Pitcher (John Emmanuel) Papers, 1854-1906

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Summary

Title:
Pitcher, John Emmanuel Papers
Dates:
1854-1906
Creators:
Pitcher, John Emmanuel, 1827-1924
Abstract:
John Emmanuel Pitcher came to California in 1849, briefly tried his hand a gold mining and then moved to Half Moon Bay, where he settled on a 200 acre farm. The first 3 folders of his papers contain "account books" which do record transactions but also act as a log book of activities on the farm; acquisitions of animals, quality and quanities of harvests, personnel records and work records, travel and activities of family and associates. Folder 1 covers the period from 1857 to 1871; Folder 2 covers the period from 1871 to 1884; and Folder 3 covers 1882 to 1893. Folder 4 contains a ruled pad used as a copy book for Pitcher correspondence from 1897 to 1906.
Containers:
Box: B001629
folders: C058568
Extent:
4.0 folders (3 bound and ruled account books, 1 notepad)
Language:
Preferred citation:

John Emmanuel Pitcher Papers. The Society of California Pioneers.

Background

Scope and content:

John Emmanuel Pitcher came to California in 1849, briefly tried his hand a gold mining and then moved to Half Moon Bay, where he settled on a 200 acre farm. The first 3 folders of his papers contain "account books" which do record transactions but also act as a log book of activities on the farm; acquisitions of animals, quality and quanities of harvests, personnel records and work records, travel and activities of family and associates.

Folder 1:Ledger Book and Diary of ranch accounts, 1854–1871, including drawing of planting layout. Lots of pages are cut out, or have pieces cut from them.

Folder 2: Ledger Book, 09/13/1871-10/28/1882, and diary of ranch activities. Also includes loose papers that were removed from between the pages of the ledger.

Folder 3: Ledger Book, 1883-1891, 1893.

Folder 4: Loose bound notepad (in poor condition) containing correspondence and transcribed letters, 1897 – 1906. Letters regarding general family and business transactions with regards to money loaned and repaid.

Biographical / historical:

John Emmanuel Pitcher was born July 25,1827 in Vincennes, Indiana. He studied for the priesthood and worked as an engineer on Mississippi river boats. Pitcher left St. Louis, Missouri for California May 21, 1849, arriving at Great Goose Lake, October 10, 1849. He spent a short time in the gold fields, having little success; he moved to San Francisco and became a general laborer. There he married Louisa Bray and in 1860 they moved to a 200 acre farm in Half Moon Bay and raised potatoes. Pitcher became a Justice of the Peace in 1883 and served for over 35 years and was referred to as the "Grand Old Man of the Coast." He died in 1924 at his home in Half Moon Bay, California.

Acquisition information:
Donor and Date of acquisition unknown.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid prepared by Michael Lange
Date Prepared:
04/28/2014
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2014-04-28T13:34-0700

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection open for research.

Terms of access:

There are no restrictions on access.

Preferred citation:

John Emmanuel Pitcher Papers. The Society of California Pioneers.

Location of this collection:
300 Fourth Street
San Francisco, CA 94107, US
Contact:
(415) 957-1849 ext. 160
mmdevine@californiapioneers.org
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