Charles: There are two great books (and a few others) that chronicle this passage for this time period. My GG-Grandparents make the trip from New York City to California via Panama in the summer of 1859. Delgado, James P. To California by Sea: A Maritime History of the California Gold Rush. Columbia, South Carolina: University of South Carolina Press, 1990 and Kemble, John Haskell. The Panama Route, 1848-1869. Columbia, So. Carolina: University of South Carolina Press, 1990. Lots of great information. Chuck Knuthson Motaatom@aol.com wrote: > Recently, I learned that my greatgreatgrandfather and his brother had gone > from Independence, MO on a wagon train to the California gold fields. After > a few months there, they returned to Arkansas apparently after arriving in > New Orleans from Panama. The letter written by one of them states "I was sea > sick 6 weeks on a start from San Francisco to Panama...and from Shagres (sic) > to Oleans (sic)." Could someone give me a quick lesson on the journey that > one would have taken in the 1850s from San Francisco to New Orleans via the > Isthmus of Panama? > > Thank you. Sincerely, Charles Riner

The family of Dr David B Warren and several members of the Snelling family left San Francisco by boat, crossed Panama, caught a steamer to New York, and returned to Johnson County, Missouri, in 1856. It took them six weeks, total. Apparently few of the ships went to New Orleans, which would have been closer to Missouri. Why not? Look at a globe and note the positions of the two U.S. cities relative to Panama; also, consider the likely number of passengers or amount of cargo that would be carried between the various ports. The wonderful little book, _Letters to Charlie_, available at the Mariposa Museum, has information about the Panama crossing around the mid-1850s. Cheers, Jim

My greatgreatgrandfather, Samuel Harmon, and his brother, Lewis Harmon, were born in Cleveland County, North Carolina. In 1850, they went to Arkansas and, after a few months there, went west to California. What else were young men to do in 1850? Below are exerpts from two letters written by Lewis Harmon to his parents relating to this. Letter #1: "State of Arkansas, Lawrence County---March the 24th day 1850---Dear Father and Mother...we...worked like heroes for About one Month then we guit (sic) working at our farming Bisnefs and went to fixing for California we are going to Start to California the first day of April we hae got Every think most Ready I dont want you to think harde of us for going to California for me and Brother Samuel is Both going to gether There is Two Waggons going gether and 9 men all will these men are all Single but two. But we Expect to have A Croud (sic) of About 1000 men When we leave independence A place of Randabuse (sic) where we all meet to take A fair Start all there...I dont want Father nor Mother Brothers nor to weep After me thoug in california I be. I want to see you all Just as bad as you want to see me But the Good Lord only knows whether we ever will see each other Again or not But if we never do see Each other in this world I hope that we will meat (sic) in that Better world to come I want you to tell Brother Higly that I am Still determin (sic) by the Grace of God to Try to get all the Way to the good world tell him that I want him not to forget to Ask God in cecret (sic) devotions to Blefs my poor Soul thoug I be in california...Right to me as soon as you receve (sic) this letter direct your letters Sacrimento City in the california Gold mines ...." Letter #2: "State of Arkansas Laurance Conty (sic)---June the 26th 1851---Dear Father and Mother...You Said in your letter that you would like for me to tell you Something About my travles to california and Back in my travile I saw a great many curiossities the Rocky mountians (sic) that have heard so much talk About you would not Know when you was on the Sumet if you was not told only by the change of (?) It is cold as crout on the S4t of July [Note: I think this refers to his mother's sour kraut.] I was on Snow 8 or 10 Ft deep and on the Sirenavada mountaiins and Snowy mountians we past our Snow from 10 to 15 ft in depth and frost evry mornig I traveled down the humbolt River About 325 miles that I never got A good dring of water I drant out of the river where the River was full of dead cattle & horses the water tasted Just like an old mill pond Smells and all most smith warm at that, how often I think of the good cool spring At gransorg But I was two far off. Some folks may think that a voyge on Sea would be a plsure trip but I dont think it I Sailed About fourteen thousand miles on Sea and I was Sea Sick 6 weeks on a start from San francisco to panama is 3546 miles and from Shagres to oleans 2000 miles but we had head wind and on Sail vessels that we had to tack Back and foward (sic), So end the Chpter at present But remains your Son till death Lewis Harmon" Ruth Skewis asked me to post these. I hope they are suitable. Sincerely, Charles Riner

Charles Riner, I wish you could pin that date to a more concise year for crossing the Isthmus; but there are several curiousitiers. "6 weeks" is amazingingly excessive to get to Panama, but could have been a sailing ship encountering bad storms. There were steamers running 3 days a trip at the time. But not unusual to take 2 weeks. The ships list at SF shows round trip times, as mostly they showed arrivals. Somewhere about 1855 the rails were completed, and the Panama crossing was 8 hours (best) Prior it had been rowboats, change to mules, change to boats, etc at various points, and many walked a lot. (welcomed by mosquitos, malaria,yellow fever---etc) (and bad food) The steamer to New York was about 2 weeks, weather permitting, I had no accounts to Orleans. With the volumes of people getting bigger all the time, all facilities were strained most of the time. None the less, many made the trip without incident or comment. It had to be a madhouse. In two sides of my family we know of 5 crossings, various years. Young girls, young men, older people, none had a problem. Delays were common. I never found a complete account of cost, I think it varied a lot, as did the ships. Imagine how much easier the intercontinental rail was!! --JD At 10:00 PM 3/24/00 EST, Motaatom@aol.com wrote: >Recently, I learned that my greatgreatgrandfather and his brother had gone >from Independence, MO on a wagon train to the California gold fields. After >a few months there, they returned to Arkansas apparently after arriving in >New Orleans from Panama. The letter written by one of them states "I was sea >sick 6 weeks on a start from San Francisco to Panama...and from Shagres (sic) >to Oleans (sic)." Could someone give me a quick lesson on the journey that >one would have taken in the 1850s from San Francisco to New Orleans via the >Isthmus of Panama? > >Thank you. Sincerely, Charles Riner

Charles, According to one of my ancestor's obit, one rode "burrows" across the Isthmus at that time. Or I suppose that you walked, doubt that the road would have been decent enough for a wagon to pass. I understand there was a lot of disease on this crossing also, due the sea voyage and the tropic weather. It is my understanding that this took less time than the passage around the "Horn" of South America. Also took less time than an overland passage, the way they came from Independence. Independence was a gathering point for folks to hook up with other folks, rather than setting out on their own. One would obtain passage on a sea vessel from SF to Panama, cross the Isthmus, then obtain passage on another vessel in the Gulf of Mexico. I would assume that New Orleans would have been a logical port in order to get into the Mississippi River to go to Missouri, or anywhere in between. Neither passage was inexpensive. I read one account of a family that came to the Oregon Territory with $10,000 in gold and silver coin hidden in a false bottom of their wagon. Imagine how much that weighed! Then there were very few goods to spend the money on. Hope this helps. Nancy in OR ----- Original Message ----- From: Motaatom@aol.com To: CA-GOLDRUSH-L@rootsweb.com Sent: Friday, March 24, 2000 7:00 PM Subject: [GOLDRUSH] Leaving California Recently, I learned that my greatgreatgrandfather and his brother had gone from Independence, MO on a wagon train to the California gold fields. After a few months there, they returned to Arkansas apparently after arriving in New Orleans from Panama. The letter written by one of them states "I was sea sick 6 weeks on a start from San Francisco to Panama...and from Shagres (sic) to Oleans (sic)." Could someone give me a quick lesson on the journey that one would have taken in the 1850s from San Francisco to New Orleans via the Isthmus of Panama? Thank you. Sincerely, Charles Riner

Was the Goldrush still going strong in 1856 and 1857 in CA? glenda rgwalch@canby.com

Recently, I learned that my greatgreatgrandfather and his brother had gone from Independence, MO on a wagon train to the California gold fields. After a few months there, they returned to Arkansas apparently after arriving in New Orleans from Panama. The letter written by one of them states "I was sea sick 6 weeks on a start from San Francisco to Panama...and from Shagres (sic) to Oleans (sic)." Could someone give me a quick lesson on the journey that one would have taken in the 1850s from San Francisco to New Orleans via the Isthmus of Panama? Thank you. Sincerely, Charles Riner

Hi gang - Anybody have a connection to any of the following? Mrs. M. A. Andrews of Fort Worth, TX, niece of Indian Diggings pioneer Dom. Larobardier (there from 183-1928). She was born about 1856, but came to Indian Diggings to care for Dom. in 1914. Mrs. W. O. Talbot, also of Fort Worth, grandniece of Dom, came to Indian Diggings in 1928 to be with Dom. and Mrs. Andrews. Mr. Talbot, of Youngs, CA, who was the informant on the 1928 death certificate of Dom. Larobardier. Any leads greatly appreciated. Charly LaRobardier Belleville, IL

Paul, My Grandfather was James Stockton Anderson, born in Kentucky, who may have come from MO to CA during this period. He appears to have been in the Marysville area in 1854. Reports indicate that there may have been two James Andersons in the area. What can you tell me from the letters? Ralph Ralph Anderson Boulder, CO rkaboulder@bwn.net

>Delivered-To: js-net.com%ab6wu@js-net.com >X-Received: 19 Mar 2000 16:09:28 GMT >Resent-Date: Sun, 19 Mar 2000 08:07:10 -0800 (PST) >X-Sent: 19 Mar 2000 16:06:38 GMT >X-Sender: ab6wu@js-net.com >X-Mailer: QUALCOMM Windows Eudora Pro Version 3.0.3 (32) >Date: Sun, 19 Mar 2000 07:58:32 -0800 >Old-To: <MOCHARIT-L@rootsweb.com> >From: "K.Paul Boggs" <ab6wu@js-net.com> >Subject: [MOCHARIT-L] More PENNELL/USHER Letters >To: MOCHARIT-L@rootsweb.com >Resent-From: MOCHARIT-L@rootsweb.com >X-Mailing-List: <MOCHARIT-L@rootsweb.com> archive/latest/768 >X-Loop: MOCHARIT-L@rootsweb.com >Resent-Sender: MOCHARIT-L-request@rootsweb.com > >PENNELL letters. These letters were written >by William Doyle PENNELL to his wife Delila >USHER. William had gone to California in >1849 from Brunswick, Chariton County Mo. > >PAUPAU > Joel >PEERY > j.o. >PENNELL > Many Entries >PERKINS > Thomas M. >POCK > Ben >PRICE > ANDY > Dr. > Pugh > R.P. > Ransom >ROBERTS > Capt. >ROUS > Nancy >ROWLIN > Capt. >RUCKER > Ad. > Scott >SHACKLEFORD > Dr. E.C. >SHEPPERD >SPENCER > DR> >SPORTSMAN >` A. >SPOTSMAN > WM. >STEWART > Lucian >SULLIVAN > Thos. >TISDALE > J.J. >TURNER > Nancy Elizabeth >USHER > Many Listings >WAID/WADE > William D. >WATTS >WELCH > Thos. >WELLS > Ellen >WILKERSON > James > Thomas >WILLIAMS > A. >WINTERS > John >WOODSON > Richard. > >END OF INDEX >Paul in Ca. > > >

>Delivered-To: js-net.com%ab6wu@js-net.com >X-Received: 19 Mar 2000 01:55:39 GMT >Resent-Date: Sat, 18 Mar 2000 17:53:50 -0800 (PST) >X-Sent: 19 Mar 2000 01:53:09 GMT >X-Sender: ab6wu@js-net.com >X-Mailer: QUALCOMM Windows Eudora Pro Version 3.0.3 (32) >Date: Sat, 18 Mar 2000 17:44:59 -0800 >Old-To: <MOCHARIT-L@rootsweb.com> >From: "K.Paul Boggs" <ab6wu@js-net.com> >Subject: [MOCHARIT-L] More Usher/Pennell Letters >To: MOCHARIT-L@rootsweb.com >Resent-From: MOCHARIT-L@rootsweb.com >X-Mailing-List: <MOCHARIT-L@rootsweb.com> archive/latest/766 >X-Loop: MOCHARIT-L@rootsweb.com >Resent-Sender: MOCHARIT-L-request@rootsweb.com > >PENNELL letters. These letters were written >by William Doyle PENNELL to his wife Delila >USHER. William had gone to California in >1849 from Brunswick, Chariton County Mo. > >DAIR > Joe >DEMPSEY > J. > R. >DOYLE > Deborah E. > William B. >Duncan > Thomas >ELLIOTT > Nancy Elis >Fisher > John >FLEETWOOD > >GAINES > J. >GANDY > J. >GARRETT >GILLMAN > J.W. > John > John W. >Haney > George >HOOPER > Philip >HOWARD > Gilia >HULBERT >HUNTON > C.W. >HUTCHINSON > Cytus > >Paul in Ca. > > > >

>Delivered-To: js-net.com%ab6wu@js-net.com >X-Received: 19 Mar 2000 01:55:28 GMT >Resent-Date: Sat, 18 Mar 2000 17:53:41 -0800 (PST) >X-Sent: 19 Mar 2000 01:53:07 GMT >X-Sender: ab6wu@js-net.com >X-Mailer: QUALCOMM Windows Eudora Pro Version 3.0.3 (32) >Date: Sat, 18 Mar 2000 17:45:03 -0800 >Old-To: <MOCHARIT-L@rootsweb.com> >From: "K.Paul Boggs" <ab6wu@js-net.com> >Subject: [MOCHARIT-L] More USHER/PENNELL Letters >To: MOCHARIT-L@rootsweb.com >Resent-From: MOCHARIT-L@rootsweb.com >X-Mailing-List: <MOCHARIT-L@rootsweb.com> archive/latest/765 >X-Loop: MOCHARIT-L@rootsweb.com >Resent-Sender: MOCHARIT-L-request@rootsweb.com > >I too wish to add some names from the >PENNELL letters. These letters were written >by William Doyle PENNELL to his wife Delila >USHER. William had gone to California in >1849 from Brunswick, Chariton County Mo. > >ANDERSON > James > Washington >APPLEGATE > George > Judge >ASHBY > Benjamin > Henry > James S. > J.S. >BALL > >BARBEE > Capt. >BARBY > Thomas >BASY > > >BAYLEY > Alionda >BEATY > Lucinda >BENNETT > Mr. >BERRY > Henry H. >BOGGS > Alice(Pennell) > Peter S. >CABELL > Edward B> >CARROLL > >CHAPMAN > Manthis >CRAWLEY > >CURTIS > John > >More later > >Paul in Ca. > > >

>Delivered-To: js-net.com%ab6wu@js-net.com >X-Received: 19 Mar 2000 01:55:28 GMT >Resent-Date: Sat, 18 Mar 2000 17:53:42 -0800 (PST) >X-Sent: 19 Mar 2000 01:53:11 GMT >X-Sender: ab6wu@js-net.com >X-Mailer: QUALCOMM Windows Eudora Pro Version 3.0.3 (32) >Date: Sat, 18 Mar 2000 17:44:55 -0800 >Old-To: <MOCHARIT-L@rootsweb.com> >From: "K.Paul Boggs" <ab6wu@js-net.com> >Subject: [MOCHARIT-L] More Usher/Pennell Letters >To: MOCHARIT-L@rootsweb.com >Resent-From: MOCHARIT-L@rootsweb.com >X-Mailing-List: <MOCHARIT-L@rootsweb.com> archive/latest/767 >X-Loop: MOCHARIT-L@rootsweb.com >Resent-Sender: MOCHARIT-L-request@rootsweb.com > >PENNELL letters. These letters were written >by William Doyle PENNELL to his wife Delila >USHER. William had gone to California in >1849 from Brunswick, Chariton County Mo. ><MOCHARIT-L@rootsweb.com> > >INGRAHAM > E.D. >JABINE >JACKSON > Col. > Congrave >JENNINGS > J.R. >LATHAM > Lark >LEEPER > Henry > L. >LYFORD > Frank >McBRIDE > J. > James >McFERRIN > Charles >MARTIN > DAVID >MILLER > William >MOORE > Ephriam > John >NEELY > James >NEWBOLD > John > Newton > Newton W. >OWENS HENRY > Perry >PATRIC > J. > >Paul in Ca. > > > >

William Doyle PENNELL left Brunswick, Chariton County Mo. in 1849 and returned in 1852. He wrote quite a few letters to his wife. Delila Ann (USHER) Pennell. I also have letters from Robert C USHER who went to California in 1850 to his sister Delila. I have a index of people mentioned in these letters. Will post to this list if you are interested. Paul in ca.

Dear goldrushers I'm looking for a needle in a haystack. My grgrgrandparents, Elisha and Susannah Barnes were married in MO in 1848. In 1852 they headed for the CA gold fields where Susannah was one of only three women in the area. They stayed for 9 years and then went north to Lebanon, OR. In 1868 they moved to what is now Prineville, OR where Elisha became the first mayor in 1880. I'm trying to find information about their days in CA. Any ideas?

Hi: list have any ran across my J.J. Hutchinson in the 1859-60 his Dad sent him and his brothers from Texas to Goldfields to keep them out of Civil War and he ended up in Union Army at end of War at Ft. Churchill and was shot by Indians who attacked Wagon Train he was escorting across to Calif.He survived but the wound was painful all the rest of his life, Thanks everyone and Regards Vi

>Date: Sat, 18 Mar 2000 16:21:51 -0800 >To: Judith Bling <jgebee2@yahoo.com> >From: "K.Paul Boggs" <ab6wu@js-net.com> >Subject: Samual USHER > >As much as I hate typing long drafts, I >will share this with you. > St. of California June the 14 1851 >Dear Sister, >It has been a long time since you heard from me and longer since >i heard from you i halve never recieved a scrath of the pen from >you yet. i now am in the gold country had i known what i do now i >never would seen the gold digers what country and i never drawn >the least idea that it was the country that it is. Some ar doing very >well here. Some are doing nothing i am working for one hundred dolars >a month and board i think that i will be home this fall or winter if i >halve my health this sumer time ar tolerable good here now but i advise >all to stay at home i would give all that i am worth in the world to be >at home now but when i will get there i cant say forcertin i would like >to be at Just at home one hour to tell the rounds that i halve been\since > i left home i was thirteen months on the road to the mines i stoped among >the mormons and wintered among them i halve heard them represented as being >a band of roberes and i would call them a band of thieves and roberers i will >say nothing more at present on mormons I left Salt Lake for the mines the >twenty fifth of march we had snow for more than a month very cold and >disagreeable we arrive in the mines 30 day of may 1851 I halve heard of mr >pennell but haventseen him yet i halve riten to him i am looking for a >answer from him soon SAMUEL USHER is dead WILLIAM SPROTEMAN (?) is dead >and several others but that i halvent time to tell you of all that has >happened since i left home it sounds mighty sweet to say home there aint >nothing half so sweet as home ther has been several deaths since i left >John Clay is dead i sipose from notice(?) that i seen in the brunswicker I halv >had my heath very good since i left for the last week or too andi hope these few lines >may find you all enjoying the same devine blessing i would advise all my friends >to stay home and if they want to see the elipent look at this and be satisfied >tell the boys that i halvent fogoten any of them yet it looks but a few days >since we wer all together i stillremain you beloved brother my love to all and all >inquiring friends, > > Robert C. Usher > > >My Notes. The caps on the names above are mine. Now Ive been digging up dead >relatives for over 20 years. My gut feeling is that is your SAMUUEL USHER and >WILLIAM (Sprotemam) is SPORTMAN and the father or brother of Mary Ann. >The Sister to whom the letter is addressed is: Delila Ann (Usher) PENNELL >m to William Doyle PENNELL, the mr pennell mentioned above William is the bro. >of Alice Hale PENNELL who m Peter S. BOGGS my 3 grandparents. Gee this just might >be your lucky day that you answerd my request. The original letter are in the >California State Libray in Sacramento. > >Cheers

Folks, Discussions regarding the US Census are popping up on many lists with sometimes lengthy threads. Often, the Census, while important and interesting, is not relevant to the list. For those who are interested in ongoing Census discussion and/or specific questions, there is a new list called CENSUS-CHAT-L. To subscribe, send an email to: CENSUS-CHAT-L-request@rootsweb.com with nothing but the word SUBSCRIBE in the body text. For digest version, send to: CENSUS-CHAT-D-request@rootsweb.com If posting a Census 2000 -related question to one of my lists, please be sure it is relevant to the list itself. Thanks! Yvonne Oliver Bowers Listowner, Proud RootsWeb Sponsor, GenConnect Admin. * CORNISH * CORNISH-GEN * NORCAL * SOCAL * CA-GOLDRUSH* * BRANSON * ELLIOT(T)* GARRISON/GARRETSON * LORENTZ/LORANCE* * MOFFITT(AT/ATT/ETT)* OLIVER * SANDERS *

William was born 1841 about in the east. He was married in 1888 in Oregon. I am trying to trace his steps prior to marriage. So I think he was in the Gold fields. Where do I begin????? Glenda rgwalch@canby.com

For those who enjoyed the letters home that Judee was kind enough to post for us, the California Trail site has many similar excerpts from diaires and letters, including pictures of many of the imposing mountain passes our ancestors had to overcome. Fascinating reading and viewing! It's at http://calcite.rocky.edu/octa/trailmap.htm Charly