Manuscripts
Daniel C. Ehrhart letters to Mollie Davis
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Daniel C. White diaries
Manuscripts
Three diaries kept by Daniel C. White between 1854 and 1864. The first diary, dated 1854-1858, traces White's overland journey from Indiana to California with his friend William V. Rinehart. It includes descriptions of Pawnee and Sioux Indians, crossing the Platte River, and passing by Chimney Rock, Laramie Peak, Devils Gate, and Salt Lake City. It also records White's time mining in and around Sacramento and Marysville, California, and includes some accounting notes, various poetry or song lyrics, and a description of a "hell of a flogging" that White gave to a "Chinaman" who he caught stealing. The second diary is dated 1858-1859, and records White's travels and mining experiences between Sucker Creek, Oregon, and Crescent City, California, as well as some poems and notes. The final diary, dated August-October, 1864, was kept while White was serving with the Union Army in Georgia during the Civil War. It begins while he was near the Chattahoochee River , and he also spends a great deal of time near Owl Rock Church. The diary describes various military engagements and movements, including those near Atlanta. The diary ends when White had apparently been discharged and was near Louisville.
mssHM 50564-50566
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Daniel Aldrich letter to John C. Hays
Manuscripts
Commander Aldrich reports to Colonel Hays that he and his company of Aldrich Rangers are ready for duty.
mssHM 20172
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Daniel B. Robinson letter to Mary Ann Robinson
Manuscripts
These manuscripts are a series of letters from Daniel Robinson to his sister Mary and brother James. In HM 19765 (1847, November 14), a letter to his sister, Daniel Robinson writes of his travels and contacts in the middle United States. HM 19766, dated 1849, March 12, also to Mary, Daniel writes he has delayed responding to her last letter due to a lack of interesting things to say. His main wish is to gain his fortune, and plans to accompany a group bound for the gold mines of California, and plans to leave Illinois in a week's time. He promises he will travel safely, and will write from time to time. The last letter to Mary in this sequence is dated 1850, October 31 (HM 19767), and Daniel has reached California, and has purchased "a lot of cattle" with several friends from Illinois. He would describe his journey if he had time, but plans to return to Illinois in the following spring. The final four letters are from Daniel to James, his brother. HM 19768 is dated 1849, April 12, and was written in St. Joseph, Missouri, where Daniel plans to stay for a month. The letter describes Daniel's trek to California, across overflowing rivers and many rough roads. The next letter (HM 19769) is dated May 3, and Daniel has left St. Joseph. His party had to wait two days for their chance to cross a river, as there were four hundred teams waiting for their turn. He saw several familiar Illinois faces in St. Joseph. On May 28, Daniel writes again to James (HM 19770). Their cattle broke free from their corral and scattered; they managed to recover some, but several were lost. Daniel learns that over four thousand teams have passed this way, bound for California. The final letter in this series is HM 19771, and is written from Sacramento City, California, dated 1849, October 3. Daniel reports the final leg of their journey was rather unpleasant, due to poor weather coupled with exhaustion. He says "there seems to be no extent to the amount of gold in California, and common laborers can get from two to three hundred dollars per month." His team has sold their wagons and cattle for mules and and mining equipment. He has heard many tales of gold, and expects to make his fortune soon. Of his journey to California, Daniel writes "I can safely say it is one of the most disagreeable trips a man can make." Included are three newspaper clippings from Illinois newspapers reprinting letters of Illinois travelers bound for California, two undated photos of Daniel Robinson, and a handwritten note addressed to "Mr. Tighe" and signed "Ruth Van Tuyl" regarding the photos and letters of Daniel Robinson.
mssHM 19765-19771
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L. C. Green letter to Amy Carpenter
Manuscripts
A letter from L. C. Green, a New Yorker visiting Brazil, to a cousin named Amy Carpenter. This letter, probably written from Rio de Janeiro, provides considerable commentary about Brazilian scenery, social classes, slavery, and the impact of the substantial numbers of Americans who passed through Brazil on their way to the California Gold Rush.
mssHM 83455
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William E. Lovett letters to Elizabeth Lovett Lee Davis
Manuscripts
In these two letters to his cousin, dated 1863, September 3 and 1864, January 15, William E. Lovett writes of political details in California, and advises Elizabeth on her own personal legal matters. HM 16515 also contains a short note written in a different hand addressed "Dear Mom" and signed "Your son, John."
mssHM 16515-16516
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Miss Dodge letter to Mr. Maltbie
Manuscripts
Intense letter about gynecology and women's medical issues, possibly including abortion, from a Miss Dodge in New York City to a Mr. Maltbie. Dodge's letter concerns her friend (Maltbie's female cousin) who is "in a state of despondency & distress". It appears that this cousin, Miss Boynton, is the victim of an inept obstetrician. Miss Dodge appeals to Maltbie to get proper medical car for Boynton. In a post-postscript, the letter contains a reference to gynecologist Dr. Thomas Addis Emmet (1828-1919), co-founder of the Women's Hospital of New York.
mssHM 82989