Charles M. Silva (1823-1894) and his son Edward B. Silva (1854-1952) operated C.M. Silva & Son, a nursery specializing in fruit trees and plants, in Newcastle, California. This collection contains 135 letters written to C. M. Silva & Son from 1874-1879. Also included is one volume of outgoing correspondence from July to December 1886. The correspondence discusses growing fruit trees and plants, orders for their fruit and plant stock, shipping procedures, the quality of their products, and account debits and credits.

Charles M. Silva (1823-1894) was a native of Richmond County, New York who moved to California in 1849. A resident of Newastle, California from 1864 to 1894, Silva first planted several fruit trees and strawberry vines there in 1868. He was one of the first to discover the adaptability of Newcastle's soil for growing fruit trees and plants and became one of the pioneers of the fruit and nursery business in Placer County. Silva and his son, Edward, operated a nursery, C.M. Silva & Son, in Newcastle.

1.4 linear feet

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Collection is open for research.