For access to diary, see transcipt and photocopy (CALIF* F865 J75 2001). Unrestricted. Please credit California State Library.
Description
For access to diary, see transcipt and photocopy (CALIF* F865 J75 2001). Bradner and Kezia Curtis were natives of New York state -- Bradner born on Jan. 9, 1825 in Williamson and Kezia on Dec. 20, 1822 in Canajoharie. They met during their school years and were married on Sept. 23, 1849. Bradner was then a pattern maker working for his brother in a foundry that manufactured agricultural implements. The Curtis' sailed for California in 1850, arriving in San Francisco in July of 1851. (Biographical accounts of the Curtis family in various sources date their journey to 1849/1850. This is clearly not the case as the journal and receipt for payment of the voyage attest.) They traveled to the mines with Kezia's brothers who were already established in Mormon Gulch, near Tuttletown, Tuolumne County. There Bradner mined for several years and also ran a trading camp where Kezia sold her pies and pastry. After these years in the gold country, the Curtis' bought land near Stockton on the Calaveras river and settled there to ranch and farm. They raised four children. Bradner, who was active in the Oddfellows, Charity Lodge, died in 1881 and is buried in the family vault in the Oddfellows Cemetery in Sonora. Kezia lived to be 101, dying in 1924. Miscellaneous collection of items relating to the pioneering family of Kezia and Bradner Curtis. Three bound journals: 1. Entries by both Kezia and Bradner documenting their trip to California around Cape Horn in 1850-1851. 2. Entries by Bradner covering the years during which he was actively mining, 1851-1854, listing daily proceeds. In later years the book was used for family records and includes newspaper notices. 3. Entries by Kezia for recipes, including medicinal recipes and reminders such as: "Worth remembering: a small quantity of vinegar will generally destroy, immediately, any insect that may find its way into the stomach, and a little salad oil will kill any insect that may enter the ear." Other items: A children's book "Little pet's book" signed by Kezia. -- Miscellaneous documents such as tax receipts, a bullion deposit receipt, business cards, a scrap of paper with Bradner's signature and a receipt from the ship's company documenting payment for their passage to California. -- Three portrait photographs, one mounted as a pin. -- A handkerchief and two silver spoons with Kezia's maiden initials; an apron. -- Items documenting the Curtis family, including material relating to the family cemetery monument in Sonora, are photocopies. The journal documenting the Curtis' trip around Cape Horn begins on Dec. 8, 1850 as they depart New York and concludes in July of 1851 as they leave San Francisco for Stockton; there are many gaps in the entry dates. Bradner and Kezia each contribute entries for various periods of the voyage. Each entry includes a notation for latitude; most entries are sketchy with comments on the weather and location predominating. Passing ships are noted and there are a few mentions of wildlife and native peoples encountered: "Along the cost the Natives wer all along the cape fishing with boats that looked like hay sacks bottoms called catamarands." Conditions aboard ship are often recorded, both physical - "Today we have all one quart of water a piece out of which we have to find for our tea and coffee and to cook our victuals" - and emotional -- "Nothing of importance has happened to day except the Captain had a fray with one of the Sailors high words and even blows; but all is quiet now." A later entry from Bradner notes that when they reached Valparaiso the Captain brought charges of mutiny against several crew members and registered complaints against some of the passengers for failing to obey ships' rules. The passengers in turn charged the captain with misconduct. Bradner and Kezia Curtis collection, ca. 1850s Unrestricted. Please credit California State Library. California State Library, California History Room
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