Gold Rush Era Letters

October the 11 of 1851

My Dear Father I thought I would write to you to let you know that I am well hoping these few lines may find you the same I should like to see you all very well tell John Houston that I should like for him to come here and see the place and I think he would like it very well but he could not tell beter than to come and trying it I think I will be home the tenth of next month If nothing happens more than I know of now I want you to write to me how you are geting on and how all the folks are I should like to hear from them all now for I am as home sick as the deal just now but I hope it will go over soon we get good bord plenty to eat and some left I want you to write me A leter as soon as you can convient for shall loo[look] for one next week I have got tird[tired] of riting[writing] now but remain yours. Amos M Ryerson

According to your promise that If you see a fair prospect of my digging Gold to advantage you would let know of it. I have been expecting a letter all summer. John if you should know of an opportunity for me to get some of the gold I think you might spare me a few thousands and then hav Enough left for you & Brown to Freight a steamer, Back to N York with So Please Write and let me know I remain yours &c John Ryerson Isaac R Vangilder

Article of Agreement made the 24^th day of October 1854, between Theodorus B. Denton of the County of Orange and State of New York of the first part and John N. Ryerson of the County and State aforesaid, of the Second part, as follows: Viz.

Whereas the Said Denton hereby agrees with and sells to said Ryerson the following described property, and on the following conditions: Say the property called the Horse Island property, and being bounded as follows: on the Northwest by the middle of the Walkill river; on the South and west by the land of said Ryerson, George Phillips Decd and the middle of the Walkill; on the East by the middle of the Chechunk canal, and on the North by the lands of the aforesaid Ryerson. Supposed to contain near Sixty acres of land, be the same more or less; for the sum of two thousand four hundred dollars, payable as follows: one thousand dollars on the first of April next, when a title is to be given and a bond and mortgage made upon said property for the remaining one thousand and four hundred dollars, payable within three years, in such sums and at such times as Said Ryerson may wish not less than one hundred dollars each, together with annual interest at six per cent upon all sums unpaid. The property of Michael Kelly who is now living on the premises as well as his priviliges as agreed between him and said Denton are reserved from this sale as well as a small stack of hay belonging to said Denton. This contract to be consummated and the possession given on the first of April next. In witness whereof the parties to these presents have hereunto set their hands on the date before mentioned. (NB) said Ryerson is to In the presence of have the privalege of going upon and cutt- ing timber & building fences as he may disire between

This ends the first of the (?) first of (?) J.B. Denton John N Ryerson

Dust one bag gold - 1101 Dust quick silver - 844 in all - 1945

Shipped, in good order and condition, by Nicholas M. Ryerorn on board the Lchr. called the Eagle whereof B. Thomas is Master for this voyage, now lying at the port of NEW-YORK, and bound for Sacramento City Cal To say : Thirty Six Racks of Butter Baker & Duyckinek, Stationers, 158 Pearl-st. R # 1 to 36 Goods to be recieved by Conaigneo, at end of vesesl's rackles at her snohchage, when ready for delivery 36 Racks Freight payable on board in specie, or its (***unreadable ***) delivery of the goods. Vo s l not (***unreadable***) or brockage when properly Fought (***unreadable***) 529 for a $1. 529.00 being markerd and numbered as in the margin; and are to be 5/o primmage 24.43 delivered in the like order %553.43 and condition, at the Port of Sacramento to Lily (the dangers of the seas only excepted,) unto John M Ryerorn or to his assigns, he or they paying freight for the said goods One Dollar per Lalr'd foot with 5% primage and average accustomed. In witness whereof, the Master or Purser of the said vessel hath affirmed to H Bills of Lading, all of thus tenor and date ; one of which being accomplished, the others to stand void. Dated in NEW-YORK, the 24 day of august 1850 Contents unknown (***unknown***)

2.4 28 2.4 28 224 56 784 2352110 174814 5240 5284 44

Dae City Lay p.1851 Ricd The aint of the written freight Two hundred sixty mil 14/100 abbly. Leaving H Payly Ry Lualy H46

John N. Ryerson Sanfransico Cal

but I think we will get [illegible] a long we or Charles has sold most of the lot that came to day at 8/2 it is not delivered yet I have seed no money on it yet and all we have is about 35 sachs of first but if you have a chance to let what you have in hand slide at [illegible] - let it go for this makes I think is full. sweet potatos will bring 7/2 & 8 Island in demand at 4/2 & 4 3/2 our lot is getting low if you can get good ones buy semore but -ser- clean of the barley below if you can, if not send us our part and we will put it of as fast as we can I like the flour and pork speculatier lent at the present prices I have been offered a choice lot of clean pork at 11 for 1/2 8 6 for 1/4 if you better as it is safe a few more good yelev lazed hamz if

Broth I.W.R Sac City Feb 18 1851 Yesterday my remitance was $1337 and to day I send you what I have which is only 46% or $736. Yesterdays goods all came correctly except - 2 1/4 Box Raisins which I will look after to the boat. The shortage in the 62lbls of oats I think was enormous & the boys must have missed horably to have taken them at such weights. Barley moves rather slowly at 9 & 9./2 but we try & get 10 at retail but take 9 if we can do no better of the 75 sacks sent up a Sunday Charles has sold some and has sent 10 sacks to Mareys Ville and the ballence the bigest part of it. I have on hand yet in the ranch. I think all the barley we have in hand is about 200 sack and we have quite a lot of the nuts in hand we [illegible] sacked the 5 hhds and have about 50 of the old lot, and I must say I think the man that sold you the nuts was rather close in his trade as they will not hold out 51 lb each I have weighed a great many of them and all I can make them weigh is 50 or 50 1/2. 10 sacks weighed together will weigh 504 or in about that line I think if he does the fair thing he will dedecut 100 lb on the lot or 1 lb on each sack. The hams go rather slow but we will soon go at them as soon as the casks are out of the way Flour is selling at 6. I have had to buy some today if you buy any only good. The batter is being delivered from the [illegible] today I have not paid the fraight yet- [illegible] and will let it