Quarto bifolium (ca. 25x20 cm or 9 ¾ x 7 ¾ in). 3 pp. Brown ink on bluish wove paper; addressed and with a postal stamp on the first leaf. Foldmarks, several minor holes on folds, one larger hole affecting two words, a couple of minor tears neatly repaired, paper slightly soiled, but overall a very good letter written in a legible hand.

An interesting original early letter to notable Oregon pioneers Adam and Lucinda Stephens back from their home state of Missouri, illustrating the process of migration to Oregon from the Midwest in the 1850s and the attitudes of the pioneers’ families to their move.

Written with numerous spelling mistakes and addressed to “dear Brother and Sister” “A. & S. Stephens” in “Salem, Oregon Ter.,” the letter by J.W. Gilmore (Lucinda’s brother) starts with the latest news about family and friends, followed by the author’s refusal to move to Oregon as he doesn’t “like the contry from what I have lerned of it” and “I think as like as not I will die in Missouri.” He continues with listing the latest prices for livestock, beef and land and concludes with the discussion of land in their common possession (likely, the estate of their deceased parents of family members).

Adam Stephens and his family came to Oregon in 1849 and “operated the second grocery store in city of Salem” (Mrs. Mary Pruitt, Pioneer, Passes// The Capital Journal, Salem, Oregon, 5 July 1928, p. 9).

“Later in 1850 Adam Stephens purchased a squatter’s right to a donation land claim of nearly 600 acres from one Antone Prestly, paying for the right a pony and a shot gun and a gift of $30 in cash <…> Adam Stephens gave the site for the Hayesville Baptist church. This church was organized March 18, 1888. This building was erected in 1889 and ’90 and dedicated in 1890. <…> Adam Stephens was the first Sunday school superintendent and his daughter, Josephine, or Judy Stephens, as she was better known, was the first organist in the church <…> The Hayesville Baptist church was the nucleus around which the Hayesville Sunday school district convention was organized. This is noted as being the oldest organization of its kind in the world. It was organized in 1893 and is composed of all rural Sunday schools surrounding Salem. <…>

The Hayesville cemetery was also given by Adam Stephens, the first burial there being his one-year-old son, Adam L., in 1858. He was also buried here in 1891 and his wife in 1910, and five of his children also…” (Presidential Candidate Name Betowed Upon Community near Salem// The Capital Journal, Salem, Oregon, 27 March 1931, p. 3). Adam Stephens Middle School in Salem, Oregon, was named after him.

Excerpts from the letter (spelling is original):
“<…> I have nothing strange to rite to you as it has been so long since I have herd from you. I hardly know what to right. <…> Gilliam and Nancy left this fall for Texas. Ned and Jane was parted and came to gather on the consideration of Neds never to bring whisky in the house. They have only one child living the oldest.

I think you wold like to take glance at old Missouri by this time and then you wold not see it all, there is beter contrys than this but I fere Oregon is not. You have been riting to me to come to Oregon but I don’t think I ever will come. I don’t like the contry, from what I have lerned of it I drawn an ide[a] that it is prety near […?] and that I think it is like small potatoes in inlend. Tho not making lite of your contry, we cannot all live in one place, you are there and I am here doing the best I can. This is no one now that lives that I wold like to se beter than you two and family. Tho we hope there is a beter contry than these where we will meat. I am much oblige to you for the offer you made to me to come to the contry.

I think as like as not I will die in Missouri. I have 4 of the pretiest children that be started in this brush and the last in peticaler we call it Margaret Sarah, now it sits on the flore sabiring and now it is bedtime.

Times have improved some here since you were here. Horses are from 1.00 to 1.25, cowes 15 to 25, sheepe 2.50 past 4 etc., beff 6 to 8 etc. per pound, land here from 4 to 10 per acar. Mary sais give her respects to Loucinda and to Gabriela her sis.

Concerning land I rote to you same time since and sent you a deed for you and Loucinda to sign and then send it back iff you all be so kind. Iff you have not got it I wold be glad to no and rite. Any how this land I bought of the boys and they died and left me with out a rite. I came home and got the warent and centered the lane and can’t go to improving it till I get a dead. I lacated the warent in Mangomery Co., Mo. <…>”