Chloe Clark Willson facts for kids
Chloe Aurelia Clark Willson (born 1818, died 1874) was an important early pioneer in what is now the state of Oregon. She was one of the very first teachers at the Methodist mission in the Willamette Valley. By 1850, she even owned half of the land in Salem, which is now Oregon's capital city.
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Chloe's Early Life and Journey
Chloe Clark was born on April 16, 1818, in East Windsor, Connecticut. She went to school at the Wilbraham Academy. When she was 21 years old, she left New York on a ship called the Lausanne. This journey was part of a big group of new people joining the Methodist Mission in Salem, Oregon. This group was led by a missionary named Jason Lee.
Marriage and Family Life
On August 16, 1840, Chloe married William H. Willson. He is known for helping to found Salem, Oregon. Their wedding took place at the Nisqually Mission. This was the first wedding between American citizens in what is now western Washington. Chloe and William had three daughters: Frances, Laurabelle, and Kate Augusta Lee.
A Pioneer Teacher
Chloe Clark Willson became the first teacher at the Oregon Institute. This school was started after an earlier school for Native American children did not work out. When the Oregon Institute first opened, Chloe was the only teacher. She also acted as a housemother for five white students, who were children of settlers. She taught all the students by herself for two years.
Land Ownership in Salem
The leaders of the Oregon Institute decided to create a town on the school's land. They planned to sell pieces of land to get money for the school and to bring more settlers to the area. In 1846, they chose Dr. William H. Willson to manage this land. He named the new town Salem.
When the Donation Land Claim Law passed in 1850, it meant that the 640 acres of land William held now belonged to both him and his wife, Chloe. William had an agreement with the Oregon Institute to manage the land. However, Chloe did not have such an agreement. This caused some disagreements.
In 1854, they reached a compromise. The land was split in half along State Street. The 320 acres south of the street went to the Institute (which later became Willamette University). The other 320 acres north of the street belonged to Chloe. This northern land is where the Oregon State Capitol building stands today.
After William H. Willson died in 1856, Chloe moved back east. She wanted her daughters to go to school there. She returned to Salem in 1863. She then worked as the Governess of the Ladies Department at Willamette University.
Her Important Diary
Chloe Willson is also well-known for her diary. In this diary, she wrote about her journey to Oregon on the ship Lausanne. She also wrote about her life as a missionary teacher and her later years. Her diary is a very important resource for historians who study this time period. In 1935, her son-in-law, Joseph K. Gill, gave the diary to Willamette University.
Chloe's Legacy
Chloe Clark Willson is remembered in several ways. Chloe Clark Elementary School in DuPont, Washington, is named after her. There is also a statue of her on the school's campus.
See also
In Spanish: Chloe Clark Willson para niños
