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1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108
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Manuscripts
Crosby contests his suspension from the Knights Templar for "non payment of dues." He states that he "handed the full amount of fees for initiation, to one of the Sir Knights who attended my preparation and initiation." He defends himself by explaining his financial situation at the time and currently, and by listing his various political contributions in California during his career. He relates that he had to end his political career due to problems with his vision. He hopes that he has provided a sufficient case for reinstatement, and would like to remain in good graces in case his son becomes a Knight Templar one day.
mssHM 21251
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Manuscripts
Crosby writes of events in his life, beginning with his birth in New York on July 18, 1818. After spending his early days on his parents' farm, he studied law and became an attorney in 1841. In 1843, he became "Attorney of the Supreme Court of the State of New York." In this capacity, Crosby began to become aware of the tension between California and Mexico, and upon learning of the opportunities for lawyers in California, he decided to relocate there in 1849. The discovery of gold in California urged his decision. He traveled by steamship, and writes of his journey, including a stop in Cuba. He landed in Panama and traveled up the Chagres River, then across to the Pacific Ocean, where he took another steamship to San Francisco, arriving in late February, 1849. Many of the passengers had traveled to search for gold; as Crosby writes, "There was a general disposition to get away from the city, to the gold mines." Crosby prospects himself at several locations. He describes the events leading up to the California constitutional convention in Monterey, as well as details of the convention itself. He describes the convention as "a very harmonious body and I think the members only had the interest of the people at heart." Crosby also relates his experiences as part of the "Land Commission," the function of which was "to Settle Private Land Claims in California," as well as his experiences serving as an ambassador to Guatemala. Crosby claims to have been given "secret instructions" by the President to see if Guatemala might be suitable for the relocation of the recently freed American slaves, but is skeptical that this plan would work. He describes the country and its inhabitants at length, for he feels "there is a great misapprehension among our people with regard to those tropical countries." Crosby relates of the social order of San Francisco, especially events connected to "a very noted cortezan" known as "the Countess." This manuscript appears to be a copy, for it is written in several different hands, and appears to be incomplete, as it ends abruptly.
mssHM 284
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Manuscripts
This letter refers to the land-grant litigation taking place in California during the late 1850s. Crosby refers to John A. Sutter, Henry Wager Halleck, and John Bidwell in his letter.
mssHM 60664
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Manuscripts
This manuscript is a transcript of a speech given by Peramus Green Ames as part of his application to join the Masonic Lodge, wherein he tells of his religious beliefs. Includes one-page affidavit proclaiming membership in the Lodge for Peramus Green Ames, dated 1850, April 2, and signed by J. Cadman and A.S. Mitchell.
mssHM 49911
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Manuscripts
This letter describes an ongoing legal case involving two early California pioneers, John A. Sutter and John Bidwell, in which Sutter sought to affirm his claim to his lands on the American, Sacramento and Feather Rivers.
mssHM 83159
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Visual Materials
The collection spans approximately 1954 through 1970 and includes one program from the September 8, 1963 Bethel Baptist Church Ground Breaking Service and 18 black-and-white photographs (8 x 10 inches) of Bethel, Freemason, and Order of the Eastern Star members and events. This includes images of the Bethel members and presumably Reverend Freeman S. Stevens attending the church's Ground Breaking Service, images of the Bethel building located at 1972 North Fair Oaks Avenue in Pasadena, California, and the 1970 National Baptist Convention in Shreveport, Louisiana. Other photographs depict members of Bethel's 9:00 O' Clock Men's Club, a large gathering of several Masonic organizations outside of a Masonic Grand Lodge in California, the men and women of the Silver Leaf Chapter No. 7 Order of the Eastern Star, two portraits of Chapter No. 7 treasurer Louise T. Butler at the King Solomon Lodge No. 10, and one photograph of the July 15, 1964 Grand Chapter Order of the Eastern Star Grand Session at the El Cortez Hotel Banquet Room in San Diego, California. Also within the collection is one black and white image of a well-dressed African American man posing on a rooftop patio, the verso reads "Mr. Kincaid". The majority of images include descriptive information on the verso.
photCL 696