Clark Family Correspondence: Finding Aid mssHM
61076-61139
Finding aid prepared by Jeffrey Wilensky, October 2, 2000.
The Huntington Library
2000
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
Business Number: (626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
Note
Finding aid last updated on August 22, 2024, by Mari Khasmanyan.
Contributing Institution:
The Huntington Library
Title: Clark family correspondence
Creator:
Clark family.
Identifier/Call Number: mssHM 61076-61139
Physical Description:
2.4 Linear Feet
(2 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1852-1895
Abstract: This collection contains correspondence
of Sarah Clark (active 1852-1895) and the Clark family of Rising Sun, Indiana; California;
and Austin, Nevada. The letters cover a wide range of subjects including the citrus industry
in California and Nevada; economic conditions in California, Indiana, and Nevada;
agriculture in Northern California; hunting; sickness; courtship; children; and
business.
Language of Material: Materials are in
English.
Conditions Governing Access
Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at
the Huntington Library for more information.
Conditions Governing Use
The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from
or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The
responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining
necessary permissions rests with the researcher.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item]. Clark family correspondence, The Huntington Library, San Marino,
California.
Provenance
Purchased from Pacific Book Auction Galleries, Sale 143, Lot 47 September 9, 1997.
Processing Information
Processed by Huntington Library staff, circa mid-20th century. In August 2024, Mari
Khasmanyan updated the finding aid's linear feet and container information.
Cataloger's Note
C. F. (Charles Francis) Clark's middle name is spelled "Fransis" in one letter by his
mother. For standardization purposes, the traditional spelling of Francis has been used in
cataloging this collection. Throughout the collection, he is referred to in several ways:
Charles Francis, Charles Frank, Frank, C. F., and once or twice as "Charley" by his
mother.
Biographical / Historical
Sarah Clark (active 1852-1895), the most prominent figure in this group of letters, lived
in Rising Sun, Indiana with her husband Robert V. Clark. In early 1852, he moved to either
Coloma or El Dorado, California. Her correspondence to him from Rising Sun ended in 1854,
and although she may have met up with him in California, they eventually moved west to
Austin, Nevada. They later returned to California and moved to El Dorado, (1872?), Oakland
(1883?) and then possibly back to El Dorado (1889?).
They had six children: Anna Matilda Clark, C. F. (Charles Francis) Clark, b. 1852, Eliza
Jane Clark (b. 1842), Joshua Clark, Robert V. Clark, Jr., and William G. Clark (fl.
1853-1869). Sarah Clark mentions "Nat" or "Vat" briefly in early letters while Robert V.
Clark was in California without her, but it is unclear whether or not he was in fact their
son.
One of their sons, William G. Clark, married a woman named Hattie. They had a son, William
G., Jr., and lived in El Dorado, California. Another son, Joshua Clark, moved to Austin,
Nevada and then to El Dorado. While in Austin, he thought about opening up a saloon. He
worked at a slaughterhouse in Simpsons Park, Nevada, six miles from Austin.
Little is known about Robert V. Clark, Jr. who was referred to as "Rob" once or twice in
letters by his mother. He lived in Austin, Nevada in the late 1860s, but by 1890, he was
living in El Dorado, California. C. F. (Charles Francis) Clark was born on February 14, 1852
a few weeks after his father had left for California. Later in his life, he lived in El
Dorado, Oakland, and at one point, Sacramento, California and may have sold fruit. He ran an
establishment with his friend George who got married on April 9, 1883.
Sarah Clark had three sisters: Amelia Buck, from Fort Madison, Iowa; Mary Best from Rising
Sun who had two sons, Joshua B. (Joshua Beeson) and Nathaniel C. Crouch; and E. C.
(Elizabeth) Burns, also from Rising Sun who had at least one child, Hollie.
Scope and Contents
This collection contains 21 letters from Sarah Clark to her husband and children. The
remaining correspondence is between Clark family members. There are a few additional pieces
written by friends, relatives, and one business associate. The correspondence covers a wide
range of subjects including: the citrus industry in California and Nevada; economic
conditions in California, Indiana, and Nevada; agriculture in Northern California; hunting;
sickness; courtship; children; and business. There are also two letters containing love
poetry, and the collection contains an express receipt from Wells Fargo and Company.
Sarah Clark (fl. 1852-1895) is the most prolific figure in this collection, as she wrote
twenty-one letters and was the addressee of eight. There are, however, eighteen other
authors of these letters, including her sons, Charles 3 Scope and content note (continued)
Francis Clark (7 letters), Joshua Clark (6 letters), William G. Clark (3 letters), and
Robert V. Clark, Jr. (3 letters). There are 5 letters from her husband, Robert V. Clark, a
combined six from Sarah's three sisters, and an assortment of letters from friends,
acquaintances, and one business associate.
The letters describe day-to-day activities of the family members as well as their hopes,
dreams, and longings. Sarah Clark, left to care for six children while her husband tried to
establish a new life in California, attempted to survive with little money and with the hope
that she would once again be reunited with her husband. Her early letters relate a longing
for his companionship and her need to support and take care of him. Her later letters focus
primarily on her ill health and occasional discomfort.
The letters in the collection also make reference to diseases such as smallpox, home
remedies such as a bread and milk poultice for aches and pains, and the death of a child in
town where no one attended her funeral. There are upbeat moments as family members
participate in various functions such as picnics, parties, and one outdoor event where
Joshua Clark recalls that women participated in a football game. Joshua Clark also received
two letters containing love poetry from a woman named Reta. There is ample discussion of the
citrus industry with at least two family members, C. F. (Charles Francis) Clark and William
G. Clark, involved in the distribution and sale of an assortment of fruit. There are passing
references to the opera coming to town, singer Jenny Lind (spelled "Lynn" in the letter),
and winter sports such as sledding. There is occasional talk of road surveying and road
taxes and one family member runs into several "Chinamen" while surveying his property. Some
of the correspondence discusses courtship and marriage. In one letter, a woman named Emma
requests a photograph of a prospective suitor with very little requirements as to
appearance, height, or weight. Her only stipulation is that he be able to support her and be
an Israelite.
Arrangement
Correspondence arranged chronologically in two boxes, followed by an 1870 Wells Fargo and
Company Express note and 1886 envelope at the end of Box 2.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Citrus fruit industry -- California
Citrus fruit industry -- Nevada
Courtship -- United States -- History -- Sources
Hunting -- Nevada
Austin (Nev.) -- History -- Sources
California, Northern -- History -- 19th century -- Sources
Indiana -- History -- 19th century -- Sources
Nevada -- History -- 19th century -- Sources
Family papers -- United States -- 19th century
Letters (corrrespondence) -- United States -- 19th century
Love letters -- United States -- 19th century
Clark family.
Clark, Charles Francis, b. 1852
Clark, Joshua.
Clark, Robert.
Clark, Sarah, active 1852-1895
Clark, William G.
Rising Sun, Ind. Sarah Clark, active 1852-1895 to Robert V.
Clark.
HM 61076
1852, Feb. 2
Rising Sun, Ind. Sarah Clark, active 1852-1895 to Robert V.
Clark.
HM 61077
1852, July 4
Rising Sun, Ind. William G. Clark, active 1853-1869 to Robert V.
Clark.
HM 61078
1853, Feb. 23
Rising Sun, Ind. Sarah Clark, active 1852-1895 to Robert V.
Clark.
HM 61079
1853, June 19
Rising Sun, Ind. Sarah Clark, active 1852-1895 to Robert V.
Clark.
HM 61080
1854, Jan. 15
Rising Sun, Ind. William G. Clark, active 1853-1869 to Robert V.
Clark.
HM 61081
1854, Feb. 15
Fort Madison, Ia. Amelia Buck to Sarah Clark, active 1852-1895. HM 61082
1854, Feb. 24
[Rising Sun, Ind.] Sarah Clark, active 1852-1895 to Robert V.
Clark.
HM 61083
1854, Apr. 30
Rising Sun, Ind. Sarah Clark, active 1852-1895 to Robert V.
Clark.
HM 61084
1854, May 17-21
Rising Sun, Ind. Mary Best to Joshua B. (Joshua Beeson) Crouch and Nathaniel
C. Crouch.
HM 61085
1854, June 11
Rising Sun, Ind. Sarah Clark, active 1852-1895 to Robert V.
Clark.
HM 61086
1854, June 18-19
Rising Sun, Ind. Sarah Clark, active 1852-1895 to Robert V.
Clark.
HM 61087
1854, July 2
Rising Sun, Ind. Sarah Clark, active 1852-1895 to Robert V.
Clark.
HM 61088
1854, July 30
Rising Sun, Ind. Sarah Clark, active 1852-1895 to Robert V.
Clark.
HM 61089
1854, Aug. 13
Rising Sun, Ind. Sarah Clark, active 1852-1895 to Robert V.
Clark.
HM 61090
1854, Sept. 17
Rising Sun, Ind. Sarah Clark, active 1852-1895 to Robert V.
Clark.
HM 61091
1854, Oct. 15
Rising Sun, Ind. Elizabeth Burns to Sarah Clark, active
1852-1895.
HM 61092
post-[1854], Mar.
27-28
Rising Sun, Ind. Mary Best to Eliza Jane Clark. HM 61093
1856, Apr. 13
Rising Sun, Ind. Hollie Burns to Eliza. HM 61094
1856, June 12
Rising Sun, Ind. Elizabeth Burns to Sarah Clark, active
1852-1895.
HM 61095
1858, June 14-15
Rising Sun, Ind. Elizabeth Burns to Sarah Clark, active
1852-1895.
HM 61096
1862, Oct. 12
Austin, Nev. C. F. (Charles Francis) Clark, b.1852 to Sarah Clark, active
1852-1895.
HM 61097
1868, Nov. 5
Austin, Nev. C. F. (Charles Francis) Clark, b.1852 to William G. Clark,
active 1853-1869.
HM 61098
1868, Nov. 18
Austin, Nev. C. F. (Charles Francis) Clark, b.1852 to William G. Clark,
active 1853-1869.
HM 61099
1868, Dec. 3
Austin, Nev. Sarah Clark, active 1852-1895 to William G. Clark, active
1853-1869.
HM 61100
1868, Dec. 27
Austin, Nev. Joshua Clark to William G. Clark, active 1853-1869. HM 61101
1869, Feb. 16
Austin, Nev. Robert V. Clark to William G. Clark, active
1853-1869.
HM 61102
1869, Mar. 20
Austin, Nev. Robert V. Clark to Hattie Clark. HM 61103
1869, Apr. 8
Austin, Nev. Joshua Clark to William G. Clark, active 1853-1869. HM 61104
1869, Apr. 16
Austin, Nev. to Hattie Clark. HM 61105
1869, Apr. 29
Austin, Nev. to William G. Clark, active 1853-1869. HM 61106
1869, May 17
El Dorado, Calif. William G. Clark, active 1853-1869 to Joshua
Clark.
HM 61107
1869, May 23
San Francisco, Calif. Joshua Clark to William G. Clark, active
1853-1869.
HM 61108
[1869?], June 28
Austin, Nev. Robert V. Clark to William G. Clark, active
1853-1869.
HM 61109
1869, Sept. 3
Austin, Nev. A. Sower to William G. Clark, active 1853-1869. HM 61110
1869, Sept. 6
Austin, Nev. A. Sower to William G. Clark, active 1853-1869. HM 61111
1869, Sept. 16
Austin, Nev. Robert V. Clark to William G. Clark, active
1853-1869.
HM 61112
post-[1869], Sept.
18
Austin, Nev. Sarah Clark, active 1852-1895 to Children. HM 61113
1870, Feb. 24
Austin, Nev. Sarah Clark, active 1852-1895 to C. F. (Charles Francis) Clark,
b.1852.
HM 61114
1870, Apr. 11
Austin, Nev. Sarah Clark, active 1852-1895 to C. F. (Charles Francis) Clark,
b.1852.
HM 61115
1870, Apr. 19
San Francisco, Calif. Emma to Joshua Clark. HM 61116
[1871], Nov. 9
El Dorado, Calif. Sarah Clark, active 1852-1895 to Robert V.
Clark.
HM 61117
1872, May 5
Sacramento, Calif. Mattie Longham to C. F. (Charles Francis) Clark,
b.1852.
HM 61118
1873, Sept. 25
Simpsons Park, Nev. Joshua Clark to Robert V. Clark. HM 61119
1877, Aug. 12
El Dorado, Calif. C. F. (Charles Francis) Clark, b.1852 to Joshua
Clark.
HM 61120
1877, Aug. 17
El Dorado, Calif. Joshua Clark to C. F. (Charles Francis) Clark,
b.1852.
HM 61121
1878, May 2
El Dorado, Calif. Sarah Clark, active 1852-1895 to C. F. (Charles Francis)
Clark, b.1852.
HM 61122
1878, May 10
Oakland, Calif. Reta to Joshua Clark. HM 61123
1881, Feb. 19
Oakland, Calif. Reta to Joshua Clark. HM 61124
1881, Feb. 25
Oakland, Calif. C. F. (Charles Francis) Clark, b.1852 to Joshua
Clark.
HM 61125
1883, Apr. 13
El Dorado, Calif. Joshua Clark to C. F. (Charles Francis) Clark,
b.1852.
HM 61126
1883, May 6
Oakland, Calif. Robert V. Clark to Sarah Clark, active 1852-1895. HM 61127
1883, Oct. 25
Bouldin Island, Calif. William G. Clark to Robert V. Clark. HM 61128
1883, Nov. 2
Oakland, Calif. Robert V. Clark to Sarah Clark, active 1852-1895. HM 61129
1887, Oct. 22
Healdsburg, Calif. Sarah Clark to Joshua Clark. HM 61130
1888, Apr. 26
Healdsburg, Calif. Sarah to Sarah Clark, active 1852-1895. HM 61131
1888, July 20
Oakland, Calif. Sarah Clark, active 1852-1895 to Robert V. Clark. HM 61132
1888, Nov. 6
Healdsburg, Calif. Arthur Denver King to Sarah J. King. HM 61133
1889, Nov. 18
El Dorado, Calif. Robert V. Clark to C. F. (Charles Francis) Clark,
b.1852.
HM 61134
1889, Dec. 9
El Dorado, Calif. Joshua Clark to C. F. (Charles Francis) Clark,
b.1852.
HM 61135
1889, Dec. 26
El Dorado, Calif. Sarah Clark to C. F. (Charles Francis) Clark,
b.1852.
HM 61136
1889, Dec. 29
Coloma, Calif. Robert V. Clark to C. F. (Charles Francis) Clark,
b.1852.
HM 61137
1890, Apr. 1
Coloma, Calif. Sarah Clark, active 1852-1895 to Son. HM 61138
1895, July 26
Joshua Clark. Wells Fargo and Company Express note. HM 61139
1870, Oct. 3
Envelope – Addressed to: Joshua, G. F., and R. V. Clark.
1886
