Bruff, Joseph Goldsborough, 1804-1889

J.G. Bruff came to California during the 1849 gold rush. His papers and drawings are held chiefly by The Huntington Library and Yale University.

From the description of Feeder (mill-race) and sluice-gate and dam, Rock-Creek, above the upper mill [graphic] / [drawn by] J.G. Bruff. 1859. (University of California, Berkeley). WorldCat record id: 48150865

Engineer, of Washington, D.C.

From the description of J. Goldsborough Bruff papers, 1827-1889. (Historical Society of Washington, Dc). WorldCat record id: 70959862

After working as a draftsman for the U.S. Navy and the Bureau of Topographical Engineers, Bruff went to California to seek gold. He was the leader of the Washington City and California Mining Association wagon train company, which made its overland journey in 1849. Bruff later returned to Washington, D.C. where he worked in the Office of Supervising Architect of the Treasury Department until his death in 1889.

From the description of Journal [of an overland journey to California by way of the Oregon and Lassen trails]. 1849 Aug. 28 - 1850 Oct. 9. (Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens). WorldCat record id: 86129840

Bruff was a draftsman in the Bureau of Topographical Engineers. He organized and led an 1849 expedition by Washington City and California Mining Association.

From the description of Diaries, journals, and notebooks, 1849-1850. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 702126487

Joseph Goldsborough Bruff is best known as a topographer, journalist, and artist of the gold rush era. Bruff was born in Washington, D.C., on October 2, 1804. He attended West Point from 1820 until his resignation in 1822. From 1827-1836 he worked as a topographical engineer, predominantly at Gosport Naval Yard in Norfolk, Virginia. He returned to Washington, D.C., in 1837 and from 1838-1849 worked for the U.S. Bureau of Topographical Engineers. Bruff then organized the Washington City and California Mining Association, which he accompanied to California. While in California he produced extensive journals and drawings of the mining camp experience. In 1853 Bruff returned to Washington, D.C., where he worked in office of the Supervising Architect of the Treasury Department until his death on April 14, 1889.

From the description of Letter to James Tyler Ames, 1849, January 30. (Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens). WorldCat record id: 472473414

From the description of Letter to the "President of the United States" with a poem "To the promoters of disunion," 1860, Dec 10-17. (Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens). WorldCat record id: 703427848

After working as a draftsman for the U.S. Navy and the Bureau of Topographical Engineers, Bruff went to California to seek gold. He was the leader of the Washington City and California Mining Association wagon traincompany, which made its overland journey in 1849. Bruff later returned to Washington, D.C. where he worked in the Office of Supervising Architect of the Treasury Department until his death in 1889.

From the description of Journal and drawings of J. Goldsborough Bruff, 1849-1853. (Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens). WorldCat record id: 122395024