Hodgkins, Pilsbury, 1825-1892.

Born in Nobleboro, Maine on 1825 Feb. 17. At age sixteen, Hodgkins went to Boston and was apprenticed to Dolbeare and Sons, Shipwrights and Caulkers. He earned passage to the goldfields as a ship's carpenter, earning the name "Chips". He spent a few years in partnership as a miner and blacksmith in Tuolumne Co., but is known primarily as the most famous express messenger in early California.

From the description of "Chips": an autobiography : photocopied typescript, [after 1892?]. (University of California, Berkeley). WorldCat record id: 227505555

Mr. Hodgkins was born in Nobleboro, Maine. In 1848 left for California, working his passage as carpenter on ship, York (Pacific Company). Landing in San Francisco, headed for diggings. Worked variety of sites-Jamestown, Jackass Gulch, etc. In 1851, in addition to mining, went to work as expressman for Reynold's Express. Sold mining business in 1853 and concentrated on express business. From 1857 to 1870 worked for Wells Fargo on steamer going between Stockton and San Francisco, 1870-1877 worked between San Francisco and San Diego, 1877-1886 was in charge of Company's steamer dept. and from 1886-1891 was in charge of Collection Dept. Had made his home in Stockton. From: Notes, online catalog record. Diaries, 1852-1892 [microform] - Hodgkins, Pilsbury, 1825-1892. California State Library.

From the description of Autobiography and Reminiscence of Pilsbury Hodgkins : "Life of Pilsbury Hodgkins - Better Known Throuughout California as Chips", San Francisco, 1904. (The Society of California Pioneers). WorldCat record id: 55979380