Descriptive Summary
Administrative Information
Biography
Scope and Content
Added Entries
Descriptive Summary
Title: Stephen W. Jones Diary,
Date (inclusive): January 1, 1859 - November 30,
1864
Collection number: MS 3071
Creator:
Jones, Stephen W.
Extent: 2 letters (70 typed pages)
Repository:
California Historical Society, North Baker Library
San Francisco, California 94105-4014
Language:
English.
Administrative Information
Donor
Robert I. Slyter 1978
Access
Publication Rights
Copyright has not been assigned to The North Baker Research Library. All requests for
permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the
Library Director. Permission for publication is given on behalf of The North Baker
Research Library as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or
imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Stephen W. Jones Diary. MS 3071, California Historical Society,
North Baker Research Library.
Biography
- Date & place of birth:
- April 24,? place unknown
- Residence(s):
- Washington, Nevada County
- Occupation(s):
- mining
Scope and Content
- Original or Copy:
- Photocopy of typed copy, 2 letters included
- Time span of diary:
- January 1, 1859 - November 30, 1864 (with some gaps)
- Description of diarist:
- Does mining for various companies and does odd jobs. Belongs to Sons of Temperance
Club, and attends dancing school and singing school. Corresponds with fiancee Pamelia
White, whom he later marries. Fiancee, in letter, tells that Jones has been out West
mining for ten years and has not yet made his fortune.
- Contents of diary:
- Daily events in the life of a miner while working in the Alpha Hydraulic mine in the
1860's; consisting of short, routine entries on the weather and the activiti of the
mining community. Gives a good illustration of daily life--accidents, risks, pastimes
(singing and dancing schools, temperance sermons and lectures, travelling theatricals,
and hurdy-gurdy girls). There are references to the miners' taking care of each other
when a fellow miner is sick or injured, and how they donate money to help the wounded
soldiers. News of the Civil War appears throughout. In the end, Jones mentions his
decision to sell his claim and move to Nevada.
- Main interests of diarist:
-
- Activities and dances at the Temperance Club
- Singing school; Dancing school
- Weather and mine conditions
Added Entries
-
Alpha Hydraulic mine, Nevada County
- Diaries, 1859- 1864
-
Gold mines and mining, Washington Nevada County
-
Sons of Temperance, Washington Nevada County