Register of the Jedediah Smith Society Collection, 1943-

Processed by Holt Atherton staff

Holt-Atherton Department of Special Collections

University Library, University of the Pacific

Stockton, CA 95211

Phone: (209) 946-2404

URL: https://www.pacific.edu/university-libraries/find/holt-atherton-special-collections

Register of the Jedediah Smith Society Collection, 1943-

Collection number: Mss18

Holt-Atherton Department of Special Collections

University Library

University of the Pacific

Contact Information

Holt-Atherton Department of Special Collections
University Library, University of the Pacific
Stockton, CA 95211
Phone: (209) 946-2404
URL: https://www.pacific.edu/university-libraries/find/holt-atherton-special-collections

Processed by:: Holt-Atherton staff, Gillian Goldberg, Mike Wurtz
Date Completed:: May 2011, July 2023
Encoded by:: Holt-Atherton Staff, Gillian Goldberg, Mike Wurtz

Descriptive Summary

Title: Jedediah Smith Society Collection,

Date (inclusive): 1943-

Collection number: Mss18

Creator: Jedediah Smith Society

Extent: 6.25 linear ft.

Repository: University of the Pacific. Library. Holt-Atherton Department of Special Collections

Stockton, CA 95211

Shelf location: For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the library's online catalog.

Language: English.

Administrative Information

Access

Collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Jedediah Smith Society Collection, Mss18, Holt-Atherton Department of Special Collections, University of the Pacific Library

Access Points

Personal Names

Smith, Jedediah Strong (1799-1831)

Smith family

Ashley, William Henry (1778-1838)

Henry, Andrew

Sublette, William L.

Jackson, David E.

Corporate Names

Rocky Mountain Fur Company

Jedediah Smith Society

Subjects

Fur trade -West (U.S.)

Explorers -West (U.S.)

California -History -To 1846

Oregon -History -To 1859

West (U.S.) -History

Biography

Jedediah Strong Smith (1799-1831) was the first American citizen to enter California by an overland route. His travels (1821-1831) demonstrated feasible routes across the West to California. Smith trapped first along the Missouri River under William Ashley and Andrew Henry. He rediscovered South Pass, Wyo. (1824), a passageway from the High Plains into the Pacific Northwest. After forming a partnership to trap in the Pacific Coast region with David Jackson and William Sublette, Smith trapped and explored in Central California and Oregon (1827-1828). The partners sold out to the Rocky Mountain Fur Company in 1830 and turned to the Santa Fe trade. Smith was killed by Indians on the Southern Plains the following year.

The Jedediah Smith Society was formed (1957) to promote the reputation of Smith as an important historical figure. It holds regular meetings, publishes a newsletter and promotes publications devoted to the education of the public on this theme.

Scope and Content

The Jed Smith Society Collection contains two types of materials: Series 1 consisting of items pertaining to the life of Smith; and, series 2 containing items describing activities of the Society. In the first category are: manuscripts of writings on Jed Smith; biographical and genealogical materials; articles on Smith's explorations; and, correspondence between Society members regarding various aspects of Smith's life. In the second category are: Society minutes; programs; speeches; publications; and, business correspondence.

SERIES 1: MATERIALS PERTAINING TO LIFE OF JEDEDIAH SMITH

BOX 1: MANUSCRIPTS

1.1: Alson J.Smith - "Men against the Mountains" (8 folders)

1.2: Peter Decker - "Beyond a Big Mountain" (4 folders)

1.3: Dr. John Niehardt - The Song of Jed Smith (3 folders)

1.4: Sally M. Miller (Ed.) – “Jedediah Smith: Explorers and Fir Traders

-David G. Malaher - Trappers and Mappers: Eight Men Who Marked the First Paths Across North America

-Mark William Kelly – John Dougherty: Fur Trader to the Waters of the Columbia

-James C. Auld – The Legend of Jedediah Smith 1799-1831 Fact and Fantasy

-Clay Lanry – Jed Smith’s Cache: A Study of the Trade Goods, Equiipment and Clothing

-Jim Hardee – Jedediah Smith’s Gold Discovery

-David J. Weber – Searching for Jedediah Smith in Mexico

-Nancy J. Taniguchi – Chain Reactions: The Long-Term Impacts of Jed Smith in California

BOX 2: JEDEDIAH SMITH GENEALOGY & BIOGRAPHY AND EXPEDITIONS (see also boxes 4 & 5 for more biographies)

2.1-2.7 Genealogy

2.8: Smith, Ezra Delos [great grandnephew]: correspondence, Chronicles of the Family of J Smith and S S Smith (1918); The Life and Adventures of Jedediah S Smith A Knight of the West Path Finder of the Mountain Country (photocopy from Kansas Historical Society). In addition, 1 roll microfilm of Ezra Delos Smith Papers from the Bancroft Library with expanded version of manuscript.

2.9: GENERAL BIOGRAPHY: General Story on Jed; Hunt, Rockwell D.

2.10: GENERAL BIOGRAPHY: "Jedediah Strong Smith," unidentified author, "Jedediah Smith - Trailmaker Extraordinary" by Donald Peattie

2.11: Bibliography

2.12: Smith, Jedediah 1799-1831

2.13: JSS Pictures, Illustrations, etc.1

2.14: EXPEDITIONS #1

a-"Jedediah Strong Smith's Overland Expedition to California in 1826," Hunt, Rockwell.

b-"Early Trapping Parties in California," [1826] Warner, J.J.

2.15: EXPEDITIONS #2

a-"The Story of Jedediah Smith Who Blazed the Overland Trail to California," Breed, Noel J. (1926)

b- "A Knight in Buckskin: Jedediah Strong Smith," California History Nugget (November 1937)

c-"Jedediah Smith in the Valley," Los Tulares, (December, 1968)

d-"A New Ashley Document," Morgan, Dale L., The Westerners, 1966.

e-"Reward: Find Where Old Jed Pitched Camp," Castro, Doris, Stockton, Record (July 20, 1969)

f-"San Lorenzo Named After Camping Spot," Sandoval, John, The Daily Review (September, 14, 1969)

g-"Trials of a Trapper," Jones, David R., Motor Land (February, 1931)

2.16: EXPEDITIONS #3

a-"Jedediah Strong Smith First Yankee in Kern," Bailey, Richard C.

b-"Old Jed Paved Way for Settlers of California," Mitchell, Gwin. Stockton Record (July 29, 1962)

c-"Trail Blazer Smith Had Some Rugged Days," Mitchell, Gwin, Stockton Record (July 29, 1962)

d-"The Methodist Who Won California," Garrison, Webb B., Christian Advocate (July 26, 1956)

2.17: EXPEDITIONS #4

a-Travels of Jed Smith, Sullivan, Maurice.

b-James Clyman, American Frontiersman: 1792-1881, Camp, Charles L., ed.

c-Jed Smith - Trail Maker and Methodist, Case, Leland D.,

2.18: EXPEDITIONS #5

a-"Jedediah Strong Smith - New Documentation" Rolle, Andrew

b-"Riddle of Jedediah Smith's First Visit to California"

c-"Jed Smith Memorial"

d- "Smith Family Bibles"

2.19: EXPEDITIONS #6: "Letter to the Oregon Herald, October 12, 1866 from Robert Newell."

2.20: EXPEDITIONS #7

a-"Jed Called Abraham?" Chase, Don [includes copies of articles concerning Smith's travels and copy of the Borges manuscript with translation]

b-"Peter Skene Ogden's Trapping Expedition to the Gulf of California, 1829-1830,"

c-"Jedediah Smith's Route Across the Sierra in 1827," Fletcher, F.N.

d-"First Crossing of the Sierra Nevada: Jed Smith's Trip from California to Salt Lake in 1827".

2.21: EXPEDITIONS #8

a-"Umpqua Massacre Site," Anderson, Verner

b-The Umpqua Trapper (1965-67)

2.22: EXPEDITIONS #9: "Maps," Morgan, Dale

2.23: EXPEDITIONS #10: "Marking Jed's Routes;" Udall, Stewart.

2.24: EXPEDITIONS #11

a-"Gold and Squaw Myths"

b-"Building the Heart of an Empire"

c-"Short History of Oregon"

2.25 : EXPEDITIONS: "Enigma at Piute Springs;" Harrison, James [photos included]

2.26: EXPEDITIONS: "Where Jed Died;" Walker, Henry

2.27: Correspndence: Markers

2.28: Wind Cove, South Dakota

2.29: Jedediah Smith Transcript Journal 1822-1828. Microfilm (2) and DVD (3) reproductions from the Dakota Wesleyan University Archives

view online item

BOX 3: CORRESPONDENCE CONCERNING SMITH

3.1.1: Howard, Robert West. "Jed-Methodist"

3.1.2: Smith Letter, October 22, 1827 (in French); Smith Letter, October 22, 1829

3.1.3: Hayes, Hugh. "Smith's guns"

3.1.4: Spencer, Horace. "Who left guns at French Camp?"

3.1.5: Belden, Burr to Reginald Stuart concerning Jed's route from Mohave village to San Gabriel Mission

3.1.6: Belden, Burr. "Why Mojaves Attacked"

3.1.7: Clinton P. Anderson corresp. [concerns Jed's Journal]

3.1.8: Case, Leland. "Jed's Journal"

3.1.9: Morgan, Helen Hunt. "Sullivan Journal"

3.1.10: Stuart, R.R. "Jed-Business Man".

3.1.11: Hays, Carl. "Relative of D. Jackson - Smith's business partner".

3.1.12: Wilkerson. "Where are Jed artifacts?"

3.1.13: Case, Leland. "Smith's Bible".

3.1.14: "Jed Smith Markers"

3.1.15: Camp, C.L. "Clyman, Black Hills".

3.1.16: Niehardt, John. "Discovering Jed Smith".

3.1.17: Wells, Merle. "Fort Vancouver".

3.1.18: Burns, R.E.. "History of the Jedediah Smith Society".

3.1.19: Correspondence, Miscellaneous.

3.1.20: Correspondence, Don Chase

3.1.21: Copies of Correspondence from Ezra Delos Smith (grandnephew of JSS) to Geo. W. Martin of the Kansas State Historical Society: 15 letters dating from Nov. 5, 1910 – Sept. 2, 1911

3.1.22: Copies of Misc. Correspondences: 9 letters, dating 1912, 1920-1930, including Geo. H. Hims, Geo. W. Martin, Binger Herman, C. Hart Merriam, Kansas State Historical Society, Charles Kelly, Connelly

3.1.23: Tuggle, Troy. Research & Related Materials on Smith Gun

RE: "Dick Dyer"

Castor C. Pistol "art", Dyer

Committee Reports, etc.

Gun Collectors, Antiques

"Creamer"

Gun Article published in Far Westerner July 1977

Pistol Article with Footnotes, 1977, 1981

Hugh Hayes/Castor/Photos

San Diego Police Dept.

Serra Museum

3.1.24: Tuggle, Troy. Research & Related Materials on Smith Gun

CI & I Sacramento 8/1978

Capt. Noonan

J.S. Kansas H.S., Snell, et al.

San Diego notes Aug. 3, 1977 & Aug. 1982

Printed References to the Pistol

Case, Leland D.; Tuscon Westerners

Pistol pictures/photos, negs., etc.

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms

Hepplemann- Messenger

F.B.I (Clarence Kelly) 8/16/1976

3.1.25: Tuggle, Troy. Research & Related Materials on Smith Gun and Watch

Gunsmiths, Stores, etc.

Hawken Rifle

Investigative Letters

Kramer, Fred (Watch)

Logan, Herschel corresp.

Martin, Greg

Pacific Center O'Bryan- '75, Murphy, etc. '81

Pilkenton, Mrs. Dorothea 1976

Pistol Posters

Security Pacific National Bank, Victor R. Plukas

Watch of J.S. (Krauf)

The J.S.S Watch

3.1.26: Tuggle, Troy. Correspondence & Misc. [Incl. Speech given to the Monterey Westerners, 1976, JSS Centennial 1826-1926 compiled by Charlotte Brown, & corresp. with Julian “Smitty” Bacon Jr., 1971-1979.]

BOX 4: BIOGRAPHIES AND OTHER PAPERS:

4.1.1: Wood, R. Coke. Stuart Gibbons

4.1.2: "Jedediah Smith Redwood Park," Drury, Newton

4.1.3: "Men Who Knew Jed"

4.1.4: "Biographies," Morgan, Dale [address given at 10th Anniversary Breakfast of Jedediah Smith Society]

4.1.5: "Biographies-Miscellaneous"

4.1.6: "Bibliography"

4.1.7: Eddie, Thomas Interview

4.1.8: "Miscellaneous printed and typescript papers"

4.1.9: "Miscellaneous printed newspaper articles concerning desert crossings."

4.1.10: Hudson's Bay Company materials

4.1.11: California Legislation Resolution May 1, 1976 and April 19, 1999

4.1.12: Photocopies of Jed Smith letters

4.1.13: Jed Smith articles in magazines

4.1.14: Dr. Clover certificate from Daughters of American Colonists, 2004

4.1.15: Photos

-Julian “Smitty” Smith Bacon Jr. with Jed Smith monuments

-Jed Smith Monuments

4.1.16: Jed Smith Rendezvous Songs

4.1.17: Don Chase Articles

4.1.18: "Taming of the West" film about Smith 2005

4.1.19: "Jedediah Strong Smith" by Robert West Howard

4.1.20: “In Search of the Demise Site of Jedediah Strong Smith” by Wayne A. Willkomm

4.1.21: Map: “Jedediah S. Smith’s Travels in the Central Valley in 1827 & 1828” drawn by Joe Molter, 2016 [see oversize]

4.1.22 Map: "The Travels of Jedediah Strong Smith, 1822-1832," by Jedediah Smith Society, 2018 [see oversize]

4.1.23 “Jedediah Smith’s Twice-Stolen Pistol” by James C. Auld, The Rocky Mountain Fur Trade Journal, 2022

SERIES 2: PAPERS OF THE JEDEDIAH SMITH SOCIETY

BOX 5A & 5B: CORRESPONDENCE, ACTIVITIES, and OTHER PAPERS

5.1-5.10: Various Correspondence between members (articles of incorporation, officers)

5.1.11: Jed Smith Trail

5.12-5.25: JSS Rendezvous 1957-2009, 2016 (60th Anniversary), 2023

5.26-5.30: JSS Misc. 1973-2011

5.31: Young Historian Papers 1986-1990

5.32: JSS Book Reviews

5.33: Jedediah Smith Bibliographies (including 1991 Ernestine Smutney Virginia Struhsaker, and 2009 updates by Haworth A Clover)

5.34: Jedediah Smith Manuscript Jim Hardee 1997

5.35: Interview of Dr. Haworth “Al” Clover by Nancy Taniguchi, 2003 Burlingame, Ca [Discusses starting the Jed Smith Society, Rockwell Hunt, Tully Knoles, Reginald R. Stuart, Robert Burns, Coke Wood, History of Libraries’ at College of the Pacific/University of the Pacific, etc.]

5.36: : “Jedediah Smith and the First Crossing of the Sierra Nevada,” by Farquhar, 1990 reprint; “Jedediah Smith: First Crossing of the Sierra Nevada Hiked” by Eric Jung, 2010

5.37: Jed Smith USPS Stamp, 2005/2006

BOX 6: MINUTES AND ROSTERS

6.1-2: Meeting Minutes, scattered 1966-2005, bulk 1981- 1997

6.3 – 6.7: Membership Records and rosters

6.8: draft agreement between JSS and UOP, c.1985

6.9: Photographs

BOX 7: FINANCIAL RECORDS

7.1 – 7.3: Financial Records, 1994-1997, 2001, 2005-2007

BOX 8A and and 8B: MONUMENTS

Jedediah Smith Monuments

BOX 9: JSS NEWSLETTERS

Castor Canadensis

OVERSIZE: ARTWORK

“What Jedediah’s Roger Saw,” engraving print by Kett, 2009 “Serpentine Cliffs,” engraving print by Kett, 2009