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Guide to the Bidwell Family Papers
BANC MSS C-B 468  
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Table of contents What's This?

Key to Arrangement

Part I: Papers of John and Annie Ellicott Kennedy Bidwell, ca. 1851-1918

Box 1

Correspondence of John Bidwell

 

Letters written to Bidwell, ca. 1851-1899

Scope and Content Note

Arranged alphabetically. Most of the envelopes bear Bidwell's endorsement.
 

Letters written by Bidwell, ca. 1850-1896

Scope and Content Note

Drafts, originals and a few photocopies. Arranged chronologically with the exception of letters to his brother-in-law, John Reynolds Kennedy and his mother and father-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph C. G. Kennedy, which are in separate folders and filed chronologically.
Box 2

Letters addressed to Mr. and Mrs. John Bidwell

Scope and Content Note

These consist of letters, ca. 1877-1912, received from Asa Gray, John Muir, Charles C. Parry and M. Slaughter. Arranged alphabetically by name of writer and thereunder chronologically.
Box 3-5

Correspondence of Annie E. K. Bidwell

 

Letters written to Mrs. Bidwell, ca. 1854-1918

Scope and Content Note

Arranged alphabetically. Most of the envelopes bear Mrs. Bidwell's endorsement.
 

Letters written by Mrs. Bidwell, ca. 1855-1918

Scope and Content Note

Drafts, originals and copies. Arranged chronologically.
Box 6

Clippings and magazine articles

 

Folders of clipping about the Bidwells, the Indians and Rancho Chico and temperance

 

Magazines containing articles about the Bidwell's:

 

The American Prohibitionist (Jan. 1892)

 

Out West (Dec. 1903 & Jan. 1904)

 

Overland Monthly (Feb. 1896 &1907).

 

Included also is a thesis: John Bidwell, his early career in California, by Edith Cady.

Scope and Content Note

Submitted to the University of California, 1927.
Ctn. 1

Miscellaneous papers of John Bidwell

Scope and Content Note

22 Folders, consisting of the following:
 

Personalia. Included are membership cards, military passes, etc.

 

Bidwell's notes on the Bear Flag revolt, early pioneers in California and the discovery of gold

 

Diary, Oct. 26, 1865 to Mar. 7, 1867, kept during sojourn in Washington, D. C. While member of Congress. (V. 1)

 

Statement of Bidwell concerning the conquest of California, as presented in two letters to S. H. Willey, Aug. 31 & Sept. 4, 1876.

Scope and Content Note

Photocopy, original at Harvard University. (V. 2)
 

Account books (v. 3-7)

 

Misc. accounts, bills, receipts, etc.

 

Legal papers and accounts concerning his brother, Thomas Joseph

 

Legal papers and accounts concerning his brother, Daniel, and the latter's son, Henry

 

Deeds to property

 

Canceled checks and bank statements, 1870-1877

 

Medals, badges, etc.

 

Papers concerning the Chico and Humboldt Wagon Road Co., Apr.-July 1883.

Scope and Content Note

Included are reports of citizens' committees of Butte Co., copy of articles of incorporation of the company, opinion of the attorney general are toll roads in Butte Co., some correspondence, and resolutions and petitions presented to the Board of Supervisors of Butte Co.
 

Copy of articles of incorporation of the California Central Narrow Gauge Railroad Co., Oct. 10, 1872

 

Papers relating to Asa Gray.

Scope and Content Note

Mainly reprints of his articles (some inscribed to the Bidwells) and memorial pamphlets.
 

Papers relating to Charles C. Parry.

Scope and Content Note

Included are reprints of his articles, a memorial biographical sketch, miscellaneous notes, drafts of articles on Rancho Chico and obituary clippings.
 

Papers concerning Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker.

Scope and Content Note

Included is a reprint of an address delivered before the Royal Society and a biographical sketch of his father.
 

Copy of Bidwell's will and letters relating to the estate.

 

Unidentified pictures

carton Portfolio (oversized)

Petition of John Bidwell and John A. Sutter, ca. 1850, to the California legislature for location of state capitol at San Jose.

Ctn. 2

Miscellaneous papers from Annie E. K. Bidwell

Scope and Content Note

27 Folders, consisting of the following:
 

Biographical information concerning John Bidwell

 

Tributes to John Bidwell.

Scope and Content Note

Mainly typed transcripts of obituary notices appearing in various magazines and newspapers and of memorial resolutions and addresses.
 

Deeds to property

 

Miscellaneous land papers relating chiefly to Rancho Chico

 

Account books (v. 8-18)

 

Miscellaneous financial papers

 

Miscellaneous legal papers, relating chiefly to Rancho Chico

 

Notebooks containing inventory of household goods

 

Maps and plats of Rancho Chico

 

Map of Mrs. Bidwell's garden

 

Mrs. Bidwell's writings.

Scope and Content Note

Included are notes on conservation, and on observance of the Sabbath, notes on her "vision" after her husband's death, and a response to Chico City officials upon their acceptance of her gift of land for a park.
 

Poems written and/or copied by Mrs. Bidwell

 

Material concerning the Indians at Rancho Chico (Mechoopda Indians).

Scope and Content Note

Included are lists of Indians in residence there, copies of two articles or talks by Mrs. Bidwell on the Indians and a manuscript, Indian History, prepared at the request of Mrs. Bidwell.
 

Miscellaneous notes

 

Address books

 

Kennedy - Bidwell wedding announcement and list of guests present at the wedding, Apr. 16, 1868

 

Invitations, programs, menus, etc.

 

Visiting cards

 

Personalia. Included are school certificates, application for membership in the D. A. R., etc.

 

Dried flowers and leaves

 

Papers related to Mrs. Bidwell's will and estate

 

Tributes and memorials to Mrs. Bidwell

 

Miscellany

Part II: Papers of the Kennedy, Ellicott and Morrison families, ca. 1792-1934

box Box1

Letters written to Andrew Ellicott Kennedy, 1828-1831

Scope and Content Note

Included are letters from Isaac Chauncey, Samuel L. Southard and the U. S. Navy Department.
 

Correspondence of Joseph Camp Griffith Kennedy [Mrs. Bidwell's father]

 

Letters written to Kennedy, ca. 1859-1887.

Scope and Content Note

Arranged alphabetically
 

Letters written by Kennedy, ca. 1855-1882.

Scope and Content Note

Addressed to various persons, including members of his family, Abraham Lincoln and Roscoe Conkling. Arranged chronologically with the exception of letter written to his wife, Catherine, which are in a separate folder.
 

Correspondence of Catherine Morrison Kennedy [Mrs. Bidwell's mother]

 

Letters written to Mrs. Kennedy, 1868 & n.d.

Scope and Content Note

Arranged alphabetically
 

Letters written by Mrs Kennedy, ca. 1874-1881.

Scope and Content Note

Arranged chronologically
 

Correspondence of John Reynolds Kennedy [Mrs. Bidwell's brother]

 

Letters written to Mr. Kennedy, ca. 1867-1869.

Scope and Content Note

Arranged alphabetically. Letters from his mother and from his sister, Mrs. Alexander, are in separate folders.
 

Letters written by Mr. Kennedy, ca. 1866-1873.

Scope and Content Note

Two folders, one containing letters to his brother, Joseph Morrison Kennedy, and the other, letters to William G. Sargeant.
 

Correspondence of Sarah Jane Kennedy Alexander [Mrs. Bidwell's sister]

 

Letters written to Mrs. Alexander, ca. 1868-1911.

Scope and Content Note

Arranged alphabetically
 

Letters written by Mrs. Alexander, ca. 1868-1897.

Scope and Content Note

Arranged chronologically
 

Correspondence of Thomson Hankey Alexander [Mrs. Bidwell's brother-in-law]

 

Letters written to Mr. Alexander, ca. 1898-1913.

Scope and Content Note

Arranged alphabetically
 

Letters written by Mr. Alexander, ca. 1912-1918.

Scope and Content Note

Arranged chronologically
 

Correspondence of Guy Reynolds Kennedy [son of John Reynolds Kennedy]

 

Letter written to him, ca. 1898-1927.

Scope and Content Note

Arranged alphabetically
 

Letter written by him, 1893.

 

Correspondence of Joseph John Ellicott Kennedy [John R. Kennedy's son]

 

Letter written to him, 1909.

 

Letters written to him and to his wife, Winfred Moon Kennedy, 1918-1934.

Scope and Content Note

Arranged alphabetically
Ctn. 1

Miscellaneous papers of the Kennedy family

Scope and Content Note

Mainly personalia and property, legal and financial records. Arranged alphabetically by name of the person to whom they pertain. There are spacial folders for the following members of the family:
 

Sarah Jane Kennedy Alexander

 

Thompson Hankey Alexander

 

Andrew Ellicott Kennedy

Scope and Content Note

Contains Nathaniel Chapman's recommendation of Kennedy as a medical student at the University of Pennsylvania, 1826.
 

Catharine Morrison Kennedy

 

Cora Wayland Kennedy

 

Guy Reynolds Kennedy

 

John Reynolds Kennedy

 

Joseph Camp Griffith Kennedy

 

Joseph John Ellicott Kennedy

 

Joseph Morrison Kennedy

Box 2

Papers of the Ellicott and Morrison families, related to the Kennedy, including:

 

Photocopies of two letters concerning Andrew Ellicott, 1792 & 1795

 

a letter written to Joseph C. G. Kennedy's mother, 1814

 

A poem written by her.

 

Letters from Joseph L. Morrison to his brother Robert, 1805-1806, and to Ann ?, 1814

 

Notes on Crawford Co., Pennsylvania by A. Huidekoper

 

Shares of stock issued to John McClellen by The Empire Mining Co. And the Copper Rock Mining Co., 1846

 

Letter from William Henry Seward to his son, Frederick William, ca. 1865

List of Members of the Kennedy Family

 

Joseph Camp Griffith Kennedy (1813-1887) m. Catharine Morrison (1834-1897)



Children:

 

1. Joseph Morrison (1836- 1892)

 

2. Annie Ellicott (1839-1918) m. John Bidwell

 

3. Sarah Jane (1841-1912) m. Thomson Hankey Alexander

 

4. John Reynolds (1844-1877) m. Cora Wayland Children:

 

1. Joseph John Ellicott (1876-1939) m. Winifred Moon



Children:

 

1. Annie Ellicott Kennedy m. Roy C. Anderson

 

2. Guy Reynolds5. Helen Ann (1846-1850)

Partial List of Correspondents

List of Correspondents in Part I

 

Alexander, Sarah Jane (Kennedy), 1841-1912

 

Letters to Annie E.K. Bidwell, 1862-1911 (27). Among letters written by Mrs. Bidwell are several addressed to her sister.

 

Alexander, Thomson Hankey

 

[Telegram to John Bidwell], n.d. Also, 4 letters, 1898-1911, in Mrs. Bidwell's correspondence.

 

Alvord, Benjamin, 1813-1884

 

Letter to Annie E.K. Bidwell, Apr. 27, 1881.

 

Anderson, Annie Ellicott (Kennedy), 1907-

 

Letter to Annie E.K. Bidwell, Feb. 14, 1918. Signed: Annie Ellicott Kennedy. Among letters written to Mrs. Bidwell are several addressed to her grand-niece.

 

Anthony, Mary S.

 

Letter to Annie E.K. Bidwell, Aug. 13, 1905. Concerning, in part, her sister, Susan B. Anthony.

 

Avery, Rachel Foster, 1858-1919

 

Letters to Annie E.K. Bidwell, 1907 (5). Some concerning woman suffrage.

 

Badè, William Frederic, 1871-1936

 

Letters to Annie E.K. Bidwell, 1917 (2). Concerning John Muir.

 

Bidwell, Annie Ellicott (Kennedy), 1839-1918

 

[Letters to various persons] 1855-1918. Written chiefly to personal friends and members of her family; some concern for the Civil War. Include one copy of one addressed to Gifford Pinchot, May 1905.

 

Postcard and note to John Bidwell, 1888 & n.d. Note written on portion of a newspaper.

 

Bidwell, John, 1819-1900

 

Letters to Annie E.K. Bidwell, 1867-1897 (6).

 

[Letters to various persons], 1850-1896. Include letters to members of Kennedy family, Peter Hardeman Burnett, John Augustus Sutter, Henry H. Ellis, E.B. Walsworth, Alexander Copeland, Patrick F. Walsh and others.

 

Bidwell, Henry C.

 

Letters to John Bidwell, 1854-1880 (6).

 

Bidwell, Thomas Joseph, 1821-

 

Letters to John Bidwell, 1851-1866 (23). A few of the early letters deal with cost of cattle and mules in California and of transportation to the East. Some letters written in Spanish.

 

California Central Narrow Gauge Railroad Company

 

Articles of incorporation, Oct. 10, 1872. 12 leaves. Ms. 32 cm. "A true copy of the official copy on file in the company's office"; certified by W.W. Magary, secretary, and M.D. Townshend, vice president, San Francisco, Jan. 4, 1873.

 

Cheney, May L. (Shepard)

 

Letter to Annie E.K. Bidwell, Apr. 15, 1905.

 

Chipman, Norton Parker, 1838-1924

 

Letter to Annie E.K. Bidwell, Mar. 28, 1905. Enclosure: his letter to Charles C. Van Liew, Apr. 28, 1900.

 

Crew, Alexander H., 1835-

 

Letter to John Bidwell, Oct. 23, 1888

 

Dudley, William Russel, 1849-1911

 

Letter to Annie E.K. Bidwell, Mar. 9, 1900. Enclosures: clipping from San Francisco Examiner, Feb. 22, 1900 concerning California big trees, and one page (typescript) of an article concerning Bidwell and the Sequoias.

 

French, Henry

 

Letter to John Bidwell, Sept. 25, 1888. Form letter written as prohibition candidate for Congress in the 5th California congressional district. Enclosure: list of names of national, state and county candidates on the Prohibition Party ticket.

 

Gray, Asa, 1810-1888

 

Letters to Mr. & Mrs. John Bidwell, 1877-1886 (28). One letter written for him by Sereno Watson. Many concerning California plants. Additional material concerning Gray described in key to arrangement.

 

Gray, Jane Lathrop (Loring)

 

Letters to Annie E.K. Bidwell, 1877-1901 (12). Some with notes added by Asa Gray.

 

Hearst, Phoebe (Apperson), 1842-1919

 

Letter to Annie E.K. Bidwell, Apr. 4, 1915.

 

Hilgard, Eugene Woldemar, 1833-1916

 

Letter to Annie E.K. Bidwell, Aug. 10, 1882.

 

Hooker, Hyacinth (Symonds) Jardine, Lady

 

Letters to Annie E.K. Bidwell, 1910-1913 (3).

 

Hooker, Sir Joseph Dalton, 1817-1911

 

Letters to Annie E.K. Bidwell, 1877, 1910 (2).

 

Kennedy, Catharine (Morrison), 1834-1897

 

Letters to Annie K. Bidwell, 1855-1892 (130). Concerning social life in Washington.

 

Kennedy, John Reynolds, 1844-1877

 

Letters to Annie E.K. Bidwell, 1868-1869 (4). With these: a postcard, Aug. 11, 1881, from his widow, Cora Wayland Kennedy. Among letters written by Mrs. Bidwell are several addressed to her brother.

 

Letters to John Bidwell, 1868-1876 (5). Among letters written by Bidwell are several addressed to Kennedy.

 

Kennedy, Joseph Camp Griffith, 1813-1887

 

Letters to Annie E.K. Bidwell, 1855-1884 (64). Early letters concern his travels in Europe.

 

Letters to John Bidwell, 1869, 1880 (2). Among letters written by Bidwell are some addressed to Mr. & Mrs. Kennedy.

 

Kennedy, Joseph John Ellicott, 1876-1939

 

Letter to John Bidwell, Oct. 10, 1891. Also, 5 letters, 1891-1912, in Mrs. Bidwell's correspondence.

 

Kennedy, Joseph Morrison, 1836-1892

 

Letters to Annie E.K. Bidwell, 1854-1891 (24). Some describe experiences during the Civil War.

 

London, Jack, 1876-1916

 

Letter to Annie E.K. Bidwell, July 9, 1914.

 

Lubin, David, 1849-1919

 

Letter to John Bidwell, Oct. 23, 1888. Enclosures: clippings from Sacramento newspapers concerning proposals before the Sacramento Board of Trade for the exhibition of California products in Europe.

 

Lusk, Franklin Crawford

 

Letter to Annie E.K. Bidwell, Mar. 14, 1904. Among letters written by Mrs. Bidwell is copy of one, Mar. 16, 1904, addressed to Lusk.

 

Marshall, James Wilson, 1810-1885

 

Letter to John Bidwell, June 11, 1853.

 

Morgan, Thomas Jefferson, 1839-1902

 

Letter to John Bidwell, Sept. 8, 1888. Written for him by his wife.

 

Muir, John, 1838-1914

 

31 letters to Mr. and Mrs. John Bidwell, 1877-1912. Mainly concerning California plants, travels in California and Alaska, and glaciers.

 

Muir, Louise Wanda (Strentzel)

 

Letter to Annie E.K. Bidwell, May 31, 1882.

 

Murdock, Charles Albert, 1841-1928

 

Letter to John Bidwell, Sept. 28, 1888. Concerning the Chit-Chat Club, San Francisco.

 

Pammel, Louis Hermann, 1862-1931

 

Letter to Annie E.K. Bidwell, Oct. 21, 1914.

 

Parry Charles Christopher, 1823-1890

 

Letters to Mr. & Mrs. John Bidwell, 1881-1889 (101). Chiefly concerning California plants.

 

Parry, Emily R. (Preston)

 

Letters to Annie E.K. Bidwell, 1883-1902 (10).

 

Pike, Charles W.

 

Letters to John Bidwell, 1888 (3). Written as shipping agent for Rancho Chico.

 

Pratt, Orville C., 1819-

 

Letter to John Bidwell, Feb. 20, 1871.

 

Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. Board of home missions.

 

Letter to Annie E.K. Bidwell, Jan. 19, 1910. Concerning the Indian village on Rancho Chico.

 

Royce, Charles C., 1845-1923

 

Letters to Annie E.K. Bidwell, 1904-1915 (5). Concerning financial status of Rancho Chico. Among letters written by Mrs. Bidwell is one addressed to Mr. Royce.

 

Letter to John Bidwell, Oct. 10, 1888.

 

Seaton, Sarah Weston (Gales), d. 1863

 

Letter to Annie E. Kennedy [Bidwell], n.d.

 

Shaw, Anna Howard, 1847-1919

 

Letter to Annie E.K. Bidwell, July 2, 1907. Concerning Susan B. Anthony and Rachel Foster Avery.

 

Shinn, Charles Howard, 1852-1924

 

Letter to Annie E.K. Bidwell, Apr. 10, 1905. With this: notes on the late John Bidwell, written by Shinn.

 

Letter to John Bidwell, Apr. 17, 1899.

 

Slaughter, M.

 

Letters to Mr. & Mrs. Bidwell, 1899-1900 (3). Concerning temperance societies in Chico, California.

 

Sutter, John Augustus, 1803-1880

 

Letter to Annie E.K. Bidwell, Apr. 13, 1875.

 

Van Liew, Charles Cecil, 1862-

 

Letters to Annie E.K. Bidwell, 1900, 1909 (2). Concerning Chico State Normal School. Letter of Apr. 26, 1900 a copy. Enclosure to letter of Apr. 5, 1909: copy of report of charter day committee to faculty, Chico State Normal School.

 

Willard, Francis Elizabeth, 1839-1898

 

Letters to Annie E.K. Bidwell, 1884-1897 (4). Three written on stationery headed: Woman's National Christian Temperance Union.

 

Willey, Samuel Hopkins, 1821-1914

 

Letters to Annie E.K. Bidwell, 1900-1905 (3). With these: a tribute to Bidwell written by Willey. Facts concerning General John Bidwell, as a representative Californian, dated March 11, 1905.

 

Woodhull, Alfred Alexander

 

Letter to John Bidwell, July 28, 1879. Written in a printed invitation to a shooting match at the Presidio addressed to the Bidwell family by Lt. Col. J.C. Kelton. Enclosure: visiting card of Mrs. Irvin McDowell, with invitation to lunch in manuscript.

List of Correspondents in Part II

 

Chapman, Nathaniel, 1780-1853

 

[Recommendation of Andrew Ellicott Kennedy as a medical student at the University of Pennsylvania], Feb. 14, 1826. 1 leave. A.D.S. 25 cm. Followed by concurrences by William Gibson and John Redman Coxe.

 

Chaucey, Isaac, 1772-1840

 

Letters to Andrew Ellicott Kennedy, 1831 (2). Written as commander, U.S. Navy Yard, New York.

 

Gray, Jane Lathrop (Loring)

 

Letter to Sarah J.K. Alexander, Aug. 5, 1903.

 

Hooker, Sir Joseph Dalton, 1817-1911

 

Letter to Sarah J.K. Alexander, June 6, 1911.

 

Kennedy, Joseph Camp Griffith, 1813-1887

 

[Letters to various persons, 1861-1882. Include letters to members of his family and to Abraham Lincoln and Roscoe Conkling.

 

Kennedy, Joseph Morrison, 1836-1892

 

Letter to Joseph Camp Griffith Kennedy, July 20, 1864. Concerning the Civil War.

 

Pakenham, Francis John, 1832-1905

 

Letter to Joseph C.G. Kennedy, May 16, 1874.

 

Southard, Samuel Lewis, 1787-1842

 

Letter to Andrew Ellicott Kennedy, Mar. 29, 1828.

 

Thornton, Edward, 1817-1906

 

Letter to Joseph C.G. Kennedy, Sept. 5, 1872.