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.

Lucy and Freedom

Posted on February 13, 2023 by nancyleek

Black history in California has many tales to tell of slavery and freedom. Here is just one, the story of a girl named Lucy, who proved her freedom in spite of an attempt to re-enslave her. In the same issue … Continue reading →

Posted in Black History Month | 1 Comment

President Lincoln and California

Posted on February 12, 2023 by nancyleek

Happy Birthday to President Abraham Lincoln, born on February 12, 1809. Although he never visited California, he was very aware of its importance in the Union and hoped one day to see it for himself. To his life-long friend Charles … Continue reading →

Posted in Abraham Lincoln | 3 Comments

A Black Vaquero in Butte County

Posted on February 1, 2023 by nancyleek

Let’s begin Black History Month with a little item from early days on Rancho Chico. What kind of men did John Bidwell hire to work on Rancho Chico? In 1849 good reliable men were hard to come by — most … Continue reading →

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A Good-Natured Hint About California

Posted on January 26, 2023 by nancyleek

I have written twice before about the California Gold Rush as seen in comic books of the time, here and here. Here’s another one by an English artist: A Goodnatured Hint about California. The motto on the cover says: “Here … Continue reading →

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Chickens at Rancho Chico

Posted on January 24, 2023 by nancyleek

All this talk about the price of eggs reminded me of this letter, written by one of John Bidwell’s employees in 1851. Edward Shackelford Darlington, who was only 19 or 20, can’t resist spoofing the etiquette of 19th century letters. … Continue reading →

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Happy Gold Discovery Day!

Posted on January 24, 2023 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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February Is Black History Month

Posted on January 20, 2023 by nancyleek

Get ready for Black History Month! Alvin Coffey is the ideal book to highlight black history in California. As 4th grade students study the Gold Rush, they learn about the prospectors who came seeking gold in the rivers and streams … Continue reading →

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Finnicum, Father and Son

Posted on January 14, 2023 by nancyleek

When Randy Taylor posted this business card on Facebook, I figured that J.D. Finnicum must be the same man as “Joe Finnicum, the Jehu” immortalized in poetry by Pres Longley. But that is not the case. James Duncan Finnicum, stage … Continue reading →

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The Floods of 1852

Posted on January 5, 2023 by nancyleek

It’s a rainy January all over California this year, a welcome relief after several years of drought. I have written before about the floods in Sacramento in 1850 and in 1862. Flooding came again in 1852. Determined to build on … Continue reading →

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For Auld Lang Syne and the Days of ’49

Posted on January 3, 2023 by nancyleek

My mother, being of Scottish heritage, was fond of the song “Auld Lang Syne” and we would gather round and sing it every New Year’s Eve. Since this blog is about “auld lang syne” or the days long past, I … Continue reading →

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