R. J. Boylan, Gold Rush Letters, 1850-1853

If James is determined to try his fortunes in California I think he had better come before I leave so that I can give him all the information I can, I wish him to bring with him or have sent to him a copy or description -- or what would be better a satisfactory piece made out from the mortgage held in his name and Mary Janes so that he can sign and acknowledge the year here the time he becomes of age. I wish to have it done for fear Sawyer Elderkin or Bill Turner or some of the good folks may not rest easy.

Brother Pain will make it from the mortgage you can consult your father about the plank road business and do as you think best in that respect and every thing [everything] else pertaining to our affairs -- I have not news to write to the children. I have a chance to send this letter to Mariposa P. O. in the morning so I am writing in haste and when I ought to be asleep if you do not get your letters regular it will be owing to my not having an oportunity [opportunity] of sending to the P. O.

I have not received a line from James since last June and I expect Mary Jane cant [can't] get time to write. Well when daughter Vena learns to write papa will get some letters try all you can to have Clarras eyes restored but nothing can be accomplished with out [without] dieting. I fear you can not [cannot] read this miserable hasty scrawl, but once more farewell dear wife and children from your own true husband

R J Boylan

Mrs N N Boylan

Sherlock Creek Cal Sept 4th 1852

D [Dear] Wife & children -- I write a short letter to you inclosed [enclosed] in the same invelope [envelope] with James first of all we are all well. I never in my life saw a person flesh up so fast as James his and face looks as though his skin was stuffed and varnised [varnished] he is nearly as big a Frank Goodspeed. I fear a reaction in his health and intend to allowance him in his bread, pork, potatoes beef &c, however he and all the rest of us work hard and sleep sound

Dr Oatman's [J. C. Oatman] health is quite good he endures labour [labor] much better than I expected -- as usual our luck still continues quite discouraging. We are doing but little more than clearing our expences [expenses] yet -- you I presume think verry [very] strange that we do not succeed better but mining for gold is nothing more or less than a lottery the ground we ocupy [occupy] has been verry [very] rich and was worked all that part that was considered accessible on account of large rocks we have toiled faithful diging [digging] -- blasting rolling and tumbling rocks of the size of tons weight and find we cannot make wages as yet but shall try another place thoroughly before we give up. I suppose you will say I'd quit. Well there is a company of four men the first at work below about as far as from your door to the stable that are getting from $100 to 400 per day coarse heavy gold. They value their claim at $1000 per share and they say all they can to encourage us to not give up or dispair [despair] -- If it was not for hope the heart of a Cal. gold miner would often break, but Thank God I am enjoying good health and still hope for the long lane to turn and if not I shall turn my steps towards as home as soon as the sickly season on the rout [route] is over and bid adieu a last adieu to this land of visionary golden dreams -- to again bask in the sunshine of home Sweet home

[written vertically in left margin] We have a good log cabin and live very comfortable birth [berth] with canvass [canvas] bottoms &c

I received your letter of July 12 direct to Mariposa P. O. at the same time I got my letters forwarded from Marysville in all six. So you see I had some thing of a feast of reading. The story by Mrs Hopkins was verry [very] effectery rendered still more so by the brackets designating various parts undoubtedly from your own hand. I expect another letter tomorrow, in that we shall learn respecting Sister Oatmans health, also further about poor daughter Clarra I fear she has been suffered to go too long but I always hoped she would outgrow the infirmity but my dear wife do the best you can for her brother J W Feu shall be compensated for his kindness towards her if my life and health is spared. My sincere respects to him and Sister Kate I shall give them a call on my way home. how long well till the first conveyance is ready to leave for Joliet -- you wish me to recommend some jintleman [gentleman] to take charge of your farm. Well Madam I am quite well acquainted with a man that will most probably suit in many respects he is thoroughly inured to hardship and toil with an iron bound constitution and good habits save his peculiar whims and strange notions he prefers to do his own cooking and washing and patching and has been so long acustomed [accustomed] to sleeping on the grond [ground] out under the spreading branches of a tree that you will find it quite dificult [difficult] to civalize [civilize] him and how he would do to take charge of an amiable woman and affectionate children I cant [can't] say -- for most certainly he has not embraced or imprinted a Kiss on any human being since March 27 - 1850, but I will forward him as soon a circumstance will permit and I hope you will receive him with all the affection due to your wandering exile husband

To my own Dear Margaret

R J Boylan

Hon Cutt [Honcut] mountains Cal March

Dear Wife and children -- It is now quite A whole year since I parted with you all and took a last lingering look of my beloved home it has been to me and to you -- a year of deep anxiety toil and dark forebodings -- but through the Kindness and mercey [mercy] of Almighty God I am enjoying the blessings of good health and A reasonable share of prosperity. If I could only enjoy the society of my darling Wife and children I should be quite contented but the thought of meeting again under cir-cumstances of being placed independant [independent] of duns and demands cheers me on to improve every day take good care of my health and look forward to that happy day when we may through the mercey [mercy] of God be permitted to surround our table and family alter be patient my dear Wife and children the time will soon roll round. In making A calculation of my financial affairs I realize since I started to prepare for California about one thousand dollars if the $640 besides the specimens -- have been received I have Gold on hand to make the balance of $1000 besides my Cayotaee (mule) one third of A good horse my mining tools provisions &c. I have provisions to last a month.

I shall go to Marysville and purchase some necessary articles for the mountains such as fruit of various Kinds some few clothing &c.

I have not received any letter from home since the date of last Nov 17th I feel verry [very] anxious to hear from you I cannot for A moment think that you would neglect to write. Yet I well Know you have many cares but James can write. I strenuously enjoin it upon him to see that I can have A letter written and mailed by the time 20th of every month then I shall Know at what time to go or send to the express office.

When I am located for summer it may be A long distance -- I have enrolled my name on the express of Snell & Hunter who carry from Sanfrancisco [San Francisco], Sacramento & Marysville to the upper mining of Feather river. I could be found for the time being by any old acquaintance through the express carriers. I shall probably not write again until I get into summer diging [digging]. I shall write to Brother Oatman [J. C. Oatman] make him A proposal if he intends or wishes to come to California that I will take up his note should he borrow money to the amount of $300 when I return but he will find Cal - verry [very] diferent [different] from what it was when he left it. Should I send him A draft it would cost me A journey to Sacramento and A loss of 12 or 15 ctents [cents] on evey [every] dollar