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William A. Dana correspondence, San Francisco
SFH 430
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Table of contents
Title: William A. Dana correspondence, San Francisco
Dates: 1852-1864
Collection Number: SFH 430
Creator/Collector:
Dana, William A., 1818-1871.
Extent: 1 folder (10 letters)
Repository:
San Francisco Public Library. San Francisco History Center
San Francisco, California 94102
Abstract: Letters sent between the Dana brothers, San Francisco commission merchants
Language of Material: English
The collection is available for use during San Francisco History Center hours. Collections that are stored offsite should
be requested 48 hours in advance.
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.
William A. Dana correspondence, San Francisco. San Francisco Public Library. San Francisco History Center
Gift
Biography/Administrative History
William Augustus Dana was born in Massachusetts to Hon. Anderson Greene Dana and Eliza Ann Fuller. He came to San Francisco
in 1850 with brothers Henry Fuller Dana and Anderson Carroll Dana, and they entered into a partnership, Dana Bros. & Co.,
commission merchants. Another brother, Charles, founded the first bank in Hawaii in 1853, and later was senior partner in
the family’s firm in San Francisco. William married Elizabeth Church Briggs in 1859. The couple returned to New Bedford, Massachusetts,
and he died there in 1871.
Scope and Content of Collection
Folder includes letters: William Dana to Charles Dana, 30 June 1852; William to bro. Charles, 23 November 1859?; Henry F.
Dana to brother Charles, 30 December 1853; William to Charley, 24 January 1854; William (?) to Charles, 17 October 1858; William
to Henry 30 September [1860]; William (?) to Henry, 6 December 1860; William to Charles, 20 June 1861; William (?) to Charles,
19 January 1864; William to Charles, 8 July [1864]. Several letters discuss efforts to secure appointments for federal positions,
including one for Royal Hiram Waller (23 November 1859). William’s concerns about the Keystone Mining Co. of Copperopolis,
Calaveras County, of which he was president, and about mining stocks in general, are found in his letters of 19 January 1864
and 8 July 1864. William’s letter of 30 Sept. 1860 discusses his sale of Black Point in San Francisco to John C. Fremont.
Commission merchants – California – San Francisco.
Copper mines and mining—California—Calaveras County.
Financial crises--United States--History--19th century.
Dana, Charles, 1824-1906.
Dana, Henry F., 1820-1874.
Waller, R. H. (Royal Hiram), 1802-1859.
Fremont, John Charles, 1813-1890.
Dana family.
Dana Bros. & Co. (San Francisco, California)
Keystone Mining Company (Copperopolis, California)
San Francisco (Calif.) – History.
California – Biography.
Massachusetts – Biography.