Elias Lothrop Book
Author:Lothrop, Elias L., d. 1852.
Title:Lothrop family papers, 1843-1865.
Description:0.4 linear ft. (1 box)
Notes:Elias Lothrop moved from Durham, Maine to Chicago
around 1843 to run a small store there. By 1845 he was back
in Maine, teaching school near Bath. In 1849 Lothrop joined
the Kennebec Trading & Mining Company, a group of Maine men
who pooled their resources to go to California and mine gold.
He worked with the Kennebec Company on the Yuba River until
October 1850, after which time he formed various partnerships
in staking claims and mining for gold near Rough and Ready,
California. He was sick with "mountain fever" for four months
in 1850, and then suffered a life-threatening bout of
erysipelas in 1850-1851. He worked at Rough and Ready for
nearly two years, became ill and went to Sacramento where he
worked as a policeman for a brief time before succumbing to
cholera morbus in August 1853. He and his wife Jane, a
milliner, had at least two children, one of whom, Mary, was
born during his absence.
Warren Lothrop was Elias' brother, a member of a
company of engineers in the Mexican War. He was made 2nd
Lieutenant in the 4th Regiment Artillery in February 1857,
and fought in the Civil War, and was brevetted Lt. Col. in
March 13, 1865.R. J. Morse was a brother or brother-in-law
to Jane Lothrop, and ran a store in New Orleans. Levitt
Lothrop was probably Elias and Warren's father, and was also
the name of Elias' son.
The Lothrop Family Papers consist of letters,
commissions, reminiscences and a portrait. There are 17
letters from Elias Lothrop to his wife, mother, and brother.
Three of these letters are dated 1843-1847 from Chicago and
Georgetown, Maine, and 14 others are from California, dated
1849-1853. He writes of mining, life in California, his
illnesses, local news, and his need to make more money before
he can afford to go home. A letter dated May 1849, carries a
detailed description of life on board ship en route to
California. His last letter, headed "Secret Digings [sic] Jan
6th 1852," carries a long account of his thoughts on
California, with the summation that "everything seems to run
to extremes here," in terms of fortune, health, weather,
etc.
There are five other letters, two to Jane Lothrop
dated 1852-1853,from T. P. Robb and Charles O. Turner
regarding her husband's death. Another letter, written by R.
J. Morse in New Orleans dated 1853 mentions the rental and
purchase of "colored servants." A letter written by Warren
Lothrop mentions that he is with Colonel Callender in St.
Louis. Another letter written by Warren is here only in part,
and describes the battle of Vera Cruz. The letters are
accompanied by a recipe for a cholera cure, an engraved
portrait of Levitt Lothrop, two of Warren Lothrop's
commissions, and reminiscences of a part of the Mexican War
by John Smith of the U.S. Army, whose relationship to the
Lothrop family is unknown.
Purchased from William Wreden on the Frederick W.
& Carrie S. Beinecke Fund for Western Americana, 1983.
Lothrop Family Papers. Western Americana
Collection, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale
University
Subjects:Commissions. aat
Reminiscences. aat
Gold miners -- United States. lcsh
Lothrop, Elias L., d. 1852.
Lothrop, Jane.
Lothrop, Levitt.
Lothrop, Warren L.
Morse, R. J.
Robb, T. P.
Smith, John, fl. 1846-1848.
Turner, Charles O.
Kennebec Trading & Mining Co.
Cholera morbus.
Frontier and pioneer life -- California.
Gold mines and mining -- California -- Nevada
County.
Gold mines and mining -- California -- Yuba
County.
Mexican War, 1846-1848 -- Personal narratives.
Slavery -- Louisiana -- New Orleans.
Voyages to the Pacific coast -- Personal
narratives.
California -- Gold discoveries.
California -- Social life and customs -- 19th
century.
Durham (Me.) -- Social life and customs.
New Orleans (La.) -- Social life and customs.
Rough and Ready (Calif.)
San Francisco (Calif.) -- Description and
travel.
Veracruz Llave (Mexico) -- History -- Surrender,
1847.
Yuba River Valley (Calif.)
Location:Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale
University, New Haven, CT.
Control No.:CTYAFJT9478-A
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I am not related, I found this information at the Libary of Congress website.
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