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John Marsh Smith Letters, 1832-1866

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Smith, John Marsh, 1818-1890
Title
John Marsh Smith Letters
Dates
1832-1866 (inclusive)
Quantity
0.4 cubic feet, (1 document case)
Collection Number
Mss 325
Summary
Letters of prospector and businessman John Marsh Smith of Baltimore, Maryland, to his family and friends, detailing his experiences travelling, prospecting, and doing business in California and Oregon in 1850. Also includes family-related letters sent to and from Smith from other years.
Repository
Oregon Historical Society Research Library
1200 SW Park Avenue
Portland, OR
97205
Telephone: 503-306-5240
Fax: 503-219-2040
libreference@ohs.org
Access Restrictions

The collection is open to the public.

Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
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Biographical Note

John Marsh Smith (1818-1890) was a Quaker from Baltimore, Maryland. He decided to prospect in California with his brother-in-law, Frederick Tyson, in 1850. In San Francisco, Smith became associated with merchant Joseph Hobson of Cross, Hobson & Company. Through this acquaintance he traveled to Monterey and to Sacramento, where for a short time he ran a hotel, partially financed by William Hobson (Joesph's brother).

Smith left for Oregon in September 1850. While there, he met notables Dr. John McLoughlin and Hugh Burns. He traveled throughout the Oregon Territory, all the time describing this journey in letters to Elizabeth, his wife. Smith returned home to Baltimore in 1851.

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Content Description

Letters from Smith to his wife, Elizabeth Brooke Smith, family, and friends describing his experiences as a prospector in the California gold fields and as a merchant in Sacramento, San Francisco, and Portland, Oregon. Also includes letters received by Smith, mostly conveying family news.

Mss 325-1 contains copies of family letters including: letter from Smith to his father, 1832, requesting money and permission to visit home during a school holiday; letters, 1849, to Smith from his wife, passing on family news; letters, 1850 and 1851, to Smith from his father-in-law, Nathan Tyson, urging Smith to return home and reporting family news; letters from Hugh Burns, 1851 and 1853, asking Smith to buy crosscut saws and oysters, and requesting advice on butter in Baltimore; and incomplete letter from unknown South Carolina correspondent, 1866, relating writer's history since 1833.

Mss 325-2 contains photocopies of correspondence between Smith and his family members, 1832-1866, mostly relating to family matters. Includes an index and typed transcripts.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

The Oregon Historical Society is the owner of the materials in the Research Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from the Research Library prior to any use of reproductions. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all of the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use of reproductions may require seeking additional authorization from the copyright owners.

Preferred Citation

John Marsh Smith Papers, Mss 325, Oregon Historical Society Research Library

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

Series A: Mss 325

Series B: Mss 325-1

Series C: Mss 325-2

Location of Originals

Originals of some letters held by Mrs. A. Waldo Jones, Atlanta, Georgia

Acquisition Information

Mss 325-1, gift of Ma'Carry W. Hull, 1988 Nov., Accession 19068

Mss 325-2, gift of Nancy Bradgon, 1992 Feb., Accession 20642

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Detailed Description of the Collection

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.

  • Series A:: Mss 325, 1849-1853

  • Series B:: Mss 325-1, 1832-1866

    • Description: Photocopies of letters

      Contains photocopies of correspondence between Smith and his brother, Robert; his wife Elizabeth Brooke Tyson; his father, Matthew; his brother, Thomas; his mother, Catherine; John Curlett; his sister, Belle; Nathan Tyson; his sister Sarah; Frederick Tyson; and Hugh Burns. Also includes two letters to Frederick Tyson, one from his sister, Anne, and one from his sister, Lizzie.

      Dates: 1832-1866
      Container: Box/Folder 1/10
      Location: Series B:: Mss 325-1, 1832-1866

  • Series C:: Mss 325-2, 1832-1852

    Contains photocopies of correspondence between John Marsh Smith and his family and friends. Originals held by Mrs. A. Waldo Jones of Atlanta, Georgia.

    • Description: Receipt
      Dates: 1849 June 25
      Container: Box/Folder 1/11
      Location: Series C:: Mss 325-2, 1832-1852
    • Description: Transcript of letter to Smith from his brother Robert Smith
      Dates: 1849 June 26
      Container: Box/Folder 1/12
      Location: Series C:: Mss 325-2, 1832-1852
    • Description: Transcript of letter to Smith from his wife
      Dates: 1849 July 26
      Container: Box/Folder 1/13
      Location: Series C:: Mss 325-2, 1832-1852
    • Description: Photocopy and transcript of letter to Smith from his father Matthew Smith
      Dates: 1849 Aug. 14
      Container: Box/Folder 1/14
      Location: Series C:: Mss 325-2, 1832-1852
    • Description: Transcript of letter to Smith from his wife
      Dates: 1849 Aug. 19
      Container: Box/Folder 1/15
      Location: Series C:: Mss 325-2, 1832-1852
    • Description: Photocopy and transcript of letter to Smith from his brother Thomas Smith
      Dates: 1849 Aug. 20
      Container: Box/Folder 1/16
      Location: Series C:: Mss 325-2, 1832-1852
    • Description: Transcript of letter to Smith from his father, Matthew Smith
      Dates: 1849 Sept. 18
      Container: Box/Folder 1/17
      Location: Series C:: Mss 325-2, 1832-1852
    • Description: Photocopy and transcript of letter to Smith from his mother, Catherine Smith
      Dates: 1849 Nov. 16
      Container: Box/Folder 1/18
      Location: Series C:: Mss 325-2, 1832-1852
    • Description: Photocopy and transcript of letter to Smith from John Curlett
      Dates: 1849 Dec. 11
      Container: Box/Folder 1/19
      Location: Series C:: Mss 325-2, 1832-1852
    • Description: Receipt
      Dates: 1850 Feb. 18
      Container: Box/Folder 1/20
      Location: Series C:: Mss 325-2, 1832-1852
    • Description: Transcript of letter to Smith from his wife
      Dates: 1850 Feb. 25
      Container: Box/Folder 1/21
      Location: Series C:: Mss 325-2, 1832-1852
    • Description: Photocopy and transcript of letter to Smith from his wife
      Dates: 1850 Apr. 9
      Container: Box/Folder 1/22
      Location: Series C:: Mss 325-2, 1832-1852
    • Description: Photocopy of letter to Smith from his sister Belle Smith
      Dates: 1850 Apr. 10
      Container: Box/Folder 1/23
      Location: Series C:: Mss 325-2, 1832-1852
    • Description: Photocopy of letter from to Smith from Nathan Tyson
      Dates: 1850 Apr. 11
      Container: Box/Folder 1/24
      Location: Series C:: Mss 325-2, 1832-1852
    • Description: Photocopy and transcript of letter to Smith from his wife
      Dates: 1850 May 8
      Container: Box/Folder 1/25
      Location: Series C:: Mss 325-2, 1832-1852
    • Description: Photocopies and transcript of letter to Frederick Tyson from Lizzie Tyson
      Dates: 1850 May 8
      Container: Box/Folder 1/26
      Location: Series C:: Mss 325-2, 1832-1852
    • Description: Photocopy and transcript of letter to Frederick Tyson from Anne Tyson
      Dates: 1850 May 15
      Container: Box/Folder 1/27
      Location: Series C:: Mss 325-2, 1832-1852
    • Description: Photocopy and transcript of letter to Smith from his sister Sarah Smith
      Dates: 1850 May 15
      Container: Box/Folder 1/28
      Location: Series C:: Mss 325-2, 1832-1852
    • Description: Photocopy and transcript of letter to Smith from Nathan Tyson
      Dates: 1850 July 12
      Container: Box/Folder 1/29
      Location: Series C:: Mss 325-2, 1832-1852
    • Description: Photocopy and transcript of letter to Smith from his sister Belle Smith
      Dates: 1850 Aug. 26
      Container: Box/Folder 1/30
      Location: Series C:: Mss 325-2, 1832-1852
    • Description: Photocopy and transcript of a receipt and bill
      Dates: 1850 Sept. 20
      Container: Box/Folder 1/31
      Location: Series C:: Mss 325-2, 1832-1852
    • Description: Photocopy and transcript of letter to Smith from his wife
      Dates: 1850 Oct.
      Container: Box/Folder 1/32
      Location: Series C:: Mss 325-2, 1832-1852
    • Description: Photocopy and transcript of letter to Smith from Frederick Tyson
      Dates: 1850 Oct. 23
      Container: Box/Folder 1/33
      Location: Series C:: Mss 325-2, 1832-1852
    • Description: Photocopy and transcript of letter to Smith from his wife
      Dates: 1850 Nov. 24
      Container: Box/Folder 1/34
      Location: Series C:: Mss 325-2, 1832-1852
    • Description: Photocopy and transcript of letter to Smith from Nathan Tyson
      Dates: 1851 Jan. 9
      Container: Box/Folder 1/35
      Location: Series C:: Mss 325-2, 1832-1852
    • Description: Photocopy and transcript of letter to Smith from Hugh Burns
      Dates: 1851 Jan. 30
      Container: Box/Folder 1/36
      Location: Series C:: Mss 325-2, 1832-1852
    • Description: Photocopy and transcript of letter to Smith from his brother Robert Smith
      Dates: 1851 Feb. 24
      Container: Box/Folder 1/37
      Location: Series C:: Mss 325-2, 1832-1852
    • Description: Photocopy and transcript of letter to Smith from his wife
      Dates: 1851 Mar. 10
      Container: Box/Folder 1/38
      Location: Series C:: Mss 325-2, 1832-1852
    • Description: Photocopy and transcript of letter to Smith from Lowenstein, Gibson and company

      Letter sent from San Francsico; includes description of vigilante justice

      Dates: 1851 Mar. 20
      Container: Box/Folder 1/39
      Location: Series C:: Mss 325-2, 1832-1852
    • Description: Photocopy and transcript of letter to Smith from his wife
      Dates: 1852 July 21
      Container: Box/Folder 1/40
      Location: Series C:: Mss 325-2, 1832-1852
    • Description: Photocopies of miscellaneous letters
      Dates: 1832-1841
      Container: Box/Folder 1/41
      Location: Series C:: Mss 325-2, 1832-1852
    • Description: Index and typed transcripts of letters
      Dates: 1832-1852
      Container: Box/Folder 1/42
      Location: Series C:: Mss 325-2, 1832-1852

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Gold miners--California--Correspondence
  • Gold mines and mining--California
  • Merchants--California--Correspondence
  • Merchants--Oregon--Correspondence
  • Pioneers--California--Correspondence
  • Pioneers--Oregon--Correspondence
  • Voyages to the Pacific coast

Personal Names

  • Burns, Hugh, 1807-1870--Correspondence
  • Curlett, John --Correspondence
  • Smith, Belle--Correspondence
  • Smith, Robert--Correspondence
  • Smith, Anne, b. 1821--Correspondence
  • Smith, Catherine Marsh, 1790-1870--Correspondence
  • Smith, Elizabeth Brooke Tyson, 1818-1905--Correspondence
  • Smith, John Marsh, 1818-1890--Correspondence
  • Smith, Matthew, 1779-1865--Correspondence
  • Smith, Thomas Marsh--Correspondence
  • Tyson, Frederick, b. 1828--Correspondence
  • Tyson, Nathan, 1787-1867--Correspondence

Geographical Names

  • Baltimore (Md.)--Social life and customs
  • California--Description and travel
  • California--Gold discoveries
  • Oregon--Description and travel
  • South Carolina--Economic conditions

Form or Genre Terms

  • Letters


2004

CC0

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