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David E. Wilson letters, 1849-1855.
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Collection Overview
Title:
David E. Wilson letters, 1849-1855Creator/Contributor:
Wilson, David E., creator, correspondent.Creator/Contributor:
Wilson, Rachel, correspondent.Creator/Contributor:
Williams, James, correspondent.Creator/Contributor:
Gilpin, William, 1813-1894, correspondent.Creator/Contributor:
Smith, Persifor Frazer, 1798-1858, correspondent.Abstract:
Includes thirty-two letters written by Wilson chiefly to his mother, Rachel Wilson, in Maryland and brother (Bill?) concerning
his travels and mining ventures. One of these letters concerns his experiences in Panama and, after sailing on the bark Equator,
another while in San Francisco, Calif. The remaining letters largely detail Wilson's mostly unsuccessful experiences with
mining and speculation, general views of mining life and its hardships, and the towns and camps where he lived, chiefly in
Tuolumne and Calaveras counties. These include Columbia and other places along the Tuolumne River, as well as lesser-known
camps, such as Don Pedro's Bar, Paine's Bar, and Curtisville. Some of the letters contain mostly negative comments on the
Mexicans, Chinese, and Indians (including Mercedes) who live and work in these places, which reflect the views of the time.
Also, in one letter, June 8, 1852, Wilson describes a bull and bear fight which had occurred in Columbia, and another letter
from June 22, 1854, he writes of the rise and fall of the town of Algerine Camp. In addition, he includes a sketch map of
the area, June 1, 1850.
Also includes four letters of introduction written on Wilson's behalf (one of which is addressed to Gen. Persifor F. Smith)
prior to his arrival in Calif., as well as a Mar. 9, 1851, letter from Wm. H. Gilpin concerning a ticket for passage from
San Francisco to New York which awaits Wilson.
Date:
1849 (issued)Subject:
n-us-ca -- ncpn---Wilson, David E -- Correspondence
Gold mines and mining -- California
Gold miners -- California -- Correspondence
Voyages to the Pacific coast -- Personal narratives
Chinese Americans -- California -- Social conditions
Mexican Americans -- California -- Social conditions
Indians of North America -- California -- Social conditions
Mercedes Indians -- Social conditions
Chinese Americans -- Social conditions
Gold mines and mining
Indians of North America -- Social conditions
Manners and customs
Mexican Americans -- Social conditions
Travel
Voyages to the Pacific coast
California -- Gold discoveries
Panama -- Description and travel
San Francisco (Calif.) -- Description and travel
Tuolumne River (Calif.) -- Description and travel
Merced River (Calif.) -- Description and travel
Columbia (Calif.) -- Description and travel
California -- Social life and customs -- 19th century
Algerine Camp (Calif.) -- Description and travel
Tuolumne County (Calif.) -- Description and travel
Calaveras County (Calif.) -- Description and travel
California
California -- Calaveras County
California -- Columbia
California -- Merced River
California -- San Francisco
California -- Tuolumne County
California -- Tuolumne River
Panama
Note:
David E. Wilson letters, BANC MSS 2001/134 cz, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
In English.
Type:
Personal narratives.Records and correspondence.
Physical Description:
print
0.2 (1
Language:
English