Mulford (Thomas) Diary, 1849-1850

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Summary

Title:
Thomas Mulford Diary
Dates:
1849-1850
Creators:
Mulford, Thomas W., Captain, 1829-1907
Abstract:
This file contains the hard covered, hand written in ink diary of Captain Thomas W. Mulford.The journal is in good condition, with the spine intact, and the hand writing is clear and legible throughout. The diary also includes, glue to an inside page, the "Constitution of the Patchogue Mining and Trading Company", and a photograph of Capt. Mulford. The journal has his printed obituary and page 949-950 from the book, "History of Alameda County" by M. W. Wood, which contains a "biographical sketch" of Mr. Wulford.
Extent:
1 folder 1 Hard bound journal
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Thomas Mulford Diary, The Society of California Pioneers

Background

Scope and content:

The Diary of Captain Thomas W Mulford describes the 224 day passage of the barque "Keoka" from New York City to San Francisco, via Cape Horn. The ship left New York on February 5, 1849; it arrived in Rio de Janiero on April 4; Valpariso on June 20; and made San Francisco on September 17, 1849. The volumn also contains a listing of the 34 passengers on the voyage. It begins with the Constitution of the Patehogue Mining and Trading Company. It also has a photograph of Captain Mulford, a biographical sketch on Capt Mulford from the Weekly Commerce Record (Jan 30, 1890) and another biographical record from the History of Alameda County, 1883

Most of the daily entries in the journal describe the weather, sailing progress and sea conditions. Frequent reference is made to the unsatisfactory behavior of the ship's Captain McGuire. The log also includes descriptions of Rio de Janiero, Valpariso, and San Francisco on arrival in September of 1849.

Biographical / historical:

Captain Thomas W. Mulford was born on Long Island, New York April 25th,1829 and he died in San Francisco on August 12th, 1907. Thomas Mulford was a farmer in New York until the news of gold's discovery in California reached the East Coast. Soon he left New York state on board the "Barque Heoka", with a man named "James Maguire as master", on February 5, 1849. His diary includes a full list of the passengers on board and their places of residence. The ship sailed to San Francisco via Cape Horn, stopping in Rio and Valparaiso, entering the Bay of San Francisco on September 17, 1849. In 1850, Mr. Mulford went with the "Briggs party" to mine for gold a "Rose Bar". He and his team had little success and he mentions making more money from selling the game he has hunted. By 1853-4 he had left the mines and went into farming full time. He would go onto become a very successful farmer and land owner within California. In 1866 he married Miss Hannah Hudson, whom he had two daughters with. One survived and one died in childhood. Mr. Mulford was also a lifetime member of the Society of California Pioneers having joined October 5th, 1863.

Acquisition information:
Source and Date of Acquisition Unknown
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
John Davis
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2021-08-23 23:13:44 +0000 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection open for research

Terms of access:

There are no restrictions on access

Preferred citation:

Thomas Mulford Diary, 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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