Opening Hours
Daily: 10 A.M.–5 P.M.
Closed on Tuesdays
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108
Rare Books
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Daily: 10 A.M.–5 P.M.
Closed on Tuesdays
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108
Image not available
Rare Books
111244
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Manuscripts
A contemporary copy covering April 22 to June 16, 1745.
mssHM 899
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Rare Books
138710
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Manuscripts
The three James William Smith letters are addressed to his brother J. Edward Smith. The first letter, dated August 4, 1842, was written during his voyage to Hawaii on the brig "Sarah Abigail" and describes his journey thus far. The other letters are from 1845 and discuss the Hawaiian government and politics; a land scheme related to Peter Allen Brinsmade and Ladd & Co.; Koloa, Hawaii; fellow Christian missionaries on the island; King Kamehameha III; and Albert F. Judd. Also included is an albumen print of James William Smith dated 1873
mssHM 63640-63643
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Manuscripts
This diary from hotel keeper William Smith Benchley of Newport, New York, provides a detailed record of the many services he provided his patrons including food, drink, and accommodations for the patrons and their animals. The diary also includes local news; state and national politics; meetings and fundraising for the Democratic Party; hotel, railroad, and other local businesses; the local economy; and personal and family news. Also included is information on the early life and the move to California by William Benchley's oldest son Leonidas Brown Benchley, who later owned Helena Ranch and founded the Golden Belt Fruit Company in Fullerton, California.
mssHM 84538
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Manuscripts
Typescript of George A. Smith's journal, kept during his travels from Great Salt Lake City to Iron County from 1850-1851. Includes a description of Smith's travels, including references to camping at Dry Creek, Utah, with John Doyle Lee; a stop at Fort Provo with a full report of provisions; the exchange of a dead ox for an Indian boy; and Captain Jefferson Hunt's joining the party on his return trip from California. Smith also reports on the camp at Parowan, including the building of Parowan Hall, a mill, and various cabins. Smith writes of a letter he wrote to President Millard Fillmore requesting a military post on the Muddy River and notes that "we are a military people and must be...we want a military organization for Iron County." References are made in the journal to Amasa Lyman, Anson Call, Henry Lunt, Brother Shirts, Simon Baker, and Hew Whitney ("the first native white citizen in Iron County").
mssHM 72847