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Antelope (steamship) receipt book
SFH 100
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Table of contents
Title: Antelope (steamship) receipt book
Dates: 1852-1853
Collection Number: SFH 100
Creator/Collector:
Antelope (Steamer)
Extent: 1 volume
Repository:
San Francisco Public Library. San Francisco History Center
San Francisco, California 94102
Abstract: Receipt book for steamer Antelope
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.
Antelope (steamship) receipt book. San Francisco Public Library. San Francisco History Center
Purchase.
Biography/Administrative History
Built in New York in 1847, this 425-ton sidewheel steamer of the U.S. Mail Steamship Company ran passengers between Panama
and San Francisco through 1851, then was sold to the Union Line. The Antelope, “thoroughly repaired and made new” started
carrying passengers from Pacific Wharf, San Francisco to Sacramento on February 21, 1852. During the gold rush, so much treasure
was brought to San Francisco aboard this vessel that its express messenger's department was known as "the gold room" and its
floor was braced against the weight of heavy shipments. Antelope carried the first mail from the Pony Express terminus in
Sacramento to San Francisco on April 14, 1860.
Scope and Content of Collection
Receipts for payments, first to Pacific Mail Steamship Company, then to Daniel Knight, and later to Page, Bacon & Company,
by Samuel Barrell and Daniel Knight. Barrell was purser for the Antelope; his entries comprise February 26, 1852 through
September 23, 1852, followed by Daniel Knight, October 2, 1852 – January 11, 1853. Knight was receiving the payments himself
from September 4-23, 1852.
Steamboats – California – San Francisco.
Steamboats – History – 19th century.
Pacific Mail Steamship Company–-History
Page, Bacon & Co.-–History
Account books