| Summary: | Catherine P. Blaine writes to her family to describe life in Washington Territory for her and her husband, Methodist Episcopal minister, Rev. David E. Blaine. Catherine describes a trip made along the Duwamish River so that David could preach in a new schoolhouse. During this trip they stay with the Brownell family from New Bedford, Massachusetts. She notes that the Brownells consider themselves socially "better" than others because of their east coast origins and states that she disagrees with this idea. After staying with the Brownells, Catherine and David then travel in canoe with two hired Native Americans up the White River so they can visit a woman with consumption and comfort her. She notes that the guides are friendly and they enjoyed each other's company. In addition to this trip, Catherine mentions the irregularity of the mail system and a ship recently lost at sea, the "Arctic." She notes that fares are priced too high for her family to visit by ship. Catherine reflects on how much pioneers who have traveled the Oregon Trail have sacrificed to reach Washington Territory. She also describes them as living a tough existence requiring great labor. She closes by briefly describing the weather, noting a lack of honey bees in the area and discussing news regarding the affairs of her friends and family in Seneca Falls, New York. Catherine Paine was born in 1829. She married a Methodist minister and missionary, David Blaine (1824-1900) and the pair lived in Seneca Falls, New York. They were both active in the New England evangelical movement during the 1840s and 1850s. Catherine also promoted women's rights and signed the Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions in July 1848 at Seneca Falls. This declaration later led to the formation of the National Woman Suffrage Association in 1869. In the 1850s, the Blaines went as missionaries to Puget Sound by ship, crossing the Isthmus of Panama. They finally landed at Alki in November 1853. Initially, they stayed as guests in the home of early settlers, Arthur A. Denny and his wife, Mary. The Blaines did their best to adapt to pioneer life, though Catherine frequently lamented in letters home how savage and dirty the settlers and the local Native Americans were. The other settlers found the Blaines a little too well-mannered but they eventually warmed to them. Meanwhile, the Blaines went about the business of serving the community and making a life for themselves. David frequently helped clear lots while Catherine did her best to undertake housekeeping. In December 1853, David established a Methodist Episcopal congregation under his ministry. Church meetings were held in a building offered by Guthrie Latimer. Unfortunately, David's sermons usually attracted no more than four people. In January 1854, many of the settlers combined to employ Catherine as a school teacher. She initially taught eight students and earned a salary of $65 a month. School was first held in the Latimer Building and later in the Blaines' new home. Carson Boren and Doc Maynard offered land to the Blaines for a church, parsonage and seminary. In May 1855, a small white church, nicknamed the "Little White Church" was officially dedicated. In January 1856, Catherine gave birth to their son, Jon, just days before the Battle of Seattle took place in the Yakima War. Following the battle, the couple moved to Portland for further missionary work. They returned to Seattle in 1882. Catherine died in 1908, eight years after David's death. The letters they sent home to New York during this period paint a vivid picture of early settler life in Seattle.
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