Call Number:

C0662

Repository:

Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division

Extent:

• 1 box
• 0.4 linear feet

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Daniel Wadsworth Coit Letters, Box and Folder Number; Special Collections, Princeton University Library.

Date:

1819-1851 (inclusive)

Creator:

Coit, Daniel Wadsworth, 1787-1876

Form:

Letters -- 19th century.

Abstract:

Consists primarily of photostatic copies of the letters (1815-1828, 1844-1851) by American banker Daniel Wadsworth Coit to his family in Connecticut--from Lima, Peru, and various cities in Europe, and from the Western United States, Mexico, and San Francisco, California. This collection is available online at Digital PUL.

Daniel Wadsworth Coit, originally of Norwich, Connecticuit, was a banker who moved to California following the 1849 gold rush to buy and sell gold dust. Coit was also an amateur artist, producing some of the earliest depictions of San Franscisco.

The collection consists primarily of the 485 pages of letters, 1815-1828, by Coit to his family in Connecticut--mostly to his father, Daniel L. Coit, with a few to his brother, sister, and cousin--originating from Lima, Peru, and various cities in Europe, and letters, 1844-1851, to his wife, Harriet Coit, from the Western United States, Mexico, and San Francisco, California. Coit's letters to his family are photostatic copies. The letters discuss Coit's travels, the War of Independence in Peru, business ventures in international trade, local affairs and customs, and his plans for buying and selling gold dust in California after the gold rush of 1849. Also present are typescript copies of 16 letters to Pelatiah Perit, a New York merchant.

The letters are arranged chronologically, with pages numbered consecutively from 1 to 485.