Finding Aid to the Fremont Family Collection MS.217
Holly Rose Larson
Library and Archives at the Autry
2012 August 28
210 South Victory Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91502
rroom@theautry.org
Contributing Institution:
Library and Archives at the Autry
Title: Fremont Family Collection
Creator:
Frémont Family
Creator:
Lummis, Charles Fletcher
Creator:
Frémont, Lily
Creator:
Frémont, John Charles
Creator:
Frémont, Jessie Benton
Creator:
Benton, Thomas Hart
Identifier/Call Number: MS.217
Physical Description:
3.6 Linear Feet
(3 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1836-1960
Abstract: John Charles Fremont (1813-1890) was an American military officer during the Civil War, explorer of the Western United States,
United States presidential candidate and an opponent of slavery. Fremont's wife, Jessie Benton Fremont (1824-1902) was an
American writer and daughter of Missouri Senator Thomas Hart Benton. Their firstborn daughter Elizabeth (Lily) Benton Fremont
(1842-1919) participated in the groundbreaking ceremony of the Southwest Museum in Los Angeles in 1912. This collection of
papers was compiled from donations from Elizabeth B. Fremont, as well as Southwest Museum curatorial and library staff, with
documents spanning from 1836-1919. Materials include correspondence, etchings, certificates, manuscripts, maps, and newspaper
clippings by and about members of the John C. Fremont family.
Language of Material:
English
, French
, German
, Latin
.
Conditions Governing Access
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright has not been assigned to the Autry Museum of the American West. All requests for permission to publish or quote
from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Research Services and Archives. Permission for publication is
given on behalf of the Autry Museum of the American West as the custodian of the physical items and is not intended to include
or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.
Preferred Citation
Fremont Family Collection, 1836-1960, Braun Research Library Collection, Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles; MS.217; [folder number] [folder
title][date].
Processing History
Initial processing by Braun Library Staff. Finding aid completed by Holly Rose Larson, NHPRC Project Archivist, August 28,
2012, made possible through grant funding from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).
Scope and Contents
This collection of papers was compiled from donations from Elizabeth B. Fremont, as well as Southwest Museum curatorial and
library staff.
The majority of the materials in Box 1 span from 1836-1919 and include correspondence, etchings, certificates, newspaper clippings,
manuscripts, and other papers either generated by John C. Fremont, Jessie B. Fremont, or Elizabeth B. Fremont, or dealing
directly with one of the members of the Fremont family. These materials include a political songbook from John C. Fremont's
campaign for presidency, and two federal reports made to the Secretary of the Interior by John C. Fremont as Governor of the
Arizona territory in 1878 and 1879.
Materials in Box 1 date mostly from 1901 and 1957 and are mostly comprised of biographical articles and newspaper clippings
written about the members of the Fremont family.
Box 3 contains oversized items, including maps that John C. Fremont drew from his expeditions in the Western United States,
certificates for honorary memberships for John C. Fremont, and military commissions from the Presidents of the United States
of America, documenting John C. Fremont's military promotions between 1838 and 1890.
- Box 1: Primary resource materials
- Box 2: Biographical publications
- Box 3: Oversize items
Acquisition
Donation by Elizabeth Benton Frémont and others, 1915-1960.
Biographical Note
John Charles Fremont, born January 12, 1813 in Savannah, Georgia, was an American military officer, explorer, United States
presidential candidate, and an opponent of slavery. In 1838, Fremont was appointed Second Lieutenant in the Corps of Topographical
Engineers, and he led expeditions through the western part of the United States. From 1842 to 1846, Fremont led expeditions
through the Oregon Trail and the Sierra Nevada mountain range, leading to the San Joaquin Valley. His journals of these expeditions,
especially the second, were wildly popular. The accounts of the two expeditions were printed together for the Congress as
Report of the Exploring Expedition in the Rocky Mountains in the year 1842, and to Oregon and North California in the years
1843-1844
. Fremont was also involved in gold mining in California but this venture eventually foundered. Fremont's most notable political
accomplishments include serving as one of California's first two U. S. senators from 1850-1851 and being governor of the Arizona
Territory from 1878-1881. Fremont died July 13, 1890 at the age of 77. Fremont married United States senator Thomas Hart Benton's
daughter Jessie in 1841. Jessie B. Fremont, born May 31, 1824, was an American writer who supplemented the family income as
a freelance writer. Some of Jessie's most popular publications were memoirs of her time accompanying her husband on his expeditions
in the American West. Jessie Benton Fremont died December 27, 1902. Their daughter Elizabeth (Lily) Benton Fremont was born
November 15, 1842 and died May 28, 1919.
John C. Fremont purchased land in the San Francisco Bay Area known as Black Point and built a house there for his family around
1860. When the Civil War started, the military claimed the land at Black Point, now Fort Mason, and the Fremonts were never
reimbursed for their land. Future generations of the Fremont family, including grandson Benton Fremont, continued to fight
for payment for the estate.
After John C. Fremont's death, Jessie and Elizabeth Fremont settled in Los Angeles. They became friends with Charles F. Lummis,
who also tried to fight on their behalf for the money owed them by the U.S. government. Because of her relationship with
Lummis, Elizabeth Fremont had a great role in the ground-breaking ceremony at the Southwest Museum on November 16, 1912. Elizabeth
had the flag her father had raised on the crest of the Rocky Mountains in 1842, and she donated it to the Southwest Society
in 1905, as a gift for the forthcoming Southwest Museum. At the groundbreaking ceremony for the museum in 1912, Elizabeth
Fremont raised this flag and then turned over the first shovel of earth for the actual breaking of ground for the Southwest
Museum building.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
West (U.S.) -- Discovery and exploration
Explorers -- West (U.S.)
United States. Army -- History
Maps
Arizona Territory
Presidents -- Elections
Certificates
Etchings
Presidential candidates
Correspondence
Songbooks
Manuscripts
Clippings
Frémont, Jessie Benton
Southwest Museum (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Frémont Family
Frémont, John Charles
box 1, folder 1
A bond between John C. Fremont and Charles Gould
1857
box 1, folder 2
Manuscript regarding restoration of rank in the regular army
undated
box 1, folder 3
Correspondence - Envelope to John C. Fremont from Benton Via Carson
1847
box 1, folder 4
"Cashier d'Observations Astronomiques" 1838ff
1838
Language of Material: French.
Scope and Contents
Nicollet and Fremont's notebook of astronomical observations while on a survey of the upper Missouri expedition of 1838.
box 1, folder 5
Correspondence - from Benton regarding trial
1842
box 1, folder 6
Correspondence - Thomas Hart Benton to John C. Fremont regarding the Fremont family
1847
box 1, folder 7
Correspondence - Benton to Abert suggesting John C. Fremont go to South Pass
1842
box 1, folder 8
Thanksgiving proclamation by John C. Fremont, as Governor of Arizona Territory
1879
box 1, folder 9
Correspondence - Letters regarding the Lost Cannon
1887, 1949
Physical Description: 2 letters
Separated materials
Photo transferred to Photo Archives, 1986 September 23.
Scope and contents
Correspondence from P. B. Ellis to Captain A. W. Pray, 1887 April 26; Correspondence from Art Woodward to F. W. Hodge, 1949
March 25.
box 1, folder 10
Correspondence - Grand Army of the Republic memorial resolution
1890
box 1, folder 11
Correspondence and decoration of Merit for Sciences to John C. Fremont from the Prince Regent of Prussia
1860-1886
Language of Material: English, French, German.
box 1, folder 12
Correspondence - Envelope from Jessie Benton Fremont to "Governor Fremont"
undated
box 1, folder 13
Commission to rank of Major General vide #49
1890
General Physical Description note: Photo copy
box 1, folder 14
Pencil sketch of John C. Fremont by Frank Carpenter
undated
Acquisition
Donation from Charles Elmer Bond, 1918 October 30.
Scope and contents
Accession card note: Original sketch of John Charles Fremont in War times in Washington, by Frank Carpenter (Painter of Lincoln's
Emancipation picture, in Washington. The original of the Fremont picture is also in Washington). 2 1/2" x 3 1/2", face indistinct.
box 1, folder 15
Swatch of crocheted lace
undated
box 1, folder 16
Campaign ribbons
1856, undated
Scope and contents
1856 ribbon for Fremont and Wm. Lewis Dayton; undated for Junior Fremont Club.
box 1, folder 17
"Gen. Fremont, wife, and daughter at the Fremont Redwood" postcard
1917
box 1, folder 18
Manuscript of declaration by Elizabeth Benton Fremont at donation of the flag to the Southwest Museum
1912
box 1, folder 19
Special Order number 100, Headquarters of the Army, United States of America, to retire Major General John C. Fremont from
active duty
1890
box 1, folder 20
Note - John C. Fremont apology regarding charges
1886
box 1, folder 21
John C. Fremont signature
1844
General note
Clipped from an unidentified piece of correspondence.
box 1, folder 22
Reprint from
Southern Californian No. 72: Supreme Court of the United States
1854 December
Scope and contents
Regarding John C. Fremont versus the United States of America for a private land claim in California.
box 1, folder 23
Correspondence - John C. Fremont to Dr. Torrey
1844
box 1, folder 24
John C. Fremont contract engaging Honore Ayot
1842
Acquisition
Donation from Elizabeth Benton Fremont, 1905 October 31.
box 1, folder 25
Correspondence - Thomas Hart Benton to John C. Fremont
1847 October 14
box 1, folder 26
Correspondence - Thomas Hart Benton to John C. Fremont
1847 October 7
box 1, folder 27
Correspondence - Jessie Fremont to John C. Fremont and clipping regarding death of Godey
1889 January
box 1, folder 28
Note for $182.31 to Dr. Marcus Whitman
1843
box 1, folder 29
Envelope addressed to John C. Fremont with note on reverse
1887
box 1, folder 30
Manuscript titled Captain de Arnaud
undated
box 1, folder 31
Photostat of a note from Jessie Fremont to Mr. Field
undated
Acquisition
Donation from Alice Eyre.
box 1, folder 32
Correspondence - Typed letter E.M. David to Jessie Fremont
1886
box 1, folder 33
Correspondence - Letter of introduction, John C. Fremont from fur trader Pierre Chouteau
1843
box 1, folder 34
John C. Fremont's commission as Major General USA vide #13
1890
box 1, folder 35
Correspondence - John C. Fremont to John Torrey
1845
box 1, folder 36
Correspondence - Thomas Hart Benton to John C. Fremont regarding the trial
1847
box 1, folder 37
Typed version of John C. Fremont's farewell to his troops
1861
box 1, folder 38
Verses written by John C. Fremont
1875
Scope and contents
Verses are regarding crossing the Rockies, thirty-three years earlier than the writing.
box 1, folder 39
Proofs of the Senate Record regarding John C. Fremont's expedition to the Rockies
1843
box 1, folder 40
Engraving of John C. Fremont profile
undated
Physical Characteristics Note
Matte and engraving both torn.
box 1, folder 41
Fremont campaign envelopes
undated
Physical Description: 3 envelopes
box 1, folder 42
Correspondence regarding John C. Fremont's commissions
1886
box 1, folder 43
Photostat of 1847 letter mentioning John C. Fremont and Abel Stearns
undated
Acquisition
Donation from H. R. Wagner, 1932.
box 1, folder 44
Engravings of John C. Fremont
1862, undated
Scope and Contents
Lithograph by Alonzo Chappel, published by Johnson, Fry & Co., 1862; Engraving by J. C. Buttre, created for Rebellion Record,
G. P. Putnam, undated.
box 1, folder 45
Correspondence - unknown author on behalf of Jessie Benton Fremont and daughter
undated
box 1, folder 46
Newspaper clippings regarding the military reduction of son Francis
1907-1908
box 1, folder 47
Newspaper clippings regarding John C. Fremont's idea to flood the California desert
1879
box 1, folder 48
Newspaper clipping mentioning John C. Fremont in the Mexican War
undated
box 1, folder 49
Newspaper clipping regarding John C. Fremont in California before Castro
undated
box 1, folder 50
Newspaper clipping of article by Putnam regarding John C. Fremont's promotion to Lt. Col.
undated
box 1, folder 51
The Fremont Songster political song book, New York: P. J. Cozans
1856
box 1, folder 52
Correspondence - Elizabeth B. Fremont to Charles F. Lummis
1916
box 1, folder 53
Correspondence - Charles F. Lummis to Elizabeth B. Fremont
1917
box 1, folder 54
Correspondence - Elizabeth B. Fremont to Charles F. Lummis
1907
box 1, folder 55
Correspondence - Elizabeth B. Fremont to Charles F. Lummis
undated
box 1, folder 56
Correspondence between Elizabeth B. Fremont and Charles F. Lummis
1916
box 1, folder 57
Photo postcard - Elizabeth B. Fremont to Charles F. Lummis
1910
box 1, folder 58
Copy of Senate document introduced regarding title to land
1901 December 12
box 1, folder 59
Correspondence - Elizabeth B. Fremont to Charles F. Lummis
undated
box 1, folder 60
Correspondence - Copy of letter from Charles F. Lummis to President Theodore Roosevelt
1903
Arrangement note
Previously housed with items in Box 2, Folder 1.
box 1, folder 61
Copies of Resolution by California Federation of Women's Clubs to settle the Fremont claim
undated
box 1, folder 62
John C. Fremont's message to the 10th legislative assembly
1879
Acquisition
From the Munk Library of Arizoniana.
box 1, folder 63
John C. Fremont's diploma of graduation from Charleston College
1836
Physical Description: 2 copies
Language of Material: Latin.
box 1, folder 64
Col. Fremont Not a Roman Catholic pamphlet
undated
box 1, folder 65
"JCF" verse manuscript
1890
box 1, folder 66
Fremont Glee Club: newspaper clipping, photostats, and correspondence
1901-1902
box 1, folder 67
"California and Fremont" by Jessie B. Fremont
1895 December
Scope and contents
Clipping from
The Land of Sunshine Vol. IV, no. 1, December 1895.
Acquisition
From the Munk Library of Arizoniana.
box 1, folder 68
"Souvenirs of My Time" by Jessie B. Fremont
1884 October
Scope and contents
Clipping from
Chautauqua Young Folks' Journal Vol. 1, Number 1, October 1884.
box 1, folder 69
Printed pamphlet regarding Fremont land in San Francisco
undated
box 1, folder 70
Elizabeth B. Fremont's calling card
undated
box 1, folder 71
Postal sleeve bearing Elizabeth Benton Fremont and John Charles Fremont, Jr.'s names and address
undated
box 1, folder 72
Small envelope bearing the words "Fremont's promotion"
undated
box 1, folder 73
"My Arizona Class" by Jessie B. Fremont
1883 November
Scope and contents
Manuscript clipping from
Wide Awake Vol. 17, Number 6, November 1883.
Acquisition
From Munk Library of Arizoniana.
box 1, folder 74
Correspondence and photographs of Jessie B. Fremont to Mr. Wm H. Whiton
1895
box 1, folder 75
Correspondence - Charles Fletcher Lummis with Fremont family members
1899-1917
box 1, folder 76
Fremont Miscellany
1940, undated
Scope and contents
Includes correspondence from Mrs. Lee A. Phillips to Mrs. Britton regarding Charles Fletcher Lummis and Jessie Benton Fremont,
undated; newspaper clipping, 1940; Lummis notes on poem to Elizabeth Benton Fremont, undated.
box 1, folder 77
Elizabeth Benton Fremont obituaries
1919
box 1, folder 78
Correspondence - Kansas State Historical Society to John C. Fremont
1887 January 22
Arrangement note
The certificate accompanying this letter is in Box 3, Folder 1.
box 1, folder 79
Report of the Governor of Arizona by John C. Fremont
1878, 1879
Physical Description: 2 reports
box 2, folder 1
Newspaper clippings regarding Fremont claim to Fort Mason land
undated
Arrangement Note
Previously housed with items in Box 1, Folder 60.
box 2, folder 2
Newspaper clippings regarding the Fremont property at Fort Mason and the death of John C. Fremont's grandson Benton Fremont
1960
box 2, folder 3
Newspaper clipping on Santa Barbara Headquarters building
undated
box 2, folder 4
"A Man Unafraid" book review
1927
box 2, folder 5
Newspaper clipping regarding dedication of John C. Fremont bust in Oakland
1911
box 2, folder 6
Newspaper clippings on Fremont relics to Southwest Museum by Charles F. Lummis
1905, undated
Physical Description: 2 sets
box 2, folder 7
Newspaper clippings regarding plaque for Fremont headquarters in Santa Barbara
1929-1931
box 2, folder 8
Newspaper clipping regarding "Fremont Experience" Agua Mansa
1933
box 2, folder 9
Biographical newspaper clipping on John C. Fremont from
The Daily Telegraph
1890 July 16
box 2, folder 10
Newspaper clipping regarding the Gun Carriage
1948
box 2, folder 11
Newspaper clipping of John C. Fremont's grandson John Charles Fremont's obituary
1957
box 2, folder 12
Newspaper clipping regarding Fremont Flag
1946
box 2, folder 13
Review clipping on Jessie B. Fremont's forthcoming biography of her husband
1901
box 2, folder 14
Newspaper memorials of Jessie Benton Fremont's death
1952-1953
box 2, folder 15
Newspaper clipping "Stories of Gen. Fremont"
1905
box 2, folder 16
Newspaper clipping "Gleanings from History"
1940
box 2, folder 17
Articles regarding the "Lost Painting" of John C. Fremont as Senator
1953
Acquisition
Santa Barbara News-Press article donated by Elizabeth Mason, 1953 January;
Los Angeles Times article donated by F. W. Hodge, 1953 January.
box 2, folder 18
Newspaper clipping on the Fremonts' 1849 journey to California
1949
box 2, folder 19
Article on "The Pathfinder" by Rockwell Hunt
1939
Acquisition
Donation from F. W. Hodge.
box 2, folder 20
"John Charles Fremont - The Pathfinder" by Lewis Liston
1924
Acquisition
Donation from F. W. Hodge, 1938 July.
box 2, folder 21
"In the Lion's Den" Charles F. Lummis article on Jessie B. Fremont
1903
Scope and contents
From
Out West v. XVIII, no. 1.
box 2, folder 22
"Fremont and the Bear Flag" by William Simpson
1910
box 2, folder 23
"Fremont in Southern California" by S. B. Parish
1908
Acquisition
Donation from George L. Moxley.
box 2, folder 24
"Life of Col. Fremont" pamphlet
1856
box 2, folder 25
"Our Fremont Flag"
Masterkey article by M. R. Harrington
1952
box 2, folder 26
"Fremont for President"
Masterkey article by Allen W. Welts
1956
Physical Description: 2 copies
box 2, folder 27
"Pioneers of the Western Frontier: John C. Fremont"
Touring Topic article
1931
box 2, folder 28
"A Woman Who Has Lived History" by Margaret Coy Kendall
1901
Scope and contents
Biography of Jessie Benton Fremont.
box 2, folder 29
"The Exploration of an Embryo Empire" by John T. Burns
1903
Scope and contents
One installation of the series from
The Frontier Monthly vol. II, no. 3.
box 2, folder 30
"Fremont and Carson in Nevada" by George Wharton James
1914
box 2, folder 31
"Fremont Crosses the Sierra" by H. E. Bolton
1931
Acquisition
Gift to the Fenyes collection from F. W. Hodge, 1936 October.
box 2, folder 32
"Documentary: The Fremont Episode" in
California Historical Society Quarterly
1927
box 2, folder 33
Bigelow's Memoir of Fremont excerpt
undated
box 2, folder 34
"Fremont's California" by Lewis R. Works
1930
Acquisition
Gift to the Fenyes Collection from F. W. Hodge, 1936 November.
box 2, folder 35
"The Fremont Myth" by A.T. Richardson
undated
box 2, folder 36
"Fremont on Rocky Mountains" by Phillip Rochlin
1952
Acquisition
Donation by the author, 1952 August.
box 2, folder 37
"Fremont's Expedition to the Far West, 1842" by J. Gregg Layne
1951
box 2, folder 38
"Fremont in California" by George Wharton James
1903
Physical Description: 2 copies
Scope and contents
This publication is a complimentary pamphlet from the Fremont Hotel on the corner of 4th and Olive Streets in Los Angeles,
California.
box 2, folder 39
Reviews of Catherine Coffin Phillips's book on Jessie Benton Fremont
1936
box 2, folder 40
"The Last Survivor of Fremont's Army" by Byron E. Cooney
1913
box 2, folder 41
"General J. C. Fremont" by George B. Wallis
1890
Custodial history
Received in the Munk Library of Arizoniana, before 1931.
box 2, folder 42
"Last of the Voyageurs" by Thomas R. Henry
1926
box 2, folder 43
Five articles on John C. Fremont and California history from
The Century Magazine vol. XLI, no. 5
1891 March
box 2, folder 44
Newspaper clipping "The Pathfinder: Century Agone, His Natal Day"
1913
box 3, tube 1
Metal mailing tube
circa 1863
Arrangement note
This metal tube housed the Royal Geographic Society diploma now in Box 3, Folder 9.
box 3, folder 1
Kansas State Historical Society honorary membership for John C. Fremont certificate
1887
Arrangement note
Correspondence accompanying this certificate is in Box 1, Folder 78.
box 3, folder 2
Copy of Presidential commission of Second Lieutenant, Topographical Engineer to John C. Fremont
1838
box 3, folder 3
Copy of Presidential commission of Captain to John C. Fremont
1845
box 3, folder 4
Copy of Presidential commission of Lieutenant to John C. Fremont
1846
box 3, folder 5
Copy of Presidential commission of Major General to John C. Fremont
1861
box 3, folder 6
President's restoration of rank Major General to John C. Fremont, signed by President Benjamin Harrison
1890
box 3, folder 7
Copy of 1842 map of the Rockies, Oregon and Northern California by J. C. Fremont
undated
box 3, folder 8
Jessie Benton Fremont portrait lithograph
1856
box 3, folder 9
Royal Geographical Society honorary membership certificate
1863
Arrangement note
This certificate was in the metal mailing tube found in Box 3.
box 3, folder 10
Daughters of the American Revolution memorial resolution for Jessie B. Fremont, Eschscholtzia Chapter
1903
box 3, folder 11
Scott County Fremont Club memorial certificate for Jessie Benton Fremont
1903
box 3, folder 12
Picture map of San Francisco formerly Yerba Buena, by Captain W. Swasey
circa 1847
box 3, folder 13
New England Associated California Pioneers diploma for John C. Fremont
1890
box 3, folder 14
Native Sons of the Golden West Brooklyn Parlor No. 151 memorial for John C. Fremont
1890