[California Gold Rush]. Fitch, O.H.

[Manuscript Letter Discussing the Sale of Life Insurance to an Ohio Group Bound for the California Gold Rush]

Ashtabula, Oh. January 29, 1849. [1]pp., on a bifolium. Previously folded. Light dampstaining and short closed tears along gutter, somewhat affecting first few lines of text but not overall sense. About very good. Item #2389

An interesting letter from O.H. Field, an aspirational field representative of the Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Company in Ashtabula, Ohio, to the company secretary, George R. Phelps, inquiring about a policy for a group of men headed to the Gold Rush in California in January 1849. Connecticut Mutual was founded in Hartford three years prior to the composition of this letter, in 1846. Fitch's missive begins with a report on his efforts to drum up interest in life insurance in his area with pamphlets and other materials sent to him by Phelps:

"Yours of Oct 1 184[9] with blanks, pamphlets, &c, was not received by me until the 25th of Dec. following... I have not had any definitive applications for insurance. It was somewhat new here and the minds of the people had not been called to it. I have however distributed pamphlets, and in other ways called the attention of our citizens to the subject. I think that something yet might be done.

The letter goes on to describe a potential policy for a group soon leaving for the Gold Rush, and requests a favorable rate in order to stimulate interest in policies from additional parties:

"A company is now being formed to head out, about ten men, to work in the gold regions of California. The individuals who furnish the money wish to obtain an insurance for two years on the lives of the several persons who go out, to secure the am[oun]t advanced. The men who propose to go are generally hardy, healthy, & of good habits, & from 25 to 45 years of age. They expect to go by the overland route either from Independence, Missouri, or some more southerly route not south of Vera Cruz. Will you have the goodness to inform me by return mail, if the company will take such risks -- & if so, the rates of insurance, as near as may be, which you will charge -- whether you will insure more than the amt. actually advanced & if so how much & any other information you may think proper to give. If I receive a favorably [sic] reply I shall probably send you more proposals soon."

A neat letter concerning the preparations and considerations necessary for a journey to California in the early days of the Gold Rush, and the role and rise of early American insurance companies in the planning of such lengthy and dangerous overland travel.

Price: $1,250.00