William Moore journals and other papers, 1850-1860

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Summary

Creators:
Moore, William, 1827-1900
Abstract:
Collection consists of 13 journals written by William Moore and assorted other papers. Among the journals are five that document in detail Moore's sea and overland voyages (from Ireland to New York, from New York to Illinois, from Illinois/Iowa to California, from California back to New York, and from New York back to Illinois) as well as his experience in California during the Gold Rush. Assorted other William Moore papers also included.
Extent:
0.6 linear feet (2 boxes)
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

William Moore journals and other papers, BANC MSS 2011/224, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.

Background

Scope and content:

Collection consists of 13 journals written by William Moore and assorted other papers. Among the journals are five that document in detail Moore's sea and overland voyages as well as his experience in California during the Gold Rush. Among these are: an 1850 journal documenting Moore's sea voyage from Belfast to New York; an 1850 journal documenting Moore's journey from New York to Chicago; two 1852 journals documenting Moore's overland journey from West Buffalo, Iowa to Placerville, California and (in the case of the second of these journals) also documenting his work and life in Placerville; and an 1854 journal documenting the end of Moore's residence in Placerville, his decision to return to Illinois, and his sea voyage back to New York (down the Pacific coast and through Nicaragua) and his train trip from New York to Rock Island, Illinois. The remainder of the journals document Moore's life and farm work in Coal Valley, Rock Island, County, Illinois.

Also included in the collection are the following: two notebooks Moore brought with him to the United States containing notes from lectures by Thomas Skilling and James William McGauley; two mathemetics cipher books (most likely created by Moore in Ireland); some of Moore's writings and poems from Ireland; a few financial records from Placerville, a small amount of genealogical information; photocopies of family photographs (made by descendants of Moore and mostly of Moore's wife, Margaret and her family); a handwritten copy of Moore's 1850 journals; and an embroidered bookmark belonging to William Moore.

Biographical / historical:

William Moore was born in Newtownards, County Down, Ireland in 1827. He immigrated to the United States in 1850, arriving in New York from Belfast on the ship Annie on May 17. Soon after his arrival in New York, he travelled via steamer and train to Chicago. By late 1850, Moore had settled in Rock Island, Illinois and was living in the home of Daniel and Mary Egerton. In May 1852, Moore travelled on the overland route to California with Dr. E.H. Bowman and Evan Davis. The group arrived in Placerville (Hangtown) on September 10, 1852. In California, Moore tried to find work as a miner in Placerville but in his first few years there mainly worked as a hand for the contractors building the South Fork Canal. He remained in Placerville, working as a miner, until 1854, when he decided to return to Illinois. He undertook a journey down the Pacific coast to Nicaragua, crossed the isthmus and then continued to New York aboard a ship. He made his way back to Illinois by train. He remained in Rock Island County, Illinois working as a farmer for the remainder of his life. He married Margaret McKeag in the 1860s and had a family. William Moore died in 1900.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Carol Mortland in 2011.
Processing information:

Processed at the item level by Lara Michels in 2023.

Physical location:
Many of the Bancroft Library collections are stored offsite and advance notice may be required for use. For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Rules or conventions:
DACS

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

Some materials in these collections may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.). In addition, the reproduction of some materials may be restricted by terms of University of California gift or purchase agreements, donor restrictions, privacy and publicity rights, licensing and trademarks. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owner. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user. For additional information about the University of California, Berkeley Library's permissions policy please see: http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/about/permissions-policies.

Preferred citation:

William Moore journals and other papers, BANC MSS 2011/224, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.

Location of this collection:
University of California, Berkeley, The Bancroft Library
Berkeley, CA 94720-6000, US
Contact:
510-642-6481
bancref-library@berkeley.edu
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