Gold Rush Letters of Henry A. Parker

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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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New York Feb 26th 1853

Dear Mother, Brother, & Sister,

I arrived here this afternoon about four O'clock rather used up by my journey but feel pretty smart this evening.

After C. left me at Lyngston I went directly to Boston. Arrived safe, saw Mr. Tucker went round with him for an hour or two and then started for Dedham and arrived at Mr. Fiskes about 5. Oclock [O'clock] P.M. and found them well.

Started from there this morning, came in to Boston and started for N.Y.

Found Mr. W. T. Fisk at Springfield waiting, then left there and arrived here in N.Y. safe and sound. As it is twelve O'clock I must tell short stories.

Has H. G. H. paid you that $8.? How did Chas [Charles] get home with Jenney?

Is there any thing said about me? My Baggage came along nicely I think although I have not examined it. I shall enclose this to Mr. Tucker and you will please write a few lines in return by next mail and I will write you again before I sail which will not probably be before the middle or last of next week. Charles mend the Tinker, Harriett fingers out of the sugar bowl. Did you find my memorandum.

In great-haste Yours affctly [affectionately]

H A Parker [Henry A. Parker]

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Pepperell Mar 1852

Dear Henry.

I receivd your letter of 29th. Feb. was happy to hear the prospect of your having a comfortable & pleasant voyage. Concerning your money think your plan of obtaining it from Mr. Walton a very good one I have called on Esq. Jewett immediately after I receivd he has a very favorable opinion of the matter says he will write Mr. H. Walton soon Mr. Tucker [Joseph A. Tucker] & I answered your first letters we receivd [received]; they did not reach N. Y. in time for you to get them & were returned sent back to us. You wished to know what was said about you

At first some of the Blakes imagind [imagined] you lived up in Mr. T's house. When they found out how the matter was Martha Ann was in a terrible stew -- She had enough to say -- She says "If Henry Parker had been of age & could have had the handling of his money he would not gone off he would have staid [stayed] home & married Lizza -- and he is not coming until he can have his money & do as he pleases & go where he pleases with Lizza & not be dictated he will have 7000 dollars when he is of age. His mother is not fit to be a woman" all of this the little nasty son gets off & much more

All they think of is money they care nothing about your person even that little dwarf of a Ferd. "Says he hopes Henry Parker will have Lizza for he he has got a lot of money & then he shall have some

Martha Ann says she is sure of you You have engaged to have Lizza & you cannot get away from it. Therefore if you are going to maintain the whole of that good for nothing extravagant tribe you must not return until you have draind [drained] California of gold & then if you should live a few years you will be an occupant of Mr Peacocks sky marlon

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San Francisco July 22nd 1852.

My Dear Mother, Sister, & Brother,

I now sit down to inform you of my doings &c since my arrival at this place & although it is but a short time since I wrote you I hope that a few lines now will be acceptable.

I have thus far enjoyed very good health & am as happy as I could expect to be under existing circumstances. I believe I wrote you in my last that I was going to try my luck at the mines where I hoped to meet S. P. Tucker [Samuel P. Tucker]. Acting accordingly I took the Steamer for Stockton Saturday afternoon the 10th inst & arrived at S. the next morning after a ride of 120 miles. We spent the Sabbath there & the next morning took the stage for Angels Creek a distance of 70 miles when we arrived at 5. Oclock. We then took our valises blankets & I started off on foot for Murphys Camp a part of the diggings situated 7 miles from Angels Creek. We proceeded about 20 miles when one of our party was taken sick & we we were obliged to camp in the woods for the night. I rested very well although we heard wolves barking around us several times during the night. At 3 Oclock in the morning we resumed our journey and arrived at Murphys at sunrise pretty well tired out. The first building we saw was a sawmill driven by steam when they charge 12 cts per foot for sawing lumber. It is owned by a company from Maine & they will get rich in a short time

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We looked about a little through the place which is quite large for a mining town containing 2 or 3 stores eating houses &c. We also examined several of the diggings in the vicinity. One place a party of 3 men often take out a pound of gold from a cart load of dirt & the week before we arrived there they took out $3200. while others within a few feet of them hardly made a living. Some persons that we conversed with told us that they had been digging for several months & scarcely paid expenses while others had made a fortune & after hearing the stories on both sides I came to the conclusion that it was like a lottery. One might win & again he might not, although if a person would make up his mind to dig 2 or 3 years steady I think he could make money. After stopping a few hours at Murphys we started for a place 2 miles from there called Douglass Flats where Fisk had some acquaintances at work mining who treated us very kindly as did all of the miners. They offered us the use of a Log cabin as long as we were of a mind to stay with them. Also food &c & assistance of any kind. The living at the Mines however is what I call awful & many of the cooking utensils are not thoroughly cleaned once a year if I might judge from the looks. Still they do not mind these things but on the other hand they seem to enjoy it & they all say that they are happy, & that it costs them but 4 or 5 dollars per week to live so that you can judge for yourselves whether they live in very good style or not when I name the prices of articles of food. Flour per lb. 15 to 20 cts vegtables [vegetables] 25 to 40 cts Pork 30 to 35 cts chickens 40 to 50 dollars per Doz Eggs 2 to 2 1/2 dollars per Doz Milk 2 1/2 dollars per gallon butter 75 to 80 cts per lb & all other

Last edit almost 3 years ago by California State Library
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