Collection context
Summary
- Abstract:
- This file contains the papers pertaining to Peter H. Burnett who was the first Gov. of California. He lived in the California from 1848 until his death in 1895. The papers contain: a letter to John Sutter, copies of Burnett's Inaugural Address, a short note about his rise through the Supreme Court system, and some other correspondence concerning his membership in The Society of California Pioneers.
- Extent:
- 1 folder 1 Folder
- Language:
- English
- Preferred citation:
-
Peter H. Burnett Papers. The Society of California Pioneers.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Peter H. Burnett was the first Gov. of California and a Supreme Court Judge in Oregon in 1845. He arrived in California on November 5th, 1848 and joined the Society of Pioneers March 2nd, 1863. He lived from 1807 until 1895. The folder contains one typed letter, to John H. Sutter, Jr. from Peter Burnett references money due/owed. Also contained within are two typed copies of Burnetts Inaugural Address speech to the "Gentlemen of the Assembly". The file also contains a handwritten invitation written to The Society of California Pioneers requesting their presence at Mr. Burnetts funeral. There are also one handwritten manuscript recalling the "Last Years of Peter H. Burnett" and a Short hand written note describing his rise through the ranks of the Supreme Court System.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Peter H. Burnett was the first Gov. of California, the first to resign and a Supreme Court Judge in Oregon in 1845. He received no formal education beyond elementary school, but educated himself in law and government. He arrived in California on November 5th, 1848 for gold and joined the Society of Pioneers March 2nd, 1863. He originally made money selling lots of land in Sacramento, then moved to San Francisco. Burnett was known for his push to exclude blacks from California, and also to heavily tax foreigners and immigrants. He also served on the California Supreme Court, 1857-58.
- Acquisition information:
- Source and date of acquisition not known.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Access and use
- Preferred citation:
-
Peter H. Burnett Papers. The Society of California Pioneers.
- Location of this collection:
-
300 Fourth StreetSan Francisco, CA 94107, US
- Contact:
- (415) 957-1849 ext. 160