Scope and Contents note
Conditions Governing Access note
Existence and Location of Originals note
Conditions Governing Use note
Preferred Citation note
Immediate Source of Acquisition note
Biographical/Historical note
Related Archival Materials note
Title: Bigler, Henry W, and Smith, Azariah Letters
Identifier/Call Number: C058494
Contributing Institution:
Society of California Pioneers
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
1 folder, 4 letters
Date (inclusive): 1887 to 1948
Abstract: These letters are related to the research undertaken by John S Hittell under the aegis of the Society of California Pioneers
to determined the correct date that gold was found in the tailrace of Sutter's Mill in Coloma by James Marshall. Using diaries
and information from Henry Bigler and Azariah Smith, members of the Mormon Battalion that worked for Sutter and Marshall at
the Mill at the time gold was discovered, Hittell determines that at date of discovery was Jan 24, 1848. File includes letters
from Bigler and Smith.
creator:
Bigler, Henry William, 1815-1900
creator:
Smith, Azariah, 1826-1912
Scope and Contents note
These letters are related to the research undertaken by John S Hittell under the aegis of the Society of California Pioneers
to determined the correct date that gold was found in the tailrace of Sutter's Mill in Coloma by James Marshall. Using diaries
and information from Henry Bigler and Azariah Smith, members of the Mormon Battalion that worked for Sutter and Marshall at
the Mill at the time gold was discovered, Hittell determines that at date of discovery was Jan 24, 1848. File includes
1. Date of issue stamp and cover for the California Gold Centennial post marked Jan 24, 1948, Coloma CA
2. Letter to Francis Clark from Hiram Graves, secretary of SoCP, regarding Hittell research on date of gold discovery.
3. Letter to SoCP from Henry Bigler acknowledging receipt of SoCP resolution regarding gift of the 1847 - 1848 Diaries. Sept
15, 1887
4. Letter to SoCP from Azariah Smith dated Dec 28, 1887
Conditions Governing Access note
Collection open for research
Existence and Location of Originals note
The Society of California Pioneers, 300 Fourth St, San Francisco, CA 94107
Conditions Governing Use note
There are no restrictions on access
Preferred Citation note
Bigler and Smith Letters, The Society of California Pioneers.
Immediate Source of Acquisition note
The letters are addressed to the Society of California Pioneers by the correspondents.
Biographical/Historical note
These letters are related to the research undertaken by John S Hittell under the aegis of the Society of California Pioneers
to determined the correct date that gold was found in the tailrace of Sutter's Mill in Coloma by James Marshall. Using diaries
and information from Henry Bigler and Azariah Smith, members of the Mormon Battalion that worked for Sutter and Marshall at
the Mill at the time gold was discovered, Hittell determines that at date of discovery was Jan 24, 1848. File includes letters
from Bigler and Smith.
Related Archival Materials note
The original page from the Bigler Diary (Jan 24, 1848) recording the discovery of gold at Sutter's mill in Coloma by James
Marshall is in B001627 / V-76 at C059079
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Hittell, John S., 1825-1901, (John Shertzer)
California, Northern - History - 19th century.
Gold mines and mining - California - History - 19th century
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