Manuscripts

mssHM 54459-54508

Description: The collection consists of letters written on Whiting's overland journey to California in 1849 and his life after his arrival. There are also memoirs written by his wife, Susan Helen Colegrove Whiting, who came to California via Panama in 1852. The collection also contains military papers related to Billington Crum Whiting's service in the New York militia (1834-39) as well as genealogical records and 8 photographs.
Type: Manuscripts(Opens in new tab)
Production date: 1839-1948.
Call number: mssHM 54459-54508
Creator: Whiting, Billington Crum (1812-1881)(Opens in new tab)
Provenance: Purchased from Charles C. Bull, 1961-62.

Billington Crum Whiting Papers

Manuscripts

The collection contains Whiting's letters written to his wife during his overland journey to California in 1849 and his early years in California, including a return trip by the still incomplete railroad and stage coach in 1869. The collection also includes some memoirs written by Susan Helen (Colegrove) Whiting in 1895 about her early years in California; a few military papers of B. C. Whiting from his time in the New York militia (1834-1839); genealogical papers of the Colegrove, Mellus, and Whiting families, and a few photographs. Subject matter includes: California - Overland journeys; California - Politics and government. Persons represented by 5 or more pieces: Billington Crum Whiting (21 letters); Susan Helen (Colegrove) Whiting (7 manuscripts)

mssHM 54459-54508

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San Francisco branch of the United States Mint records

Manuscripts

The collection consists of letters and documents related to the operations and activities of the San Francisco branch of the United States Mint. Included are instructions from Treasury Department officials in Washington, mainly for the period 1856 to 1875, and employment recommendations from various persons. Correspondents in the collection include George Sewall Boutwell, Benjamin Helm Bristow, William Eaton Chandler, Howell Cobb, Schuyler Colfax, Joseph N. Dolph, William Pitt Fessenden, Lyman Judson Gage, James Guthrie, Hugh McColloch, William Medill, Thomas Collier Platt, William Adams Richardson, Ellis Henry Roberts, Billington Crum Whiting, and Elisha Whittlesey.

mssUSmint

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San Francisco branch of the United States Mint records

Manuscripts

mssUSmint

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W.P.C. Whiting letter to Joseph Lancaster Brent

Manuscripts

Writing from Los Angeles, Whiting asks for another week to pay back the money he owes to Brent.

mssHM 47983

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mssHM 72946-72969

Manuscripts

The collection consists primarily of letters written by Floyd Dessery to his family, during his deployment in the Philippines, including his mother, Mrs. A. B. Dessery, and his sisters, Hazel and Theodosia Dessery. The collection also includes Floyd's diary from his time in the Philippines. His letters and diary reflect the daily experiences of a foot soldier during the Spanish-American War. Also included are a few family photos, and some ephemera, including clippings, notes, and trade cards.

mssHM 72946-72969

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mssHM 63842-63881

Manuscripts

The collection contains two documents and 38 pieces of correspondence, 23 of which are letters by Jesse Smart to his sons. These letters mostly discuss Smart's experience in California mining for gold and running his nursery. He often asks his sons to send him seeds of plants that are not available in California. He also comments on the prices of produce in California and the effects of the weather and insects on his crops. The rest of the correspondence is written by other Smart family members and often discusses life in California, and more specifically, Sacramento. One letter, which is written by Jesse's daughter Charlotte, discusses her voyage to California from Maine.

mssSmart

mssHM 54459-54508

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Billington Crum Whiting Papers

San Francisco branch of the United States Mint records

San Francisco branch of the United States Mint records

W.P.C. Whiting letter to Joseph Lancaster Brent

mssHM 72946-72969

mssHM 63842-63881