Gold Rush Era Letters

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Gold Rush Era Letters
Letters written by various people during the Gold Rush era 1848-1855. 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.
A. C. Freeman

A. C. Freeman

Abraham Clark Freeman wrote a four-page letter addressed to “Dear Wife”, dated Sunday, September 4, 1870. The letter is written on letterhead “State of California, Legislative Department, Eighteenth Session, Assembly Chamber” with State Seal. Abraham was born in Hancock County, Illinois, May 15,...

4 pages: 100% complete (75% indexed, 100% transcribed)
Benjamin A. Watson, Gold Rush Letters, 1849-1851

Benjamin A. Watson, Gold Rush Letters, 1849-1851

This collection consists of letters written between Benjamin and his wife, Emily while Benjamin was in California mining for gold. 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...

73 pages: 100% complete (77% indexed, 100% transcribed)
Bullock Family

Bullock Family

Three letters from Melvin in Downieville, California to his mother and sisters in Michigan dated May 29, 1858, Aug. 27, 1861 and January 28, 1863. Two letters from Martin: one from Sacramento dated Oct. 18, 1856 and the second from Searsville, San Mateo County dated Feb. 17, 1864. Also included...

23 pages: 100% complete (61% indexed, 100% transcribed)
Charles C. Newton

Charles C. Newton

Two letters, one dated Feb. 20, 1853, and sent to "My Dear Sister" (Mrs. Amelia Bailey, New York City) from Charles C. Newton. The second letter is dated Dec. 1, 1853, and sent from "Steep Hollow Creek, Up Cal", to "My dearest Sister" (Mrs. H.R. (Sara Jane) Worthington, Brooklyn, Long Island)...

8 pages: 100% complete (75% indexed, 100% transcribed)
E. C. Roberts

E. C. Roberts

Six letters from Edward C. Roberts in San Francisco to his father, Edward John Roberts in London, dated Aug. 14, 1852 to July 10, 1853, with an enclosure in the Aug. 14 letter from E.C.'s doctor, F. Montague. *** Please note that historical materials in the Gold Rush Collections may include...

21 pages: 100% complete (95% indexed, 100% transcribed)
E. Flitner

E. Flitner

Two-page letter sent from San Francisco and dated Sept. 14, 1850. The letter is addressed "Dear Brother" and signed E. Flitner. Flitner is writing as he awaits departure for Oregon on the Bark Orion. *** Please note that historical materials in the Gold Rush Collections may include viewpoints...

2 pages: 100% complete (100% indexed, 100% transcribed)
Eli Knapp

Eli Knapp

Letter dated May 27, 1855, written by Eli Knapp to his wife, Mabel, no address. One folded sheet of four closely-written pages. *** 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...

4 pages: 100% complete (75% indexed, 100% transcribed)
Francis Hanford Russel Collection

Francis Hanford Russel Collection

The Francis Hanford Russel Collection consists of four letters and a diary-type notebook. One of the letters is a letter of introduction to General Persifor F. Smith and signed by then ex-president, James Buchanan. The other letters are dated from 1849, and describe Russel’s journey to...

31 pages: 100% complete (77% indexed, 100% transcribed)
Frank Lawton

Frank Lawton

Four-page letter written by Frank Lawton and addressed from "Vernon City, Mouth of Feather River, Jan. 8th 1850" to Dan E. Sickles, New York. Lawton is reporting on his entrepreneurial success in California. He had formed a partnership with the captain of the ship he arrived on from San Blas....

4 pages: 100% complete (75% indexed, 100% transcribed)
Gold Rush Letters of Henry A. Parker

Gold Rush Letters of Henry A. Parker

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,...

331 pages: 100% complete (93% indexed, 100% transcribed)
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