Letters from the Rees Family of Ohio and Oregon. The Rees Family, which was originally from Delaware, had migrated over several generations from the East Coast to Ohio, and then on to Oregon and other western states. This collection centers on the Oregon branch of the family, particularly Willard Hall Rees, who came to Oregon in 1844 in the same party as John Minto and Cornelius Gilliam. Also of note in the collection are letters related to two Rees sons who served on the Union Side in the Civil War. One, David Austin Rees, died at Kennesaw Mountain. The other, Corwin Pottenger Rees, went on to travel around the world with the Navy.
Creator
Rees Family
Source
Rees Family Correspondence, Pacific University Archives
Letter addressed to Willard Hall Rees from his mother Elizabeth Stout Rees about life at home in Ohio. She tells Willard how she was unable to write back sooner because of the harsh winter. Willard's siblings have all recently had children adding to their family. Elizabeth goes on and discusses other happenings in their town and people he may know. The final pages of this letter were lost. The original letter is accompanied by a typed transcript. This is one item from the Rees Family Correspondence Collection, which includes many letters between family members in Oregon and Ohio.
Letter addressed to Willard Hall Rees from his mother, Elizabeth Stout Rees about life at home in Ohio. His mother updates him on his siblings, some of which he has never met, and other things happening in Ohio. She talks about the success of the farm and some local gossip on people he grew up with. The original letter is accompanied by a typed transcript. This is one item from the Rees Family Correspondence Collection, which includes many letters between family members in Oregon and Ohio.
Letter addressed to Willard Hall Rees from his neighbor Dave Crawford. Dave is updating him on the current life events happening in his life and the boy his wife and him are watching for a short time. This is one item from the Rees Family Correspondence Collection, which includes many letters between family members in Oregon and Ohio.
Letter addressed to Elizabeth Rees about her grandson and a fire in Portland. There was a fire in Portland that burned down twenty-three blocks, resulting in a million dollars worth of damage. He then proceeds to talk about his son, Willard Clay Rees, and his bright future he sees for him. Willard attached a photo of himself and two of his son for his mother to see and pass on to his sisters Olivia and Ellen. The original letter is accompanied by a typed transcript. This is one item from the Rees Family Correspondence Collection, which includes many letters between family members in Oregon and Ohio.
Letter addressed to Elizabeth Rees, mother to Corwin Pottenger Rees who is currently serving in the U.S.S. He is writing to his mother to keep her updated about his life, his living conditions and what is going on where he is located. Corwin ensures his mother that he is healthy and full of happiness. This is one item from the Rees Family Correspondence Collection, which includes many letters between family members in Oregon and Ohio.
Letter addressed to Thomas Clayton Rees from his neighbor David Crawford. The letter is for the neighbors to get to know each other, so David stars out by introducing himself and his wife in the letter. David describes himself, what he does every day and refers to himself as 'Old Dave'. Then Dave proceeds to introduce his wife 'Old Margaret', who takes great care of him, the house and their animals. The original letter is accompanied by a typed transcript. This is one item from the Rees Family Correspondence Collection, which includes many letters between family members in Oregon and Ohio.
Letter addressed to Elizabeth Rees from her son Corwin Pottenger Rees who is traveling around the Mexican Coast. He has just arrived in Mazatlan, Mexico from San Francisco, California, all places he has seen on a previous cruise. The city he had previously stayed in was San Blas, a place he wishes to never to return to because of the poverty it has been over taken with. He tells his mother that he hopes to be able to write more often and hopes his family is doing well. The original letter is accompanied by a typed transcript. This is one item from the Rees Family Correspondence Collection, which includes many letters between family members in Oregon and Ohio.
Letter addressed to Dave to update him on the life of the man who had written the letter. There is no name signed to this letter, but this man talks about his personal life and his religious beliefs. This is one item from the Rees Family Correspondence Collection, which includes many letters between family members in Oregon and Ohio.
Letter to Elizabeth Rees from her cousin Sue from Delaware. Sue writes this letter reminding Elizabeth all the great memories they shared as children; each memory vividly retold in the letter. Sue also writes about her current life, but misses her old life with Elizabeth's parents. The original letter is accompanied by a typed transcript. This is one item from the Rees Family Correspondence Collection, which includes many letters between family members in Oregon and Ohio.
Letter addressed to one of the Rees daughters from their aunt Jane Spruance, sister to Elizabeth Rees. Sewell Green Rees had been visiting with Jane in Delaware to reconnect with family, the night before his departure Jane decides to write a letter for him to take back home. The letter is not specific to which of her neiees, but updates them on the current events of her life, while also hoping that she will soon visit. The aunt mentions multiple times how much it would mean to her if one of her nieces would come visit her, she expresses much grief over this subject. Jane ends the letter wondering about her sister's health and looking forward to hearing back soon. The original letter is accompanied by a typed transcript. This is one item from the Rees Family Correspondence Collection, which includes many letters between family members in Oregon and Ohio.
Letter addressed to Mr. Carroll from McDonough Bainbridge describing his journey through different farmlands. McDonough proceeds to inform Mr. Carroll that Portland is the most inhabited city in Oregon at the time, but just twelve miles away is some of the best farmland in the country. McDonough explains how his brother, Willard Hall's, farm is coming along and how he has had a lot of success. Originally Mrs. Carroll had mailed a letter that was received by McDonough, so he expressed his gratitude for that and wishes to see them both sometime soon. The original letter is accompanied by a typed transcript. This is one item from the Rees Family Correspondence Collection, which includes many letters between family members in Oregon and Ohio.
Letter addressed to Elizabeth Rees from her son Corwin Pottenger Rees about his cruise around South America. Corwin tells his mother about the terrible and wonderful weather they have been having while also asking about some local news from his home town. The original letter is accompanied by a typed transcript. This is one item from the Rees Family Correspondence Collection, which includes many letters between family members in Oregon and Ohio.
Letter addressed to Elizabeth Rees from her son Corwin Portenger Rees, who is currently serving the Union during the Civil War. Corwin had recently been promoted to Head Quarters 2nd Division 13th A. C. The last letter Corwin had written to his mother he was in Nashville, but had recently just marched 470 miles to somewhere unnamed. He ensures his mother multiple times throughout the letter that he is in good health, has clothing to keep him warm and protected, shoes to cover his feet and food to keep him nourished. With the promotion Corwin received he also had the luxury of receiving new shoes before the seven week march, a luxury most of the men did not have. The original letter is accompanied by a typed transcript. This is one item from the Rees Family Correspondence Collection, which includes many letters between family members in Oregon and Ohio.
Letter addressed to David Austin Rees notifying him that he has been drafted as a first lieutenant by the command of Brigodier General Lightburn of the Union Army. This is one item from the Rees Family Correspondence Collection, which includes many letters between family members in Oregon and Ohio.
Letter addressed to Elizabeth Rees notifying her of her deceased son, David Austin Rees. David Austin Rees was a first Lieutenant for Sherman's army during the Civil War and was killed during a battle at Kennesaw Mountain. On the back of the letter there is a poem from David's brother Corwin Pottenger Rees, who was also in the Civil War during the same time, but in a different location than his fallen brother. This is one item from the Rees Family Correspondence Collection, which includes many letters between family members in Oregon and Ohio.
Letter addressed to Amanda Rees from her husband Willard Hall Rees expressing his love and longing for her. Willard has been away from Amanda and their children and wishes to return to them. He explains that his illness is better, but not completely gone. Willard then continues to express his love and appreciation for Amanda in the hopes that she will forgive him for leaving her and their children. Willard says goodbye to Amanda without being clear as to why he is saying goodbye. The original letter is accompanied by a typed transcript. This is one item from the Rees Family Correspondence Collection, which includes many letters between family members in Oregon and Ohio.
Letter addressed to Elizabeth Rees from her son Corwin Pottenger Rees, who is currently serving the Union during the Civil War. Had just arrived in Nashville where they found Hood's army drawn in front of their lines threatening the city. Corwin continues to explain to his mother that there is battle occurring where he is, but has been fortunate enough to not be injured so far. Corwin feels confident that they will defeat the Confederate army in these upcoming battles. The original letter is accompanied by a typed transcript. This is one item from the Rees Family Correspondence Collection, which includes many letters between family members in Oregon and Ohio.
Letter was addressed to Elizabeth Rees from her son David Austin Rees from Memphis, Tennessee. He is currently waiting to see if the rebels will possess the city, or if they should move on with their travels. David talks of rumors every day that there may be an attack on them, but none yet. His mother had been concerned about his health in a previous letter since his past history with illness and that type of climate does not go well together. David ensures his mother that his health is great along with other men who haven't had great health in the past but now do. He gives his regards to his mother and father, while also saying he will be more prompt with answering their letters. This is one item from the Rees Family Correspondence Collection, which includes many letters between family members in Oregon and Ohio.
Letter was addressed to Mr. Chack from Sewell Green Rees updating him on the foolish politics he had witnessed that day. Sewell lives in Oregon; he had just been to the Oregon Senator's speech and had left with some strong opinions. Sewell states that the Senator and his other workers are not very intelligent, making foolish mistakes while also stating that he may not get much accomplished while in the Senate. The Senator does ensuring the people of Portland that Lincoln would soon be elected. As poorly as Sewell speaks about the Oregon Senator he later states in the letter that he, along with most of Portland, accept the Senator for better or for worse. The original letter is accompanied by a typed transcript. This is one item from the Rees Family Correspondence Collection, which includes many letters between family members in Oregon and Ohio.
Letter was addressed to Olivia Rebecca Rees, who at the time lived in Ohio, from her brother McDonough Bainbridge Rees, who lived in Oregon. McDonough had recently returned from the mines and was just now having the opportunity to respond to all his letters. McDonough was happy to hear from his sister Olivia and wishes to come visit home, Ohio. He is currently living with McCullough who is an Universalist. Most of the family that lives in Oregon have started to attend Universalist Church. He tells Olivia that their brother Willard Hall Rees would desperately like to hear back from her, and is now the strongest in Universalist faith of them all. Willard Hall has recently had his last child named David Crawford, named after Willard's friend. Since Olivia lives in Ohio, McDonough updates her on her other brothers that live in Oregon as well. Raymond and McDonough plan on making a trip to Ohio to visit with family in the fall. The original letter is accompanied by a typed transcript. This is one item from the Rees Family Correspondence Collection, which includes many letters between family members in Oregon and Ohio.
Letter addressed to Elizabeth Rees, mother to Raymond Ringhold Rees, updating her on her son's life in Oregon. Raymond starts the letter by stating he has nothing interesting to tell her, but feels as though he should write to her because that is what an ideal son does. Tells his mother that his brother, Sewell Green Rees, is enjoying his new job on the farm. He hopes to hear from his younger brothers, whom he vaguely remembers because of their young age when he left for Oregon. The original letter is accompanied by a typed transcript. This is one item from the Rees Family Correspondence Collection, which includes many letters between family members in Oregon and Ohio.
Letter addressed to Olivia Rebecca Rees from her brother Willard Hall Rees updating her on his life for the past sixteen years. Willard comments on the politics going on during this time, but focuses mainly on describing Oregon to his sister, Olivia. Willard has just received land and would like Olivia, the rest of the Ohio family and the East Coast family to join him on the West Coast. Trying to convince his family to move, Willard talks about the weather and how it is pleasant during the winter unlike winters in Ohio, Iowa and Kansas. Willard updates Olivia on his personal life regarding his wife and six children. Even though he has been absent for the past sixteen years he wishes to get back into communication with Olivia, his mother and other family members. The original letter is accompanied by a typed transcript. This is one item from the Rees Family Correspondence Collection, which includes many letters between family members in Oregon and Ohio.
Letter addressed to Elizabeth Griffin (Rees) from her cousin S. M. Griffin notifying her that she has recently moved to Springfield, Ohio and would like to meet up. S. M. Griffin hopes to reunite with Elizabeth since now she lives closer to her than before. This is one item from the Rees Family Correspondence Collection, which includes many letters between family members in Oregon and Ohio.
Letter addressed to Olivia Rebecca Rees from N. W. Carroll catching her up on local politics. Carroll talks about the adjourned meeting to allow the Democrats to have a chance to attend the convention. Carroll hopes that Olivia will write back soon with news about her life. The original letter is accompanied by a typed transcript. This is one item from the Rees Family Correspondence Collection, which includes many letters between family members in Oregon and Ohio.
