Collection context
Summary
- Creators:
- Belden, Josiah, 1815-1892
- Abstract:
- Mainly concerning his business, property and mining interests. Included also are diaries of travels in Europe, the Eastern Mediterrnaean area and Alaska; incomplete reminiscence of Bartleson Party's overland journey; and papers for the settlement of Belden's estate. Carton 1: vols. 1-17; Carton 2: vols. 18-24.
- Extent:
- Number of containers: 24 v. in 2 cartons and 3 boxes Linear feet: 3.75
- Language:
- English
Background
- Biographical / historical:
-
Josiah Belden, born in Connecticut of 17th century colonist stock, was a member of the first planned emigrant party to cross the plains to California. A member of the Bartleson Party, Belden left Missouri early in May and arrived in California, after considerable hardship, in November, 1841. Settling first in the Santa Cruz area, where he managed a store for Thomas O. Larkin, Belden also operated a small store in Monterey. Upon acquiring Mexican citizenship he received a grant of land, the Barranca Colorado, on the upper Sacramento River, which he later sold to William B. Ide.
In about 1846 Belden managed a store in Yerba Buena for Captain John Paty, later was associated with William Heath Davis, and in 1847 established a store in San Jose in silent partnership with Henry Mellus and William D. M. Howard. With the gold excitement this enterprise first languished as the inhabitants left for the mines, but prospered greatly as they returned with gold to spend, and new residents also came to the town. Belden retired from this operation in 1849, about the time he married Sarah Margaret, daughter of Zachariah Jones, an 1846 arrival in California. They continued to live in San Jose where Belden took an active part in civic affairs and property development until 1881, when they moved to New York City where Belden died in 1892.
By astute investment, including San Francisco real estate, Belden became a wealthy man for his times. The papers reflect his merchandising operations, particularly his association with Mellus and Howard, and some of his investments, including the San Francisco property. He was interested in quicksilver mines, particularly the New Almaden and the Guadalupe, and in mining property in Mexico. The accounts contain many names and signatures of the early pioneers. Unfortunately, there is not much correspondence. Diaries kept by Belden and Mrs. Belden on their travels to Europe, the Eastern Mediterranean area and to Alaska are included. Also, papers for the settlement of Belden's estate and a copy of Mrs. Belden's will are with the papers.
- Physical location:
- For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Access and use
- Location of this collection:
-
University of California, Berkeley, The Bancroft LibraryBerkeley, CA 94720-6000, US
- Contact:
- 510-642-6481