Would you be able to post a copy of the letter? I live near Pulaski and have many relatives in the area. Would be very interested in seeing the names listed. Thanks! Mary Lou I put the book up in safekeeping at my other home abt.600 mi distant . I did ,however keep notes for this purpose. I'm preparing to leave town in the early AM and may not have time to answer many questions for now. Some of the names also live in Concord,just north of you.The following names are in those two areas plus in the goldfields near him: Question marks indicate uncertain letters and spelling.Homer,Horatio (Milta?) Jane Sarah,Ruben and Mary Alvin ? and Caroline,Sarah and Mason,Henry Cheseboro?,Father Wilbur ,Wheeler,Margie,Mr Bruttenden? of Gerrard?,Mr Bishop,Livermore,Hastings,Almond? His Father died between his departure for Calif and the date of the letter,and he mentions also with great sorrow of "Lucy" passing,who was very close,like a wife,girlfriend or mom. Other names...James, Samual and Joseph Thorn,one of his best friends. He refers to Father and Mother Wilbur. He was Methodist and Episcop. Aunt Eliz Edwin and Simmons?Jane simmons?? Ambrose,Hancock,sarah and uncle Daniel,Aunt Labith? Larry Syne,'Uncle Abraham Edmonds and George E are on the American River gold camps near here" jOHN fRENCH, The Myricks,and Toby are onb the American River. Henry Stykes? He was planning on visiting "home" in Oct 1851 and planned on returning to Grass Valley afterward. I'll try to organize this book for display when I can. John Johnston Palm Springs Calif. lrjwj@aol.com