Guide to the Levi Richard French Letters to his Family, 1850-1854.
Processed by Terry Boom
The Bancroft Library.
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, California, 94720-6000
Phone: (510) 642-6481
Fax: (510) 642-7589
Email: bancref@library.berkeley.edu
URL: http://bancroft.berkeley.edu
© 1996
The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.
Note
History --History, California --General Geographical (by Place) --California Engineering and Technology --Mining and Metallurgy
Guide to the Levi Richard French Letters to his Family, 1850-1854
Collection number: BANC MSS 85/106 c
The Bancroft Library
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, California
Contact Information:
- Processed by:
- Terry Boom
- Date completed:
- June 1985
- Encoded by:
- Gabriela A. Montoya
© 1996 The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.
Collection Summary
Collection Title: Levi Richard French Letters to his Family,
Date (inclusive): 1850-1854
Collection Number: BANC MSS 85/106 c
Creator: French, Levi Richard
Extent:
Number of containers: 1 portfolio
Repository: The
Bancroft Library
Berkeley, California 94720-6000
Physical Location: For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Abstract: Letters detailing aspects of his life in California, first as a gold miner, and later as a businessman. A few early letters
(1850-1852) detail his life and relatively unsuccessful exploits in the gold fields. Most of the letters (1852-54), however,
pertain to the time after he returned to California following a short visit to the East. They describe a somewhat more successful
career as a teamster and businessman selling goods to miners, including wagons specially designed to handle the rugged terrain
of the gold country, which were shipped from Massachusetts to him by his father. These later letters were written during periods
of residence in Thompson's Flat, Onion Valley, Morris Ravine, New Philadelphia and Marysville.
Languages Represented:
English
Information for Researchers
Access
The collection is open for research.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Levi Richard French Letters to his Family, BANC MSS 85/106 c, The Bancroft Library, University of
California, Berkeley
Administrative Information
Acquisition Information
The Levi Richard French Letters were purchased by the Friends of The Bancroft Library in April 1985.
Biographical Sketch
Levi Richard French, like thousands of other men during the Gold Rush, came to California to seek his fortune. This collection
of 31 letters from Levi to his father Richard French details his early exploits as a miner in California. Faring poorly as
a miner, he returned briefly to Boston in 1851, returning later that year to California. His letters from Thompson's Flat,
Onion Valley, Morris Ravine, New Philadelphia, and Marysville indicate a greater success as a businessman than a miner. French
opened several stores selling goods to miners and wagons that his father sent from Massachusetts.
The collection includes a letter from
Tammy to
Aunt Grace. It is unclear if either of these people was associated with Levi Richard French. For additional information on the ship
Regulus, which French sailed on, see Thomas Williams' journal of his voyage on the
Regulus, call number BANC MSS 78/19 c.
folder 1
Levi R. French (San Francisco) to Father (Richard French)
Sept. 12, 1850
Physical Description: 2 p.
Scope and Content Note
Not doing well in mines. Makes arrangements to settle a debt in Boston of $300. Gives father power of attorney to settle the
debt between himself and J. [G.] Ball, his uncle.
folder 2
Levi R. French (Boston) to Father
Feb. 3, 1851
Physical Description: 1 p.
Scope and Content Note
Coming home Wednesday on the second train.
folder 3
Levi R. French (Boston) to Father
Feb. 26, 1851
Physical Description: 1 p.
Scope and Content Note
Received money father sent him. Returning to California soon. Uncle Joseph did not take promissory note from him for debt.
folder 4
Levi R. French (Boston Harbor) to Father
n.d.
Physical Description: 1 p.
Scope and Content Note
Getting ready to set sail for California. Instructs father to write him in San Francisco c/o the Bunker Hill Trading Association
Ship
Regulus.
folder 5
Levi R. French (Thompson's Flat) to Father
April 16, 1851
Physical Description: 1 p.
Scope and Content Note
Tell [?] if father needs money since his business is not doing well and he is unable to send money.
folder 6
Levi R. French (Onion Valley) to Father
July 9, 1851
Physical Description: 3 p.
Scope and Content Note
Now in Onion Valley. Hopes to send money within 2-3 months if he has no more bills to pay. Describes Onion Valley. Prospects
for miners are better than ever before in California. Supplies are cheap. Wishes he could send money now, attributes lack
of it to his bad luck.
folder 7
Levi R. French (San Francisco) to Father
Sept. 26, 1851
Physical Description: 2 p.
Scope and Content Note
Has not received any letters from home. Hotel in Onion Valley closed until spring. Sending 18 ounces of gold dust. Partner
going home for winter, he has no plans yet. Write him at Sacramento City.
folder 8
Levi R. French (Morris Ravine) to Father
Nov. 9, 1851
Physical Description: 2 p.
Scope and Content Note
Still has not received any letters. Continue to write him at Sacramento City. Has made no money since he last wrote. If he
doesn't make some soon, he will leave the area. Expects to mine during the winter.
folder 9
Tammy (Morris Ravine) to Aunt Grace
Jan. 29, 1852
Physical Description: 1 p.
Scope and Content Note
Describes typical workday mining and typical meals.
folder 10
Levi R. French (New Philadelphia) to Father
Feb. 19, 1852
Physical Description: 2 p.
Scope and Content Note
Finally has received a letter. Father has shipped him wagons to sell. Will send money with the next steamer. Winter has been
very dry. Business going so well he does not want to leave it to come home. Instructs father to write him at New Philadelphia
by way of Marysville.
folder 11
Levi R. French (Marysville) to Father
May 10, 1852
Physical Description: 2 p.
Scope and Content Note
Sends $150 draft note. Has not received a letter in some time. If he sees Willis in California, he will make Willis pay the
debt Willis owes his father.
folder 12
Levi R. French (California) to Father
May 17, 1852
Physical Description: 1 p.
Scope and Content Note
Sending a second draft of $150,
since first one was not received. Would like a receipt to let him know the remainder of his promissory note has been cancelled.
folder 13
Levi R. French (Marysville) to Father
Sept. 24, 1852
Physical Description: 2 p.
Scope and Content Note
Sending bill of exchange for $200. Leaving today for Morris Ravine. Sends regards to friends at home.
folder 14
Levi R. French (Morris Ravine) to Father and Sister (Maria)
Dec. 28, 1852
Physical Description: 2 p.
Scope and Content Note
Received Nov. 4 letter. Willis affair settled. Sending $100 as his father requested. Should be able to send more money after
he receives wagons and harnesses. Presently has 2 claims. Thanks Maria for letter.
folder 15
Levi R. French (Morris Ravine) to Father
March 21, 1853
Physical Description: 2 p.
Scope and Content Note
Received letter. Wants father to send 12 carts as light as possible. Now trading and making daguerreotypes. Can't send money
now since it's all been used to start the business. Hopes to make $200-$500 per week.
folder 16
Levi R. French (Marysville) to Father
May 3, 1853
Physical Description: 1 p.
Scope and Content Note
Has not heard anything about the wagons. Wants father to send a freight bill as soon as the wagons have been shipped.
folder 17
Levi R. French (Marysville) to Father
June 17, 1853
Physical Description: 1 p.
Scope and Content Note
Still has not received freight bill nor any letter concerning the wagons. Repeats instructions concerning them in case previous
letters not received.
folder 18
Levi R. French (Thompson's Flat) to Father
July 7, 1853
Physical Description: 3 p.
Scope and Content Note
Gives specific instructions for modifications on the design of the next shipment of wagons.
folder 19
Levi R. French (Marysville) to Father
Sept. 4, 1853
Physical Description: 2 p.
Scope and Content Note
Sold one of the wagons for $575. Now has a partner named Smith and the two plan to open a second store. Business amounts to
about $9000.
folder 20
Levi R. French (Marysville) to Father
Sept. 10, 1853
Physical Description: 1 p.
Scope and Content Note
Has received letter with second freight bill. If father has not started the carts, he shouldn't since Levi can make more money
with wagons. Business doing well. Second store is open.
folder 21
Levi R. French (Marysville) to Father
Oct. 2, 1853
Physical Description: 1 p.
Scope and Content Note
Business concerns.
folder 22
Levi R. French (Marysville) to Father
Nov. 8, 1853
Physical Description: 1 p.
Scope and Content Note
Received wagons. Business is dull. Leaving Marysville tomorrow for home in the mountains.
folder 23
Levi R. French (Morris Ravine) to Sister (Maria?)
Nov. 23, 1853
Physical Description: 4 p.
Scope and Content Note
Received letter. Sends regards to family, advice to sister. Rainy season has started.
folder 24
Levi R. French [?] to Father
April 25, 1854
Physical Description: 2 p.
Scope and Content Note
Have the wagons been sent yet? Has not been able to sell others. Money has been tight during the winter. Health is not good.
folder 25
Levi R. French (Thompson's Flat) to Father
May 30, 1854
Physical Description: 2 p.
Scope and Content Note
Health improved. Business not good at present. Lost $1500 because of his partner, who he no longer has. Instructions for 3
running gears.
folder 26
Levi R. French (Thompson's Flat) to Father
Sept. 3, [1854]
Physical Description: 2 p.
Scope and Content Note
Discusses money he owes father. Building a new store. Also building a ditch to bring water to miners. Has lost a total of
$3000 because of his partner.
folder 27
Levi R. French (New Philadelphia) to Father
Sept. 26, 1854
Physical Description: 2 p.
Scope and Content Note
Has received order for two more wagons. Instructs father on how he wants them built. Sketch of how he wants them built.
folder 28
E. K. Dodge (Vermont Hill) to Levi R. French
Sept. 28, 1854
Physical Description: 1 p.
Scope and Content Note
Reorder of two wagons.
folder 29
Levi R. French [?] to Father
n.d.
Physical Description: 1 p.
Scope and Content Note
Re E. K. Dodge order.
folder 30
Levi R. French (New Philadelphia) to Father
Oct. 29, 1854
Physical Description: 1 p.
Scope and Content Note
Not able to send money. Waiting for the wagons to arrive. Going to San Francisco next week.
folder 31
Levi R. French (New Philadelphia) to Father
Dec. 10, 1854
Physical Description: 1 p.
Scope and Content Note
Wagons must arrive by April 1. Business is dull.
folder 32
Four envelopes addressed to Richard French. Penciled dates on back may correspond to letters.
folder 32
Adams and Co. California Express notice to R. French that package has arrived,
Nov. 12, 1851