Autobiography and Reminiscence of George Harris, Morgan Hill, California, 1901.
Title:
Autobiography and Reminiscence of George Harris, Morgan Hill, California, 1901.[Institutional Records Digitization Project: Reminiscences of Early
Pioneers: 1900-1904]
Creator/Contributor:
Harris, George, 1813-1905, creatorAbstract:
Autobiographies and Reminiscences of California Pioneers, p.130-136, Vol.
1. This is a typed transcript, bound into a volume, of the member's
autobiographical reminiscence created as an institutional record for the Society
of California Pioneers. The original handwritten version exists in the member's
Biographical File. This reminiscence includes a reference to a photograph of the
member in a set of bound volumes, but there is no longer a photograph of this
member in our collection. Harris wrote this autobiography when he was eighty years
old. It contains some background family history. Harris offers numerous anecdotes
relating to his journey overseas involving stowaways, songs, victuals, and the
nervousness of their ship's captain. In his descriptions one can get a feel for
the daily life of him and his fellow passengers. He pays particular attention to
the various ways the passengers amused themselves on their long journey. Much
attention is given to the cost of living in San Francisco at that time. Locations
of buildings he built are also provided.
Date:
1901 (issued)Subject:
Harris, George -- 1813-1905
Pioneers --
California --
Biography
Frontier and pioneer life
Voyages to the Pacific Coast
Vigilance committees --
California --
San Francisco --
History
California --
Biography
California --
History --
19th century.
California, Northern.
Note:
Available also in the original handwritten form in the member's Biographical
File, and online
Copyright has not been assigned to The Society of California Pioneers. All
requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in
writing to the Librarian. Permission for publication is given on behalf of The
Society of California Pioneers as the owner of the physical items and is not
intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must be
obtained by the reader
Autobiography & Reminiscence of George Harris, Morgan Hill, California,
1901. The Society of California Pioneers
George Harris left Stockbridge, Madison County, New York, for California on
January 24, 1849. He traveled, with his wife and two children, aboard the ship
"Capital" leaving from Boston Harbor. They arrived in San Francisco July 19, 1849.
While en route to California, their ship stopped in Rio de Janeiro and Valparaiso.
Harris became involved in a Vigilance Committee as soon as he arrived in San
Francisco and helped ward off a gang known as the "Hounds". Once in San Francisco
Harris opened up shop in his trade, tin and iron-sheet working. In 1850 Harris
moved with his family to Honolulu to provide a better environment for his wife who
suffered from consumption. After three years, Harris left Honolulu and moved to
Petaluma where he engaged in a general merchandising business. According to
Harris, he built the first warehouse and dock in Petaluma. He was "Agent" for a
steamship company when one of their steamers "The Senator" blew up. His wife and
cousin were on board but only suffered minor injuries although others perished.
From Petaluma Harris and his wife moved to Healdsburg where he engaged in the
hotel business. In 1862 they again moved to Honolulu where his wife died that same
year. Harris returned to Petaluma and then to Washoe City
Type:
Autobiographies.Physical Description:
[7] p. ; 35 x 21 cm.
Language:
English
Identifier:
\LowResSCANS\Volume01\ARHarris,G01.jpg7,
Origin:
CaliforniaCopyright Note:
Copyright has not been assigned to The
Society of California Pioneers. All requests for permission to publish or quote
from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Librarian. Permission for
publication is given on behalf of The Society of California Pioneers as the owner
of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the
copyright holder, which must be obtained by the reader.
Related Item:
Autobiographies & Reminiscences of California Pioneers,
compiled by The Historical Committee of the Society of California
Pioneers.