Edward Butterworth Diary, 1849-[1859?]

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Summary

Creators:
Butterworth, Edward
Abstract:
The diary consists of brief daily entries by Edward Butterworth written during his journey from Boston to San Francisco in 1849-1850.
Extent:
40 leaves : ruled blue paper ; 200 x 160 mm. bound to 206 x 175 mm.
Language:
Finding aid is written in English.

Background

Scope and content:

This manuscript records the daily thoughts of Edward Butterworth, a passenger aboard the ship Euphrasia on a journey from Boston to San Francisco in 1849-1850. Butterworth seems to have gone to San Francisco to find work associated with the California Gold Rush and the subsequent economic boom. Most of his entries are rather short; he notes the coordinates of the ship and the weather, and makes brief remarks about life aboard the Euphrasia. He offers detailed descriptions of three locations: Rio De Janeiro, Valparasio (Chile), and San Francisco. Thirteen leaves have been excised from the original manuscript but left inside of the book itself. These loose leaves contain recipes, home remedies, and financial records. Several of the leaves with financial records are dated 1859, though it is not clear if all of the writing on these loose sheets dates from that period. A daguerreotype of a middle aged man has been placed inside of the book. A label on the back identifies it as having been produced in Chicago.

Biographical / historical:

Little is known about Edward Butterworth. He traveled from Boston to San Francisco in 1849-1850, approximately twelve months after the beginning of the California Gold Rush. Given the fact that he worked a number of jobs once he arrived in California–assistant to a beer man, a laborer on board a ship–it seems that he did not have a formal profession. His diction suggests that he was British.

Physical location:
Stored off-site at SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact the UCLA Library Special Collections Reference Desk for paging information.
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Indexed terms

Subjects:
Manuscripts.

Access and use

Location of this collection:
A1713 Charles E. Young Research Library
Box 951575
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575, US
Contact:
(310) 825-4988
AskLSC@library.ucla.edu
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