Guide to the Stacy Family Letters,
1849-1860.

Collection Number: 6027

Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
Cornell University Library

Contact Information:
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
2B Carl A. Kroch Library
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853
(607) 255-3530
Fax: (607) 255-9524
rareref@cornell.edu
http://rmc.library.cornell.edu
Compiled by:
S.L.
Date completed:
Dec. 1978
EAD encoding:
Andrea Hektor, June 2004

© 2004 Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library

DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY

Title:
Stacy family letters, 1849-1860.
Collection Number:
6027
Creator:
Quantity:
1 reel microfilm.
Forms of Material:
Microfilm
Repository:
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library
Abstract:
Five letters from John Stacy to his wife Dorothy in Port Gibson, N.Y. (1849-1850) discussing his trip to California during the Gold Rush and also Rio de Janeiro and four letters from Nancy Stacy, John's mother, to John and Dorothy from Nevada City, California.
Language:
Collection material in English

COLLECTION DESCRIPTION

Five letters from John Stacy to his wife Dorothy in Port Gibson, N.Y. (1849-1850) discussing his trip to California during the Gold Rush and also Rio de Janeiro and four letters from Nancy Stacy, John's mother, to John and Dorothy from Nevada City, California.
SUBJECTS

Names:
Stacy family.
Stacy, Dorothy.
Stacy, John.
Stacy, Nancy.

Subjects:
Family--New York--Port Gibson.
Family--California--Nevada City.
Voyages to the Pacific Coast.
Gold mines and mining--California.

Places:
Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)--Description and travel.

Form and Genre Terms:
Poems.
INFORMATION FOR USERS

Cite As:
Stacy family letters, #6027. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
COLLECTION ARRANGEMENT

NOTE: The order of the letters in the guide does not coincide with their order of appearance on film.
CONTAINER LIST

Description
Container
From John Stacy (New York, New York) to his wife, Dorothy Stacy (Port Gibson, New York). February 4, 1849.
Item 1
Discusses his upcoming trip by sea to California where he hopes to find gold.
From John Stacy (at sea) to Dorothy Stacy (Port Gibson, N.Y.), April 7, 1849.
Item 2
Discusses the passage thus far including sea sickness, health, weather, meals, fish, entertainment, and the ladies on board.
Continued in (Rio Janero) April 9, 1849. Describes the city, the rich ("nigers") who have gold, think themselves as good as the white and dress well; the Catholics, and a bull fight.
From John Stacy (at sea) to Dorothy Stacy (Port Gibson, N.Y.). August 22, 1849 .
Item 3
Discusses his health, a bad storm, San Francisco, and inflation. Hole in letter.
From John Stacy (Auburn, California) to Dorothy Stacy (Port Gibson, N.Y.) February 10, 1850.
Item 4
Inquires why his wife hasn't written and complains about the high cost of provisions.
From John Stacy (Auburn, California) to Dorothy Stacy (Port Gibson, N.Y.). March 9, l850.
Item 5
Inquires why he has received no letters. Writes about mining and friends.
From Nancy Stacy (near Nevade City, Missouri, Iowa or California) to John and Dorothy Stacy. May 27, 1859.
Item 6
Discusses health, friends, and crops. Includes an original poem.
Note: The donor believed that Nancy Stacy had traveled West with the Mormons, however, the letter contain no collaboration for this.
From Nancy Stacy (near Nevade City) to John and Dorothy Stacy. May 16, 1860.
Item 7
Discusses her age (82), and problems with her granddaughter and her husband.
From Nancy Stacy (near Nevade City) to John and Dorothy Stacy. Frag. n.d.
Item 8
Discusses her son-in-law, Dean McClean and attitudes toward old age.
From Nancy Stacy (near Nevade City) to John and Dorothy Stacy. June 5, 1860 or 6l - June 28.
Item 9
Discusses health, more about family relations.