MsSC 166

 

MONTGOMERY, John, papers. 24 items

 

Abstract: John Montgomery came from Scotland to the Oregon Territory in 1838, and in 1851 was employed by the Hudson’s Bay Company at Fort Nisqually.

 

Biography: John Montgomery (1817/19--) was born in Scotland and came to the Oregon Territory in 1838. He was employed by the Hudson’s Bay Company at Fort Nisqually in 1851, although he had declared his intention to become a U.S. citizen in 1849. Montgomery filed a Donation Land Claim in 1853 and built a barn and sturdy log cabin on his 320-acre claim.

 

When the Indian Wars broke out in 1855, he offered his barn as a storehouse for military supplies. Known as “Camp Montgomery,” it became a post of some importance. After the declaration of martial law in Pierce County by Governor Stevens, Territorial Supreme Court Justice Edward Lander attempted to hold civilian court and was arrested and held at Camp Montgomery.

 

In 1854 he married “Isabella” and in 1864 he married “Elizabeth,” both probably Native women, as it was not customary to list only a woman’s first name. The 1854 marriage certificate is simply a half-sheet of sheet of paper on which is written:

 

                                    Married on 11th June 1854

                                    by George Brown J.P.

                                    John Montgomery to

                                    Isabella

                                    Witness

                                    M.B. Bowles

                                    John McLeod

 

John McLeod was also a witness to Montgomery’s second marriage.

 

Scope and content: The collection is fragmentary. However, it provides interesting insights into the life of a young Scot immigrant and Hudson’s Bay Company employee in the Oregon and later Washington Territories. The various receipts give an idea as the early commerce of the area.

 

Of particular interest are the letters from Montgomery’s family in Scotland. The long intervals in communication and the rumors that he had died provide an interesting view of the family dynamic. The letters contain extensive news about family members in Scotland, deaths of children, and other tidbits of interest to someone in a distant land. Whether or not Montgomery could read or write is not clear.

 

Also of interest are the two marriage certifications for Montgomery and two apparently Native women, which list only first names without family names.

 

Inclusive dates: 1850-1875

Restrictions: None

Volume: 24 items

Accession number: 1920.96

 

Folder             Contents

 

1                    1850, February 16. Stornoway [Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, Scotland]. Angus McDonald to John Montgomery (JM). Repeatedly berates JM for not writing to his elderly mother or sending her money. McDonald had served at Fort Nisqually and asks to be remembered to his old acquaintances there.

 

1852, October 10. Nisqually, [Oregon Territory]. William F. Tolmie to JM. Manuscript copy of agreement providing for payment of a horse, a cow, and a breeding sow” upon termination of JM’s employment with HBC.

 

1853, October 25. Oregon City, [O.T.] John B. Preston, Surveyor General of Oregon, to JM. Notifying him that his 320 Donation Land Claim has been filed in the office.

 

1853, November 18. Surveyor General of Oregon to JM. Notifying him that his claim on unsurveyed land has been filed.

 

1854, June 11. Marriage certification, JM to Isabella.

 

1855, June 18. Nisqually. JM to W. F. Tolmie. Promissory note for $150.00.

 

1857[?]. JM’s claim again the U.S. Government for “losses sustained at the hands of the Indians during the war of 1855 & 1856” in the amount of $2240.00

 

1857, Februrary 1. W. F. Tolmie to JM [per Edward Huggins], allowing payment in nails from the Spanaway Station of the Puget Sound Agricultural Company.

 

1858, February 25. G. Williams, Sheriff of Pierce County, to JM. Receipt for 1857 taxes.

 

1858, April 29. W. F. Tolmie to JM. Statement of JM’s indebtedness to the Hudson’s Bay Company.

 

1858, 25 June. HBC to JM, statement of indebtedness for “5 plain blankets 3 pts. best.”

 

1858, November 11. Fort Montgomery, W.T. JM to Kitsap (Indian), statement of goods (clothing, food, etc.). Two copies.

 

1859, July 12. Island of Lewis, Balallan Lochs by Stornoway. Christina Montgomery McLeod to JM. Family thought he was dead since they hadn’t heard from him in nine years. His mother had died. Much family news and a note appended from John McLeod, his nephew.

 

Undated. “Plot of Jno. Montgomery claim.”

 

Undated. Plat of John Montgomery claim and adjacent Fred Meyer claim. On linen.

 

2                    1860, December 6. Sheriff of Pierce County. Receipt for 1860 taxes.

 

1864, March 19. Edward Huggins, Agent for Puget Sound Agricultural Company, Nisqually, receipt to JM for “One brown Mare, old, branded P.S,  and one yearling filly, sorrel color.”

 

1864, November 26. Marriage certification of JM to Elizabeth. Two copies.

 

1869, November 12. John Latham for Edward Huggins, receipt to JM for monies paid on account.

 

1873, June 18. Marks and brands of John Montgomery.

 

1874, April 8. New York. C.K. Montgomery to JM. Regarding CKM’s father, Angus Montgomery.