Two Small Octavos (Ca. 17 x 10,5 cm &  14 x 9,5 cm) 4pp. & 3pp. Brown ink on beige wove paper, overall very good letters written in a legible hand.

Two interesting California Gold Rush-era private letters written by a pioneer of Barker House (modern-day unincorporated community of Woodleaf), California, to his girlfriend back home in Sunbury, Ohio. These letters offer a captivating insight into the business struggles of one of the earliest residents of Barker House.

The author, Chas Van Houten, was a native of Sunbury, Ohio, who moved to Barker House, Yuba County, shortly after its establishment in 1850. Houten spent several years in the newly founded settlement and, having failed in his business ventures, returned to Sunbury in the mid-1850s. On 21 September 1858, Chas applied to the United States Patent Office, claiming he “invented a new and useful Improvement in Adjustable Corn-Planters.”

The author, apparently a young store owner in Barker House, addresses the letters to his “guiding star” and “dearest” girlfriend, Harriet Jones. In the texts, Houten reveals his near-desperate state of mind and complains about his failing business and dull life. In the following passages, he contemplates the future of his enterprise and optimistically anticipates an upturn after the influx of migrants from the East. The author also mentions one of the most popular Gold Rush-era routes to the West and writes about the famous California Trail through the Great Plains (The California Trail carried over 250,000 gold-seekers and farmers to the Golden State during the 1840s and 1850s). In the rest of the letters, Houten passionately confesses his love to Harriet, exchanges news about his homesick friends in Barker House, and promises to return as soon as possible.

In 1857, shortly after moving back to Sunbury, Ohio, Chas Van Houten married his longtime girlfriend and the addressee of these affectionate letters, Harriet Jones.

Overall, historically interesting original autograph manuscript letters offering a captivating insight into the business struggles of one of the earliest residents of Barker House.

The text of the letters (original spelling):

23 July 1853: “I, again, adressed few lines to you hoping it may find you in better health than when I last heard from you, the hours seem long and the time moves slowly by with me. I almost get besides myself, at times, when thinking of my situation here yet when I read your kind letters, it seems to bring me up, although I feel myself far short of being worthy to privilige.  Harriet: Think not that these words are flattery, for there is not one hour, that passes, but my heart is with you.
There has not been any chang in my business since my last to - things are very dull yet and we are making nothing the emigration will soon arrive across the Plains which will make it lively, Roush is here with us, has had the chills but is getting well, he came up from Maryville last Wednesday that we had seen him - was very glad to see him, I think he may stay here this summer as he can get employment, he is writing a few lines to Anny, in which I think of enclosing this if he does not object. Alex is well but very homesick, he is still cooking for us - please excuse me for the present and I close by hoping to hear from you at least once a month if convenient to -.”

10 October 1853: “It is impossible to describe the pleasure I had in receiving your most kind letter of July 31, which I read this evening. The time seemed so long to me since I heard from you last, that I almost feared you had forgotten me but I am under many obligations to you for your favor. Dearest you in yours wished me at home the day you wrote, to enjoy the society of my friends, yet I was far distant but my thoughts were with you and always will be. it is my guiding star it is that for which I live. Oh Harriet I hope that the time will soon be, when we can see and - , and mingle on joy and sorrow together no more to be so widely separated. I would be glad if I could be at home to cheer you up in your lonely school hours. I know how it is with one just leaving home to be with strangers. You did not state what school you was attending in - . I have not sold out yet. You must not be to much disappointed if I should not get home this fall yet I intend coming as soon as I can closing business here, - is here with me and well. I think he will come from, with me, Alex has gone left San Francisco at 16th of Sept. I suppose he is at home by this time. Excuse me for this time and expect to hear from me soon again. give my love to your Father and Mother, Amy and John, Please write in answer soon.”