Guide to the Alfred C. Thomas Letters, 1850-1851

Processed by Hülya Reshad; machine-readable finding aid created by James Lake
Sanoian Special Collections Library
California State University, Fresno
5200 North Barton Avenue M/S ML 34
Fresno, California 93740-8014
Phone: (559) 278-2595
Fax: (559) 278-6952
Email: specialc@listserv.csufresno.edu
URL: http://www.lib.csufresno.edu/SubjectResources/SpecialCollections
© 1998
California State University, Fresno. All rights reserved.

Guide to the Alfred C. Thomas Letters, 1850-1851

Sanoian Special Collections Library



Henry Madden Library

Fresno, California

Contact Information:

  • Sanoian Special Collections Library
  • California State University, Fresno
  • 5200 North Barton Avenue M/S ML 34
  • Fresno, California 93740-8014
  • Phone: (559) 278-2595
  • Fax: (559) 278-6952
  • Email: specialc@listserv.csufresno.edu
  • URL: http://www.lib.csufresno.edu/SubjectResources/SpecialCollections
Processed by:
Hülya Reshad
Date Completed:
1998
Encoded by:
James Lake
© 1998 California State University, Fresno. All rights reserved.

Descriptive Summary

Title: Alfred C. Thomas Letters,
Date (inclusive): 1850-1851
Creator: Thomas, Alfred C.
Extent: 1 linear inch
Repository: Henry Madden Library (California State University, Fresno).

Sanoian Special Collections Library.
Fresno, California
Language: English.

Administrative Information

Acquisition

Photocopies of the letters were donated by Ann Hopping in 1969.

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Publication Rights

Copyright has not been transferred to California State University, Fresno. Permission to publish must be obtained from the Sherman Foundation, Corona del Mar, California.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Alfred C. Thomas Letters, Sanoian Special Collections Library, California State University, Fresno.

History

The California gold rush began in 1848 after James W. Marshall's discovery of gold dust at John Sutter's sawmill at Coloma on the American River. This discovery prompted masses of people from all over the United States and the world to move West and seek their fortune. Alfred C. Thomas was one of them.

Scope and Content

The Alfred C. Thomas letters measure 1 inch and date from 1850 to 1851. There are thirty-four photocopied letters from Alfred C. Thomas to his family, the originals of which are at the Sherman Foundation, Corona del Mar, California. There are also typescripts of the letters.
The first letter in the collection is from Thomas to his father at the start of his 112-day journey to San Francisco. There are eight letters which describe the different cities and countries he traveled through in order to reach his destination. The letters begin in Cincinnati, and describe his journey through Louisville, New Orleans, Panama, Tobago, Monterey, and finally, Ophir (Mariposa County) and San Francisco.
The letters from San Francisco document how Thomas supported himself financially while mining for gold. In addition, there are details about his diet, friends, and the various deadly diseases that were common in San Francisco at the time.

Box Box 1

Letters (includes typescripts)

 

1850

 

1851