#goldrush

Since Leap Day only comes around every few years, why not celebrate by picking up a book that recounts this and other holidays from the viewpoint of California miners? “Leaves from an Argonaut’s Notebook: A Collection of Holiday and other Stories Illustrative of the Brighter Side of Mining Life in Pioneer Days” is a historic book from the Gold Rush, that was brushed off and reprinted for modern audiences to enjoy. The tales go through all of the seasons, and tell stories of the holidays that often prove to be markers of times passed as much as they are celebrations. While much of the literature from that era was a bit morose, this book by Judge T.E. Jones is an uplifting take on some of the darker days from our state’s past.

In honor of Juneteenth, we at the State Library would like to draw your attention to a collection of documents that we particularly value, the Thomas Gilman papers. Thomas Gilman came to California as a slave during the Gold Rush. He worked as a gold miner and was able to buy his freedom in 1852. Gilman settled in Shaw’s Flat, a community in Tuolumne County and was known for his hospitality to passersby, so much so that the expansive book, Historic Spots in California, mentions his house, which has sadly ceased to exist. The State Library has recently digitized and is in the process of transcribing his papers, which include everything from his manumission papers to a receipt for the purchase of some milk. You can see the ongoing progress on our From the Page transcription site at https://fromthepage.com/castatelibrary/thomas-gilman-collection/jpgs-from-the-page?page=1