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Purdy, John H.

 Person

Biographical History

John H. Purdy (1791-1876) was a printer and miner in California in the mid-1800s.

John H. Purdy was born in 1791 to Patrick Brady Purdy and Jennett Jane Wallace in Hopewell, Pennsylvania. John H. Purdy moved to California in 1849, funded by his brother, James H. Purdy, who was a successful lawyer, publisher, banker and railroad entrepeneur in Mansfield, Ohio. John found work in a printing office and the mines during the summer. He also assisted in the survey of the land for the city of Humbolt. John died on July 31, 1876.

Citation:
UPB, 2017 June 22 (move to California in 1849, funded by bro. James, James a lawyer, banker, publisher and railroad entrepeneur in Mansfield, John's work in printing office and Humbolt city and mines).

Familyserach.org, via WWW, 2017 December 7 ( 1791-1803;b. 1791; Patrick Brady Purdy; Jennett Jane Wallace; Hopewell, Pennsylvania; d. July 31, 1876).

Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:

John H. Purdy correspondence to James L. Purdy

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 862
Scope and Contents Handwritten correspondence from John Purdy to his brother, James, about his overland journey by ox team from Columbus, Ohio, to California in 1849. Purdy is an intelligent and detailed writer. He describes various companies' rules and regulations and his attempts to join a suitable group traveling to California. Purdy's company encountered Native Americans and two of his party were killed. He also mentions his visit to Salt Lake City and how the company made their own road to Los Angeles,...
Dates: 1849-1851

John H. Purdy letter to James L. Purdy

 Item — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197232578986]
Identifier: MSS 9028
Scope and Contents

Color copy of a handwritten letter from John H. Purdy, living in San Francisco, to his brother James L. in Mansfield, Ohio. Purdy mentions his role in surveying a city, which became Humboldt City, located on Humboldt Bay, California, as well as his mining ventures in the region. Dated April 30, 1850.

Dates: 1850 April 30

Additional filters:

Subject
Agriculture and Natural Resources 1
City Planning 1
Correspondence 1
Gold mines and mining -- California -- History -- 19th century 1
Immigration and American Expansion 1