Jedediah Smith Society Collection, 1943-

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Summary

Creators:
Jedediah Smith Society
Language:
English.

Background

Scope and content:

The Jed Smith Society Collection contains two types of materials: Series 1 consisting of items pertaining to the life of Smith; and, series 2 containing items describing activities of the Society. In the first category are: manuscripts of writings on Jed Smith; biographical and genealogical materials; articles on Smith's explorations; and, correspondence between Society members regarding various aspects of Smith's life. In the second category are: Society minutes; programs; speeches; publications; and, business correspondence.

Biographical / historical:

Jedediah Strong Smith (1799-1831) was the first American citizen to enter California by an overland route. His travels (1821-1831) demonstrated feasible routes across the West to California. Smith trapped first along the Missouri River under William Ashley and Andrew Henry. He rediscovered South Pass, Wyo. (1824), a passageway from the High Plains into the Pacific Northwest. After forming a partnership to trap in the Pacific Coast region with David Jackson and William Sublette, Smith trapped and explored in Central California and Oregon (1827-1828). The partners sold out to the Rocky Mountain Fur Company in 1830 and turned to the Santa Fe trade. Smith was killed by Indians on the Southern Plains the following year.

The Jedediah Smith Society was formed (1957) to promote the reputation of Smith as an important historical figure. It holds regular meetings, publishes a newsletter and promotes publications devoted to the education of the public on this theme.

Physical location:
For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the library's online catalog.
Physical description:
6.25 linear ft.

Access and use

Location of this collection:
University of the Pacific, Holt-Atherton Department of Special Collections, University Library
Stockton, CA 95211, US
Contact:
(209) 946-2404
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