Francis Thompson letters to Timothy Wolcott

You might also be interested in

• Image not available

  Alpheus B. Thompson letters to Timothy Wolcott

  Manuscripts

  These three letters were written by Alpheus Thompson to Timothy Wolcott during 1856 and 1857. In HM 18997, written 1856, September 6, from Santa Barbara, Thompson thanks Wolcott for looking after his son, Francis. In HM 18998 (dated 1857, June 2), Thompson writes of the advantageous opportunities in San Francisco in the real estate market, and asks Wolcott to look after Francis "for a few months longer." He also includes business details regarding property and other assets. The final letter in this series was written in San José, California, on June 17, 1857 (HM 18999), and Thompson asks if Wolcott would take Francis under his charge, and to "provide him with suitable Clothing and Board."

  mssHM 18997-18999

• Image not available

  Letter to Timothy Wolcott

  Manuscripts

  This letter to Timothy Wolcott describes the difficult prospect of making a living in California under current conditions. It seems that Wolcott is considering a move to California, and the writer of the letter, who appears to be in the quartz mining business, is giving him both warning and advice. The signature is smudged, but the last name may be "Hill." The letter was written in San Francisco.

  mssHM 19002

• Image not available

  Letter and poem by Dunstan Thompson

  Manuscripts

  The poem, by Dunstan Thompson, is entitled "The cities by the sea," (HM 74386); and the letter is from Thompson to Maurice Goodner, Nov. 16, 1947 (HM 74387).

  mssHM 74386-74387

• Image not available

  John Augustus Sutter letter to Alpheus Bard Thompson

  Manuscripts

  Mr. Sutter informs Mr. Thompson that he has bought "the whole Russian Establishment of Ross and Bodega," and offers Mr. Thompson a portion of property at Bodega Rancho "on reasonable terms", as Mr. Thompson has a farm nearby.

  mssHM 48975

• Image not available

  Chauncey Edgar Stearns letters to friends and family

  Manuscripts

  This is a series of letters written by Chauncey Edgar Stearns, describing his experiences during his journey from Illinois to California. The letters are written to friends and family at his home in Vermont, but many are written to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Isaiah Stearns. The first letter, HM 21283, is dated 1855, October 19, and Chauncey Stearns writes that he has traveled by boat up the St. Lawrence River to Lake Ontario. He became seasick during the voyage, particularly upon reaching the lake. He has gotten work as a clerk at a local store in Lockport, Illinois, but does not know how long he will stay. Of the town, he writes: "although it is a good country it is to sickly I say sickly it is not so with folks that live hear." He urges his brother Henry to stay at home. In HM 21285, dated 1855, December 6, he writes of homesickness: "If I had thirty Dollars and was back to Vermont I would never say any thing more about the West." He begs his parents "do not tell anyone that I want to come home for they would laugh at me when I get home." Stearns was in Iowa in early 1856, and stayed with various friends and relatives in Wisconsin during the spring and summer of 1856, where he worked at farms to save money to finance his travels to California. He writes that he prefers Wisconsin to Illinois (HM 21294, 1856, June 1), and says "I could make up my mind to go home but I shall not at present for the reason I can do better out here than in old Vermont & for that reason I shall stay." By 1858, Stearns has earned enough to buy his own land (HM 21295, dated 1858, November), and by early 1859, he is on his way to Pike's Peak in Colorado (HM 21296, dated 1859, March) before finally heading for California. Stearns seems almost resigned of going to what he calls "the new El Dorado", for as he writes, "there is Gold there without a doubt but not of a sufficient quantity to pay a man for going." By late 1859, he is in Sacramento (HM 21298, written 1859, September 30), and writes that wages are fine, when work can be found. He is very impressed with the bounty of California and its "fertile vallies." However, as he writes in April, 1860, "the society I am mingling with does not harmonize with my feelings" as "gambling and rowdyisms are the principal productions of the mining towns in California & thus it is why so many young men are ruined for life from character as well as health." Of the money made from mining, Stearns remarks, "it is very easy to spend it as fast as it is dug out," but he has not succumbed to the temptations offered in Sacramento. By late 1861 (HM 21303) Stearns declares that California will be his home for the rest of his life, and relocates to San Francisco, where he enlists for three years as a soldier because he believes "it would be better for my health" (HM 21302, dated 1864, August 23). He has had a change of heart, as he writes "should I be fortunate enough to out live the term of my enlistment I shall come home never to leave the Atlantic States again while I live." Regarding his enlistment, he tells his mother not to worry, as "Soldiers here have no fighting to do." In 1866 (HM 21306, written April 17), Stearns writes to his brother "exsposure & hard work has made an old man of me in some respects." The final letter is dated 1867, October 7, and Stearns writes from San Francisco that "I think my health will never be very good again California has been a very hard country with me at times." He laments, one last time, the separation from his family.

  mssHM 21282-21308

• Image not available

  Herbert Hoover letter to Fred Lockley

  Manuscripts

  Letter is written to American historian, writer, and editor Fred Lockley. It reads: "My dear Fred: I received the 'Book of Discipline' which you sent me and I am indeed glad to have. With kind regards, Yours faithfully," and is signed "Herbert Hoover," on his letterhead. Return address is "The Towers, The Waldorf Astoria."

  mssHM 84212