A. B. Harden diary and letters

Collection

Identifier: Mss 11

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of a diary and letters of A. B. Harden. The diary details Harden's overland journey to Oregon in 1847, including notations of distances, descriptions of interactions with Indigenous peoples, and mentions of incidents such as the accidental death of an 8-year-old boy in the emigrant party. The diary also covers several months of Harden's life in Oregon, with mentions concerning news of the Whitman killings and the subsequent war between Euro-American emigrants and the Cayuse people.

The letters, addressed to Harden's family, describe life in Oregon and Oregon's climate and people. The letters also discuss developments in the war between Euro-American emigrants and Cayuse people, such as the death of Cornelius Gilliam; list members of the Oregon Provisional Government; and include some poetry by Harden. The collection also includes a photocopy of a letter in which Harden advises his brother, J. D. Harden, to use the southern route when coming to Oregon so as to avoid tolls on the Barlow Road, and on the back of which is a map depicting Astoria and towns in the Willamette Valley.

Dates

1847-1848

Creator

Harden, A. B. (Absalom Benton), 1814-1887 (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

Absalom Benton Harden (1814-1887), known as A. B. Harden in his lifetime, emigrated to Oregon in 1847. By 1852, he had relocated to California.

Sources: Oregonpioneers.com; census and vital records via Ancestry.com.

Extent

0.1 Cubic Feet (3 folders in shared box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Diary of A. B. Harden (1814-1887), who emigrated to Oregon in 1847, and letters to his family. The diary describes Harden's journey to Oregon and his life in Oregon, while the letters include information about life in Oregon, developments in the war between Euro-American emigrants and Liksiyu (Cayuse) people, names of local legislators, and poetry by Harden.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Due to fragility of original, researchers are asked to use the typescript copy of the diary for research.

Other Finding Aids

Harden's diary is described in "Overland passages: a guide to overland documents in the Oregon Historical Society," entry 93, and is also listed in "Platte River road narratives," entry 242.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Letter with map gift of Harriet K. McArthur, May 1905 (RL2022-069-RETRO). Other materials most likely acquired in the early 20th century (RL2022-070-RETRO).

Existence and Location of Originals

Original of letter recommending J. D. Harden use the southern route with a map on the back side is held in Map Collections, G4292.W52 1865 .H37, Oregon Historical Society Research Library, and is viewable online in OHS Digital Collections.