Gold Rush Era Letters

San Francisco Feb 3rd 1856

My Dear Mother

I have just written a few lines to Harriet, which makes, the fifth letter that I have already written to dispatch by next Steamer, to my eastern friends. I received your kind letter the 31st Jany [January]. Was happy to hear from you again, and I hope you will enjoy as good health throughout the long cold winter, as you you were enjoying at the time you wrote.

I am well. Business is duller with us now, than it has been for several months, -- still, we are doing very well at the present time -- by being prudent, and industrious I feel confident that Mr Noyes and I, can do very well, anywhere, and at any time, so long as we are blessed with good health.

If I remember rightly, day before yesterday was your birthday when you were 55 years old.

I was looking at your miniature that you gave me when I was in Boston, and comparing it with Mr Tuckers. Mr William Walton called in to see me at the same time, so I showed my miniatures to him. Says he "how old J. Tucker looks. He really looks as old as your Mother" I am afraid Mr T. would think that was more complementary to you than to him

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You will see an account, in the paper which I shall send Charles, of the death, at Honolulu S. I. of Edmund P. Hutchinson of Pepperell. It appears that he died twenty days after his arrival there from Boston --

Poor fellow! Instead of regaining his health as he hoped to do, he only left home to die among strangers in a strange land.

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Mr. William Walton will leave here tomorrow, accompanied by his wife and one child, on a visit of a few months, to the Atlantic States.

He would willingly take this letter to you, but I think I will not trouble him with it for you will receive it as soon, if not sooner, if I send it by mail, than you would if I sent it by him. --

Large handbills have been posted about the streets this week announcing that a certain firm in this city were prepared to sell nice, dry sound Potatoes for 20 cts per bushel -- Cheap enough for California.

There are plenty of chestnuts now in market brought from the Atlantic States which sell readily at retail for $1.00 a pound or 25 cts for a small tumbler full. They do not taste much however like chestnuts at home although they are very good. Wishing you all health and happiness I remain

Your affectionate Son H. A. Parker [Henry A. Parker]

Mrs. Ann Parker E Pepperell Mass

[written vertically in the left margin] Give my love to Charles & Hattie -- My regards to friends in general.

years. Perhaps they are anxious to know about him, because they think he has got a little money, for if I remember right they did not very often trouble themselves about him while he was at home, when they knew he had not got a dollar, but between you and I, I guess his money will never do them any good, neither do I think he will circulate much in Pepperell.

One thing however I do know, which is, that he receives letters much oftener than he used to do, when they thought he was a miserable drunkard here, at which time he seldom received letters from any of his friends. I should say that was the very time to write him and try to encourage him to do better and become once more a respectable man, but no! That would never do, for it is not customary for "the pillars of Pepperell Orthodox Church, to assist a fellow being whenever he has brought disgrace upon himself or friends by his own misconduct. No! Sooner will they trample on, and crush lower down one who has thus conducted." Is this right?

Mr William Walton says while walking through the middle of P. one day with his wife and mother, he was introduced to the new Orthodox minister, they having met him in the street. After the usual remarks passed

I see Mr William Walton occasionally. He is well and I suppose is making money fast, thereby adding to a fortune already made. I rather think that all those who have ever left Pepperell to come out here have got very well paid for doing so at least I hope so for we have all seen some hard times and may see harder ones before we ever get back home again --

Please give my love to Charles and Harriet, and remember me to all my friends, Uncle Bradley and family Mrs Betsey Tucker &c [etc.]. If you see any of Mr. J. A. Tucker's family give my respects to them as I shall be unable to write them by this mail.

With this Dear Mother accept my best wishes for your welfare and believe me Your affectionate Son {[H. A. Parker]] [Henry A. Parker]

To Mrs Ann Parker E. Pepperell Mass