Manuscripts
Francis Asbury Conwell diary
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Kimball Hale Dimmick diary
Manuscripts
This diary details Dimmick's activities in California as an officer of the United States military. He receives and carries out orders, repairs military installations, and writes letters home to his wife. Dated 1848, April 16 - October 26.
mssHM 4014
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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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Elias S. Ketcham diary
Manuscripts
Diary kept by Elias S. Ketcham of Rondout (Kingston), New York and covers the first half of 1851. Most entries are summaries of his daily activities such as work, church meetings and visits with friends in and around Rondout. Ketcham was a very religious man and the majority of his diary is about what he needs to do to become a better Christian. There is some discussion regarding his decision to leave New York and join his brothers in California. In his last entry, June 12, Ketcham writes about the preparations he has made for his trip, and his feelings of uncertainty regarding leaving his friends and family to head West to search for gold. There are several entries dated 1861, 1862 and 1868 regarding Ketcham's boarding situation
mssHM 59423
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Francis Baylies Correspondence
Manuscripts
The collection consists of a series of 48 letters sent by Francis Baylies to General John E. Wool between 1848 and 1852. Baylies writes extensively, and often scathingly, of antebellum era politics, statesmen, military operations, and military leaders. Individuals discussed (often disparagingly) in the letters include John Quincy Adams,Thomas Hart Benton, Braxton Bragg, James Buchanan, Lewis Cass, Henry Clay, Caleb Cushing, George Mifflin Dallas, Jefferson Davis, Millard Fillmore, Horace Mann, William L. Marcy, Gideon Johnson Pillow, James K. Polk, Winfield Scott, William Henry Seward, Zachary Taylor, Nicholas Trist, John Tyler, J. Watson Webb, Daniel Webster, and Levi Woodbury. Baylies writes frequently of Wool's involvement at the Battle of Buena Vista, the presidential elections of 1848 and 1852, New York state politics, and general social movements, as well as revolutionary activity in Europe in 1848-1849. Also included with the collection is a letter written after Baylies's death by his brother William Baylies and two essays by an unknown author on the Canadian Rebellions of 1838, dated 1862 and possibly expanding on Baylies's earlier research on the topic.
mssHM 78727-78777
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David S. Maynard diary of an overland journey from Ohio to Puget Sound
Manuscripts
In this journal, David Maynard relates details of his journey such as supplies purchased, medical treatment sought, as well as brief details regarding progress in his travels. Pre-printed diary filled in by hand; many blank pages. Diary bound in black limp leather, and dated 1850, January 1 - December 30. Also included is printed receipt for a $200 loan from the Banking House of Ben E. Snipes & Co., Ellensburgh, Washington, signed by Maynard.
mssHM 997
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Charles Rowe diaries
Manuscripts
Three diaries kept by Charles Rowe when he was living and working in California, Nevada, and Missouri from 1852-1864. The first diary covers 1852-1853 and begins when Rowe had just arrived in San Francisco from New York. It primarily recalls his experiences at Mission San Jose, where he worked as a farmer for $60 a month. He also describes some events at the Mission, such as a "bullfight ...at which two Indians were killed" (May 2, 1852). The second diary, dated 1854-1855, continues with Rowe's work at Mission San Jose, as well as his farm work on Captain Beard's Ranch and the E.M. Knowles Ranch (both apparently near Santa Clara, California), and his mining at Dutch Flat, California, and in Nevada. The final diary, dated 1861-1864, was kept while he was living near Springfield and Sharon, Missouri, during the Civil War. Rowe writes about troops coming to town, but most of the entries focus on his daily activities. The diary was kept from 1861-1862, but also includes account notes from 1864.
mssHM 50575-50577