Letter from Fordyce Benjamin to Franklin Burr, April 1850, about life in Napa California
3-page letter address to Frankin Burr from Fordyce J. Benjamin (1826-1896) describing life in Napa, California, three years after his arrival in 1847. He was 24 years old at the time and had come to Calafornia [sic] in 1847 as part of an American military expedition into the territory. He describes in fair detail the number of changes that had occurred between 1847 and 1850. Benjamin notes his intention to marry which he did, not long after this letter was mailed. His wife, Mary Ann Morgan was 15 and had come from Missouri. They eventually had six children and moved north to Lassen County. Benjamin was born in Albany NY but had a strong connection to his many relatives in Worthington. California became a state in September 1850 and Fordyce and his bride appear in the first census and are considered California pioneers.
Handwritten letter, address visible, 8 x 10 folded in half. Also a transcription.
Laminated poster prepared for display at the Worthington 250th anniversary.
Article on Clement Burr's 90th birthday, 1939
Village Times (precursor of the Country Journal) article about Clement Burr (1849-1939) at his 90th birthday, oldest resident of Worthington at the time. Also mentioned are his mother, Persis Knapp Burr (1816-1889), father, Franklin (1808-1869) and wife, Ella Crosier Burr (1850-1930) and their five children. His many contributions to the Worthington community are detailed.
Lithographed advertisement featuring a fancily dressed woman with an eye for the well-dressed man. Advertisement for Taylor Clothes that were sold at the Burr store in Worthington Center.