Edward Evans Parrish papers

Collection

Identifier: Mss 648

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection contains the diaries of Edward Evans Parrish, written from 1854 to 1873, with many gaps. In these he records daily events, farm life, family news, and his religious convictions. Other materials consist of poetry and related papers of Edward Parrish; the diary of Parrish's daughter, Rachel Marinda Parrish Knox, written on a trip to San Jose, California; and extensive biographical and genealogical information by James M. Knox, a descendant of Parrish. Typed transcriptions of selected diaries and other items are also included.

Dates

1854-2001
Majority of material found within 1854-1876

Creator

Parrish, Edward Evans, 1791-1874 (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 / Historical

Edward Evans Parrish, the son of Edward and Rachel Evans Parrish, was born in Monongalia County, West Virginia, in 1791. He came overland to the Oregon Country in 1844 and eventually settled in Marion County, Oregon, first at a farm near Parrish Gap, then in Jefferson City, to which he moved in 1865. Around 1873, he moved to the farm of his daughter and son-in-law, Rachel and Samuel Knox, near Knox Butte, Linn County, Oregon. Parrish died in 1874.

Extent

0.7 Cubic Feet (2 document cases)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Diaries of Edward Evans Parrish (1791-1874), an Oregon pioneer, preacher, and farmer of Marion County. Also includes poetry; related papers; a travel diary of Parrish's daughter Rachel Marinda Parrish Knox; transcriptions of diaries; and biographical information written by James M. Knox, a descendant of Parrish.

Custodial History

The diaries were handed down through the Parrish and Knox families and were given to the Oregon Historical Society by Edward Parrish's great-great grandson, James M. Knox.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of James M. Knox, July 2001 (Lib. Acc. 24596).

Related Materials

Two transcriptions of an 1843-1944 diary kept by Edward Evans Parrish during his overland journey to the Oregon Country are also held at the Oregon Historical Society Research Library: "The Oregon trail diary of Edward Evans Parrish in 1844" (published 1988), call number 917.8 P261o 1988; and "An 1844 overland diary" (published 1976), call number 9679.105 P2618ov, 1976L. The original diary is held at the Idaho State Historical Society, MS 2/0226.