Newberry Library - Henry Perry letter to sister Emmeline, 1849

Henry Perry letter to sister Emmeline, 1849

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Open book Henry Perry letters, 1849-1850

Title Henry Perry letter to sister Emmeline, 1849

Creator Perry, Henry

Date 1849-1850

Place Connecticut--Bridgeport, Northern California, United States

Subjects Brothers and sisters, Clerks, Families, Frontier and pioneer life, Gold mines and mining

Summary Letters (Jan. 24, 1849-May 28, 1850) written from New York City, Rio de Janeiro, Valparaiso, San Francisco, and Sacramento by Henry Perry to his Bridgeport family (parents Mr. and Mrs. David Perry, sister Emmeline, and brothers Alf, Tom, and Frederick), regarding his experiences en route to San Francisco, his return voyage from Hawaii, and economic and living conditions in gold rush San Francisco and Sacramento. Of particular interest are accounts of robberies in Sacramento, and pen drawings of miner attire, accommodations, and implements. Also news of family acquaintances in California and requests for newspapers and news of family and friends in Connecticut.

Biographical/Historical Note Bridgeport, Conn., native and California gold rush participant. Perry embarked from New York City on Feb. 25, 1849, sailed around Cape Horn, with stops in South America at Rio de Janeiro and Valparaiso, and arrived in San Francisco during August or early September. With Egbert Wiltsie, Perry soon sailed to Hawaii to sell a stock of goods, and returned to San Francisco in March, 1850. By May he was clerking at the firm of Harney and Wiltsie in Sacramento and had also set up a provision store with a partner, Billy B.

Extent 0.1 linear feet (1 folder)

Format Correspondence, Travel literature

User-Contributed Transcription is along with truths and enquiries about you.
Now Em I suppose that you of course expect to know what the fashions are in this ere town as a return for this information which you tendered me on this same point. Well, commencing at the head -- as you know it is easier to climb down hills than up -- hats are of sundry shapes and sizes [drawing of large and small hats] thus. I suppose you will like pictures best, as little girls generally do so I will give them to you. Hair and whiskers [drawing of a man's face with long hair and beard] thus. Collars entirely defunct. Shirts [drawing of striped shirt] boots and pants [drawing of a part of pants tucked into boots] thus. Walking sticks thus [drawing of a pick and a shovel]. Batchelors hall [drawing of men outside tent]. A dash out on the avenue [drawing of man in buggy]
But my genius is entirely exhausted so I must stop. All remarks will of course be unnecessary as a single glance will show you that they are not only unique in every point - but every thing this man of fashion could ask for - I had liked to have forgot however to mention that the above, are generally covered with a coat of dust varying from 3 feet in thickness (whew -- give me a whisk broom).
As to the ladies I believe that I have seen but one, and she was at such a distance that with out Hershals Telescope I should have hardly have been able to describe her to you
Fruit is very scarce, what there is being hardly fit to eat, consisting only of a few dry hard Pears and apples. In Em's letter she speaks of John's not

Transcription Status Needs review

Transcription Note This document was transcribed by volunteers as part of the Newberry Transcribe crowdsourcing initiative.

Archival Collection Title Edward E. Ayer Collection, Edward E. Ayer Manuscript Collection

Link to Catalog View record

BibID 145563

Rights Status No Copyright - United States

Contributing Institution Newberry Library

Newberry Open Access Policy The Newberry makes its collections available for any lawful purpose, commercial or non-commercial, without licensing or permission fees to the library, subject to these terms and conditions.

IIIF Resource Type Canvas

Size 2241px × 2820px 18.10 MB

File Created 09/06/2023

Filename 991455638805867_Ayer_MS_709_00024-1.tif

Unique Identifier NL11ON2O

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