John K. Wallis California Diary, 1851-1857

Summary

Creators:

John K. Wallis

Language:

English.

Background

Scope and content:

The Wallis Diary entries are well-organized, and--though often terse--form an easily understood, readable description of a miner's and farmer's daily life. Wallis is particulary informative with respect to the business aspects of early placer mining. He describes in some detail his claims purchases, partnership agreements, gold sharing arrangements (including specifics on the amount of gold shared), and his work agreements with various employers. His descriptions of stock breeding and grain farming under the adverse conditions prevailing in California at that time are both touching and informative.

Biographical / historical:

John Wallis was born in Cornwall (1828) and brought to Wisconsin while still a child (1835). His family had been miners in Cornwall but farmed at their new home. There, at age 13, John experienced a religious conversion which influenced his attitudes and behavior for the rest of his life.

Following marriage to Elizabeth James (1851), he sailed for California via Panama, arriving in San Francisco in January (1852). He went immediately to Springfield, near Sonora, and there spent much of the next five years preaching the gospel in his spare time and mining gold. Wallis also tried farming in eastern Stanislaus county (1853-1854). In the fall of 1857 Wallis returned to Wisconsin. His narrative ceases with a description of his first few days at home.

Physical location:

For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the library's online catalog.

Physical description:

0.25 linear ft.

Location of this collection:

University of the Pacific

University of the Pacific, Holt-Atherton Department of Special Collections, University Library

Stockton, CA 95211, US

Contact:

(209) 946-2404

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