Associated Pioneers of the Territorial Days of California Papers

The papers consist of various correspondence and ephemera associated with the Associated Pioneers of the Territorial Days of California. The subject matter of the correspondence include the concerns of the organization such as meeting announcements, resolutions, propositions, election of officers, and the organization's Articles of Association. A large portion of the correspondence is authored by Frank D. Clark, who was the organization's secretary, and one of the primary addressees is Stephen L. Merchant. Notable correspondence include letters dating when the Articles of Association were adopted (1876, April 3), describing the Society's badges (1876, May 3), stating resolutions adopted for the Society (1876, May 22), stating fees that were paid for admission into the Society (1878, June 20), planning for a permanent headquarters for the Society as well as a library and museum (1879, Jan. 20), and a letter calling to act in honor of John Sutter (1882, Mar. 1).

The papers also consist of a variety of different ephemera printed by the organization. The majority of ephemera include pamphlets, brochures, and invitations for the organization's annual meetings and social events. Ephemera include newspaper clippings about individuals such as Stephen L. Merchant, Francis D. Clark, Emperor Norton I of San Francisco, Julius Martin, and they also include newspaper articles about the organization and descriptions of their various social events. Other ephemera include the Society's ribbon, songbooks, membership applications, a list of the members of the society, a copy of the "Song of the Argonauts" or "The Days of ´Forty-Nine" written by Samuel C. Upham, and brochures about the society. A notable item is a 14th Annual Reunion Meeting booklet that contains firsthand accounts from original Pioneers.