Guide to the Louise Foot Ely Diary, 1858-1859
Processed by California Historical Society staff; supplementary encoding and
revision supplied by Xiuzhi Zhou.
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© 2000
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Guide to the Louise Foot Ely Diary, 1858-1859
Collection number: MS 20/13, MS 20/14 (Vault)
California Historical SocietyNorth Baker Research Library
San Francisco, California
- California Historical Society
- North Baker Research Library
- 678 Mission Street
- San Francisco, California 94105-4014
- Phone: (415) 357-1848, ext. 220
- Fax: (415) 357-1850
- Email: reference@calhist.org
- URL: http://www.californiahistoricalsociety.org/
- Processed by:
- California Historical Society staff
© 2000 California Historical Society. All rights reserved.
Title: Louise Foot Ely Diary,
Date (inclusive): 1858-1859
Collection number: MS 20/13, MS 20/14 (Vault)
Creator:
Ely, Louise Foot
Extent: 1 diary and 14 folios.
Repository:
California Historical Society, North Baker Library
San Francisco, California 94105-4014
Language:
English.
Gift of K.K. Bechtel.
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[Identification of item], Louise Foot Ely Diary. MS 20/13, MS 20/14 (Vault), California
Historical Society, North Baker Research Library.
- Residence(s):
- Cleveland, O., Elyria, O., San Francisco, Ca.
- Occupation(s):
- Housewife
- Original or Copy:
- Original
- Time span of diary:
- Feb. 12, 1858 - August 30, 1858; Nov. 28, 1858 - Nov. 9, 1859
- Description of diarist:
- Louise Foot Ely arrived in San Francisco in 1858 at the end of a trip to the South Sea with her husband C.A. Ely who was in failing health They spent two years in California and as his health improved he traveled throughout the State and in Washington and Oregon.
- Size in Inches:
- Feb. 1858-Aug. 1858 14 looseleaf folios 8½ × 11; Nov. 1858-Nov. 1859 leather packet 4 3/4 × 3
- Approximate number of pages:
- 11/58-11/59: 109 bound; 2/58-8/58: 55 looseleaf.
Diary concerns some reflections on her life-concerns for husband's health where they will
eventually settle hints of pregnancy.
Folder 14: Feb. 12, 1858 diary--Almost daily record of trip aboard the Samuel Russell
from N.Y. to San Francisco via the China Sea; life aboard ship, improvised church
services, food served, Chinese sailors aboard, stars observed; description of Chinese
sailors being transported to Australia. An interesting if factual diary with only rare
glimpses of her inner feelings, written to be sent home to her family.
Folder 13: November 28, 1858 diary-- Private diary recounting typical middleclass woman's
daily activities--lectures, teas, church attendance. Health and welfare of husband; wifely
arts such as sewing and decoration; social life with other women; lectures and concerts;
lively interest in events in San Francisco. Diary is accompanied by letters to family and
friends.
- Beatrice (Ship) Feb. 12 diary, p.40
- Broderick-Terry Duel - Nov. 28 diary p. 73 and following
- Chinese - transportation from Hong Kong to Australia Feb. 12 diary, p. 40
- Diaries - 1858-1859
- Fourth of July, 1859 - Celebration in San Francisco Nov. 28 diary, p.16, 17
- Lapwing (Ship) Feb. 12 diary, p.32
- Murphy's Ranch, San Jose, Ca. (description) Nov. 28 diary, p.26
- Nurseries (Horticulture) --San Jose, Ca. (description) Nov. 28 diary, p.32
- San Francisco --Social life and customs, Nov. 28 diary throughout
- San Jose. San Juan Church (description) Nov. 28 diary p.23, 24
- Santa Clara College, Santa Clara, Ca. (description) Nov. 28 diary p.23, 24
- Women in California -- Social life and customs, Nov. 28 diary throughout
- Voyages to the Pacific Coast, 1858
- Broderick, David C. (1820-1859) wounded by Terry p.73 and following Greeley, Horace -- lecturer p. 52
- Flint, Mr./Mrs. Ben p. 29
- Mastick, Mr./Mrs. E.B. p 34 and following
- Scott (Rev.) W.A. (1813-1885) author and theologian p.14 and following
- Scott (General) Winfield (1786-1866) arrival in San Francisco Bay 1859, p.91, 92
- Terry, David S. (1823-1890) - pistol duel with Broderick p.73 and following
- Taylor, Bayard (1825-1878) - author and lecturer p.71, 74
- Santa Claus (Ship) (Feb. 1858 diary)