Collection consists of 13 journals written by William Moore and assorted other papers. Among the journals are five that document in detail Moore's sea and overland voyages (from Ireland to New York, from New York to Illinois, from Illinois/Iowa to California, from California back to New York, and from New York back to Illinois) as well as his experience in California during the Gold Rush. Assorted other William Moore papers also included.

William Moore was born in Newtownards, County Down, Ireland in 1827. He immigrated to the United States in 1850, arriving in New York from Belfast on the ship Annie on May 17. Soon after his arrival in New York, he travelled via steamer and train to Chicago. By late 1850, Moore had settled in Rock Island, Illinois and was living in the home of Daniel and Mary Egerton. In May 1852, Moore travelled on the overland route to California with Dr. E.H. Bowman and Evan Davis. The group arrived in Placerville (Hangtown) on September 10, 1852. In California, Moore tried to find work as a miner in Placerville but in his first few years there mainly worked as a hand for the contractors building the South Fork Canal. He remained in Placerville, working as a miner, until 1854, when he decided to return to Illinois. He undertook a journey down the Pacific coast to Nicaragua, crossed the isthmus and then continued to New York aboard a ship. He made his way back to Illinois by train. He remained in Rock Island County, Illinois working as a farmer for the remainder of his life. He married Margaret McKeag in the 1860s and had a family. William Moore died in 1900.

0.6 linear feet (2 boxes)

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Collection is open for research.