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Riggin/Pettyjohn family papers

Manuscripts

Riggin/Pettyjohn family papers

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Description: About one-half of the correspondence is made up of letters between James C. Riggin and his wife Rebeca Jane Pettyjohn. The other half of the correspondence is made up of letters written by various members of the Pettyjohn family. The letters tell of the journey to California along the Oregon Trail, and discuss, in detail, Fort Kearny; Fort Laramie; Fort Des Moines and Keokuk, Iowa; and Sacramento, and Yuba County, California. The letters also describe life in a California gold mining town including gold discoveries, prices of supplies, and rumors of murders in the area. Two of James C. Riggin's letters are on pictorial lettersheets. The collection also includes one account book, bills, receipts, and canceled checks.
Type: Manuscripts(Opens in new tab)
Production date: 1841-1874.
Call number: mssHM 27960-27963, HM 63287-63326
Provenance: Purchased from Rebecca P. Tait, February 1965.; Gifts of Robert S. Lewellen, October 2000 and September 2001.

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Associated people

Pettyjohn (Family)

Riggin (Family)

Riggin, James C.

Riggin, Rebecca Jane Pettyjohn.

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Riggin/Pettyjohn Family Papers
Manuscripts
The collection contains 43 pieces of correspondence, one half of which is letters between James C. Riggin and his wife, Rebeca Jane Riggin. His letters give great detail regarding his journey to California along the Oregon Trail, including the physical conditions, hardships, and fellow emigrants he encountered along the way. He often advises his family against making the journey; he says that it is not worth the trouble. His letters also discuss his life in a gold mining camp, including gold discoveries near him, prices for supplies, and rumors of murders taking place in the area. The other half of the correspondence consists of letters written by or to members of the Pettyjohn family, including Rebeca Riggin's parents, Nide and Elizabeth Pettyjohn, and her three brothers, William, Washington, and Columbus Pettyjohn. Some of the locations discussed in the letters are: Andrew County, Missouri; Fort Kearny; Fort Laramie; Keokuk, and Fort Des Moines, Iowa; and Sacramento, Lewiston, Red Bluff, San Jose, and Oregon House, California. HM 27960 and HM 63308 are written on pictorial lettersheets, "A View of the Elephant," published by Cooke & Le Count, and "View of Coloma, the Place Where the First Gold was Discovered," published by Forrest & Borden. One letter discusses Fort Des Moines, Iowa (James C. Lourey letter to James C. Riggin, 1849 March 11, HM 63288). The collection also includes 67 pieces of ephemera including one account book, bills, receipts, and canceled checks.
mssHM 27960-27963, mssHM 63287-63326
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James C. Riggin letter to Rebeca Jane Riggin
Manuscripts
Letter is written on pictorial letterhead, "A View of the Elephant," published by Cooke & Le Count. Also includes carte-de-visite photograph of James Riggin, one tintype of James Riggin, and one copy print of a photograph of Rebeca Riggin.
HM 27960.
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Pillot family papers
Manuscripts
The majority of this collection is made up of correspondence between Julian Pillot and his wife Petra (although there is also correspondence from family in Chile and Argentina to Julian and Petra Pillot). There is also correspondence from others in California including letters by the Pillots' sons, Adolph and Antonio, written from Guadalupe, California. The subjects of the letters include: Julian Pillot's voyage to California, early life in California, gold mining, personal events in the family, news from the family back in Chile, etc. There is one folder of documents which includes a deed for land in California. The material is in Spanish and French; there is one document in English.
mssPillot
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Pillot family papers
Manuscripts
The majority of this collection is made up of correspondence between Julian Pillot and his wife Petra (although there is also correspondence from family in Chile and Argentina to Julian and Petra Pillot). There is also correspondence from others in California including letters by the Pillots' sons, Adolph and Antonio, written from Guadalupe, California. The subjects of the letters include: Julian Pillot's voyage to California, early life in California, gold mining, personal events in the family, news from the family back in Chile, etc. There is one folder of documents which includes a deed for land in California. The material is in Spanish and French; there is one document in English.
mssPillot
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Speed Family Papers
Manuscripts
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Hurlbert Family Papers
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mssHM 65102-65241

mssHM 61156-61460