Collection Guide
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Hamilton (Gideon Anthony) Papers
mssHM 26463-26512, mssHM 50923-50975
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Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
The Huntington Library
Title: Gideon Anthony Hamilton papers
Identifier/Call Number: mssHM 26463-26512, mssHM 50923-50975
Physical Description:
2.5 Linear Feet
(2 boxes)
Physical Description:
105 Items
Date (inclusive): 1874-1925
Abstract: The collection consists primarily of
letters from Gideon Anthony Hamilton to his friend Samuel Frank Dexter in Pawtucket, Rhode
Island from 1874-1922.
Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department.
For more information, contact Reader Services.
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.
[Identification of item]. Gideon Anthony Hamilton papers, The Huntington Library, San
Marino, California.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchased from Maxwell Hunley, April 21, 1961.
Gift of William Burger and Mrs. John C. Adams, December 12, 1968.
Acquired from William Burger, May 30, 1978.
Gift of Donna Adams, January 20, 1983 and 1987.
The entire collection was originally owned by William Burger, who sold half of it to
Maxwell Hunley, who in turn sold his half to the Huntington Library. Mr. Burger's portion
later came to the Huntington Library to complete the collection. The two parts can be
identified through their separate HM numbers (HM 26463-26512 and HM 50923-50975), but they
have been combined into one collection to aid scholars.
In 1864, Gideon Anthony Hamilton began working in the Comstock mines in Virginia City,
Nevada. He traveled to South America working on Henry Meiggs' railroad project in Peru and
crossed Costa Rica on horseback in 1872. He returned to Virginia City until 1878 when he
invested in property in Mason Valley, Esmeralda County, Nevada. He sold his interest in the
property in 1880 and went to San Francisco, California, and later to Oakland and finally
Visalia, where he passed away in 1924.
The collection consists primarily of letters from Gideon Anthony Hamilton to his friend
Samuel Frank Dexter in Pawtucket, Rhode Island from 1874-1922. In these letters he discusses
life in Virginia City and Esmeralda County, the growing development of Mason Valley, and
Hamilton's interest in ornithology. There are also some comments on life in San Francisco,
California, and reminiscences of his overland journeys in 1863 and across Costa Rica in
1872. At the end of the collection are lyrics of songs copied by Gideon Anthony Hamilton, a
photograph of Gideon Anthony Hamilton (1893), and some ephemera.
Processed by Virginia Rust, 1985. In 2019, Gina C Giang created the finding aid derived
from legacy summary report.
Arranged chronologically.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Mines and mineral resources -- Nevada
Overland journeys to the
Pacific
Silver mines and mining -- Nevada -- Virginia City
Costa Rica -- Description and travel
Comstock Lode (Nev.) -- History -- Sources
Esmeralda County (Nev.) -- History -- Sources
Mason Valley (Nev.) -- History -- Sources
San Francisco (Calif.) -- History -- Sources
Virginia City (Nev.) -- History -- Sources
Letters (correspondence) -- California -- 19th century
Letters (correspondence) -- Nevada -- 19th century
Dexter, Samuel Frank