Smith, Asa Bowen, 1809-1886

Smith was a missionary in Oregon and Hawaii. He was sent in 1838 to Oregon by the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. In 1842 he became a missionary in Hawaii. He returned to the Northeast in 1846, and became a pastor of the Buckland Congregational church.

From the description of Asa Bowen Smith correspondence, 1832-1859. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 702138474

Asa Bowen Smith, Congregational missionary, was born July 16, 1809 in Williamstown, Vermont. Shortly after his ordination in 1836, Smith was appointed as a missionary to Oregon under the authority of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. In 1838, Smith and his new bride, Sarah Gilbert White, traveled overland and settled for a short time at Kamiah, southeast of Lapwai. He soon became the chief critic of the Oregon missions and, in particular, Henry H. Spalding. Smith felt that attempts to evangelize and force the resettlement of the Indians were wrong. In 1841, Smith requested and was granted a transfer to the Hawaiian Mission. Asa Bowen Smith died in 1886.

From the description of Papers, 1838-1889. (Oregon Historical Society Research Library). WorldCat record id: 32315716

Indian Missionary, Pacific Northwest.

From the description of Grammar of the Language of the Nez Perces Indians Formerly of Oregon, U.S. : From the manuscript of Rev. A.B. Smith dated Sept. 28, 1840. Now in archives of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, Boston, Mass. Volume 138. 1840 September 28. (Washington State University). WorldCat record id: 39088111

Smith was a soldier for the Union during the American Civil War.

From the description of Army record, 1923. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 83588702