Category Archives: Theodore Cordua

“A great many people have crowded upon this stream”

Another letter from Bidwell to George McKinstry in 1848. I hope you find these letters as interesting as I do. I think the insights into the early days of gold-mining in California are fascinating. Camp 30th Sept. 1848 Dear Mac, … Continue reading

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The Man Who Founded New Mecklenburg, part 3

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

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

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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