Category Archives: Mary Helen Crosby

John Bidwell in 1850

Posted on November 9, 2020 by nancyleek

One reason I like to write about John Bidwell is that he makes such a good lens for looking at the history of California. He was involved with many aspects of early California (politics, mining, agriculture, education), he knew everyone, … Continue reading →

Posted in Mary Helen Crosby | Leave a comment

Rivals for Miss Crosby’s Hand

Posted on February 6, 2020 by nancyleek

John Bidwell took a liking to Helen Crosby during the five-week journey back to California, perhaps one reason for giving the admission documents into her care. Young ladies were few on board ship and in California, and he was an … Continue reading →

Posted in Elisha O. Crosby, Mary Helen Crosby, Samuel J. Hensley | Leave a comment

The Crosby Puzzle Solved

Posted on February 4, 2020 by nancyleek

So why did Elisha Crosby have a daughter only 14 years younger than himself? Let’s go back to 1844, when Crosby was a young lawyer in Elmira, New York. Here is an excerpt from the Reports of Cases Argued and … Continue reading →

Posted in Elisha O. Crosby, Mary Helen Crosby, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The Puzzling Life of Elisha O. Crosby

Posted on February 1, 2020 by nancyleek

I am working on an article about John Bidwell’s activities during the year of 1850. It started with a short narrative I put together for Admission Day last year. During 2019 the Bidwell Mansion Association had a number of special … Continue reading →

Posted in Elisha O. Crosby, Mary Helen Crosby | Leave a comment

Miss Crosby’s Blue Umbrella

Posted on April 13, 2015 by nancyleek

On September 9, 1850, John Bidwell was present when President Millard Fillmore signed the bill, passed by the Senate and the House, that made California the 31st state of the Union. Bidwell had been in Washington since May, advancing the … Continue reading →