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Bachtal/Humbert family correspondence, 1864 Jan. 8-1871(?) July 17th.
MANUSCRIPT SMCII Box 11 Folders 6-7
Collection Overview

Title:

Bachtal/Humbert family correspondence, 1864 Jan. 8-1871(?) July 17th

Creator/Contributor:

Bachtal, Lorain, 1833-1871

Abstract:

Letters written by Lorain Bachtal and other family members in Nevada City, California to her sister, Mrs. Margaret Humbert in Green Spring, and, later, Elmore, Ohio. Other family members include Margaret's nieces Natilda Hecker, Lillie E. Hecker, Amanda Wagner, and Deliah Baigertal (sic?). Letters signed M.M. Baightal may be from another sister, Martha. The letters mostly discuss family concerns such as health and babies; the mourning letter relays news of the death of a brother, Ervin, as a result of a blasting accident. Current prices are mentioned and such local events as the finding of a large gold nugget by John Spayth and the robbery/murder of two men, Joseph Kile and James Cooper, at a toll house on the South Yuba River nearby. There is also a description of the observances in Nevada (City) following the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.
Enclosures include: a newspaper clipping about the gold nugget found by John Spayth and a follow-up article announcing "a mammoth quartz ledge"; a printed solicitation handout "The blind man's appeal"; a square of fabric from the dress worn by Amanda Wagner during her viewing after her death.

Date:

1864 (issued)

Contents:

Folder 6: Jan. 8, 1864-Feb. 2, 1866. -- Folder 7: Feb. 26, 1866-Sept. 27, 1871(?).

Subject:

n-us-ca
Bachtal, Lorain -- 1833-1871 -- Correspondence
Frontier and pioneer life -- California -- Nevada City
Women pioneers -- California -- Nevada City -- Correspondence
California -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
Nevada City (Calif.) -- History
Consumer goods -- Prices -- California -- History

Note:

Arranged chronologically. Each sleeve contains the letter and its typescript as well as the envelope if available and any additional enclosures. One letter and envelope are black-bordered mourning stationery.
Lorain Lott was born in Ohio in 1833 and married Jacob Bachtal in 1849. In 1862 they emigrated to California where they settled in Nevada City. Lorain maintained a lively correspondence with her sister, Margaret, through the years as did other members of the family who had relocated to California. Shortly after a return visit to Ohio, Lorain died in Nevada City on Dec. 12, 1871.

Type:

biography

Physical Description:

print
19 sleeves ; 28 cm.

Language:

English

Identifier:

MANUSCRIPT SMCII Box 11 Folders 6-7

Origin:

California