Manuscripts
John Heath letters to William Heath Davis
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William Heath Davis papers
Manuscripts
The collection consists of 634 items, from 1843 to 1906; it includes manuscripts, letters, documents, receipts and newspaper clippings related to the life and business activities of William Heath Davis. Subject matter includes shipping and commerce in California before and after the Gold Rush; business firms in San Francisco and Honolulu; and land titles, with particular emphasis on Rancho San Leandro. The collection also includes manuscripts and source materials relating to Davis's memoirs. Additionally, there are items related to California and San Francisco history; various California pioneers; mining; shipping; land titles commerce; and the social manners and customs of early California residents.
mssDA
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John Francis Heath letters
Manuscripts
Letters sent to his sister, Anna Heath Lassiter, while serving in Virginia and North Carolina during the U.S. Civil War.
mssHM 51850-51860
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J.H. (John Holmes) Magruder letters to his family
Manuscripts
This series of six letters are written by John Holmes Magruder during his journey from New York to California in hopes of finding gold. In HM 16723, dated 1849, January 1 and written to his brother Thomas and his sister Olivia, John is restless, eager to get his sailing journey underway, and is excited by the prospects of finding gold in California. HM 16724 (1849, March 9) describes John's voyage over sea to Santa Catarina Island, and reports from California continue to be encouraging. In his next letter (HM 16725, 1849, June 27), John writes while on board the whaling vessel Tahmaroo, bound for California. He describes in detail what he saw of Brazil and Santa Catarina, and says that there are still positive reports of gold being found in California, but that Sacramento and San Francisco are "infested with gamblers, robbers and black legs from every nation." HM 16726, dated 1849, September 11, and written to his brother Ogden, finds John in Sacramento, where he has begun his search for gold, despite having been stricken with fever. He does not expect to be back for a few years. In HM 16727, to Thomas, and dated 1849, September 17, John is still recovering from fever, but hopes to be back to his search in a few weeks. The next letter (HM 16728) is addressed to Thomas, and dated 1851, October 7. John believes he will settle in California permanently, and has become interested in local politics. He is in business with his brother Lloyd, but aside from reporting that things are well, he gives no further details.
mssHM 16723-16728
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Emile Grisar letters to John Townsend
Manuscripts
Here are three letters to Dr. John Townsend from Emile Grisar of San Francisco, CA. The letters are all dated 1850; HM 35196 is dated September 26, HM 35197 is dated October 22, and HM 35198 is dated November 2. Grisar writes of the arrival of a ship that he appears to be interested in purchasing in conjunction with Townsend, but it needs repair. He also writes of the repairs being done on his San Francisco house, which he may have to draw drafts against. In HM 35196, he informs Townsend of the grading of San Francisco streets by the City Authority, and suggests he be given power of attorney in order to best take care of Townsend's business in San Francisco. In the final letter, Grisar relates that he may have to pay for a portion of the grading charges, and plans to formally protest along with several local colleagues.
mssHM 35196-35198
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Aaron H. Hyde letters to John Hyde
Manuscripts
In these letters to his father, Aaron Hyde writes of the difficult time he has been having in California. In HM 16597, dated 1851, January 26, he writes that the miners are "disappointed" and that business in San Francisco is "dull." He laments that "California is a very bad place to make and carry out plans." In HM 16598. Aaron reports that he has come into business with a Mr. Cilley, who will be delivering the letter by hand when he returns to New Hampshire to gather his family for relocation to California. Aaron says he will come home himself in a year or two if the business does not work out.
mssHM 16597-16598
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Frederick Billings letters to Solomon Foot
Manuscripts
Billings writes that he would consider the vacant law commissioner office of the Southern District of California (HM 20713, written 1851, December 15 in San Francisco), and asks Foot to impress that he would be for Vermont, though he believes he has lived in California long enough to be called a Californian. He writes further of the open office (HM 20714, 1851, December 31, from San Francisco), saying that he would be gratified by the appointment, but does not want "to exhibit too much anxiety for any political office." In HM 20715, written 1862, March 10 in New York, Billings is leaving for California with his wife, and asks Foot to communicate with several mutual friends, including Hiram Barney and Samuel Ford.
mssHM 20713-20715