Collection context
Summary
- Title:
- Riggin/Pettyjohn Family Papers
- Dates:
- 1841-1874
- Abstract:
- This collection chiefly contains correspondence of the Pettyjohn family and correspondence between tavern owner James C. Riggin in Yuba County, California, and his wife, Rebeca Jane Pettyjohn. The letters tell of the journey to California along the Oregon Trail, and discuss, in detail, Fort Kearny; Fort Laramie; Fort Des Moines and Keokuk, Iowa; and Sacramento and Yuba County, California. The letters also describe life in a California gold mining town including gold discoveries, prices of supplies, and rumors of murders in the area.
- Extent:
- 114 items.
- Language:
- English.
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item]. Riggin/Pettyjohn Family Papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The collection contains 43 pieces of correspondence, one half of which is letters between James C. Riggin and his wife, Rebeca Jane Riggin. His letters give great detail regarding his journey to California along the Oregon Trail, including the physical conditions, hardships, and fellow emigrants he encountered along the way. He often advises his family against making the journey; he says that it is not worth the trouble. His letters also discuss his life in a gold mining camp, including gold discoveries near him, prices for supplies, and rumors of murders taking place in the area. The other half of the correspondence consists of letters written by or to members of the Pettyjohn family, including Rebeca Riggin’s parents, Nide and Elizabeth Pettyjohn, and her three brothers, William, Washington, and Columbus Pettyjohn. Some of the locations discussed in the letters are: Andrew County, Missouri; Fort Kearny; Fort Laramie; Keokuk, and Fort Des Moines, Iowa; and Sacramento, Lewiston, Red Bluff, San Jose, and Oregon House, California. HM 27960 and HM 63308 are written on pictorial lettersheets, “A View of the Elephant,” published by Cooke & Le Count, and “View of Coloma, the Place Where the First Gold was Discovered,” published by Forrest & Borden. One letter discusses Fort Des Moines, Iowa (James C. Lourey letter to James C. Riggin, 1849 March 11, HM 63288).
The collection also includes 67 pieces of ephemera including one account book, bills, receipts, and canceled checks.
- Biographical / historical:
-
James C. Riggin and Rebeca Jane Pettyjohn were married in March 1849. James, along with some friends and relatives, left Missouri for California in May 1850; his wife Rebeca and their infant daughter, Sarah Elizabeth, remained at home. Riggin briefly attempted mining but eventually ended up running a tavern and boarding house in the gold camp Oregon House in Yuba County. By the time he left California to return to Missouri in the fall of 1851, he had enough money saved up to build a new house for his wife and child. Riggin, who later became Sheriff of Andrew County, Missouri, died in 1858. Rebeca’s brothers, William, Washington, and Columbus Pettyjohn also came to California to mine gold.
- Acquisition information:
- The collection is made up of material from three separate acquisitions. Several of the items were purchased from Rebecca P. Tait in February 4, 1965; the rest of the collection was the gift of Robert A. Lewellen in October 2000 and September 2001.
- Processing information:
-
1. The collection contains several items that were previously located in the California File (HM 27960-HM 27963).
2. Although James C. Riggin spells his wife’s name the more traditional way, Rebecca with two “c”’s, her name is listed as Rebeca with once “c” because that is how she signs her own name.
- Arrangement:
-
The collection is arranged chronologically and contains 43 pieces of correspondence. The rest of the collection consists of ephemera.
- Rules or conventions:
- Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Indexed terms
About this collection guide
- Date Prepared:
- © 2002
- Date Encoded:
- Machine readable finding aid encoded by Diann Benti in August 2017 from PDF finding aid originally in the Huntington Digital Library.
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader Services.
- Terms of access:
-
The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item]. Riggin/Pettyjohn Family Papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
- Location of this collection:
-
1151 Oxford RoadSan Marino, CA 91108, US
- Contact:
- (626) 405-2191