Davis family correspondence: Finding Aid mssDavisfam
Brooke M. Black
The Huntington Library
October 2023
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
Business Number: (626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
Contributing Institution:
The Huntington Library
Title: Davis family correspondence
Creator:
Davis family
Identifier/Call Number: mssDavisfam
Physical Description:
0.21 Linear Feet
(1 box)
Date (inclusive): 1849-1916
Abstract: Papers belonging to the Davis family originally of Tennessee. Hiram Davis crossed the plains in 1849 for California.
Language of Material: Materials are in English.
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[Identification of item]. Davis family correspondence, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchased by William Reese Company on behalf of The Huntington at Swann Auction Galleries, Sale 2505, Lot 39, April 16, 2019.
Wade Hampton Davis (1796-1877) was a farmer and breeder of livestock. His parents were Sampson and Abigail St. John Davis.
Wade spent his childhood in Smith County, Tennessee. At the age of 18, he married Martha "Patsy" Drury (1794-1888), daughter
of Colonel Joseph Drury and Libby Wigginton. Wade and Martha had seven children: William H., Nancy, Elizabeth, Smithen Hamilton,
Hiram, Martha Jane, and James Wade. Martha Jane Davis' second husband was George Washington Long.
The Davis family correspondence dates from 1849 to 1916 and consists of 19 letters, 9 postmarked envelopes, 1 handwritten
poem, 2 calling cards, 1 printed invitation, and dried botanical samples. The letters from 1849 to 1852 provide detailed descriptions
of an overland journey to California, life in the gold fields (including conflicts with Native Americans) and conditions in
Oregon. The 1864 letters reference local conditions and circumstances of family members from Rochester, Missouri and Plattsmouth,
Nebraska. The letters from Oklahoma, written from 1915 to 1916, and Missouri mention the death of a family elder and conditions
in Thayer, Missouri. Letters also include extended discussion of economic opportunities or challenges, spiritual beliefs,
the character of local communities, love, illnesses and death from various correspondents.
Processed by Gina C Giang in July 2019. In October 2023, Brooke M. Black created a finding aid.
Arranged chronologically.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Overland journeys to the Pacific -- History -- Sources
California -- Description and travel
Missouri -- Description and travel
Nebraska -- Description and travel
Oklahoma -- Description and travel
Oregon -- Description and travel
Letters (correspondence)
Davis, Hiram
Davis, Smithen H.
Davis, Wade Hampton, 1796-1877
Long, George Washington
Box 1
Davis family correspondence 1849-1916