Description
The Wallis Diary entries are well-organized, and--though often
terse--form an easily understood, readable description of a miner's and
farmer's daily life. Wallis is particulary informative with respect to the
business aspects of early placer mining. He describes in some detail his claims
purchases, partnership agreements, gold sharing arrangements (including
specifics on the amount of gold shared), and his work agreements with various
employers. His descriptions of stock breeding and grain farming under the
adverse conditions prevailing in California at that time are both touching and
informative.
Background
John Wallis was born in Cornwall (1828) and brought to Wisconsin while
still a child (1835). His family had been miners in Cornwall but farmed at
their new home. There, at age 13, John experienced a religious conversion which
influenced his attitudes and behavior for the rest of his life.