Ayers, James J., Colonel, Speech on July 4, 1872, 1872

Collection context

Summary

Title:
Colonel James J. Ayers Speech on July 4, 1872
Dates:
1872
Creators:
Colonel James J. Ayers
Abstract:
Includes a packet with an eleven-page handwritten speech. The speech was written by Colonel J.J. Ayers as a celebration for the 4th of July in 1872. Ayers� speech, given at San Buenaventura, focuses on patriotism and celebrating the founding of the nation 96 years prior. The packet also includes a poem entitled Ventura!
Extent:
1 speech (11 pages)
Language:
Languages represented in the collection: English
Preferred citation:

Colonel James J. Ayers Speech on July 4, 1872. The Society of California Pioneers.

Background

Scope and content:

Includes a packet with an eleven-page handwritten speech. The speech was written by Colonel J.J. Ayers as a celebration for the 4th of July in 1872. Ayers' speech, given at San Buenaventura, focuses on patriotism and celebrating the founding of the nation 96 years prior. The packet also includes a poem entitled Ventura!

Biographical / historical:

James Joseph Ayers was born in Glasgow, Scotland on August 27, 1830. His family moved to New Jersey when he was one year old. By age 18, he was trained in printmaking and was the editor of the Republican in St. Louis. In 1849, Ayers traveled on foot through Nicaragua to California. Because the Panama steamers were so crowded, the group he was traveling with built their own boat and sailed to Cape San Lucas, where they were shipwrecked. Eventually, he made it to San Diego and was able to secure passage to San Francisco. After finding mining less rewarding than he thought, Ayers began working in the printmaking business. Ayers worked on the staff of multiple newspapers in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Honolulu, and other various cities in California and Nevada. In 1878, Ayers was elected to the Constitutional Convention, which framed the foundation of the laws of California, where he helped to ensure that both men and women could attend the University of California. Ayers died on November 12, 1897 while living in Azusa in Los Angeles County. He was a member of the Society of California Pioneers.

Date Event
1872 Colonel James J. Ayers' Speech on July 4, 1872
Physical location:
B001393
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Kelsey Ransick
Date Prepared:
© 2010
Date Encoded:
Machine-readable finding aid created by Kelsey Ransick. Machine-readable finding aid derived from MS Word. Date of source: February 26, 2010.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open by appointment for research.

Terms of access:

Property rights reside with The Society of California Pioneers. All requests for permission to reproduce or publish must be submitted in writing to the Librarian.

Preferred citation:

Colonel James J. Ayers Speech on July 4, 1872. The Society of California Pioneers.

Location of this collection:
300 Fourth Street
San Francisco, CA 94107, US
Contact:
(415) 957-1849 ext. 160