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.

The Man Who Founded New Mecklenburg, part 3

Posted on January 7, 2017 by nancyleek

You can get an idea of how productive an operation Theodore Cordua was running in 1848 from this letter excerpt, written by John Bidwell to his partner George McKinstry that April: Cordua at the head of his fleet has set … Continue reading →

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The Man Who Founded New Mecklenburg, Part 2

Posted on January 5, 2017 by nancyleek

By 1847 everything at Theodore Cordua’s settlement of New Mecklenburg was prospering. He had thousands of head of cattle and hogs. Like the Mexican rancheros, he slaughtered his cattle for the hides and tallow, and sent them down the river … Continue reading →

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The Man Who Founded New Mecklenburg

Posted on January 4, 2017 by nancyleek

John Sutter had his New Helvetia (New Switzerland), and another German-speaking immigrant founded New Mecklenburg, better known today as Marysville. Although not as well-known as Sutter, Theodore Cordua had much in common with his more famous compatriot. Like Sutter, Cordua … Continue reading →

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Need a Speaker for Your Group?

Posted on January 3, 2017 by nancyleek

Happy New Year to all the history buffs out there. I hope 2017 is filled with wonderful discoveries and joyful events. Are you a member of a group or club that needs a speaker? I love to speak to groups—it’s … Continue reading →

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Christmas in California, 1841

Posted on December 23, 2016 by nancyleek

John Bidwell knew he was in California when he arrived at John Marsh’s rancho on November 4, 1841. Like most Americans who came to California in the 1840s, he went to John Sutter to find work. By Christmas Day, Bidwell had … Continue reading →

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The Other Slavery

Posted on December 19, 2016 by nancyleek

In his book The Other Slavery, historian Andrés Reséndez reveals a missing piece of American history — the enslavement of Native Americans. From the first days of Columbus in the Caribbean down to the 20th century, Indians were pressed into … Continue reading →

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The Rush Is On

Posted on December 9, 2016 by nancyleek

On December 8 and 9, 1848 (168 years ago), news of the gold discovery in California was first reported in the New York Daily Tribune. The first report was a letter written on August 17th from Monterey by Col. Richard … Continue reading →

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The Road to Cherokee

Posted on December 4, 2016 by nancyleek

The Association for Northern California Historical Research has just launched its new book: The Road to Cherokee, by Mary Ray King. This work of fiction is a first for ANCHR, a historical romance set in Butte County, focusing on two … Continue reading →

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100 Years Ago

Posted on November 28, 2016 by nancyleek

File this under “They Don’t Write Newspapers Like They Used To”— 100 years ago: WYANDOTTE HAS ELIGIBLE BACHELORS FOR RICH CHICO WIDOWS — BUT NOT ENOUGH (Originally published in the Oroville Mercury and republished in the Chico Daily Enterprise Nov. … Continue reading →

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Thanksgiving Day at Bidwell Mansion

Posted on November 23, 2016 by nancyleek

From Annie Bidwell’s Diary: Fri., Nov. 28 [1890] Perfect day. Rev. Mr Murrish & wife, Rev & Mrs Reames, Rev & Mrs Green dined with us at one O’Clock today. Came at noon, left about 4 P.M. Had excellent dinner … Continue reading →

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