James Jones papers
Scope and Contents
The collection consists of James Jones' correspondence and business papers, primarily dealing with his mining concerns. Several letters from Frank Jones reflect the unstable prospects of mining in the 1860s and 1870s. Some letters enthusiastically report on mine prospects and or assessments, but in two letters he warns his brothers to sell out.
Several documents relate to the Imperial Silver Quarries Company, including a prospectus, the articles of incorporation, and Annual Report to the shareholders (1868), and correspondence relating to the development of the company's mines. Also included are brochures, maps, and ore assessments for various mines in the Monitor District. In addition, the collection contains James Jones' personal bills and receipts, primarily from his years in England.
Finally, the collection contains bills and receipts for the scow schooner "Hirondelle" which James Jones ran as a tow barge in Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan in the 1850s.
Dates
- Creation: 1857 - 1888
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Permission to publish material from this collection must be obtained from University Archives & Historical Collections, Michigan State University.
Biographical Note
Mining engineer James Jones was the first person to prospect for gold and silver in the Monitor District in Amador and Alpine Counties, California. In the 1860s and 1870s he and his brother Frank organized mining companies to develop and prospect the district. These included the Mount Bullion Mining Company, and the Michigan Tunnel and Mining Company. The brothers were also associated with the Active Silver Mining and Tunnel Company of New York. In 1866 James Jones traveled to England, where he helped organize and promote two other companies: the Scottish Chief Silver Mine Company and the Imperial Silver Quarries Company, in which he was a large stockholder.
Extent
0.25 Cubic Feet (, 5 folders)
Language of Materials
English
Custodial History
Gift of Kenneth Priestly, 1960-09-22. Transferred by Michigan State University Museum.
Legal Status
Copyright: Michigan State University.
Property Rights: Michigan State University.
Genre / Form
Geographic
Topical
- Title
- James Jones Papers
- Status
- 4 Published And Cataloged
- Date
- February 1965
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
Repository Details
Part of the University Archives and Historical Collections Repository
Conrad Hall
943 Conrad Road, Room 101
East Lansing MI 48824 US
517-355-2330
archives@msu.edu