Archive consists of a japanned Paymaster’s box with George Putnam’s name in gold paint, several documents including Ft. Walla Walla, Washington Territory, August 1864 dated document signed by Putnam. There is also a 20″ x 17″ framed military commission signed by President Abraham Lincoln and Edwin Stanton, Secretary of War, February 26, 1864. Major George A. Putnam (1825-1894) was a California pioneer. George was a farm boy where he grew up in Fitchburg, Mass. By the age of 15, he “started out to make his own way in the world” after the death of his father. After working in Boston for almost ten years, the news of the gold strike in California reached his ears, and his course was set. He traveled via Cape Horn and arrived in San Francisco July 5, 1849. He was one of the minority of gold miners who were quite successful in panning for gold (on the Yuba River). He worked as a Deputy Sheriff in Sacramento (1857-1863). He became a family man when he married Phoebe Sylvester in 1855; they became the parents of two sons, George and Charles. When the Civil War began, he was appointed Paymaster in the United States Army in 1863 with a Major’s commission. He mustered out upon the close of the war in June of 1865. After the war, he worked in several government offices, for the post office in Sacramento, Internal Revenue Assessor, Deputy Federal Collector, and City Tax Collector. Mr. Putnam was a member of many organizations including the Sacramento Pioneer Association, Masons, Oddfellows, Knight’s Pythias, Exempt Fireman’s Association, and the Grand Army of the Republic (Sumner Post) in Sacramento. He is buried in Sacramento City Cemetery in the “Pioneer Grove”. CONDITION: Painted strong box has broken lock and is bent where pried open; chipped paint and scuffs. The two original documents are good to very good overall. Leather wallet with Putnam’s name nicely gilt embossed is worn and scuffed. Framed commission was not studied outside of frame, has light fading with better than average Lincoln signature. Document is overall discernible, with several small bends and folds. 52292-1 (4,000-6,000)