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Finding Aid of the John Emmanuel Pitcher Papers C058568
C058568  
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Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • Conditions Governing Access note
  • Conditions Governing Use note
  • Preferred Citation note
  • Donor
  • Biographical/Historical note
  • Scope and Contents note
  • Existence and Location of Originals note
  • Related Archival Materials note

  • Title: Pitcher, John Emmanuel Papers
    Identifier/Call Number: C058568
    Contributing Institution: Society of California Pioneers
    Language of Material: English
    Container: B001629
    Container: C058568
    Physical Description: 4.0 folders (3 bound and ruled account books, 1 notepad)
    Date (inclusive): 1854-1906
    Abstract: 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.
    creator: Pitcher, John Emmanuel, 1827-1924

    Conditions Governing Access note

    Collection open for research.

    Conditions Governing Use note

    There are no restrictions on access.

    Preferred Citation note

    John Emmanuel Pitcher Papers. The Society of California Pioneers.

    Donor

    Donor and Date of acquisition unknown.

    Biographical/Historical note

    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.

    Scope and Contents note

    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:Ledger Book and Diary of ranch accounts, 1854–1871, including drawing of planting layout. Lots of pages are cut out, or have pieces cut from them.
    Folder 2: Ledger Book, 09/13/1871-10/28/1882, and diary of ranch activities. Also includes loose papers that were removed from between the pages of the ledger.
    Folder 3: Ledger Book, 1883-1891, 1893.
    Folder 4: Loose bound notepad (in poor condition) containing correspondence and transcribed letters, 1897 – 1906. Letters regarding general family and business transactions with regards to money loaned and repaid.

    Existence and Location of Originals note

    The Society of California Pioneers, 300 Fourth St, San Francisco, CA 94107.

    Related Archival Materials note

    C058929 - Letters of John E. Pitcher Bio File: Pitcher is interviewed at the age of 92 in 1918.

    Subjects and Indexing Terms

    California, Northern - History - 19th century.
    Frontier and pioneer life – California
    Half Moon Bay (Calif.)
    Mines and mineral resources--California, Northern--History
    Overland journeys to the Pacific