J.D. Duncan letters to A.H. Campbell

J.D. Duncan letters to A.H. Campbell | Collections | The Huntington

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J. Barker letters to Kirk Barker
Manuscripts
These two letters were written by J. Barker to his brother, Kirk, describing his search for gold in Australia and South America. In the first letter, HM 16535, dated 1853, March 13, J. Barker is in Melbourne, Australia, after a one hundred and ten day voyage. He writes that the prices of everything, including gold, is much higher in Australia, and says there is "plenty of gold to be had but the state of society is awful." In Melbourne, he writes "robery and murder is of comon occurrence" and yet he is "determined not to leave here without making something." The second letter, HM 16536, is dated 1853, October 11 and 14. J. Barker is on board the ship Lady Juliana, about to land in San Francisco, California. He is glad to be out of Australia, and laments that so many miners left good claims in California to travel to Australia. He has received no letters from home, despite having sent six himself. He has heard that gold has been discovered in South America, and he plans to depart for the Amazon River to search for himself.
mssHM 16535-16536
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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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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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David Saville letters to "My beloved wife,"
Manuscripts
In HM 16646, dated 1861, January 31, Saville writes to his wife that he is confident he will be able to provide for them both financially. In HM 16647, dated 1861, April 30, he writes that he regrets some of his investing, and of the importance of preserving the Union "even if it should cost all the Treasure in the Country."
mssHM 16646-16647
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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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Lloyd Magruder letters to Thomas C. Magruder
Manuscripts
In these three letters to his brother, Lloyd Magruder writes of his experiences searching for gold in California during the mid-19th century. All three letters were written from the town of Marysville, California. In the first letter, HM 16729, dated 1855, September 17, Lloyd writes he has been elected Justice of the Peace for Marysville. He also campaigned successfully for the office of County Clerk. He also reports that he is a new father of a seven-month-old boy. The next letter, HM 16730, is dated 1861, October 13. Lloyd is still in Marysville, and has just finished assisting with the California census, for which he is awaiting payment from Washington, D.C. While he has not done as well as he'd hoped, he did spend some time in Sacramento as part of the Legislature. His daughter is now thirteen. The final letter of this group, HM 16731, was written 1862, April 28, and contains details concerning delivery of the payment due Lloyd from the Census Bureau. Lloyd writes that he is heading for the Salmon River Mines in Washington Territory.
mssHM 16729-16731

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You might also be interested in

J. Barker letters to Kirk Barker

Jonathan Heywood letters to Jane Heywood

J.H. (John Holmes) Magruder letters to his family

David Saville letters to "My beloved wife,"

Edward Gould letters to Sarah Ann Gould

Lloyd Magruder letters to Thomas C. Magruder