Jason Lee

Jason Lee, missionary and pioneer, was born on a farm near Stanstead, Quebec, on June 28, 1803. He attended the village school and by the age of 13 was self supporting. After a conversion experience, he attended Wilbraham Academy, graduating in 1830. Between 1830 and 1832 he was minister in the Stanstead area and taught school.

• In 1833 he was chosen to head a mission for the Flatland Indians. He and his party arrived in Fort Vancouver in 1834. The missionaries settled on the Williamette River, northwest of the present site of Salem, Oregon.
• In 1836 and 1837 he helped to draft a petition for the establishment of a territorial government, and in 1838 he journeyed east to present the petition in Washington.
• Lee continued to found missions during the 1830s and became increasingly active in the territorial organization of the Oregon settlement, encouraging its ties with the United States.
• He presided over the preliminary meeting for territorial organization held at Champoeg in 1841, and in 1843 he was instrumental in the formation of a provisional government.
• He also worked to promote education and formed the plan that resulted in the founding of Oregon Institute (now Williamette University).
• He died on March 12, 1845 and was interred in Salem, Oregon, in 1906.