Description
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.
Background
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.
Extent
Number of containers: 24 v. in 2 cartons and 3 boxes
Linear feet: 3.75
Restrictions
Copyright has not been assigned to The Bancroft Library. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts
must be submitted in writing to the Head of Public Services. Permission for publication is given on behalf of The Bancroft
Library as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which
must also be obtained by the reader.
Availability
Collection is open for research.