Autobiography and Reminiscence of Dr. Benjamin Shurtleff, Napa, 1901.
Title:
Autobiography and Reminiscence of Dr. Benjamin Shurtleff, Napa, 1901.[Institutional Records Digitization Project: Reminiscences of Early Pioneers: 1900-1904]
Creator/Contributor:
Shurtleff, Benjamin, Dr, 1821-1911, creatorAbstract:
Autobiographies and Reminiscences of California Pioneers, p. 143-166, Vol. 2. This is a typed transcript, bound into a volume,
of the member's autobiographical reminiscence created as an institutional record for the Society of California Pioneers.
This reminiscence includes a reference to a photograph of the member in a set of bound volumes, but there is no longer a photograph
of this member in our collection. This reminiscence covers Shurtleff's life from 1842-1901, providing family history, genealogy
on his ancestor William Shurtleff, and other early families of Plymouth. The text describes Shurtleff's overseas voyage,
the Straits of Magellan and arriving in San Francisco. Details about his mining experience include costs for provisions,
and anecdotes relating to miners. He was appointed the chief judicial official in Reading Springs and discusses how disputes
were settled. Included is an excerpt from a closing speech Shurtleff delivered at the State Constitutional Convention in
Sacramento (1878-1879) opposing a motion to incorporate an age limit into the constitution. There is a note endorsing the
biography authored by Dr. Shurtleff which notes a change to the date of his arrival in S.F.
Date:
1901 (issued)Subject:
Shurtleff, Benjamin, Dr -- 1821-1911
Shurtleff, William --
1624-1666
--
Descendants
Shurtleff family
Pioneers --
California --
Biography
Voyages to the Pacific Coast
Frontier and pioneer life
Gold mines and mining
California --
History --
19th century.
California, Northern.
Note:
Copyright has not been assigned to The Society of California Pioneers. All requests for permission to publish or quote from
manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Librarian. Permission for publication is given on behalf of The Society of
California Pioneers as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright
holder, which must be obtained by the reader
Autobiography & Reminiscence of Dr. Benjamin Shurtleff, Napa, 1901. The Society of California Pioneers
Dr. Benjamin Shurtleff was born in Carver, Plymouth County, Massachusetts September 7, 1821, studied medicine at the Tremont
Medical School (Boston) and graduated from Harvard (1848). At news of the gold discovery in California, he took the schooner
"Boston" for S.F. on January 25, 1849 stopping in St. Catherine (Brazil), the Straits of Magellan, and Port Famine (a Chilean
penal colony). On July 6, 1849 he arrived in S.F. and soon left on the "Olivia" to Sacramento. Arriving on July 16 he went
to Beal's Bar to mine, later taking a job digging a canal between the American River and its south fork. In fall of 1849,
Shurtleff went to Reading Springs and resumed mining at Middle Creek. Elected to the office of Alcalde he resigned in the
summer of 1850 and began a mercantile business. When Shasta County was organized, Shurtleff was elected its first County
Treasurer, Chairman of the Board of School Trustees and also County Physician. In 1861 he was elected to the Senate from
the district comprising Shasta and Trinity Counties. In 1874 Shurtleff moved to Napa, was elected to the Board of City Trustees
(May 1876) and was chosen as one of the delegates to the State Constitutional Convention. In March 1880, Shurtleff was appointed
one of the trustees of the Napa State Asylum for the Insane, serving as Board President
Type:
Autobiographies.Physical Description:
[26] p. ; 35 x 21 cm.
Language:
English
Identifier:
\LowResSCANS\Volume02\ARShurtleff,B01.jpg26
Origin:
CaliforniaCopyright Note:
Copyright has not been assigned to The Society of California Pioneers. All requests for permission to publish or quote from
manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Librarian. Permission for publication is given on behalf of The Society of
California Pioneers as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright
holder, which must be obtained by the reader.
Related Item:
Autobiographies & Reminiscences of California Pioneers, compiled by The Historical Committee of the Society of California
Pioneers.