Manuscripts
Ed Emery letter to W. L. Cox
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James Johnson letter to Bernardo Yorba
Manuscripts
Mr. Johnson writes of a shipment of goods. In Spanish.
mssHM 26654
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J.W. Towne letter to "my dear Cox,"
Manuscripts
In these two letters written to the otherwise unidentified "Cox," Towne says there is opportunity for investing in Victoria, British Columbia, where Towne is currently stationed. He reports that real estate has doubled since his arrival. "Cox" appears to be in San Francisco, and has apparently access to goods for shipment to Towne. This manuscript consists of two letters, 1 and 2, dated 1858, July 27 and July 30 respectively.
mssHM 27991 (1-2)
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Letter book
Manuscripts
Colonel Stevenson writes of military and shipment details, and of supplies necessary for the troops under his command. This collection of letters consists of typescripts selected from the original letter book, held by the New York Historical Society. The letters have been arranged chronologically for the sake of continuity, and include letters to and from Colonel Stevenson.
mssHM 16954
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Dave letter to "Sister Belle,"
Manuscripts
The letter discusses Dave and his family's overland journey from Columbus, NV, to Bishop Creek, CA. He also describes the town of Bishop Creek, the two Native American women they have hired to help in the kitchen of their new home, and the prices of goods in Bishop Creek.
mssHM 60697
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Daniel Miller letter to William Miller
Manuscripts
Letter written from Daniel Miller near Petaluma, California, to his brother William in Newburn, Virginia. Miller writes of the difficulties of driving cattle over the Oregon Trail and through the Salt Lake Valley to California, and of cattle that were "likely stolen" by Mormons in Utah. He writes of stopping with the remaining cattle in the valley outside of San Francisco and of the trouble in owning land since "nearly all the country is claimed by grants made by the Mexican Government." He writes of his trip to San Francisco and details the high cost of goods in the area, but notes that he is also selling cattle for good prices. Miller also writes of gold mining and that he plans to avoid the practice since "many thousand dollars worth of [gold] dust...disappears in a few hours at the gambling tables." Miller concludes that "I have as yet not regrets about the move [to California], except the loss of our children" (Miller's three young daughters died during the journey to California).
mssHM 74319
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James Bushnell letters to Ananias Pond
Manuscripts
HM 19385 is dated January 5, 1852, written from Keeseville, New York, and is addressed to "Dear Brother or Son." Bushnell writes that he has heard from Pond's daughter, Fannie, and that Pond seems to want his family to move out to California with him. Bushnell is sorry to hear of Pond's "misfortune" but is sure he will get by it, and writes of relatives and mutual friends. Bushnell has a shop and house at a prison, and hopes to build a forge there as well. He writes "if the Boys take a notion to go to California I would go with them." HM 19386 is written from Browning, Illinois, and dated May 20, 1855. It is addressed to Ananias Pond and Fanny M. Pond, and Bushnell begins the letter "Dear Children." In addition to more details concerning family and friends, Bushnell lists the types of timber on his lot of land, as well as financial details of goods.
mssHM 19385-19386