Description
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.
Background
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.
Extent
8 Linear Feet
(10 boxes)
Restrictions
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.
Availability
Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at
the Huntington Library for more information.