Daily: 10 A.M.–5 P.M.
Closed on Tuesdays
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108
Image not available
Manuscripts
These 12 letters, all written to Allen's daughter Emma Merrit, are handwritten copies of the original letters (location of originals is unknown). The majority of the letters are actually written by both G. Nelson Allen and Elizabeth Allen. In the letters they discuss their lives in Ohio and Wisconsin as well as their decision to go to Colorado to try their luck there. While on the journey to Colorado, G. Nelson and Elizabeth discuss the trail, its conditions, the weather and landscape, the other emigrants they pass, the loss of their dog Beppie, and the Native Americans with whom they interact, more specifically the Pawnee. The letters are written from Fort Des Moines, Cass County and Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Fort Kearny, Nebraska. In the letter dated 1887, Elizabeth Allen reminiscences about their trip across the plains. In one letter (1858), G. Nelson reminiscences about living on the Gila River, near Tucson, Arizona and Fort Yuma. Included are transcripts of the letters.
mssHM 74421-74432
Image not available
Manuscripts
Letter written by Elihu Allen from First Cottonwood, Great Salt Lake Valley, Utah, to his son and daughter. In the letter Allen expresses his anxiety at being separated from his children and speaks of an influx of immigrants to the Salt Lake Valley, the prospect of crops in the area, and the potential of building a new schoolhouse. Allen also writes of the impending visit of a "general master of the Military Forces" on July 4 and a "great commotion" in Congress. He also includes commentary about the spiritual mission of Mormon pioneers. The letter appears to have been written over another letter to "My Dear Brother and Sister" and is addressed to Mr. John L. Biser, Gold Mines, California (postmarked Sacramento, November 5).
mssHM 64286
Image not available
Manuscripts
Henry Uhrbroock introduces himself by letter to the wife of James Clarke, whom Uhrbroock describes as his partner. Uhrbroock writes that Mr. Clarke is currently unable to write to his wife, and hopes that she will accept this letter in his stead. He writes of both the atrocities and the beauty of California, and hopes to be able to report favorably regarding Mr. Clarke in the near future.
mssHM 21250
Image not available
Manuscripts
The first section of the collection consists of 43 volumes: two William Allen diaries (1878-1879), one Harold Allen diary (1884), and 40 ranch journals from 1879 to 1918. The first volume, written by William Allen in 1878, begins in Europe and continues in Southern California later in the year. Subsequent volumes document primarily the day-to-day activities of the ranch, from pruning to harvesting and irrigating the vineyards and citrus trees. Some writing indicates that there were Chinese laborers on the ranch, and entries in later volumes may have been recorded by one of William Allen's sons, Walter I. Allen, who ran the ranch in later years.
mssSphinx ranch
Image not available
Manuscripts
These letters by James Henry Gleason are vivid impressions of a colorful period in the history of the Sandwich Islands and of Alta California from 1841 to 1859. These letters have been published by The Arthur H. Clark Company in a book entitled Beloved Sister the letters of James Henry Gleason. There are two unpublished letters. The first was written by Jose Bandini to [James Santiago Johnson] on May 12, 1833 from San Diego, California. The second letter was written by Dorothy Gleason to Agnes C. Conrad on November 17, 1969 concerning an invitation to the 54th Birthday Anniversary of Her Majesty Kapiolani at Iolani Palace. There are also three deeds concerning land lots.
mssHM 81842-81902
Image not available
Manuscripts
In this letter to Mr. Prang written on letterhead of the Mayor's Office, City and County of San Francisco, Taylor thanks Prang for his kind birthday letter. He thinks the mayoral election on November 5, 1907 will go well, as he believes that the people seem to be for him while all the politicians are not. Taylor asks Prang to remember him to his wife and says that he is sending a copy of his selected poems that were published on the anniversary of the fire.
mssHM 29265