From Julia Turney King, 1852-1859

The Leonard D. and Julia Turney King Papers consist primarily of letters (Series 1. Correspondence) between the husband and wife during Leonard’s time in the gold fields in California in 1852-54. Additional letters during this period were received from Cyrus Turney, Julia’s father; L.F. Warner, a druggist who handled disbursements for Leonard; William Warr (two letters of 1854 addressed to “Dear Friends” about the gold fields); Leonard’s sister Martha; and Alonson and Mrs. Macomber. An 1854 letter from J.W. Goucher to his wife relays the news that he has purchased Leonard D. King’s mining claim Three letters dating from 1878-79 originate with Rev. Charles D. King, eldest son of Leonard and Julia, from his time as a missionary to India with the Baptist Church.

A manuscript comprising Series 2, written in 2008 by a King family relative, provides context in the form of biographical information, maps, and a genealogical chart accompanying reproductions and transcriptions of the gold rush letters.