Cudsworth, Abel W. Journal, 1849 to 1867

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Summary

Creators:
Cudsworth, Abel W
Abstract:
Abel W. Cudsworth's journal is handwritten in ink and provides daily entries covering the 7 month voyage aboard the Brig "Triumph" from Boston to San Francisco around Cape Horn. The "Triumph" left Boston on November 11, 1849, arrived in Rio de Janero on Jan 17, 1850, reached Juan Fernandez on March 30, and sailed into San Francisco on June 6th, 1850. Cudsworth lists the 45 Passengers and 12 crew by name. The journal provides good descriptions of life aboard ship. Toward the end of the entries, Cudsworth sums it up, "Impatiently waiting the termination of this long tedious, and somewhat unpleasant voyage."
Extent:
1.0 folder 1 bound journal, unlinded, handwritten in ink, legible, 94 pages of writting
Language:
Preferred citation:

Cudsworth, Abel W Journal, The Society of California Pioneers

Background

Scope and content:

Abel W. Cudsworth's journal is handwritten in ink and provides daily entries covering the 7 month voyage aboard the Brig "Triumph" from Boston to San Francisco around Cape Horn. The "Triumph" left Boston on November 11, 1849, arrived in Rio de Janero on Jan 17, 1850, reached Juan Fernandez on March 30, and sailed into San Francisco on June 6th, 1850. Cudsworth lists the 45 Passengers and 12 crew by name. The journal provides good descriptions of life aboard ship. Toward the end of the entries, Cudsworth sums it up, "Impatiently waiting the termination of this long tedious, and somewhat unpleasant voyage."

Days are spent reading novels, gambling, playing music, singing, and playing checkers, chess and backgammon. There are disputes amoung the passengers. One crewman is swept overboard and lost at sea. He provides a description of both Rio de Janero and the Juan Fernandez Islands (off the coast of Chile). The passage around the Horn is long and rough with continual headwinds slowing their passage.

The last 2 pages of the journal summarize Cudsworth's employment in San Francisco from 1850 to 1867. He only spent 2 months up at the mines.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Mrs. Fowler Mallet, 1931
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection open for research

Terms of access:

There are no restrictions on access

Preferred citation:

Cudsworth, Abel W Journal, The Society of California Pioneers

Location of this collection:
300 Fourth Street
San Francisco, CA 94107, US
Contact:
(415) 957-1849 ext. 160
mmdevine@californiapioneers.org
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