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 Kinder Man I Have Never Known

Posted on February 10, 2017 by nancyleek

In the 1880s Hubert Howe Bancroft asked John Bidwell if he could supply any information about several early California pioneers, Dr. John Townsend among them. On May 23, 1884 Bidwell wrote back with short recollections of the men he had … Continue reading →

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Bidwell to Townsend

Posted on February 9, 2017 by nancyleek

Here is a letter from John Bidwell to Dr. John Townsend, written on April 5, 1849. He congratulates Townsend and his wife on the birth of their son, John Henry Moses Townsend, born November 26, 1848. An indication of Bidwell’s … Continue reading →

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More from Dr. Townsend

Posted on February 6, 2017 by nancyleek

Another letter from Dr. John Townsend to his wife: Peyeys Ranch August 16th 1848 Dearest I embrace the opportunity of writing by Mr. Norris. Yesterday Moses arrived at our camp, He is in partnership with Larkin and Green. He has … Continue reading →

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Dr. Townsend in California

Posted on February 5, 2017 by nancyleek

Dr. John Townsend came to California in 1844 with the Murphy-Townsend-Stevens wagon train, the first to bring wagons all the way over the Sierras. He was the first qualified physician in California and the first non-Mexican alcalde of San Francisco. … Continue reading →

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Dickey’s Ranch Becomes Bidwell’s Ranch

Posted on February 3, 2017 by nancyleek

John Bidwell was not the only American (or other foreigner) in California seeking land. William Dickey and Edward Farwell were after grants, as were several other men. In October 1844 Bidwell and Sutter went to Monterey to discuss the matter … Continue reading →

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Dickey’s Ranch

Posted on February 2, 2017 by nancyleek

You might look at this advertisement from the February 6, 1851 Sacramento Transcript and wonder who was Justus McKinstry and why was he selling half of Rancho Chico, because didn’t that already belong to John Bidwell? Here is the story behind … Continue reading →

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In Camp and Cabin

Posted on January 24, 2017 by nancyleek

John Steele came to California in 1850 as a young man of eighteen. He spent three years as a gold miner in California before returning to his home in Wisconsin, where he studied for the ministry and became a preacher … Continue reading →

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The Lakeside Classics

Posted on January 23, 2017 by nancyleek

For Christmas my daughter gave me a book in the Lakeside Classics series. These books are a bibliophile’s and librarian’s dream, and being a librarian and a bit of a bibliophile, I fell in love with the first one I … Continue reading →

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A Visit to the Society of California Pioneers

Posted on January 21, 2017 by nancyleek

The Society of California Pioneers is a small organization with a big history and an impressive research library. Yours truly likes nothing better than an afternoon spent in a research library, so last Thursday I visited Pioneer Hall in San … Continue reading →

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Folklore Friday from ANCHR

Posted on January 13, 2017 by nancyleek

Every Friday the Association for Northern California Historical Research — ANCHR — posts an audio clip on Facebook from Dr. Hector Lee on northern California folklore and history. This one is about William B. Ide, participant in the Bear Flag … Continue reading →

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