Gold Rush Era Letters

Think I will write you a few lines more however before I retire to bed. I received a letter from Sam P. Tucker [Samuel P. Tucker], this last week. He was still at work mining near his old location. I saw, (several days before I received his letter) by the papers that "Tucker and Company had struck it rich in their claim above Hatch's Junction" and I thought at the time it might mean Sam, and it turned out that he was the "lucky hombre"

He writes that for two or three weeks their claim paid them larger wages, but since then it has only paid good average wages. When he wrote he thought some of seeling [selling] off his chickens, claim, &c and going to work in a River Claim which he in company with seven others had taken up. His health remains good, and I think he is doing very well, and I hope he will continue to do well so as to get pay for coming out to this country.

He never writes when he thinks of returning home --

Your cousin Wm. E. Shipley [William E. Shipley] is well as usual as are all the Pepperellites. I saw James Bolles yesterday. You probably remember who I mean, as he is a nephew of Mr. James Bolles of Pepperell and used to live with him. He has been here in the mines for two years nearly, but has not done very well. He has shipped in the Barque Archibald Gracie and is going to the Sandwich Islands, and then back here again

He would like to have you inform his Uncles folks of what I have written you about here. He says he has written them three times since they last wrote him and he is now waiting to hear from them.

I must now draw to a close. Please give my love to Charles and remember me to my friends.

From your affct [affectionate] Son H. A. Parker [Henry A. Parker].

Mrs. Ann Parker E Pepperell Mass

[written vertically in the left margin and over the horizontal text]

Tuesday morning, August 1st The mail arrived yesterday by which I received letters from J. A. T. [J. A. Tucker] and Miss Lewis but as yet I have not received yours, but think I shall find one from you today. I am as well as usual this morning and I hope you are all enjoying good health at home. I have just heard from Sam Tucker [Samuel P. Tucker] by way of Charles Valintine who has just come down from Gold Springs. Sam is well.

James Bolles did not go to the Sandwich Islands as he expected to do I have not seen him for two or three days.

Tell Chas I have sent him some Papers --- Your Son H. A. P. [Henry A. Parker]

San Francisco, Sunday, Jan 14th 1855

Dear Mother,

Your kind letter date Dec. 17th I received this morning. I also received letters from my friends: J. A. Tucker and S. W. Cogswell all of which were very acceptable.

I am glad to hear that you all continue to enjoy perfect health, which blessing I hope will be bestowed upon you for a long time to come. My health remains good and I am getting along as well as usual. Mr Noyes [Ephraim Noyes] is also well and we continue to get along together as well as ever ---

Sam P. Tucker [Samuel P. Tucker] nd Charles Wright came down here from Columbia last Friday morning, I was very glad to see them but had made up my mind that I should not do so until spring, for Sam wrote me a few weeks ago that he thought he would be here New Years, but owing to the heavy rains which set in just at that time they postponed their visit until now. We have had a grand time together I assure you or at least I have enjoyed myself very much while he has been here, and I think he has enjoyed himself also. They will return to Columbia tomorrow afternoon and would like

I have not as yet heard from Sam P. Tucker [Samuel P. Tucker] since the last of January, although I have been looking for a letter from him for a fortnight past, but without success

I dare say he is well and is so busily engaged at mining that he finds but little leisure time, and so neglects writing me, but I think I shall hear from him soon in the course of a few days. I see Mr. Shipley quite often. He is quite smart, but is troubled some with his throat. He wished me to give you his best respects, whenever I wrote ---

James K. Bolles is here as yet but expects to go to sea in the course of a few days, in the same vessel he was in before, "The Jefferson Davis"

I am comfortably situated at the present time. We have got a good, pleasant room, and do our own cooking. For the past week, I have acted as cook, and I like it for a change very well. We live better than we did at the Restaurants, and besides live cheaper by one third. I have rather too much to see to, when alone, but still so far have got along very well. --

I am now going to bed, so Good Night