Author Archives: nancyleek

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About nancyleek

Nancy is a retired librarian who lives in Chico, California. She is the author of John Bidwell: The Adventurous Life of a California Pioneer.

More “Prospective Voters”

Posted on February 15, 2026 by nancyleek

The 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1865, abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, and the 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868, guaranteed citizenship rights and equal protection of the laws. The 14th Amendment declared that “No State shall make … Continue reading →

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“Prospective Voters”

Posted on February 13, 2026 by nancyleek

In anticipation of the passage of the 15th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, The Elevator, a San Francisco newspaper serving the black community, asked its readers in 1869 to identify “colored male adults” in their communities, men … Continue reading →

Posted in Black History Month, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

John Bidwell Meets Abraham Lincoln

Posted on February 12, 2026 by nancyleek

John Bidwell met President Lincoln in 1864 and was greatly impressed. Bidwell believed whole-heartedly in the Union cause. In 1864 he was a California delegate to the Republican National Convention in Baltimore on June 7-8, where Lincoln was renominated for … Continue reading →

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John Scott, the “Most Unique” Man of Tehama County

Posted on February 9, 2026 by nancyleek

A year after he celebrated his 100th birthday, Black pioneer John Scott died at his home on Reed’s Creek in Tehama County. He had had an adventurous life, although how much of the tales he told were true is impossible … Continue reading →

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It’s Gold Discovery Day!

Posted on January 24, 2026 by nancyleek

John Sutter needed lumber. He was always building — on his fort, around the fort, up at his farm. He also planned to sell lumber to the settlers who were coming into California in increasing numbers. He needed a sawmill. … Continue reading →

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How Much Did It Cost to Build Bidwell Mansion?

Posted on January 18, 2026 by nancyleek

Let’s take a look back at the early days of Bidwell Mansion, when it was still taking shape and already capturing the attention of curious visitors. Even as construction neared completion, the home’s distinctive architecture and sweeping views were drawing … Continue reading →

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New Year’s Day in Bidwell Mansion, 1869

Posted on January 1, 2026 by nancyleek

Picture Annie Bidwell, sitting by the fireplace in the newly finished Bidwell Mansion, writing a New Year’s Day letter to “the dear ones at home” in Washington D.C. She misses her family, and she is sometimes lonely when “the General” … Continue reading →

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Christmas Wishes from the Bard of Butte

Posted on December 23, 2025 by nancyleek

Pres Longley, the “Bard of Butte,” wrote many columns and poems for the newspapers. This column appeared in the Weekly Butte Record on December 26th, 1868. It’s lengthy, so I am just going to give you the beginning, and the … Continue reading →

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Christmas with the Bidwells

Posted on December 18, 2025 by nancyleek

Enjoy this vignette from 2021, in which the Bidwells entertain guests, General Bidwell and his friend tell the story of a Christmas feast at Sutter’s Fort, and the cook is in despair.

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Today in History — The First California Legislature

Posted on December 17, 2025 by nancyleek

On Monday, December 17, 1849, the California legislature met for the first time in San Jose. They were actually scheduled to meet on December 15th, but it had rained steadily since October, and the roads were so muddy that many … Continue reading →

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