Includes: Letter from Mary A. Stowele of Ashburnham (Mass.?), addressed to the "N.G. of Lodge T.O. of O.F. Stockton, California," inquiring about a man who had died in California. Sep. 2, 1852. * Manuscript resolution of the Kanawha Lodge No. 73 I.O.O.F, Charleston, addressed to the "N.G. Officers of Brethren of Charity Lodge No. 6, Stockton, California," regarding the death of a lodge member in Chinese Camp, California. April 5, 1853. * Partially printed receipt for dues received of Philip Mullany, member of the Charity Lodge No. 6, I.O. of O.F, Stockton, California. Sept. 9, 1852. * Constitution, Laws and Regulations of San Juan Lodge, No. 67,. I.O.O.F. of the State of California. Printed in San Francisco. 48 pp. 5¾x3¾, original front wrapper, lacks rear wrapper. 1861. Together 4 items.
The two letters are rather poignant, the first especially so, as the writer of which has heard an "account of a miner homeward bound from California by the name of J.G. Garnete having put up one night at the Stockton House and before retiring he made himself known to the host as an Odd Fellow - and before morning he committed suicide by cutting his throat with a pen knife... I am very interested to learn all about the said Garnete - he left Boston seven years ago the second day of Oct, and left a wife and two children... he had been very unfortunate in business he left Boston as mate of the Schooner Durse bound for Pernambuco..." The second letter is in a similar vein, the lodge members expressing "sincere regret and heartfelt sorrow that this Lodge has heard of the death of our late and worthy Brother James Callahan in that far off and distant land California..." The pair of letters, along with the dues receipt and the constitution, form a splendid little archive connecting California to the far-flung fraternal lodge the International Order of the Odd Fellows, which provided shelter, food, and social succor to its members and their families wherever they may land.