Collection Guide
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Brown (William A.) Papers
mssHM 26407-26462
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Table of contents
Contributing Institution:
The Huntington Library
Title: William A. Brown papers
Creator:
Brown, William, 1828?-1855
Identifier/Call Number: mssHM 26407-26462
Physical Description:
1.20 Linear Feet
(1 box)
Date (inclusive): 1849-1855
Abstract: Correspondence and business records belonging to California gold miner and businessman William A. Brown.
Language of Material: Materials are in English.
Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more
information.
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.
[Identification of item]. William A. Brown papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchased from John Howell, October 1962.
William A. Brown (1828?-1853) was the son of General Joseph W. Brown, Commander of the U.S. forces in the Black Hawk War.
He came to California from Cleveland to find gold, but instead founded one of the early express services from San Francisco
and Stockton to the mining regions of Murphy's Camp and Sonora. Brown & Co.'s Express was operated by Brown until his death
in 1853. After that, the line was operated by the express firm of Adams & Co. until 1855.
Collection includes correspondence by the Brown family from 1849 to 1855. In the letters, William A. Brown discusses his trip
to San Francisco via Panama, his brief mining experiences, and the establishment of his mail and express service. The collection
also includes some business papers.
Processed by Huntington Library staff. In 2020, Brooke M. Black created a finding aid.
Arranged chronologically.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Express service -- California -- History -- 19th century
Gold miners -- California -- Correspondence
Gold mines and mining -- California
Voyages to the Pacific coast -- Personal narratives
Business papers -- California -- 19th century
Letters (correspondence) -- California -- 19th century
Brown & Co. Express Service
Adams & Co. (San Francisco, Calif.)