Manuscripts
George L. (George Leonard) Vose Letter to "My Dear Choate,"
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Thomas Starr King letter to "my dear Woodbury"
Manuscripts
Writing to the otherwise unnamed "Woodbury", King ponders over which of his previous lectures he ought to adapt for an upcoming speaking engagement.
mssHM 29247
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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
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George F. Kent letters to "My Dear John," and "My Dear Cousin,"
Manuscripts
In the first letter to John R. French, George Kent discusses his admiration for the democratic spirit of the mining camps and comments on various social phenomena, expressing his distaste for gambling and his revulsion toward the recently passed fugitive slave law
mssHM 57698-57699
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Albert Franklin Sawyer letter to James A. Tufts
Manuscripts
Dr. Sawyer writes to Professor Tufts that his son Albert, having failed the exams at Harvard, will soon arrive with his sister at Exeter. Dr. Sawyer hopes his sister will remain until Albert is "settled in his work," and is "anxious to have my son conform rigidly to the discipline of the Academy." He would have come himself, but urgent business has made it impossible for him to leave San Francisco. It is his hope that Professor Tufts can provide assistance, for Dr. Sawyer's hope is that his son can eventually attend Harvard, as it is his own alma mater. However, Dr. Sawyer describes his son as "extremely slovenly in his habits of study."
mssHM 27956
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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
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Reminiscences of a gold miner
Manuscripts
Fisk starts his reminiscences in 1850 when he left Illinois for California. He describes his overland journey in a party of 20 wagons. He mentions the Native Americans they passed (specifically the Utes and Otos), Fort Laramie, and how the group had to leave items behind to speed their pace. He also talks about Salt Lake City, buffalo herds, and the group's constant search for water. Fisk then describes arriving in Hangtown (Placerville), his experience mining on the American River and leaving California to mine in Colorado. He writes briefly about his time with the 2nd Iowa Regiment. He also discusses his decision to travel to Alaska to try his hand at gold mining one more time. Following the reminiscences are typescripts of several letters from Fisk to his sister written while on his journey to Alaska.
mssHM 68417