Gold Rush Era Collections

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]

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

San Francisco April 13 1854

My Dear Mother,

I have but little to write you in the way of news, but shall try to make up an apology for a letter, hoping that it may prove acceptable to you. In the first place I continue to enjoy the best of health, which ought to be prized above all things. More especially when one is situated as I am at present away from home and friends -----

Since I last wrote you I have purchased of Mr. Galacar, a bookstand which I was attending to for him when I last wrote, and I hope I shall be able to make something out of it in the course of a year. I intend to order by this mail of Mr. Tucker an assortment of books, cutlery, fancy goods &c and have him ship them to me via Cape Horn, instead of send me the balance of my money across the Isthmus, as I can save a large per centage [percentage] on goods that I want by so doing ---

In a short time I calculate that the business will pay me clear of all expenses, board &c [etc] from two to five dollars per day, but you will please bear in mind that I may be mistaken in my calculations and have to content myself with much less than the amounts above mentioned.

Your kind letter dated March 2d [2nd] was received the 3d [3rd] inst. enclosed with one from S. A. Jewett

I was very glad to hear that you were all comfortably well at the time you wrote, but sorry to hear that Harriet had been so unwell -- under your kind care however I hope and trust that she will soon regain perfect health and be hearty more than ever before. Mr. Jewett wrote me quite a long letter giving me a very satisfactory explanation of all matters of which I wrote Mr. Tucker about, still as Mr T. has promised me a more full explanation still, think I will not answer Mr J. until next mail. I am led to believe that everything is as near right and correct as I could expect it to be under the circumstances and I am well satisfied that Mr S. A. Jewett did all in his power to make the settlement satisfactory to me and I think I had better let the real estate remain the same as it now is until I return home and whatever you all agree to do with regard to it, go on and do the same as you would if I had no interest in it and I shall be perfectly satisfied.

I must say however that I do wish, that Mr Locker which you speak of would buy the house on the corner for I think it would be a great benefit to us if he should do so. I was not aware until you wrote your last letter that Dea Blake had got a partner in his business. In your next please give me more particulars.