Gold Rush Letters of Henry A. Parker

Charles Capell -- Poor fellow -- I pity him. His sufferings during his sickness must have been great. A fit of sickness like his, must be more trying to anyone who has ever, enjoyed as good health as he and I have, and more severe. Than it would be to a person who was never in good health.

I hope however that he may recover -- I have already written you how I passed Thanksgiving, and wrote about our Thanksgiving dinner the following Sunday, in my letter to Harriet. I should have been as highly pleased could I have been at home, at that time as you would to have seen me there, and it now seems when I think of it as though I could not pass another Thanksgiving away from home. Those preserves you spoke of, I should like very well to have here in Cala [California] but should value them more highly, could I eat them at home. I suppose however that Aunet Lewis will be willing to take my share of the Preserves, and any other "nice fixens" you may have to offer her.

You say Uncle Bradley and family are well. I hope they may long continue so --

Remember me to them, and give my love to all, of them and say I am well and comfortably situated --

[Written vertically in the left margin]

Dec 19th 1855 Wednesday Eve I am as well as usual, but Mr Noyes [Ephraim Noyes] is almost sick with a cold.

The Paper H. [Harriet] sent me I received, and will send her one in return HAP [Henry A. Parker]

I am as well as usual. My friends, and acquaintances are all well also. Mr Noyes [Ephraim Noyes] is as well as he has been for some time.

I saw Mr Shipley yesterday. He is comfortably well. I have heard nothing from Sam Tucker [Samuel P. Tucker] since I last wrote you.

Our business is tolerably good, and I think will continue to be fair throughout the winter. The weather since I last wrote you, has been most of the time rainy and rather cool. Still I think is not so severe as a New England Winter. --

I received yesterday a letter from Miss Lewis also one from J. A. Tucker. They were all well and I think like living in Boston very well.

Give my love to Charles and Harriet, and tell H [Harriet] that I think her excuse for not writing me was rather a poor one, as her letters are always worth reading, not only once but a second time. Tell her to write me whenever convenient --

My kind regards to all my friends, and a large share of my love to you --

Continue to write me if possible as often as you have done, as your letters are always received with feelings of joy & pleasure by your affectionate Son H. A. Parker

San Francisco Cal. March 2d 1856 --

My Dear Mother,

The mail Steamer arrived yesterday afternoon, and last morning I recd [received] a letter from friend J. A. Tucker and one from Miss Lizzie Lewis, but none from mother. I went to the Post office again this morning, and asked the clerk at my window, if he had found another letter for me, he says immediately "No, Parker. I have not" so I was obliged to turn away, disappointed I assure you, for I felt sure of receiving a letter from you. Why I did not do so, I cannot tell, but time will probably give the reason. I hope you are all as well as usual, and that nothing uncommon has happened to any of you. How anxiously I shall await the arrival of the next mail Steamer, which I hope will bring the missing letter, and a companion to it written, a fortnight later.

Mr Shipley called to see me this morning -- says he received a letter from Mrs S. she was well, and did not write but what people in general, in Pepperell were all as well as usual although your Uncle Shipley, is growing old and feeble, and Henry Mason I understand is very sick at Chelsea.

I am as well as usual with the exception of a slight cold, which I think will wear off in the course of a few days. Mr Noyes [Ephraim Noyes] is well also, and our business, although not as good as it was three months ago still continues fair.

Four years have now passed since I left home. To look back and think of all that has passed since I left, and all the changes that have taken place during my absence from home, -- it indeed seems a long while, -- still I distinctly remember the manner in which I left home -- the ride to Tyngsboro [Tyngsborough], -- the parting with Charles, -- which worked up my feelings -- more, comparatively speaking, than when I parted from you and Harriet, for on parting with Charles it seemed as though I was taking leave of all my friends -- and I felt lonesome, -- still I felt resolved not to turn back. Since that time I have arrived safely in California, have been blessed with good health although have endured more hardship than I ever did at home. In the end I trust and hope that it will prove for the best that I came to Cala. [California]

Two years ago yesterday, I first commenced business, as a bookseller, since which time, I have confined my time and attention closely to it and have been well paid for all my care and trouble. Twenty one months, Mr Noyes [Ephraim Noyes] and I have been partners in business, and have agreed well together in every point connected with business.

For two years I have only been absent from San Francisco eleven days, so you can see that I am rather more steady than I used to be. I have got so now, that I have no desire to go away from my business, but feel content so long, as I have anything to attend to, and I hope I may always feel as willing to work as I have done for the past two years, for if I do, and am blessed with good health, I shall never need to want for the necessaries of life for I can always earn a good living anywhere, at any time.

Lizzie L. [Lewis] writes me that May E. Jewett is married at last to Mr. Hooper, and that after their marriage they took a trip on to N. York [New York].

She writes too that the weather had been very cold, and J. A. T. [J. A. Tucker] wrote that they had already had forty days of good sleighing in Boston with a fair prospect of having 40 days more of the same sort. Here throughout the month of February we had beautiful weather. A week ago Saturday and Sunday it was so warm that a person walking about the streets, in order to be comfortable needed thin clothes. -- Since then however, it has been somewhat cooler, consequently more pleasant

I expect however to see more rain during this month and the month of April, although today is a beautiful day, warm and pleasant --