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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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Riggin/Pettyjohn family papers
Manuscripts
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.
mssHM 27960-27963, HM 63287-63326
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The book of Carlotta : being a revised edition (with new preface) of Sacred and profane love
Rare Books
27963