Bee Patrick and Adam M. Compton Letters
Finding aid created by California State University, Chico staff using RecordEXPRESS
California State University, Chico
2020
California State University, Chico, Special Collections Meriam Library
400 West First Street
Chico, California 95929-0295
(530) 898-6603
SpecialCollections@csuchico.edu
http://www.csuchico.edu/special-collections/
Title: Bee Patrick and Adam M. Compton Letters
Dates: 1883-1911
Collection Number: MSS 345
Creator/Collector:
Compton, Bee Patrick
Compton, Adam M.
Extent: 1 Box, 0.5 Linear Feet
Repository:
California State University, Chico
Chico, California 95929-0295
Abstract: The bulk of the collection is personal letters written by Bee Patrick Compton
to Adam M. Compton during their courtship and early years of marriage. The rest of the correspondence deals with Adam’s ranching
business.
Language of Material: English
Collection is open for research without restriction.
Bee Patrick and Adam M. Compton Letters. California State University, Chico
gift.
Biography/Administrative History
Bee Patrick Compton was born December 20, 1864 to William Garrison Patrick and Melissa Virginia Wright Patrick and attended
Miss Field’s Seminary in Oakland, California. She married Adam Compton on November 27, 1895 at the age of 31. Adam Murdock
Compton was born October 2, 1860 to Mary Murdock Compton and Henry Clay Compton. He was a rancher in Butte and Glen County.
He owned and ranched 20,000 acres of land with his family members and received the first place prize and a diploma in 1904
at the Butte County and the St. Louis Exposition exhibition for his lemon trees. Adam belonged to Chico Lodge No. 423, B.P.O.
Elks as well as the Colusa Lodge of the Odd Fellows. They did not have any children. Adam died January 25, 1933, Bee continued
to live on the family ranch known as Glenwood or Patrick Ranch. Bee died September 5, 1945 and stipulated in her will that
the house they lived in during their marriage be used for educational purposes.
Scope and Content of Collection
The collection consists primarily of letters from Bee Patrick to Adam Compton from 1888 to 1910 during their courtship and
early years of marriage. Other correspondents include J. Murdock, William Murdock, Grander Business Association, Union Carbide
Sales Company, and Dr. Oscar Stansbury. While the letters from Bee Patrick are personal in nature, the other correspondences
primarily pertain to Adam Compton’s ranching business. The business papers include banking statements, check stubs, and handwritten
book keeping notes.
Durham (Calif.) -- History.
Butte County (Calif.) -- History.
Business correspondence.
Personal correspondence.