Morse (Ephraim W.) Papers, 1853-1905

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Summary

Title:
Ephraim W. Morse Papers
Dates:
1853-1905
Creators:
Morse, Ephraim W.
Abstract:
This collection consists of correspondence, business papers, and personal papers of Ephraim W. Morse. It covers many of his business and civic activities in San Diego, California in the mid- to late-nineteenth century.
Extent:
5.0 Linear feet (10 boxes)
Language:
and Collection materials are in English and Spanish.
Preferred citation:

Ephraim W. Morse Papers, MS 144, San Diego History Center Document Collection, San Diego, CA.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection consists of correspondence, business papers, and personal papers of Ephraim W. Morse. Correspondence is from Morse's business partners, clients, and employees. There are also twelve large letterpress books containing mostly legible copies of Morse’s outgoing letters. Business papers include real estate paperwork, ledgers for Morse’s general stores, and notes and expenditures related to his mining and honey businesses. Additionally there are documents included on Morse’s involvement in several lawsuits and estate settlements. Documents related to Morse’s civic appointments include financial documents and a ledger of court expenses collected during his service as San Diego City Treasurer. Personal papers include Morse's personal finances and his involvement in local associations such as the San Diego Benevolent Association and San Diego Lodge No. 35, for which he was treasurer in both.

Biographical / historical:

Ephraim W. Morse was born in Amesbury, Massachusetts on October 16, 1823. He arrived in San Diego, California in 1850, after a short stint gold panning in San Francisco. His first business venture was the operation of a general store, supplied through his San Francisco business associates Daniel Breed and A.J. Chase. He quickly expanded his businesses to include sheep ranching, beekeeping, copper mining, and law. In the late 1860s Morse partnered with Alonzo Horton in the field of real estate speculation, and their persistent promotion of the area fueled the growth of the City of San Diego and its move to New Town.

Morse’s first wife was Lydia Gray, whom he brought to San Diego in 1851. They had one son, Edward W., who was sent to live with relatives in Massachusetts after Lydia’s death in 1856. In 1866 Morse married San Diego’s first schoolteacher, Mary Chase Walker.

In addition to running his businesses, Morse served as Associate Justice of the Court of Sessions, Secretary of the Board of Trade, County Treasurer, and City Trustee. He promoted and helped organize the San Diego Flume Company, the first railroad to San Diego, the First Bank of San Diego, the Public Library, construction of the San Diego Wharf, the fortifications at Ballast Point, and a resolution to set aside land for what became Balboa Park. Morse remained active in the San Diego community until his death in 1906.

Processing information:

Collection processed by Samantha Mills on October 10, 2012.

Collection processed as part of grant project supported by the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) with generous funding from The Andrew Mellon Foundation.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged into five series:

Series I: Correspondence

Series II: Letterpress Books

Series III: Business Papers

Series IV: Civic Activities

Series V: Personal Papers

Series I is arranged chronologically and Series II-V are arranged by subject.

Physical / technical requirements:

Letterpress books contain fragile tissue paper; some pages are faint and illegible.

Text blocks of the Daybooks and Account Ledgers are partially detached from their bindings.

Some pages of the mining diary are ink spattered and difficult to read.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid prepared by Samantha Mills
Sponsor:
Collection processed as part of grant project supported by the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) with generous funding from The Andrew Mellon Foundation.
Date Prepared:
October 10, 2012
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2013-03-27T15:54-0700

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open for research. Detailed inventory of correspondence (Series I) is available at the San Diego History Center Library.

Terms of access:

The San Diego History Center (SDHC) holds the copyright to any unpublished materials. SDHC Library regulations do apply.

Preferred citation:

Ephraim W. Morse Papers, MS 144, San Diego History Center Document Collection, San Diego, CA.

Location of this collection:
1649 El Prado, Suite 3
San Diego, CA 92101, US
Contact:
(619) 232-6203
Website