Philip Leget Edwards

Philip Leget Edwards (July 14, 1812 – May 1, 1869) was an American educator from the state of Kentucky and first teacher in what became the state of Oregon. After teaching in Missouri, he traveled to the Oregon Country with Jason Lee and helped establish the Methodist Mission. He was also involved with the Willamette Cattle Company before returning to Missouri where he became a lawyer and was on officer in the militia fighting against the Mormons. After moving to California, he served in the state assembly.

Early life Philip Edwards was born in Breckinridge County, Kentucky, on July 14, 1812. His parents were the former Jane Cunningham and John Edwards. After receiving his education he was a teacher in that state from 1833 to 1834. Edwards was living in Richmond, Missouri, at the time and agreed to join Lee's group. He and Courtney M. Walker joined the rest of the group at Independence and headed west. That fall the group started building a mission along the Willamette River north of present-day Salem, Oregon. Edwards was engaged in farming much of his time at the mission.

From 1835 to 1836 Edwards taught school to both Native Americans and the children of French-Canadian settles of the French Prairie at a small school at Champoeg. In the legislature he served as the chairman of the judiciary committee. He represented the 9th district and Sacramento County and served as the chair of the judiciary committee.

Later years Edwards then returned to Missouri where he became an attorney, Later in 1840, he married there to Mary Venable Allen, who bore him two daughters. In 1842, he published the Sketch of the Oregon Territory, Or, Emigrants' Guide. Edwards moved west again in 1850, settling in Nevada County, California, in September. Philip Leget Edwards died on May 1, 1869, at the age of 56.