Cornell family papers

Collection

Identifier: Mss 2136

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of the papers of the Cornell family and related families. The bulk of the collection consists of family correspondence, particularly letters sent to Emma J. Royal, daughter of William Cornell and Emily Cornell, as well as some letters that Royal wrote. Other correspondents include Edward W. Cornell, Wilbur F. Cornell, William Cornell, Emily Cornell, S. A. McAlister, Mary McCalister, W. W. Gardner, Mary A. Gardner, and Carrie Royal. The Castle and Parmenter families are also represented. Most correspondence discusses family members' health and activities, though some letters discuss family history, and some letters from Wilbur F. Cornell describe his time in Alaska and Yukon Territory.

The collection also includes photostatic reproductions and typescript copies of the letters of Bertrand Cornell, who emigrated to Oregon in 1852 with his cousin William Cornell and William Cornell's family; these letters describe his journey to Oregon. Also included is a letter to Bertrand Cornell's father, informing him of Bertrand Cornell's death.

Other materials in the collection include certificates, newspaper clippings, and other ephemera; newspaper clippings containing Wilbur F. Cornell's observations about Alaska and the Yukon Territory; genealogical notes; photographs; religious writings; and obituaries.

Dates

Creation: circa 1848-1941

Creator

Cornell family (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

In 1852, Methodist minister William Cornell (1812-1891) and his cousin Bertrand Cornell emigrated to Oregon; Bertrand died soon after reaching Portland. In 1854, William Cornell sent for his wife, Emily Cornell (1820-1888), and their children, Samantha Almira Cornell (later Samantha Almira McAlister, 1839-1896), Wilbur Fisk Cornell (1841-1911), Edward William Cornell (1842-1904), Emma Julia Cornell (later Emma J. Royal, 1850-1940), and Mary Celestia Cornell (later Mary C. Gardner, 1852-1890). The couple had previously had a son, Orlando Castle Cornell (1846-1848) who died in childhood; they later had a fourth son, Holly Austin Cornell (1857-1911).

In addition to his work with the Methodist Episcopal Church, William Cornell worked as a road supervisor, and was in charge of building Cornell Road in Portland. He was also a member of the Oregon Legislature from 1874 to 1876. After coming to Oregon, members of the Cornell family primarily lived in either Portland or Salem, though Wilbur F. Cornell went to Alaska in the 1890s and lived there and in the Yukon Territory, Canada, until his death.

Sources: Articles in the Oregonian and Oregon Journal, 1894-1940; vital records on Ancestry.com; "William Cornell's Journal, 1852, with His Overland Guide to Oregon," by Karen M. Offen and David C. Duniway, Oregon Historical Quarterly, Vol. 79, No. 4, 1978; "Emigrants to Oregon in 1852, Surnames A-I," compiled by Stephanie Flora, oregonpioneers.com, http://oregonpioneers.com/1852_AI.htm.

Extent

0.5 Cubic Feet (1 legal document case; 1 oversize folder (16x20) in shared flat box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Papers of the Cornell family and related families, including family correspondence; letters from Bertrand Cornell (died 1852) describing his journey to Oregon; and letters and newspaper articles by Wilbur F. Cornell (1841-1911) describing Alaska and the Yukon Territory. Methodist minister William Cornell (1812-1891) and his cousin Bertrand Cornell emigrated to Oregon in 1852; Bertrand died soon after the journey. William Cornell brought his family to Oregon in 1854.

Other Finding Aids

Letters of and about Bertrand Cornell are described in Platte River road narratives, entry 1141.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gifts of Oregon State Archives, care of David C. Duniway, in March 1974; Karen Offen in October 1978; and Susannah L. Sherman in July 1981 (Lib. Acc. 12845; RL2022-158-RETRO; Lib. Acc. 15567).

Related Materials

William Cornell's diary from his overland journey to Oregon is designated Mss 290, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.

Processing Information

Initially processed in 2008 or earlier; reprocessed in 2022. Reprocessing included some changes to the collection's arrangement, and the removal of staples from original letters. Includes materials previously designated Mss 2136-1.