BYU Library - Special Collections

Scope and Contents

Handwritten letter dated March 22, 1853, addressed to "Brother and Sister," and written in Mud Springs, California. Atmore writes about leaving his home in Michigan and going to California in search of gold and becoming a farmer there. He also describes California and the problems in looking for gold there.

Scope and Contents

Handwritten and signed letters addressed to family members. Coruth writes about his mining activities in Merced County, California, and about family matters. William forcefully admonishes his son, Robert, not to enlist in the army at the outset of the American Civil War. He also advises Robert not to come to California because of low wages and harsh living conditions.

Scope and Contents

Typed transcript of letters written by Engle while voyaging to California in 1853. The letters are addressed to family members and describe Engles' voyage by sea to Panama, the crossing of the isthmus there, his voyage by sea to California, and life in San Francisco and the nearby mining communities.

Scope and Contents

Handwritten and signed correspondence. The items were written by Hadden and others who were probably family members. The materials relate activities in the gold fields of California and also tell about activities during the Civil War. Also included is a printed poem about the Battle of the Wilderness in 1864.

Scope and Contents

Handwritten and signed letters. Hartford was originally from Boston, Massachusetts, and later went to the gold fields of California. He writes to his family from various towns and mining camps in California and describes his life and activities there.

Scope and Contents Handwritten letter dated 10 Jan. 1858 and signed with "John." The item was addressed to "Ezekiel & Ellison" and written in Calaveras County, California. John writes about his life in California. "It is a lovely climate ... pass the remainder of my days away out here among the mountains of California with a good mining claim." He comments on the Mormons and their difficulties with the federal government. "I had thought somewhat of joining the Mormons. ... What is your opinion of this...

Scope and Contents

Holograph. The letter describes social conditions and experiences in the gold fields of early California. Mentions the use of a "Long Tom".

Scope and Contents

Handwritten and signed letters from John and George Newell to their sister, Elizabeth C. Marr. The Newell brothers write about their lives and various activities in different mining camps in California.

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Handwritten ledger recording land concessions and other legal matters concerning Thompson Flat, California.

Scope and Contents

Holograph. The letter describes a trip to California from New York via the Isthmus of Panama.