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.

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.

Holograph letter and typewritten copy. The item was written by Henry Decamp, in Sacramento, California, to his wife, Anne Mariah DeCamp, on 19 Aug. 1850. Henry arrived at the mines of Hang Town on 16 July and worked in the mines there "four days and made from 2 to 9 dollars per day." He later worked "getting timber." Henry expressed sorrow in now receiving a letter from his wife and indicated that he was homesick and wanted to return home soon.

Handwritten and signed letter, dated September 7, 1850, and addressed to Susan B. Ferrell. Fremont writes concerning the gold mines in California and the best time of the year to go to that state.

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.

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.

Handwritten letter dated 26 Dec. 1850. The item was written in Legards Bar, California and was addressed to D. M. Woodin in Lapeer, Michigan. Heiman writes about life at the gold mines. He states that working in the mines is for people willing to "work hard and live like a dog."

Eleven typewritten copies and one holograph. In letters to his wife, Rhoda, Millikan describes the difficulties and fears of a man travelling over the plains to Salt Lake Valley, Utah, and on to the California gold fields. His letters, while descriptive of the terrain and events encountered, are full of love and yearning for home and family.

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.

Photocopy of a handwritten diary. Reed writes about his journey to the gold fields in California in 1850 and his return to Illinois the following year. He returned by way of ship to Panama and also by ship to New York City. The account is detailed and includes financial records.