Andrew Brown Papers mssBrown
Brooke M. Black
The Huntington Library
November 2020
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
Business Number: (626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
Contributing Institution:
The Huntington Library
Title: Andrew Brown papers
Creator:
Brown, Andrew, 1829-1909
Identifier/Call Number: mssBrown
Physical Description:
12 Linear Feet
(2 boxes and 115 volumes)
Date (inclusive): 1856-1896
Abstract: Papers belonging to Kernville,
California pioneer Andrew Brown.
Language of Material: Materials are in
English.
Conditions Governing Access
Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at
the Huntington Library for more information.
Conditions Governing Use
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.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. P. Sumner Brown and Elizabeth B. Pallette, August 1935.
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 also 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.
Scope and Contents
The collection consists of the correspondence and papers of Andrew Brown. The collection is
made up primarily of business records and contains over 100 volumes of day books, invoices
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.
Processing Information
Processed by Huntington Library staff. In 2020, Brooke M. Black created a finding aid.
Arrangement
Arranged by subject and format.
General
Former call number: mssBrown papers.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
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
Kernville (Calif.) -- History -- 19th century -- Sources
Account books -- California -- 19th century
Business records -- California -- 19th century
Daybooks -- California -- 19th century
Invoices -- California -- 19th century
Letters (correspondence) -- California -- 19th century
Receipts -- California -- 19th century
Wells, Fargo &
Company
Box 1
Personal correspondence, business correspondence, Wells Fargo & Co.
business papers
Box 2
Bills, receipts, merchandise order, deposit slips, statements
Volume 1-3
Books of invoices
1882-1890
Volume 26-27
Ledgers, with individual accounts
1873-1876
Volume 28-29
Account books for Chinese workers
1873-1886
Volume 68
Account book for Joe Castro
1882
Volume 70
E. P. Sumner memorandum book
1867-1871
Volume 77
I.O.O.F. Questionaire book
1868-1886
Volume 78
Wells Fargo & Co.'s Express. Collections
1888-1891
Volume 79
Wells Fargo & Co.'s Express. Forwarding receipts book
1891-1895
Volume 80-88
Check stub books
1889-1896
Volume 89
Kern River Lodge No. 106 Treasurer's account book
1879-1889
Volume 90
Postmaster's account book, Kernville, California
1879-1889
Volume 91-115
Uncataloged volumes too fragile to handle
