Manuscripts
Peramus Green Ames letter to Sarah Ann Ames
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Peramus Green Ames speech to the Masonic Lodge
Manuscripts
This manuscript is a transcript of a speech given by Peramus Green Ames as part of his application to join the Masonic Lodge, wherein he tells of his religious beliefs. Includes one-page affidavit proclaiming membership in the Lodge for Peramus Green Ames, dated 1850, April 2, and signed by J. Cadman and A.S. Mitchell.
mssHM 49911
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Peramus Green Ames diary of an overland journey
Manuscripts
This is the manuscript journal of Peramus Green Ames, kept during his travels from the Missouri River to California. He reaches California in August 1850, and soon begins mining for gold. He departs for home by ship on October 1, 1853. Includes several pages of financial figures and notes. Journal is dated May 6, 1850 through November 1, 1853.
mssHM 49912
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Joseph Goldsborough Bruff letter to James Tyler Ames
Manuscripts
Letter from Bruff to James Tyler Ames in which he describes his intentions to travel west in search of gold. Focuses on financial arrangements for Bruff's family while he is away, as well as travel expenses and supplies necessary for his trip west, which he anticipates will last at least a year. Bruff asks Ames for any assistance, financial or in supplies, that he can give and promises to repay him as soon as his gold mining endeavors are successful.
mssHM 43068
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Joseph C. Sasia letter to Olive Percival
Manuscripts
In this letter, Fr. Sasia regrets that he was unable to secure any reliable information on the sundial at the San Juan Bautista Mission, but if she would write the present rector of the mission, he might be able to furnish some information. He gives the name and address of the rector and promises to keep her letter on file and contact her should he find any information on the sundial.
mssHM 16373
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Edward Gould letters to Sarah Ann Gould
Manuscripts
Edward Gould wrote these four letters to Sarah Ann Gould, who was perhaps his sister, while he was in California searching for gold. In the first letter (HM 31530, dated 1850, August 30), Gould has sent home "12 1/2/ ounces" and is "keeping grocery at the same place." He writes that he has almost come home several times, but "the thought of coming with so little Dust has kept me back." HM 31531 is dated 1850, October 14, and in it, Edward writes that with the decline of successful digging, things have become very uncertain. However, the city of San Francisco is growing and improving at an incredible rate. In Edward's next letter (HM 31532, dated 1851, April 30) he is back at the mines, after having a dull visit to San Francisco. He hopes his prospecting will improve as the water levels drop, and plans to "engage a little in the boot trade." The fourth and final letter in this series (HM 31533, written 1852, January 13) finds Edward still in the mines, planning to stay through spring.
mssHM 31530-31533
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Daniel B. Robinson letter to Mary Ann Robinson
Manuscripts
These manuscripts are a series of letters from Daniel Robinson to his sister Mary and brother James. In HM 19765 (1847, November 14), a letter to his sister, Daniel Robinson writes of his travels and contacts in the middle United States. HM 19766, dated 1849, March 12, also to Mary, Daniel writes he has delayed responding to her last letter due to a lack of interesting things to say. His main wish is to gain his fortune, and plans to accompany a group bound for the gold mines of California, and plans to leave Illinois in a week's time. He promises he will travel safely, and will write from time to time. The last letter to Mary in this sequence is dated 1850, October 31 (HM 19767), and Daniel has reached California, and has purchased "a lot of cattle" with several friends from Illinois. He would describe his journey if he had time, but plans to return to Illinois in the following spring. The final four letters are from Daniel to James, his brother. HM 19768 is dated 1849, April 12, and was written in St. Joseph, Missouri, where Daniel plans to stay for a month. The letter describes Daniel's trek to California, across overflowing rivers and many rough roads. The next letter (HM 19769) is dated May 3, and Daniel has left St. Joseph. His party had to wait two days for their chance to cross a river, as there were four hundred teams waiting for their turn. He saw several familiar Illinois faces in St. Joseph. On May 28, Daniel writes again to James (HM 19770). Their cattle broke free from their corral and scattered; they managed to recover some, but several were lost. Daniel learns that over four thousand teams have passed this way, bound for California. The final letter in this series is HM 19771, and is written from Sacramento City, California, dated 1849, October 3. Daniel reports the final leg of their journey was rather unpleasant, due to poor weather coupled with exhaustion. He says "there seems to be no extent to the amount of gold in California, and common laborers can get from two to three hundred dollars per month." His team has sold their wagons and cattle for mules and and mining equipment. He has heard many tales of gold, and expects to make his fortune soon. Of his journey to California, Daniel writes "I can safely say it is one of the most disagreeable trips a man can make." Included are three newspaper clippings from Illinois newspapers reprinting letters of Illinois travelers bound for California, two undated photos of Daniel Robinson, and a handwritten note addressed to "Mr. Tighe" and signed "Ruth Van Tuyl" regarding the photos and letters of Daniel Robinson.
mssHM 19765-19771