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.

A Few Last Notes on Sarah Althea, Sharon, and Terry

Posted on April 5, 2019 by nancyleek

I hope you have enjoyed reading the many parts of the scandalous saga of William Sharon and Sarah Althea Hill. I’d like to add just a few other notes to the story— There is a short street in San Francisco … Continue reading →

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The Scandalous Saga concluded

Posted on April 4, 2019 by nancyleek

Legal loose-ends remained to be tied up in the various cases brought forth by Sharon v. Sharon and Sharon v. Hill. Sarah Althea was still trying to establish that she had been married to William Sharon, so as to inherit … Continue reading →

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The Scandalous Saga continued — Showdown at the Depot

Posted on April 3, 2019 by nancyleek

Justice Stephen J. Field had earned the undying enmity of the Terrys when he ruled against them in September 1888, and even more so when he sent them to jail for their violent antics in court. David S. Terry, who … Continue reading →

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The Scandalous Saga continued — Disorder in the Court

Posted on April 1, 2019 by nancyleek

Sarah Althea Hill, now Mrs. David S. Terry, along with her attorney-husband, were back on court on September 3, 1888 to hear the decision in one of the appeals. The California Supreme Court had supported the lower state court ruling … Continue reading →

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The Tempestuous Life of David S. Terry

Posted on March 31, 2019 by nancyleek

The most famous duel in California history took place in 1859 between David S. Terry, Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court, and U.S. Senator David C. Broderick. David Smith Terry was born in Kentucky in 1823 and moved with … Continue reading →

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Blooming Bonanza

Posted on March 29, 2019 by nancyleek

It’s a great year for wildflowers — get out and enjoy them while they last. Today I went to Upper Bidwell Park to hike around a bit and see what’s in bloom. There are plenty of— And old Monkeyface Rock … Continue reading →

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The Scandalous Saga continued — No Palimony for Allie

Posted on March 28, 2019 by nancyleek

Senator Sharon’s suit against Sarah Althea Hill concluded in December 1885. The federal court had spent more than a year going over the same ground that the superior court of California had thoroughly dug up in 1884 and Judge Deady … Continue reading →

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The Scandalous Saga continued — in Federal Court

Posted on March 26, 2019 by nancyleek

No sooner was the divorce trial of Sarah Althea Hill and Senator William Sharon concluded in Sarah Althea’s favor, than the federal suit brought by Sharon against Allie began. It took up most of the year 1885 and went over … Continue reading →

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Sharon v. Hill Meets The Wasp

Posted on March 22, 2019 by nancyleek

The Wasp was a satirical weekly published in San Francisco from 1876 until 1941. Its editor from 1881 to 1885 was that acerbic wit, Ambrose Bierce. Here is the cover of the magazine for May 17, 1884. At this point … Continue reading →

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The Scandalous Saga continued — Mrs. Sharon’s Triumph

Posted on March 21, 2019 by nancyleek

The trial came to a conclusion on September 16, 1884 and after due consideration, judgement was rendered by Judge J.F. Sullivan on December 24th. He concluded that under California law a marriage contract such as Sarah Althea Hill claimed she … Continue reading →

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