Lloyd Magruder letters to Thomas C. Magruder | Collections | The Huntington

Lloyd Magruder letters to Thomas C. Magruder | Collections | The Huntington

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J.H. (John Holmes) Magruder letters to his family
Manuscripts
This series of six letters are written by John Holmes Magruder during his journey from New York to California in hopes of finding gold. In HM 16723, dated 1849, January 1 and written to his brother Thomas and his sister Olivia, John is restless, eager to get his sailing journey underway, and is excited by the prospects of finding gold in California. HM 16724 (1849, March 9) describes John's voyage over sea to Santa Catarina Island, and reports from California continue to be encouraging. In his next letter (HM 16725, 1849, June 27), John writes while on board the whaling vessel Tahmaroo, bound for California. He describes in detail what he saw of Brazil and Santa Catarina, and says that there are still positive reports of gold being found in California, but that Sacramento and San Francisco are "infested with gamblers, robbers and black legs from every nation." HM 16726, dated 1849, September 11, and written to his brother Ogden, finds John in Sacramento, where he has begun his search for gold, despite having been stricken with fever. He does not expect to be back for a few years. In HM 16727, to Thomas, and dated 1849, September 17, John is still recovering from fever, but hopes to be back to his search in a few weeks. The next letter (HM 16728) is addressed to Thomas, and dated 1851, October 7. John believes he will settle in California permanently, and has become interested in local politics. He is in business with his brother Lloyd, but aside from reporting that things are well, he gives no further details.
mssHM 16723-16728
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Thomas F. Seward letter to Lucy F. Seward
Manuscripts
In this letter to his wife, Thomas F. Seward writes that wages have fallen in California, calling twenty-five to fifty dollars a month "extraordinary." His job, however, is safe, as he is good at it. He writes of a recent event where a man killed another for not allowing him to marry his daughter. The murderer has been hanged. A second murder soon followed. Seward also writes of a fire in the city, and reports of similar recent blazes in Marysville and Sacramento. A ship from China brought cholera with it, and many in the city have gotten sick. He has received the daguerrotype sent from home, and writes, "I have got the Home Fever to night - the worse kind." Small booklet, bound in red paper.
mssHM 20721
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Jonathan Heywood letters to Jane Heywood
Manuscripts
In these three letters addressed to his wife, Jane, Jonathan Heywood writes of his experiences in Yreka, California in 1853. HM 4201, dated July 16, Heywood writes that he has returned to California after six weeks in Oregon. He has sent gold dust home to Jane, and hopes to send more soon. He wishes that she send the children to school as much as possible. HM 4202 was written on August 7. Heywood sends more money and asks for news of home, as he has received no response to his letters. In HM 4203, dated September 4, Heywood writes that he is sending money home in the hands of a mutual friend.
mssHM 4201-4203
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Mary Jane Brooks letters to Thomas and Priscilla Marsh
Manuscripts
These manuscripts are a series of letters from Mary Jane Brooks to her sister Priscilla Marsh and brother Thomas Marsh. HM 19790 is dated 1853, December 14 and 15, and lists the current price of goods in San Francisco. Mary Jane Brooks also writes of her family and friends. In the next letter (HM 19791, dated 1854, February 28), Mary Jane Brooks writes further of family and friends. HM 19792, dated 1854, July 14, tells of a fire in San Francisco, but the Brooks home was undamaged. Mary Jane Brooks writes in the next letter (HM 19793, dated 1855, July 28) that her father is not doing well. He has quit working, and "thinks he is not long for this world." HM 19794, the final letter in this sequence, is dated 1856, March 4. Father is still alive, but is ailing, and Mary Jane Brooks urges Priscilla to prepare their mother for his passing. The letters are written from San Francisco, and all are signed "Aaron and Mary Jane Brooks" but letters are in the handwriting of Mary Jane Brooks. With one-page typescript of an additional letter, dated 1856, July 5.
mssHM 19790-19794
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Albion C. Sweetser letters to Alvah Littlefield and A. Blood
Manuscripts
These three letters are from Albion C. Sweetser to his two business partners, Alvah Littlefield and A. Blood. They are dated 1850, July 27 (HM 4171), August 25 (HM 4172), and September 14 (HM 4173). Sweetser writes of various business details, reporting that competition is strong but he is doing the best he can. He thinks the towns would benefit from female influence, which he feels is sorely lacking. There is unrest amongst squatters in Sacramento, who have taken possession of vacant lots of land which are in fact owned by others. It became necessary for militia to be called in, and the town was placed under martial law, but by September, order has been restored. He reports that the gold miners are now barely finding anything, but claim to have struck it rich. He has heard of the death of President Zachary Taylor.
mssHM 4171-4173
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Albion C. Sweetser letters to Alvah Littlefield and A. Blood
Manuscripts
In these two letters written during February 1851 (HM 4189 written the 14th, HM 4190 dated the 26th), Sweetser writes of a damaged crate of goods shipped to him, business details, and his inquiry into the circumstances surrounded the death of a Mr. Gliden. He reports that business in general has taken a downturn, and writes of the potential profits should they all decide to sell the business and the land where it is located. In HM 4190, Sweester writes a fight between a gambler and a miner that resulted in the death of a bystander from a gunshot wound. Eight hours after the incident, the miner responsible for firing the fatal shot was put to death by public hanging; an example, Sweester reports, of the speed of California justice.
mssHM 4189-4190