Collection context
Summary
- Creators:
- Birnie, Robert
- Abstract:
- The folder contains a memoir of Robert Birnie’s life and experiences in pioneer California.
- Extent:
- 1.0 folder 1 item
- Language:
- Preferred citation:
-
Robert Bernie Memoir, 1824-1859, The Society of California Pioneers
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The folder contains a 13-page memoir of Robert Birnie’s life and experiences in pioneer California. He discusses the life and career of his father, James Birnie, in the Hudson’s Bay Company, his own attempts at gold mining, and his travels between Los Angeles, Oregon and Vancouver.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Robert Birnie was born in Astoria, Oregon on February 7th, 1824. Birnie was the son of Scottish immigrants. In 1841, he was appointed a clerk in the Hudson’s Bay Company and sent to California in the Yerba Buena area. While on business in San Francisco in 1848, he saw the first lot of gold dust brought down by W. L. Brannam. After a few successful mining expeditions, Bernie experienced some losses. He married an heir of the Welch family in 1850 and tried his hand, unsuccessfully, at farming in Contra Costa County. After his failed attempts in farming, Birnie turned to real estate in the city of Oakland.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Indexed terms
- Subjects:
- Pioneers--California
- Names:
- Hudson's Bay Company.
- Places:
- San Francisco Bay Area (Calif.)--History
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
Collection is open for research
- Terms of access:
-
There are no restrictions on access
- Preferred citation:
-
Robert Bernie Memoir, 1824-1859, The Society of California Pioneers
- Location of this collection:
-
300 Fourth StreetSan Francisco, CA 94107, US
- Contact:
- (415) 957-1849 ext. 160