California; Gold miners; Gold mines and mining; West (U.S.) History 1848-1860; Pioneers; Correspondence; Hartland (Vt.); Native American
Chandler addresses his friends regarding his stay in California as a gold prospector. He writes, "I am bound to stick a while longer." He also wonders why someone named John "would be content to settle in Hartland." He guesses that "there must be...
Gold miners; Gold mines and mining; West (U.S.) History 1848-1860; Pioneers; Correspondence; San Francisco (Calif.)
This letter was written on Chandler’s arrival in San Francisco by boat. Chandler recounted the circumstances of his journey, the food, and the differences between cabin fare and steerage fare, and the “very bad” circumstances of deck...
Gold miners; Gold mines and mining; West (U.S.) History 1860-1890; Pioneers; Correspondence; Lowell (Mass.); Westford (Mass.); Correspondence; Boardinghouses
Jane Chandler writes about health of family and acquaintances. She writes about her financial circumstances and what led her to go to work in Lowell’s mills. Speaking of her financial situation, she writes, “I am as willing to work for a living...
Virginia Serenaders; Minstrels; Gold miners; Gold mines and mining; West (U.S.) History 1848-1860; Pioneers; Correspondence; Nevada County (Calif.); Mining claims; Lowell (Mass.)
Chandler discourages Jane from working in the mills. He compares factory girls to servants and then describes California women, writing that "you would think to see them that they were mostly queens." He writes of the variety of females from...
Gold miners; Gold mines and mining; West (U.S.) History 1860-1890; Pioneers; Correspondence; Hamilton (Nev.)
Chandler addresses concerns that he has been unfaithful to Jane, and asserts his innocence. He has had some “sickness and bruises by a fall from a building which hurt [him] very bad.” He writes of his living circumstances for the past several...
Gold miners; Gold mines and mining; West (U.S.) History 1860-1890; Pioneers; Correspondence; Virginia City (Nev.); Spiritualism; Fortune-telling
Chandler writes of his sorrow upon receiving word that his daughter May has died. He writes that he visited a spiritualist in San Francisco in July and was told of the death of a blood relation, but he “did not know that it was our Dear Child...
Gold miners; Gold mines and mining; West (U.S.) History 1860-1890; Pioneers; Correspondence; Virginia City (Nev.); Spiritualism; Fortune-telling; San Francisco (Calif.)
Chandler writes on his interest in mining claims around Virginia City and Alpha. He writes that “fortune has seemed to frown on all my undertakings until the last few months” but now “I can realize more money from my last years work than I...
Gold miners; Gold mines and mining; West (U.S.) History 1860-1890; Pioneers; Correspondence; Eureka (Nev.); Spiritualism; Fortune-telling
Chandler has been working as a stonecutter. He corrects Jane’s notion that people in Eureka “are all a rough set of people.” He asserts that “this is a much better place to be poor in than New England.” Chandler discourages consulting...
Gold miners; Gold mines and mining; West (U.S.) History 1860-1890; Pioneers; Correspondence; Virginia City (Nev.); Paiute Indians Wars, 1860; Hays, John Coffee, 1817-1883
Chandler writes about the retaking of the first battle ground of the Paiute Indian War of 1860, the discovery of Captain Edward F. Storey’s body and his burial, which Chandler attended. He writes that General Haven and Colonel Jack Hays came over...
Gold miners; Gold mines and mining; West (U.S.) History 1860-1890; Pioneers; Correspondence; San Francisco (Calif.); Territorial enterprise (Carson City, Nev.)
Chandler gives an update of his anticipated stock values, writing that he manages them via the Territorial Enterprise. He describes the drought conditions of California and Nevada. Chandler reassures Jane of his intentions and plans to come...
Gold miners; Gold mines and mining; West (U.S.) History 1860-1890; Pioneers; Correspondence; Virginia City (Nev.); Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865; Civil War America
Chandler writes that he has “cleared six thousand dollars on the rise of stocks within the last month, mostly in the Lady Bryan.” He doesn’t “feel like going to Mass or any other Black Republican state while the war is going on.” He...
Gold miners; Gold mines and mining; West (U.S.) History 1860-1890; Pioneers; Correspondence; Virginia City (Nev.); San Francisco (Calif.)
Chandler gives Jane an update on his Washoe mining stock and plans to return to Virginia City within a week. He mentions that "[he] holds some of the richest claims there and they are raising in value." He hopes that Jane will write her feelings on...
Gold miners; Gold mines and mining; West (U.S.) History 1860-1890; Pioneers; Correspondence; Virginia City (Nev.); Territorial enterprise (Carson City, Nev.)
Chandler writes that “it has been very hard times here in Mineing [sic] operations this year.” Chandler laments separation from his wife and regards his condition as if “everyone’s curse is on me.” He mentions that the editor of the...
Gold miners; Gold mines and mining; West (U.S.) History 1848-1860; Pioneers; Correspondence; Virginia City (Nev.); Mining claims; West (U.S.) History 1860-1890
Chandler writes that he is satisfied with present prospects and has purchased some house lots in San Francisco. Chandler explains his business interests and the wealth that surrounds him. “I was one of the first six to come here in /59, we used...
Gold miners; Gold mines and mining; West (U.S.) History 1848-1860; Pioneers; Correspondence; Grass Valley (Calif.)
Chandler writes that he washed his gold last week and "got about 50 dollars" in four days. He recounts the story of a man named Brenan [spelled Brannan in the letter], who committed suicide by poison on 21 February 1858 in Grass Valley with his...
