Zebulon Montgomery Pike (1779-1813) was an explorer and soldier, most often remembered two exploratory trips to the newly acquired Louisiana territory. The first of these trips was to the source of the Mississippi River in 1805; the second was to explore the headwaters of the Arkansas and Red Rivers in 1806. Because General James Wilkinson was responsible for organizing Pike’s two expeditions, when the conspiracy charges again Aaron Burr implicated Wilkinson, suspicion was, for a short time, also focused on Pike. Pike worked his way up the ranks of the United States Army, becoming a brigadier-general during the War of 1812. He was killed in the Battle of York in Upper Canada (now Toronto) in 1813.
Zebulon Montgomery Pike (1779-1813) was an explorer and soldier, most often remembered two exploratory trips to the newly acquired Louisiana territory. The first of these trips was to the source of the Mississippi River in 1805; the second was to explore the headwaters of the Arkansas and Red Rivers in 1806. Because General James Wilkinson was responsible for organizing Pike’s two expeditions, when the conspiracy charges again Aaron Burr implicated Wilkinson, suspicion was, for a short time, also focused on Pike. Pike worked his way up the ranks of the United States Army, becoming a brigadier-general during the War of 1812. He was killed in the Battle of York in Upper Canada (now Toronto) in 1813.
Zebulon Montgomery Pike was born in Lamberton (now part of Trenton), New Jersey in 1779. His father was also named Zebulon Montgomery and his mother was Isabella Brown. His father served in the Revolutionary Army under Washington and remained in the Army after the Revolution, eventually reaching the rank of Major. Pike entered the Army early, joining his father’s company as a cadet. At the age of twenty he was commissioned a first lieutenant.
In 1805 Pike was chosen by General James Wilkinson to head a company of twenty men to explore the source of the Mississippi River. After the onset of winter, Pike reached what he mistakenly declared the source of the river. In 1806 he was chosen to lead a longer expedition to the headwaters of the Arkansas and Red Rivers. Part of his mission was to reconnoiter the Spanish settlements in New Mexico. After Pike crossed the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in 1807, Spanish authorities arrested him for crossing their border. Pike acquiesced freely, welcoming the chance to see the territory of Santa Fe and Chihuahua, where he was questioned by the commandante general.
After his return to the United States, Pike found himself under suspicion by some of being part of the Wilkinson-Burr conspiracy to acquire land in the Southwest. Henry Dearborn, the Secretary of State, cleared Pike of all charges related the conspiracy, and Pike continued military duty. He was commissioned major in 1808 and colonel in 1812. When the second war with Great Britain started in 1812, Pike was made brigadier-general. He led the attack on York (now Toronto), Canada in 1813. While the campaign was successful, Pike was killed when a powder magazine exploded. Pike is best remembered for his expeditions to the Southwest, for which his journals have been published in several additions. Several counties are named for him in various states, and Pikes Peak, a mountain in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, is named in his honor.
This collection includes transcripts and photostats of letters, maps, and some original manuscripts collected by W. Eugene Hollon for his biography of Pike, The Lost Pathfinder (Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1949). Correspondents include John C. Calhoun, William Clark, Richard Rush, John Sibley, and James Wilkinson. Subjects covered include military authority, escaped slaves, Pike’s expeditions, Texas, Aaron Burr and James Wilkinson. Copies of materials from the National Archives, the Chicago Historical Society, and the Missouri Historical Society.
Provenance
Presented by W. Eugene Hollon, 1950; accessioned, 1958 (1958 1627ms).
Processing information
Only map is noted.
General physical description
51 items, photostats.
Bibliography
Hollon, William Eugene, "The Lost Pathfinder, Zebulon Montgomery Pike" (Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, c1949).
Early American History Note
The Zebulon Montgomery Pike Biographical Material Collection contains research data on Pike that Eugene Hollon compiled for his biography of Pike. There are some photocopies and transcriptions of correspondence and other primary sources.
Genre(s)
- General Correspondence
- Maps.
- Research Records and Reports
Personal Name(s)
- Calhoun, John C., (John Caldwell), 1782-1850
- Clark, William, 1770-1838
- Hollon, W. Eugene, (William Eugene), 1913-
- Pike, Zebulon Montgomery, 1779-1813
- Rush, Richard
- Sibley, John, 1757-1837
- Wilkinson, James, 1757-1825
Subject(s)
- Exploration.
- Explorers.
- Travel
| Collection overview | |||
| 1780-1956 | Request Series | ||
collected by W. Eugene Hollan for his biography of Pike, The Lost Pathfinder. D.and printed items. 51 items (typed, original and photostats), 5 photographs, and 19 leaves of printed materials, including 2 maps. Various sizes. See Film 890 for microfilms which came with this collection. Presented by Hollan, grantee, Jan. 1950,and entered in APS Donation Book, p.229,Jan.23,1950. Table of contents. | |||
| Detailed Inventory | |||
Papers and material | 1780-1956 | Request Series | |
collected by W. Eugene Hollan for his biography of Pike, The Lost Pathfinder. D.and printed items. 51 items (typed, original and photostats), 5 photographs, and 19 leaves of printed materials, including 2 maps. Various sizes. See Film 890 for microfilms which came with this collection. Presented by Hollan, grantee, Jan. 1950,and entered in APS Donation Book, p.229,Jan.23,1950. Table of contents. | |||
Pike, Zebulon, 1751-1834.
Letter to Anthony Wayne | July 21, 1780 | Request File | |
Photostat of A.L.S. 1p.and add.,end. (see Z.M. Pike. Papers...) Military information. | |||
Pike, Zebulon, 1751-1834.
Letter to William Knox, Philadelphia | Aug. 23, 1792 | Request File | |
Trenton, Photostat of A.L.S. 1p.and add.,end. (see Z.M. Pike. Papers...) Requests material for soldiers. | |||
Pike, Zebulon, 1751-1834.
Letter to John Mells, Greensville | Dec. 18, 1793 | Request File | |
Greensville, Photostat of L.S. 2p.and add.,end. (see Z.M. Pike. Papers...) Concerning the arrest for court martial of an officer. | |||
United States. Army.
Military documents signed by Z.M. Pike and Zeb[ulo]n Pike | 1795-1812 | See OS Request File | |
Photostats of D. 9 leaves. Various sizes. (see Z.M. Pike. Papers...) | |||
Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796.
Letter to [Zebulon Montgomery] Pike | Sept. 2, 1796 | Request File | |
Detroit, Photostat of L. 1p.,end. (see Z.M. Pike. Papers...) Military orders. | |||
Pike, Zebulon, 1751-1834.
Letter to Andrew Ellicott | Dec. 31, 1796 | Request File | |
Massac, Photostat of L.S. 1p.and add. (see Z.M.Pike. Papers...) Concerning "his embassy" and hope for its success. | |||
Pike, Zebulon, 1751-1834.
Receipt to John Wilkins, for military funds | May 9, 1800 | Request File | |
Photostat of D.S. 1p.,end. (see Z.M. Pike. Papers...) | |||
Pike, Zebulon, 1751-1834.
Letter to D[avi]d Henley | June 3, 1800 | Request File | |
For Pickering, Photostat of A.L.S. 3p.and end. (see Z.M.Pike. Papers...) Concerning some negroes who have escaped from slavery from the Indians. | |||
Mulford, Clarence.
Letter to William Linnard, Philadelphia | July 19, 1805 | 11x8-1/2 | Request File |
St. Louis, Typed L. 1p. (see Z.M. Pike. Papers...) Business. Expense of Pike's expedition to the source of the Mississippi. General physical description: 11x8-1/2 | |||
Pike, Zebulon Montgomery, 1779-1813.
Diary | 1806 | Request File | |
ca. Photostats of A.D. 5p.of which 3 are maps and 2 are meteorological data. (see Z.M. Pike. Papers...) | |||
Clark, William, 1770-1838.
Letter to [Henry] Dearborn | May 18, 1807 | 11x8-1/2 | Request File |
St. Louis, Typed L. 5p. (see Z.M. Pike. Papers...) Concerning the Indian of the mid-West. Refers to Pike. Enc.originally in letter; J.Sibley to S.H.Sibley; June 30, 1807. General physical description: 11x8-1/2 | |||
Sibley, John, 1757-1837.
Letter to Samuel H. Sibley | June 30, 1807 | 11x8-1/2 | Request File |
Natchitoches, Typed L. 4p. Copy. Enc. ( see Z.M. Pike. Papers...) Business. Concerning Burr and Wilkinson. Concerning Burr and Wilkinson. Concerning Pikes expedition. Concerning the Indians. For enc., see: W.Clark to H.Dearborn; May 18, 1807. General physical description: 11x8-1/2 | |||
Fort Bellefontaine, Missouri.
Order book | Aug. 22, 1808 - May 3, 1810 | 11x8-1/2 | Request File |
Typed D. 2p. Extracts. (see Z.M. Pike. Papers...) Concerning Z.M.Pike. General physical description: 11x8-1/2 | |||
Pike, Zebulon Montgomery, 1779-1813.
Receipt for military stores received | Aug. 30, 1809 | Request File | |
New Orleans; Photostat of D.S. 2p. (see Z.M. Pike. Papers...) | |||
Pike, Zebulon Montgomery, 1779-1813.
Garrison orders | July 1, 1811 | Request File | |
Baton Rouge, Photostat of A.D. 1p. (see Z.M. Pike. Papers...) | |||
Pike, Zebulon Montgomery, 1779-1813.
Garrison orders | 1811 | Request File | |
Photostat of D.S.: Z.M. Pike, et al. 6p. (see Z.M. Pike. Papers...) | |||
Montero, Bernardino.
Letter to the Governor of Texas, Manuel de Salcedo | Feb. 20, 1812 | Request File | |
Photostat of L.S. 2p. In Spanish. (see Z.M. Pike. Papers...) Concerning Pike's expedition to wipe out the bandits. | |||
Pike, Zebulon Montgomery, 1779-1813.
Letter to Bernard[i]no Montero | Feb. 26, 1812 | Request File | |
Nachitoches, Photostat of L. 2p. Copy. In Spanish (see Z.M. Pike. Papers...) Printed in part: Hollon. The Lost Pathfinder; 195. | |||
Montero, Bernardino.
Letter to Manuel de Salcedo | March 1, 1812 | Request File | |
Photostat of L.S. 2p. In Spanish. (see Z.M. Pike. Papers...) Concerning Pike and his wish to scour the robbers. | |||
Pike, Zebulon Montgomery, 1779-1813.
Letter to James Wilkinson, Washington | March 31, 1812 | Request File | |
Baton Rouge, Photostat of D.S. 1p.and add.,end. (see Z.M. Pike. Papers...) Introduces Lt. King. | |||
Montero, Bernardino.
Letter to the Governor of Texas, Manuel de Salcedo | April 1, 1812 | Request File | |
Nacogdoches, Photostat of L.S. 1p.,end. In Spanish. (see Z.M. Pike. Papers...) Forwards letters by Z.M. Pike, et al. | |||
Montero, Bernardino.
Letter to the Governor of Texas, Manuel de Salcedo | April 1, 1812 | Request File | |
Photostat of L.S. 2p. In Spanish. (see Z.M. Pike. Papers...) Copies a letter from Pike concerning cooperation in getting rid of bandits. | |||
Overton, Walter Hampden, 1788-1845.
Letter to Captain Montero | March 21, 1812 | Request File | |
Nachitoches, Photostat of L.S. 2p. In Spanish. (see Z.M. Pike. Papers...) Concerning the activities of Pike. | |||
Pike, Zebulon Montgomery, 1779-1813.
Letter to James Wilkinson, Washington | March 31, 1812 | Request File | |
Baton Rouge, Photostat of D.S. 1p.and add.,end. (see Z.M. Pike. Papers...) Introduces Lt. King. | |||
Salcedo y Salcedo, Nemesio, 1754-1814?.
Letter to the Governor of Texas [Manuel de Salcedo] | May 12, 1812 | Request File | |
Photostat of L.S. 1p. In Spanish. (see Z.M. Pike. Papers...) Concerning Pike. | |||
Sibley, John, 1757-1837.
Letter to Major Stoddard | April 2, 1812 | 11x8-1/2 | Request File |
Natchitoches, Typed L. 4p. (see Z.M. Pike. Papers...) Concerning Mexico, Pike, the Indians, and internal affairs of the U.S. Refers to mineralogy. Printed in part: Hollon. The Lost Pathfinder, 196. General physical description: 11x8-1/2 | |||
Parke, Benjamin, 1777-1835.
Statement of need of Zebulon Pike | Sept. 5, 1818 | 11x8-1/2 | Request File |
Typed D. 2p. Certified by Sam. Crane. (see Z.M.Pike. Papers...) General physical description: 11x8-1/2 | |||
Pike, Zebulon, 1751-1834.
Oath, declaration of need, and schedule of property | June 12, 1823 | 10-1/2x8 | Request File |
Typed D. 3p. Certified: James Dill. (see Z.M. Pike. Papers...) General physical description: 10-1/2x8 | |||
Dill, James, 1772-1838.
Letter to J[ohn] C. Calhoun, Washington | April, 1824 | 10-1/2x8 | Request File |
Lawrenceburg, Ind., Typed L. 1p. (see Z.M. Pike. Papers...) Concerning Pike's promise of full pay from Jefferson, and his need for funds. General physical description: 10-1/2x8 | |||
U.S..
Concerning monies paid to Zebulon Pike from the Revolutionary list | 1824 | 6x8-1/2 | Request File |
Typed D. 1p. (see Z.M. Pike. Papers...) General physical description: 6x8-1/2 | |||
United States.
An act granting pensions to James Barker and Zebulon Pike | March 3, 1825 | 10-1/2x8 | Request File |
Washington, Typed D. 1p. Approved: James Monroe. (see Z.M. Pike. Papers...) ---Typed copy. 5x8-1/2. General physical description: 10-1/2x8 | |||
Pike, Zebulon, 1751-1834.
Letter to Richard Rush | July 1, 1828 | 10-1/2x8 | Request File |
Lawrenceburg, Ind., Typed L. 2p.,witnessed by James Dill and John Fist. (see Z.M. Pike. Papers...) Forwards documents for relief. General physical description: 10-1/2x8 | |||
The Daily Democrat, Doylestown, Penna..
Zebulon M[ontgomery] Pike. A Hero of the War of 1812 | Jan. 8, 1906 | 11x8-1/2 | Request File |
Typed D. 4p. (see Z.M. Pike. Papers...) General physical description: 11x8-1/2 | |||
The Lawrenceburg Press, Lawrenceburg, Ind..
Concerning Clara Brown Pike, wife of Zebulon Montgomery Pike | Oct. 20, 1927 | 14x8-1/2 | Request File |
D. 2p. Mimeographed. (see Z.M. Pike. Papers...) General physical description: 14x8-1/2 | |||
Work projects administration. Louisiana.
Survey of Federal Archives in Louisiana, Book II, (Part 2) Greensburg Land Claims British West Florida | 1940 | 11x8-1/2 | Request File |
Typed D. 6p. Extracts. (see Z.M. Pike. Papers...) Concerning a land claim referring to Z.M. Pike. General physical description: 11x8-1/2 | |||
May, T. R..
Concerning Pike's journal of his trip up the Mississippi, 1805-1806 | Sept. 16, 1946 | 11x8-1/2 | Request File |
Locust Valley, Typed D. 6p. (see Z.M. Pike. Papers...) General physical description: 11x8-1/2 | |||
Pike Family Association.
Letter to [W. Eugene] Hollon | Oct. 16, 1946 | 11x8-1/2 | Request File |
A.D.S.: Lilian Pike Packard. 9 leaves. (see Z.M. Pike. Papers...) Concerning Z.M. Pike. General physical description: 11x8-1/2 | |||
Mills, Edwin.
Map of Fort Bellefontaine | 1946 | 1 map, 21.6 x 35.4 cm | Request Item |
Fort Bellefontaine was the first United States Army post west of the Mississippi River. It was established by General James Wilkinson in 1804. | |||
Goldmann, Sidney, 1903-.
Letter to [W. Eu]gene Hollon, Norman, Oklahoma | Feb. 13, 1947 | 11x8-1/2 | Request File |
Trenton, Typed D.S. 2p.,end. (see Z.M.Pike. Papers...) Concerning Z.M.Pike's ancestors in New Jersey. General physical description: 11x8-1/2 | |||
Evans, David R..
Letter to [W. Eu]gene Hollon, Norman, Oklahoma | Feb. 25, 1947 | 10-1/2x7 | Request File |
Somerville, N.J., Typed L.S. 2p. (see Z.M. Pike. Papers...) Concerning the location of Zebulon Pike's birth. General physical description: 10-1/2x7 | |||
Missouri Historical Society.
Letter to W. E[ugene] Hollon, Norman, Oklahoma | May 22, 1947 | 11x8-1/2 | Request File |
St. Louis, Typed L.S.: Brenda R. Gieseker, Librarian 1p.,end. (see Z.M. Pike. Papers...) Concerning Z.M.Pike material in the manuscript collection. General physical description: 11x8-1/2 | |||
Mills, Edwin W..
Pike's expedition up the Osage, 1806 | April 29, 1956 | 11x8-1/2 | Request File |
Typed D.S. 26p. (see Z.M. Pike. Papers...) General physical description: 11x8-1/2 | |||
Dill, James, 1772-1838.
Statement concerning Zebulon Pike's request for relief | Undated | 10-1/2x8 | Request File |
Lawrenceburg, Ind., [ca.1824]. Typed D. 2p. (see Z.M. Pike. Papers...) General physical description: 10-1/2x8 | |||
Hollon, W. Eugene (William Eugene), 1913-.
List of issues of the Weekly Chronicle of Natchez | Undated | 11x8-1/2 | Request File |
Miss., concerning Z.M.Pike. Typed D. 1p. (see Z.M. Pike. Papers...) General physical description: 11x8-1/2 | |||
Hollon, W. Eugene (William Eugene), 1913-.
List of Letters from W. C. C. Claiborne's letterbooks in which Zebulon M. Pike is mentioned | Undated | 11x8-1/2 | Request File |
Typed D. 1p. (see Z.M. Pike. papers...) General physical description: 11x8-1/2 | |||
Pike, Zebulon, 1751-1834.
List of children of Zebulon and Isabel Brown Pike | Undated | Request File | |
Photostat of D. 1p. (see Z.M. Pike. Papers...) Lists Z.M. Pike among them. | |||
Pike, Zebulon Montgomery, 1779-1813.
Genealogical material | Undated | 11x8-1/2 | Request File |
D. 6p. (see Z.M. Pike. Papers...) General physical description: 11x8-1/2 | |||