Briggs, Elias
From Lane Co Oregon
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Main Header}} | {{Main Header}} | ||
| - | [[Springfield]] was settled when Elias and [[Briggs, Mary|Mary Briggs]] and their family arrived in [[1848]]. In [[1852]], using shovel and plow, he built the [[Millrace_(Springfield)|Millrace]]. | + | [[Springfield]] was settled when Elias M. and [[Briggs, Mary|Mary Briggs]] and their family arrived in the winter of [[1848]] via the South Road. Donation land claim records list their filing date on 640 acres as October 1849 (Geneaological Forum of Portland 1957): |
| + | |||
| + | [Briggs] chose as the site of his dwelling a spot convenient to a [[Briggs' Spring|spring of water]] that sent up its bubbled with ceaseless energy. A portion of the prairie where stood this found in | ||
| + | due time was fenced in the inclosure becoming known as the Spring-field - - hence the | ||
| + | name of the town. Here for two years dwelt the Briggs family, the father and his | ||
| + | belongings removing at the end of that time to a farm about a mile and a half from their | ||
| + | original location. The Briggs’ father and son conducted the ferry where the fine bridge | ||
| + | spans the Willamette…(Walling 1884:452). | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | In [[1852]], using shovel and plow, he built the [[Millrace_(Springfield)|Millrace]]. | ||
After the Millrace was completed, he and Mr. Driggs of [[Linn County]] formed the [[Briggs and Driggs Company]] to build the flour and sawmills in [[1853]] and [[1854]]. They were not the usual slap-dash mills built in pioneer communities for temporary and local consumption only, but instead, were constructed under the supervision of an experienced millwright hired from the east. They used the latest and best machinery and spending $10,000 on the two mills. | After the Millrace was completed, he and Mr. Driggs of [[Linn County]] formed the [[Briggs and Driggs Company]] to build the flour and sawmills in [[1853]] and [[1854]]. They were not the usual slap-dash mills built in pioneer communities for temporary and local consumption only, but instead, were constructed under the supervision of an experienced millwright hired from the east. They used the latest and best machinery and spending $10,000 on the two mills. | ||
Revision as of 23:51, 10 August 2007
Locations · People · Equipment · Chronology · Index · Categories · Browse · Discussion · FAQ · Help · Things to do · Article requests
Springfield was settled when Elias M. and Mary Briggs and their family arrived in the winter of 1848 via the South Road. Donation land claim records list their filing date on 640 acres as October 1849 (Geneaological Forum of Portland 1957):
[Briggs] chose as the site of his dwelling a spot convenient to a spring of water that sent up its bubbled with ceaseless energy. A portion of the prairie where stood this found in due time was fenced in the inclosure becoming known as the Spring-field - - hence the name of the town. Here for two years dwelt the Briggs family, the father and his belongings removing at the end of that time to a farm about a mile and a half from their original location. The Briggs’ father and son conducted the ferry where the fine bridge spans the Willamette…(Walling 1884:452).
In 1852, using shovel and plow, he built the Millrace.
After the Millrace was completed, he and Mr. Driggs of Linn County formed the Briggs and Driggs Company to build the flour and sawmills in 1853 and 1854. They were not the usual slap-dash mills built in pioneer communities for temporary and local consumption only, but instead, were constructed under the supervision of an experienced millwright hired from the east. They used the latest and best machinery and spending $10,000 on the two mills.
In the early 1850s, the settlement of Springfield consisted only of a ferry service across the Willamette, the Briggs' house, two mills, a trading post and a school.
[-Springfield Beacon, Wednesday, August 1st, 2007, B4]
