Papers of John Ball (1794-1884), including ones relating to his meteorological and geological observations of the Northwest, and correspondence of his daughters with others about Ball and his papers. Ball accompanied Nathaniel J. Wyeth's 1832 expedition to Oregon, worked as a teacher for John McLoughlin, and briefly farmed in French Prairie before returning to the eastern United States in late 1833.

Collection consists of typescript and microfilmed copies, made by the Oregon Historical Society Research Library from materials in its collections, of papers relating to Nathaniel J. Wyeth. Collection includes typescript copies, 1832-1901, of correspondence with John Ball and others, lectures and lecture notes, Indian vocabulary, and documents relating to Columbia River Fishing & Trading Company. The microfilm contains these and additional documents.