Author Archives: nancyleek

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.

The Death of Amos Frye

Posted on May 7, 2023 by nancyleek

That one man was Amos E. Frye. The record for “Internment No. 1” in the Chico Cemetery states, “This grave must be located in Section 4; site otherwise unknown; the monument has not be found.” There may have been a … Continue reading →

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The Adventures of Amos Frye — Part 2

Posted on May 6, 2023 by nancyleek

Amos E. Frye was now in his forties, working for John Bidwell on Rancho Chico. Bidwell was often away from the ranch, serving in the California senate in San Jose and looking after business in San Francisco and Sacramento. John … Continue reading →

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The Adventures of Amos E. Frye — Part 1

Posted on May 4, 2023 by nancyleek

Amos E. Frye led an adventurous life, but left very little record of it. He is more noted for his death than his life — he was the first man buried in the Chico Cemetery. How he came there, and … Continue reading →

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Nancy Kelsey’s Last Two Wishes

Posted on May 2, 2023 by nancyleek

Nancy Kelsey’s long and adventurous life came to an end on August 10th, 1896. She died and was buried at her last home in Cottonwood Canyon in the Cuyama Valley in Santa Barbara County, California. Her friend, Minnie Heath, later … Continue reading →

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Helping Mrs. Kelsey

Posted on April 29, 2023 by nancyleek

After interviewing her in early 1893, Addison Powell stayed in touch with Nancy Kelsey. He was distressed by her poverty and a year after the interview he wrote to John Bidwell, seeking aid for the widowed Mrs. Kelsey. Santa Maria, … Continue reading →

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Nancy Kelsey’s Last Years

Posted on April 28, 2023 by nancyleek

Nancy Kelsey was 65 years old when she moved to the Cuyama Valley to be near her daughter Martha Ann Lewis. In 1889 the age of 65 was considered elderly and Nancy had certainly seen a good deal of hardship … Continue reading →

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More about Nancy Kelsey

Posted on April 26, 2023 by nancyleek

I did a book about Nancy Kelsey in 2017 but it doesn’t look like I ever wrote very much about her here. A call from a journalist writing an article about her has inspired me to revisit her life and … Continue reading →

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Lost and Found at Rancho Chico

Posted on April 14, 2023 by nancyleek

In this image you can see Bidwell’s store on the left, the bridge over Chico Creek, and the old adobe building on the right, surrounded by cottonwood trees and a few horses and people. The adobe building served as John … Continue reading →

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The Kelly-Griggs House Reopens

Posted on April 13, 2023 by nancyleek

Back in 2017 I wrote about my visit to the Kelly-Griggs House in Red Bluff. As I said then about this beautiful historic home: The Kelly-Griggs House is a classic example of 19th century American architecture, and one of several … Continue reading →

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It’s California Poppy Day!

Posted on April 6, 2023 by nancyleek

April 6th is California Poppy Day, honoring our state flower. The California Poppy was designated the state flower in 1903, and in 2010 April 6th was named an official state holiday (but not one where anybody gets the day off, … Continue reading →

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