Manuscripts
Letter from an unknown British naval surgeon to "My Dear Parents & Brothers,"
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William Kidd journal of a British naval surgeon
Manuscripts
Journals kept by William Kidd as a naval surgeon on H. M. ships "Bacchante," "Tromp," "Peloris," and "Raleigh."
mssHM 46983 (Vol. 1-14)
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J. Call letter to "Dear parents, brothers and sisters,"
Manuscripts
This letter was written by J. Call from San Francisco. In it, he describes his overland journey from the East coast to California. He details a cholera break out that killed many, a buffalo hunt, trading with Native Americans, and his arrival to California. He also describes life in California and the mines.
mssHM 83170
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Zachariah Heywood letter to "Dear Brother"
Manuscripts
Heywood writes of his year-long trip "to the New Mines" and how it was not as profitable as he had hoped. Since his return, he has been working at a ranch, but many are leaving the farms because prices are so low. He reports that a group of "Chinamen" has taken over his brother's former claim. Printed image and poem titled "Stand by the Union" on first page of letter.
mssHM 4256
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Letter to "My dear Husband,", Oxford (Miss.)
Manuscripts
Letter written by wife of a Confederate soldier, signed "Fannie." The main portion of the letter deals with local slaves: their sympathy for the "Yankees," runaways, or those who had started to "live in open rebellion" at home. The letter also contains references to food shortages and hardships of everyday life and rumors about upcoming U.S. Army enforcement for Gen. Rosencrans
mssHM 58079
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George Schuknecht letter to "Dear Brother Julian,"
Manuscripts
In this 8-page letter, George Schuknecht is describing his trip from Buffalo to Dyea, Alaska (with a stop in Seattle). He also talks briefly about his camp at Dyea near the Chilkoot Pass, the Alaskan landscape and his preparation to "start down the river" to begin mining for gold. Schuknecht and three friends were in Dyea, awaiting the arrival of some of their equipment and provisions, which had to be shipped separately from Seattle.
mssHM 70413
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Edward W. Syle letter to "My dear Aunt,"
Manuscripts
Edward W. Syle wrote this letter from "Oakland, near San Francisco," which was where his family settled as he did missionary work with the Chinese community in San Francisco in 1855. In his letter, Syle mentions the S.S. George Law which took him and his family from Shanghai to California. The California weather was "very pleasant" and healthy for the children, but his missionary work was "trying" and "perplexing," unlike his rewarding efforts in China. Syle described Oakland as "peaceful & retired." Once a week, Syle crossed the Bay in a Ferry Boat to teach an evening class to the Chinese, but he spent his Sundays in a "little parish" he had just organized, the Oakland Parish of St. John's Episcopal Church.
mssHM 83406