Jump to Content

Collection Guide
Collection Title:
Collection Number:
Get Items:
Finding aid of the J. Goldsborough Bruff Papers C057737
C057737  
View entire collection guide What's This?
Search this collection
Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • Conditions Governing Access note
  • Conditions Governing Use note
  • Preferred Citation note
  • Donor
  • Biographical note
  • Scope and Contents note
  • Existence and Location of Originals note

  • Title: Bruff, J. Goldsborough Papers
    Identifier/Call Number: C057737
    Contributing Institution: Society of California Pioneers
    Language of Material: English
    Physical Description: 1.0 folder (4 items)
    Date (inclusive): 1849-1869
    Abstract: This folder consists of four separate documents. The first is a typed reproduction (1992 keepsake for Roxburghe and Zamorano clubs) of a letter by Henry H. Clifford explaining his acquisition and investigation of the Joseph Goldsborough Bruff rebus letter, as well as a photocopy of the letter and an accompanying transcription of it, and lastly a photocopy of a handwritten letter by Bruff addressed to the Pioneer Association of California to use as handwriting comparison with the rebus letter. The second document is the original handwritten letter (six pages) by Bruff addressed to the Pioneer Association of California, dated December 14, 1869. The third document is a one paragraph letter to Helen S. Giffen at the Society of California Pioneers from Charles Eberstadt of Edward Eberstadt & Sons, Specialists in Rare Americana in New York City, dated November 22, 1954. The fourth document is a photomount pamphlet binder containing the prospectus (printed title pages and table of contents) of the memoir of Joseph Goldsborough Bruff, dated 1856, seven pages long. It is titled “Overland Travel to California, in 1849”.
    creator: Bruff, Joseph Goldsborough, 1804-1889

    Conditions Governing Access note

    Collection open for research

    Conditions Governing Use note

    There are no restrictions on access

    Preferred Citation note

    The Joseph Goldsborough Bruff Papers. The Society of California Pioneers.

    Donor

    Donor and acquisition date are unknown.

    Biographical note

    Joseph Goldsborough Bruff was born in Washington, D.C. on October 2, 1804, one of 18 children. He entered West Point in 1820 but resigned in 1822. After his application to the Naval Academy was rejected, he spent time sailing to Europe, South America, and Africa and was an officer in the Venezuelan Service. He returned to Gosport (now Portsmouth) Virginia around 1827. He became a draftsman on April 3, 1836. On April 2, 1849, having founded the Washington City and California Mining Association, he left for California. He was a charter member of the Mason’s Federal Lodge in Washington, D.C., and assisted in founding California Masonic Lodge #1. He died on April 14, 1889.

    Scope and Contents note

    This folder consists of four separate documents. The first is a typed reproduction (1992 keepsake for Roxburghe and Zamorano clubs) of a letter by Henry H. Clifford explaining his acquisition and investigation of the Joseph Goldsborough Bruff rebus letter, as well as a photocopy of the letter and an accompanying transcription of it, and lastly a photocopy of a handwritten letter by Bruff addressed to the Pioneer Association of California to use as handwriting comparison with the rebus letter. The second document is the original handwritten letter (six pages) by Bruff addressed to the Pioneer Association of California, offering his memoirs of the Gold Rush and accompanying illustrations. The letter is dated December 14, 1869. The third document is a one paragraph letter to Helen S. Giffen at the Society of California Pioneers from Charles Eberstadt of Edward Eberstadt & Sons, Specialists in Rare Americana in New York City, dated November 22, 1954. This letter references another letter send to Eberstadt from Giffen and concerns the Joseph Goldsborough Bruff’s book. The fourth document is a photomount pamphlet binder containing the prospectus (printed title pages and table of contents) of the memoir of Joseph Goldsborough Bruff, dated 1856, seven pages long. It is titled “Overland Travel to California, in 1849”. On the back of the last page it also contains a list of the memoir’s subscribers.

    Existence and Location of Originals note

    The Society of California Pioneers. 300 Fourth Street. San Francisco, CA 94107

    Subjects and Indexing Terms

    Bruff, Joseph Goldsborough, 1804-1889
    Frontier and pioneer life – California
    Gold mines and mining -- California -- History.
    Pioneers--California--History--19th century