Collection contains the original and typed copies of correspondence describing life in the gold fields of California in the 1850s, an account of crossing the desert on the way west, and a journal describing the sea voyage home. Also, two newspaper images relevant to the gold rush and Mr. Hackman's obituary. He sent many letters home to his family in which he related the details of his experience, hardships of finding gold, the high prices and lack of provisions, observations of life in mining towns, his health, and asked for news from home. He also wrote letters to his sweetheart, Harriet B. Miller asking her to write him back, and his uncle, regarding family financial information.
Admin/Biographical History
David Baer Hackman (1827-1896) was the second child of David Heistand Hackman and Susanna Frantz Baer. He was a third cousin, once removed, of Milton Hershey. David left Lancaster in the fall of 1849 with the hope of finding gold in California. In the spring of 1850, he went to Ohio and joined others headed west. They boarded a steamboat in Cincinnati that was bound for St. Louis and then travelled by wagon train to Sacramento City, where they arrived in September 1850. David found enough gold to buy food and supplies, and then had modest success in 1853. In 1854, he decided to return home, this time travelling by steamer and train from San Francisco to New York via Panama.
The adventure of travelling westward and his life in the gold fields of California are described in detail in David's journal and correspondence. He sent many letters home to his family in which he related the details of his experience, hardships, the prices and lack of provisions, observations of life in mining towns, and asked for news from home.
David also wrote to his sweetheart, Harriet B. Miller (1829-1870), the daughter of Adam and Rebecca Miller of Manheim. Although he did not receive any letters from her, they reunited upon his return to Lancaster in 1854 and married soon after. They had one son named Augustus, who became a minister. Harriet passed away in 1870. David later married Ella C. (1851-1907) and they had five children, Frank, Mabel, Harry, Walter, and Edith.
David's obituary shows that he was involved in the grocery, clothing, hat, and shoemaking businesses. In the 1860 Census he is listed as a hatter, and in 1880 as a saloon keeper. He was well-liked and respected in the community. David and Harriet are buried in Manheim Fairview Cemetery.
Printed angel form B & BC in English for Harriet Miller born 7 Jan 1828 in Elizabeth Twp. to parents Peter Miller and wife Elisabeth, dau. of D. Buffenmeyer. Baptism performed by Rev. William Bates.
A variant of the standing angel form has a heavy medallion border enclosing entire page. Angels flank center text block titled "CERTIFICATE / OF / BIRTH & BAPTISM" bio info follows. with a center basket of flowers and religious verse below. At top is an eagle; at bottom center are three sprays of flowers over two baskets of flowers. Flanked by a pair of perching birds. Short verses found in two small bordered boxes at top corners.
Color decorated with yellow and red. At very bottom, below baskets is "Printed and for sale by G.S. Peters,---Harrisburg, Pa."
Infill Lancaster; printed Harrisburg
Provenance
Pencil inscription on back reads: "From Catherine D. Miller estate / Paoli, Pa".
Center nail hole at top has a tear up to edge with cellophane tape repair on back. Some ragged edges. Bottom edge has very dark brown stain and both corners have been torn off
Object ID
2004.751
Notes
Found in the list of the Fraktur Collection appraised by Rev. Fred Weiser, Sept. 1988. Listed as Fraktur # 51.
This c. 1835 imprint by Gustav S. Peters of Harrisburg is a color-printed variant of the angel form and is numbered 378.3 in Klaus Stopp's "The Printed BBCs of the German Americans", vol. III, p.64.
Album 1, page 3. "Bill - Bud, Accomac '27", couple on swing, possibly Harriet Miller and Bill Ensminger. "Dick - Marve - Bud - Pete, Long's Park '22", group of people at park including, Richard O'Brien, Marvella Goddard, Harriet Miller.
This collection of photographs pertains to the family of Fanny Grove (b. 1874, d. bet. 1930-1938), daughter of Amos Grove (b. 1837, d. 1893) and Sarah O'Brien (b. 1840, d. 1924) of Marietta and Fanny Grove's husband, Henry Spangler Rich (b. 1867, d. 1938). Henry S. Rich was a prominent businessman in Marietta - a banker with First National Bank of Marietta and as an insurance agent, among other businesses. The Rich family lived at Prospect Place, a home on Fairview Avenue in Marietta. Amos Grove, father of Fanny Grove Rich, owned the Accomac, a summer vacation spot on the York County side of the Susquehanna River. He also maintained the boarding and mess tents at the Landisville Campmeeting.
Album 1, page 37. Group of people in costume, possibly for a play, sitting on the lawn beside a brick building. People are watching and flags are hanging from windows. Identified are Janet Spangler, Mildred Myers, Dolly McFarland, Vivian Billmyer, Mary Lawrence, Harriet Miller, Eva Peck, Bill Ensminger, and Grant Billet.
This collection of photographs pertains to the family of Fanny Grove (b. 1874, d. bet. 1930-1938), daughter of Amos Grove (b. 1837, d. 1893) and Sarah O'Brien (b. 1840, d. 1924) of Marietta and Fanny Grove's husband, Henry Spangler Rich (b. 1867, d. 1938). Henry S. Rich was a prominent businessman in Marietta - a banker with First National Bank of Marietta and as an insurance agent, among other businesses. The Rich family lived at Prospect Place, a home on Fairview Avenue in Marietta. Amos Grove, father of Fanny Grove Rich, owned the Accomac, a summer vacation spot on the York County side of the Susquehanna River. He also maintained the boarding and mess tents at the Landisville Campmeeting.
