Approximately 700 to 800 letters written to Jefferson Wilcoxson of Sacramento California, virtually all of them in the original mailing envelopes with postage present. In addition, there are a number of empty envelopes with postage present. Dating from the 1860's through the 1890's, the letters are both personal and business in nature, many both, as Wilcoxson had many relatives involved in banking and other enterprises. Most are from various locales in California, from such venues as Bridgeport, Auburn, Clipper Gap, Yuba City, Winters, Vacaville, Applegate, Susanville, Woodland, Wheatland, Colfax, San Jose, Williams, etc. Also, there are a large number from Carrollton, Missouri, where resided the Banking House of Wilcoxson & Co., most of the letters from there written by Jefferson Wilcoxson's nephew, concerning both business and family matters. A number of the letters are from other banks, county assessors offices, etc. Some of the letters in the archive are to Jackson Wilcoxson, apparently Jefferson's brother.
Historically important archive of letters written to a leading Sacramento businessman, who was involved in banking, mining speculation, land investments, money lending, and other enterprises seminal to the economic development of California during the latter half of the 19th century. Jefferson Wilcoxson came to California in 1849 or 1850, and soon established himself in business in the bustling city of Sacramento. Wilcoxson & Co. began as general merchants in 1850, and it is evident from the correspondence in this archive that by the next decade he was primarily involved in banking, money lending and investment, and in dispensing advice. Laid out are the many schemes being hatched to exploit the resources of California for gain, whether though mining for gold and other minerals, grazing sheep, making wine and distilling brandy, building railroads, harvesting timber, and myriad others, and Wilcoxson seems to have had a hand in most of them. He loaned capital, bought mortgages, collected rent, litigated taxes, and was a force behind the scenes both politically and economically. He has docketed most of the letters on the envelopes, giving dates received, from whom, relating to what, and sometimes his response. Excerpts from a few of the letters follow: June 13, 1874, from George W. Applegate at Clipper Gap, California: "Wilson & Geo. Cadwalader asked 10 days from the day I came up from Saca to examine and bargain for the Iron Mine, and I agreed to the terms, but find that I extended the time too long for Myres. The parties who have sued him will probably get the majority of the stock of Iron Mountain Co. my interest with the rest & I am powerless to render any assistance..." * May 1st, 1875, from George Applegate of Colfax, California: "...To day I send you a box of sample rock taken from the shaft at various depths, have put cards on two specimens, the other small pieces were taken out all the way down the shaft. We sunk a hole at the bottom of the Hill a little above the croppings near the Martin fence, found ore but it ran out in the bottom of hole and had the appearance of dipping in the hill towards the summit...The men say they have never seen any ore like this anywhere and are very anxious to heve it tested, it may contain silver or some other metal combined with Iron..." * September 2, 1876, from A.M. & G.B Stevenson of Vacaville, California: "Dear Sir, We have determined to submit for your consideration a loan on our R.R. We wish to secure ($50,000) Fifty Thousand Dollars for which we can give ample security, such as (18) Eighteen Miles of road, Two Locomotives, Three Passenger Cars, one Express car, Depot, Warehouses, &c. &c. We desire the loan on as low rate of interest as you can allow..." To this Wilcoxson has written on the envelope "answered no money." Stevenson apparently secured financing from other sources, for in 1879 he was Director of the Vaca Valley and Clear Lake Railroad Co. * Sept. 11, 1876, from George Applegate of Colfax, California: "Yours recd. regarding to insurance, I am putting in a new wine house 58 by 20 ft by extending my new building... I am managing to sell all the grapes I can. My cooper is at work, I sold ?? bbl brandy 15 go to Denver as an sample and may get sale for the lot. Got $3.50 per gallon..." * Oct. 24, 1877, from B. Peeler of Bridgeport, California: "I received the deed alright. I am sorry to hear that you are note feeling well. I have sold my sheep here was so many in the country they eat up every thing where I intended to winter... I would like for you to let me know if there is any way to get title to timber land if there is I want to secure some here as I think it will be valuable is a short time as timber is scarce..." * Dec. 29, 1882, from Henry Adams of Clipper Gap, Placer County, California (envelope postmarked Auburn): "I have taken the liberty to send you a sample of Quartz from a lode which I have great confidence in but am not able to develop. I have prospected it more or less for several years and find gold in every portion along the whole length of the claim..." * April 12, 1886, from D.C. Hyer, from Susanville, California, on letterhead of the Lassen County Treasurer, "...I intended to call on you again before I left town, but being busy at the Anti-Chinese Convention and having but a short time to stay in Sacmto, I did not get around as I intended, to see you again. I wanted to talk to you about investing something in this county. There are chances here for good safe paying investments... Lassen Co. is coming to the front rapidly as one of the best counties in the State, & its development - so far - has been done on very little capital..." * June 25, 1897, from W.E. Street, on letterhead of the Bank of Winters, California: "I beg to congratulate you and all interested in the confines of the ex-Central Irrigation District, on the relief the Supreme Court has given you from the burdens imposed by that organization. While I would favor irrigation almost anywhere, the plan should be thoroughly practicable and adjusted to the needs of the country. Central District was neither practicable nor adjusted, and imposed burdens too heavy to be borne..."