Manuscripts
H. C. D. Baker letter to his family
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Margarett Solomon letter to Margarett S. Baker
Manuscripts
In this letter to her niece, Margarett Solomon writes of her current situation in Sacramento, and the state of the miners in the city. Includes lithograph depicting a fire in Nevada City, 1851, March 12.
mssHM 13464
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Marcus Baker journal to California
Manuscripts
Journal of Marcus Baker during his trip to California aboard the bark William Joy and his life thereafter near Sacramento. The journal begins when Baker left New York in January 1849. In his journal, Baker writes in detail about his voyage and the weather conditions, his visit to Rio de Janeiro (which includes comments upon the political, social and religious aspects of the city), the ship's arrival in San Francisco in the summer of 1849, his relocation to Sacramento, life in California, fires and floods, gold mining, and his loneliness due to separation from his family. After becoming a farmer, Baker writes much about agriculture in California, including details about the state's climate, environment, topography, and geology. Accompanying the journal are three items: letter by Edward Suffern to Marcus Baker (1850 February 3), an agreement between Marcus Baker and several others in the creation of Baker Farr & Co., Sacramento (1850 July 19), and a letter by Marcus Baker to "My dear E" (1852 March 12), probably his wife. The volume also contains pencil sketches by Baker, several of which are of Sugarloaf Mountain in Rio de Janeiro.
mssHM 83830
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D. Townsend letter to Elizabeth Owens
Manuscripts
In this letter addressed to "Sister Elizabeth", D. Townsend writes of his life in Sonora. There have been so many shootings as of late that the townspeople have taken the law into their own hands and lynched several of those responsible, often without trials. Townsend has recently done very well as part of a gold mining company. He writes that many miners go home to fetch their families and relocate to California permanently. Signed "your well wishing Brother." Includes lithograph titled "A View of the Elephant," depicting the various experiences of a typical California miner.
mssHM 16902
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S. S. Haws letter to his family
Manuscripts
In this letter addressed "Dear Wife & Children," S.S. Haws describes his five-month journey. He stops at the Bay of All Saints on his way around Cape Horn, breaking up a potentially deadly quarrel between the ship captain and mate along the way. He arrives in California on September 15, 1852, and makes his way to Sacramento, where he began mining, and then on to San Francisco. Of the current condition of mining, he writes, "It is true much gold has been and is still being dug but when you take into consideration the numbers engaged and the vast amount of toil privation and suffering performed and endured to obtain it dwindles down into mere nothingness." He writes of the fire that very nearly consumed Sacramento in its entirety, and the ensuing effect on prices of goods. He also gives news of mutual acquaintences who have also made the journey from New York to California, and reports he has "become quite a practitioner in various diseases," owing in no small part to the continuing growth of the California cities.
mssHM 17476
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Edward Meyer Kern letter to Richard H. Kern
Manuscripts
Edward Kern writes to his brother of the current situation and events at and near Sutter's Fort, where he is stationed with John Frémont. He writes of a skirmish with General José Castro of the Mexican Army, and a handwritten transcript of a statement by Castro is included. With sketch by the author.
mssHM 20649
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Lyman H. Howland letters to his son
Manuscripts
Lyman H. Howland wrote seven of these letters to his son, Garrald, after he left New Bedford to become an itinerant miner in California, Idaho, Nevada, and Montana. The first letter is a 16-page description of his 1892 railroad journey to Sacramento. In 1894, Howland is living in Spokane, Washington and talks of mining prospects. In 1896, Howland is mining in Troy, Idaho, and in 1897, he is mining in Sylvanite, Montana. Besides mining and his life as a miner, Howland also lectures his son on the evil of alcohol, talks of sending for his son to join him, and asks about family and friends back in New Bedford. Two of these letters are incomplete.
mssHM 83122-83129