Diary [original]
Scope and Content
Diary kept by Benjamin Bennett Briggs during his travels from Sharon, Ohio to Yuba City, California from March through December of 1849. Briggs was accompanied by two of his brothers, John and George, as well as a neighbor, George Case. They set out with a wagon and a team of oxen, stopping in small towns or unsettled areas to camp. Briggs makes note of the weather and road conditions, food conditions, creek crossings, and health conditions of him and his companions. A major delay in their journey occurred near the end of July when Briggs was accidentally shot through the lung and was laid up for about a month while some of his party went on ahead. Briggs was "put into a wagon" through most of August but continued to travel and to record short notes in his diary. The last entry of the diary is for December 31, 1849, in which Briggs writes, "Arrived at the Yuba pitched my tent there and [words erased]."
Dates
- Creation: 1836 - 2020
- Creation: Majority of material found within 1850 - 1920
Creator
- From the Collection: Briggs, Abby Crane (Person)
- From the Collection: Briggs, Benjamin (Person)
- From the Collection: Briggs, Caroline Crane (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Advance notice required for access.
Extent
From the Collection: 4.92 Linear Feet (8 boxes)
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Repository Details
Part of the USC Libraries Special Collections Repository
Doheny Memorial Library 206
3550 Trousdale Parkway
Los Angeles California 90089-0189 United States
specol@usc.edu