Collection context
Summary
- Title:
- Jessey C. Wilson letter: Berkeley, to Mrs. Wallis
- Dates:
- July 19, 1906
- Creators:
- Wilson, Jessey C., 1860-1927 Wilson, Jessy C., 1800-1900
- Abstract:
- Extent:
- 1 folder
- Language:
- Preferred citation:
-
Jessey C. Wilson letter: Berkeley, to Mrs. Wallis. San Francisco Public Library, San Francisco History Center
Background
- Scope and content:
-
This handwritten letter of 32 leaves addressed to Mrs. (Violet) Wallis details Wilson's abandoning her home at 1114 Bush Street, San Francisco with her mother, Sophia Montealegre, after the April 18, 1906 earthquake and ahead of the approaching fire. Sophia suffers from dementia. Jessey's husband Willie Wilson makes several attempts to secure a wagon to carry his family and a few belongings across the city; structures are being dynamited behind them. The trio finds shelter for a week at Jessey's niece's home, then later at Willie's aunt's home in Ross Valley, and finally moves to Dr. Harry Beal Torrey's unoccupied home at 2523 Aetna Street in Berkeley. Folder includes typewritten transcription of letter (8 p.)
- Biographical / historical:
-
Jessey C. Wilson was born Josefina Carolina de Jesus Montealegre Joy in 1860 in San Jose, Costa Rica, to Jose Maria Montealegre Fernandez and Sophia Matilda Joy. Jessey's father, a physician, involved himself in Costa Rican politics. In 1858 he married Sophia, and in 1859, after a military coup, was installed as fourth President of Costa Rica. He was elected President in 1860 and served until 1863. Ten years later, he and his wife and three daughters came to San Francisco, settling at 1114 Bush Street. Jose died in 1887. Jessey married William A. Wilson, cashier for Welch & Co., and with Sophia they continued to live in her home on Bush St. until the 1906 earthquake and fire, when they moved to Berkeley. William died there in 1907; Sophia died there in 1908; and Jessey died in San Francisco in 1927.
- Acquisition information:
- Gift, 2022-41
Indexed terms
About this collection guide
- Date Prepared:
- July 19, 1906
- Date Encoded:
- This finding aid was produced using Record Express for OAC5 on July 14, 2025, 2:55 p.m.
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
The collection is available for use during San Francisco History Center hours, with photographs available during Photo Desk hours. Collections that are stored offsite should be requested 48 hours in advance.
- Terms of access:
-
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.
- Preferred citation:
-
Jessey C. Wilson letter: Berkeley, to Mrs. Wallis. San Francisco Public Library, San Francisco History Center
- Location of this collection:
-
San Francisco Public Library100 Larkin StreetSan Francisco, CA 94102, US
- Contact:
- (415) 557-4567