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Riggin/Pettyjohn Family Papers: Finding Aid
mssHM 27960-27963, mssHM 63287-63326
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Title: Riggin/Pettyjohn Family Papers
Dates (inclusive): 1841-1874
Collection Number: mssHM 27960-27963, mssHM 63287-63326
Extent: 114 items.
Repository:
The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens.
Manuscripts Department
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
Phone: (626) 405-2129
Email: reference@huntington.org
URL: http://www.huntington.org
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.
Language: English.
Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services
Department. For more information, contact Reader Services.
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.
[Identification of item]. Riggin/Pettyjohn Family Papers, The Huntington Library,
San Marino, California.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The collection is arranged chronologically and contains 43 pieces of correspondence.
The rest of the collection consists of ephemera.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the
Huntington Library's Online Catalog.
Frontier and pioneer life --
California.
Gold mines and mining -- California --
History -- 19th century -- Sources.
Overland journeys to the
Pacific.
California -- Gold
discoveries.
Fort Des Moines (Iowa)
-- Description and travel.
Fort Kearny (Neb.) --
Description and travel.
Fort Laramie (Wyo.) --
Description and travel.
Keokuk (Iowa) --
Description and travel.
Sacramento (Calif.) --
Description and travel.
Yuba County (Calif.)
-- Description and travel.
Letters (correspondence) -- West (U.S.)
-- 19th century.
Pictorial lettersheets.
Family papers -- West (U.S.) -- 19th
century.
Pettyjohn family.
Riggin family.
Riggin, James C.
Riggin, Rebecca Jane Pettyjohn.