Joseph Warren Wood journal
Scope and Contents
Wood's journals are divided into four volumes: 1849, 1850, 1851, and 1852-1853.
The first volume details his journey from Wisconsin to California and early prospecting experiences. Subsequent volumes concern his business dealings with with John Crawford and eventual return to Wisconsin. His final entries, dated April 4, 1853: "Commenced ploughing"; and January 1854: "Set to getting pigs for May 1st" suggest that Wood returned to earning a living as a farmer.
Often lengthy and well crafted, Wood's journal entries paint a vivid picture life on the trail in gold rush era California.
Dates
- 1849-1853
Creator
- Wood, Joseph Warren, 1826-1914 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open to the public. Collection must be used in Special Collections and University Archives Reading Room. Collection or parts of collection may be stored offsite. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives in advance of your visit to allow for transportation time.
Conditions Governing Use
Property rights reside with Special Collections and University Archives, University of Oregon Libraries. Copyright resides with the creators of the documents or their heirs. All requests for permission to publish collection materials must be submitted to Special Collections and University Archives. The reader must also obtain permission of the copyright holder.
Biographical / Historical
Joseph Warren Wood (1826-1914), son of Dr. Lewis N. and Naomi D. Wood of Walworth, Wisconsin, travelled to California to prospect for gold in April of 1849 with friends Jeremiah Pollard and Matthias Mohr, among others. They begin panning for gold on September 7th in Deer Creek, a branch of the Yuba River, to limited success.
Subsequently, Wood started a freight-hauling business with John B. Crawford, who became his brother in law. In 1853, Wood returned to Wisconsin, where he took up farming.
Extent
0.1 linear feet (2 containers) : 2 folders
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Joseph Warren Wood (1826-1914) was a Wisconsin farmer who sought his fortune in California during the gold rush. The collection consists of photocopies of Wood's journals chronicling his trip to California.
Processing Information
Collection processed by staff.
This finding aid may be updated periodically to account for new acquisitions to the collection and/or revisions in arrangement and description.
- Crawford, John B.
- Deer Creek (Sacramento County and El Dorado County, Calif.) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Diaries Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Farmers -- Wisconsin -- Diaries Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Frontier and pioneer life -- California Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Frontier and pioneer life -- Wisconsin Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Gold miners -- California -- Diaries Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Gold mines and mining -- California -- History -- 19th century -- Sources Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Overland journals Subject Source: Genre Terms: A Thesaurus for Use in Rare Book and Special Collections Cataloguing
- Overland journeys to the Pacific Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Pioneers Subject Source: Archiveswest
- Pioneers -- California -- Diaries Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Pioneers -- Wisconsin -- Diaries Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Wood, Joseph Warren, 1826-1914
- Title
- Guide to the Joseph Warren Wood Journal
- Status
- Complete Description
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by University of Oregon Libraries, Archivists' Toolkit Project Team and Austin Munsell
- Date
- 2012
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English
- Sponsor
- Funding for production of this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).
Repository Details
Part of the University of Oregon Libraries, Special Collections and University Archives Repository
