Finding Aid of the Dr. Benjamin Cory Papers C058780
Finding aid prepared by Nick Scales
Society of California Pioneers
August 11, 2015
300 Fourth Street
San Francisco, CA, 94107-1272
(415) 959-1849
pkeats@californiapioneers.org
Title: Cory, Benjamin, Dr. Papers
Identifier/Call Number: C058780
Contributing Institution:
Society of California Pioneers
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
33 pages; typed transcript.
Date: May 1848 to Aug 1848
Abstract: The Dr. Benjamin Cory Papers are comprised of a single spiral bound typed 33 page transcript. The first section is a diary
of Cory's overland journey from St. Joseph, Mo. (departing May 1, 1847) to Portland, Or. (Arriving Oct. 21, 1847) then to
San Francisco on the Brig "Henry" (Arriving Nov. 23, 1847). The second section is a 5 page typed transcript of a letter from
Cory to his brother in Ohio with description of the rich gold deposits to be found and urging him to come to California. The
third section is a copy of a chapter from the book Mines to Medicine (Daniel Hruby, OConner Hospital), Chapter 5 "Doctors
on Horseback" with information of Cory's role in early San Jose Medicine.
creator:
Cory, Benjamin, Dr. , 1822-1896
Dr. Benjamin Cory was born either in Millville (Butler, Co.), Ohio or Oxford, Ohio on November 17, 1822. He graduted from
Miani University (Oxford, Ohio) in 1842, and received his M.D. from the Medical College of Ohio, in 1845.He practiced medicine
at Oxford, Ohio with his father, Dr. James M. Cory, for 2 years and then traveledto California in 1847, eventually settling
in San Jose. Dr. Benjamin Cory was the 1st physician in San Jose and was an important member of the community. At 28 he was
a member of the first California Assembly and was a force in establishing Santa Clara County Hospital. He was also an investor
in the Esmeralda Silver Mine near Mono Lake with his brother. He married Sarah Ann Braley at San Jose, California, on March
16, 1853. Cory died in San Jose, California, on January 16, 1896. Cory was a member of the Society of California Pioneers,
joining April 4, 1870.
The Dr. Benjamin Cory Papers are comprised of a single spiral bound typed 33 page transcript.
The first section is a diary of Cory's overland journey from St. Joseph, Mo. (dep. May 1, 1847) to Portland, Or. (Arr. Oct.
21, 1847) then to San Francisco on the Brig "Henry" (Arr. Nov. 16, 1847). He then traveled to San Jose on November 23. The
diary contains daily entries covering weather, road conditions, problems with wagons and stock, water and feed at campsites.
The second section is a 5 page typed transcript of a letter from Cory to his brother in Ohio with description of the rich
gold deposits to be found and urging him to come to California. The letter was effusive over the gold prospects in California
and urged his brother to come, immediately. "This is the richest gold country on the face of the earth...a man that doesn't
have 10 to 20 pounds of gold is considered poverty stricken...Out of 1 wagon load of dirt he (sic) to 5 1/2 pounds of gold...Large
nuggets of gold from 2 to 8 pounds are discovered regularly... One prospector found a 20 pound nugget." The letter caused
a commotion in the hometown and a wagon train was sent to California.
The third section is a copy of a chapter from the book Mines to Medicine (Daniel Hruby, OConner Hospital) Chapter 5 "Doctors
on Horseback" with information of Cory's role in early San Jose Medicine. Cory was the 1st physician in San Jose and was an
important member of the community. At 28 he was a member of the first California Assembly and was a force in establishing
Santa Clara County Hospital. He was also an investor in the Esmeralda Silver Mine near Mono Lake with his brother
Conditions Governing Access note
Collection open for research
There are no restrictions on access
Dr. Benjamin Cory Papers, The Society of California Pioneers
Immediate Source of Acquisition note
Donor and date of acquisition unknown.
Existence and Location of Originals note
The Society of California Pioneers, 101 Montgomery St., Suite 150, Presidio of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94129.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Devenforf, Mr
Granfield, Mr
Hawes, Mr.
Hibbert, Mr
Kester, Chas, Mr
Lynzz, Mr.
Sawyer, Mr
Tustin, Wesley
Wadleigh, Mr
Williamson, Mr
California, Northern-History-19th century.
Gold mines and mining -- California -- History.
Gold mines and mining--Nevada--Esmeralda County--History
Overland journeys to the Pacific
San Jose (Calif.)
Voyages to the Pacific coast