Harvey, Isaac Family Diaries, 1850-1875

Collection context

Summary

Title:
Harvey Family Diaries
Dates:
1850-1875
Creators:
Harvey, Isaac Julian, Harvey, Absolam Benton, Swinnerton, Eleanor Josephine Harvey, and Baker, Mabel Harvey
Abstract:
The Harvey Family Diaries are comprised of 4 documents created by the family of Isaac Julian Harvey. The first is a recollection by Isaac Harvey describing his overland journey from Indiana to Oregon in 1850. The second is the diary of A.B. Harvey of an overland trip from Los Angeles to Tucson in 1864. The third is recollections by Eleanor Josephine Harvey Swinnerton of her childhood at Spanish Ranch, Plumas Co, California. The last is a short memoir by Mabel Harvey Barker of girlhood at Spanish Ranch and in early Salinas
Extent:
1 folder 4 typed transcripts, 94 pages total
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Harvey Family Diaries, The Society of California Pioneers

Background

Scope and content:

The Harvey Family Diaries are comprised of 4 transcripts created by the family of Isaac Julian Harvey.

The first is a recollection by Isaac Harvey describing his overland journey from Indiana to Oregon in 1850.Harvey finances the journey with 12 hired mechanics who want to settle in Portland. They travel via the South Platte across South Pass and up the Snake and Columbia to Portland.

The second is the diary of A.B. Harvey of an overland trip from Los Angeles to Tucson in 1864. The left San Francisco on Feb 10 travelling by boat to Los Angeles. From Feb 21 until May 13 they were on the trail on horseback across "some of the worst country in the world to travel over." The purpose to the trip was to discover the mining prospects in Pinos Altos, AZ, which turned out to be bleak. On July 24, they sold out all their equipment and returned to San Francisco via Guaymas, Mexico.

The third is recollections by Eleanor Josephine Harvey Swinnerton of her childhood at Spanish Ranch, Plumas Co, California.

The last is a short memoir by Mabel Harvey Barker of girlhood at Spanish Ranch and in early Salinas

Biographical / historical:

Isaac Julian Harvey was a successful merchant, entreprenuer and businessman from Saint Joseph, MO. He came west overland in 1850 to Portland, Oregon where he managed a merchantile business. He returned to Missouri and brought his family to Marysville, CA in 1853. He bought the Spanish Ranch in Plumas, CA. It served as a distribution center for the mining camps in the area, hotel, restaurant, post office and store. In 1868 the family moved to Salinas where he opened Harvey and Company a successful general store. He became an influential citizen and was the 1st Mayor of Salinal

Acquisition information:
Gift of Florence M. Baker, date unknown
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Nick Scales
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2021-07-15 00:24:01 +0000 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection open for research

Terms of access:

There are no restrictions on access

Preferred citation:

Harvey Family Diaries, The Society of California Pioneers

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