Manuscripts
Journal of Marcus Baker during his trip to California aboard the bark William Joy and his life thereafter near Sacramento. The journal begins when Baker left New York in January 1849. In his journal, Baker writes in detail about his voyage and the weather conditions, his visit to Rio de Janeiro (which includes comments upon the political, social and religious aspects of the city), the ship's arrival in San Francisco in the summer of 1849, his relocation to Sacramento, life in California, fires and floods, gold mining, and his loneliness due to separation from his family. After becoming a farmer, Baker writes much about agriculture in California, including details about the state's climate, environment, topography, and geology. Accompanying the journal are three items: letter by Edward Suffern to Marcus Baker (1850 February 3), an agreement between Marcus Baker and several others in the creation of Baker Farr & Co., Sacramento (1850 July 19), and a letter by Marcus Baker to "My dear E" (1852 March 12), probably his wife. The volume also contains pencil sketches by Baker, several of which are of Sugarloaf Mountain in Rio de Janeiro.
mssHM 83830
