Letter from Samuel Spurling to mother Abigail [Spurling] Preble

Letter from Samuel E. Spurling to Mrs. Abigail C. (Spurling) Preble (son to mother), 30 Jun 1850. In this letter, Samuel writes from San Francisco, California. He had moved out west (at about age 23) to work in the gold mines about a year earlier and intends to stay 4 or 5 years before returning home to visit. Samuel mentions that when he arrived, part of San Francisco was in ashes but being rebuilt; gambling houses were open Sundays; as many boats in the harbor as Boston and NYC; fair prospects; and asks if Father Preble will cover his insurance payment if necessary. He mentions an Enoch working at the mines, and a Mr. Davis who sounds like a new friend. (Seems like Enoch may be a fellow Cranberry Islander, perhaps a Spurling or a Stanley, TBD.)