266 T. C. Elliott. The family relations of Mr. Ogden at this time we get a glimpse of through the following letter: "My Dear Sir :— "I was indeed truly glad to receive your letter yesterday and do most heartily congratulate you and Sarah on the birth of your daughter and still more that all are well. The name given to the young lady also gives me great satisfaction as it is one that is dear to me in every sense of the word as it again recalls to my remembrance the name of my dear de- parted Mother. We have so far no Express but am most anxiously looking for it — at all events at present as I am now situated cannot leave this before the 22nd. * * * I shall be glad to see the Old Lady here when she can leave Sarah with safety but not before. * * * I should like to see Janet with her sister and what she thinks of it. Yrs. Sincerely, Peter Skeen Ogden". (The Old Lady was his usual term of endearment for his wife ) . This letter was written at the time of the birth of his grand- daughter Sarah Ellen McKinlay, at "The Cliffs/' near Oregon City, on November 6th, 1851. His own daughter, Sarah Julia, had married Archibald McKinlay in June, 1840, and in 1846 Mr. McKinlay was promoted from command at Fort Walla Walla to a chief tradership in charge of the Hudson's Bay Company's store at Oregon City. He became an American citizen and took up a donation claim (afterward deeded to David McLoughlin) just south of the town; his house on that claim is still standing. Because of its sightly location, Mr. Ogden named this residence "The Cliffs" and purchased from Mr. McKinlay (in the name of his wife) a small tract of the land upon which a house was built in 1852 for the wife and younger children to reside in. And if there be any suggestion that he was not faithful and tender to his family during these last years let this letter to Mrs. McKinlay testify : Lachine (Canada ), Oct'r 18th, 1852. My dear Daughter : — I was indeed truly glad to receive a letter from you and dear little Janette's kiss which you must mean for me; the tidings you report of all being in health, the Old Lady and all
