Manuscripts
J. I. Stickney letter to his family
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J. I. Stickney letter to his family
Manuscripts
In this letter addressed to his wife and daughters, J.I. Stickney gives his observations of the business and customs of the people of California, as well as personal details of individuals he has met or heard of, and a description of San Francisco and its inhabitants. Incomplete; first four pages of letter only.
mssHM 4170
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J. I. Stickney letter to his family
Manuscripts
Stickney enthusiastically describes the city of San Francisco and the activities of its inhabitants. He considers California the greatest place he has ever been. With lithograph view of San Francisco on first page.
mssHM 4194
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Levi Eckley letters to his family
Manuscripts
Levi Eckley wrote these three letters to his family during his stay in California during the 1850s. Two of the letters (HM 49649, dated 1850, May 26 and HM 49650 (incomplete), dated 1851, November 13) were addressed to "George", possibly Levi's brother, and HM 49651 (dated 1853, May 3) was written to Helen Eckley, possibly his sister. In the letters to George, Levi Eckley writes of his experiences digging for gold outside Coloma and Ophir in California. He also suggests that George come out to California for six months while Levi goes back home, speculating they might make enough money in that time to open a small business in St. Louis or California. In the letter to Helen, Levi writes of plans to relocate his family to California.
mssHM 49649-49651
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William J. Lilly letters to family
Manuscripts
Five letters written by William J. Lilly in Lawrence County, Dakota Territory, to his cousins Lula E. Romney and Agnes L. Shelton in South Carolina. In the letters Lilly writes of his family's 480-acre farm and the success of their crops, of their expectations of selling mines, of Lilly's winter at Deadwood, of the difficulties in getting to the post office, and a brief history of his father's experiences since arriving in the United States. The majority of the content focuses on Lilly's interest in books, family discussions, and his affection for his cousins. Lilly's letters also include two poems on his family.
mssHM 74970-74974
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H.O. Comstock letters to his family
Manuscripts
These manuscripts are three letters written by H.O. Comstock to his family, describing his journey from New York to California. The first letter is dated 1849, February 17 (HM 24501) and addressed to "Father", and finds the younger Comstock in good spirits, setting sail from New York in fine weather aboard the brig "Empire." The ship is bound for Vera Cruz, Mexico, which Comstock believes should be reached in about fifteen days, and then on to Cape Horn, and finally to California. In HM 24502 (1849, March 1-12, and addressed to "Father, Mother, Brother, & Sister"), Comstock is 360 miles out from Vera Cruz. The sea voyage has been very cold, cramped, and unpleasant, but he is in good health, and he describes the journey at length. The "Empire" reaches Vera Cruz on March 12. Comstock and the other travelers are relieved to exit the ship, and he marvels at a castle built on a coral reef, and other details of the Mexican coast, such as the buildings, flora, and fauna. He finds the local fare to be exotic and delicious. He thinks the Mexicans all look similar, with the same hair, skin, and noses, and the noise of animals and watchmen keeps him awake at night. He writes that so far, he and his companions "have not found half the difficulty so far that we expected & unless we find hardship more than is common, we shall have nothing but a pleasant jaunt through to the country." He promises to write again once he reaches San Francisco. Comstock writes to his parents from San Francisco in HM 24503 (1849, June 5) that he has "arrived at the 'Promised Land' with health unimpaired." He is thankful that his voyage has been uneventful, compared with others that he has heard of which were fraught with misfortune. On April 28, Comstock visited San Blas, which he describes as "a miserable little village, composed chiefly of mud huts," and finds San Francisco much more agreeable. He describes the city and its inhabitants in considerable detail, as he wishes to give his father "a true account (as far as I am able)," and includes description of gold mines. He wishes he could write to family letters individually, but has not had time. As he closes, Comstock writes that he is heading for the mines, and says he may not write or receive letters for six months, until his return to San Francisco.
mssHM 24501-24503
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William P. Reynolds letter to Edward J. Reynolds
Manuscripts
In this letter to his brother Edward, William P. Reynolds writes that he considers surveying to be the most profitable civil engineering opportunity in California. Since moving to Los Angeles, William writes, he is "always as busy as a bee."
mssHM 4213