Manuscripts
William Heath Davis papers
Image not available
You might also be interested in
Image not available
John Heath letters to William Heath Davis
Manuscripts
Two letters written to William Heath Davis, Jr., to New York publishing agent John Heath regarding Davis's work Sixty years in California (1889). In the first letter, dated July 6, 1889 (HM 77911), Heath replies to Davis's stated intention to visit New York and have his work "in the market" there. Heath advises Davis to talk to him before making any publishing agreements, and offers to put Davis in touch with references verifying Heath's character and credentials. The second letter, dated August 8, 1889 (HM 77912), contains Heath's reply to Davis's inquiry for ways to improve his book, which he plans to "revise & enlarge." Although Heath had not yet seen a copy of the work, he advised Davis to make it as "attractive and interesting as possible." He speculates that the greatest interest in California existed among residents of the "eastern and middle states," since he believed that emigrants from Eastern states made up most of California's population. He suggests that these readers would be more "inclined and willing to believe" Davis's statements on current conditions in California since he was not a "land grabber, nor an Emigrant Solicitor." Heath concludes by suggesting that might be able to meet with Davis should the latter visit New York. Also included with the letter are two envelopes that appear to have come from other letters.
mssHM 77911-77912
Image not available
Sixty years in California : a history of events and life in California; personal, political and military, under the Mexican regime; during the quasi-military government of the territory by the United States, and after the admission of the state into the union, being a compilation by a witness of the events described
Rare Books
William Heath Davis (1822-1909) was the son of a Boston ship captain engaged in the Hawaiian trade and a Polynesian mother. After visiting California twice on trading voyages that took him all around South and North America, he settled in Monterey to work with his merchant uncle in 1838. In 1845 he settled permanently in San Francisco, becoming one of the city's leading merchants. His marriage to María de Jesus Estudillo tied him to the Hispanic community in his adopted region. Davis loved the easy life of the Californios, the descendants of the Mexicans who had arrived in Alta California in the late 1770s. He found them the happiest and most contented people he had ever known. Davis managed to meet almost every prominent man and woman who lived in or passed through California. He was one of the founders of New Town (now downtown San Diego). He served on San Francisco's first city council; he built San Francisco's first brick building and cofounded San Leandro.
2308
Image not available
Sixty years in California : a history of events and life in California; personal, political and military, under the Mexican regime; during the quasi-military government of the territory by the United States, and after the admission of the state into the union, being a compilation by a witness of the events described
Rare Books
William Heath Davis (1822-1909) was the son of a Boston ship captain engaged in the Hawaiian trade and a Polynesian mother. After visiting California twice on trading voyages that took him all around South and North America, he settled in Monterey to work with his merchant uncle in 1838. In 1845 he settled permanently in San Francisco, becoming one of the city's leading merchants. His marriage to María de Jesus Estudillo tied him to the Hispanic community in his adopted region. Davis loved the easy life of the Californios, the descendants of the Mexicans who had arrived in Alta California in the late 1770s. He found them the happiest and most contented people he had ever known. Davis managed to meet almost every prominent man and woman who lived in or passed through California. He was one of the founders of New Town (now downtown San Diego). He served on San Francisco's first city council; he built San Francisco's first brick building and cofounded San Leandro.
473832
Image not available
Subscription paper 1 & 2
Manuscripts
This collection of two manuscripts concern the establishment of a Catholic church in the city of San Francisco. Document Number One has 82 supporting signatures, and Number Two has fifteen.
mssHM 255
Image not available
William Heath Davis. Account to Albert Packard. San Francisco, California
Manuscripts
The collection consists of letters, manuscripts, documents and maps related to the life and business affairs of Benjamin D. Wilson. Subject matter includes business and social life in California (1850-90), Indian affairs in Southern California (1852-56), the wine industry, the Santa Fe trade, the estate settlement of Solomon Sublette, and the early history of Pasadena, San Marino, and Wilmington, California. There is also a great deal of personal correspondence from Wilson's wife Margaret S. Hereford Hereford Wilson, his daughters Maria de Jesus Wilson Shorb, Ruth Wilson Patton, and Annie Wilson, his son John B. Wilson, Ruth's husband George S. Patton, Sr., and many of Margaret's Hereford relatives. Also included are diaries kept by Margaret, Ruth, and Annie Wilson. Other individuals represented in the collection include Phineas Banning, Edward Fitzgerald Beale, Joseph Lancaster Brent, Cave Johnson Couts, Stephen Clark Foster, John Charles Fŕemont, John S. Griffin, William McKendree Gwin, Benjamin Hayes, Henry Edwards Huntington, George S. Patton, Jr., and Jonathan Trumbull Warner.
WN 1965.
Image not available
William A. Brown papers
Manuscripts
Collection includes correspondence by the Brown family from 1849 to 1855. In the letters, William A. Brown discusses his trip to San Francisco via Panama, his brief mining experiences, and the establishment of his mail and express service. The collection also includes some business papers.
mssHM 26407-26462