Battle of Seattle, January 26, 1856

Emily Inez Denny was the eldest child of early settler David Denny and his wife, Louisa Boren Denny. She was born in 1853, two years after her parents landed at Alki. During her life, Denny painted and drew many scenes of Seattle’s early history. One of her many paintings showed the Battle of Seattle which took place on January 26, 1856.

This photo of Emily Inez Denny’s painting shows Seattle’s white settlers running to safety in the city’s blockhouse. The ship “Decatur” sits offshore in Elliott Bay, helping to protect the settlers from a threatened Indian attack. Denny was only three years old at the time of the battle, and was carried into the fort in her mother’s arms.

Original painting by Emily Inez Denny.

Photographer: Howard Giske

Date of Painting Subject: January 26^th, 1856

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