Descriptive Summary
Administrative Information
Access Points
Biography
Scope and Content
Descriptive Summary
Title: Rhodes Family Papers,
Date (inclusive): 1838-1942
Collection number: Mss30
Creator:
E.L. Pister, Richard Rhodes & Robert Chandler
Extent: .5 linear ft. + 1 microfilm
Repository:
University of the Pacific. Library. Holt-Atherton Department of
Special Collections
Shelf location: For current information on the location of
these materials, please consult the library's online catalog.
Language: English.
Administrative Information
Access
Collection is open for research.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Rhodes Family Papers, Mss30, Holt-Atherton
Department of Special Collections, University of the Pacific Library
Access Points
Personal Names
Rhodes, William Henry (1822-1876)
Rhodes, Elisha (1791-1858)
Rhodes, Mary W. Kimball (1808-1893)
Rhodes, Robert H.
Rhodes family
Pister family
Smith family
Subjects
Voyages to the Pacific coast
Authors -California
Ranch life -California -San Joaquin County
Women -California -San Joaquin County
Medicine -New York -History
Economic conditions -California -San Joaquin County
San Joaquin County (Calif.) -History -Sources
Texas -History -Sources
United States -History -Mexican War, 1846-1848
United States -History -Civil War, 1861-1865
Personal Names
McDermott family
Biography
Dr. Robert H. Rhodes, a physician from New York City, came to California
in 1849. His cousin, Col. Elisha A. Rhodes (1791-1858), a widower, had earlier
gone to Texas where he was appointed U.S. Consul(1838). There Elisha married a
widow, Mary Kimball (1808-1893) of Houston, and they had two sons, Cullen C.
(b. 1839) and Edward A. (b. 1841). Both Elisha and Mary Rhodes also had
children by their previous marriages. One of Col. Rhodes' sons, William Henry
Rhodes (1822-1876), later achieved fame in California as author "Caxton"
Rhodes. Elisha Rhodes was incapacitated by a stroke during the late 1840s and
his wife, Mary, went to California with William H. (1850), leaving her husband
behind. In 1852 she returned to Texas and brought the entire Rhodes family to
California, settling them on Windsor Ranch about five miles from Stockton.
After Col. Rhodes' death Mary Rhodes continued to operate their ranch for many
years. She was also active in prisoner relief work during the Civil War.
William Henry Rhodes studied at Harvard Law School (1844). Upon his
arrival in San Francisco, Rhodes practised law and dabbled in politics. When
his Southern sympathies caused difficulties for him in California during the
Civil War, Rhodes withdrew to Virginia City, Nev. (1863-1865). At war's end, he
returned to California where he launched a literary career, publishing poetry
and science fiction under the nom de plume "Caxton." While holding a judgeship
in the 12th Circuit Court, Rhodes also became well-known for public readings of
his works, the most noteworthy of which was probably the anthology, Caxton's
Book, published in the year of his death (1876).
Scope and Content
The Rhodes Family Papers consist of correspondence (1838-1877), Robert
H. Rhodes diary (1848-1849), California ranch business records(1858-1898), and
miscellaneous biographical and genealogical materials pertaining to the Rhodes,
Smith, Pister and McDermott families.