Collection Guide
Collection Title:
Collection Number:
Get Items:
Amos Clift papers
SFH 129
View entire collection guide
Search this collection
Table of contents
Title: Amos Clift papers
Dates: 1850-1860
Collection Number: SFH 129
Creator/Collector:
Clift, Amos, 1830-1887
Extent: 3 folders
Repository:
San Francisco Public Library. San Francisco History Center
San Francisco, California 94102
Abstract: Papers of a Farallon Islands lighthouse keeper and former Sacramento commission merchant
Language of Material: English
The collection is available for use during San Francisco History Center hours, with photographs available during Photo Desk
hours. Collections that are stored offsite should be requested 48 hours in advance.
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Permission
for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.
Amos Clift papers. San Francisco Public Library. San Francisco History Center
Purchase?
Biography/Administrative History
Amos Clift, Jr. was born in Connecticut and came to California in 1850. He joined with Robert M. Folger as commission merchants
in Sacramento, but he left the partnership in April 1851; Folger sued Clift in 1852. After this, Clift made at least one
trip to Tahiti, then settled in San Francisco. After his term as lighthouse keeper on the Farallon Islands, he returned to
Connecticut. He served in the Union army in the Civil War, married Hannah Morse in 1861, and died in Washington, DC in 1887.
Scope and Content of Collection
One folder includes an account book for (Robert) Folger & (Amos) Clift, Sacramento commission merchants, for the period April-August
1850. Another folder holds 23 letters by Amos Clift, Jr. dating 1850-1860, the bulk of which are written to his father, Amos
Clift, and to his brother, Horace Clift, both of Mystic River, Connecticut. The earliest letter (1850) is from Amos to Fanny
Morse, Bridgeport. With the exception of the 1850 letter, which discusses gold mining, Clift’s correspondence centers on
gaining federal employment, either as a lighthouse keeper, or in the Custom House, San Francisco. He hopes to get endorsements
from Connecticut Governor Isaac Toucey, and from Milton S. Latham, Collector of the Port of San Francisco. Clift’s fourth
letter mentions his temporary position as light keeper at Point Bonita. Three of the letters also have notes appended by
Lodowick Latham Sawyer, messenger in the Custom House, and one of these joint letters is addressed to Groton, Connecticut
assemblyman David A. Daboll. In July 1858 Clift is appointed light keeper on the Farallon Islands. Letters following this
discuss communication difficulties, provisioning, shipwrecks, the conduct of a lighthouse keeper, road building on the island,
fishing, boredom, wildlife (including rabbits), and the Egg Company on the island and its conflict with the federal government.
His last letter discusses the war between the Egg Company and the light keepers. A third folder includes typewritten transcriptions
of the letters and account book.
Lighthouse keepers – California – San Francisco – Biography.
Commission merchants – California – Sacramento – Biography.
Gold mines and mining -- California
Customs administration -- California -- San Francisco – History -- 19th century.
Clift, Amos, 1830-1887 -- Correspondence.
Folger, Robert M., d. 1899
Latham, Milton S., 1827-1882
Daboll, David A., d. 1895
Sawyer, Lodowick L., 1832-1911 -- Correspondence.
Clift family.
Folger & Clift (Firm)
United States Customhouse (San Francisco, Calif. -- History.
United States Customhouse (San Francisco, Calif.) -- Appointments,
promotions, salaries, etc.
Farallones Egg Company (Firm)
Farallon Islands (Calif.)
San Francisco (Calif.) – Biography.
Sacramento (Calif.)
Mystic River (Conn.)
Connecticut -- Biography.
California -- Biography.