Davis family correspondence, 1849-1916

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Summary

Creators:
Davis family
Abstract:
Papers belonging to the Davis family originally of Tennessee. Hiram Davis crossed the plains in 1849 for California.
Extent:
0.21 Linear Feet (1 box)
Language:
Materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Davis family correspondence, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

The Davis family correspondence dates from 1849 to 1916 and consists of 19 letters, 9 postmarked envelopes, 1 handwritten poem, 2 calling cards, 1 printed invitation, and dried botanical samples. The letters from 1849 to 1852 provide detailed descriptions of an overland journey to California, life in the gold fields (including conflicts with Native Americans) and conditions in Oregon. The 1864 letters reference local conditions and circumstances of family members from Rochester, Missouri and Plattsmouth, Nebraska. The letters from Oklahoma, written from 1915 to 1916, and Missouri mention the death of a family elder and conditions in Thayer, Missouri. Letters also include extended discussion of economic opportunities or challenges, spiritual beliefs, the character of local communities, love, illnesses and death from various correspondents.

Biographical / historical:

Wade Hampton Davis (1796-1877) was a farmer and breeder of livestock. His parents were Sampson and Abigail St. John Davis. Wade spent his childhood in Smith County, Tennessee. At the age of 18, he married Martha "Patsy" Drury (1794-1888), daughter of Colonel Joseph Drury and Libby Wigginton. Wade and Martha had seven children: William H., Nancy, Elizabeth, Smithen Hamilton, Hiram, Martha Jane, and James Wade. Martha Jane Davis' second husband was George Washington Long.

Acquisition information:
Purchased by William Reese Company on behalf of The Huntington at Swann Auction Galleries, Sale 2505, Lot 39, April 16, 2019.
Processing information:

Processed by Gina C Giang in July 2019. In October 2023, Brooke M. Black created a finding aid.

Arrangement:

Arranged chronologically.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more information.

Terms of access:

The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Davis family correspondence, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
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