Title:
Henry Syme, 1862-1882
Creator/Contributor:
Arnot, N. D.
Creator/Contributor:
Chalmers, Lewis.
Creator/Contributor:
Maxwell, Michael.
Creator/Contributor:
Scott, J. B.
Abstract:
The documents include extracts of records, abstracts of titles, notices of location and deeds. A certificate application from
Lewis Chalmers, Esquire, as an agent for Henry Syme of London, England, lists the mining lodes of the Isabella Gold and Silver
Mining Company Limited, owned by Henry Syme. An indenture of payment by Henry Syme to Michael Maxwell, for mines located in
the Great Mogul District of Alpine County, is also included. Most are signed by District Recorders, John A. Johnson, L. M.
Buel, Thomas W. Legget, and one is signed by N.D Arnot, Jr., Superior Judge.
Date:
1862 (issued)
Contents:
The collection consists of one folder containing 18 handwritten legal documents related to mining in Alpine County, representing
1862 to 1882.
Subject:
n-us-ca
Syme, Henry
Mines and mineral resources -- California -- Alpine County
Silver mines and mining -- California -- Alpine County
Silver Mountain (Calif.) -- History
Alpine County (Calif.) -- History
Note:
Mining for silver began in the region of Alpine County before it became a county in 1864. Many Scandinavian prospectors came
to mine the area and establish claims. The Silver Mountain Mining District, formed in 1861, was named after the mountain where
the first claims were made. A settlement called Kongsberg (later Konigsberg) was created. It was renamed Silver Mountain City
in 1862. It had streets, buildings, saloons, a hotel, a blacksmith shop and a mill. The population grew to more than 3500
and represented over 300 mining claims. Silver Mountain City was chosen to be the county seat of Alpine County in 1864.
Silver mining enthusiasm in Alpine County began a downward spiral shortly after establishing Silver Mountain City as the county
seat of Alpine County. The population dropped considerably and a demonetization of silver occurred in 1873. With Silver Mountain
City diminished, the county seat was moved to Markleville in 1875.
As the downward spiral progressed, British investors began to purchase major mines. Lewis Chalmers, Esquire, used much of
the British capital to purchase mines. An investor named Henry Syme of No. 60, Palace Garden Terrace, Kensington, Middlesex,
England, and of 114 Palmerston Building, London, England provided much of the capital for these investments and many of these
documents bear his name.
The Silver Mountain Mining District titles, referred to in these documents, include the Frank A.S. Jones Gold and Silver Company,
the Boone Gold and Silver Mining Company, the Boon [sic] Co. Pine Tree Ledge, the I.X.L., the Mendocino Lode, the Norfolk
Extenuate, the Buckeye, No. 1, the Sixty-five Boys Extenuate, the Exchequer Mine, the Sam Brannan Gold and Silver Mining Company
on the Confidence Lode, the Wallace Ledge and Bust Company, the Isabella Tunnel and Claim, the Isabella Gold and Silver Mining
Company and the Albion Mine, to name a few. The Morning Star, the Magnolia and the North Star mines are listed as part of
the Great Mogul Mining District in Alpine County.
Henry Syme and the Silver Mountain Gold and Silver Mining District.
Unrestricted. Please credit California State Library.
Type:
biography
Physical Description:
print
1 folder (18 documents) ; 37.5 x 23 cm.
Language:
English
Identifier:
MANUSCRIPT SMC II : Box 21 : Folder 1
Origin:
California
Copyright Note:
Unrestricted. Please credit California State Library.