Gold Rush Letters of Henry A. Parker

Henry A. Parker (1832-1916) was just twenty when he came to California seeking wealth. From February 1852 through March 1856, he wrote 100 letters to his family in Pepperell, Massachusetts. During most of this period, Henry tried to send a letter on each mail steamer that left San Francisco, normally two a month. He made the most of each sheet of paper, the letters show closely written handwriting and cross-writing on some letters. Henry's letters to his family provide a sense of what life was like in early San Francisco. Please note that historical materials in the Gold Rush Collections may include viewpoints and values that are not consistent with the values of the California State Library or the State of California and may be considered offensive. Materials must be viewed in the context of the relevant time period but views are in no way endorsed by the State Library. The California State Library’s mission is to provide credible information services to all Californians and, as such, the content of historical materials should be transcribed as it appears in the original document.

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