Manuscripts
William E. Lovett letters to Elizabeth Lovett Lee Davis
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Gustave E. Genthner letters to his family
Manuscripts
Twenty-nine of these thirty letters were written by Gustave E. Genthner to various members of his family, located in Boston. The letters were written between 1860 and 1867, from various parts of California. The lone exception is HM 16665, written by Barnas A. Genthner on 1845, January 2, from New York, to "Father and Mother." The names of the relatives are never given. In the letters, Gustave Genthner describes his experiences working on a farm outside San Francisco, and as a soldier during the Civil War. In HM 16642, dated 1860, September 14, he writes, "I am very lonesome sometimes and home-sick too but then the novelty and diversity of life here soon drives it away." He sends money home as often as he can, and writes of his toils ploughing in the fields. In August 1861 (HM 16651), Genthner reports that he has become a soldier of Company B, 1st Brigade for the Union, and writes passionately of his pride defending "one of the most glorious governments that the sun ever shone upon" (HM 16653, 1862, September 29). He does well as a soldier, and writes with pride of receiving a pair of pistols as a gift from the citizens of San Jose (HM 16657, 1863, October 7). In mid-1864, he writes from Fort Yuma, "I could never have advanced myself at home as I have here" (HM 16660, 1864, May 21), but by June, he has resigned from the Army due to his poor health (HM 16661, 1864, June 5). Following his discharge, Genthner works for the San Francisco police force. Soon after, he has a family of his own, as he writes in HM 16668 (1866, March 11) that "Sarah and the baby are well," and in HM 16669, refers to "my darling wife and sweetest of babies."
mssHM 16642-16645, 16648-16673
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E. Holbrook letters to Mrs. Holbrook
Manuscripts
In these two letters to his mother, Holbrook writes of his experiences in the Washington Territory and California. In HM 24543, written from Washington Territory on January 26, 1854, Holbrook writes of local politics and the project of establishing a railroad down the Pacific coast to California. HM 24544, written April 26, 1854 in Sonora, California, contains Holbrook's description of that region, and he compares it with Washington.
mssHM 24543-24544
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Malcolm King letters to Arthur Lee Kellogg
Manuscripts
In these two letters to his nephew, dated February 21 aand October 21, and addressed "Dear Artie," Malcolm King writes of local details. In HM 4281, he draws small pictures as substitutes for words, such as an eye for "I" and an ant for "aunt." He writes "when the Pacific Rail Road is done you can come to California." HM 4282 includes an envelope, and King writes he has sent a letter by personal telegraph, but that "our telegraph line is Love, and it reaches from our hearts to yours."
mssHM 4281-4282
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W.P. (William P.) Reynolds letters to Edward J. Reynolds
Manuscripts
W.P. Reynolds advises Edward Reynolds to stay in Boston to continue his studies, but Edward is welcome to join him in Mexico later in the year. W.P., who appears to be Edward's elder brother, also offers advice on other topics (i.e. "Urbanity and politeness are weapons in the hands of a man of tact"). HM 4210 is dated July 3, and HM 4211 is dated August 4. Both letters were written in San Francisco, California, and both are addressed "Dear Eddie."
mssHM 4210-4211
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Two letters by William Charles Macready
Manuscripts
The first letter is addressed "Dear Madam" (HM 63352), and the other, to "My Dear Sir" (HM 63353).
mssHM 63352-63353
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James Bushnell letters to Ananias Pond
Manuscripts
HM 19385 is dated January 5, 1852, written from Keeseville, New York, and is addressed to "Dear Brother or Son." Bushnell writes that he has heard from Pond's daughter, Fannie, and that Pond seems to want his family to move out to California with him. Bushnell is sorry to hear of Pond's "misfortune" but is sure he will get by it, and writes of relatives and mutual friends. Bushnell has a shop and house at a prison, and hopes to build a forge there as well. He writes "if the Boys take a notion to go to California I would go with them." HM 19386 is written from Browning, Illinois, and dated May 20, 1855. It is addressed to Ananias Pond and Fanny M. Pond, and Bushnell begins the letter "Dear Children." In addition to more details concerning family and friends, Bushnell lists the types of timber on his lot of land, as well as financial details of goods.
mssHM 19385-19386