Finding aid of the Henry W. Bigler and Azariah Smith Letters C058494

Finding aid prepared by Nick Scales
Society of California Pioneers
300 Fourth Street
San Francisco, CA, 94107-1272
(415) 959-1849
pkeats@californiapioneers.org
May 21, 2013


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