Description: Documents. Two documents: (A) The first is an undated note entitled "Early pictures made at 'The Ways' " (home of the Lea family 1960s) written by George Vaux in which he describes two ca. 1850 "wet-plate positives, backed by metal plates." Two digital images in GCIHS collection, the first (D) of the ship "Express, Cranberry Isles," and the second, a wide landscape view of the Thomas Bunker wharves (C), both taken from The Ways property, may be the photos described in Vaux's note. The scans were made from photos provided by Nancy Lea ca. 2000. (2013 correspondence re: unsuccessful investigation into the whereabouts of the two original wet-plate positives was saved.) Vaux also explains that they called the house The Ways "because timbers for ships' ways were found when excavating for the basement." 2014 email from Chuck Liebow explain the photos: "Zooming in you can see another vessel "Harriett", a pinky or near double ender which Victor claimed was built by Thomas Bunker (Harriet was Thomas Bunker's wife). A 2000 email from Liebow indicates he thinks the photo shows the Thomas Bunker wharves on the site where Mrs. Lea's house is, with the Richman house with the roof half covered in snow. Liebow adds: George Vaux dated the photo to about 1852 based on the ship "Express" at the same wharf. Islesford looks funny but the Fish Point house is right where it ought to be." The second document (B) is an undated copy of a plat map (with ball point pen marks) showing the George Vaux and Robert Lea properties, Lots #30 and 31 respectively. (See also 2013.257.1987 re: modern photos of The Ways.) [show more]
Description: Letter from Samuel E. Spurling to Mrs. Abigail C. (Spurling) Preble (son to mother), 30 Jun 1850. In this letter, Samuel writes from San Francisco, California. He had moved out west (at about age 23) to work in the gold mines about a year earlier and intends to stay 4 or 5 years before returning home to visit. Samuel mentions that when he arrived, part of San Francisco was in ashes but being rebuilt; gambling houses were open Sundays; as many boats in the harbor as Boston and NYC; fair prospects; and asks if Father Preble will cover his insurance payment if necessary. He mentions an Enoch working at the mines, and a Mr. Davis who sounds like a new friend. (Seems like Enoch may be a fellow Cranberry Islander, perhaps a Spurling or a Stanley, TBD.) [show more]