The Finding Aid for the Peter H. Burnett Papers. C057877
J. Davis and P. Keats
Society of California Pioneers
09/19/2017
101 Montgomery Street, Suite 150
Presidio of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA 94129
pkeats@californiapioneers.org
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
Society of California Pioneers
Title: Peter H. Burnett Papers
Identifier/Call Number: C057877
Physical Description:
1 folder
1 Folder
Date (inclusive): 1848-1925
Abstract: This file contains the papers
pertaining to Peter H. Burnett who was the first Gov. of California. He lived in the
California from 1848 until his death in 1895. The papers contain: a letter to John Sutter,
copies of Burnett's Inaugural Address, a short note about his rise through the Supreme Court
system, and some other correspondence concerning his membership in The Society of California
Pioneers.
Peter H. Burnett was the first Gov. of California and a Supreme Court Judge in Oregon in
1845. He arrived in California on November 5th, 1848 and joined the Society of Pioneers
March 2nd, 1863. He lived from 1807 until 1895. The folder contains one typed letter, to
John H. Sutter, Jr. from Peter Burnett references money due/owed. Also contained within are
two typed copies of Burnetts Inaugural Address speech to the "Gentlemen of the Assembly".
The file also contains a handwritten invitation written to The Society of California
Pioneers requesting their presence at Mr. Burnetts funeral. There are also one handwritten
manuscript recalling the "Last Years of Peter H. Burnett" and a Short hand written note
describing his rise through the ranks of the Supreme Court System.
Peter H. Burnett was the first Gov. of California, the first to resign and a Supreme Court
Judge in Oregon in 1845. He received no formal education beyond elementary school, but
educated himself in law and government. He arrived in California on November 5th, 1848 for
gold and joined the Society of Pioneers March 2nd, 1863. He originally made money selling
lots of land in Sacramento, then moved to San Francisco. Burnett was known for his push to
exclude blacks from California, and also to heavily tax foreigners and immigrants. He also
served on the California Supreme Court, 1857-58.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Source and date of acquisition not known.
Existence and Location of Originals
The Society of California Pioneers, 101 Montgomery St. Suite 150, Presidio of San
Francisco, San Francisco CA, 94129
Peter H. Burnett Papers. The Society of California Pioneers.
The Society has a daybook from Burnett. C057741. The contents of this folder are 35
photocopied pages from a daybook written by Governor Peter H. Burnett, recording property
sales in Sacramento. The 35 pages are 3 sets of the same 12-pages. One set consists of black
copies made in 1938. One of the sets of whitecopies does not contain the first page of the
daybook (numbered in the upper-right hand corner). The pages are addressed to John A.
Sutter, Jr., and range from January to July of 1849.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Frontier and pioneer life – California
Pioneers -- California -- History -- 19th century
California. Supreme Court--Biography.
Burnett, Peter H. (Peter Hardeman), 1807-1895