This folder contains: 1) a bound photostatic copy of the original diary kept by Pierson Barton Reading on his overland journey from St Louis, Mo to Monterey, CA from May 15, 1843 to December 20, 1843. The original of that diary is at the California State Library, Sacramento. 2) a bound original handwritten transcription of the 1843 diary, written by Reading in Monterey in 1844 in which follows the format of the original and expands and edits some of the original entries. This journal was sent to Reading's step brother, Philip P. Green in Philadelphia, PA. The original letter of transmittal is bound in the beginning of the journal.

Pierson B. Reading was born November 26, 1816. He joined the Chiles-Walker party for California in May 1843 and reached Sutters Fort, California in November of 1843. John Sutter soon employed Reading as a laborer and trapper. Reading obtained property in 1844 and named his estate “Buena Ventura”. He then joined the California Battalion in 1846, which participated in the Mexican War. He returned to his ranch in 1847 to improve his farming operation. In 1848, Reading discovered gold in Clear Creek and the Trinity Rivers areas. The discovery promoted the settlement of the Shasta area. Reading supported the economy of the area through investment properties and businesses and ran for governor in 1851. He died May 28, 1868 at his home.

1.0 folder (2 bound journals)

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Collection open for research.