Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 22.djvu/247

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LETTERS OF REV. WILLIAM M. ROBERTS 237

in the same parsonage A. F. Waller, formerly stationed at the Dalles of the Columbia but who since the transfer of that station to Doct. Whitman in September last has been labouring with brother Wilber. Brother Waller's family consists of himself, wife, 2 children under 14 and over 7 and 3 under 7 years of age. There are on this circuit 115 members and two Sabbath Schools one at the Institute and the other at the Santi Am. 5 Here are 9 officers and teachers 48 scholars and upwards of 150 vol. in the library.

My own family resides at Oregon City and consists of my wife and self and two children one over and the other under 7 years of age. The young man already spoken of and one orphan child 13 years of age who was in the family of Doct. Whitman at the time of the massacre and whose two brothers were butchered at the same time, her name is Catharine Segar. Occasionally the work of the mission allows me to be at home at which time I assist Broth Leslie in his work in this city and its vicinity. The two brothers employed by Bro. Gary and who yet continue to labour are Wm. Helm and J. L. Parrish besides I have just engaged two others John McKinney and James O. Rayner. Josiah L. Parrisli lives at the Institute and has charge of the Yamhill circuit. He is a Local Deacon from the bounds of the Gennesee conference and came here as a secular member of the mission 1849. His family consists of himself, wife, and three children two under 14 years and over 7 and one under 7 years of age ; his circuit was reported last year to have 135 members in Society but no Sabboth Schools. Broth J. O. Rayner is appointed to labour with him he is a young man 23 years of age of vigerous health and so far as we can ascertain possesses such gifts and graces as will render him useful to the Church. He traveled two years in the Iowa Conference. Six months under the P. E. [Presid- ing Elder] and about 18 months on trial when he was permitted by the proper authorities to come to this country chiefly on account of his health, he came in the last emigration and is well recommended having the certificate of his standing as a local preacher from the preacher in charge of the circuit on which he traveled.

Wm. Helm is appointed to the Calapoya circuit which com- prises the tract of country above the Santi Am on the east and the Rickreal on the west side of the Walamet river he expects to reside on the circuit. His family consists of him-

5 Santiam river, written by some during early days a* "Santa Ana" or called "Santa Ann' Fork."