as yet
a moving. there has been two Squwas here Esther [15] has been here today.
the Indians have been here all day a trading.
Sunday 26th rather still. Mr Rabberson came holm last night with Sylvester
who got holm from the Fort last thursday morning quit early in the morning
Monday 27th this morning Sylvester started for the falls had a slight turn
of falling sickness in bead knew nothing of it untill Sylvester apprised me
of it this morning. the Indians came to pull the turnups this Morning. it
is now twelve Oclock and they have just finished.
Tuesday 28th Rainy this morning. the Cows have not came yet.f been several
Indians here to day diging potatoes not much A moving except I had a little
dispute with an old Indian this afternoon
Wednesday 29th Snowy all day. found the cows this morning Nothing a
doing no Indians about to day all silent
Thirsday 30th Snowing the Morning. all silent untill Mr Kinsey came and got
four bushels of turneps this afternoon Mr. Handcok came quite lively
Friday 31st this is the last day of the year O time how art though flying.
rainy this Morning nothing a doing rain continues all day I have seen
no person to day
[1848]
Saturday 1st of Jan this begins the year. rainy all night rather
indisposed last Night
Sunday 2nd A beautiful day Mr Carnefix [16] and Johnathan Logan [17] was
here. Sylvester went up this evening
Monday 3rd a fine day nothing a Moving nowhare
Tuesday 4th a fine clear day and very cold have not seen a single person
through the day
Wednesday 5th A beautiful day Sylvester came this eveing and fetched the ax
remained only a few minutes Mr Melvin [18] came also and pased over to Mr
Handcocks
Thirsday 6 A beautiful day still and lonely nothing A doing Just
finished Bushes [19] Cap. he Squaws have been a carring the turnips tops
into the Calf pasture this afternoon and I ave paid them in poptatoes
bought a basket of them
Friday indications of rain rather indsposed in helth. verry still this
Morning Indians just came een trading with them. Muly has just been
delivered of a bull Calf. helth miserable all day
Saturday 8th helth much better indications of Rain Mulys Calf is in good
order this Morning. the Indians have came this Morning to build a house just
above. last night the Watch ran down just got it A going
Sunday 9th Sylvester came this Morning. A pleasant day. the Boat just
past by. trading with the Indians
Monday 10th rainy commensed in the night. Sylvester just gone to the
falls. very still. helth quit good this Morning.
Tuesday 11th rainy in the Morning dul and still nothing moving.
making the hog-house in the garden Clear and sun shining sum of the time in
the after-part of the day and hevy showers accompayned with hale led the
Sows in the Garden this afternoon Muly and Piable also. this is beautiful
weather
Wednesday 12th rainy. in good spirits liquise helth of body. very
still this Morning no person in sight this afternoon several Squaws
have been skinning that dead Calf. the speckled sow brought forth 9 pigs
I got up between 10 and 11 and took care of them trove out the white
Sow the rain came down in torents drove away the Bull in the calf pasture
Thirsday 13th rainy discoverd water in the cellar the Sow has 6 pigs
helth good. nothing moving as yet
Friday 14th began to snow in the night continued untill 10 in the Morning
then began to rain. the water in the cellar discontinued. Rabberson and
Shaw [20] called going to the fort for the powder bag removed the hog pen.
the rain descends in torrents. all the bigs are now dead but three
kiled one to day
Saturday 15th Rain still continues. not in very good helth this Morning.
still no one a sturing but Indians
Sunday 16th rainy Indians came to traid. not in good helth. Sylvester
has not came yet this Morning the white Sow had 10 pigs about 5 in the
morning all in good helth. I gave two of them to the spekled Sow
Indians came this Morning to traid had sum difficulty with one of them
he very sone came to termes
Monday 17th A beautiful Morning. in good helth. nothing A sturing untill
Rabberson and Shaw returned from Nisqualle. A Beautiful afternoon. the
Indians Doctrin the sick this afternoon Mr Handcock just returned from
working on the road remained all night.
Tuesday 18th a delightful Morning rather coll and frosty. in good helth
nothing but Indians A moving. Handcock just gone holm. been trading with
the Indians. Indications of rain clowdy
Wednesday 19th A clowdy Morning not in very good helth though not realy sick
very still and dul
Thirsday 20th A beautiful Morning Had a heavely night. in very good helth
this morning nothing a moving. it has been a fine day not seen A canoe
passing down the bay hardly an Indian untill about 6 in the evening when
a Squaw came in great fear of mind telling me that the Snohomas indians
were a cumming to kill them sum went of on the water and sum in the woods
secreting themselves sum took the musket. the whol turned out an Indian
fright
Friday 21st in good helth and spirits thank the auther of Nature nothing
a moving yet
Saturday 22nd Indications of a good day. In good helth and spirits thank
that Eternal cause of all good that moving principle of Life
Sunday 23rd a beautiful Morning and continued so nearly all day. last night
Rabberson came down with Sylvester to make a pare of shoes for Sylvester but
left is awl he and sylvester went back again in the afternoon. nothing
a doing still and lonsum. this is A disagreeable way of spending life.
Monday 24th A pleasant morning nothing A sturing been buisy all the
morning. began to rain twards night
Tuesday 25th A fine warm Morning been contemplating the heavens this
Morning the Moon and the shining Stars [also] the old Woman [at present
the Old Woman remains a mystery] has just came bag and bagage to build the
house. in good helth and spirits.
Wednesday 26th rainy. feel rather langued weekness at the breast.
nothing a sturing. very stormy
Thirsday 27th stormy and windy in good helth and spirits thank the
bountiful giver of all good and mercy
Friday 28th rainy all the Morning it is now twelve in good helth and
spirits nothing a sturing. became quite clear at the going down of the
sun. had considerable snow in the night cold and clear
Saturday 29th quite clear sum snow on the ground clold the sun bids
fare to dispel the cold and Snow Melvin has just gone from here.
quite pleasant. Sylvester has just came with the flower.
Sunday 30th not in very good helth nothing a doing. commenced raining
this afternoon.
Monday 31st rather rainy Sylvester just gone to the falls not in very
good helth. nothing a doing
Feb Tuesday 1st quite a pleasant Morning this is the first day of Feb
in very good helth and spirits To day more Indians has moved here. this is
a pleasant afternoon ver still nothing doing
Wednesday 2nd Misty nothing as yet a doing. very good helth. been
trading sum. turned out beautiful day
Thirsday 3rd A delightful Morning. in good helth. very silent. Sylvester
just proceeded to the fort Mrs. Jones [21] and sum others in a Canoe.
came misty this afternoon. feel dul and lonsum
Friday 4th A fine day not in very good helth very still nothing a
doing Sylvester has just came from the Fort. went yesterday and
returned again to day
Saturday 5th A beautiful morning in very good helth not much of
anything a sturing Sylvester came holm rather late in the evening from the
Mill nothing A moving
Sunday 6th Quite a pleasant day not much a doing the day appeard very
short to Me.
Monday 7th Sylvester just gone to the Mill a beautiful day. in good helth
and spirits
Tuesday 8th Misty all day the bull is dead this morning the Indians are
skining him for the body
Wednesday 9th A very high tide this Morning cleard off very pleasant not
in very good helth
Thursday 10th quite A pleasant Morning in much better helth this Morning.
not much A sturing
Friday 11th Clowday all day nothing A doing. very buisy all day Myself
feel miserable to day
Saturday 12 A fine day. bought A Cat to day in better helth this Morning
Sylvester came holm this evening Carnafix [and] Logan likewis remained all
night went down the bay
Sunday 13th a fine day. Carnafix [and] just gone. helth much beter.
trading with Indians.
Monday 14th Sylvester just gone to the falls. rainy. in good helth.
Nothing a doing of importance
Tuesday 15th indications of a fine day. in good helth and spirits. Mr
Handcock just arived
Feb. Wednesday 16th Sylvester just gone to the prairie to Sow the grain.
quite warm and pleasant. in good helth to day nothing as yet A sturing
of any consequence. Mr Handcock came this afternoon.
Thirsday 17th rainy most of the time Sylvester just started for the prairie
with grain. black pig dead.
Friday 18th A delightful Morning in good helth and spirits. nothing of
importance operating
Saturday 19th Rainy very still nothing a doing. in good helth and
spirits. been quite buisy all day
Sunday 19th indications of rain. not in very good helth had A slight turn
of falling sickness this Morning did not however continue long feel
quite well at the preasant.
Monday 21st quite a fine Morning helth quite good nothing as yet a doing
had A beautiful fine day
Tuesday 22 A delightful day. had two slight turnes of falling sickness
last night in the bed in good helth and spirits to day I was not aware
of having any untill told by Mr Handcock
Wednesday 23rd A fine day in good helth been trading sum with the
Indians to day
Tursday 24th A fine day Shaw and Fergersun just started up the bay
stayed all Night news from Nisqualy relative to the Indians sum
hostilities expected from sum of the upland tribes
Friday 25th A butiful day. had A slight turn of falling sickness last night
in bead feel well to day
Saturday 26th a butiful day in good helth nothing of importance a doing
Sunday 27th indications of rain. Sylvester did not com holm last night.
considerable excitement
Monday 28th A still misty morning nothing a doing sylvester has not yet
came. just arived this minuit
Tuesday 29 indications of a fine day Sylvester just started for the falls
in good helth. nothing a doing
March 1st
Wednesday 1st A pleasant day. helth as good as usual. nothing of
importance transacting untill the arival of Sylvester and Dow [22] Sylvester
has came holm to live
Thirsday 2nd indications of rain. very buisy. nothing of importance
transacting to day
Friday 3rd indications of rain. buisy in planting the gardin. not in very
good helth.
Saturday 4 indications of rain in hood helth Dow and Handcock arived
last night in the evening
Sunday 5 A delightful day in good helth and spirits trading with the
Indians considerable
Monday 6 indications of rain. This is my birth day. in good helth and
spirits have been very buisy all day
Tuesday 7 Misty. in good helth and spirits very still nkothing of
importance occuring Aapril showers.
Wednesday 8 rainy nothing of importance as yet occuring in good helth.
very still. trading sum little with the Indians
Thursday 9 rainy not in extream good helth. still nothing extreordinary
in operation Sylvester did not cum holm last night
Friday 10 clowdy Mr Handcock just started for the falls. Sylvester did
not cum last night. neither the cows all came this morning.
Saturday 11 quite a fine day Sylvester came last night had a contest
not however many words. still day
Sunday 12 a beautiful day Sylvester came last night. good helth and
spirits nothing of importance occuring
Monday 13 a beautiful day fine helth very still Wing [23] and
Handcock just gone
Tuesday 14 A delightful day. the Indians just returned the Canoe boght
canoe of the Indians to day for a Shirt sum peas [and] potatoes
Wednesday 15 indications of rain been trading with the Indians this
Morning. Oens Bush [24] just gone to Handcock
Thirsday 16 A beautiful day very still this Morning. Mr Handcock left
for the Willamett. nothing of importance
Friday 17 rather showrey. in good helth. nothing of importance occuring
very still
Saturday 18 A fine day nothing transacting. to work in the gardin. in
good helth and spirits. very still
Sunday 19 A fine day nothing of importance doing. Simmons and King [25]
came this afternoon
Monday 20 Sylvester and Simmons started for Nisqualy. blustering sum of the
time. nothing a doing last night Kimsey arived here. commensed
planting the potatoes this morning. very buisy today
Tuesday 21 rainy all the day King just left for the falls. in good
helth. not much a doing
Wednesday 22 Snowy Mr. Simmons just started for the falls. very buisy
all day. in good helth. nothing doing.
Thirsday 23 A fine day buisy in planting the gardin. nothing a doing.
in good helth and spirits improving.
Friday 24 a beautiful day. planting. very stil the Indians are
remarkabley dormant. in good helth
Saturday 25 quite a pleasant day buisy in planting in good helth.
the bay is very still. no Indians a sturing
Sunday 26 rather blustring. enjoying good helth and spirits. nothing of
importance transacting Sylvester at holm
Monday 27 indications of a fine day. potatoes taken to the falls 10 Bus
[i.e., bushels] buisy in planting and house hold affares
Tuesday 28 rainy not much a doing in good helth bery vins in
planting the potatoes
Wednesday 29 a fine day. not in very good helth had to of my turnes
lanst night in bedd feel rather dul
Thirsday 30 very still. engaged in planting. shwry all day. not in
extream good helth. had a very melancholy day
Friday 31 rainy. Sylvester did not cum holm last night. not in good
helth. everything is still nothing opperating
Saturday 1 of April rainy and clowdy. Sylvester came holm last night.
every thing extreemly still
Sunday 2 A fine day Mr Chambers [26] came here last night. Sylvester
gone to the prairie not in very good helth
Munday 3 a beautiful day helth improving very still nothing a doing
very buisy all day in house-work
Tuesday 4 sum indications of rain been to the prairie to day been to
see the Judges [27] had quite an agreeable visit
Wednesday 5 appearance of rain. in good helth nothing a moving
rather lonsum. A gardning sum litle
Thirsday 6th very heavy rain in the Morning. Sylvester did not go up
untill 9 this Morning. quite buisy. helth improving
Friday 7 rainy. helth improving remarkable still making Sylvesters
vest. just started.
Saturday 8 A beautiful day making a vest. nothing of importance
occuring in good helth.
Sunday 9 a delightful day. My Man to holm all day had a pleasant day
in good helth likewise
Monday 10 A fine day commensed planting the potatoes on the south side of
the gardin. in good helth nothing sturing
Tuesday 11 A fine day buisy in planting potatoes. nothing of importance
transacting. in very good helth
Wednesday 12 A delightful day. in good helth making the gardin.
nothing a transacting getting warm
Thirsday 13 a fine day. in good helth and spirits the heavens are
profusious in effluvium
Friday 14 A fine day in good hleth. Simmons, Sylvester [and] Fergersun
just started for Nisqually
Saturday 15 A beautiful day fell rather dull. very still nothing
sturing untill Simons returned from Nisqually
Sunday 16 A beautiful day in good helth. going up to the falls just
returned from the falls fine day
Monday 17 indications of rain. not in very good helth every thing
dormant. helth improving this evening
Tuesday 18 been writing all day. not in extream good helth.
Wednesday 19 a beautiful day helth improving writing all day
Thursday 20 A fine day good helth and spirits. buisy in writing
Friday 21 buisy in writing and planning. likewise in the gardin
Saturday 22 a fine day very still working the gardin
Sunday [23] been to the falls this morning Sylvester planting the corn
Monday 23 [i.e., 24] been to the falls to sign the contract with Simmons
he refused to sign. helth quite good rainy by showrs
Tuesday 24 [i.e., 25] clowdy. nothing a sturing. buisy all day in the
house
Wednesday 25 [i.e., 26] a fine day good helth nothing of importance
doing
Thirsday 26 [i.e., 27] A fine day had a contest with the Indians in
good helth. nothing of importance transacting
Friday 27 [i.e., 28] a fine day had a Slight turn of falling sickness in
sleep feel rather stiff this morning still and dull this afternoon
had a contest with the [Indians] Made them kill three dogs for goring one
of my pigs and heave them into the bay. went aginst there grein
Saturday 28 [i.e., 29] a fine day. in good helth and spirits
Sunday 29 [i.e., 30] a fine day been on the Prairie to Mr. Chambers
Monday 30 [i.e., May 1] indications of rain. in good helth. buisy
all day
Tuesday 1 [i.e., 2] of May indications of rain. not in good helth had a
turn of falling sickness last night
Wednesday 2 [i.e., 3] A fine day had a slight turn last night Sylvester
cutting timber. nothing a doing of consequence
Thirsday 3 [i.e., 4] quite a pleasant day. not in good helth to day.
Friday 4 [i.e., 5] pleasant day helth miserable all day. still
Saturday 5 [i.e., 6] helth improving. nothing of importance
Sunday 6 [i.e., 7] helth misearable nothing of importance
Monday 7 [i.e., 8] helth improving. went to the prairie yesterday
Tuesday 8 [i.e., 9] helth improving. nothing of importance
Wednesday 10 been to the falls. helth improving. nothing doing
Thirsday 11 A fine day Fergerson and rabberson just gone to Nisqually.
had a trade with Fergerson for the Milk
Friday 12 of May a fine day. helth improving
Saturday 13 A fine day just arived from the falls had a turn of
sickness. not very heavy in the Cano
Sunday 14 A beautiful day in good helth and spirits
Monday 15 A fine day. Still nothing a doing of consequence
Tuesday 16 A fine day in good helth nothing of consequence
Wednesday 17 A fine day helth improving all Still and dull
Thursday 18 A fine day A little rain helth imrpving still
Friday 19 Rainy and dull. helth on the gain
Saturday 20 been to the falls. not in good helth. rainy
Sunday 21. rainy. been to the Prairie to day
Monday 22. not in good helth. dull and gloomy
Tuesday 23. helth on the gain. nothing A Moving. clowdy
Wednesday 24 Rainy in the Morning. not in good helth. rainy
Thirsday 25 Rainy. helth on the gain. dull and gloomy
Friday 26 Rainy. Sylvester started for the Fort on the Raft to day
Saturday 27 indications of a clear day. helth about the same. all alone
Sunday 28 Indians a Moving to Jims Illehe. [28] helth about the same.
Monday 29. helth about the same. still and gloomy. nothing doing
Tuesday 30 still. helth on the gain. nothing a doing dull
Wednesday 31. last Night Sylvester arived from the Fort. came with nothing.
King came last night. nothing of importance this Morning the Cano past
up contending against the tide
June the 1st 1848 Thirsday Rainy. Sylvester gone to the Prairie. helth
about the same nothing a doing in the least
Friday 2 on the hol a fine day. helth improving. nothing a doing
Saturday 3 a fine day. helth the same. been to the falls with the Cattle
Sunday 4 Just came from the falls. in good helth
Monday 5 been to the Election [29] . helth about the same
Tuesday 6 A fine day. in good helth. not much A doing
Wednesday 7 A fine day. helth good. business rather dull
Thirsday 8 indications of rain. helth good not Much A doing
Friday 9 indications of rain. in good helth. dull times. doing
nothing
Saturday 10 had a turn of falling sickness lasted only a few Minuits.
in very good helth to day. ot much a doing
Sunday 11th June 12th been to the Prairie to day
Monday 12th a fine day in good helthand spirits to day
Tuesday 13 a fine day in good helth. Nothing doing in the least
Wednesday 14 appearance of rain. good helth. been to the falls to day
The Bishop [30] has ust left going to take a claim below this
Thirsday 15 rainy in the Morning. helth about the saim. the Rev Father
in God was hear and oncluded the price for the Church
Friday 16 been to the falls. in good helth and Spirits
Saturday 17 rainy in the Morning. helth good. fixing for starting
Sunday 18. Just leaving for the Donswamus [31]. in good helth
Monday 19 on the Donswamus bay the bay rather shallow
Tuesday 20 started for holm. came up with Glasco [32]
Wednesday 21 A fine day. helth improving. Nothing a doing
Thirsday 22 A fine day Nothing a Sturing. helth on the gain
Friday 23 a warm day. dull nothing doing. helth on the gain to day
Saturday 24 helth improving. Esther removed to the falls
Sunday 25 been to the falls. Simmons removed down the bay fine warm
weather. no Indians about
Monday 26 drove the Cows down this Morning. helth very good
Tuesday 27 A warm day. Sylvester commensed work with Mr. Simmons helth
about the same. Nothing of importance transacting
Wednesday 28 A fine day. the Priest arived yesterday at the church
Thirsday 29 very warm helth about the same.
Friday 30 exceeding warm helth better. Not much a doing all alone
no Indians about this is rather A dull way of spending life
Saturday 1 of July in good helth. Not much a doing. all alone
Sunday 2 appearance of rain. helth about the same. vishionary objects
Monday 3 A fine day. helth good. all alone rather melacholy. dull
enough
Tuesday 4 bought a Cano. this is the forth of july dull doings
Wednesday 5 A fine day enjoying good helth. not much a doing. dulness
Thirsday 6 A fine day just came from the falls. in good helth
Friday 7 A worm day. rather unwell. noth much a sturing
Saturday 8 benn to the Mill. not in extream good helth to day
Sunday 9 a fine day. helth improving. nothing strange
Monday 10 fine day. helth on the gain. Sylvester been at holm to day
found one of the hogs dead on the beach this evening
Tuesday 11 a fine day Frenshman came affter the Cano. this is a dull day
Mr Chambers came here to day and remained all night no news
Wednesday 12 a fine day Mr Chambers just started. dull and gloomy
helth improving. not the least A doing no one sturing not [even] Indians
Thirsday 13 indications of rain. helth good nothing sturing going
down bay
Friday 14 a warm day in good helth. not much a sturing to day
Saturday 15 been to the falls. not in good helth Not much doing
Sunday 16 helth better nothing moving Sylvester just arived
Monday 17 in good helth buisy in addressing the Governer [33]
Tuesday 18 A fine day in good helth nothing doing
Wednesday 19 buisy in writing all day Mr Crocket just arived
Thirsday 20 a fie day nothing sturing in good helth benn to the
Priest
Friday 21 nothing doing. buisy in writing. not even a cano passing.
Saturday 22 fine in the woods. in good helth. nothing doing
Sunday 23 a fine day in good helth meloncholy
Monday 24 a fine day. not in good helth. not Much a doing Such [entry
unfinished]
Tuesday 25 been to the falls. raising the Priests house
Wednesday 26 not much a doing. in good helth. all alone
Thirsday 27 been sto the Priests. in good helth not much doing
Friday 28 in good helth nothing a doing all alone
Saturday 29 been to the falls to settle the companys conserns helth good
Sunday 30 in good helth nothing a doing
Monday 31 been to the raisings on the Prairie read the Message
Tuesday 1 of August pulling the pees on the prairie just got holm
Wednesday 2 all a lone. in good helth. gethering the gardin seeds
Thirsday 3 been to the falls all day. in good helth. nothing new
Friday 4 all alone. in good helth. no persons a sturing. Smokey
Saturday 5 the Rev Father in God just came and two other Fathers with him.
in good helth. nothing a sturing. quite warm to day.
Sunday 6 removing the Shingles. helth good, nothing Sturring
Monday 7 a fine day. in good helth. Sylvester gone to Eatons Prairie to
day
Tuesday 8 been to the Prairie to day. in good helth and spirits
Wednesday 9 very smokey. in good helth. Indians been here with Salmon
Thursday 10 a fine day. in good helth. dull and gloomy nothing doing
Friday 11 a fine day in good helth. nothiing a doing. Smokey
Saturday 12 a fine day nothing doing. sum Indians passing. Smokey
Sunday 13 a fine day. not in good helth. not much a doing
Monday 14 very smokey. not in good helth. been to the Priests to day
Tuesday 15 very Smokey. in good helth. Strong wind this afternoon
Wednesday 16 a fine day. in good helth. nothing doing very dull
Thirsday 17 a fine day. in good helth Smokey. very still to day
Friday 18 indications of rain. in good helth. nothing doing.
Saturday 19 small showers. in good helth. sum Indians passing Nisqually
Sunday 20 a fine day been to the Prairie. several people theare not in
extream good helth Sylvester gone to the Prairie to day to cut the Wheat
Monday 21 the Priest and Mr Bernie [34] just came with Paper in good helth
very still. nothing a doing
Tuesday 22 a little rain during the night. helth good Started for
Eatons Prairie to see Sylvester arived at 3 oclock
Wednesday 23 just arived from Eatons Prairie in good helth
Thirsday 24 blasing out the trail up to the Falls had a turn of falling
sickness going up not in good helth to day
Friday 25 a fine day helth on the gain. all alone
Saturday 26 a fine day all alone. helth quite good to day
Sunday 27 been up to the Prairie to day. in good helth. bought a hog of a
Indian Chief for A Blanket in two Months
Monday 28 strong indications of Rain all-alone nothing doing as yet.
helth quite good. hard Rain this afternoon.
Tuesday 29 a fine day. in good helth. very dull nothing sturing
—————————————————
1. The Ford family came from Missouri to Oregon in 1845 and moved north of
the Columbia to Puget Sound during the summer of 1846. they settled on land
later taking their name — Ford’s Prairie. The father, Sidney Smith Ford
(1801-1866), farmed their claim, near the present site of Centralia. His two
sons mentioned in the diary were Sidney Smith, Jr. (1829?1900), who was active
in the Yakima Indian War, and Thomas J. (1832?– ). The father worked hard for
the separation of Washington from Oregon, and the entire family was active in
later territorial affairs.
2. Samuel Hancock (1824?-1883) came overland as a wagon-train commander in
1845 and in 1847 moved to Tumwater, where he first engaged in the lumber
business. He also went to the California mines for a short time in 1849 but
returned to be a trader with the Indians living on the Sound.
3. George Wanch (1820?-1891?) was born in Germany but early moved to
Missouri, where he met Michael Simmons and friends who were planning an Oregon
trip. He went West with them and settled on a donation land claim on the site
of the present town of Centralia. He was a gunsmith by trade. (his name is
often incorrectly spelled both Wauch and Waunch)
4. Samuel B. Crocket (1824? – 1904?) came to the Sound with the Simmons party
in 1845. In 1853 he moved to Whidbey Island, where his parents Colonel and Mrs.
Walter Crockett, had recently preceded him.
5. Daniel D. Kinsey (this possibly may have been a Kimsey, but most likely
Daniel Kinsey) came to the Sound in 1846. In July, 1847, he and his fiancee’,
Ruth Brock, became the first American couple married in the new settlement.
6. William Packwood (1813-1897) came with his wife and four children to
Oregon in 1844, moving to Puget Sound in March, 1847. He first worked for the
Hudson’s Bay Company and in 1850 went to the California mines. He returned two
years later, finally settling and farming the bottom land of the Nisqually
River.
7. William Shepard, probably. He was an early settler in the Northwest.
8. Michael Troutman Simmons (1814-1867), mentioned at length in the preface,
was always at the vanguard of early territorial activities.
9. Antonio B. Rabbeson (1824-?) came across the plains from Illinois, first
to the Willamette Valley and then, in 1846, to Puget Sound, where he was one of
the founders of the Puget Sound Lumber Company, called “the lumber company ”
hereafter. He fought in the Yakima Indian War, was for a time surveyor of
customs, and later engaged in contracting and shipping. Smith first misspells
his name Robertson, then Ratterson, Rabberson, and finally realizes that it is
Rabbeson.
10. Jesse Ferguson (1824-?) came to the West from Ohio. He went to the Sound
with Simmons and was also one of the founders of the Lumber Co.
11. John Karrich Kindred (probably). (1826-1900) who was one of the founders
of the Lumber Co., but it could also have been his father, David Kindred (1778-
?). The family had come to the Sound in the original Simmons party. They
settled on a farm on Bush Prairie, where they helped in erecting the first
school in the region.
12. Gabriel Jones (1802?-?) also came to the Soun in the Simmons party. He
and his family then settled on Bush Prairie about two miles below Tumwater.
13. George — Probably George Wanch [3] but possibly George Bush [19].
14. James B. McAllister (1812-1855) came with his family in the Simmons party.
He made a thwarted attempt to go to the California mines but returned and farmed
until the Yakima uprising. A soldier in the Indian war, he was killed on
October 27, 1855.
15. Esther — Probably one of the neighboring squaws.
16. A. D. Carnefix was another of the partners in the Lumber Co., settling at
Tumwater in 1847.
17. Jonathan B. Logan came to the Sound with Carnefix and Kindred in 1847 and
settled near Budd Inlet.
18. J. Melvin, possibly Josiah Melvin ( -1880) who came to Oregon in 1846.
19. George Washington Bush (1790-1863) and family came to the Northwest in
1844 with the Simmons party and to the Sound country with them in 1845. He
located his claim south of Tumwater, the region around his farm taking the name
Bush Prairie.
20. William Shaw, possibly. He came to the Sound with Simmons but most likely
his son, Benjamin Franklin Shaw (1829-1908) who had come to Oregon in 1844 and
to the Sound in 1845. He was a founder of the Lumber Co., was later an
important figure in the Yakima Indian War, also served in the territorial
government, and finally farmed near the present site of Vancouver, Washington.
21. Keziah Jones (1805?-1868), wife of Gabriel Jones [12]
22. (Dow remains unidentified)
23. (Wing remains unidentified)
24. William Owen Bush (1832-1907) was the son of George Bush [19]. He farmed
on Bush Prairie all his life, winning medals at the World’s Fair in Chicago for
his wheat. He died on the original family donation land claim.
25. (King remains unidentified)
26. Thomas McLain Chambers (1791-1876) came to Oregon in 1845 and settled in
the autumn of 1847, next to Sylvester’s prairie claim, southeast of Olympia. He
erected the first mill in Pierce County near Steilacoom.
27. Judges: S. B. Crockett [4] and John R. Jackson (1800-1873) were the Lewis
County Judges at the time. The judge mentioned was probably Jackson whose home
near Cowlitz Landing in the southern part of the current Lewis County, was the
center of public transactions at the time. Jackson was Washington’s first
reconnaissance in 1844 and the time of his settling in 1845.
28. Illehe is Chinook for “place,” but the location of Jims Illehe could not
be determined.
29. This election on June 5 was undoubtedly the one at which Smith was elected
Lewis County representative to the Legislature, though the manuscript of the
election return (in the Oregon Historical Society Collection) is dated June 25.
30. Reverend Pascal Ricard, the Bishop, or “Rev. Father in God” as Smith
calls him, was mentioned in the preface.
31. Donswamus Bay remains unlocated.
32. Thomas W. Glasgow (1816?-?) arrived on Puget Sound in January, 1847. In
1848 he staked a claim and built a cabin on Whidbey Island; later he abandoned
this claim and settled near Fort Nisqually.
33. George Abernethy (1808-1877) was governor of Oregon Territory from 1845-
49.
34. James Birnie (1804-1864) was born in Scotland and came to the Northwest in
1818 to work for the North West Fur Company and later for the Hudson’s Bay
Company. In 1845 he left the employ of the H.B.C. and settled and farmed at
Cathlamet.
