John Work papers

Collection

Identifier: Mss 319

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection consists primarily of typescript copies of John Work's journals and letters, most of which were collected by the scholar Isaac Burpee in preparation for a publication in the early 1940s, and by the scholar T. C. Elliott. A typescript of Burpee's book "The story of John Work" (1943) and Burpee's handwritten notes are included in the collection. The Work journals provide details on all aspects of the various expeditions in which he participated. They include observations on flora, fauna, Native peoples, and the logistics of travel and encampment. The collection also includes copies of Work's letters to Edward Ermatinger of the Hudson's Bay Company, and a copy of Work's will.

Microfilm in the collection contains copies of the original manuscript journals of John Work, 1823-1835, along with typescript copies of 1945, both of which are held at the Royal BC Musuem and Archives.

Dates

1823-1945
Majority of material found within 1823-1835

Creator

Work, John, 1792-1861 (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

John Work (originally spelled "Wark") was born around 1792 in Donegal County, Ireland. In 1814, he ran away from home and came to Canada as an employee of the Hudson's Bay Company at York Factory. He rose from steward to clerk and was sent from Hudson's Bay to Fort George (near present-day Astoria, Oregon) in July 1823, along with Peter Skene Ogden. In 1824, he served with an expedition, headed by James McMillan, to find the entrance to the Fraser River. Along the way, he kept a detailed journal, as he would on future ventures. He worked throughout the upper Columbia River area and supervised the building of Fort Colvile in 1825-1826. He was promoted to chief trader in 1830 and succeeded Ogden as head of the Snake River Brigade. In 1831 and 1832, he headed an expedition from Fort Nez Perce to the headwaters of the Missouri River, and back. He then led a hunting expedition in 1832 and 1833 to the Bonaventure Valley by way of Ogden's River, and in 1834 traveled southward from Fort Vancouver to the area that is now Oregon. In late 1834, he left Fort Vancouver by steamer for an exploring mission to the northwest coast of Canada, participated in the building of Fort Simpson, and returned in October of the following year.

Work headed the Hudson's Bay Company operations at Fort Simpson from 1835 to 1849, being promoted to chief factor in 1846. He eventually settled on Vancouver Island and served in the island's first government and legislative council. He died in Victoria, B.C., in 1861 at age 70.

Extent

0.5 Cubic Feet (1 document case, 1 reel microfilm)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Typescript copies of journals and correspondence of John Work, an employee of the Hudson's Bay Company who explored the Pacific Northwest in the 1820s and 1830s. The materials were collected by Isaac Burpee in the 1940s for use in a publication. Also included are Burpee's research notes and microfilm containing copies of John Work's original journals of 1823-1835 and a transcription made in 1945.