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Category Archives: Uncategorized
“Cheyenne” Gets His Nickname (Nicholas Dawson Part 3)
There were two men in the Bidwell-Bartleson Party named Dawson: Nicholas and V.W. Almost nothing is known about V.W., including what the initials stood for, but he went by the nickname “Bear.” The two men were not related. It was … Continue reading
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The Adventures of Nicholas “Cheyenne” Dawson, Part 2
Nicholas Dawson was born in Beaver County, Pennsylvania on January 22, 1819, making him just 6 months older than John Bidwell. He received a good education for the day, good enough to be employed from time to time, like Bidwell, … Continue reading
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A Kinder Man I Have Never Known
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
Posted in John Townsend, Uncategorized
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More from Dr. Townsend
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
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
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
Posted in Rancho Chico, Uncategorized, William Dickey
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Dickey’s Ranch
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
Posted in Uncategorized, William Dickey
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In Camp and Cabin
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
Posted in John Steele, Uncategorized
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The Lakeside Classics
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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Folklore Friday from ANCHR
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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