Gideon Anthony Hamilton Papers mssHM 26463-26512, mssHM
50923-50975
Gina C Giang
The Huntington Library
September 2019
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
reference@huntington.org
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
The Huntington Library
Title: Gideon Anthony Hamilton papers
Identifier/Call Number: mssHM 26463-26512, mssHM 50923-50975
Physical Description:
2.5 Linear Feet
(2 boxes)
Physical Description:
105 Items
Date (inclusive): 1874-1925
Abstract: The collection consists primarily of
letters from Gideon Anthony Hamilton to his friend Samuel Frank Dexter in Pawtucket, Rhode
Island from 1874-1922.
Conditions Governing Access
Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department.
For more information, contact Reader Services.
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]. Gideon Anthony Hamilton papers, The Huntington Library, San
Marino, California.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchased from Maxwell Hunley, April 21, 1961.
Gift of William Burger and Mrs. John C. Adams, December 12, 1968.
Acquired from William Burger, May 30, 1978.
Gift of Donna Adams, January 20, 1983 and 1987.
Custodial History
The entire collection was originally owned by William Burger, who sold half of it to
Maxwell Hunley, who in turn sold his half to the Huntington Library. Mr. Burger's portion
later came to the Huntington Library to complete the collection. The two parts can be
identified through their separate HM numbers (HM 26463-26512 and HM 50923-50975), but they
have been combined into one collection to aid scholars.
Biographical / Historical
In 1864, Gideon Anthony Hamilton began working in the Comstock mines in Virginia City,
Nevada. He traveled to South America working on Henry Meiggs' railroad project in Peru and
crossed Costa Rica on horseback in 1872. He returned to Virginia City until 1878 when he
invested in property in Mason Valley, Esmeralda County, Nevada. He sold his interest in the
property in 1880 and went to San Francisco, California, and later to Oakland and finally
Visalia, where he passed away in 1924.
Scope and Contents
The collection consists primarily of letters from Gideon Anthony Hamilton to his friend
Samuel Frank Dexter in Pawtucket, Rhode Island from 1874-1922. In these letters he discusses
life in Virginia City and Esmeralda County, the growing development of Mason Valley, and
Hamilton's interest in ornithology. There are also some comments on life in San Francisco,
California, and reminiscences of his overland journeys in 1863 and across Costa Rica in
1872. At the end of the collection are lyrics of songs copied by Gideon Anthony Hamilton, a
photograph of Gideon Anthony Hamilton (1893), and some ephemera.
Processing Information
Processed by Virginia Rust, 1985. In 2019, Gina C Giang created the finding aid derived
from legacy summary report.
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Mines and mineral resources -- Nevada
Overland journeys to the
Pacific
Silver mines and mining -- Nevada -- Virginia City
Costa Rica -- Description and travel
Comstock Lode (Nev.) -- History -- Sources
Esmeralda County (Nev.) -- History -- Sources
Mason Valley (Nev.) -- History -- Sources
San Francisco (Calif.) -- History -- Sources
Virginia City (Nev.) -- History -- Sources
Letters (correspondence) -- California -- 19th century
Letters (correspondence) -- Nevada -- 19th century
Dexter, Samuel Frank
Box 1, Folder 1-46
Gideon Anthony Hamilton letters to Samuel Frank Dexter HM 26463-26503, HM 50925-50930
1874-1880
Box 1, Folder 47
Samuel Frank Dexter to Gideon Anthony Hamilton HM 50923
1880 December
9
Scope and Contents
Sketch map of Mason Valley, Nevada, area and note. Enclosed in: Letter from Gideon
Anthony Hamilton to Samuel Frank Dexter, 1880 December 9.
Box 1, Folder 48-58
Gideon Anthony Hamilton letters to Samuel Frank Dexter HM 26504-26510, HM 50930-50933
1880-1883
Box 2, Folder 1-34
Gideon Anthony Hamilton letters to Samuel Frank Dexter HM 26511, HM 50934-50964, HM 50974
1885-1901
Box 2, Folder 35
Gideon Anthony Hamilton. Note regarding photograph of Mount Kaweah written in
scrapbook
FAC 1063
1902 July 29
Scope and Contents
Also: Enlargement of photograph of Mount Kaweah, Tulare County, California and note of
explanation by donor.
Box 2, Folder 36-40
Gideon Anthony Hamilton letters to Samuel Frank Dexter HM 50965-50969
1902-1906
Box 2, Folder 41
Gideon Anthony Hamilton letter to Wheaton "Wheatie" Dexter HM 50971
1907 February 6
Box 2, Folder 42
Maria D. Hamilton letter to Mrs. Samuel Frank Dexter HM 50975
1910 August 17
Box 2, Folder 43
Gideon Anthony Hamilton letter to Mrs. Samuel Frank Dexter HM 50970
1910 August
Box 2, Folder 44-45
Gideon Anthony Hamilton letters to Wheaton "Wheatie" Dexter HM 50972-50973
1913-1914
Box 2, Folder 46
Gideon Anthony Hamilton letter to Anthony Dexter HM 50924
1922 December 19
Box 2, Folder 47
Ephemera
1879-1925
Scope and Contents
Includes: Fragment listing date and causes of death of Gideon Anthony Hamilton;
fragments of letters; clippings; and Arcata and Mad River R.R.C. Manifest of Cargo.
Box 2, Folder 48
Lyrics of songs copied by Gideon Anthony Hamilton
undated
Physical Description: 7 sheets.
Box 2, Folder 49
Photograph of Gideon Anthony Hamilton
1893
