Finding aid of the Fly Wagon Train Papers C058683
Finding aid prepared by C. Miller
Society of California Pioneers
July 14, 2011
300 Fourth Street
San Francisco, CA, 94107-1272
(415) 959-1849
pkeats@californiapioneers.org
Title: Fly Wagon Train Papers
Identifier/Call Number: C058683
Contributing Institution:
Society of California Pioneers
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
4.0 folders
letters, correspondence, receipts, poems, certificates.
Date (inclusive): 1852-1887
Abstract: Letters to and from members of the Fly Wagon Train (1852-1887), including Camilla and Bernadette Little, Richard C. and William
Percival, Mary B. Fly, and Fanny Levey, as well as reciepts from the overland journey.
creator:
Percival, Richard C.
Conditions Governing Access note
Collection is open for research
There are no restrictions on access
Fly Wagon Train Papers. The Society of California Pioneers.
Existence and Location of Originals note
The Society of California Pioneers, 101 Montgomery Street, Suite 150, Presidio of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94129.
Folder 1: Richard C. Percival Papers One letter to his sister, Camilla Little, dated 1852 regarding family matters. Two letters
to Boon and Mary Fly dated 1852 regarding daily life as a miner. A handwritten election certificate of R.C. Percival as Trustee
of Christian College. Three poems, “Kiyote Jim’s Soliloquy” (1884), “A Picture of the Present and (not) of the future” (1858),and
(First line) “Maiden, thou askest me to write” (1869).
Folder 2: Camilla Little Letters to her brother Robert C. Percival. Eight letters written between 1865 and 1875 containing
information on daily life and family business.
Folder 3: Mary B. Fly Letters Three letters: correspondences on daily life and family business from the years 1879 and 1881.
Folder 4: Miscellaneous letters and receipts. One receipt for poll tax from 1852 and a receipt confirming transaction between
Robert of Lancefield (?) and R.C. Percival
Donor and date of acquisition unknown.
While no further information has been found on Richard C. Percival, from these papers, he appears to have been part of the
Fly Wagon train. His letters to Mary Fly, his sister, and also Camilla Little (his sister as well), were sent from Pittsburgh
Bar, on the Yuba River, and discuss his life as a miner. There are also letters to a Boon Fly, the brother of Mary Fly. Robert
C. Percival is also noted as a trustee of Christian College, and many of his poems are included in the papers. Mary B. Fly,
writes to an Uncle Robert, and an aunt (not named), from 1879-1881, from Napa City.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Fly, Boon, fl. 1830-1890
Fly, Mary, fl. 1830-1890
Gold mines and mining -- California -- History.
Mines and mineral resources--California, Northern--History
Pioneers--California