William R. Scott letters to William A. Keen, 1862-1865.

17 items.

English

Purchased from William Reese Company on the William Robertson Coe Fund, 1986.

Scott and Keen were carpenters originally from the New Bedford, Massachusetts area. At the time these letters were written, both were living in California. Scott worked in construction for a quicksilver mine in Knoxville, Lake County, California. Keen worked in San Francisco on several different jobs,including at a woolen factory. Scott left California to return East in 1865, due to ill health and died en route.

16 ALS (all but one from Scott to Keen) and one statement of account belonging to William Keen. Scott describes his work and the operations of the mine, with estimates of its output. He also discusses news from home, including news of friends killed in the Civil War, and the tactics of some relations in avoiding the draft. Scott's last letter is written from San Francisco while waiting to get the steamer home. Also included is a single letter to Keen from A. F. Ashley in San Leandro, describing a fire at the shop where he works, and a statement of account from J. Rowland for Keen's labor for three months.

June 01, 2002

William R. Scott letters to William A. Keen. Western Americana Collection, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University

William R. Scott letters to William A. Keen. Western Americana Collection, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University

Carpenters California.