Finding Aid of the Gilbert Billings Letters C057716

Finding aid prepared by A. Sasan, K. Ransick, and C. Miller
Society of California Pioneers
300 Fourth Street
San Francisco, CA, 94107-1272
(415) 959-1849
pkeats@californiapioneers.org
July 12, 2011


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

Conditions Governing Use note

There are no restrictions on access

Preferred Citation note

Gilbert Billings Letters, The Society of California Pioneers

Donor

Donor and date of acquisition unknown

Scope and Contents note

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