John Emmanuel Pitcher came to California in 1849, briefly tried his hand a gold mining and then moved to Half Moon Bay, where he settled on a 200 acre farm. The first 3 folders of his papers contain "account books" which do record transactions but also act as a log book of activities on the farm; acquisitions of animals, quality and quanities of harvests, personnel records and work records, travel and activities of family and associates. Folder 1 covers the period from 1857 to 1871; Folder 2 covers the period from 1871 to 1884; and Folder 3 covers 1882 to 1893. Folder 4 contains a ruled pad used as a copy book for Pitcher correspondence from 1897 to 1906.

John Emmanuel Pitcher was born July 25,1827 in Vincennes, Indiana. He studied for the priesthood and worked as an engineer on Mississippi river boats. Pitcher left St. Louis, Missouri for California May 21, 1849, arriving at Great Goose Lake, October 10, 1849. He spent a short time in the gold fields, having little success; he moved to San Francisco and became a general laborer. There he married Louisa Bray and in 1860 they moved to a 200 acre farm in Half Moon Bay and raised potatoes. Pitcher became a Justice of the Peace in 1883 and served for over 35 years and was referred to as the "Grand Old Man of the Coast." He died in 1924 at his home in Half Moon Bay, California.

4.0 folders (3 bound and ruled account books, 1 notepad)

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Collection open for research.