William A. Gordon Papers, 1850-1920
Table of Contents
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Gordon, William A., 1821-1887
- Title
- William A. Gordon Papers
- Dates
- 1850-1920 (inclusive)Date of CollectionDate of Collection
- Quantity
- .25 cubic ft. (1 box)
- Collection Number
- 01763
- Summary
- Diary of this doctor who traveled overland from Missouri to California in 1850 along with other family materials.
- Repository
-
American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
American Heritage Center
University of Wyoming
1000 E. University Ave.
Dept. 3924
Laramie, WY
82071
Telephone: 3077663756
ahcref@uwyo.edu - Access Restrictions
-
Access Restrictions
There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public.
- Languages
- English
Historical Note
Dr. William Abraham Gordon was born in Kentucky on May 10, 1821, and moved with his family to Missouri in 1832. He studied at the Louisville Medical Institute and began the practice of medicine in 1846. On May 10, 1849, he married Margaret V. Green. In 1850 he traveled overland to California. He stayed in California until November of 1851, when he returned to Missouri by steamship, arriving home in December of 1851. Gordon was the father of ten daughters, one of whom, Mary Walker, married Millard F. Graham.
Content Description
The William A. Gordon Papers include Dr. Gordon's diary of his overland journey to California from April 29 to August 26, 1850. The diary entries are substantive and contain many details about the group with which he traveled and the practice of his profession along the trail. The diary ceases with his arrival in the settlements of California. Also included are two diary transcripts, biographical and genealogical information about the Gordon and related Boyd Families, and eleven photographs of William A. Gordon, Margaret V. Gordon, General James H. Graham, Millard A. and Mary Gordon Graham, and Gordon Wentworth Graham and his family.
Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Use
Copyright InformationThe researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.
Preferred Citation
Preferred CitationItem Description, Box Number, Folder Number, William A. Gordon Papers, Collection Number 01763, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.
Administrative Information
Related Materials
Related MaterialsThere are no known other archival collections created by William A. Gordon at the date of processing.
Acquisition Information
Acquisition InformationGordon Wentworth Graham donated the collection in 1965.
Processing Note
Processing InformationThe collection was processed by D.C. Thompson in 1999.
Detailed Description of the Collection
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Description: DiaryDates: 1850Container: Box 1, Folder 1
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Description: Diary transcriptDates: undatedContainer: Box 1, Folder 1
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.)
- Medicine -- Practice -- West (U.S.
- Overland journeys to the Pacific
- Trails -- United States
- Voyages and travel
Personal Names
- Graham family
- Boyd family
Geographical Names
- Overland trails
Form or Genre Terms
- Photographs
- Diary
