Special Collections Research Center
spcoll@wm.eduFinding Aid Authors: Anne T. Johnson.
Administrative Information
Conditions Governing Use:
Before reproducing or quoting from any materials, in whole or in part, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.
Conditions Governing Access:
Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.
Preferred Citation:
Philip P. Hines Diary, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
Acquisition Information:
Purchase.
Biographical Information:
Philip P. Hines was a physician from Crawford County, Ohio who went to New Town, California to participate in the Gold Rush. He stayed in or near New Town from 1850 to 1851. Further information about this individual or organization may be available in the Special Collections Research Center Wiki: .
Scope and Contents
Diary of Philip P. Hines who had a Quartz claim near New Town, California. Dr. Hines visits Rough and Ready and Nevada, California. During 1851, Hines was too ill with pain and bowel problems to work his claim, so worked for one month as a physician in the hospital. The diary tells of his illness, attempts to get money so he can go home, and feelings about the depravity of the town. Dr. Hines states that he prays to God each day to allow him to see his family before he dies. Includes Hines' 1828 Bible, 2.5" x 3.5", with genealogical information.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
- Bibles
- California--Description and travel--19th century
- California--Gold discoveries
- California--History--1850-1950
- Diaries
- New Town (Calif.)
Significant Places Associated With the Collection
- California--Description and travel--19th century
- California--Gold discoveries
- California--History--1850-1950
- New Town (Calif.)
Container List
Note on first page (loose): "Dr. P.J. Hines Bible – 1828" and "For Richard Frank Hines from Aunt Eva, January 30, 1939. Great-Great GrandFather Hines." Note on back page: Births P.J. Harris born August the eleventh…eighteen hundred seventeen. Deaths Susanna Hines dies April 39, 1835, aged 28 years, 8 mths and 22 days. V.T. Hines died …1848…18 months and 22 days. Page 852, before beginning of New Testament. Births of children: Jacob Arthur Hines was born…1842. Margaret A. Hines was born November 23, 1844. Robert G. Hines was born February 15, 1847. Loose Page: Letter to his wife, "Let this little reminder keep you always …may God bless my faithful, love and true wife."
First page gives his address as New Town, California and his permanent address as Crawford County, Ohio. January Begins diary on January 1, 1851 by saying he is lonely, tired and sick and may never see his family again. March "This day one year ago, I left my dear family…to commit the most foolish act of my life, a trip to California…I am scarce able to crawl." "Health very bad." Begins temporary employment at Hodges and Company. April Saw an old friend from Maryland. "Have tried all day for work but can get none – most object because I look so puny." Travels from New Town to Nevada. Tries to walk to Rough and Ready. Goes to Rough and Ready where he begins prospecting for gold. May Down to his last penny. Has not heard from his family in a year. Leaves Rough and Ready for Quartz claims. Travels between Rough and Ready and Nevada. Does work on claims and electioneering. June Dr. Gardiner, city physician, offers $100 plus board to help in hospital until end of June. Talks of his health, tells about some patients and appeals to God for help to see his family again. July Bull and Bear fight. Man was shot, "no one's life is safe here a moment." Writes of the pain of his bowels, his weakness and doesn't know how long he has to live. Does not have a job, but does a little prospecting when he is able. August Tries to sell his quartz claim. "…everything works against me…my health is poor, very poor." "I guess there is no one who would more gladly leave this miserable country than myself but I have no hope of getting away until spring if I live so long." "I can eat nothing nor do nothing…" October Skips from end of August to October 15 "…God alone knows what I have been called to endure…" "Fire has destroyed the hopes of many in Marysville while families have been broken up, wives separated from husbands, and children to become prostitutes…""…Life here is held on a slender thread…" Family who he trusted mistreats him. Talks of people who might have remained good if they had stayed at home. Asks God to allow him to make it home, "I know I love with ardent affection." Makes arrangements to go home and sells part of claim to Dr. Gillen. Is worried that others might think he handled his claim fraudulently. Pays all his obligations and travels to San Francisco, California. November Takes steamer. Tells a little about the voyage. Sails via Panama. On November 3, he has a different pain and needs opium. Later, the steamer passes Cape Hatteras and encounters a hurricane. Arrives at "City" and takes train toward home. "I feel my heart running out to my maker." December Arrives home on December 3. On New Years Eve, writes about his diary, his foolish decision to go to California, his friends and family and thanks God for bringing him home safely.