Ephraim W. Morse family papers
Mandeville Special Collections Library
Mandeville Special Collections Library
The UCSD Libraries
9500 Gilman Drive
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, California 92093-0175
Phone: (858) 534-2533
Fax: (858) 534-5950
URL: http://orpheus.ucsd.edu/speccoll/
Copyright 2005
The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.
Descriptive Summary
Creator:
Morse, E. W. (Ephraim W.), 1823-1906
Title: Ephraim W. Morse family papers,
Date (inclusive): 1838 - 1907
Extent:
4.00 linear feet
(9 archive boxes and 6 oversize folders)
Abstract: The Ephraim W. Morse family papers (1838 - 1907) document the private and public life of an important San Diego pioneer, businessman,
merchant, and civic leader. In 1849, Morse sailed around Cape Horn with other Gold Rush pioneers. By 1850, disillusioned
with gold mining, he moved to San Diego. He held many civic positions in the new city including city trustee, public administrator,
county treasurer, and secretary of the board of trade. In the 1860s, he voted for the land grant sale to Alonzo Horton that
created modern San Diego, initiated the idea for a large urban park, and was a tireless promoter of a San Diego transcontinental
railroad terminus. In the 1850s-1860s, he owned a series of stores in both the old and new town locations. He speculated
in real estate, was an express and insurance agent, notary public, and a lawyer. The papers include family and general correspondence,
documenting the concerns of 19th-century life both in New England and California. Also documented are the personal, business,
and political lives and intrigues of San Diego's founding families, Californios, and Native Americans, as well as those only
passing through. The collection contains correspondence with Alonzo Horton, Judge James Robinson, Joseph Judson Ames, Thomas
Rylan Darnall, and Thomas Whaley, and son Edward Morse. Included are biographical materials, from Morse's childhood to the
settlement of his San Diego estate. The San Diego civic materials include election materials, subscriptions for various civic
enterprises, county statistics, and newspaper clippings from the period of the 1850s-1860s.
Repository:
University of California, San Diego. Geisel Library. Mandeville Special Collections Library.
La Jolla, California 92093-0175
Collection number: MSS 0689
Language of Material:
Collection materials in English
Access
Collection is open for research.
Acquisition Information
Not Available
Preferred Citation
Ephraim W. Morse family papers, MSS 0689. Mandeville Special Collections Library, UCSD.
Publication Rights
Publication rights are held by the creator of the collection.
Biography
Ephraim Weed Morse was born on October 16, 1823, in West Amesbury, Massachusetts, the only son of New England farmers and
apple growers, John and Hannah (nee Weed) Morse. He attended Newburyport High School (1838-1841) where he learned bookkeeping.
Leaving New England and a teaching position, at age twenty-six, Morse joined the Gold Rush to northern California. He quickly
became sick and disenchanted with his prospects so, in April of 1850, he ventured to the tiny settlement of San Diego, population
approximately 800.
Morse, with fellow New Englander, Levi Slack, immediately began keeping a general store, first, in a failed "new town" location
known as "Davis' Folly." In 1853, he moved the store to Old Town and partnered with Thomas Whaley, and later, conducted business
on his own. During the early decades of the city, being an educated and temperate man, he was called upon to hold many important
government positions including city trustee (1854-55, 1867), county supervisor (1860), city treasurer (1878), county treasurer
(1858-59, 1861-1862), associate justice (1852), secretary of the board of trade (1852-1864), school commissioner and trustee
(1853-55), and public administrator (1853, 1875). In 1856, he earned his license to practice law and became a notary public.
In 1860, he experienced financial losses and bankruptcy and for a short time partnered with Joseph Smith on a sheep ranch
on Smith Mountain, now known as Palomar. He soon returned to San Diego (1861) as a merchant, real estate speculator, county
surveyor, and an agent for Wells Fargo and various insurance companies. With Thomas Darnell, he unprofitably invested in
the Jesus María Copper Mine in Baja California.
Morse had returned to Massachusetts in 1851 to marry his first wife, Lydia Gray. Mrs. Morse arrived in San Diego in 1853,
gave birth to their son Edward in 1856, and died shortly thereafter. The boy was then taken to Massachusetts by a Mrs. Stevens,
where he was raised by his maternal grandparents.
In 1866, Morse married Mary C. Walker, a former San Diego schoolteacher. She was removed from that position when some parents
boycotted the school because of comments that she was rumored to have made after negative reactions to her sharing a meal
with an African-American woman. Although Miss Walker denied commenting on the interracial marriages of some of her critics,
she was dismissed due to the boycott. She then was hired by Rufus Porter, a Spring Valley pioneer, to teach his daughter
until her marriage to Morse.
The Morses were happily matched and enjoyed driving their horse and buggy far out into the San Diego county wilderness, visiting
the mountains and local hot springs on camping trips. They both gardened and reveled in growing fruits and flowers year-round
in the excellent climate. Mary wrote articles that were published in the newspaper. Their marriage lasted for thirty-three
years until Mary Morse's death on May 17, 1899.
In 1869, Morse was one of the City trustees who sold Alonzo Horton the land grant that would become "Horton's Addition" or
"New Town," the present site of downtown San Diego. He was also instrumental in getting the City trustees to dedicate a large
plot of land to be reserved for a city park, now Balboa Park. In 1871, he travelled to Washington, D.C., to fight for the
City's title rights to the original "pueblo lands."
Morse was involved in many of the attempts to bring a transcontinental railroad to San Diego. As a real estate speculator,
he wanted to make the City easy and affordable for new settlers to reach. In 1854, he was a founder and director of the San
Diego and Gila, Southern Pacific and Atlantic Railroad Company, which eventually failed. He was also involved in citizen's
committees and in arrangements to reserve private land for railroad right-of-ways. He worked with Col. Thomas A. Scott to
bring the Texas & Pacific Railroad to San Diego, a project that garnered Congressional support. However, all these efforts
were successfully opposed by the powerful influence and money of the Central Pacific Group that included Leland Stanford,
Colis P. Huntington, Charles Crock and Mark Hopkins. San Diego County would not become a terminus for a major transcontinental
line until 1885.
Morse's other business interests included being a founder and officer of the Bank of San Diego. He helped develop downtown
San Diego, building the Pierce-Morse block located at the northwest corner of Sixth and F Street, and the Morse, Whaley, and
Dalton block. With Whaley, Dalton, and Noell, he was involved in various real estate firms, and he invested in both the San
Diego Flume Company and the El Cajon Valley Company.
The failure to bring a transcontinental railroad to San Diego, in addition to national financial panics, such as the panic
of 1873, caused Morse to lose most of his fortune. Like many San Diegans, he was land-rich but cash-poor, and land prices
were not rising. He and Mary retreated to spartan living conditions in a small house in Alpine, a small foothill community
twenty-five miles east of San Diego, while renting out their homestead in San Diego. The Bank of San Diego went into receivership
and Morse was the subject of lawsuits due to his involvement with it for many years to come.
Morse continued to live in San Diego until he was eighty-three years of age. He died on January 17, 1906, having finally
witnessed substantial city growth, just as he had always optimistically predicted it.
Scope and Content of Collection
The Ephraim W. Morse family papers documents the personal, business, and civic life of a San Diego pioneer, businessman, merchant,
and civic leader and provides a glimpse into his political, social, and financial life, as well as his relationships with
family, friends, and colleagues. Largely comprising correspondence from 1849 to 1906, it includes letters from many of San
Diego's earliest and most important pioneers including Alonzo Horton, Joseph Judson Ames, Manuelito Cota, Rufus King Porter,
Judge James Robinson, Jonathan T. Warner, and Thomas Whaley, as well as family members. Because Morse was a storekeeper,
lawyer, and express agent, people wrote to him about a variety of issues of concern to those living in or passing through
San Diego in the 1850s-1860s period. The collection also contains biographical materials such as various civic office notifications,
certificates, and oaths; economic transaction materials regarding the Massachusetts farm and woodlands inherited from his
father; educational materials and juvenilia including his bookkeeping exercise ledgers; high school report cards; diaries
and notebooks; and books he carried to California on his sea voyage around Cape Horn in 1849. The business and legal documents
include memorandum, receipts, notes, correspondence, inventories, appraisals, private notes and account records; California
materials include campaign materials of early San Diego city and county; subscription lists; county statistics; surveys, and
newspaper clippings.
The papers are arranged in seven series: 1) BIOGRAPHICAL MATERIALS, 2) EDUCATION AND JUVENILIA, 3) DIARIES AND NOTEBOOKS,
4) MISCELLANEOUS MATERIALS, 5) CORRESPONDENCE, 6) BUSINESS AND LEGAL DOCUMENTS, and 7) CALIFORNIA MATERIALS.
SERIES 1: BIOGRAPHICAL MATERIALS
The BIOGRAPHICAL MATERIALS series contains appointment and commission notifications and signed oaths for various civic positions
(1852-1878) Morse held, business cards, his certificate to practice law, various personal legal documents, documentation of
his personal and economic interests in the Massachusetts family farm, invitations, reference letters, and spiritualist session
notes. The materials are arranged alphabetically.
SERIES 2: EDUCATION AND JUVENILIA
The EDUCATION AND JUVENILIA series contains Morse's high school instruction book on bookkeeping, as well as numerous practice
exercise ledger books with realistic bookkeeping entries, his cursive handwriting sampler and practice sheets, high school
report cards, and a child's book on astronomy. The materials are arranged alphabetically.
SERIES 3: DIARIES AND NOTEBOOKS
The DIARIES AND NOTEBOOKS series contains leather-bound volumes (1852, 1854-57, 1866-1869, 1871) with handwritten annotations
on a wide variety of subjects including his sea voyage and early experiences in California, mine inspection trips, mileage
estimates, eventful days, meeting reminders, weather notations, recommended books, and his infant son's weight. The materials
are arranged chronologically.
SERIES 4: MISCELLANEOUS MATERIALS
The MISCELLANEOUS MATERIALS series is arranged in two subseries: A) Morse, and B) Family.
A) The Morse subseries contains books that Morse brought to California in 1849, a San Diego restaurant menu (ca. 1904), invitations,
gardening lists, newspaper clippings, a stencil for his name, notes on travel expenses and a borrowed book not returned, as
well as the original wrapping paper Morse used to organize his paperwork. The materials are arranged alphabetically,
B) The Family subseries contains a document regarding an estate sale by Morse's father, John, and Lydia Ann Morse's notebook
recording letters, expenses, and earnings. Also included are miscellaneous notes, receipts, invitations, correspondence,
school compositions, and prose by Morse's son, Edward Wallace Morse. The materials are arrange alphabetically.
SERIES 5: CORRESPONDENCE
The CORRESPONDENCE series is arranged in two subseries: A) Family, and B) General and Business.
A) The Family subseries contains correspondence from Morse's parents, sisters, in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews, his two
wives and his son. Of note is the correspondence between Morse and his son in which Morse compares and contrasts San Diego
to Massachusetts and explains his San Diego successes and failures. The correspondence between Edward and his step-mother,
Mary C. Morse, contains a wonderfully vivid description of the Morses' camping trips in San Diego County. The 1866 letters
of courtship between Morse and his soon-to-be second wife, Mary, are illustrative of the romantic sensibilities of two transplanted
19th-century New Englanders. The correspondence is arranged alphabetically by last name.
B) The General and Business subseries contains correspondence from customers and creditors, as well as many of San Diego's
first inhabitants, including Joseph Judson Ames, Manuelito Cota, Thomas Rylan Darnall, James Donahue, O.W. Gould, Robert W.
Groom, Alonzo Horton, James Ruler Lassator, John Pond, Charles and Mary Poole, Rufus King Porter, Judge James Robinson, Joseph
Smith, Jonathan T. Warner and Thomas Whaley. Several letters are in Spanish, reflecting Morse's fluency in that language.
The correspondence is arranged alphabetically by last name.
SERIES 6: BUSINESS AND LEGAL DOCUMENTS
Included in the BUSINESS AND LEGAL DOCUMENTS series are business memoranda, ledger entries, notes on real estate transactions,
instructions, account reconciliations and receipts, many from Morse's early period when he ran a general merchandise store
(1850-1860). Included in the legal papers are samples of legal language, administration of estates and guardianships, auctioneering
records and other probate actions. Morse's self-labeled "private notes" reveal secret recordations of political and financial
intrigues and conversations reported to or observed by Morse. The documents are arranged alphabetically.
SERIES 7: CALIFORNIA MATERIALS
The CALIFORNIA MATERIALS series include a merchant's agreement to discourage the use of reals (foreign gold coins) (1864),
notes on legislative acts important to San Diego, county statistics, notes on land issues affecting the new city, newspaper
clippings, lists of persons entitled to do military duty (ca. 1856), and a list of the San Diego Guards. Also included are
subscription lists to raise funds to aid the padre, purchase the town a United States flag for official use, aid citizens
in a Mexican jail, and to fund a railroad expedition with engineers. The series includes campaign materials (1859-1884) consisting
of printed ballot handouts (some with the local candidates' names penciled-in), as well as small "caucus tickets" listing
candidates for city, county, and state offices. Political parties represented include the Union and Democratic Union party
(1867), a local "People's ticket" (ca. 1868), the Regular Democratic ticket (1883), and the Regular Republican ticket (1884).
Of note is an 1859 ballot handout featuring Leland Stanford in his first, unsuccessful bid for governor, printed in Spanish.
The materials are arranged alphabetically.
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Subjects
Morse, E. W. (Ephraim W.), 1823-1906
Morse family
Businessmen -- California -- San Diego -- Correspondence
Railroads -- California, Southern
San Diego (Calif.) -- History
Contributors
Ames, John Judson -- correspondent
Chase, A. J., -- correspondent
Darnall, Thomas Rylan, -- correspondent
Morse, Edward W., -- correspondent
Whaley, Thomas, 1823-1890, -- correspondent
Horton, Alonzo E., 1813-1909, -- correspondent
Collection Contents
box 1, folder 1
Appointments, commissions and notices of election
1852 - 1853
Note
Notifications as a Court of Sessions associate justice (1852-1853), justice of the peace (1852), San Diego board trustee (1853),
and public administrator (1853). (6 leaves)
box 1, folder 2
Appointments, commissions and notices of election
1854 - 1855
Note
Notifications as San Diego City trustee (1854-1855), school commissioner (1854), and school trustee (1855). (5 leaves)
box 1, folder 3
Appointments, commissions and notices of election
1860 - 1861
Note
Notifications as San Diego County supervisor (1860), and county treasurer (1861). Morse was first appointed treasurer on
the death of Frank Ames and then was elected in his own right in September, 1861. (3 leaves)
box 1, folder 4
Appointments, commissions and notices of election
1865 - 1878
Note
Notifications as Internal Revenue Service deputy collector (1865), city trustee (1867), public administrator (1875), and city
treasurer (1878). (4 leaves)
box 1, folder 5
Articles in trunk sent home
1857
Note
Handwritten list after death of Morse's first wife, Lydia, and departure for Massachusetts of his infant son, Edward, with
Mrs. Stevens. List mentions sending Lydia's jewelry and hair. (1 leaf)
box 1, folder 6
Business card, ca 1860s
Note
Printed card listing Morse as San Diego agent for the Phoenix Insurance Company of Hartford, Connecticut. (1 leaf)
box 1, folder 7
Business card, ca. 1880s
Note
Morse's card representing partnership in Morse, Noell & Whaley, real estate dealers, notaries public, and insurance agents.
Services included warrants purchased, money loaned, taxes paid for non-residents and rents collected. (1 leaf)
box 1, folder 8
Business card, undated
Note
Printed personal card unaffiliated with any business. (1 leaf)
box 1, folder 9
Certification of license to practice law
1856
Note
Handwritten document, with raised seal, showing eligibility to practice law in California. (2 leaves connected with metal
fasteners)
box 1, folder 10
Deposition statement
1858
Note
Handwritten statement regarding satisfaction of an $8065.46 judgment against Morse by A.J. Chase, (San Francisco merchandise
wholesaler) that details Morse's estimate of the expenses the sheriff incurred in seizing his store. (1 leaf)
box 1, folder 11
Estate of Ephraim Weed Morse
1907
Note
Correspondence and receipts regarding Morse's small estate including City of San Diego water bills. (6 leaves)
box 1, folder 12
Eastern Homestead
1851 - 1874
Note
Includes documents regarding the estate of John S. Morse (father) including a list of his estate's value in 1851, a copy of
his will (1868), an appraisal of the estate at the time of death (1873) and other receipts and notes. (14 leaves)
box 1, folder 13
Eastern Homestead
1871 - 1878
Note
Includes draft and notarized deed transferring the family farm on Bear Hill, West Amesbury, Massachusetts to Morse's son (1878).
Includes a West Newbury Mutual Fire Insurance Company policy (1873) showing the types and values of the homestead buildings.
(6 leaves)
box 1, folder 14
Eastern Homestead
1873 - 1891
Note
Correspondence, receipts and notes with Morse's brother-in-law, Leonard Sawyer, who lived and worked on the Homestead farm
and apple orchard after John Morse's death. Includes correspondence from Susan E. Sawyer (Sawyer's second wife) and Andrew
Sawyer (Morse's nephew and administrator of Leonard Sawyer's estate). (36 leaves)
box 1, folder 15
Eastern Homestead
1873 - 1891
Note
Wood and lumber business, Part 1. Includes contracts, lists of lumber sold, and miscellaneous notes regarding Morse's arrangement
with his cousin, Elbridge Melville Morse, to cut and sell wood and lumber. Also includes plans to export apples to Liverpool,
England, and the building of a new barn. (17 leaves)
box 1, folder 16
Eastern Homestead
1873 - 1891
Note
Wood and lumber business, Part 2. Includes correspondence regarding Morse and cousin Elbridge Morse's business account.
[See also Elbridge Morse correspondence in Series 5A.] (46 leaves)
box 1, folder 17
Invitation, ca. 1850s
Note
Printed card and envelope announcing a Masonic event at the Gila House by committee members Joseph Smith, T.R. Darnall, George
Lyons, D.B. Hoffman, and E.B. Pendleton. (2 leaves)
box 1, folder 18
Notary Public
1854 - 1860
Note
Includes notices of commission and handwritten list of persons bonding Morse. (5 leaves)
box 1, folder 19, oversize FB47303
Notary Public
1855 - 1862
Note
Four printed certificates memorializing Morse's notary public status autographed by Governors John Bigler (1855), J. Neely
Johnson (1857), Miller S. Latham (1860), and Leland Stanford (1862). (4 leaves)
box 1, folder 20
Reference letter
1849
Note
Amesbury, Massachusetts School Board Committee's letter recommending Morse as having an "irreproachable moral character."
Also signed by Samuel Walker of the Boston Custom House. (1 leaf)
box 1, folder 21
Spiritualism notes
1866 - 1868
Note
Handwritten notes regarding messages from spirits. Includes detailed reference to the Walker racial affair where Mary C.
Walker (the soon-to-be Mrs. Morse) was dismissed from her position as school teacher after lunching with an African-American
woman. (19 leaves)
box 1, folder 22
THE AMERICAN SYSTEM OF PRACTICAL BOOK-KEEPING by James Bennett
1836
Note
Autographed by Ephraim W. Morse who used this book in secondary school to learn the methods he would later use as a shopkeeper.
1 book (55 leaves including a large fold-out of engraved samples attached before title page)
box 1, folder 23
Bookkeeping exercise ledger
1837
Note
Autographed and dated by Morse on the inside front cover. Student practice book that contains realistic business account
entries by Morse. 1 notebook (17 leaves)
box 1, folder 24
Bookkeeping exercise ledger
1838
Note
Autographed and dated by Morse on the inside front cover. 1 notebook (24 leaves)
box 1, folder 25
Bookkeeping exercise ledger
1839
Note
Autographed and dated by Morse on the inside front cover. 1 notebook (25 leaves)
box 1, folder 26
Bookkeeping exercise ledger
1839
Note
First eleven pages have laid-in and pasted-in newspaper clippings of a serial entitled, "Pollyanna Grows Up: The Second Glad
Book," by Eleanor H. Potter. 1 notebook (19 leaves includes 1 leaf of newsprint laid-in)
box 2, folder 1
Bookkeeping exercise ledger
1840
Note
Autographed and dated by Morse on the inside front cover. (1 leaf)
box 2, folder 2
Bookkeeping exercise ledger
1840
Note
Autographed and dated by Morse on the inside front cover. (1 leaf)
box 2, folder 3
Bookkeeping exercise ledger
1840
Note
Autographed and dated by Morse on the inside front cover. (1 leaf)
box 2, folder 4
Bookkeeping exercise notes, ca. 1840s
Note
Handwritten notes of homework to-do lists and a list of his classmates, aged four to fourteen. (33 leaves) [Note: These
papers were formerly laid-in Morse's book in folder 21.]
box 2, folder 5, oversize FB47304
Cursive handwriting sampler by C. Bascom, ca. 1840s
Note
Printed sampler that students used to learn penmanship. Includes handwritten practice notes by Morse. (2 leaves)
box 2, folder 6
Newburyport High School report cards
1838 - 1841
Note
2 3/4" x 4 1/2" printed cards recording Morse's absences, tardiness, behavior, etc. Each card is signed on verso by his father.
(45 leaves)
box 2, folder 7
YOUNG ASTRONOMER
1833
Note
Paperback children's book autographed by Morse in child's cursive script and includes a printed book plate "Ephraim W. Morse,
Newburyport." The text includes Vesta, Juno, Pallas, and Ceres (now known as asteroids) in an eleven planet solar system
as was the early 19th century convention. 1 paperback book (44 leaves includes covers)
box 2, folder 8
Diary, 1852, and Notebook, 1855
Note
Includes 2 3/4" x 4" leather-bound notebooks with handwritten annotations on Morse's sea voyage to California, early California
experiences including his horse being stolen and retrieved, his appointment as justice of the peace and judge of elections
(November, 1852), and someone's threat to shoot him. The 1855 notebook is largely blank. 2 notebooks (1852 - 73 leaves,
1855 - 57 leaves)
box 2, folder 9
Diary
1866
Note
3 1/2" x 6 3/4" leather-bound "Bancroft's Diary for 1866" with handwritten annotations. Includes a copper and silver mining
inspection trip to Baja California with detailed descriptions of the St. Ursula, La Fortuna, Nueva Provendencia, Palestina,
Giant, and Martonell's silver mines. 1 notebook (84 leaves)
box 2, folder 10
Diary
1867
Note
3 1/2" x 6 3/4" leather-bound "Bancroft's Diary for 1867" with handwritten annotations. Includes comments on Vettiger's estate
inventory, measures of distances to various San Diego and Mexico locations, locations of township boundary markers, and notes
on horse breeding. 1 notebook (90 leaves)
box 2, folder 11
Diary
1868
Note
3" x 5" leather-bound pocket diary with handwritten annotations of miscellaneous reminders, names, addresses, business transactions,
and state vote counts for the 1868 presidential election. 1 notebook (69 leaves includes one laid-in sheet)
box 2, folder 12
Diary
1869
Note
3 1/4" x 6" leather-bound "Bancroft's Diary for 1869" with handwritten annotations. Includes a recipe said to cure rheumatism,
a June 17th notation regarding moving the Express office to "New San Diego," and a September 18th annotation, "A great day
for San Diego" noting the arrival of Governor Seward, Generals Stoneman and Hunter, and other dignitaries, and a pasted-in
newspaper article about stamp requirements for legal paperwork. 1 notebook (136 leaves includes one laid-in sheet)
box 2, folder 13
Diary
1871
Note
3 3/4" x 6" leather-bound "Bancroft's Diary for 1871" with handwritten annotations. Includes mileage estimates, recommended
books on geological surveys, botany, and architecture, weather notations, real estate transactions, steamer arrivals and departures,
meeting reminders, etc. 1 notebook (108 leaves includes 3 laid-in sheets and 1 sheet for four postage stamps)
box 2, folder 14
Notebook
1854 - 1855
Note
3" x 4 3/4" leather-bound notebook entitled, "E.W. Morse - Housekeeping Expenses A/C." Includes comments on food and wood
purchases and the date he began boarding with O.W. Gould (July, 1855). 1 notebook (22 leaves includes covers)
box 3, folder 1
Notebook
1856 - 1857
Note
3 1/4" x 4 1/2" leather-bound notebook with clasp and handwritten annotation including comments on financial transactions,
recommended books, a list of male and female names, his infant son's weight, and a notation that Morse "put hair of Lydia
in breast pins and rings, and presented to her sisters." (1 item)
Miscellaneous Materials - Morse
box 3, folder 2
THE COURSE OF TIME: A POEM, by Robert Pollok
1841
Note
2 1/4" x 3 3/8" hard-bound book annotated, "off Cape Horn, April 20, 1849." (1 item)
box 3, folder 3
THE ENGLISH VERSION OF THE POLYGLUT BIBLE
1845
Note
4 1/4" X 2 3/4" leather-bound book with slide-through clasp. Autographed and dated on verso of first printed page, noting
latitude and longitude off Cape Horn on April 20, 1849. Includes a list of favorite bible passages on the inside back cover,
notations on his son's birth, his wife Lydia's death, and the death of a former chaplain in West Amesbury, Massachusetts on
a blank page at the end of the Old Testament. 1 book (557 leaves)
box 3, folder 4
HISTORICAL RELIGIOUS EVENTS by John W. Barber
1828
Note
Includes a hard-bound book with a bookplate annotated, "Ephraim W. Morse, Newburyport." 1 book (88 leaves)
box 3, folder 5
Menu card, ca. 1904
Note
Printed menu with prices of the "Coffee Club" restaurant, located at 1327 E Street, San Diego, which Morse frequented in late
life. (1 leaf)
box 3, folder 6
Miscellaneous materials, ca. 1850s-1860s
Note
Includes a dinner invitation in Bushville, a note asking Dr. Hoffman to return a borrowed book entitled, LOS GRINGOES, a list
of peaches and when they ripen, handwritten tally of votes for Ames and Morse, a list of jurors in the Evans case, and a list
of California's springs and geysers (for possible camping trip, ca. 1866.) (10 leaves)
box 3, folder 7
New Hampshire Commissioner of Agriculture and Immigration
1889
Note
Printed price list of abandoned farms available for purchase. (4 leaves)
box 3, folder 8, oversize MC19002
Newspaper fragments
1854 - 1903
Note
Includes SAN DIEGO HERALD (12/16/1854) listing properties to be sold in "sheriff's sale" with annotations by Morse noting
real owners, which lots assessed twice, etc., an EVENING TRIBUNE (2/21/1903) article regarding a lawsuit against Morse by
the receiver of the Consolidated Bank of San Diego with notation by Morse criticizing the lawsuit, an extra-large version
of the SAN FRANCISCO JOURNAL OF COMMERCE, San Diego edition, undated, featuring biographical sketches of San Diego's "most
prominent citizens," including Morse. (4 leaves)
box 3, folder 9
Stencil, ca 1900
Note
Cut-out stencil on posterboard for "E.W. Morse." Verso side reveals photographs of Republican party candidates in Haverhill,
Massachusetts. (1 leaf)
box 3, folder 10
Travel expenses
1853
Note
Itemized list of Morse's share of expenses owed to Thomas Whaley for bringing Lydia Morse to California from Massachusetts
along with Mrs. Whaley and Mrs. Poole. (1 leaf)
box 3, folder 11
Wraps
Note
Miscellaneous paper with annotations that Morse used to organize his papers and letters. (13 leaves)
Miscellaneous Materials - Family
box 3, folder 12
Estate of Moses Sawyer
1844
Note
Handwritten note by John S. Morse (father) regarding an administrator's sale of land and brick-making machinery of Moses Sawyer
(uncle.) (l leaf)
box 3, folder 13
Morse, Edward (son) miscellaneous materials
1870 - 1908
Note
Part 1. Miscellaneous notes and receipts, high school social and reunion invitations, and correspondence with cousins, aunts,
and uncles. (28 leaves)
box 4, folder 1
Morse, Edward (son) miscellaneous materials
1887 - 1908
Note
Part 2. Includes business and personal receipts, cancelled notes and mortgages, and a handwritten copy of an undated and
unattributed poem, "In the Library." (70 leaves)
box 4, folder 2
Notebook - Lydia Ann Morse
1854
Note
Handwritten record of letters sent and received created after her arrival in San Diego. Also lists expenses she incurred
as well as money earned doing washing and mending. 1 notebook (21 leaves includes covers)
box 4, folder 3
School compositions and letter of recommendation, ca. 1870s
Note
Juvenile handwritten prose by Edward Morse (son) and his 1874 letter of recommendation from the School Committee of Amesbury,
Massachusetts. (13 leaves)
box 4, folder 4
Gray, Joseph W. (brother-in-law)
1858
box 4, folder 5
Gray, Laura (sister-in-law)
1854 - 1868
box 4, folder 6
Gray, Lydia and William (in-laws)
1853 - 1868
Note
Includes writing from other Gray family members in shared letters and an anonymous letter to Morse regarding Deacon Gray's
poor finances in 1868. The Grays raised Morse's son after the death of their daughter. (8 leaves)
box 4, folder 7
Gray, Sarah (sister-in-law)
1853 - 1858
Note
Includes writing from Maria Gray, the youngest sister-in-law, in a shared letter. (18 leaves)
box 4, folder 8
Greeley, Horace, undated
Note
Partial handwritten letter and signature. (1 leaf)
box 4, folder 9
Kay, Ann Chase (niece)
1883 - 1884
Note
Niece who lived with Mary C. Morse's mother, Lucy Walker, until her death. (8 leaves)
box 4, folder 10
Kimball, Judith (cousin)
1870
box 4, folder 11
Morse, Alden B. (cousin)
1849 - 1889
Note
Part 1. Includes 1849 newspaper article about other Amesbury, Massachusetts residents departing for California on the brig
ARK. (70 leaves)
box 4, folder 12
Morse, Alden B. (cousin)
1849 - 1889
Note
Part 2. Includes original agreement to sell carriages in San Diego, Morse's trader's license, business receipts, and a printed
copy of the will of Morse ancestor, Anthony Morse. (15 leaves)
box 4, folder 13, oversize FB47305
Morse, Alden B. (cousin)
1849 - 1889
Note
Part 3. Morse's onion-skin paper copy of a letter (May 9, 1885) explaining his financial situation. (7 leaves)
box 4, folder 14
Morse, Edward Wallace (son)
1869 - 1875
box 4, folder 15
Morse, Edward Wallace (son)
1876 - 1882
box 5, folder 1
Morse, Edward Wallace (son)
1883 - 1890
Note
Part 3. Includes announcement in March 9, 1888 letter of the birth of Morse's grandson, Charles Ephraim Morse. (75 leaves)
box 5, folder 2
Morse, Edward Wallace (son)
1891 - 1899
Note
Part 4. Includes a carbon copy of the Pioneers of San Diego resolution in honor of Mary C. Morse after her death on May 17,
1899. (61 leaves)
box 5, folder 3
Morse, Edward Wallace (son)
1900 - 1903
box 5, folder 4
Morse, Edward Wallace (son)
1903 - 1905
Note
Part 6. Includes stationery with depictions of Southern California landmarks, landscapes, and buildings (see letter of January,
1904), and newspaper articles. Also, includes printed prospectuses, advertisements, and other promotional materials Morse
used as writing paper. (73 leaves)
box 5, folder 5
Morse, Edward Wallace (son) to Mary C. Morse
1869 - 1880
Note
Includes printed card about the Sequoias entitled, "The 'Big Tree' of California" and a highly descriptive account of an 1870
Morse camping trip from San Diego to Julian City to visit the mines. (50 leaves)
box 5, folder 6
Morse, Elbridge Melville (cousin)
1849 - 1890
box 5, folder 7
Morse, John S. (father)
1849 - 1870
box 6, folder 1
Morse, Lydia Ann (nee Gray) (wife)
1852
box 6, folder 2
Morse, Mary Chase (nee Walker) (wife)
1866
Note
Part 1. Letters of courtship while Mary lived in Spring Valley and Morse would travel out each weekend to visit her. (38
leaves)
box 6, folder 3
Morse, Mary Chase (nee Walker) (wife)
1866 - 1874
Note
Part 2. Includes draft of a poem by Morse entitled, "As half in shade," and two prose compositions by Mary, one entitled,
"Sunshine," and one unfinished piece entitled, "The Bible." Also includes a printed flyer for the Friends' School for Boys
in Philadelphia run by Morse's boyhood friend, E.M. Huntington. (52 leaves)
box 6, folder 4
Morse, Sarah A. (cousin)
1855
box 6, folder 5
Neal, Maria Morse (sister)
1850 - 1889
Note
Includes a pressed flower in the September 6, 1850, letter, as well as some personal correspondence from Philip Neal (brother-in-law).
[See also Neal, P.J. in Series 6, Business and Legal Documents.] (61 leaves)
box 6, folder 6
Philbrick, Joseph (cousin)
1881 - 1882
Note
Joseph was Mary C. Morse's cousin. (4 leaves)
box 6, folder 7
Sargent, Patten (cousin)
1879
Note
Includes mention of City of San Diego bonds. (1 leaf)
box 6, folder 8
Sawyer, Frances (niece)
1867 - 1868
Note
Daughter of Hannah Weed Morse Sawyer (sister). Upon marriage, Frances' surname became Nowell. (3 leaves.)
box 6, folder 9
Sawyer, Hannah Weed (nee Morse) (sister)
1850 - 1867
Note
Includes letters from her daughter, Ella Maria, and son, Andrew. (12 leaves)
box 6, folder 10
Sawyer, Susan E. (Leonard Sawyer's second wife)
1888
box 6, folder 11
Sawyer-Tuscon, Ella (niece)
1890
box 6, folder 12
Stevens, Fannie (Mrs.)
1857 - 1859
Note
Woman who delivered Morse's infant son to the Gray family in Massachusetts and died shortly thereafter. (8 leaves)
box 6, folder 13
Walker, Lucy (mother-in-law)
1877 - 1881
box 6, folder 14
Walker, Lucy (mother-in-law)
1881 - 1883
Note
Part 2. Includes writings of Anna Chase (later Kay) (niece) upon Lucy Walker's death in 1883. Also includes a financial
note from Mrs. Walker in Morse's favor and a copy of her will. (44 leaves)
box 6, folder 15
Walker, Samuel (cousin ?)
1867
Note
Includes a response to Morse's inquiry regarding shipping copper ore to Massachusetts for smelting. (2 leaves)
box 6, folder 16
Weed, Amos (cousin)
1852 - 1871
Note
Weed accompanied Morse to California, stayed in northern California longer, but then resided in San Diego before returning
to Massachusetts. Includes correspondence from Seth B. Blake, a fellow forty-niner. (41 leaves)
box 6, folder 17
Weed, Daniel (cousin)
1850 - 1890
Note
Includes copy of a Morse telegraph to Weed. (22 leaves.)
box 7, folder 2
Ames, Joseph Judson
1855 - 1857
Note
Founder and editor of the SAN DIEGO HERALD (1851-1860). (7 leaves)
box 7, folder 3
Belknap, Augustus
1856 - 1857
Note
San Francisco investor interested in buying San Diego county bonds and other investments. (6 leaves)
box 7, folder 4
Blackstone, John
1856
Note
Writing from Los Angeles, where he had secured a job driving for Banning and Willson [sic], and assured Morse of his ability
to soon pay his account. (1 leaf)
box 7, folder 5
Bryant & Company
1857
Note
San Francisco merchant enclosing a consignment of goods for Morse to sell in San Diego. (1 leaf)
box 7, folder 6
Carothers, J.H.
1856
Note
Correspondence settling his account with Morse and sending correspondence from Dunbar. (1 leaf)
box 7, folder 7
Chase, A.J.
1853 - 1856
Note
Correspondence regarding filling Morse's orders, prices and availability of goods, and whether any steamers are going to San
Diego. (34 leaves)
box 7, folder 8
Chase, A.J.
1856 - 1858
Note
Includes information on Morse's orders and mention the 1856 activities of the San Francisco Vigilante Committee. Also, contains
a message of condolence after the death of Lydia Gray Morse. (22 leaves)
box 7, folder 9
Collins, John, ca. 1857
Note
Correspondence from French Camp, CA, asking if Morse had received Collins' land warrant. (1 leaf)
box 7, folder 10
Compton, Mary
1869
Note
Handwritten note to her son, George W. Johnson, who was at Ballast Point (Pt. Loma). (1 leaf)
box 7, folder 11
Cota, Manuelito
1857
Note
Correspondence from Agua Tibia, written in Spanish, from the chief of the Luiseño tribe of Native Americans who occupied land
near the San Luis Rey Mission. Cota was reported to have been a participant in the Temecula Massacre of January, 1847. (1
leaf)
box 7, folder 12
Cox, Delila to Mrs Morse
1856
Note
Resident of San Bernardino, CA. (1 leaf)
box 7, folder 13
Darnall, Thomas Rylan
1854 - 1857
Note
Part 1. Early San Diego citizen (1853-1859) and office holder, as well as partner with Morse in an Old Town store and in
the failed Jesus Maria Mine venture. Includes affidavits of purchase of land by Darnell sold for unpaid taxes and a receipt
for a license to sell spirituous liquors and the use a billiard table for W.W. White (1854). (30 leaves)
box 7, folder 14
Darnall, Thomas Rylan
1858 - 1860
Note
Part 2. Letters to Morse after the debt-ridden Darnell left San Diego in 1859. Darnall writes from Colorado City, CO, Tucson,
AZ, Kentucky, and from his father's ranch in Platte City, Missouri. (21 leaves)
box 7, folder 15
Donahue, James
1860
Note
San Diego resident regarding his drinking and lamenting the town's comments. (1 leaf)
box 7, folder 16
Dunbar, Edward E.
1857
Note
Writing from Calabasas (Los Angeles County) regarding the land warrant of Joseph Sheppard. (1 leaf)
box 7, folder 17
Eldred, Lydia B.
1857
Note
Writing from San Francisco for her father about Morse's payment of taxes on their San Diego land. (2 leaves)
box 7, folder 18
Foster, Colin
1857
Note
Writing from San Andreas (Calaveras County) inquiring if Morse knows the whereabouts of John Gordon. (1 leaf)
box 7, folder 19
Freeman, James E.
1855
Note
Letter from a friend and surveyor who was surveying mountains near Monterey, California. (1 leaf)
box 7, folder 20
Goodwin & Company
1857
Note
Correspondence from San Francisco wholesale grocer, Charles Goodwin. (1 leaf)
box 7, folder 21
Gould, O.W.
1853 - 1856
Note
Friend of Morse and Darnall writing from San Francisco and Fort Yuma. (4 leaves)
box 7, folder 22
Groom, Robert W.
1857
Note
San Diego county surveyor (1856, 1859, 1861-63) and state assembly representative (1858, 1960). (3 leaves)
box 7, folder 23
Hammett, A.
1863
Note
Correspondence regarding shipping oil to Shedd and Wright of San Francisco. (15 leaves)
box 7, folder 24
Hammond, J.F. (Dr.)
1856
Note
Correspondence from a military surgeon stationed at the Mission, who had cared for Lydia Morse, declaring he no longer wished
to practice medicine in San Diego. (1 leaf)
box 7, folder 25
Harrison, D.A.
1868
Note
Morse's response to a physician contemplating a move to San Diego in which Morse states his opinion of the existing eight
doctors in San Diego. Includes an envelope stamped, "Return to Writer." (2 leaves)
box 7, folder 26
Haycocks, George
1867
Note
Morse writes regarding Haycocks' share in the Encinitas Mine. (1 leaf)
box 7, folder 27
Hescel, Hugh
1857
Note
Correspondence from a Los Angeles resident regarding a financial note paid by Mr. Groom. (1 leaf)
box 7, folder 28
Heusch, R., ca. 1857
Note
Writing from the San Antonio Mine regarding his non-receipt of a keg of powder. (1 leaf)
box 7, folder 29
Hinton, F.
1857
Note
Correspondence from a miner at Colorado City. (1 leaf)
box 7, folder 30
Hooper, George F.
1862
Note
San Francisco wholesaler. Includes an official 1861 bill of lading for goods shipped on the steamer SENATOR and a sheet of
County Treasurer 1857 $3.00 poll tax receipt blanks that Morse used as stationery. (10 leaves)
box 7, folder 31
Horton, Alonzo
1867 - 1874
Note
Correspondence from San Diego's "new town" founder and real estate developer. Includes correspondence from San Francisco
(1867) where Horton was promoting San Diego, deeds, leases, lists of lots in which Horton and Morse's shared an interest,
records of Horton's account with Morse, and a list of lots Horton deeded for a proposed transcontinental railroad (1871).
(54 leaves)
box 7, folder 32
Huntington, E.M.
1855 - 1871
Note
Correspondence from Morse's West Amesbury, Massachusetts friend who later ran a school in Philadelphia. (4 leaves)
box 7, folder 33
Huse, Charles E.
1857
Note
Correspondence written for the father of the late C.W. Gould, Captain Robert W. Gould, of Salem, Massachusetts, inquiring
of Morse regarding his son's character and if an estate was left. (1 leaf)
box 7, folder 34
Kohn, H.L.
1857
Note
Correspondence from San Francisco resident asking Morse to pay taxes on his San Diego land. (2 leaves)
box 7, folder 35
Lassator, James Ruler
1857
Note
Correspondence from the California pioneer who owned the Green Valley ranch in the Cuyamaca mountains east of San Diego.
Lassator writes regarding the building of a road and supplies needed from Morse, including shirts, pants, black hats, and
whiskey for his Native American workforce. Includes an 1866 letter regarding Sarah Lassator, after her husband's death by
murder, in January, 1865. (2 leaves)
box 7, folder 36
Leighton, William
1857
Note
Correspondence from Campo del Omo regarding politics, mines, and plans to return to San Diego. (1 leaf)
box 7, folder 37
Litch, George H.
1852 - 1858
Note
Correspondence from a friend in Union Village, Vermont. Includes a letter from George's father, Samuel. (25 leaves)
box 7, folder 38
Main and Winchester
1854
Note
Correspondence from San Francisco harness and saddle makers giving advice regarding leather "muchillas," (woven carrying bags
used by Central and South American Indians, similar to saddle bags.) (1 leaf)
box 7, folder 39
Martinez, Manuel
1857
Note
In Spanish. (1 leaf)
box 7, folder 40
Merrill, C.S.
1857
Note
Correspondence asking Morse to forward his carpet bag. (1 leaf)
box 7, folder 41
Morris, G.R.
1857
Note
Correspondence regarding Tom Darnall and sale of the Jesus Maria Mine. (1 leaf)
box 7, folder 42
Orr, George
1866
Note
Correspondence from Morse advising Orr in regard to a claim against the estate of James Ruler Lassator. (1 leaf)
box 7, folder 43
Ossuna, Julio
1866
Note
Correspondence from Ossuna to the San Diego county auditor advising him to deliver the monthly warrant for his salary to Morse.
(1 leaf)
box 7, folder 44
Person, Alice (sister of Rufus Morgan)
1880
Note
Correspondence to Dr. Woodson thanking him for informing her of the death of her brother from eating poison mushrooms. Morgan
was in a beekeeping enterprise with Morse. (1 leaf)
box 7, folder 45
Pond, John P.
1857
Note
Correspondence from San Luis Rey (now Oceanside, CA) advising Morse he is too busy to build a house. Includes correspondence
to John's brother, William, of New York City, vouching that John has been "industrious, temperate, prudent, and economical"
for the last two years. (4 leaves)
box 7, folder 46
Poole, Charles H.
1855 - 1857
Note
Correspondence with friend and San Diego mapmaker (1856) that includes discussion of previous maps and problems, a condolence
letter upon the death of Mrs. Morse, San Francisco Vigilante Committee activities, and a list of books Poole left in San Diego
and wished to sell. (10 leaves)
box 7, folder 47
Poole, Mary A.
1856
Note
Correspondence to Lydia Morse, with whom she had travelled to California from the east coast, with mention of a severe San
Francisco earthquake on February 15, 1856. (3 leaves)
box 7, folder 49
Porter, Rufus King
1856 - 1857
Note
Correspondence with the Spring Valley pioneer, writer, and friend whose father founded SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN magazine. Mary
Walker lived on the Porter's ranch, prior to her marriage to Morse, teaching Porter's daughter, Rufina. (4 leaves)
box 7, folder 50
Rathburn, Charles
1857
Note
Mail carrier (by mule) between Tucson and Maricopa Wells, Fort Yuma and Colorado City. Rathburn was also a member of the
San Diego Guards. (6 leaves)
box 7, folder 51
Robinson, James (Judge)
1856
Note
Correspondence regarding politics and the outlook for San Diego, written shortly before this San Diego pioneer's death. (1
leaf)
box 7, folder 52
Ryer, W.M.
1856
Note
Correspondence from Stockton, California, regarding a possible land purchase. (1 leaf)
box 8, folder 1
Ryerson, George
1857
Note
Correspondence from Los Vallecitos informing Morse that he and W. A. Winder were the owners of the San Antonio copper mine.
(1 leaf)
box 8, folder 2
Salorio, R., ca. 1857
Note
Note regarding forwarding mail to La Paz, Baja California, Mexico. (1 leaf)
box 8, folder 3
Smith, Joseph
1857
Note
Note advising Minter to pay Morse the funds that Minter owed to Smith. Morse and Smith were partners in a sheep ranch on
Smith Mountain, now Palomar. Smith was murdered by a British ship deserter he hired who was reportedly interested in Smith's
Native American wife. (1 leaf)
box 8, folder 4
Stene [?], George, ca. 1870s
Note
Envelope addressed to the Horton House hotel with a note on verso side mentioning Horton as treasurer. (1 leaf)
box 8, folder 5
Stone, Francis and Carlos Eschrich
1857
Note
Correspondence regarding his account and its satisfaction. Eschrich's note is in Spanish. (2 leaves)
box 8, folder 6
Vulcan Iron Works
1854
Note
Letter from R. E. Raimond, Engineer, regarding necessary machinery for a saw mill. (1 leaf)
box 8, folder 7
Warner, Jonathan T.
1855 - 1857
Note
San Diego pioneer, first state senator (1851-1852), supervisor (1853-1855), and owner of Warner's Ranch. Correspondence from
daughter, Belle Warner, for her father, from Los Angeles. (4 leaves)
box 8, folder 8
West Amesbury, Massachusetts post office
1851
Note
Correspondence from postmaster Stephen Bayley regarding a new law requiring prepayment of postage on newspapers. (1 leaf)
box 8, folder 9
Whaley, Thomas
1853 - 1854
Note
San Diego pioneer and Morse's partner in an Old Town general store from 1853-1856. Correspondence from San Francisco documents
goods desired, availability and prices. Includes a letter from New York (8-5-1853) shortly before Whaley's marriage to Anna
E. Lannay and his trip back to California accompanying the new Mrs. Whaley, Mrs. Morse, and Mrs. Poole. Whaley explains his
delay because his cousin had him arrested under a non-resident debtors act. (15 leaves)
box 8, folder 10
Winder, W.A.
1857
Note
Writing from Fort Yuma regarding mining operations. (3 leaves)
box 8, folder 12
Wise, N.
1857
Note
El Monte, CA, resident writing regarding his hope to soon pay his San Diego debts. (1 leaf)
box 8, folder 13
Wright, A.S.
1857
Note
San Francisco resident writing regarding the taxes on the Binsley's land in San Diego. (2 leaves)
box 8, folder 14
Unidentified, ca. 1857
Note
Poignant letter from a mother to a young daughter hoping for a visit. Includes a crayon drawing of a woman holding an American
flag. (2 leaves)
BUSINESS AND LEGAL DOCUMENTS
box 8, folder 15
Ames, John Judson - Business account
1855 - 1857
Note
Includes a subscription receipt for fifty dollars to establish the SAN DIEGO HERALD newspaper, offsets to Ames account with
Morse, and a list entitled, "catalogue of books for sale." (10 leaves)
box 8, folder 16
Business card, ca. 1850s
Note
Printed card of M. Richardson & Co., San Francisco dealers in vegetables, poultry, eggs and butter. A.J. Chase's name is
handwritten on the card, and the name of J.S. Fong is crossed out. (1 leaf)
box 8, folder 17
Business memorandum
1856 - 1858
Note
Includes an early account ledger for Mannasse & Co., letters of credit, William Vettiger's account, and John Hayes' note appointing
John Pond as power of attorney over the affairs of his ranch during his absence. (14 leaves)
box 8, folder 18
Business memorandum
1856 - 1860
Note
Documents business with Louis Rose (including Morse becoming his power of attorney, 1858) and a handwritten list of James
Donahue's papers and deposits being held by Morse (1860). (23 leaves)
box 8, folder 19
Business memorandum
1864 - 1868
Note
Miscellaneous price lists, notes of conversations and an argument during a land auction (Morse was auctioneer), instructions
for George P. Tebbetts while Morse was away, a list of Morse's activities on his birthday (October 16, 1866), and a conveyance
of Lot 717 from George A. Pendleton to Morse for $50.00. (19 leaves)
box 8, folder 20
Business receipts and notes
1850 - 1860
Note
Includes receipts for a road tax payment (1853) and Lydia Morse's passage from San Francisco (1853), lists of purchases from
San Francisco wholesalers, a note in Spanish to Jose M. Estudillo regarding Morse's acceptance of horses to settle Estudillo's
debt, and Estudillo's reply (1867). (77 leaves)
box 8, folder 21
Court of Sessions
1855
Note
Handwritten notes on legal actions taken. (1 leaf)
box 8, folder 22
Fees in contested election
1852 - 1853
Note
Handwritten notation of fees in contested election case of James W. Robinson vs. Daniel B. Kurtz and another party. (2 leaves)
box 8, folder 23
Fisher, estate of Mrs. and guardianship of Louisianna Fisher
1856
Note
Handwritten lists of expenses Morse incurred. 3 year-old Louisianna was the daughter of German parents, Gustav and Sophia,
but what happened to them is not clear in the files. Louisianna's guardian may have been Surgeon Keeney associated with the
United States military. (3 leaves)
box 8, folder 24
Instructions for George A. Tebbetts
1863
Note
Morse's instructions regarding items shipped from San Francisco describing with particularity who the items are for, including
two pure-bread Fox Hound dogs for Joseph Smith. Includes mention of Morse's accompanying and delivering a small girl, perhaps
Louisianna Fisher. (2 leaves)
box 8, folder 25
Instructions to Martin Trimmer
1866
Note
Includes directions as what individuals get credit and how much, mine payroll information, and other expenses. (2 leaves)
box 8, folder 26
Instructions to Morse from Whaley
1853
Note
Detailed instructions regarding the San Diego store and what is to be done during Whaley's absence. Includes the location
of sealed papers in case Whaley is involved in an accident. (1 leaf)
box 8, folder 27
Johnson, George A. (Captain)
1862
Note
Business records and notes regarding the account Johnson maintained in regard to the Johnson and Captain A.H. Wilcox's Colorado
Steam Navigation Company which ran a line of packet boats. Johnson married Maria Estefana Alvarado of San Diego, served as
collector of customs, and owned the Los Peñasquitos Ranch. (15 leaves)
box 8, folder 28
Land abstract regarding lot C of block 124, ca. 1870s
Note
Handwritten list of transactions regarding fractional shares of this lot in which Morse and Horton had interests. (1 leaf)
box 8, folder 29
Legal memoranda - Miscellaneous
1855 - 1863
Note
Morse's records when serving as auctioneer, abstracts, and the Walter Murray vs. Lorenzo Soto judgment and payment to Sheriff
McCoy. (2 leaves)
box 8, folder 30
Little & Company
1855
Note
Wholesaler of Pilch lozenges which Morse sold on consignment. (2 leaves)
box 8, folder 31
First National Bank of Amesbury
1873 - 1889
Note
Business records, receipts, an account booklet, postcard, and correspondence regarding bond coupons and other Massachusetts
note transactions. Includes two notes from the Provident Institution for Savings (1874, 1889). (22 leaves)
box 8, folder 32
Neal land account
1858 - 1905
Note
Records in regard to land owned in San Diego by Morse's brother-in-law in Massachusetts. Includes original multi-colored
San Diego city and county tax receipts, tracings and copies of maps regarding Pueblo lot No. 256 showing the railroad right-of-way,
lease agreements, an abstract of the title to the land, and miscellaneous account notes. (49 leaves)
box 8, folder 33
Painter, Frederick J. estate
1853 - 1854
Note
Includes inventory and appraisal, claims for the estate of physician Painter, notices of estate sale, and a copy of Morse's
letter informing Painter's sister, Mrs. James Witherspoon, of his death. (14 leaves)
box 8, folder 34
Pierce, James - Building notes
1886 - 1887
Note
Notes entitled, "Extracts from the Diary of J.M. Pierce" containing complaints and allegations Pierce made against Morse in
regard to the building they built and owned in partnership. (6 leaves)
box 9, folder 1
Private notes
1866 - 1870
Note
Part 1. Includes a note from R.W. Laine of the Pacific Union Express asking Morse's advice for a San Diego agent, a note
regarding statements by Horton about Morse, comments on the controversy of moving the city and county records from Old Town
to New Town (1870), a purported copy of one of Horton's marriage certificates, notes regarding possible litigation against
Horton and other political intriques. (25 leaves)
box 9, folder 2
Private notes
1868 - 1872
Note
Part 2. Includes notes on conversations about Morse, political and financial dealings, a note on verso of a printed Grant
& Colfax electoral ticket (1868), notes regarding formation of a "Committee of Safety," a list the San Diego Publishing Association
directors, land, bank and railroad dealings, and a letter to the editor regarding water. (21 leaves)
box 9, folder 3
Private notes
1870 - 1871
Note
Part 3. Morse's notes regarding Chamber of Commerce meetings including a draft of a resignation letter. (6 leaves)
box 9, folder 4
San Diego and Gila, Southern Pacific and Atlantic Railroad Company
1854
Note
Includes a notice of Morse's election to the position of stock commissioner, as well as notices of meetings. (3 leaves)
box 9, folder 5
Samples - legal language, ca. 1860s
Note
Handwritten sample of legal language for use in wills. (1 leaf)
box 9, folder 6
Smith, Joseph, Estate of
1869
Note
Documents regarding a probate court action for claims Morse made showing part of his claim was void as beyond the two-year
statute of limitations and part was ruled valid. (3 leaves)
box 9, folder 7
Wilcox, John A.
1856 - 1857
Note
Notes and calculations in regard to Wilcox's business account. (9 leaves)
box 9, folder 8
Agreement to Discourage Use of Reals
1864
Note
Handwritten pledge signed by San Diego merchants including Morse, Donahue, Hollister, Rose, Mannasse & Company, and Sloane,
to discourage the use of foreign gold coins. (1 leaf)
box 9, folder 9
Balboa Park quit claim deed scandal
1874
Note
Morse's handwritten sixteen-page account (fashioned as a letter to his wife) describing the events of July, 1874 involving
Horton and a deed issued to Gunn, Felsenheld, Arnold, and Choate for land that was to be reserved for Balboa Park. (16 leaves)
box 9, folder 10
California state legislative acts regarding San Diego
1855
Note
Correspondence from William C. Ferrell, member of the California state assembly for the 1st District (San Diego) (1855-1856)
discussing various bills of importance to San Diego. (1 leaf)
box 9, folder 11
Campaign materials
1859
Note
Printed ballot handout, in Spanish, featuring Leland Stanford in his first, unsuccessful run for Governor of California.
(1 leaf)
box 9, folder 12
Campaign materials
1867
Note
Printed ballot ticket of the Union Party for California state and county positions including E. W. Morse for county treasurer.
(1 leaf)
box 9, folder 13
Campaign materials
1867
Note
Printed ballot handout of the Democratic Union state and county ticket. Includes handwritten entries for many of the county
positions. (1 leaf)
box 9, folder 14
Campaign materials, ca. 1868-1878
Note
Includes small "caucus tickets" for S.S. Culverwell, Jose G. Estudillo and Charles A. Wetmore for city trustees, "pledged
to the recovery of the tidelands for the city," and the "People's ticket" featuring James McCoy, A.E. Horton, and Captain
M. Sherman. (6 leaves)
box 9, folder 15
Campaign materials, ca. 1883
Note
Printed ballot flyer for the first supervisor's district of the Regular Democratic ticket with motto, "Economy and Reform."
Lists local San Diego candidates for judge, district attorney, sheriff, treasurer, surveyor, etc. (1 leaf)
box 9, folder 16
Campaign materials
1884
Note
Printed ballot handout of the "Regular Republican Ticket," including local San Diego candidates. (1 leaf)
box 9, folder 17
City land schemes, ca. 1860s
Note
Handwritten account of method used by the city of Anaheim to divide city land. (1 leaf)
box 9, folder 18
County statistics, ca. 1858
Note
Handwritten response to a circular sent to county assessors. Includes acreage, geographic descriptions, estimates of agricultural
production, livestock values, and mining operations. (1 leaf)
box 9, folder 19, oversize MC19001
Newspaper fragments
1854 - 1892
Note
Includes CALIFORNIA CHRONICLE (12/18/1854) advertisement by city trustees for "Sale of Valuable Real Estate in San Diego,
E. W. Morse, Secretary," SOLANA COUNTY HERALD, Benicia, CA (3/29/1856) regarding that city's land sale ordinance and title
question re: waterfront property, SAN DIEGO UNION (6/14/1891) article on San Diego real estate, and SAN FRANCISCO EXAMINER
(9/29/1892) detailing a large ceremony in San Diego recreating Juan Rodriquez Cabrillo's landing on September 28, 1542. Includes
envelope and original wrapper Morse kept newspapers in. (6 leaves)
box 9, folder 20
Persons in the County of San Diego entitled to do military duty, ca. 1856
Note
Handwritten alphabetical list. Includes smaller list of fourteen names entitled, "Names of persons at river subject to do
military service." (6 leaves)
box 9, folder 21
Railroad expedition with engineers
1867
Note
Handwritten subscription list includes Morse, McCoy, Mannasse & Company, Bush, Grant, Wallace, Hollister, Sloan, Rose, Cleveland,
Johnson, and others. (2 leaves)
box 9, folder 22
San Diego county - Statement of finances and bonds
1865 - 1868
Note
Miscellaneous handwritten notes about the amount and types of San Diego debt. (4 leaves)
box 9, folder 23, oversize FB47306
San Diego Guard, ca. 1856
Note
Handwritten list entitled, "Members - San Diego Guards." This voluntary military company was formed August 2, 1856 under
the command of Captain George Pendleton. (1 leaf)
box 9, folder 24
San Diego town flag
1864
Note
Includes a subscription list for money and appointment of a committee of three to purchase a flag for the use of the town.
Includes a printed price list with annotations indicating the purchase of a twenty-one to twenty-five foot flag. (2 leaves)
box 9, folder 25
Subscription in aid and relief of William Cole, William Vettiger, and Eugene Edmonds, ca. 1859
Note
Handwritten list to raise funds to aid San Diegans held in a Mexican prison and about to be sent to La Paz for trial for murder.
(1 leaf)
box 9, folder 26
Subscription to send an express to meet the steamer at San Pedro
1868
Note
Handwritten list of funds collected in order to meet the steamer on Saturday, February 1, 1868, possibly to greet dignitaries.
(1 leaf)
box 9, folder 27
Subscription to the padre
1867
Note
Handwritten list of money collected for the local Catholic chaplain. (1 leaf)
box 9, folder 28
Survey - San Diego to Anaheim
1872
Note
Handwritten account of a journey by Charles Fox describing the conditions of the roads and routes taken. (1 leaf)
