first permanent white resident of
- Isaac N. Ebey, letter to his brother Winfield S. Ebey, regarding life at his property near Port Townsend, and the possible formation of a new Territory, April 20, 1853 (digitalcollections.lib.washington.edu)
Isaac N. Ebey writes to his brother Winfield S. Ebey to tell him about his life at his property near Port Townsend. He mentions waiting to hear word from the U.S. Congress regarding the possible formation of a separate northern territory (Washington Territory). Isaac discusses the growth of crops on his land, including potatoes, barley and wheat. Isaac also mentions that milk cows and oxen are expensive. Isaac asks Winfield if he has received any of the newspapers that he has purchased subscriptions to for him, including the “Columbian” and the “Statesman.” He points out that the land Donation Act has been renewed by Congress and tells his brother that he should move to the territory next year. He promises to send more money to Winfield and explains that any gap in sending money is due to Isaac’s spending on his own family and paying off old debts. He observes that many ships have passed through the Puget Sound and predicts that the area will be known for its commerce soon.
looking the pioneer that he was
- These Indians are of the Clallam tribe. They all claim to be chiefs, and their names have been given to them by the whites. A man named Hancock, of Port Townsend, gave me some information concerning an old man named Church, who had been killed on Whidby Island. He believed the Indians had killed & the Indians claim that he was killed by a Kikealis. I was told also that Col. Eby, the newly appointed collector of the post, can give me some definite knowledge, as he was on the coroner’s inquest. The colonel lives directly opposite on Whidby island. His residence is visible, as it is only six miles across the straits at this point.
- May 29th [of 1853]. The doctor [John Miller Haden] and I, piloted by Col. Eby, tramped to a little settlement on Penn’s cove, called Coveland. Here Capt. Boscoe and Dr. Lansdale were holding claims preparatory to the inauguration of a big city, which, however, can only be realized after they have provided a water supply for the future occupants. Dr. Lansdale lives in a little hut on the edge of the prairie at the head of the cove. Capt. Boscoe was building a trading store.
- The 30th [May 1853]. was spent in visitng old man Crockett, who with a large family was located on the prairie on the top of Admiralty head. A large number of Suqualmish Indians engaged in gathering camas were encamped on the bay.17 From them the doctor [John Miller Haden] and [Edmond] Starling succeeded in procuring transporation to Steilacoom. For this reason the doctor and Starling had come to the island with me. They were prettily fooled by Col. Eby, on whom they expected to impose, as the colonel was going to Olympia to assume his office as successor to [Abram Benton] Moses, and they planned to return at his expense.
- When, however, the doctor [John Miller Haden] and the agent [Edmond Starling] made their proposal to the new collector [Isaac Ebey], the latter said that he could not leave immediately on account of his wife. When, however, they returned from Admiralty bay with their canoe, and guide, the sly colonel changed his mind and said he would go with them, so the original plan was inverted, much to the disgust of Starling and the doctor. The agent had been of little use on the trip. In his official position he had completely failed, and in his promises to supply us with game and to be of practical assistance in several ways, he had “slipped up,” in addition to which he was exceedingly irritable when twitted with his shortcomings.
- Isaac N. Ebey (Wikipedia)
Colonel Isaac Neff Ebey (January 22, 1818 – August 11, 1857) was the first permanent white resident of Whidbey Island, Washington.
