David Leslie

David Leslie (1797 – March 1, 1869) was an American missionary and pioneer in what became the state of Oregon. A native of New Hampshire, he joined Jason Lee as a missionary at the Methodist Mission in the Oregon Country in 1836. In that region he participated in the early movement to start a government and his home was used for some of these meetings. With the closing of the mission he became a founder of the city of Salem, Oregon, and board member of the Oregon Institute, which later became Willamette University.

Early life Born in New Hampshire in the town of Washington, Leslie lost his parents while he was young. Born in 1797, Leslie was the son of a minister (George Leslie) and received an education first in Salem, Massachusetts, and later at the Wilbraham Academy where fellow missionary Jason Lee would later attend. After Lee returned Leslie helped to start a branch mission with William H. Willson at Nisqually on the Puget Sound in modern Washington state. This meeting was held at Leslie’s home, and was in part a response to the death of pioneer Ewing Young. Not only did David Leslie host this meeting, but he also participated in the discussions about forming a government. Although only a few decisions were ultimately made (election of Dr. Ira L. Babcock as a supreme judge to deal with the Young estate), this was the first of the Champoeg Meetings that two years later would lead to the creation of the Provisional Government of Oregon. Then on May 2, 1843, a vote was held and the settlers voted in favor of creating a government in the region by a vote of 52 to 50.

Family During this time in Oregon, Leslie and his wife had two more daughters, but Mary died in February 1842. Leslie accepted the marriage and then left two other daughters, Helen and Aurelia, in the new couples’ care. of the region. The missionary board had sent the Reverend George Gary from New York to reorganize the mission.

Legacy Leslie Middle School in Salem, Oregon is named in his honor.