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Guide to the Hosmer Correspondence,
1849-1853
Special Collections M0037
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Table of contents
Title: Hosmer Correspondence,
Date (inclusive): 1849-1853
Collection number: Special Collections M0037
Creator:
Hosmer, Charles
Hosmer, Edward
Repository:
Stanford University. Libraries. Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives.
Language:
English.
Unknown source
None.
Property rights reside with the repository. Literary rights reside with the creators of the documents or their heirs. To obtain
permission to publish or reproduce, please contact the Public Services Librarian of the Dept. of Special Collections.
All rights reside with the Dept. of Special Collections, Stanford University Libraries.
[Identification of item], Hosmer Correspondence, M0037, Dept. of Special Collections, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford,
Calif.
Charles and Edward Hosmer left their parents, brothers and sisters in Avon, New York in March 1849 for California, arriving
in September 1849. Edward travelled around Cape Horn by boat while Charles went overland by wagon train. In San Francisco,
they became commission merchants and were doing well until robbed by a partner and burned out of their store. In the fall
of 1851 Charles returned to New York to proceed with litigation against the partner. Edward went prospecting in the Feather
River area but was unsuccessful.
Collection consists of original and typescript copies of the letters of Charles and Edward Hosmer to their family in New York.
The letters describe Charles' overland trip by wagon train and Edward's trip around Cape Horn to California, their work in
San Franciso, and Edward's unsuccessful prospecting in the Feather River area. Also of note are the descriptions of early
San Francisco including the people, business houses, shipping, and the weather. The collection also includes research notes.
Arrangement
The letters are arranged chronologically.