Susan Downing Shepard

[sic] any thing I ever saw for beauty sometimes we appear [sic] to be entirely enclosed all around with woodes [sic] and can hardly conceive witch [sic] way we shall come out soon we come to a beautiful little Island at first the river appears so narrow each side of it you could hardly think the ship could go through gradually it opens and the prospect is all new again sometimes [sic] Mount Hellen [sic] and Mount Hood are seen raising up there wite [sic] heads of everlasting snow these are quite an astonishment to me they appear so near.”[1]

Susan Downing was born in Lynn, Massachusetts on December 9, 1803[2] to parents John and Alice Downing.[3]  She was one of ten children[4], of whom eight survived to adulthood.[5]  Her New England ancestral roots go deep, dating back to the 1600s,[6] to some of the earliest settlers of Massachusetts and founders of the township of Lynn.[7]    Her family’s religious roots go back almost as far in the early history of Methodism, being founding members of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Lynn.[8]  It was at this church that she would meet her future husband Cyrus Shepard.[9]

Susan was described by associates as a small, attractive person, much beloved by her companions[10].  She had dark hair and blue eyes,[11] possessed a fine figure,[12] a particularly fine voice,[13] and a keen sense of humor.[14]  A granddaughter would later record, “when she laughed she laughed all over and one just had to laugh with her.”[15]  She also had a deep desire to serve as a teacher and missionary to the Oregon Territory.[16]  Indeed, before her future husband Cyrus left to join the initial missionary party in company with Jason Lee, there was an understanding between them that as soon as a place could be made and permission obtained to travel he would send for her.[17]

On September 22, 1835, Cyrus wrote to her that the time had come. “You in my view seem to be the person destined by providence to share with me the joys and sorrows of this life its trials and cares.  I have therefore thought it fit to write you on this subject and request… you to confer on me the greatest of earthly blessings that of consenting to become my bosom friend and mutual fellow laborer.”[18]  He went on to give instructions for her and practical advice on needed items for her comfort in the damp Oregon weather such as a supply of flannel underclothes, thick shoes and overshoes.[19]  Susan answered this letter in person by traveling to the Oregon Territory with the First Reinforcement of missionaries sent by the mission board in July 1836.[20]

The first leg of their voyage took approximately five months as the ship traveled down the coasts of North and South America, around Cape Horn and broke its journey at the Sandwich Islands, later named Hawaii, two days before Christmas 1836.[21]  Here, the missionary group disembarked and awaited passage on a ship traveling to the Oregon Territory.  Hosted by their Presbyterian brothers and sisters who ran an already established mission and school, the group enjoyed good fellowship and many unusual sites and foods.[22]  While in the islands, a great honor was conferred upon Susan.  Hearing of her excellent culinary baking skills, King Kamehameha III asked her to bake an “American” wedding cake for his wedding on February 4, 1837.[23]  The Oregon mission group remained in the islands for 3 months before passage could be arranged on the brig Diana for the final leg of their journey.[24]

Unfortunately the second leg of their journey did not pass as easily as the first because of the rough weather they encountered[25].  Many of the mission family were sea sick, with the exception of Susan and fellow missionary Elvira Johnson.[26]  The two sisters united in religious purpose, had their hands full; Elvira tending to the ladies below deck and Susan nursing the children on deck.[27]  In a letter dated April 14, 1837 from shipboard Susan writes, “I sat all the morning by the companionway with Sally Ann Beers on one side and Elen [sic] on the other and Ben in my lap, prehaps [sic] all of them vomiting at the same tine [sic], and then a toss of the vessel would set us all on our feet and upset our chares [sic] and the children would all cry as loud as they could screem [sic] but soon we would all get picked up again with the assistance of the Capt… I wish you could have seen me you would have laughed harty [sic].[28]  In a post script to the letter Susan adds, “I have evry [sic] thing I want and my health is perfectly good, I way [sic] a hundred and 17 pounds none of my Sisters can beat that.”  Her keen sense of humor carrying her through.[29]

In May 1837, the ship safely reached Fort Vancouver and the missionary party received a warm welcome from Dr. John McLoughlin, chief factor.[30]  With word of illness back at the mission it was agreed that a small party including Dr. Elijah White would travel swiftly, with no delay.[31]  Susan joined this initial group, anxious to see her fiancé Cyrus after a separation of 3 ½ years.   When they arrived at the mission house, tired from their long ride, a tall fine looking man in a brown linen frock came from the house.[32]  He retreated at the sight of them, blood rushing to his face.[33]  It was Cyrus Shepard.  The contrast in the dress of the two was described by their companions as laughably striking and the face of the gentleman showed that he was keenly aware of it.[34]  Susan finely dressed for a long awaited reunion with her fiancé and Cyrus clothed for work and caring for the sick.

Original Methodist Mission houses sketched by Joseph Drayton during the Wilkes Expedition 1838-1842. M3 1986-007-0002

Susan and Cyrus were married on July 16, 1837 a beautiful Sabbath day;[35] the ceremony taking place in a grove of trees nearby the mission house.  A month later on the 14^th of August they shared a honeymoon trip to the Oregon Coast[36], near present-day Lincoln City, with Rev. Jason Lee and bride Anna Maria, along with guide Joseph Gervais.[37]  They stayed for a week combining visits to the Killamook Indians, enjoying shellfish procured from the sandy beach and invigorating themselves by frequent bathing in the salt water.[38]

Once back at the mission everyone settled into their duties.  Cyrus in charge of the mission school and its pupils, Susan rotating house-keeping duties with the other women.[39]  On August 21, 1838 their first daughter, Anna Maria Lee was born.[40]  A year later in the fall of 1839, Cyrus who suffered from poor health throughout his mission service, developed a scrofulous knee joint, a form of tuberculosis.[41]  It began as a small swollen spot which grew alarming both in size and painfulness.[42]  He was obliged to give up his duties at the school.  In December, after months of bedrest, Dr. White determined that amputation was the best option to save his life.[43]  Cyrus died January 1, 1840[44] and was buried in the mission cemetery.[45]  A few weeks later Susan gave birth to their second daughter, Alice Adams on January 24, 1840.[46] Surely, she was comforted by these words penned by Cyrus back in August of 1837.  “Dearest Susan in body we part, but our souls are united in one.  Then still hast my hand and my heart, till life’s feeble race shall be run.”[47]

In 1841, Susan married Joseph L. Whitcomb,[48] mission farm manager and former first mate on the brig Diana.[49]  Joseph H. Frost in the book Ten Years in Oregon recorded that “Mr. Whitcomb’s constitution was entirely broken down” and it was hoped that a change in climate might be the means of his “restoration to health.”[50]  So the family made plans to return to the East Coast at the suggestion of mission leaders.[51]  With Susan’s careful nursing he survived the journey back home where the family settled in Lynn, Massachusetts in 1843.[52]  Sadly, his health did not recover and he died a few months later.[53]

Back in Lynn, Susan resumed her family and church connections, raised both daughters and later an orphaned granddaughter to adulthood.[54]  In a letter written December 31, 1843 shortly after her return home she reflected that “four years ago this evning [sic] our dear Cyrus breathd [sic] his last and how may [sic] trying scenes I have passed through since that time but through them all the Lord has kindley [sic] led me on and I feel that I have much to be thankful for.”[55]  Susan died on June 30, 1885 at the age of 81 in Lynn, Massachusetts. [56]

[1] Downing, Susan letter dated May 7, 1837, Oregon Historical Society Library MSS 1219

[2] New England Historic Genealogical Society.  Massachusetts, Town Birth Records, 1620-1850 (database on-line)

[3] Ibid

[4] Ibid

[5] New England Historic Genealogical Society.  Inscriptions from the Old Burying Ground, Lynn, Massachusetts (google books)

[6] Genealogical and Personal Memoirs Relating to the Families of Boston and Eastern Massachusetts, Vol. 4 (google books)

[7] The Newhall Family of Lynn, Massachusetts, Part 1, Vol. 18 (google books)

[8] Centennial Anniversary of the First Methodist Episcopal Church (Lynn, Mass.) (google books)

[9] Ibid

[10] Jason Lee, Prophet of the New Oregon, Cornelius J. Brosnan, The Macmillan Company, 1932

[11] The Works of Hubert Howe Bancroft, XXIX, History of Oregon Vol. 1 1834-1848, Hubert Howe Bancroft, The History Company Publishers, San Francisco, 1886

[12] Ibid

[13] Life and Letters of Mrs. Jason Lee, Theressa Gay, Metropolitan Press, Publishers, Portland, Oregon, 1936

[14] Ibid

[15] Ibid

[16] Downing, Susan letter dated December 1836, Oregon Historical Society Library MSS 1219

Shepard, Cyrus letter dated September 22, 1835, Oregon Historical Society Library MSS 1219

[17] The Oregon Statesman (Salem, Ore.) 17 May 1930

[18] Shepard, Cyrus letter dated September 22, 1835, Oregon Historical Society Library MSS 1219

[19] Ibid

[20] Oregon State Archives, Salem, OR. Early Oregonians website

[21] Life and Letters of Mrs. Jason Lee, Theressa Gay, Metropolitan Press, Publishers, Portland, Oregon, 1936

[22] Ibid

[23] The Oregon Statesman (Salem, Ore.) 14 October 1934, p. 4; The Oregon Statesman (Salem, Ore.) 16 October 1934

[24] Life and Letters of Mrs. Jason Lee, Theressa Gay, Metropolitan Press, Publishers, Portland, Oregon, 1936

[25] Ibid

[26] Downing, Susan letter dated April 14, 1837, Oregon Historical Society Library MSS 1219

[27] Ibid

[28] Ibid

[29] Ibid

[30] Life and Letters of Mrs. Jason Lee, Theressa Gay, Metropolitan Press, Publishers, Portland, Oregon, 1936

[31] The Works of Hubert Howe Bancroft, History of Oregon Vol.1 1834-1848, Hubert Howe Bancroft, The History Company Publishers, San Francisco, 1886

[32] Ten Years in Oregon, Travels and Adventures of Doctor E. White and Lady, compiled by Miss A.J. Allen, Press of Andrus, Gauntlett, & Co. Ithaca, New York, 1850

The Works of Hubert Howe Bancroft, History of Oregon Vol.1 1834-1848, Hubert Howe Bancroft, The History Company Publishers, San Francisco, 1886

[33] Ibid

[34] Ibid

[35] Oregon Historical Society, Portland, OR. Oregon, Biographical and Other Index Card File, 1700s-1900s

[36] Wild Life in Oregon, Gustavus Hines, Hurst & Co., 1855

[37] Ibid

[38] Ibid

[39] Life and Letters of Mrs. Jason Lee, Theressa Gay, Metropolitan Press, Publishers, Portland, Oregon, 1936

[40] Oregon State Archives, Salem, OR. Early Oregonians website

[41] Wild Life in Oregon, Gustavus Hines, Hurst & Co., 1855

[42] Ibid

[43] Ten Years in Oregon, Travels and Adventures of Doctor E. White and Lady, compiled by Miss A.J. Allen, Press of Andrus, Gauntlett, & Co. Ithaca, New York, 1850

[44] Ten Years in Oregon, Daniel Lee, Joseph H. Frost, published for the authors, J. Collard, printer, 1844

[45] Oregon State Archives, Salem, OR. Early Oregonians website

[46] Ibid

[47] Shepard, Cyrus letter dated August 1, 1837, Oregon Historical Society Library MSS 1219

[48] Oregon State Archives, Salem, OR. Early Oregonians website

[49] Life and Letters of Mrs. Jason Lee, Theressa Gay, Metropolitan Press, Publishers, Portland, Oregon, 1936

[50] Ten Years in Oregon, Daniel Lee, Joseph H. Frost, published for the authors, J. Collard, printer, 1844

[51] Ibid

[52] 25^th Annual Report of The Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church, J. Collard, printer, New York, 1844

[53] Ibid

[54] Ancestry.com. U.S. Federal Census records 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880 [database on-line], Provo, UT, USA

Ancestry.com Massachusetts State Census, 1855, [database on-line], Provo, UT, USA

[55] Shepard, Susan letter dated December 31, 1843, Oregon Historical Society Library MSS 1219

[56] New England Historic Genealogical Society.  Massachusetts, Death Records, 1840-1911 [database on-line], Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com