Manuscripts

George Belshaw letter to James Brannon

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Description: Belshaw writes to Brannon of his life in Eugene City, Oregon, and the Willamette River Valley. He also writes that gold has been found twenty miles outside of the city. Typed copy of original.
Type: Manuscripts(Opens in new tab)
Production date: 1858, August 20.
Call number: mssHM 4212
Creator: Belshaw, George(Opens in new tab)
Provenance: Purchased from John Howell, date unknown.
Dimensions: 28 cm :
Associated people

George Belshaw letter to Henry Belshaw

Manuscripts

In this letter to his brother Henry, George Belshaw describes his experiences in Iowa during his western journey. Included are the prices of goods, the state of his party's equipment, and a description of their meeting with Indians. Typescript, unsigned.

mssHM 4200

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Henry Williams letter to Edward Gould

Manuscripts

Henry Williams writes that he has given up the idea of going to Oregon, and is thinking of settling at a farm outside San Francisco.

mssHM 31529

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George B. Currey letter to L. R. Webster

Manuscripts

In this letter to Judge Webster, Currey discusses the potential sale of "the property" in Oregon. He writes, "I trust some Republican will become the purchaser," and states he may be coming to Jacksonville soon to visit Webster.

mssHM 16547

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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 Graham Fair letter to George D. Robert

Manuscripts

Letter from James Graham Fair to George D. Roberts, sent from Virginia City, Nevada. Fair writes of a "sprinkling" project undertaken by a Mr. Taylor in Silver City. Fair had lately been involved in a suit brought by a Mr. Waddell, who performed the project, against the Devil's Gate Toll Road Company for unpaid wages. Fair writes that Waddell won the case but that Taylor did not attend, and that if he were to attend the subsequent trial "I can defeat the plaintiff in an hour."

mssHM 29231

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George Fitman letter to "dear uncle,"

Manuscripts

George Fitman writes to his otherwise unidentified uncle that he has recovered from a severe case of "tifoid fever" that came close to claiming his life. As a result, he is in a bad way, out of money and unable to work. He gives a description of San Francisco, and describes the plights and experiences of the gold miner.

mssHM 19476

George Belshaw letter to James Brannon

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George Belshaw letter to Henry Belshaw

Henry Williams letter to Edward Gould

George B. Currey letter to L. R. Webster

Daniel Miller letter to William Miller

James Graham Fair letter to George D. Robert

George Fitman letter to "dear uncle,"