Title:
Gold rush letters, 1850-1853
R. J. Boylan gold rush letters, 1850-1853
Creator/Contributor:
Boylan, R. J. (Robert J.), 1806-1892, creator
Abstract:
Twelve letters from Boylan in California to his wife Margaret in Jackson Creek, Illinois; one letter from Boylan to his son,
James. The collection documents Boylan's stay in California during the gold rush period, 1850 to 1853. It is clear from the
letters that Boylan considered his California venture to be a short-term commitment with the goal of improving his economic
situation so that he could return to his farm and family in Illinois. He recounts at length his involvement in mining, including
the establishment of a quartz-mining operation along the Feather River as well as tradition river mining operations in Fresno
County. He discusses life as a miner and relations between miners and the early residents of California, both Indians and
Mexicans. A constant theme throughout is his yearning for home and his desire to "bid adieu a last adieu to this land of visionary
golden dreams to again bask in the sunshine of home sweet home".
Date:
1850 (issued)
Subject:
n-us-ca
Boylan, R. J. (Robert J.) -- 1806-1892 -- Correspondence
Gold miners -- California -- Correspondence
Gold mines and mining -- California -- History
Overland journeys to the Pacific
California -- Gold discoveries
Fresno County (Calif.) -- History
Note:
R. J. (Robert J.) Boylan was born in Sussex County, New Jersey in 1806. There he studied surveying and civil engineering before
relocating to Onondaga County, New York, where he married Angeline Brown and began a family, James, Mary and Mary Jane. In
1834, Boylan and a small group of friends moved West to homestead in Illinois, locating in the town of Jackson Creek in Will
County. Angeline died early in 1841 and later that year Boylan married Margaret M. Freer. Robert and Margaret added eight
children to the family: Lavinia, Clara, Albert, Alice, Nellie, Villetta, Eugene, and Robert J., Jr. In 1850, Boylan made the
overland journey to California and spent three years mining in various parts of the state from the Feather River to Fresno.
Upon his return to Illinois, he settled into a life of farming and public service. At various times he served as County Surveyor,
Township Treasurer, and Road Commissioner; he also helped organize the Democratic Party of Will County. Referred to as a "pioneer
of the county", Boylan died on May 11, 1892 at the age of 86.
R. J. Boylan gold rush letters.
Unrestricted. Please credit California State Library.
Type:
biography
Physical Description:
print
13 items
Language:
English
Identifier:
MANUSCRIPT SMCII Box 12 Folder 3
Origin:
California
Copyright Note:
Unrestricted. Please credit California State Library.