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Cage 142
Marcus and Narcissa Whitman
Papers, 1823-1961

The Marcus and Narcissa Whitman Papers were secured by Dr. Clifford M. Drury for his biographies of Pacific Northwest missionaries.  He placed them in theWashington State University Libraries (MS83-42) between 1940 and 1961. This inventory, prepared by Paul Green in December 1983, replaces a 1972 register now lost.

BIOGRAPHY

Marcus Whitman was born on September 4, 1802 in Rushville, New York. His father's early death necessitated his living with relatives from 1810 to 1820. During this time he was educated and received religious instruction.  He received his medical degree in 1824 and practiced medicine for several years in Canada, was ordained for the ministry in 1834, and married in early 1836. Narcissa Prentiss Whitman was born March 14, 1808 in Prattsburgh, New York. She attended Franklin Academy and Collegiate Institute and later a female seminary in Troy, New York that specialized in the training of teachers.  Following the completion of her studies she taught in several places. The Whitmans arrived in the Oregon Territory in 1836 and settled near Fort Walla Walla, where Whitman cultivated land and practiced medicine and Mrs. Whitman started an Indian school. In 1842, he travelled to the east to argue against the closing of the Oregon Missions. On his return, he led the first major emigrant wagon train to Oregon, the forerunner of the American settlement. On November 29, 1847, Whitman, his wife, and twelve others were killed by Indians.

ARRANGEMENT AND DESCRIPTION

The Marcus and Narcissa Whitman Papers range in date from 1823 to 1961 (the bulk of them being from 1835 to 1846--approximately the time of their missionary work in the Oregon Territory and consist of a collection of materials by and about the Whitmans). Most of the papers are transcribed or reproduced from the originals although a few very early originals are included in the collection. The collection is composed of correspondence, photographs, church records and deeds, newspaper clippings and other papers. Those papers of Jonathan Pratt relating to Marcus Whitman have been included here; additional Pratt papers may be found in Cage 4004. The arrangement of the collection was not altered during the preparation of this new register.