James Bowles Stephens collection

Collection

Identifier: Mss2029

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Collection includes a manuscript bond of James Bowles Stephens and Gideon Tibbetts, August 30, 1852, for Stephens to keep a ferry across the Willamette River opposite Portland; manuscript articles of agreement between Stephens and Joseph Knott, March 25, 1861, and January 24, 1862, for rights to Stephens' ferry franchise; and a typescript photocopy of "James B. Stephens: The Life and Times of Portland's First Ferryman" by Edmund G. Fisher, 42 pages, circa 1983.

Dates

1852-1983
Majority of material found within 1852-1862

Creator

Stephens, James Bowles, 1806-1889 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

The Oregon Historical Society owns the materials in the Research Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from copyright owners.

Biographical note

James B. Stephens (1806-1889) was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania. He worked as a cooper, and in 1844, he traveled overland to Oregon. Settling first in Oregon City, he came to the new town of Portland in 1845 and built the first house opposite the townsite on the east side of the Willamette River. He operated the horse-powered Stark Street Ferry, contracted with the Hudson's Bay Company to supply barrels, transported soldiers during the Yakima Indian wars in the mid-1850s, and laid out the townsite of East Portland. He died in 1889 and is buried in Lone Fir Cemetery.

Extent

0.1 Cubic Feet (2 folders in shared box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

James B. Stephens (1806-1889) was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania. In 1844, he traveled overland to Oregon. Settling first in Oregon City, he came to the new town of Portland in 1845. He operated the horse-powered Stark Street Ferry and laid out the townsite of East Portland. Collection includes a manuscript bond of James Bowles Stephens and Gideon Tibbetts, August 30, 1852, for Stephens to keep a ferry across the Willamette River opposite Portland; manuscript articles of agreement between Stephens and Joseph Knott, March 25, 1861, and January 24, 1862, for rights to Stephens' ferry franchise; and a typescript photocopy of "James B. Stephens: The Life and Times of Portland's First Ferryman" by Edmund G. Fisher, circa 1983.