The Methodist Mission has a marker set by the DuPont Co in 1927 just near the burn area of the Powder Works Plant.

While surveys were done later, not enough evidence exists to say if this was really the site. In 1989 Moura and Condon performed a survey in which not much evidence was produced to say if in deed this was the site. Earlier studies and later studies all led to the same conclusion.

Part of the problem is once the marker was placed it was moved at a later date for work to be done in the area and then put back supposely in the correct spot. It’s also said that letters written from Edward Huggins to Dye detailed a best primary source accounting of where the mission actually rested.

The other theory is based on Meeker and W.P. Bonney being part of the locating party who knew first hand where huggins had pointed out the chimney rubble and this is what most people are satisfied with. A primary source tells well respected worthies of this and thus the locating party sited the Mission.

So is this really a big mystery? Probably not, I’ve been told numerous times David Axe has performed extensive research and writings on the subject and who I just connected through via email, so I’ll be more than happy to encounter his opinions and responses. I suppose the biggest mystery is no evidence has been found yet as too the actual site that can be relied upon. Unlike the Forts, dwelling house, Ox Road, etc.. The mission still eludes us or at least those of us who think there is a likely chance the marker is not in the correct location. We owe it to the history to ensure we’ve given the site the best chance it has. Think of it as a grassroots history campaign.

Here is an excerpt from The Works of  Hubert Howe Bancroft.

When the first American immigrants to Puget Sound arrived in 1845 at tho head of Budd Inlet, they found the methodist mission at American Lake, near Nisqually, abandoned. ¹

Bancroft making the reference to American Lake.  Next we’ll take a look at what Rev. A. Atwoods wrote regarding the mission as well as the Rev A. Atwood map.

The mission settlement established at Nisqually, and the events associated therewith, made the efforts to secure American supremacy in the Puget Sound country operative and effective. Mrs. Richmond’s first name being America was a remarkable co-incidence associated with the establishment of the American settlement at Nisqually. Rev. John P. Richmond was born August 7, 1811, in Middleton, Maryland. He died August 28, 1895. We give herewith the photos of the members of this family, whose names, birthplaces, and work identify them so prominently with the American and the missionary history of Oregon.

Speaking of the mission at Nisqually, he says: “I visited Dr. Richmond, who had settled here and occupied a nice log house, built on the borders of one of the beautiful prairies. The location of the mission house can scarcely be surpassed. ²

We know that the mission was a failure and short-lived.  Hudson Bay Company ensured the Fort always had a Catholic Priest and their garments which bore Symbols which swayed the Indians to attend Fort Services vs. Richmond Mission.

Doctor Richmond’s laudible missionary ambition was doomed to disappointment. The Catholic priests, clothed in their impressive black gowns, carrying their pictures and symbols and their Catholic ladder, were able to exert a far preater influence over the Indians than were the Methodists. While the Agricultural Company men were kind to the Methodists and extended to them every courtesy and much assistance, still it was to the Catholics that they gave that deep respect and consideration which, being observed by the Indians, induced them alsoto turn to the priests. The Methodist mission was a failure and in the summer of 1842, Doctor Richmond returned to the Willamette Valley and later to the Atlantic Coast.

While living at Nisqually Doctor and Mrs. Richmond became the parents of the first white child born on Puget Sound. Francis Richmond was born at the mission February 28, 1842. A few days after the Richmond family left Nisqually, their cabin was burned by the Indians. ³

We also know the Catholic church was not very big into the Methodists coming into their turf

While he was conducting the mission at Cowlitz, the Vicar General was informed that the Methodists were about to open an establishment among the Indians at Fort Nesqually. He immediately dispatched Father Demers thither, feeling that it would be easier to gain the attention of the savages before they had been exposed to hostile teachers. A ten days’ mission by Father Demers resulted in gaining the good will of the Indians, in bringing back to the practice of their religion the Canadian employees of the Fort and in the conversion of Mrs. Kitson, the wife of the Commandantl at Fort Nesqually, who thereafter acted as interpreter. Father Demers made arrangements to build a chapel at Fort Xesqually and hastened back to Fort Vancouver to take passage on one of the barges of the Hudson’s Bay Co. for the Upper Columbia settlements⁴

Meanwhile the Vicar General revisited the settlement on the Willamette and later conducted a successful mission at Fort Nesqually. At the former place no little excitement was caused by the antagonism of the rival missionaries. A number of marriages and baptisms were performed by Father Blanchet in cases where the Methodist ministers had already officiated. The ministers had also established a temperance society and had gathered in a number of the Catholics,—which would doubtless have been good for them had it not been made a means of perverting their faith. When the Catholic mission was established the Catholics withdrew from the society, much to the chagrin of the opposing missionaries. To disaffect the minds of the people towards the Catholic mission, a copy of the vile ” disclosures ” of Maria Monk was circulated in the community. When the true character of the book was made known, its circulation produced the contrary effect to that intended and it was quietly withdrawn.⁵

Next Atwood recounts that Wilkes picked a spot near the mission prairie to hold the first Fourth of July Celebration.

The first Fourth of July celebration held in North America, west of the Rocky Mountains, was that inaugurated by Captain Wilkes and the missionaries July 5, 1841, at Nisqually. In describing it, Captain Wilkes says :

Wishing to give the crew a holiday, they were allowed to barbecue an ox, which the Hudson Bay Company sold me. The place selected was one corner of Mission Prairie. All was bustle and activity on the morning of the 5th, as the 4th fell on Sunday. The men were mustered on the deck in clean white frocks and trousers. It was very gratifying to me to see them marching, their clothes as white as snow, with their happy and contented faces. Two brass howitzers were carried to the prairie to fire the usual salutes. The procession stopped at Fort Nisqually and gave three cheers, which were returned with a few voices.

Dr. McLoughlin was expected to join us, but, having lost his way, did not arrive until the next day. He dined with us on the man-of-war, and when he left the yards were manned and three cheers were given for the noble man under whose orders so many kindnesses had been bestowed upon us.

There were present on this notable occasion over five hundred people, viz.: About sixty persons embracing naval officers, missionaries, and men from the Hudson Bay Company’s trading post; one hundred marines, and about four hundred Indians. Captain Charles Wilkes was the officer of the day. Prayer was offered by Dr. Richmond. The Declaration of Independence was read by the sergeant of marines. The Scriptures were read by Captain Wilkes. Two songs were sung, viz., “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “My Country, ‘T is of Thee,” tune, “America.” The sergeant of marines led the singing, and many in the audience joined in rendering these patriotic hymns. The oration of the day was delivered
by Dr. Richmond. It was the first of its kind ever heard on the Pacific coast side of North America.⁶

Chief Koquilton

Hunt and Kaylor write,

Chief Koquilton was the Indian who pointed out the place on Sequalitchew Lake, Pierce County, where first July 4th celebration west of the Mississippi River was held in 1841 by Commodore Wilkes and his men. Chief Koquilton attended that celebration. ⁷

Location

A primary source map is known to us by the Wilkes Expedition. They take the time to mark the location of the Mission although no great detail is available.

Map of the Oregon Territory by the U.S. Ex. Ex. Charles Wilkes Esqr. Commander. 1841

The map below is taken from A. Atwoods (ibid). You’ll notice the the Richmond Hill and the Mission. The mission is said to be located 1/2 mile up from the sound, but directly across the 1833 Fort Nisqually location. Perhaps that “Line of March” is where the road/gate is right now at the Powder Works Dam location?

A. Atwoods, the Conquerors, 1907

Now as I picked up my Glimpses in Pioneer Life on Puget Sound ⁸ I notice another map similar to the one in “The Conquerers”. But in this map Atwoods puts the celebration on the shores of American Lake hence in this book that would make sense since they named the lake, “American”.

Atwood, A. Glimpses in Pioneer Life on Puget Sound. First. Seattle: Denny-Corvell Co., 1903.

Taking in account for the numerous references from the previous writings about the distance from the 1833 fort and the Sound.

Distance Reference PointsThe following below shows where the Douglas Map of 1841 puts the mission as one of the last primary source maps place it. Douglas Map Placements accordingly

Douglas Map Placements accordingly

The next aerial image you see shows the current markers as they are today.

From the Wilkes expeditio Joseph G. Clark who was present that day of the 4th of July Celebration recounts the following of the mission.

On landing the men proceeded up the hill to the Observatory, where Capt. Wilkes was residing, there to await his orders. At 1 0 oclock the procession was formed and marched in order, the starboard watch in advance, the marines in center, the larboard watch bringing up the rear. We proceeded through a narrow strip of woods for about half a mile, when we came to the Company’s fort; there we halted and formed in front of it, and gave three cheers which were returned by people in the fort, and answered by us. The procession was again formed and marched as before, about one mile further when we came to a deep valley, crossing which we came to a plain several miles in circumference in which Doct. Richmond’s house is situated. Here was the place intended for the exhibitions of the day; various kinds of amusements were proposed, in which Capt. Wilkes took an active part. Everything went well for a time and bade fair for a day of recreation and pleasure, but soon an accident occurred which could not but disturb the feelings of all. At 12 oClock, when firing a salute Daniel Whitehorn, Jr., gunner, while loading one of the guns it accidentally discharged and lacerated his forearm very seriously. All the integuments, from midway of the forearm to wrist, were blown off-the carpal extremity of the ulna exposed for about two inches upon outer face. All the tenders for about three inches from corpus were much torn. The surgeon having thoroughly examined the wound decided that it was his duty to recommend the removal of the limb. At the time the accident happened the weather was quite warm and tetanus was to be apprehended. All the large blood vessels were either carried away entirely, or much injured and the consequence of an attempt to save the arm was much to be dreaded. Dr. Richmond, physician to the mission family, was called upon who agreed in opinion with our surgeon, that amputation was the only means to insure life. The doctors then stated to the patient their views of the case and recommended an operation. He declined for the present and chose to risk an attempt to save the limb. ⁹

Moura and Condon

In 1989 Western Heritage hired Guy Moura to conduct archaeological test excavations in the area of the North side of Sequalitchew Creek. The effort was designed to find the and mark the actual location or confirm the pre-marked location of the mission.

Since their work in 1989 additional research has been done as late as 1999 as video evidence shows a group of folks finding brick & etc… Although the new information still does not pin down the actual location of the mission it did at least narrow the area down.

We also have to remember that there is a difference between the Mission Compound and Mission building itself.  During the cleanup effort of the burning grounds they thought it would reveal some palisade posts. However, none presented themselves. Infact no evidence of historic materials were found other than some contaminated tools and hardware.