Manuscripts
Journal
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Marcus Baker journal to California
Manuscripts
Journal of Marcus Baker during his trip to California aboard the bark William Joy and his life thereafter near Sacramento. The journal begins when Baker left New York in January 1849. In his journal, Baker writes in detail about his voyage and the weather conditions, his visit to Rio de Janeiro (which includes comments upon the political, social and religious aspects of the city), the ship's arrival in San Francisco in the summer of 1849, his relocation to Sacramento, life in California, fires and floods, gold mining, and his loneliness due to separation from his family. After becoming a farmer, Baker writes much about agriculture in California, including details about the state's climate, environment, topography, and geology. Accompanying the journal are three items: letter by Edward Suffern to Marcus Baker (1850 February 3), an agreement between Marcus Baker and several others in the creation of Baker Farr & Co., Sacramento (1850 July 19), and a letter by Marcus Baker to "My dear E" (1852 March 12), probably his wife. The volume also contains pencil sketches by Baker, several of which are of Sugarloaf Mountain in Rio de Janeiro.
mssHM 83830
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Charles Plummer journal
Manuscripts
This journal is an account by Charles Plummer documenting his travels and gold mining experiences California, which took place in 1850-1851. The majority of the volume concerns the trip, which lasted from 1850, May 2 to 1851, October 1. While Plummer was digging outside Stockton, there were several instances of theft and murder in the town and the surrounding mining claims. He describes digging for gold as "very poor business." Bound leather volume. Journal entries begin in 1842; most of the early entries are financial notes, such as bills paid.
mssHM 2017
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Letter book, journal, ships' log, photographs
Manuscripts
The collection consists of letters, a letter book, manuscripts, a journal, a sketch of Fort Ludlow, Washington, a map, and documents. There is one logbook related to the voyage of the Ship Sarah Parker to San Francisco via Cape Horn, from 1852 to 1855, visits to North Pacific ports, and the return trip to Massachusetts. The journal in the collection is by Charlotte Coffin Gardner. The collection also contains a few accounts for the ships Courier, Mary Mitchell, and Flora. There is also correspondence in the collection from 1920 to 1965, most of which is between Grace Brown Gardner, the granddaughter of William B. Gardner and Charlotte Gardner, and Eleanor Jane Graves. This correspondence focuses on the Gardner journal and early Nantucket inhabitants. There are also photographs of William B. Garner and Charlotte Gardiner, dated between 1850 and 1870.
mssHM 39178-39180
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Travel journal
Manuscripts
Includes a trip aboard the ship "Venus" from London to New York; travels to Washington, Baltimore, and New York.
mssHM 41557
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William Noble Lacey Yosemite travel journal
Manuscripts
A typed account of William N. Lacey's "honeymoon" trip to Yosemite with his wife Ruth. Lacey gives details regarding the couple's preparation for the trip, including making their own sleeping bag, their journey there, and their hikes and experiences camping as well as descriptions of local plants and wildlife they encountered. Lacey specifically writes about running into Frank Capra, who was a student at Throop College at the time and also hiking in Yosemite. The journal contains 39 photographs throughout and a graph showing miles hiked each day and elevation gain.
mssHM 84476
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The Mormon Battalion: a lecture
Manuscripts
This manuscript is a hand-written transcript of a lecture on the Mormon Battalion, given by James Ferguson in Liverpool, England, on November 7, 1855. He describes his experiences as part of the Battalion, including encounters with Indians and Mexican soldiers across Texas and Mexico. Includes printed copy of the December 1, 1855 issue of the Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star, which contains a printed transcription of the lecture.
mssHM 19825