Letter from David S. Prindle Regarding the Moving and Building Trade in San Francisco

San Francisco: 1861. Bifolium, 10 x 8", three pp. of ink manuscript. A letter sent by David S. Prindle, a mover and builder in San Francisco, back home to his father in Connecticut, dated November 26, 1861. The first page contains Prindle's patriotic thoughts on the Civil War service of his brothers, and the death of brother Trobridge:

“I am very sorry to have one of my Brothers die, or that any accident should happen them particularly now, when they have enlisted in our country’s call to fight for the honor of our national flag, that not one star should be stricken out, but I am glad that I can say that I have had four Brothers in the army willing to give their lives for the support of the union…”

The rest of the letter consists of a detailed description of Prindle' work running a moving and building company, including details about the labor market, and the high demand for his services:

“I have been at work quite steady for the last two years and have done very well the business of moving and raising buildings has been very good particularly this last summer. I suppose I have refused more work than I have done this last summer…I have three and four men working most of the time…wages with house raisers is $3.00 and $4.00 per day…Laborers such as an Irishman with a shovel $25.00 per month…but there is hundreds of mechanics & laborers that are idle”

Bit of toning and foxing to letter, some creasing, few separations along folds, 1.5 inch tear to upper corner of first leaf. Item #12634

Price: $450.00