William Henry Pratt papers, 1882-1908

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Summary

Creators:
Pratt, William Henry, 1827-1911
Abstract:
Collection consists of material relating to William Henry Pratt's activities in California from 1882 to 1908, including certificates of appointment for California and Humboldt County positions.
Extent:
1.7 Linear Feet (4 folders)
Language:
Materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. William Henry Pratt papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

Collection consists of material relating to William Henry Pratt's activities in California. Items include a certificate for Pratt's appointment as Surveyor General of California signed by Benjamin Harrison, 1890 March 4 (HM 73028); a certificate for his appointment as Collector of Customs for Humboldt County signed by Chester A. Arthur, 1883 December 26 (HM 73026); a typescript letter signed congratulating Pratt from then-Governor of Ohio William McKinley, 1893 November 13 (HM 73029); a letter addressed to "Lyman" in which Pratt writes of the ships Corona and Pomona, and a postcard of a ship at Fort Ross sent to Pratt by "Walter." Also included is a certificate appointing Jared Turner Deputy Postmaster of Georgetown, California, signed by President James Buchanan, dated 1857 August 14 (HM 73027).

Biographical / historical:

William Henry Pratt (1827-1911) was born in Saybrook, Connecticut. Following the discovery of gold in California, he sailed from New York in 1848, arriving aboard the steamer California in San Francisco in February 1849. He returned briefly to New York before going into trade in California, eventually establishing a hotel and store at Georgetown in 1854 after a series of business failures. Pratt was actively involved in the Republican Party in El Dorado County and in California and was nominated for State Senate in 1856 and 1860. In 1861, President Abraham Lincoln appointed him Receiver of Public Moneys at the Humboldt Land Office in Eureka, California. He was also appointed Collector of Customs for Humboldt by President Chester A. Arthur in 1883 and as Surveyor General of California by President Benjamin Harrison in 1890. Pratt died in Easton, California, at age 84.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Lyman and Albert Bridges, August 1955.
Processing information:

This finding aid was created in 2022 by Melissa Haley as part of the American Presidential Papers Project with enhanced description of the presidential material present. The items had been assembled physically and arranged by Huntington Library former staff in the mid-20th century.

Arrangement:

Collection is arranged chronologically.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more information.

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]. William Henry Pratt papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
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