Waterhouse (Edwin S.) journal, 1858-1860

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Summary

Title:
Edwin S. Waterhouse journal
Dates:
1858-1860
Creators:
Waterhouse, Edwin S., 1837-1911
Abstract:
Extent:
1 volume
Language:
Preferred citation:

Edwin S. Waterhouse journal . San Francisco Public Library, San Francisco History Center

Background

Scope and content:

The bulk of this journal of 116 numbered pages is an account of a voyage of the clipper ship Golden Rocket from Boston, Massachusetts to San Francisco. The account commences December 7, 1858, and ends with the ship anchoring at San Francisco May 18, 1859. A stop at the island of Juan Fernandez, otherwise known as Robinson Crusoe Island, is recorded beginning p. 69. A list of passengers and crew is included on p. 73-74. Lists of Waterhouse’s purchases of clothing and supplies for the inland journey ahead appear on p. 93-95. The day after anchoring in San Francisco, Waterhouse traveled by steamer to Sacramento, then by the railroad to Folsom, and finally by stage to Coloma. Waterhouse befriended two Maine natives on the ship, William Dinsmore and Alpheus Downs, who traveled to Coloma with him and worked alongside him, doing farm work and mining on the American River. With other partners, Waterhouse staked a mining claim at Yankee Jim's Gulch, now Snyder Canyon; found various short term occupations; copied letters to friends and to his brother in the journal; wrote of his hope to wed Mary Cooper; recorded payment for work; listed women's names from Maine towns, p. 115. Throughout the volume, Waterhouse practiced his handwriting. Entries at end of volume are not written in chronological order. A letter to a Friend copied on p. 105 is dated February 5, 1860. Several pages have been removed from journal. An accompanying folder includes a typewritten transcription of the journal.

Biographical / historical:

Edwin Sawyer Waterhouse was born in Maine, lived in Cooper, Washington County, and came to California when he was twenty-two years old. After gold mining in the state, in 1869 he married Mary Gruwell, and they had six children. He worked as a farmer and wheelwright in Oakdale and Modesto, Stanislaus County. He died near Modesto in 1911. The Golden Rocket was put into service for the Union during the Civil War and burned by the Confederacy in 1861.

Acquisition information:
Purchase

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid created by San Francisco Public Library, San Francisco History Center staff.
Date Prepared:
1858-1860
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using Record Express for OAC5 on July 14, 2025, 2:54 p.m.

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.

Preferred citation:

Edwin S. Waterhouse journal . San Francisco Public Library, San Francisco History Center

Location of this collection:
San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102, US
Contact:
(415) 557-4567
sfhistory@sfpl.org
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