Hiram Flagg Papers, 1849 January 11 - 1851 June 30, bulk 1849 January 11 - 1849 July 11

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Summary

Creators:
Flagg, Hiram B., 1818-1887
Abstract:
This is a transcript of diary kept by Hiram B. Flagg during his ocean voyage from Boston to San Francisco, which begin on January 11, 1849, and end on July 6, 1849.
Extent:
1 folder 26-page transcription of a pioneer diary
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Hiram B. Flagg Diary. The Society of California Pioneers.

Background

Scope and content:

This is a transcript of diary kept by Hiram B. Flagg during his ocean voyage from Boston to San Francisco, the entries of which begin on January 11, 1849, and end on July 11, 1849, with an addendum from June of 1851 at the end. The first 6 pages of the journal are a passenger log of the barque "Edward Everett", the list being entitled "Boston and California Joint Stock Mining and Trading Company", and contains the names of approximately 175 passengers. The rest of the journal contains the coordinates of the ship along the 6-month journey, as well as notes pertaining to wind directions, temperatures, and the trials and tribulations faced by those aboard. These include seasickness, storms, hunger, and tensions between individuals. Flagg relays his experience in Valapraiso, Chile, including the gardens and people that he saw, the social hierarchy of the city, and the economic opportunities therein. He remarks, at the end, on the cold weather of the west coast, seeing the San Francisco Bay for the first time, and the advent of the Comapny's journey upiver to Benicia to seek gold. The addendum is labeled "Lawrence, Mass. June. 1851." In it, Flagg remarks that he "[suffered] all manner of hardships and [accumulated] a few thousand dollars" and "nearly starved to death off Panama Bay," before returning to Massachusetts. The last page of the journal is a brief, posthumous biography of Hiram Flagg.

Biographical / historical:

As per posthumous boigraphy from Flagg's Journal:

A SHORT SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF HIRAM B. FLAGG Mr. Flagg was born in Danvers, March 14, 1818, where he spent his boyhood, afterward removing to Mason, N.H. His parents were Ephraim and Betsy (Stevens) Flagg. As a young man he worked in the mills of Lawrence and Lowell and afterwards learned the iron founder's trade, working in Hingham and [Boston]. In 1849, he went to California, sailing from Boston January 11, arriving at San Francisco July 6, and passing through many thrilling experiences in the gold mines. Mr. Flagg returned to Boston, via Isthmus of Panama and New York. He married Laura Peabody in Lowell, August 31, 1852, and the lived on Somerville and Charlestown about six years in each place. In 1868, Mr. Flagg retired from business, coming to Wakefield, where he purchased a farm a the head of Lake Quannapowitt, after which he attended to his personal affairs, going to Boston regularly and looking after his real estate interests. Mrs. Flagg died August 1, 1887. Mr. Flagg died ten years later, August 23, 1897, aged 79 years, 5 months and 9 days. Mr. Flagg left a daughter, Mrs. Laura E. Gowing of Wakefield, and 3 sons, Hiram Peabody Flagg, the artist, Charles S. Flagg and George Arthur Flagg. Mr. Flagg was a Mason and an Odd Fellow, although not connected with any lodge of either organization at the time of his death.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Peter Frazier, 2/28/2007
Physical facet:
26 typewritten pages, edited with pencil
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Preferred citation:

Hiram B. Flagg Diary. The Society of California Pioneers.

Location of this collection:
300 Fourth Street
San Francisco, CA 94107, US
Contact:
(415) 957-1849 ext. 160
mmdevine@californiapioneers.org
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