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Davis Family Correspondence
mssDavisfam  
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Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • Conditions Governing Access
  • Conditions Governing Use
  • Preferred Citation
  • Immediate Source of Acquisition
  • Biographical / Historical
  • Scope and Contents
  • Processing Information
  • Arrangement

  • Contributing Institution: The Huntington Library
    Title: Davis family correspondence
    Creator: Davis family
    Identifier/Call Number: mssDavisfam
    Physical Description: 0.21 Linear Feet (1 box)
    Date (inclusive): 1849-1916
    Abstract: Papers belonging to the Davis family originally of Tennessee. Hiram Davis crossed the plains in 1849 for California.
    Language of Material: Materials are in English.

    Conditions Governing Access

    Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more information.

    Conditions Governing Use

    The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.

    Preferred Citation

    [Identification of item]. Davis family correspondence, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

    Immediate Source of Acquisition

    Purchased by William Reese Company on behalf of The Huntington at Swann Auction Galleries, Sale 2505, Lot 39, April 16, 2019.

    Biographical / Historical

    Wade Hampton Davis (1796-1877) was a farmer and breeder of livestock. His parents were Sampson and Abigail St. John Davis. Wade spent his childhood in Smith County, Tennessee. At the age of 18, he married Martha "Patsy" Drury (1794-1888), daughter of Colonel Joseph Drury and Libby Wigginton. Wade and Martha had seven children: William H., Nancy, Elizabeth, Smithen Hamilton, Hiram, Martha Jane, and James Wade. Martha Jane Davis' second husband was George Washington Long.

    Scope and Contents

    The Davis family correspondence dates from 1849 to 1916 and consists of 19 letters, 9 postmarked envelopes, 1 handwritten poem, 2 calling cards, 1 printed invitation, and dried botanical samples. The letters from 1849 to 1852 provide detailed descriptions of an overland journey to California, life in the gold fields (including conflicts with Native Americans) and conditions in Oregon. The 1864 letters reference local conditions and circumstances of family members from Rochester, Missouri and Plattsmouth, Nebraska. The letters from Oklahoma, written from 1915 to 1916, and Missouri mention the death of a family elder and conditions in Thayer, Missouri. Letters also include extended discussion of economic opportunities or challenges, spiritual beliefs, the character of local communities, love, illnesses and death from various correspondents.

    Processing Information

    Processed by Gina C Giang in July 2019. In October 2023, Brooke M. Black created a finding aid.

    Arrangement

    Arranged chronologically.

    Subjects and Indexing Terms

    Overland journeys to the Pacific -- History -- Sources
    California -- Description and travel
    Missouri -- Description and travel
    Nebraska -- Description and travel
    Oklahoma -- Description and travel
    Oregon -- Description and travel
    Letters (correspondence)
    Davis, Hiram
    Davis, Smithen H.
    Davis, Wade Hampton, 1796-1877
    Long, George Washington