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 most laborious business I know of”

Posted on September 4, 2017 by nancyleek

This letter is in the McKinstry collection, but I don’t know who wrote it. Possibly it is by the Mr. McCall mentioned in Bidwell’s letter of 24 June 1848. It gives another view of Bidwell and Dickey mining on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

“We did tolerably well washing the sands”

Posted on September 2, 2017 by nancyleek

Another 1848 letter from John Bidwell to George McKinstry. Feather River below first camp Saturday 24th June 1848 Dear Mc, Mr. McCall arrived yesterday morning and brought two letters from you dated the 20th inst. We spent the remainder of … Continue reading →

Posted in George McKinstry, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Tomorrow I shall land in the “diggings”

Posted on August 31, 2017 by nancyleek

Here is John Bidwell, about to go searching for gold on the Feather River, in this letter to George McKinstry. Lots of interesting tidbits here — see notes further down. Hock June 19th 1848 Dear Sir, I have been up … Continue reading →

Posted in George McKinstry | Leave a comment

“I foresee great struggles in the mining regions”

Posted on August 29, 2017 by nancyleek

In 1848 things were happening in California. John Bidwell had been quietly and steadily developing a ranch on Butte Creek. He was also still doing occasional jobs for John Sutter — drawing up contracts, surveying, laying out lots in Sutterville. … Continue reading →

Posted in George McKinstry | Leave a comment

The Great Solar Eclipse of 1889

Posted on August 20, 2017 by nancyleek

Are you heading up to Oregon to see the total eclipse of the sun? Are you already there, waiting for the event tomorrow? Here in Chico we will see a partial eclipse, about 83% coverage, I am told. To see … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Two More Letters from Nancy

Posted on August 17, 2017 by nancyleek

Kelsey, that is. Two more letters to her friend, Helen Weber, are in the Weber Family Papers. They are written from Gilroy, where the Kelseys moved after they left Lone Pine, Inyo County. The earthquake occurred in March 1872. By … Continue reading →

Posted in Nancy Kelsey, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The Lone Pine Earthquake

Posted on August 14, 2017 by nancyleek

The 1872 Lone Pine Earthquake experienced by Nancy Kelsey was felt throughout California. John Bidwell, almost 400 miles north in Chico, recorded in his diary for March 26: Very heavy earthquake at about 2.24 a.m So the earthquake was noticeable … Continue reading →

Posted in Nancy Kelsey, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Letters from Nancy Kelsey

Posted on August 13, 2017 by nancyleek

I am working on a picture book biography of Nancy Kelsey, who came to California in 1841 as the only female member of the Bidwell-Bartleson Party. I’ve done lots of research, but I am always looking for that last elusive … Continue reading →

Posted in Nancy Kelsey, Uncategorized | 4 Comments

More from The Center for Sacramento History

Posted on July 31, 2017 by nancyleek

It’s been over two weeks since I have posted anything about California history, but I have a good excuse. My three cute granddaughters were visiting for two weeks, and when you have grandchildren around, nothing else gets done. But now … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

A Visit to the Center for Sacramento History

Posted on July 14, 2017 by nancyleek

Yesterday I went with John Rudderow to the Center for Sacramento History. I have done a fair amount of research at the California State Library and the Bancroft Library, but I never knew (until now) about the Center for Sacramento … Continue reading →

Posted in Samuel J. Hensley | 10 Comments