Collection context
Summary
- Title:
- Andrew Brown papers
- Dates:
- 1856-1896
- Creators:
- Brown, Andrew, 1829-1909
- Abstract:
- Papers belonging to Kernville, California pioneer Andrew Brown.
- Extent:
- 12 Linear Feet (2 boxes and 98 volumes)
- Language:
- Materials are in English.
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item]. Andrew Brown papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The collection consists of the correspondence and papers of Andrew Brown. The collection is made up primarily of business records and contains 97 volumes of day books, cash books, ledgers, daybooks, and account books. Also included are bills and receipts related to Brown's general store in Kernville, California, his jobs as postmaster and an agent for Wells, Fargo Express Company, and his other business interests. Of note in the collection are two account books from 1873 to 1886 for business transactions with Chinese individuals in Kernville. Some of the volumes are damaged and fragile so use may be restricted.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Andrew Brown (1829-1909) was born in Ireland and came to Philadelphia before he sailed around Cape Horn to San Francisco, California, in 1852. After a try at mining and farming, he moved to Kernville and operated the quartz mill of Joseph W. Sumner. Later, Brown went into the mercantile business and owned general stores in Kernville and Weldon. He became engaged in farming and cattle raising and built a flour mill and a lumber mill. Brown served as postmaster and agent for Wells, Fargo Express Company until he retired and moved to Los Angeles in 1904; he died in October 1909.
- Acquisition information:
- Gift of Mr. and Mrs. P. Sumner Brown and Elizabeth B. Pallette, August 1935.
- Processing information:
-
Processed by Huntington Library staff. In 2020, Brooke M. Black created a finding aid.
- Arrangement:
-
Organized in two series. Series 1: Papers, 1856-1896; Series 2: Volumes, 1867-1896.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Indexed terms
- Subjects:
- Businessmen -- California -- Kernville -- Archives
Business enterprises -- California -- Kernville
Chinese -- California -- History -- 19th century
Express service -- California -- History -- 19th century
General stores -- California
Postal service -- California -- History -- 19th century -- Sources
Account books
Business records
Daybooks
Invoices
Letters (correspondence)
Receipts - Names:
- Independent Order of Odd Fellows
Wells, Fargo & Company - Places:
- Kernville (Calif.) -- History -- 19th century -- Sources
About this collection guide
- Date Encoded:
- This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2026-02-25 16:19:04 -0800 .
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more information.
Nine volumes are restricted due to their fragile conditions: 24, 34, 35, 39, 59, 60, 61, 62, and 72.
- Terms of access:
-
The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item]. Andrew Brown papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
- Location of this collection:
-
1151 Oxford RoadSan Marino, CA 91108, US
- Contact:
- (626) 405-2191