Archive of thirty-six letters, neatly written. Most 2 or more pages.

Interesting archive of correspondence from the California mining camp, Murphy's Camp and from the mining town of Volcano, California, a few from Stockton, or San Francisco. Also a few from Panama while waiting to sail to San Francisco. Many are penned by a woman, Laura Foster, to her relatives in New Hampshire. Others penned by a male relative or companion, Handel Lund. While there is some mention of mining activities and ownership of mining claims the content is largely personal with with the usual exchange of family news, discussion of activities in the mining camp. Laura Foster details her own efforts at creating income by cooking, housekeeping, taking in boarders, laundry, etc. There is some discussion of the need for a church building, meeting place, school for the growing number of children, etc. The later letters, from Volcano, include several relating to the death of Handel Lund from consumption. Mrs. Foster's letters offer a different persective on life in the mining camps than one typically sees in letters from the male miners.