Edward Smith Diary
Finding aid created by Fresno City and County Historical Society staff using RecordEXPRESS
Fresno City and County Historical Society
2019
7160 West Kearney Boulevard
Fresno, California 93706
559.441.0862
archives@valleyhistory.org
http://www.valleyhistory.org/
Title: Edward Smith Diary
Dates: April 29 – November 11, 1848 and 1851-1853
Collection Number: MSS 18
Creator/Collector:
Edward
Smith
Extent: One Volume 12.75 in H x 8 in W x 0.5 in D
Repository:
Fresno City and County Historical Society
Fresno, California 93706
Abstract: This diary is one of only seven known California Overland Trail accounts that chronicled the westward trail experience prior
to the 1849 Gold Rush.
Language of Material: English
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Copyright has not been assigned to the Fresno County Historical Society. All requests for permission to publish or quote from
manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Society archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Fresno
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Edward Smith Diary. Fresno City and County Historical Society
Unknown
Biography/Administrative History
Edward Smith was a native of Ulster County, New York. His wife, Jane Whitaker, was a native of Kingston, Ulster County, New
York. Edward and Jane were married in Kingston and four of their children were born there, the others were born in Illinois.
One of Smith’s daughters, Leah Margaret, married John Breen, a member of the Donner Party.
Smith and his family came overland from Springfield, Illinois to California in 1848, leaving Springfield in April of that
year. He kept a diary of the journey beginning in Missouri on April 29, until November 11 when he and his family arrived in
San Francisco.
In San Francisco, he worked as a merchant until November of 1849, and then moved to live a short time in Santa Cruz. In January
1850, he and his family then moved to San Juan. He practiced law, since he had previously studied English and American law.
In July of 1850, with a Colonel Allen, he established the San Juan post office, and became the area’s first postmaster. He
also worked as a land surveyor of Monterey County. Edward Smith died in 1853 probably at the end of September or early October.
Scope and Content of Collection
The diary itself is roughly twenty-one pages where Edward Smith chronicled the six month overland wagon trail journey westward
from Independence, Missouri to San Francisco, California from April 29 to November 11, 1848. The entries end once his family
arrives in San Francisco and do not start up again until 1851. The diary is mainly concerned with basic facts and daily experiences
with few personal thoughts. Smith documents nearly every day things like distance traveled, campsites, encounters with Native
Americans, weather, crossing rivers and mountains.
Edward Smith originally left from Independence, Missouri with four other wagons and during the journey he joined the Kelly
party lead by Reverend Clinton Kelly. He originally wished to set off with the Joseph Chiles wagon party, which he joined
once they met up in Fort Laramie. Joseph Chiles was an experienced wagon leader that made the trip several times, and it was
the last wagon company of the migrating season that was travelling to California for the year. Some entries of note include
passing Chimney Rock and meeting celebrated mountain man, Joseph Walker. Smith also describes forging a new trail with Joseph
Chiles known as the Carson Trail. During the journey, Smith was accidentally shot by another member of the wagon train while
guarding the camp at night. Only about four-hundred known emigrants traveled west overland in 1848. This diary is one of only
seven known overland trail accounts that chronicled the westward trail experience prior to the 1849 Gold Rush.
The diary notes the surveys taken between March 1851 and September 1853. The second half of the diary also lists goods bought
for the overland journey, and includes a record of overall miles covered, and drawings of different brands used by acquaintances
of Smith. The diary itself is written in old style cursive with dates labeled on the side of each new entry. There are only
twenty-one pages of written content with many empty pages in the end.
California Overland Trail, westward migration
Western United States
diary