Walker, Mary Richardson, 1811-1897

Elkanah and Mary Richardson Walker, pioneer missionaries, were sent by the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions to the Oregon Mission. The Walkers and one other couple, Cushing and Myra Eells, established the mission at Tshimakain in 1838, to work with the Spokane Indians. Mary was born and educated in Maine, and married Elkanah because the Board wanted to send married couples. The Board closed the mission in 1848 after the Whitmans were killed. The Walkers eventually settled near what is now Forest Grove, Oregon. Elkanah pastored a church, and was also instrumental in starting the Tualatin Academy in Forest Grove, which later became Pacific University. Mary died in 1897 in Forest Grove, having survived her husband by twenty years.

From the description of Spokane Indian -- English Dictionary, 1838-1848. (Spokane Public Library). WorldCat record id: 743358373

Elkanah and Mary Walker served the Spokane Indians at Tshimakain Mission from 1839-1848, under the auspices of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions.

From the description of Diary, 1838. (Oregon Historical Society Research Library). WorldCat record id: 31784104

Reverend Elkanah Walker (1805-1877) was a pioneer Congregational missionary in Oregon and Washington. He was born in North Yarmouth, Maine and graduated form Bangor Theological Seminary in 1837. Following his ordination in 1838, he came overland to the Oregon Country to serve the Spokane Indians, bringing along his bride Mary Richardson Walker (1811-1897), with whom he would have seven children. The Walkers established their mission at Tshimakain (the place of the springs), where they studied the native language and prepared a primer which was published by the Mission Press at Lapwai. After the Whitman massacre, the Walkers moved to Oregon City where they assisted in the organization of the Congregational Association. In 1848 they helped establish the Tualatin Academy at Forest Grove, and they moved to the area in 1850 to begin farming. They lived there the rest of their lives, taking an active role in religious and educational matters. Elkanah Walker died on November 21, 1877, and his wife Mary lived until 1896.

From the guide to the Elkanah and Mary Walker papers, 1828-1885, (Oregon Historical Society)

Walker and her husband were missionaries who traveled to the Oregon Territory from Maine.

From the description of Portion of diary of Mary Richardson Walker : ms., 1838 June 18-July 13. (University of California, Berkeley). WorldCat record id: 25728350