Finding aid of the J. Goldsborough Bruff Papers C057737
Finding aid prepared by Kelsey Fox
Society of California Pioneers
September 28, 2011
300 Fourth Street
San Francisco, CA, 94107-1272
(415) 959-1849
pkeats@californiapioneers.org
Title: Bruff, J. Goldsborough Papers
Identifier/Call Number: C057737
Contributing Institution:
Society of California Pioneers
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
(4 items)
Date (inclusive): 1849-1869
Abstract: This folder consists of four separate documents. The first is a typed reproduction (1992 keepsake for Roxburghe and Zamorano
clubs) of a letter by Henry H. Clifford explaining his acquisition and investigation of the Joseph Goldsborough Bruff rebus
letter, as well as a photocopy of the letter and an accompanying transcription of it, and lastly a photocopy of a handwritten
letter by Bruff addressed to the Pioneer Association of California to use as handwriting comparison with the rebus letter.
The second document is the original handwritten letter (six pages) by Bruff addressed to the Pioneer Association of California,
dated December 14, 1869. The third document is a one paragraph letter to Helen S. Giffen at the Society of California Pioneers
from Charles Eberstadt of Edward Eberstadt & Sons, Specialists in Rare Americana in New York City, dated November 22, 1954.
The fourth document is a photomount pamphlet binder containing the prospectus (printed title pages and table of contents)
of the memoir of Joseph Goldsborough Bruff, dated 1856, seven pages long. It is titled “Overland Travel to California, in
1849”.
creator:
Bruff, Joseph Goldsborough, 1804-1889
Conditions Governing Access note
Collection open for research
There are no restrictions on access
The Joseph Goldsborough Bruff Papers. The Society of California Pioneers.
Donor and acquisition date are unknown.
Joseph Goldsborough Bruff was born in Washington, D.C. on October 2, 1804, one of 18 children. He entered West Point in 1820
but resigned in 1822. After his application to the Naval Academy was rejected, he spent time sailing to Europe, South America,
and Africa and was an officer in the Venezuelan Service. He returned to Gosport (now Portsmouth) Virginia around 1827. He
became a draftsman on April 3, 1836. On April 2, 1849, having founded the Washington City and California Mining Association,
he left for California. He was a charter member of the Mason’s Federal Lodge in Washington, D.C., and assisted in founding
California Masonic Lodge #1. He died on April 14, 1889.
This folder consists of four separate documents. The first is a typed reproduction (1992 keepsake for Roxburghe and Zamorano
clubs) of a letter by Henry H. Clifford explaining his acquisition and investigation of the Joseph Goldsborough Bruff rebus
letter, as well as a photocopy of the letter and an accompanying transcription of it, and lastly a photocopy of a handwritten
letter by Bruff addressed to the Pioneer Association of California to use as handwriting comparison with the rebus letter.
The second document is the original handwritten letter (six pages) by Bruff addressed to the Pioneer Association of California,
offering his memoirs of the Gold Rush and accompanying illustrations. The letter is dated December 14, 1869. The third document
is a one paragraph letter to Helen S. Giffen at the Society of California Pioneers from Charles Eberstadt of Edward Eberstadt
& Sons, Specialists in Rare Americana in New York City, dated November 22, 1954. This letter references another letter send
to Eberstadt from Giffen and concerns the Joseph Goldsborough Bruff’s book. The fourth document is a photomount pamphlet binder
containing the prospectus (printed title pages and table of contents) of the memoir of Joseph Goldsborough Bruff, dated 1856,
seven pages long. It is titled “Overland Travel to California, in 1849”. On the back of the last page it also contains a list
of the memoir’s subscribers.
Existence and Location of Originals note
The Society of California Pioneers. 300 Fourth Street. San Francisco, CA 94107
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Bruff, Joseph Goldsborough, 1804-1889
Frontier and pioneer life – California
Gold mines and mining -- California -- History.
Pioneers--California--History--19th century