Robertson and Corbett family correspondence

Collection

Identifier: Coll781

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection primarily consists of letters written by members of the Robertson and Corbett families. The majority of loose letters are addressed to Thomas Robertson (1817-1900) and Mary Freeland Robertson (1822-1879), and include letters from their son W. E. Robertson and from Emily Alvord, wife of Benjamin Alvord. Box 2 contains a binder compiled by Thomas Robertson (1881-1924), which houses letters to the Corbetts and Robertsons, particularly letters from Caroline ("Cara") Corbett, along with some ephemera. A transcript to the letters in the binder, along with genealogical information, made by Mary Couch Robertson Butler and Mary Caroline ("Ma'Carry") Hull, is housed in Box 1, folder 11. Additional materials include a newspaper clipping of President Andrew Johnson's farewell address and a photograph of Thomas Robertson (1881-1924).

Dates

1827-1996
Majority of material found within 1854-1870

Creator

Robertson family (Creator, Family)

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

The Corbett and Robertson families were among the early settlers of Portland, Oregon in the 1850s. Henry Winslow Corbett (1827-1903) established a merchandising business, while Thomas Robertson (1817-1900) established a wholesale hardware business, Foster and Robertson. These firms merged in 1892 as Corbett, Failing & Robertson. The families were also linked through the marriage of Thomas Robertson and Mary Freeland Corbett (1822-1879). Caroline Jagger ("Cara") Corbett (1829-1865) was a sister-in-law of Mary Freeland Corbett Robertson, and wife of Henry Winslow Corbett.

Extent

0.52 Cubic Feet (1 slim document case, 1 flat box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Letters and other materials written by and to members of the Robertson and Corbett families in the 19th century, plus transcripts of some letters, along with other materials.

Arrangement

Loose materials and transcription are housed in Box 1; binder is housed in Box 2.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Access to the binder in Box 2 is restricted for preservation purposes; researchers are asked to use the typescript version of the binder's contents instead.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Mary Couch Robertson Butler, March 30, 1996 (Lib. Acc. 22636).

Related Materials

Additional materials relating to the Robertson family are housed in Coll 784, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.

Additional materials relating to the Corbett family are housed in Mss 1110 and Coll 592, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.