Manuscripts
A. H. Cutting journal of a trip by overland route
Image not available
You might also be interested in
Image not available
Madison Berryman Moorman journal of an overland trip from Tennessee to California
Manuscripts
This is the manuscript journal kept by Madison Berryman Moorman during his travels from Tennessee to California during 1850-1851. Upon reaching California, Moorman and his companions find the mining conditions to be rather poor, and they meet with little success. Outside Sacramento, they negotiate a trade with a squatter, receiving a deed for a small piece of land, upon which they built a house. The final entry of the journal is dated 1851, February 4.
mssHM 26348
Image not available
Sampson & Tappan letter to Captain George Sweetlin
Manuscripts
Interesting letter showing trade and commerce of the Gold Rush era. Sampson & Tappan write to the captain of their ship "Fanny Forester" (no doubt a nod to the nom de plume of the then popular author Emily C. Judson), stating that they had received the news of his charter party who had promised to send a fee of $1500. The charter party was Alfred Robinson (1806-1895), a businessman from Boston, who sailed to California in 1829 in the employ of Bryant, Sturgis and Company, a firm in the hide and tallow trade. Robinson was the author of Life in California (1846), an influential early description of the politics of the region under the Mexican Republic. Sampson & Tappan also write: "We are much pleased to hear that the ship is in such good order & That the leak is not so troublesome. We notice what you propose doing with the provisions & doubt not that you will manage them to best advantage." They note that they will soon be boarding the Carthage for San Francisco and "she will get away about 15 to 20 September."
mssHM 82559
Image not available
H. T. Scott journal
Manuscripts
This journal is H.T. Scott's account of his overland journey to California. Most of the daily entries document he and his party distance traveled that day, and where they camped. Upon arriving at Sonora in the final entry, Scott writes, "We can get plenty here to eat we was very glad when we could see the town sum." Dated 1852, April 13 through August 23. Also included is a photocopied facsimile of the diary.
mssHM 52095
Image not available
Journey of an overland trip from Missouri to California
Manuscripts
This volume is Gorgas' diary of his journey from St. Joseph, Missouri to Placerville, CA, and his return trip to New York via the Panama Canal as part of the California Gold Rush of the mid-19th century. Much of the early entries are concerned with weather conditions and landscape and route details. Gorgas and his party finally reach Placerville on July 26, the ninetieth day of their journey, and begin digging for gold outside Sacramento in August. On February 1, 1851, Gorgas boarded a ship, the Olive Branch, bound for New York by way of the Panama Canal, intending to return home to his much-missed family. He lands at Jamaica on April 1, and arrives at New York on April 8. Dated 1850, April 28 through 1851, April 8. Notes include price charts and signatures of people Gorgas may have met during his travels. Includes newspaper clipping with picture of Placerville, CA, circa 1850, and a four-page handwritten timeline of Gorgas' journey (not in his hand).
mssHM 651
Image not available
Virginia Calhoun letter to George H. Barrow
Manuscripts
The author of the letter, Virginia Calhoun writes to George H. Barron of her sorrow at the death of her mother in April [1915], but despite this she intends to go on with almost completed plans for a "Ramona" production. She says that all the joy has gone out of the venture since her mother, her "never-failing friend is not with one to hear about it." She only continues out of a sense of duty and obligation. She is currently getting contracts from copyright owners made over and is pleased that in this latest document the rates of royalties are better. She is anxious to know if he has hear a good word from Seville about the dances, and if he has not, to please let her have a card to the Spanish Consul in San Francisco. Her return address at the foot of the letter is: 1334 Van Ness Ave, Vooheis Building, San Francisco.
mssHM 998
Image not available
Helen Wills letter to Sherman Day Thacher
Manuscripts
In this letter written on a postcard, Helen Wills acknowledges the letter Thacher sent her and regrets that she will not be able to visit Ojai this year due to a long trip abroad. She is delighted to hear about the new asphalt courts and hopes she can play on them some day. Card is postmarked: Berkeley, Calif., 11:30 PM, Nov. 28, 1925.
mssHM 52272