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Price (Rodman M.) Papers
mssRP
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Table of contents
Contributing Institution:
The Huntington Library
Title: Rodman M. Price papers
Creator:
Price, Rodman M. (Rodman McCamley), 1816-1894
Identifier/Call Number: mssRP
Physical Description:
2.34 Linear Feet
(2 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1842-approximately 1890
Abstract: A collection of material related to the American naval officer, and New Jersey politician, Rodman M. Price.
Language of Material: Materials are in English.
Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more
information.
The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material,
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[Identification of item]. Rodman M. Price papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchased from Edwin Grabhorn, January 1945.
Rodman McCamley Price was born in Sussex County, New Jersey in 1816; he married Matilda C. Trenchard. In 1840 he was appointed
as a purser in the U. S. Navy; he served on the steam frigates "Fulton" and "Missouri" and on the sloop of war "Cyane." In
1846 the "Cyane" brought Price to Monterey, California, where he took part in the occupation, and for a short time, acted
as alcalde and prefect. In 1848, Price was appointed naval agent at San Francisco and was a member of San Francisco's first
municipal council; he was also a member of the California Constitutional Convention in 1849. During this time, Price invested
heavily in San Francisco real estate. He returned to New Jersey in 1850 and with his partner, Samuel Ward, established the
New York office of Ward and Price, Bankers and Agents for California; this business ultimately failed in 1851. In New Jersey
he ran as a staunch Democrat and served as congressman from 1851 to 1853 and as governor from 1854 to 1857. After his return
to private life, Price engaged in several profitable business enterprises; he died in Oakland, New Jersey, in June 1894.
A collection of 256 items from 1842 to 1890, it consists of letters, manuscripts and documents related to the various activities
and interests of Rodman M. Price. The collection includes material on naval affairs, mostly before 1864; national politics;
and the business affairs of Ward and Price. Additional topics include the passenger trade to California in 1850 and the steamship
"Constitution;" and San Francisco, California, property values and land titles. Correspondents in the collection include Simon
B. Bissell, John B. Rittenhouse, Edward Wolff, and the companies Maunsel White and Co., and Smith and Lewis.
Processed by Huntington Library Staff, circa 1950. In 2020, Gayle Richardson created the finding aid derived from a legacy
summary report.
Arranged chronologically.
Individual call numbers included in the collection: mssRP 1-123.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Land titles -- California -- San Francisco
Real property -- California -- San Francisco
New Jersey -- Politics and Government -- 19th century
United States -- Politics and Government -- 19th century
Business records -- California -- 19th century
Letters (correspondence) -- California -- 19th century
Bissell, Simon B.
Rittenhouse, John B., -1874
Wolff, Edward, active 1851-1855
United States. Navy -- Appropriations and expenditures
United States. Navy -- Officers
United States. Navy -- Regulations
Constitution (Steamship)
Maunsel White & Co.
Smith & Lewis (firm)
Ward & Price (firm)