Manuscripts
Kimball Hale Dimmick letter to Sarah Dimmick
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Kimball Hale Dimmick letter to Sarah Dimmick
Manuscripts
In this letter to his wife, Kimball Dimmick writes that he is well, despite his loneliness, and he has just gotten over an illness. He also writes of an event where an Indian chief demanded that a dead Indian and his Indian murderer be turned over to them, and when both were given to his care, he and his people dug a grave, threw in both the murderer and his victim, and buried both together, the murderer being alive while they did so.
mssHM 4197
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Kimball Hale Dimmick diary
Manuscripts
This diary details Dimmick's activities in California as an officer of the United States military. He receives and carries out orders, repairs military installations, and writes letters home to his wife. Dated 1848, April 16 - October 26.
mssHM 4014
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Kimball Hale Dimmick letter to Sarah Dimmick
Manuscripts
Kimball Hale writes to his wife of the port of Rio de Janeiro, and asks how the children are doing. His ship will leave for California in about ten days.
mssHM 4011
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The Volunteer's Vision
Manuscripts
This manuscript is a poem written by Dimmick while on board the United States ship "Loo Choo" in the South Pacific Ocean. The poem describes the scene, and speaks, in glowing language, of Dimmick's military involvement as a military volunteer in California. After the poem is a small note from Dimmick addressed to "Friend Pellet", informing him that he is welcome to publish the poem if he is so disposed. Dimmick also asks that a copy of the poem be sent to his wife, and laments that "I have not yet had a single letter from home."
mssHM 4012
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Chauncey Edgar Stearns letters to friends and family
Manuscripts
This is a series of letters written by Chauncey Edgar Stearns, describing his experiences during his journey from Illinois to California. The letters are written to friends and family at his home in Vermont, but many are written to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Isaiah Stearns. The first letter, HM 21283, is dated 1855, October 19, and Chauncey Stearns writes that he has traveled by boat up the St. Lawrence River to Lake Ontario. He became seasick during the voyage, particularly upon reaching the lake. He has gotten work as a clerk at a local store in Lockport, Illinois, but does not know how long he will stay. Of the town, he writes: "although it is a good country it is to sickly I say sickly it is not so with folks that live hear." He urges his brother Henry to stay at home. In HM 21285, dated 1855, December 6, he writes of homesickness: "If I had thirty Dollars and was back to Vermont I would never say any thing more about the West." He begs his parents "do not tell anyone that I want to come home for they would laugh at me when I get home." Stearns was in Iowa in early 1856, and stayed with various friends and relatives in Wisconsin during the spring and summer of 1856, where he worked at farms to save money to finance his travels to California. He writes that he prefers Wisconsin to Illinois (HM 21294, 1856, June 1), and says "I could make up my mind to go home but I shall not at present for the reason I can do better out here than in old Vermont & for that reason I shall stay." By 1858, Stearns has earned enough to buy his own land (HM 21295, dated 1858, November), and by early 1859, he is on his way to Pike's Peak in Colorado (HM 21296, dated 1859, March) before finally heading for California. Stearns seems almost resigned of going to what he calls "the new El Dorado", for as he writes, "there is Gold there without a doubt but not of a sufficient quantity to pay a man for going." By late 1859, he is in Sacramento (HM 21298, written 1859, September 30), and writes that wages are fine, when work can be found. He is very impressed with the bounty of California and its "fertile vallies." However, as he writes in April, 1860, "the society I am mingling with does not harmonize with my feelings" as "gambling and rowdyisms are the principal productions of the mining towns in California & thus it is why so many young men are ruined for life from character as well as health." Of the money made from mining, Stearns remarks, "it is very easy to spend it as fast as it is dug out," but he has not succumbed to the temptations offered in Sacramento. By late 1861 (HM 21303) Stearns declares that California will be his home for the rest of his life, and relocates to San Francisco, where he enlists for three years as a soldier because he believes "it would be better for my health" (HM 21302, dated 1864, August 23). He has had a change of heart, as he writes "should I be fortunate enough to out live the term of my enlistment I shall come home never to leave the Atlantic States again while I live." Regarding his enlistment, he tells his mother not to worry, as "Soldiers here have no fighting to do." In 1866 (HM 21306, written April 17), Stearns writes to his brother "exsposure & hard work has made an old man of me in some respects." The final letter is dated 1867, October 7, and Stearns writes from San Francisco that "I think my health will never be very good again California has been a very hard country with me at times." He laments, one last time, the separation from his family.
mssHM 21282-21308
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Peramus Green Ames letter to Sarah Ann Ames
Manuscripts
In this letter to his wife, Peramus Green Ames regerts not being able to return home sooner. He promises to send money to keep her and their children comfortable, and promises to write twice a month. Dated December 12-28, 1852. Also included on the letter's final page is a note to Mrs. Ames from her sister, dated 1852, April 18.
mssHM 16549