Finding aid to the Ellen Amos and Family Letters MS.501
Anna Liza Posas
Library and Archives at the Autry
2013
210 South Victory Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91502
rroom@theautry.org
Contributing Institution:
Library and Archives at the Autry
Title: Ellen Amos and Family Letters
Creator:
Amos, Ellen
Identifier/Call Number: MS.501
Physical Description:
0.25 Linear Feet
(12 folders)
Date (inclusive): 1909-1927
Abstract: Ellen (Mrs. Joe) Amos and family were Miwok Indians residing in Mariposa County, California. Ellen Amos lived in Wawona, Mariposa
County, near Yosemite area, in the early 1900s. Collection of letters to Ellen Amos from her children and other family members.
Letters span from 1909 to 1927 and includes the time when Mrs. Amos's son, Eddie, was in the army and France during World
War I.
Language of Material:
English
.
Preferred Citation
Ellen Amos and Family Letters, 1909-1927, Braun Research Library Collection, Autry Museum of the American West; MS.501; [folder number] [folder title][date].
Acquisition
Gift of Joseph and Helen DuShane, 1973 December 14.
Scope and Contents
Collection of letters to Ellen (Mrs. Joe) Amos from her daughter, Eliza (Mrs. Henry) Leonard, daughter Daisy Harlow, son Eddie
Harlow, cousin Lucy Telles, and other family member. Letters span from 1909 to 1927 and includes the time when Ellen's son,
Eddie, was in the army and France during World War I.
Conditions Governing Access
Family Historical Note
Ellen (Mrs. Joe) Amos and family were Miwok Indians residing in Mariposa County, California. Ellen Amos lived in Wawona, Mariposa
County, near Yosemite area, in the early 1900s and she sometimes visited in Miami, California. Joe Amos is her second husband.
Eliza Leonard, daughter of Ellen Amos, was married to Henry Leonard. They resided in Ben Hur, then Raymond, California. The
letters reveal that they had several children including one girl born in 1910 and one boy born after 1910. At one point the
family raised turkeys.
Daisy Harlow was another daughter of Ellen Amos. She was unmarried when working in Menlo Park between 1909 and 1910. Letters
indicate she was employed at a store in Menlo. Circa 1912, she became a house servant looking after the baby of Percival Frances.
Daisy lived in San Francisco and Raymond, California.
Eddie Harlow was the son of Ellen Amos and worked in the Raymond mines and elsewhere. In the spring of 1918, he joined the
United States Army and served in 319th Engineers Company D in World War I. He was sent to France circa 1918 and was there
until 1919. On his return he married and had at least two daughters by 1924.
The letters also mention that several of the men relatives worked in the mines in Raymond, California.
Processing History
Inventory created by Library staff, after 1973. Finding aid created by Anna Liza Posas in 2013. Final processing of collection
and publication of finding aid made possible by a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright has not been assigned to the Autry Museum of the American West. All requests for permission to publish or quote
from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Research Services and Archives. Permission for publication is
given on behalf of the Autry Museum of the American West as the custodian of the physical items and is not intended to include
or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
World War, 1914-1918
Mines and mineral resources
Correspondence
Raymond (Calif.)
Mariposa County (Calif.)
Wawona (Calif.)
Miwok Indians
Harlow, Daisy
Leonard, Henry
Amos, Joe
Leonard, Eliza
folder 1
Letters from Eliza Leonard to Ellen Amos MS.501.1
1911 - 1915
Scope and Contents
Eliza was the daughter of Ellen Amos. Letters always mentions the weather, little sister Daisy, Henry her husband and Eddie
her brother. Also mentioned are cousins Bessie and Ellen Bishop; husband George; and stepfather Joe Amos. Other recurring
themes in the letters include illness, neighbors, and garden work.
folder 1
MS.501.1.1
1911 January 26
Physical Description: 1 page and envelope
folder 1
MS.501.1.2
1911 July 1
Physical Description: 2 pages and envelope
folder 1
MS.501.1.3
1911 October
Physical Description: 1 page and envelope
Scope and Contents
Month of October mispelled, but envelope is postmarked "Oct, 1911"
folder 1
MS.501.1.4
1912 August 9
Physical Description: 2 pages
folder 1
MS.501.1.5
1912 May 14
Physical Description: 1 page and an envelope
Scope and Contents note
Mentions Frank, "little Daisy", her brother Eddie and her husband Henry, who has been working in Raymond City.
folder 1
MS.501.1.6
1912 June 12
Physical Description: 1 page and an envelope
Scope and Contents
Eliza writes that she and her family will be moving because the building of their house is complete, most likey from Ben Hur
to Raymond. Also mentions getting a letter from Ella Bishop.
folder 1
MS.501.1.7
1912 July 1
Physical Description: 2 pages and an evelope
Scope and Contents
Mentions getting a letter from her cousins, Bessie Bishop and Ellen.
folder 1
MS.501.1.8
1912 August 30
Physical Description: 2 pages and envelope
Scope and Contents
Wants her stepfather to come down a cut wood. Henry says that he would be paid $1.50 a day. Also mentions her sister Daisy
and Mrs. Johnnie Jacobs (name is partially illegible).
folder 1
MS.501.1.9
1912 September 25
Physical Description: 1 page and envelope
folder 1
MS.501.1.10
1912 October 29
Physical Description: 2 pages and an evelope
folder 1
MS.501.1.11
1915 August 15
Physical Description: 1 page
folder 1
MS.501.1.12
1915 August 30
Scope and Contents
Eliza is writing from "Stump Fields". She says that Daisy is with them and would like to visit with Ellen before she (Daisy)
leaves for San Francisco.
folder 2
Letters from Eliza Leonard to Ellen Amos MS.501.2
1916-1917
folder 2
MS.501.2.1
1916 March 5
Physical Description: 1 page and envelope
Scope and Contents
First time she mentions "the baby."
folder 2
MS.501.2.2
1916 April 22
Physical Description: 2 pages and envelope
Scope and Contents
Joe is mentioned, chopping wood still for Sam Conway (name is partially illegible).
folder 2
MS.501.2.3
1916 May 23
Physical Description: 2 pages and envelope
Scope and Contents
Mentions that Eddie and Henry are still working in the mine. Also writes about the baby and that he will be walking soon.
folder 2
MS.501.2.4
1916 June 15
Physical Description: 1 page
folder 2
MS.501.2.5
1916 November 22
Physical Description: 1 page and envelope
folder 2
MS.501.2.6
1917 September 29
Physical Description: 1 page
folder 3
Letters from Eliza Leonard to Ellen Amos MS.501.3
1918-1919
folder 3
MS.501.3.1
1918 May 1
Physical Description: 1 page and envelope
Scope and Contents
Mentions trip to Dry Springs.
folder 3
MS.501.3.2
1918 May 17
Physical Description: 1 page and envelope
folder 3
MS.501.3.3
1918 June 27
Physical Description: 1 page and envelope
folder 3
MS.501.3.4
1918 July 11
Physical Description: 2 pages and envelope
Scope and Contents
Includes information about Eliza's garden.
folder 3
MS.501.3.5
1919 March 25
Physical Description: 1 page
Scope and Contents
Mentions that Henry is ill, her horse, and a hog she found with 4 piglets.
folder 3
MS.501.3.6
1919 May 12
Physical Description: 1 page and envelope
Scope and Contents
Mentions Henry getting a little horse and a ribbon Ellen gave Daisy.
folder 4
Letters from Eliza Leonard to Ellen Amos MS.510.4
1922
1924
folder 4
MS.501.4.1
1922 March 5
Physical Description: 2 pages and envelope
Scope and Contents
Mentions cousin Ella and that "Brother" is living in the homestead.
folder 4
MS.501.4.2
1924 March 21
Physical Description: 2 pages and envelope
Scope and Contents
Writes that Henry is working in the mine and Frank is hunting turkeys while Henry is away. Also mentions that Frank will gathering
the cattle up the hill and will come back with Johnny. Mentions Ed's children, the baby was named "Patrishia"
folder 4
MS.501.4.3
1924 April 10
Physical Description: 1 page and envelope
Scope and Contents
Writes about not having the money to send to her mother because Henry's paycheck was all spent on groceries. Eliza apologizes
and says she will send right away what she can. She is sorry to hear that her mom and Joe have been sick.
folder 4
MS.501.4.4
1924 June 13
Physical Description: 2 pages and envelope
Scope and Contents note
Asks about her mom's horse, Johnnie, and if they were able to get him from Dry Spings. Mentions Maud and that "Brother" is
working in the mines. Writes about her neighbors Mr. and Mrs. Sydney. Mrs. Sydney recently died from an illness and Mr. Sydney
is still sick. Mentions a Jom Westlake who said he saw Joe.
folder 4
MS.501.4.5
1924 November 22
Physical Description: 1 page and envelope
Scope and Contents note
Mentions that Brother is working in the quarry and Henry in a gold mine by Mariposa. The family has been sick beause of their
vaccinations.
folder 4
MS.501.4.6
1924 October 17
Physical Description: 1 page and envelope
folder 4
MS.501.4.7
1924 February 1
Physical Description: 1 page and envelope
Scope and Contents
Write that her children, Daisy and Eldridge are not going to school because some of the school children have measles. Henry
is back from work and is herding hogs. Mentions Bill Ganon, Clifford Calhoun and Lawrence Summer all have measles. Writes
that her mom's horse, Johnnie, is fat and that the grass is doing fine.
folder 5
Letters from Leonard Family to Ellen Amos MS.501.5
1910, undated
folder 5
Maud Leonard to Ellen Amos MS.501.5.1
1910 April 29
Physical Description: 2 pages and envelope
Scope and Contents
Mentions a visit from Ellen's daughter, Eliza. She says that Eliza's baby daughter is getting big and fat. Mentions that Ellen's
dog is there and he is going with boys all the time. Also mentions information about Emma Washington.
folder 5
Frank Leonard to Ellen Amos MS.501.5.2
undated
Biographical Note
Frank Leonard was the grandson of Ellen Amos.
Scope and Contents
One "Easter Greetings" postcard
folder 6
Letters from Daisy Harlow to Ellen Amos MS.501.6
1909-1912
folder 6
MS.501.6.1
1909 September 23
Physical Description: 1 page and envelope
Scope and Contents
Writes that her sister Eliza is visiting the Leonards.
folder 6
MS.501.6.2
1909 November 28
Physical Description: 2 pages and envelope
Scope and Contents
Writes that she didn't know her sister Eliza was in "that condtion," pregnant. She hopes it is a boy. Writes presumably about
Joe and hopes that the horse didn't break his arm.
folder 6
MS.501.6.3
1909 December 12
Physical Description: 2 pages and envelope
Scope and Contents
Asks her mother if she will stay with Eliza until "she gets out her troubles", presumably giving birth. Asks about Eliza's
son Frank.
folder 6
MS.501.6.4
1910 March 22
Physical Description: 1 page and envelope.
Scope and Contents
Mentions that she is not staying with the McCullens any more and is staying in Menlo where she works as a store employee.
folder 6
MS.510.6.5
1910 April 9
Physical Description: 1 page and envelope
Scope and Contents
Date is the postmark date on the envelope. Writes that she is glad Emma is staying with her mother. Mentions Mrs McCullen,
who she used to live with. Daisy also writes that she is a Catholic now and wishes brother and sister were Catholics too.
folder 6
MS.501.6.6
1910 April 20
Physical Description: 1 page and envelope
Scope and Contents
Mentions her job in a store in Menlo and that the people she work for are very nice. Doesn't know when she will be able to
visit her mother next. Mentions Mrs McCullen and Bruce.
folder 6
MS.501.6.7
1910 May 3
Physical Description: 1 page and envelope
Scope and Contents
Writes that she suspects Emma is no longer staying with her mother, because Daisy heard that Emma was going home. Mentions
a Lottie Gibner (name is partially illegible) who wants Daisy to take care of her baby, so Daisy thinks she will be leaving
Menlo to take of Lottie's baby.
folder 6
MS.501.6.8
1912 July 31
Physical Description: 2 pages and envelope
Scope and Contents
Mentions that the baby she is taking care of is teething and sick, his name is Percevil Frances, named after his father and
he is "fair like a lily". Says she has been travelling, which cost her a good deal and therefore doesn't think she can visit
her mother Mentions Uncle Bishop and is sorry to hear he is not doing well. Also asks about a Molly, Bennie, and if Jack Oliver
is still living with Lizzie.
folder 6
MS.501.6.9
1912 September 27
Physical Description: 1 page and envelope
Scope and Contents
Date is postmark date on envelope. Mentions that the baby she takes care of is over his cold and is not teething anymore.
Asks about Aunt Molly.
folder 6
MS.501.6.10
1912 November 12
Physical Description: 1 page and envelope
Scope and Contents
Date is postmark date on envelope. Writes that sister Eliza is not feeling well and wishes her mother was with her. Eliza
also received a postal from Bennie.
folder 7
Letters from Emma Washington to Ellen Amos
1910, 1912
1910 June 13
Physical Description: 2 pages and envelope
Scope and Contents note
Writes that she is sorry to hear that Ellen and Joe are ill and suggests that they see a doctor. Talks about a sickly baby,
possibly from the Roomer family. Writes that she is not able to come for a visit because they only have one horse and it is
"getting poor now" with "garden." Mentions the death of two babies, one belongng to Mike Wayetts and the other to Mr. Frank
Hammond as told to her by Sophy Neal. Also writes she is sorry to hear that Ben Jacobs is sick with the measles.
Section in letter that mentions the Roomer family and Mike Wayetts is partially illegible.
1912 November 4
Physical Description: 1 page and envelope
Scope and Contents note
Asks Ellen to send the money she needs, $600, as soon as she can.
folder 8
Letters from Eddie Harlow to Ellen Amos
1918 April 21
Physical Description: 2 pages and envelope
Scope and Contents note
Writes from the hospital while he is being treated for measles. He writes he will send half if his salary home, but that it
will not be much money. He writes about his finances and that he insured himself for $10,000. He asks about the Joe Amos,
the famil y dog, and how the grain is growing.
1918 April 28
Physical Description: 1 page and envelope
Scope and Contents note
Writes about just getting out of hospital and eating ice cream and pie. He mentions how he got hurt after from a ball game
and how he is being trained on digging trenches, making knots, and building bridges for the Army. Also mentions Dave Louis,
who was stationed in the same Company as Eddie.
1918 May 10
Physical Description: 1 page and envelope
Scope and Contents note
He writes that his mother will be receiving money from the government in June. He says that after insurance and laundry, he
only has $13.30 and mentions he will have to save his money so he can eat well. The Army put him in "sharp shooting" and completed
an examination on drawing maps of trenches, railroad tracks, and barbed wire. He will be sending a picture to his mother soon.
Also mentions he has not heard from his sister lately.
1918 May 23
Physical Description: 1 page and envelope
Scope and Contents note
Mentions his regiment will be going on a trip on foot to Half Moon Bay the next day, about 18 miles from his camp. Says he
has made the best shots in the regiment and he is now the marksman.
1918 May 26
Physical Description: 1 page and envelope
Scope and Contents note
His regiment was granted a five day furlough for those who live less than 300 miles away. Asks his mother to send him five
dollars so that he could have enough money to get home. He will be travelling with Dave Lewis (Louis) who will also be going
home to see his "folks". Eddie thinks after the furlough, his regiment will be stationed somewhere in the East Coast and then
abroad. He mentions that he is being worked "pretty hard", taking trips with back packs weighing about sixty pounds.
1918 June 27
Physical Description: 1 page and envelope
Scope and Contents note
Writes about joining the Cavalry because he does not like the work he is doing. He thinks he can be a horse shoer. He asks
his mother to send him money soon so he can come in July for a five day furlough. Says that he signed "that paper" so his
mother should be getting money sent to her, about $80.
1918 June 28
Physical Description: 2 pages and envelope
Scope and Contents note
Says that his captain will let him come only if Eddie "qualifies on everything", but he is doubtful that he will be able to
and therefore not be able to come home. He later writes a small note saying that he does not have to qualify on anything and
that he is coming home. He reminds his mother to send him $5.
1918 July 10
Physical Description: 2 pages and envelope
Scope and Contents note
He writes that he is sorry he did not get to see his mother during his furlough. Mentions he only had five days and tried
to telephone her, but could not find her. He did not have enough money to travel to Wawona. Says that he is "down hearted"
because he could not see her.
1918 July 21-22
Physical Description: 2 pages and envelope
Scope and Contents note
Writes he did not receive any money in the letter, so the person that was supposed to send the money for his mother did not
do it or it was stolen.
Undated
Physical Description: 1 page
Scope and Contents note
He is writing from his new camp in Long Island, New York. Says that he is a horse shoer.
1918 September 20
Physical Description: 1 page and envelope
Scope and Contents note
Writes about his boat trip to Camp Upton, says the waters were rough, but that he is doing well. He hopes that he will be
able to come in the Spring.
1918 circa September 21
Physical Description: 1 page
Scope and Contents note
He is writing from a new location, Camp Upton in Long Island, New York. Says that he is a horse shoer.
1918 September 23
Physical Description: 1 page and envelope
Scope and Contents note
He writes about the rain and that he will be going "a cross" soon, probably to a new post abroad.
1919 March 20
Physical Description: 1 page and envelope
Scope and Contents note
Writing from France. Asks about the picture he sent of himself and of Dave Lewis. He says that he is getting fatter and weighs
182. He hopes to be home by Summer and will be given a gold stripe when he gets home. Asks about Joe and the snow in Miami,
Mariposa. He also mentions that Dave Lewis is a prize fighter.
1919 April 25
Physical Description: 2 pages and envelope
Scope and Contents note
Writes about a picture of bear he took and will be sending along with a picture he took of himself. Is hoping to come home
in the Summer. Dave Lewis moved to Paris and had become a prize fighter. Letter is extremely faded.
1919 May 10
Physical Description: 2 pages
Scope and Contents note
Writes about going on a furlough to Paris for a few days. He thinks that they will be out of France by July 31, so he is hoping
he can be home in August. He asks about his colt that has a hurt leg and requests that Henry look after her leg and help keep
the flies off. He comments on the death of "Pete Whitefall" [unsure of spelling]. Also says that he had another picture taken
of him, but he didn't like the finishing on the photo.
1919 June 11
Physical Description: 2 pages and envelope
Scope and Contents note
Writes that his mother can "get him out" is she fills out an affidavit that she needs his help and has it signed by three
people. He says that others have gone home on those grounds and that he can do more at home than in France especially since
Joe is sick. He writes that money she gets from the government is not much and about the cattle problems his sister is having.
1919 August 31
Physical Description: 1 page
Scope and Contents note
Asks why his mother has not written in a while. He received a letter from his sister. He says his troop has to be out by August
15, so he is hoping to be home by September. Writes that most of the work is done here now and that the "frogs" are doing
most of the work. Although he writes about August 15, the end of the letter is dated August 31.
1924 March 21
Physical Description: 1 page and envelope
Scope and Contents note
Writes to his mother in Raymond, California. He writes that he has been waiting for his mother and Joe to visit. Mentions
that his kids have caught colds.
1925 March 29
Physical Description: 1 page and envelope
Scope and Contents note
Writes that his children are over their colds and that he has been working everyday. He mentions John Gibbs and Earl Westfall
(name is partially illegible) in Raymond. Writes about the rain and how high the grain has grown.
folder 9
Letters to Ellen Amos from other family members and friends MS.501.9
folder 9
R. Kelly to "Dear Friend" MS.501.9.1
1912 November 12
Scope and Contents
Date is the postmark date on envelope.
folder 9
Sally to Ellen Amos MS.501.9.2
circa 1916
Scope and Contents note
Includes two letters, one date June 1 with no year. The second letter is dated 1916 May 7.
folder 9
Sally to Joe Amos MS.501.9.3
1916 May 7
folder 9
Ella Bishop to "My Dear Aunt" MS.501.9.4
Februrary 10, no year
Physical Description: 2 pages
Scope and Contents
Writes about a summer visit to Ellen and mentions Mrs. Packard and Bessie.
folder 9
Eleanor Gibbs to Ellen Amos MS.501.9.5
1926 April 20
Physical Description: 1 page and envelope
Biographical Note
Eleanor is Ellen's sister.
Scope and Contents
Writes from Ahwahnee, California. Mentions that her mother is doing well and the three children are still going to school.
Also mentions that her brother, "Eph" and Leonard went to a rodeo in Oakdale that past Sunday on a rainy day.
folder 9
Theodora Marquez to Ellen Amos MS.501.9.6
1919 April 1
Physical Description: 2 pages
Scope and Contents
Writes about "Laura" and that she had a baby boy. Sends her regards to Tilly Castor and Bessie and is glad to hear Ellen's
son is coming home. Writes that she is also sending Ellen her picture.
folder 9
Julia H. Sydney MS.501.9.7
1919 February 25
folder 9
Lucy Telles to "My dear cousin" MS.501.9.8
1919 April 9
folder 9
Lucy Telles to Ellen Amos MS.501.9.9
1919 May 20
folder 9
Vera Westfall to Ellen Amos MS.501.9.10
1919 March 19
folder 10
Empty postmarked envelopes MS.501.10
1917-1921
folder 10
MS.510.10.1
1917 February 15
Scope and Contents
Postmarked from Raymond, California.
folder 10
MS.510.10.2
1918 December 22
Scope and Contents
Postmarked from France.
folder 10
MS.510.10.3
1919 August 1
Scope and Contents
Postmarked from United States Army. Sent from France.
folder 10
MS.510.10.4
Circa 1920, April
Scope and Contents
Only includes partial postmark information.
folder 10
MS.510.10.5
1921 May 30
Scope and Contents
Postmarked from Miami, California.
folder 10
MS.510.10.6
1914 November 12
Scope and Contents
Postmarked from Bishop, California.
folder 10
MS.510.10.7
January 12
Scope and Contents
Unknown sender, year is illegible possibly 1911.
folder 10
MS.510.10.8
1919 March 19
Scope and Contents
Envelope from Mrs. Conway to Mrs. Joe Amos.
folder 11
Letters to Joe Amos MS.510.11
1918
1925
folder 11
Joseph McBride to Joe Amos MS.510.11.1
1918 June 10
Biographical Note
Joseph McBride was the brother-in-law of Joe Amos.
Scope and Contents
Letter sent from Mono Lake, California.
folder 11
Joseph Howard to Joe Amos MS.510.11.2
1925 April 13
Scope and Contents
Howard is inquiring about grass root he paid for and if it has been sent yet by Frank Lewis's wife. Howard also mentions that
he will be going off to War soon.
folder 12
Financial documents MS.510.12
1918
1927
folder 12
Sugar Pine Hospital bill MS.501.12.1
1918 October 31
Scope and Contents
This is a bill for "hospital care" for Joe Amos who was attended by Dr. Wells. The bill is for $25.
folder 12
Fluetsch and Lewis Motor Company statement MS.510.12.2
1927 August 14
Scope and Contents
Statement addressed to Henry J. Lenord, Raymond, California.