John Fox Damon papers, 1849-1902

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Summary

Creators:
Damon, John Fox, 1827-1904
Abstract:
A collection of material related to John Fox Damon, 19th century newspaper editor and minister.
Extent:
1.25 Linear Feet (1 box)
Language:
Materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. John Fox Damon papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists of letters, documents, a journal, and ephemera related to the life and activities of John Fox Damon. Subject matter includes: San Francisco and California during the Gold Rush period (from 1849 to 1856); the gold rush period in British Columbia, Canada, including five letters from Victoria and a journal of a trip up the Fraser River to the Cariboo district in 1859; Oregon (from 1856 to 1866); Washington (from 1876 to 1883), with many letters regarding the activities of the Scottish Rite Masons.

Biographical / historical:

John Fox Damon (1827-1904) sailed around Cape Horn in 1849 to California from Massachusetts, where he had been a printer. After working in the gold mines for several months, Damon took jobs with various California newspapers, and in 1858 started on a trip up the Fraser River in British Columbia, Canada, as a correspondent for the Victoria, British Columbia Gazette. In 1864, he went to Portland, Oregon, where he served as editor of the Oregonian for a short time, then entered the ministry, becoming pastor of the Portland Congregational Church. Damon settled in Seattle, Washington, and spent the rest of his years in the ministry in the Congregational Church.

Acquisition information:
Purchased from E. C. Damon, June 1930.
Processing information:

Processed by Huntington Library staff in 1935; in July 2025, Gayle M. Richardson created the 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]. John Fox Damon papers, 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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