Clackamas County OR Archives Biographies.....Barclay, Forbes December 25, 1812 - 1873 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/or/orfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Ila L. Wakley iwakley@msn.com April 17, 2008, 2:08 pm Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company FORBES BARCLAY, M. D. No history of the Columbia River valley would be complete without a record of Dr. Forbes Barclay, who lived for many years in Oregon City. He was an Oregon pioneer, an Arctic explorer, and a physician and philanthropist who won all hearts. His birth occurred on Christmas day of 1812 in a house which is still standing. It is a stone structure more than three hundred years old and members of the family still occupy this ancestral home. The Doctor’s grandfather was a Presbyterian minister in Scotland and migrated to the Shetland islands. Dr. Barclay was a son of Dr. John and Charlotte (Spense) Barclay, the latter a daughter of William Spense, of Gardisting, Scotland. In the Barclay family were ten children, six sons and four daughters. James, one of the sons, was a teacher at Larwick, in the Shetland islands, and had an uncle who was principal and rector of Glasgow University. Dr. Forbes Barclay received his early instruction from his elder brother, James Barclay, and afterward attended Edinburgh University. Many of his race were mariners and in his youth he yielded to the call of the sea. A fellow countryman, Sir John Ross, of Inch, Wigtonshire, Scotland, who had entered the British navy in 1786 and fought in the wars with France, made a voyage to the Arctic regions in 1818 in quest of the northwest passage. He it was who named the Cape York natives “Arctic Highlanders.” In the course of the voyage he explored Baffin bay and Lancaster sound. In 1829 he was given command of another Arctic expedition and went north in a diminutive paddlewheel steamer, known as the Victory, which was the first vessel propelled by steam to be used in Arctic explorations. In 1831 he determined the position of the north magnetic pole. His nephew, James C. Ross, was in charge of sledging parties that added greatly to the geographic knowledge of the Arctic regions. They were away three years and their fate was unknown, so an expedition was organized to go in search of them. The steamship Lee was chartered for this purpose and Dr. Barclay went aboard the boat as a surgeon. They were shipwrecked and had to take to the open boats. In the haste of their departure they failed to provide themselves with a sufficient supply of provisions and soon the men were famishing. Finally they drew lots to see who should die in order that the others might live. The lot fell to the boatswain but fortunately before they killed him they were sighted by Eskimos, who took them to the island of Disco, on which there vas a village inhabited by people of that race and also by some Danes. After three months a vessel owned by Sir John Franklin touched at the island and carried the castaways back to Scotland. Dr. Barclay’s love of adventure was satisfied for the time being, so he returned to Edinburgh University and after the completion of his course went to London, England, entering the Royal College of Surgeons, from which he was graduated July 4, 1838. Shortly thereafter he entered the service of the Hudson’s Bay Company and was sent to Fort Vancouver, British Columbia. He sailed for Canada in 1839 and from 1840 until 1850 was stationed at Fort Vancouver. When the Puget Sound Agricultural Society was formed Dr. Barclay, William F. Tolmie and George B. Roberts had charge of its organization The following description of the society was prepared by W. W. Baer for the Colonist: “Several thousand acres of land were selected in the early ‘50s by the Puget Sound Agricultural Company for colonization purposes on the south end of Vancouver island. The Puget Sound Agricultural Company seems to have been a subsidiary scheme of Hudson’s Bay Company, though perhaps not officially recognized by that company. Its officers (Dr. Forbes Barclay and his two associates) corresponded with prospective immigrants in England and Scotland and in 1852 arranged with Kenneth MacKenzie of East Lothian, Haddingtonshire, to bring out twenty-five families. The company sailed from England on the ship Norman Morrison in 1852, arriving at Victoria on January 16, 1853. “Little preparation had been made for the accommodation of these colonists, there being practically no housing ready for their reception. Some of them were accommodated temporarily in the Hudson’s Bay Company’s fort at Victoria, and for others hastily improvised shacks and cottages were thrown up at the colony location. Kenneth MacKenzie had been from the first a far-seeing man. Anticipating pioneer conditions, he had shipped with his supplies a small portable sawmill, and this was installed immediately on the stream alongside the proposed colonial area. He set to work to cut lumber for the necessary buildings, and soon was laid the foundation for the first farm dwelling erected on Vancouver island. “The building was designed for the accommodation of several families arriving with MacKenzie. It had a wide hall, dividing it in the middle, and roomy divisions, surrounding a common kitchen, in which the community food was prepared. For himself, MacKenzie built a small cottage near the stream and there he and his family dwelt, until the other families were properly housed. Everything but locks, hinges and glass entering into the construction of this building was hewn or sawed at Craigflower. Thus Kenneth MacKenzie became the actual founder of the locality, which since that time has borne the name he gave it. “Inconsequential incidents sometimes lead to important results. Mr. MacKenzie met one day in the Hudson’s Bay fort at Victoria a man whom he thought he had seen somewhere before. This man also eyes MacKenzie with interested curiosity, though neither spoke to the other. Later Admiral Bruce, then in command of Her Majesty’s flag ship at Esquimault, called on MacKenzie at Craigflower Post, and the former knowledge of each other was renewed. They had seen each other in the old country years before. The admiral complained of the rations available in Victoria and asked MacKenzie if he could not undertake to erect a bakery and make biscuits and bread for the ship. The negotiations led to the erection of a small flour mill, a bakery and a general stone for trading. In the task of building these accommodations the sailors from the navy enjoyed themselves almost irrationally, lending their assistance to the work. “As the settlement extended along Craigflower road and other houses became necessary, a brick kiln and a limekiln were built and the materials for chimneys, fireplaces and paved floorings were manufactured. A blacksmith shop and a carpenter shop were also established for the convenience of the colonists of the neighborhood. All of these were the outcome of the direct suggestion and supervision of Kenneth MacKenzie and no Hudson’s Bay factor exercised greater authority in a way than did he. Contemporaries speak of him as a competent, practical, hard-working but modest man, who never thrust himself into the limelight, but paid strict attention to the things which fell within the realm of his responsibility. “During his incumbency as director of the agricultural colony he made provision for the education of the children of the colonists -— as well as of his own, of whom there were eight —- by erecting the first Craigflower schoolhouse. This was a modest building, thirty by forty feet, but adequate for the attendance at that time. Robert Barr, a qualified teacher, had been brought out with the company on the Norman Morrison, but as there were no school accommodations at Craigflower on their arrival, Barr was transferred to the first colonial school, erected on the island a year earlier, then on lower Fort street. Having undertaken the erection of a school building, MacKenzie at once entered into correspondence with another teacher in England and as a result of his negotiations Charles Clark arrived at Victoria in November, 1854. He took charge of the new school immediately and remained its master until 1859, being succeeded by a Mr. Russell, who held the position until 1865. At that date the attendance at the school was eighteen boys and eleven girls. A ship, the Vancouver, had been wrecked near Fort Rupert, then very far north, and MacKenzie secured the ship’s bell, which he installed on the schoolhouse. Later when the new Craigflower school was erected this bell was transferred to its turret. MacKenzie also brought a terrestrial and a celestial globe, both of which he placed in use at the first school. “Although there was at that time a fairly passable road into Victoria, there was no bridge across the stream running between the lands of the colony and the eastern side. MacKenzie cut the timbers and erected the first Craigflower bridge in 1854-55, little more than a year after his arrival in the place. Previously timbers were rafted across the stream and ox teams were used to haul them to their destinations. “During the early years of this little settlement wild animals were troublesome at times. Wolves came quite close to the settlement and often did much damage to flocks. The needs of Her Majesty’s ships at Esquimault resulted in the establishment of a butcher shop and this had to have flocks and herds as a base of supply. Raids on these herds by wild animals were not an infrequent occurrence. With the advent of extended settlement, however, this handicap was overcome. Deer wrought great havoc in the harvest fields, at times necessitating constant guarding of the fields. “MacKenzie continued to direct affairs at Craigflower for ten years, after which some difficulties arose between the Puget Sound Agricultural Company and the Hudson’s Bay Company, these differences reacting on MacKenzie who was made responsible for the cost of transportation of the colonists and much expenditure in connection with their settlement. The difficulties presented annoyed him and, failing of satisfactory negotiations, he withdrew from the colony and settled his family on what is still the MacKenzie farm on Lake road, Saanich. Here he died in 1875 and was followed to the grave a few years later by his wife. Two daughters occupy the old homestead at the present time.” For ten years Dr. Bruce was closely associated with Dr. John McLoughlin, Sir James Douglas, Peter Skene Ogden, William F. Tolmie, William G. Rae, son- in-law of Dr. McLoughlin, Donald Manson, Donald McLeod, James Birnie, Archibald McKinlay and other well known men of the Hudson’s Bay Company. Most of them were natives of Scotland and men of determination and resourcefulness, otherwise they never could have “made good” and controlled the Indians as they did. Archibald McKinlay was factor at the Hudson’s Bay trading post at Walla Walla, Washington. A group of unruly Indians came to the fort one day and became boisterous and troublesome. The Hudson’s Bay Company would not furnish liquor to the Indians, knowing its bad effect on them, but the emigrants and free traders did. The redskins decided to attack Mr. McKinlay and steal the goods of which he had charge. He opened a keg of gunpowder and told the Indians that if they did not instantly desist he would put the burning pitch pine which he held in his hand into the keg of gun powder and they would all be blown up together. They saw that he was in earnest and decided that discretion was the better part of valor. On May 12, 1842, Dr. Barclay was married at Fort Vancouver to Miss Maria Pambrun, by Father F. N. Blanchet and the wedding certificate was signed by John McLoughlin, chief factor and magistrate; James Dougals, who was of equal rank in the Hudson’s Bay service with Dr. McLoughlin; Dugald McTavish, David McLoughlin and Adolphus Lee Lewis. Mrs. Barclay was a daughter of Pierre C. and Catherine (Umphrebell) Pambrun. The former, born in France, went to Canada with his parents when four years old and during the War of 1812 he was a lieutenant with the Voltiguers Canadiens and a gallant officer. The redskins as well as the white men entertained for him the highest regard. He taught the Indians that they should have but one God and one wife, and that they must not lie, steal or drink. He said the Indians could understand these fundamental things, while they could not comprehend the differences of doctrines and religious creeds. Mr. Pambrun and Dr. Whitman were warm friends and often rode together. While mounted on an unbroken horse Mr. Pambrun was fatally injured and Dr. Whitman, who witnessed his will, also gave him medical aid and remained with him until the end. As chief trader Mr. Pambrun was in charge of Fort Walla Walla and at his death in 1840 Archibald McKinlay was chosen as his successor. Eight years after his marriage Dr. Barclay brought his family to Oregon City, for at that time the Hudson’s Bay Company had moved from Fort Vancouver to Victoria, and he decided to become an American citizen. As one of the early physicians of Oregon City his work was most arduous as he ministered to the settlers on distant ranches, traversing the county during the storms of winter and the heat of summer and showing deep sympathy for those in affliction and distress. On a white pony named Snowball he rode all over the country, going as far as the Waldo hills to attend patients. He also kept a boat with two Indian rowers and frequently made trips as far as St. Helens in the exercise of his beneficent calling. Dr. Barclay was regarded as one of the foremost physicians of these parts of the state and enjoyed an extensive practice. For eighteen years he was county coroner and also demonstrated his ability as an educator, filling the position of superintendent of schools for a considerable period. His public activities also covered nine years’ work as a councilman and seven years’ service as mayor of Oregon City, to which he gave a progressive administration, productive of much good. To every project for the advancement of the city he was quick to respond and acquitted himself with dignity, fidelity and honor in each office to which he was called. In 1853 Dr. Barclay was made treasurer of the Oregon City Lodge of Masons and acted in that capacity until his death in 1873. His widow long survived him, passing away in 1890. She possessed those qualities which are most admirable in woman and theirs was an ideal union. A man of genial, sympathetic nature and high ideals, Dr. Barclay drew his friends from all walks of life and his was a successful career of broad usefulness. Dr. and Mrs. Barclay were the parents of seven children. The firstborn, John James, lived but sixteen months; Peter Thomas, who married Mary Hall, of Portland, Oregon, passed away in California and his wife is also deceased. Alexander Forbes, known as Sandy, died in Oregon City. Andrina Catherine Barclay, known as Kate, occupies the residence which her father erected in 1850, paying the carpenters ten dollars a day and boarding them. All of the heavy timbers and the framework were made at Oregon City. The finishing lumber, which is of pine, came from Maine and was brought around Cape Horn. The building cost seventeen thousand dollars and is almost as good today as it was at the time of its completion There are twenty-four small panes of glass to each window and twelve panes to the sash. These, as well as the locks, the hardware and the doors, came from England. The residence was originally located on half a block on Main street but when brick buildings began to encroach upon the habitation from both directions it was moved back a block and now stands on the east bank of the Willamette, not far from the new bridge which spans the river at Oregon City. This historic mansion is surrounded by trees and flowers and contains the accumulated heirlooms of seventy-seven years. Among these is a great oak chest filled with silk dresses worn by Mrs. Barclay, weapons of various kinds from the Philippines and elsewhere, curios given to Dr. Barclay by early navigators and Hudson’s Bay men, and paintings by Stanley, who visited the Whitman mission shortly before the massacre. As he was returning to Waii-lat-pu, where Dr. Marcus Whitman had established a mission, he met some Indians in war paint. They asked him if he was a “King George man or a Boston man.” Knowing their prejudice against Americans, he very wisely answered that he was for King George, so they let him go. The Hudson’s Bay men were always considered “King George men” and because of the uniformly just treatment by Dr. John McLoughlin and his associates the Indians never molested them. Mr. Stanley went to Fort Walla Walla, now called Wallula, when Peter Skene Ogden brought the captives from the Whitman mission, and accompanied them down the Columbia in open boats. He was kindness itself to the children on their trip down the river. He painted a portrait of Dr. McLoughlin’s granddaughter, now Mrs. Mary Louise Myrick of Portland, also completing portraits of Dr. Barclay’s wife and their son Peter. The old Barclay home also contains a fine picture of Mount Hood, which is likewise the work of Mr. Stanley and one of the first paintings of that beautiful mountain. Miss Barclay’s sister, Hattie Mary, completed her education in the Oregon City Seminary and in 1922 attended the fifty-sixth anniversary of the first graduating class of that institution. She became the wife of William E. Pratt, now deceased, and also resided in the Barclay home in Oregon City, where she passed away October 31, 1926. Mrs. Pratt left four children: Forbes, who makes his home in Portland; Cis, who lives with her aunt, Miss Kate Barclay; Mrs. Dolly Myers and Mrs. Nelson Wisner. Charles William, the sixth in order of birth, followed a seafaring life, securing employment on a windjammer when a youth of eighteen, and knew the geography of the world from personal observation. He was in eight shipwrecks and had many thrilling experiences. In his voyages he collected weapons from many lands and had some guns over three hundred years old, taken from Chinese pirates. He rose to the rank of captain in the transport service of the United States Navy and died March 10, 1926, at the Marine Hospital in San Francisco. The youngest son, Edmund D. Barclay, died in infancy. Additional Comments: History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Vol. II, Pages 433-437 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/or/clackamas/bios/barclay440gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/orfiles/ File size: 19.0 Kb