Davis (William Heath) Papers, 1843-1906

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Summary

Title:
William Heath Davis papers
Dates:
1843-1906
Creators:
Davis, William Heath, 1822-1909
Abstract:
The collection of American businessman and author William Heath Davis. The collection includes correspondence, bills, receipts, documents, and printed material; also included is material related to Davis' book on early California.
Extent:
8 Linear Feet (10 boxes)
Language:
Materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. William Heath Davis papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists of 634 items, from 1843 to 1906; it includes manuscripts, letters, documents, receipts and newspaper clippings related to the life and business activities of William Heath Davis. Subject matter includes shipping and commerce in California before and after the Gold Rush; business firms in San Francisco and Honolulu; and land titles, with particular emphasis on Rancho San Leandro. The collection also includes manuscripts and source materials relating to Davis's memoirs. Additionally, there are items related to California and San Francisco history; various California pioneers; mining; shipping; land titles commerce; and the social manners and customs of early California residents.

Biographical / historical:

William Heath Davis (1822-1909) was an American businessman and author. He was born at Honolulu, Hawaii, the son of a Boston ship-master and early trader to the North American coast. Davis visited California as a boy, then returned in 1838, to work as a clerk in the Monterey store of his uncle, Nathan Spear; Davis established his own store in San Francisco in 1845. He married María de Jesús Estudillo in 1847 and was associated with many prominent early California families. Davis was instrumental in the founding of Oakland and San Diego, California, and he owned property in both cities. His memoirs of the early days in California were published as Sixty years in California (1889), and a later enlarged version, Seventy-five years in California (1929) was edited by John Howell.

Acquisition information:
Correspondence and accounts were purchased from A. S. McDonald in 1916. Manuscript material of Davis' book and a few letters (1885-1906) were purchased from John Howell in August 1928.
Processing information:

Processed by Huntington Library Staff, circa 1930. In 2020, Gayle Richardson created the finding aid derived from a legacy summary report.

Arrangement:

Arranged by subject and format.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Gayle Richardson
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2021-06-28 11:44:06 -0700 .

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 Heath Davis 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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