Green Rock Gold & Silver Mining CompanyAurora, Esmeralda County
May 23, 1863 The question is, “How do we know this is from Aurora?” There is no statement on the Assessment! But everything we need to know is on the Assessment or in the California newspapers of the time. |
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Green Rock Gold & Silver Mining Company:
This assessment paper tells us there were two assessments. The first was on March 16th and the second on May 8, 1863. Not much to go on?
But the California newspapers come to the rescue. They list two Green Rock mining companies. One in Aurora and one in Yuba.
The Sacramento Daily Union tells that the Green Rock was incorporated in Esmeralda County in their March 17, 1863 edition. This is very strong evidence.
On March 22, 1863 the Sacramento Daily Union reported that the Green Rock Gold & Silver Mining Company was incorporated on March 21, 1863. This only confuses the matter as it would make the incorporation after the first assessment was levied???
One might tend to think that the fact this stock was incorporated in California, means that this is a California stock. But we must remember that in 1863 the exact boundary between Nevada and California had not been surveyed and California claimed Aurora and its mining wealth for itself. It would be five months before the official survey would put Aurora in Nevada and hence the Green Rock was in considered to be in California when this mining company was incorporated and this assessment was levied.
The only other Green Rock Mining Company mentioned int eh newspapers during this time was a copper mine In Yuba County.
But in February of 1867 the Daily Alta California reports on a lawsuit: Leffingwell vs. His Collectors. One of the companies listed in the lawsuit was the Green Rock. Other companies were also listed - many of them from the Bodie and Aurora area. That puts us on the right track.
James Whitehead, Stock Holder:
James Whitehead is listed as a miner in Aurora on the Esmeralda County Tax Assessor’s Roll for the fiscal year ending May 1, 1864. It was actually completed in November of 1863. That certainly points to this stock as being from Aurora.
L. D. Ingoldsby, Secretary:
Ingoldsby had several offices during this time. All were in San Francisco and one being at Number 2, Armory Hall. One thing tat was constant was his job: mining company secretary. Me research shows he was secretary for the
· Lafayette Gold & Silver Mining Company, Gold Hill
· Pioneer Mill & Mining Company, Reese River
· Omega Gold Hill Mining Company, Gold Hill
· Minerva Consolidated Gold & Silver Mining Company, Gold Hill
· Spartan Gold & Silver Mining Company, Humboldt County, trustee
· Pride of the West Mining Company, Silver City
· Starlight Gold & Silver Mining Company, Humboldt County, stock holder
· Silver Circle Mining Company, Reese River, stock holder
· Yankee Blade Mining Company, stock holder
· Governor Seymour Gold & Silver Mining Company, Reese River, stock holder
· Sonora Mining Company, Gold Hill]
· Lady Ellen, Nevada Territory
· Blue Ledge, El Dorado (Just a few miles west of Carson City in El Dorado, California
I only found two non-Nevada mining companies he was associated with. This also indicates this is an Aurora stock!
The Assessment Paper:
Dated May 23, 1863 at San Francisco. James Whitehead owes $25 in assessment fees. The assessment was $0.50 per share for 50 shares. Signed by the company secretary, L. D. Ingoldsby (?). The 1863 SF directory lists the company office at 544 Merchant. This receipt was printed by Towne & Bacon. 3.5 x 7.25" Folds, toning on folds.
1. “Aurora, Nevada” by Shaw
2. Esmeralda Tax Assessment, 1864
3. Sacramento Daily Union, March 23, 1863
4. Daily Alta California, February, 1867
5. Holabird Western Americana Auctions
This assessment paper tells us there were two assessments. The first was on March 16th and the second on May 8, 1863. Not much to go on?
But the California newspapers come to the rescue. They list two Green Rock mining companies. One in Aurora and one in Yuba.
The Sacramento Daily Union tells that the Green Rock was incorporated in Esmeralda County in their March 17, 1863 edition. This is very strong evidence.
On March 22, 1863 the Sacramento Daily Union reported that the Green Rock Gold & Silver Mining Company was incorporated on March 21, 1863. This only confuses the matter as it would make the incorporation after the first assessment was levied???
One might tend to think that the fact this stock was incorporated in California, means that this is a California stock. But we must remember that in 1863 the exact boundary between Nevada and California had not been surveyed and California claimed Aurora and its mining wealth for itself. It would be five months before the official survey would put Aurora in Nevada and hence the Green Rock was in considered to be in California when this mining company was incorporated and this assessment was levied.
The only other Green Rock Mining Company mentioned int eh newspapers during this time was a copper mine In Yuba County.
But in February of 1867 the Daily Alta California reports on a lawsuit: Leffingwell vs. His Collectors. One of the companies listed in the lawsuit was the Green Rock. Other companies were also listed - many of them from the Bodie and Aurora area. That puts us on the right track.
James Whitehead, Stock Holder:
James Whitehead is listed as a miner in Aurora on the Esmeralda County Tax Assessor’s Roll for the fiscal year ending May 1, 1864. It was actually completed in November of 1863. That certainly points to this stock as being from Aurora.
L. D. Ingoldsby, Secretary:
Ingoldsby had several offices during this time. All were in San Francisco and one being at Number 2, Armory Hall. One thing tat was constant was his job: mining company secretary. Me research shows he was secretary for the
· Lafayette Gold & Silver Mining Company, Gold Hill
· Pioneer Mill & Mining Company, Reese River
· Omega Gold Hill Mining Company, Gold Hill
· Minerva Consolidated Gold & Silver Mining Company, Gold Hill
· Spartan Gold & Silver Mining Company, Humboldt County, trustee
· Pride of the West Mining Company, Silver City
· Starlight Gold & Silver Mining Company, Humboldt County, stock holder
· Silver Circle Mining Company, Reese River, stock holder
· Yankee Blade Mining Company, stock holder
· Governor Seymour Gold & Silver Mining Company, Reese River, stock holder
· Sonora Mining Company, Gold Hill]
· Lady Ellen, Nevada Territory
· Blue Ledge, El Dorado (Just a few miles west of Carson City in El Dorado, California
I only found two non-Nevada mining companies he was associated with. This also indicates this is an Aurora stock!
The Assessment Paper:
Dated May 23, 1863 at San Francisco. James Whitehead owes $25 in assessment fees. The assessment was $0.50 per share for 50 shares. Signed by the company secretary, L. D. Ingoldsby (?). The 1863 SF directory lists the company office at 544 Merchant. This receipt was printed by Towne & Bacon. 3.5 x 7.25" Folds, toning on folds.
1. “Aurora, Nevada” by Shaw
2. Esmeralda Tax Assessment, 1864
3. Sacramento Daily Union, March 23, 1863
4. Daily Alta California, February, 1867
5. Holabird Western Americana Auctions
