Finding Aid of the Gilbert Billings Letters C057716
Finding aid prepared by A. Sasan, K. Ransick, and C. Miller
Society of California Pioneers
July 12, 2011
300 Fourth Street
San Francisco, CA, 94107-1272
(415) 959-1849
pkeats@californiapioneers.org
Title: Billings, Gilbert, Letters
Identifier/Call Number: C057716
Contributing Institution:
Society of California Pioneers
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
1 Folder
Date: 1852
Abstract: The folder contains letters (dated 1852) from Gilbert Billings in San Francisco to his father.
creator:
Billings, Gilbert
Conditions Governing Access note
Collection open for research
There are no restrictions on access
Gilbert Billings Letters, The Society of California Pioneers
Donor and date of acquisition unknown
The folder contains two letters (dated April and March 1852) from Gilbert Billings in San Francisco to his father. The April
letter talks about living in San Jose and expresses his concern that his father has not written back to him for some time.
The March letter discusses the restaurant business in San Francisco and cost of rent, wood and oil, and heresay about the
mines. Later he writes that, "Chinamen have lately arrived here in vast numbers. The government speaks of putting a tax upon
all foreigners on account of so many coming of late". He also discusses that many people are contracting dieases when they
travel through Panama. In the city there are frequently murders and robberies. He includes the names of B. Phelps of Benton,
R. Button, and Charles Chase as acquaintances.
Existence and Location of Originals note
The Society of California Pioneers, 300 Fourth Street, San Francisco, CA, 94107
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Pioneers--California
San Francisco Bay Area (Calif.)--History
San Jose (Calif.)
Voyages to the Pacific coast