Osborn Ayer - Gold Rush correspondence

Spring Gulch Cala [California] Aug 9^th, 53 [1853]

Dear Sister with pleasure I am favored with an opportunity of answering your long & excellent letter which came to hand several days ago I have written to Jen & Omar since so will learn of the receipt ere you get this I am now some fourteen miles from where I was on the receipt of your letter. John Hooker & John Baker Thos Thomas Evans & myself have bought a claim on what is called Spring Gulch I am here representing my own share and hiring a hand to do the same for Hooker he is at Murphys, California attending to our claimes [claims] there I should have written sooner but I have had no place to do my writing as my house consisted of an oak tree I am but little better convenienced now having nothing but a brush shanty and the wind flares my candle badly I ofen [often] think of you Dear Sister but can only form an idea of your looks & size as it was when I last saw you You were but a little Girl then thre [three] or four years I know at that age makes a great alteration in ones looks I am told you are a great girl now and as good as you are large This it gives me pleasure to hear But however much you may have changed I am confident I will know you at sight

I was up at Murpheys Murphys, California day before yesterday and received three letters from home twoo [two] from Jem and one from Gabrilia and Jemima states they shale [shall] be answered soon My health is as usual, good. John Hooker & John Baker are also in good health I have not heard from E L Turner for twoo [two] months the last I heard from him he was at or near Ringold [Ringgold Creek] I have written to him but got no answer In one of the last letters I received you asked if I know or could find where Cornelius Allen was I have never seen nor heard of him in Cala [California] and unless by acciden [accident] the chances of finding him would be verry [very] improbible verry [very] likely he may be high up in the mountains where he has to send letters by individuals to the post office & I have found that such letters never are mailed Those who went with him if there are any such would be most apt to know his whereabouts. Give my best respects to Olive and all the rest of the family

The evening breeze from the Mountains blows cool tonight the days are verry [very] warm and the nights rather cool All the boys are in bed sleeping This will be a short letter but Dear sister but you will excuse me I have worked hard today and am tired Next time I will write more

My love to all Good night

Osborn Ayer

To Amelia Ayer Schuyler Falls

Spring Gulch Cala [California] Aug 17^th 53 [1853]

Dear Brother

This evening I devote to answering your kind and interesting letters bearing dates May 29^th & June 12^th They were received some time ago & should have been answered before this; but I delayed a day longer than than I ought and I missed the opportunity of sending by the last mail I have left my old camping ground and moved lower down in the mountains some 15 miles I have purchased a claim and am at work here now, but I do not think of remaining long for I have also purchased a claim at San Antone camp some four or five miles from Murpheys Murphys and as soon as I can get this in a workable condition I think of going there to stop for a time and hire a man to work my claim here John is at Murpheys Murphys attending to our claims in Central Hill he has a claim here with me it is deep diggings and we have commenced drifting but

[written sideways in left margin]

Give my love to all who wish it but do not force anyone to except it

Direct your leters [letters] to Murphys Camp, Calaveras County

I cannot tell how it will pay yet so far (three weeks) and we have not made expenses but have been hindered in many ways we think we will do better this week The claim which I have got at San antono San Antone is a hill claim similar to my Murphy claim You said you had learned by too [two] friends of mine that I was doing well in my claim at Murpheys Murphys I have before told you exactly as near as I was able how well I was doing there I regret you cannot rely upon it for I told you with all fairness how well I may now be doing I am unable to say we are not washing any, but are drifting out a large quantity of dirt Hooker tells me about 25 cart loads per day Some of our dirt no doubt will pay will [well] some on the other hand will not pay for drifting but which must nevertheless be taken out, our expenses are necessarily large as all our ground has to be strongly timbered and well roofed above the standerds [standards] with slabs or boards but with all we expect to get this fall out of our

dirt some considerable money and cannot but hope to do well There are five interrested in the same at San Anton San Antone where I have an interest making one a fifth owner This is the first week that I have had an interest there I pay wages into the Co this week This claim has been paying farely how long it may continue to I cannot say

You desired my opinion on the propricty [prosperity] of selling the farm as you said Father talked some of doing so, also what I thought of emigrating to Cal California I would not wish to interpose my opinions against what you there may think best But you are now surrounded by all the conveniences and comforts of life to become so requires many years of toil and deprivation and I am of the opinion that as man cannot in a life time fit up and enjoy twoo [two] homes As regards coming to Calo California I would not by any means advise such a step the objections are these 1^st to bring a family here will cost a small fortune 2^nd if a man had money enough to buy a ranch or farm here such a one as he would be willing to live on, the interest of the