Henry Allyn diary and cartes-de-visite

Collection

Identifier: Coll 936

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection contains an original diary kept by Henry Allyn, a typescript copy of the diary, and three cartes-de-visite photographs of Allyn and his family. The diary, which covers the period in 1853 when Allyn emigrated to Oregon, describes his journey in considerable detail, including weather; scenery; wildlife; the activities of the emigrant party; and the emigrant party's interactions with others, including Native peoples. A few entries from August 1853 were written by Allyn's son James while Allyn was sick. The typescript copy of the diary has some red pen markings on it.

The cartes-de-visites in the collection depict Allyn and his wife, Sarah Allyn; Allyn as an elderly man; and Allyn's son Ephraim Allyn.

Dates

Creation: circa 1850-1875
Creation: Majority of material found within 1853 March 28-September 6

Creator

Allyn, Henry, 1794-1880 (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

Henry Allyn (1794-1880) emigrated to Oregon in 1853.

Sources: Vital records on Ancestry.com; "Emigrants to Oregon in 1853," compiled by Stephanie Flora, oregonpioneers.com, http://oregonpioneers.com/1853.htm

Extent

0.1 Cubic Feet (2 folders in shared box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Original and typescript copy of a diary that Henry Allyn (1794-1880) wrote during his overland journey to Oregon, and three cartes-de-visite photographs of Allyn and his family. Allyn emigrated to Oregon in 1853.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

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

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Donald C. Ukkestad, September 2002 (Lib. Acc. 24763).

Existence and Location of Copies

A handwritten transcript of Allyn's diary is included in the Overland journeys to the Pacific collection, Mss 1508, Oregon Historical Society Research Library. Allyn's journal was also published in "Transactions of the Forty-Ninth Annual Reunion of the Oregon Pioneer Association, Portland, June 26, 1921," 1924.