Finding aid of the Charles T. Ward Jr. Reminiscences C058789
Finding aid prepared by Catherine Coffman
Society of California Pioneers
05/30/2007
300 Fourth Street
San Francisco, CA, 94107-1272
(415) 959-1849
pkeats@californiapioneers.org
Title: Ward Jr., Charles T. Reminiscences
Identifier/Call Number: C058789
Contributing Institution:
Society of California Pioneers
Language of Material:
English
Container: B001651
Container: C058789
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
(1 leather bound handwritten memoir, 1 typewritten copy of excerpts from the memoir)
Date: ca. 1900
Abstract: These reminiscences were written by Charles Ward himself and first published in an annual newsletter of Society of California
Pioneers in 1941. They begin with his journey to California from his home in Boston aboard the English Steamer “Unicorn.”
He describes his experiences as a gold miner, in which he did not find monetary success and quickly gave up. He also talks
about his role in the Winchester Expedition up the Rogue River in an expedition to explore land for spectators, which also
involved both a search for white captives and an attack by a group Native Americans along the river. The reminiscences continue
with his life in California with his wife in the 1860s and his concern over California’s role in the Civil War when he returned
to San Francisco. He also discusses his position on the San Lorenzo Rancho and role in the formation of the town Haywood.
He ends his narrative with his and his wife’s return to his native Boston with her declining health.
creator:
Ward, Charles T., 1829-1909
Conditions Governing Access note
Collection open for research.
There are no restrictions on access.
Charles T. Ward Jr. Reminiscences. The Society of California Pioneers.
Gift of Charles T. Ward Jr., date unknown.
Charles T. Ward Jr. (03/19/1829-10/09/1909) was a Boston native who caught “California Fever” in 1848, but was prevented in
leaving immediately by his concerned family. Ward arrived in San Francisco on 12/09/1849. Once in San Francisco Ward worked
odd jobs, including brief employment on a ship with Captain Bressholm traveling up the river to Sacramento. Afterwards he
decided to try his hand as a miner but was not particularly successful and eventually sold his plot and returned to San Francisco.
He soon after went on the Winchester Expedition to explore land on the Rogue River. Returning to San Francisco from a journey
in 1862 with his wife, Ward was concerned whether he would see Union or Confederate flags flying and was greatly relieved
that California remained with the Union. He became an Agent of San Lorenzo Rancho, which later became the bulk of the land
for the township of Haywood (now Hayward), for which he was responsible for much of the town layout and planning. He was also
elected Fire Commissioner in Haywood for several years. He finally and reluctantly left to return to Boston with his wife’s
declining health. He is buried in Hayward, California.
Existence and Location of Originals note
The Society of California Pioneers, 300 Fourth Street, San Francisco, CA, 94107.
These reminiscences were written by Charles Ward himself and first published in an annual newsletter of Society of California
Pioneers in 1941. They begin with his journey to California from his home in Boston aboard the English Steamer “Unicorn.”
He describes his experiences as a gold miner, in which he did not find monetary success and quickly gave up. He also talks
about his role in the Winchester Expedition up the Rogue River in an expedition to explore land for spectators, which also
involved both a search for white captives and an attack by a group Native Americans along the river. The reminiscences continue
with his life in California with his wife in the 1860s and his concern over California’s role in the Civil War when he returned
to San Francisco. He also discusses his position on the San Lorenzo Rancho and role in the formation of the town Haywood (now
Hayward, California). He ends his narrative with his and his wife’s return to his native Boston with her declining health.
In the front of the memoir there is a handwritten note, which reads: "Meek, Blackwood and Wood furnished the means for purchasing
the first printing press, and establishing the first newspaper ever published in Haywood or Haywards, Alameda Co., California
- the first copy of the 'Alameda County Advocate' was issued Saturday Dec. 17th 1870. S.S. Lane Editor, and continued weekly."
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Boston (Mass.)
Hayward (Calif.)
Hayward (Calif.)--History.
Journeys to the Pacific Coast
Mines and mineral resources--California, Northern--History
Mining claims--California
Rogue River (Klamath County-Curry County, Or.)