Letters of C. R. Wilder (last one for now)
New Ipswich Historical Society
We are taking a quick break from the obituaries with a few letters from C.R. Wilder (New Ipswich) - transcribed by Sharon Rosenfelder
San Francisco April 30, 1850
Calvin Wilder (letter to brother, Josiah P. Wilder)
Arrived in San Francisco Nov. 22, 1849 after passage of 229 days from N.Y. 91 days from Rio to Valparaiso, 60 days around Cape Horn in most awful gales, passing and repassing the Cape 7 times. Reached Valparaiso Sept. 16, remaining there 17 days. Left Oct. 13 after devouring 17 quarters of beef and other things too numerous to mention. Passage of 50 days. Two associates have died and the cook (black) since arrived. Have made $13 per day some of the time, and most of the time, not more than a living.
Board $12- $20 per week. Am going up to the mine in about 3 weeks to see the Elephant.
May 31
Called off and didn’t finish the letter for the May steamer. Companies break up- not one sticks together. Ours was virtually broke up when we left Rio but for protection of our property, we kept together for the transactions of business which has been settled long ago.
I have never saw such a sick day since the time I left N. Y. till about the middle of March when I was laid on my back for about 3 weeks. I recovered my usual health and remained so until a week ago when I was again taken down. Now, just able to sit up and write. Hope to recover speedily. The disease I should call chronic diarrhea. Strength is taken in one day.
Country is healthy and delightful. McLaughlin and I built a sailing craft to carry about 4 tons. Launched her the other day and are now putting on her sail and rigging. I have bought provisions enough to load her and shall be off in 4 days for the southern mines. Do not know at present, but will stop where we can locate the most business.
You know as much about the gold there as I do, I’ve seen many bushels of ore, fine and coarse and some too large to hold at arm’s length. But oh! The poor devils who come so long a distance for it and do not get it. I pity them. I have bought property in town last December.
We had a fire May 4 which destroyed 400 buildings and $5,000,000 property.
I am not sorry I came out here. But my advice to those at home who are well off is to stay there. Not more than one out of 10 that return contented. The biggest fool may trouble into a fortune that the wise man has just passed over. I send you by this mail the Pacific New, a daily paper. We have 3 darkies.
C.R. Wilder
Photo Archives
Portrait of an unidentified woman
James Roger diary entry
20th February 1913
Mild; good sun heat; snow melting; wind west. David and Daniel picking browntail moths nests from Gordons and Prestons. Got letter today from Hamish, who had not been well for a few days, but was feeling better.
I associate the name Wilder with spindle back chairs. I think it was Josiah that made these. My uncle Oliver during his retirement restored old chairs and he had a lot of respect for Wilder chairs. A simple spindle back Wilder chair is worth $500 today.
Apparently, Calvin has made $ in the transportation industry.
at one time he had a stagecoach line and in this recent letter he's building sailing vessels. He spends all this money & time travelling (and also getting sick). His advice: stay home, which Josiah apparently did. I'd like to know more about Josiah.