Mrs. Gregson's "Memory"

I was Born in the city of manchester [England] 1824 on the 15 of march lived there untill I was
about 4 years old, then went to A place calld Stockport. afterwards moved into derbyshire where
we lived untill I was about 13 years. my memory ofton gose back to my childhood years at that
place. wich was named pleasley. the people were old fashened kind many of them had lived there
ever since they were born some of them were over 100 years old. majority were staunch
Methodists. I always thought they were the most contented happy christian people I have ever seen
in all my ramblings through life.

my parents [John and Anna Hughes Marshall] where both born in the north of england. my father
was a man fond of company. he was a good maschinist made money fast but the worst of it was
could spend it as fast, while liveing at that place he made the acquaintince of some young noblemen
he learned to gamble as well as any of them which soon made my mother complain so things went
on from bad to worse untill we had to leave come back to the north of derbyshire we came to the
city of manchester where we staid for a few months then moved back into the country to a place
called by the name bugsworth among the coal mines lime kilns where my father started a cotton
factory for manufactering of very fine stocking yarn. but fates were against him he failed. to make
matters worse he endorst a note for a man, the man left him to pay it. so my father got togather all
the money he had left by the underground railroad for America leaveing myself my mother 3
brothers one sister my eldest brother 14 years old he a very delicaket boy, myself 12 years the rest
of the children younger and to small to do much work according to laws of engilsh laws every thing
was sold under the hamer, my mother thought she would try save some good blankets to cover
herself children. to do so she told me to take them when the bumbailifs were absent and hide them
in the top of the dary house chimnys that house was built on the side of a hill. the front faced the
Valley the dary wass partly under ground. by some means we were suspected they found them they
were sold at auction leaveing us almost destitute

we then moved to a town called hayfield where my Brothers myself got employment in a cotton
factory. we had to get furniture beding for we had nothing. think of it californians where there are no
factory bells to call you out at 5 oclock A.M. work untill about 8 P.M. with sometimes milk other
times treakle oat meal much [mush] 3 times a day. notwithstanding all this we got along very well.
about this time my mothers sisters husband died in manchester she with her two daughters came
made there home with us.

in the spring of 1839 my father paid our passage in New York. we came across the occain my
Aunts family with us. we settled in the town of pawtucket R.I. we lived there untill I was 19 years
old when a young englishman [James Gregson] who used to live neighbors to us when I was a little
child came to see us. in the spring of 1843 we were maried the next 20 of october.

so from being a weaver in the cotton factory my husaband a blacksmith boiler maker, we turned our
thoughts westword, We lived at his fathers house in philidelphia that winter in the spring of 1844 we
started leaveing all behind with just 18 dollers in 10 cents peices. Oh what a big lot of money to
travle to illinois with we were young and detirmined to make a liveing away from the cotton shops.
my husaband was not very stout I thought that his trade was more than [he] could stand many years
longer that was the main spring to our proceedings.

Well there was to much fever auger [ague] we could not stand that. we could make a good living if
we could only keep from shaking. so missfortuns seldom come alone. We had a sweet little babe
born to us on the 26 of septembe[r] 1844. only to stay 3 months then he died we laid him away in
the grave hopeing to meet again when our time on earth is past. again to[o] my father mother had
not lived agreeable my mother two Brothers sister came to [Rock Island County] illinoise in the fall
of 1844 we all lived in a cabbin where there was holes in the sides that you could throw you hat
through if you wished to. was it any wonder that we were sick or that our babe died. but there was
no help for it. we were geting poorer every day.

so in the spring of 1845 we made what preparations we could all of us together started for oragon.
there was a great deal of talk about that country that we could get homes if we would settle on the
land that there was a big lot of land for A man, A lot I forget how much for his wife for each child if
they .......... would settle there Well we thought that was a good thing away we started very poorly
suplied in April 1845. it was estamated that it would take us 6 months so we accordingly laid in
provisions enough for the trip. that is we thought we had but we were mistaken. We had 3 yoak of
good cattle one good wagon for 6 persons our party  took one passenger in at bloomington
[Burlington] Iowa we had one tent as few things as possable.

The party evidently consisted of Mr. and Mrs. Gregson, John, Henry, and Mary Ann Marshall
(Mrs. Gregson's brothers and sister), and Mrs. Ann Marshall (her mother). The passenger has not
been definitely identified.

We had as good traveling as could be expected for people that was fresh from the city as green as
the grass in the feilds. from my childhood I allways loved to milk so sometimes we used to milk the
cows as they [were] feeding on the [grass] along the road. that was before we left the settlements
after that we fared rather hard. for traveling made us very hearty. nothing of espesial interest accord [occurred]
untill we arived at fort Hall on snake river where we found that our stock of provisions was rather low we laid
in a little more.

when we were a little this side of fort hall on snake river the provisions being rather low the cattle
being poor, myself hussband we left our little party got in with a man by the name of [Elijah] bristow
 I did the cooking washing my husband drove the team into Callnia our cattle was giving out so we
had to cut the wagon down make a cart of it throw away some of our goods things began to look
very scaly just then.

We traveled on a day or so came across a party of emagrants bound for Callifornia they were
looking for recurits [recruits] so we joined their company wich was about 40 wagons in all  they
had an old man by the name of Greenwood  for A pilot for the road was new was but little known
to any but the trapers. it was on this road the indians were very bad. When we came to marys river
[the Humboldt] they began to molest us.  Sometimes when we were in camp in the evening our
cattle would come runing into the Corrail with arrows sticking in their sides most of them died one
evening a pretty young hefeir came in with 2 or 3 arrows in her flesh so that she died a doctor
[Carter] in the company put some stricknine in the heifers meat left it for the indians to eat,  3 or 4
of the boys remained to watch they saw the indians come take it away I expect they had A Joly time
of it.

at last we came to the Sierra Navada Mountains which seemed insurmountable it wass some time
before we could see which way we must go, at last we had to take the wagons apart take them up
in peieces over the mountains the poor cattle got ove[r] or rather they were draged up with bleeding
shines [shins]. the folks got ove[r] as best they could reached the summit rested two days. next
traveled another day camped on the banks of a beautiful lake I think it was lake taho  that night
while all the camp was asleep we were awakened by A very loud noise trembling of the ground.
which proceedid from one of the campers had A barrill (was caused by the explosion of a keg of
Powder in the wagon belonging to Jacob R. Snyder and Co.
 

Well we still kept up the march day after day, ever watching and looking for the promised land.
after many days myself with some other young folks climbed up a very steep mountain and there
standing under a Manzinita bush we saw the valley below streaching far and wide like an ocean. it
looked beautiful to us, for we were tired and weary of the mountains, but we were still 3 or 4 days
travel from it. At length we arrived at Johnsons ranch on Bear river  from there to Sutters fort on
the Sacramento river,  a part of our company went south to San Jose and others to Sonoma. Our
family went to whip sawing for captain Sutter, on the Mocosomy [Cosumnes] about 50 miles south
east of the fort.  There we staid until the 24 of December 1845 when we returned.)

on the 25 of december 1845 two men by names of harry trow  Ned Robetson  both english men
who had been sailors they had been working with our men whiping sawing they came to us bringing
with them An englishman by name hardy.  he wanted my husaband myself to go live on his ranch
away up the Sacramento the ranch was on the west side of the river where the feather river emtied
into sacramento were we entreded into an agreement with Mr hardy trow to stay with them for 3
years. at the end of that time we were to receive 1 league of land at that ranch. also 100-50 head of
cattle for our servise which was taking care of said ranch. While they hardy trow would go work at
carpentering for the spanyards. all apeared right for a time they comenced to build a frame house as
we were living in a tula wigwam. the said Mr hardy was a very morrose ill tempered man very
seldom in a good humer. he had one little indian boy about 9 or 10 years old he used to vent his bad
temper on the little fellow. the boy used to run cling to me for procetion [protection] after a week or
two the boy ran away was not seen again.

one eveing in ganuary the later part of that month it had been rainging very hard we were siting
around our fire which was built in the middle of our wigwam Gregson trow sitting at sort of a table
playing some sort of a game to pass away the time myself Mr hardy sitting by the fire converseing
about england our native towns. he said that he was born at runcorn that his father mother lived
there. I told him the cercumstances in the year 1839 when our family were starting for the United
Stats. our mothers thought it best for we elder children to go to mancheter [Manchester] on sunday
they would come on the railroad meet us on monday morning on the New baily bridge. monday
moring came but no Mothers so we 5 children the eldest about 16 years old we concluded to start
did so. we arrived at runcorn in the eveing. after taking our lugage on the bank not knowing where
to go. there was an old man standing there he was tall gray headed a little peice from there was a
long boat house one dewling [dwelling] house. standing in the doorway was an elderly lady. in a few
minuts she came towards us asked what are you doing here where is your parents? We told her all
about it. When the tears started ran down her cheeks turning to her hussband she said we must take
these children in somebody may do as much for ours my coussan Sarah said have you children gone
from home She answered we have one son gone away now You must come to my house have your
supper ly down untill 12 oclock to night then I will awake you see you safe on the steam packet
bound for liverpool. as soon as I had concluded hardy sprang up exclaimed that is my father
mother. our conversation frequently turned on the same subject.

hardy trow could not agree so after a short time they quarled trow left we could get nothing so we
left came back to the fort the agreement papers between them us were in Captain Sutters possesions they where
at the hawk farm  which was distroied by fire about the year 49 or 50 so all was gone in that case. I write this
on account of a lawsuit which took place in 1867 68 Mr. hardy was drowned about the 1849.
leaveing his ranch unsetled. he told me he had a wife one son in england. Well we left him when we
were leaving he was sorry beged us to stop with him as we were his own country people.

So in the latter part of April 1846 we returned to the fort my husaband worked for Capt Sutter
somtimes in the blacksmith shop sometimes diging ditches for they had no fences around the farm.
there was no work for woman excepting a little cooking very little at that. our cloathes we had to
patch untill the original peice could scarcely be found. our men worked for 1 dollar per day.
common dress goods $1 per yard. so it took $8 to buy 1 dress our food was very coarse flour
sometimes pretty good beef no coffee or tea or sugar or Milk or butter. the flour being unbolted
acted on us the same as medicen making very bad work.

in 1846 the United States me[x]ico went to war. the war extended of course to Call [California]. in
the early part of the year 1846 my husband inlistid in freemonts [Fremont's] batalion as a volantere
he was stationed at the fort during that summer. While some of the others went down [to]
southerern Call.

now I shall have to refer back again to the year 1845 when we arived at the fort the governor of
Call [Pio Pico] sent a writen document to Capt Sutter Autherizeing him to drive back the americans
not to let them stop in the country.  well most of the emigrants had but very little of anything left it
was out of the question. we could not would not leave. it was then that the big hearted old Capt
spoke in his useual way. by. Jo! You stand by me. I stand by you [to] the end.

Some ameracans brought general Valago [Vallejo] and his Brother Salvador Valago 1 frenchman
[Victor Prudon]. 1 amercan [Jacob P. Leese]. 1 englishman [Robert Ridley] prisoners to the fort for
safe keeping, the few soldiers that remained at the fort kept gaurd over them. they were treated very
kindly.  dureing that time we received rations.

now to show how the indians did with a thief the house we lieved in was two or three oo [two or
three hundred] yards south of the fort. one day while I was sitting doing little or nothing I heard
some very loud yells I went for to see what was the matter there was about 9 or 10 indians. they
had caught a large coyotay they had skined him alive. although it was a very hot day in July the poor
thing would shiver as if he was freezing. every time he would shiver the indians would dance through
up their hands yell with all their might. there was a few white persons watching. I suppose the Mr
Coyoty had been stealing their beef. during the harvest time the Capt employed the wild digers [Digger
Indians] they would come in gangs of 50 togather as naked as they were born. they cut the grain
with sickles Butcherknives. they were fed on boiled bran sometimes a few beef bones thrown in
their food was put into long wooden troughs laid on the ground the indians would sit on each side of
the trough scupe their mess with thier hands. it was laughable to see them When it was two hot they
would shake their hands.

there was a few white wimen besides myself. there was Mrs McDowel  Mrs leihy.  Mrs
Montgomery in other years latter Mrs Wallace [Wallis] of Mayfield near S.F. city. about this time
I saw Mr Hardy it was the last time I eve[r] saw him, the summer is past again on the second day of
Sepber there was a weding at the fort the mans name was Wyman the girls was Amearci Kelsey.
and on the third day Ann E Gregson was born.

there are several incedents happened during the summer of 1846 one very warm day in July 46 I
was sitting in my house when I heard loud yells outsides I arose went to see what was the matter
When lo behold in front of the fort was 8 or 10 indians 2 or 3 white men. the indians had caught a
very large Coyiota in a trap. the coyota had been stealing their beef they were punishing him for it.
they had skined it alive every time the poor thing would Shiver with pain. they would throw up their
hands yell with delight. So much for indian justise.

during the years 45 46 47. I must [not] omit to name the families that was at the fort there was Cap
John A. Sutter the oldest resedent at Whose instigation the fort was erected to proctect himself all
others that might have need of it. the old Capn was very generous to a fault. so large was his heart
that he could not say no, peace to his ashes. there was Mr John Bidwill [Bidwell] who was the
cleark for the Cap S. Bidwill was an honest steady sobber man useing nether liqure or tobacco
Gorge McKinstry  Cap Kern  who was Fremonts draughtsman, over the paths to Call among the
familys in 46 7 where Jim Smith who married our mother  they lived in one of the adobe houses
outside of the fort Gregsons who lived in one end room of the same-- a family named Mc Dowel
Mr Mrs McD 3 little girls lived inside of the fort Mr Mrs leighy  their 2 little girls, they buried their
oldest little boy,

there was a great deal of sickness among the emigrants several deaths occord. there was a doctor
Gilde  who said to the people if [he] was taken with that malarry [malaria] desease he knew how
he would be doctored. bleeding was his theory, so he was accatked [attacked] with the same
desease. so he requested one of the men to bleed him and he died soon afterwards.

in the summer of 46 there was a commany of U.S. Solders stationed in the fort I think it was the
west side of the fort. that there was quite a lagoon of water where the indians used to wash bathe.
Well the Solders

used to bathe there to. one day some solders indians were washing bathing When one of the solders
was taken with the cramps before any of the indians could get him out he was drowned they buried
him with milterry honers. I never learned his name  in the fall of 46 ther was quite a number of
emigrants came to the fort but they scatered to other parts of Call. some few remained at the fort
 

now comes on another part of the war in Call Captain freemont was about Monteray he wanted
some horses that were away north of the fort he wanted them brought down to him for his use he
said that if the few white men that was at the fort would volenteer, he would provide for their
famieles that they should receive solders rations. So Mr Gregson others went got the horses drove
them to Montrey. leaving their famiels in charge of the Armerican Government intill the war should
cease or stop.

Well he went left me my little girl about six weeks old. to do [the] best I could. I got along pretty
well untill nearly Christmass with nothing to do only take care of the little one, the worst of it [was] I
had very little to eat I got so thin in flesh that I could scarsely carry the few cloaths that were on my
back. I was nursing a fat cross baby had very little norishments--about that time Mrs leahy she says
to me come live with me we will put our grub together it will be better for us both, as her husband
was gone to so I moved the few things I had stayed with her Mrs Montgomery.

Well at that time we could hear nothing from the seat of war one day there came A man with letters
to Captain sutter Cap Kern stateing there had been a battle with the spanierds on the salines
[Salinas] plains there was 4 Armercans killed 7 wounded. with no names [mentioned] We few
women where very uneasy about this time. for we did not [know] weather we were widows or not.

about a week before Christmas it comenced raining as hard as it could for a fortnight without
intermision the whole of Sacramento was over flowde, on about that week the man of war boat
portsmouth came up from yerbobine [Yerba Buena] up the Sacto to within 2 or 3 hundred yards
west of Sutters fort the Captain crew were very kind to us ladies Mrs leahy Mrs Montgomery
myself our famileys went to visit them, before they left yerbobino the people at that place told them
that there were no ladies at the fort besides the squaws. they were well pleased to find they were
mistaken.

that winter was a very wet one we were scarce of food and fuel we had hard work to keep fires.
the indians were told to suply us with fire wood but the whole valley [was] flooded to the foot hills
they had hard work to suply themselves as far as I can remember it was as bad as the year 1861
62, but there was no one to keep any account of it.

another itom which I must not forget I was liveing with Mrs leahy in
the same house with Mrs Montgomery. Mrs leahy had two little girls Mary Ann liby. Mary Ann
[was] between 4 5 years old. well Mrs leahy was very kind to me for which I hold her in greatful
memery She had been teaching Mary Ann her letters as best she could. She asked me if I would
teach her little girls to write as she did not know how herselfe I told her Yes I would was very glad
for I had no employment so at it I went during that time Mrs Montgomery would watch us with
great .......... interest. one day she says to me will you teach me Mrs Gregson. I looked at her to see
if she was in enerst. I told her yes if you want to learn. She said if you will learn me how to write I
will do something very big for you if I am able. So I fulfilled my part but she forgot her part.

Well the winter passes away early in the year 47 the startling news arives at the fort that some
emigrants [members of the Donner party] had just come in from the sirranaveds [Sierra Nevada]
almost starved to death. that they had left a large party starving in the mountains. So what was to be
done there was but a few people at the fort. old Captain Sutter sent out his vacquars [vaqueros]
that is the indians that he had trained he sent them out to bring in about 12 head of the fatest [steers]
they did as they were told. they killed the beefs barbaqued the meat packed it on the best mules that
was to be found started them off.

there was a few white men went along with the indians to rescue the starveing people. amongst the
white men that went out was one young man that had just come in from the mountains he
volenteered to go back again. he had no relations nor any intrest but humanity a big heart promted
him taking of his waikcoat his watch a letter to be sent to N.Y. to his sister in case he should never
return. poo[r] man he was froze to death.

there was but a few white women but we did all in our power for them. in two or 3 weeks back
again some of them came. the mules allmost all dead 3 or 4 indians besides white people. they
wanted more food for the starving ones that could not come. I shall never forget the looks of those
people for the most part of them were crazey their eyes danced sparkled in their heads like stars.
among the first lot that came out were 18. 5 girls wemen the rest were men. the[re] were only two
men survived a Mr fowler  Mr Edey.  4 of the females were named Graves  the youngest one
was about 11 years old one maried lady Mrs Fosdick  her husband died she buried him in the
snow.

praphs I might as well speak a little more about Mrs fosdick. the wemen would take the lead over
the snow beat the track for the men to walk in. but for all that the men sunk down died. the wemen
even led them by the hand made the camp fires gave them food one morning Mrs fosdicks husband
was dieing .......... he tried to travel but did not succeed the rest of the party could not stop for him
to die. So she told them I will stay with him untill he dies You go I will overtake you in about 2
hours she was seen coming with her husbands black silk Neckercheif around her neck She told them he is dead.
Fowler said can we have him to eat. She said you cannot hurt him now. so some of them went back
brought some of his flesh cooked it. So speak about womens rights say they are weak ought to
have no rights.

the second party that came out were Mrs reeds family  one servant women  a part of the two
donners familys. Jake Gorge donner the[y] were two brothers with their wifes children. of the gorge
donner family  there was 5 girls elithey [Elitha] Leah [Leanna] frances and gorgeana [Georgia] Elza
[Eliza]. of jake donners family  two sons I was gorge donner one girl named Mary donner. poor
girl both her feet were frozen they were in shocking condition the flys had blown them there was
maggots in them she suffered a great deal. there was a doctor at the fort he came put some
medesien on them but her feet was ruined another women by the name of Kesburg she left one
dead baby in the camp started with one little girl 2 years old it died she had to bury it in the snow.
She left her husband behind I shall speak of him

They left old Mr Mrs [George and Tamsen] Donner with no one else but Keysburg [Lewis
Keseberg] whose cabin was about 8 miles this west side of the nevada line. The old man Donner
was too sick to travel and one of his hands were very sore. Mrs Donner would not leave her
husband. So they left her some beef and promised to return for them in a short time. Mr. Mrs. Jake
Donner died in a short time after the arrival of rescueing party to them. In due time the men went out
again and the weather was getting milder and the snow not so deep in the mountains. The first camp
was Keysburgs they found him in his cabin cooking his supper of human flesh. they followed the
tracks to the other camp but found no one, but the foot prints of Mrs Donner where she had
apparently been cutting meat from a steer which had been buried in the snow, showing, plainly that
she had not died from starvation. returning to Keysburgs camp, they asked him where is Mrs
Donner? He said she died and he cut her flesh up and had it in a box and her husbands too for there
was the sore hand. There were boxes filled with human flesh all cut and packed in butcherly style.
The next thing where was her money, for Mr Mrs Donner had about $800.00 dollars it was not to
be found Keysburg denied any knowledge of any money.

so that one man by the name of big Ofallen  put a rope around his neck strung him up to a tree two
or three times untill he was black in the face. then he told where there was $500 but would tell no
more. so they brought him down to the fort. where he his wife stayed that winter.

one day old Mrs Lenox we thought we would like to see the maneater I told the old lady you go in
first I will follow. during the conversation Mrs Lenox asked him how human flesh tasted he said it
was better than chicken several times that winter his wife would arrouse the people by
screaming murder at midnight she said that he wanted to kill her. Kesburg got offended at the folks
for saying that he killed Mrs Donner he sued them at law. during the examination he said that he got
4 pounds of tallow out of her. once he called one of the little donner girls to come to him but she
answered him no you killed my mother he stayed about the fort for some time afterwards I saw but
very little of him

So the spring of 1847 came and the war being ended, the soldiers began to come back again, and
we women would watch for any news, at last they returned, and some of the friends that I had been
with all winter went to San Francisco. But we stayed at the fort, and Gregson and Mr. Lenox
engaged with Capt Sutter to go upon Bear river and get out Mill-stones for him, which they did.

I wanted to move to Yerba Buena as it was then called, but my wishes were not considered and we
then with Lenox's, moved to the tan yard on the American river and stayed that summer,  and in
the latter part of the summer Gregson along with most of the people, was taken down with the
Sacramento fever, which came very near taking his life, so near that the doctor  came in for his
pay, and we gave him all [the] cows and horses we had for money we had none. The doctor
thought my husband would die in a few short hours My mind was in a terrible state for what could I
do. The fever was raging and he was delerious. I sat down and thought and I asked the old lady
Lenox, is there nothing I can get for him I must do something or he will die, and you are a western
woman can not you tell me of something some herbs? she answered no. Then I went out in the
fields. I could find nothing no not even a blade of grass. All that there was, was some cow manure
and it came to me, the cows have eaten up all the grass and herbs, why not the manure make a
good medicine. So I took some of it wrapped it up in a cloth and boiled it then I filled a pint bowl
full and took it to him. When he saw it he said, You want to poison me. I told him no see me drink.
with that he took the bowl with both hands and drank it all and went to sleep.  slept 3 or 4 hours
but the fever was gone [and he] himself [was] as weak as an infant.

during this time myself my babe was sick but not as sick as the men the indians suffered tererable
they died almost in heaps was not able one to bury the other when he died my husband recovered
his health partly but not fully for a long time. but he went back to work again. our little girls health
being in very poor state in October I had a chance to go down to San Franco  I took her down so
to see if it would not do her good while there we stayed with Mrs leahy she was very kind to us as
she had several boarders I did all the work I was able so to help pay our board my babe remained
sick one day I watched her expecting every hour would be the last When she reveived a little I took
her to doctor leavensworth  he was very kind would take no pay the little one recovered.

then I wanted to go home but there was no conveyance I had to wait. mind in those days there was
no steamboats or any other boats but a little la[u]nch belonging to Sutter it had no regular runing
[One day there appeared a little steamboat she was sailing on the bay she was a pretty little thing,
the first one that ever steamed across the bay. Her name was Sitka. They were going up the
Sacramento river to the fort. So Mr. Leahy engaged a passage for me and my child. So I naturally
thought I shall be at home in a day or two. But I was sadly disappointed. It took 9 days and nights
to steam up that river. The boiler leaked, and I do believe that I could have walked home quicker.
To make matters worse we were short of provisions and I did not mind for myself but my little girl
fared badly. So we got home the day before Christmas day 1847.

And after a few weeks which was in January we left the tan yard and went to live at the sheep
corral.  Mrs. Lenox and myself we had each one a house to ourselves and there was a small store
close by. The proprietor was a Scotchman I have forgotten his name. He left the store in charge of
another man named Coats.  The store was robbed one night while Coats was away and the thief
escaped.

It was about Dec 1847 when the mill stones were finished the grist mill was being built on the
American river about 3 miles across in an easterly direction from the fort. At this time Sutter
engaged my husband and I to go to Coloma. My husband to be the blacksmith for a saw mill which
was being built by Capt Sutter and James Marshall. Myself to cook for the hands which were about
15 men. One man by the name of Bennet,  the others I have forgotten. Well a day or two before
we started which was about the last day of Dec. [Several lines have been erased here.] The weather
was rather bad and it took us two days and a half to make the trip. We reached our destination just
about 11 A.M.

The Indians that were about had never seen a white child, and it was soon noised abroad that there
was a white child on the place and the Indians came from a distance of 40 miles to see her. They
would come to the door and look and then they would cover their faces with their hands, and were
very much astonished at the sight.  they even went so far as to pinch her shoulders pull her hair to
see if she was a real human they were very fond of her one squaw wanted me to swap babes with
her.

after a week or two we heard that the mineral that was taken out of the tailrace of the sawmill [was
gold] the hands would occasanale bring in a little gold dust

after a while I got tired of seeing nothing but squaws I wanted to see a white woman again so they
took me and my child about 15 miles to a place I think it was the dimond springs to see Mrs
Wimmer her family I stayed two days nights then returned home. [Well I found her camping out and Sleeping
in the wagon. she was very glad to see me and we did not sleep very much, but put in the time talking
while I stayed, which was two days and nights, and then I returned home. She showed we while
there a nugget of pure gold nearly as large as my thumb. William Scott who had been stopping with
the wimmer family had found it the last of January 1848, and there was no gold excitement at that
time. The exact date on which gold was really discovered, I am unable to state as it was some
time before we could believe that it was real gold. In a few days however after we got settled at
Coloma The work hands were digging the tail race at the mill, and one evening they had turned on
the water so as to sluice out the dirt. The next morning Jas Marshall and Pete Wimmer were
standing on the bank examining the work, when Marshall said to Wimmer, "What is that glittering
down in the tail-race?" Wimmer jumped down and picked up some substance, which proved to be
fine scale gold, and there was no other kind of gold found in that place, as we afterwards learned.
The work hands would occasionally bring in a little gold dust.

about this time there was a man named humphrys  he was a minealoligist [mineralogist] so [when]
the weathre opned out people began to come into the mines one man by the name of turner
[came] brought his daughter Mary I persuaded him to leave her with me untill he went to bring the
rest of his family he did so which pleased me very much She was about 16 years old. one day as
our work was done we went down to the mill which was about half a mile down the hill. we thought
we would wash out some dirt try to find gold well we saw something shining in the bottom of the
tailrace so we got down gathered some. but turning to my companion I said this is too light if we
take this up to the house the men will laugh at us so we went home no better than we was.

by by her parents moved into the mines camped close by us. I must say here that for about 3
months we our liveing was very poor We had salt beef so poor salty that it looked like blue flint--
salt Salmon too salty oily that it was not fit to eat boild barley sometimes boiled wheat peas dried
neither bread or Coffee or tea or sugar. 1 keg of Butter strong enough to run away of itself so that is
the way we lived for about 3 months.

about this time gold hunters began to arive with pans in A short time the new[s] began to spread far
wide about the first of May some men came up from Sonoma told me that my little sister Mary Ann
was married to a Doc. Ames an assistant Doc in the N.Y. Volunteers she being only a little past
13 years old.

somewheres about this time old James Marshall J gregson went prospecting for gold a little further
up the river than they had been and they found plenty of scale gold my husband asked Marshall to
divide with him.

he very quickly answered no you are working for me. Very well says gregson I will work no more I
shall gather gold for myself which he did now the people were coming in from all parts of the of Call
chili by by the oragononians commencing to arive early in the gold excitement Mr Gregson made the
first pick afterwards made a good many picks drills for the miners. the men stopt working on the mill
every thing was gold crazy run away sailors and solders came into the mines my mother two
brothers my sister came to hunt for gold. my sisters husband had deserated she did not know where
he was at that time. Somwhere, about July or august he came into the place where we were living
we were hideing him for fear of him being arested. at this time Mrs Wimmers little boy was born
we had to bring him out to light as there was no other Doctor.
 

in 1848. goods began to arive in the mines every kind was very high prised flour $1 per pound.
Coffee $10 per pound tea $18 per pound other things in proporsion eggs $18 per dozen. $1. yard
for common calico. We wemen folks took in all the sewing such as makeing overalls We could
make $10 per day.

there was several families camped arround us there was a store started. another house built covered
with canvas also some houses built down on the flat close by the Mill the wemen folks got plenty of
sewing to do but salt bad living so long began to tell on my husband little girl they were both taken
sick no one knew what was the matter my husband was scarcely able to walk on the 25 of
september my daughter Mary Ellen was born that same day my other daughter was taken down
sick did not walk for 7 months afterwards: there I was with two sick ones myself not able to help
either one of them. We paid Doctor tenent  $300 but he did not know anything. so that was all the
same as thrown away. after staying there untill the latter end of October 1848 the doctors told my
husband that he must leave that part of the country or he would die.

So we engaged Robert Spence to move us away to sonoma. every day that we got aw[a]y from
the mines he got a little bit better when we arived at Sonoma he could walk pretty well he began to
get well very fast. not so our oldest daughter her teeth droped out of her mouth she was a poor sick
child for some months during [which] I took in washing ironing sewing to help suport my family. the
prise of every thing was very high Well so we worked along that winter as best we could I would
sew untill 1 or 2 oclock in the night in the day I would wash take care of the two babes

in the spring of 49 he [Gregson] was feeling so much better that he [decided that] he would try the
mines again so he started off leaveing me the two little ones. I still did all the work that I could get to
do. during this time there was severall families living in sonoma valley there was Mr Mrs

Bruner  they were taking care of goargannia Eliza donner of the donner party Mr Mrs Carerger,
John tom hopper old valayo [Vallejo]. it would take a long time to write every incedent that
occord during this spring suffice to say nothing of any importance happened untill a man by name of
Wm Scot died he came through to Callornia the same year as we did

Shortly after that a sailor stoped at my house for to light his pipe being alone with my two little ones
I was somewhat afraid when looking at my children he asked what was the matter with them where
was my husband I told him that my man was somewheres in town that both my little ones were sick.
the oldest one had not walked for nearly 7 months the little one had a blood tumer growing on her
face between her eyes. he said he could show me a herb that would cure annie but the other one
he could do nothing for her, so he told me to get some marshmallow boil it give her it to drink also
to bathe her in it he said she would walk in two weeks. I did as he told me sure enough she got up
on her feet in less than two weeks walked. She startled me one day by holding up both her hands
saying see mama annie can walk.

A blood tumor is a hemangioma, either hereditary or the result of mechanical injury. These benign
growths or birthmarks are now usually removed at birth. Scurvy is now a relatively rare disease due
to the widespread information concerning vitamin C, which is contained in practically all fresh fruits
and vegetables.

during the winter spring of 1848 49 all through that summer I took in washing sewing to support my
familly I toiled as best I could. the reader of this must not suppose that I had no enjoyment or
friends for Mr Mrs Bruner where very kind got me employment so that we did not lack for food or
cloaths, although it took all that I earned. again my husband returned from the mines sick. in the fall
of 49 my mother sister Mary ann two Brothers left the mines came down to sonoma. my Brother
Henry my husband went up to suttersville on the sacramento there bought lots built adoby houses
the winter of 49 50 it rained so hard the overflow washed them all away so were left without any
recorses that is without any money again.

during that fall the tumer on babes face had grown to the size of an egg it was expedient that it must
be taken off so it happened there was an army surgioun in town he with the help of my Brotherinlaw
Dr Ames the work was accomplished the fee $100 and 50 that was our first going in debt so what
with debts hard work little means we remain poor untill this day.

Well in the year 1850 my husband my Brother henry  came out to green valley in analey township.
they went to Capt Cooper got a permit to settle on the ranch where we now reside. Mr Gregson
Henry marshall John came out here in January 1850 built a log cabbin made some fences got some
potatoes of Cap [Stephen] Smith of bodago [Bodega] paid 10cts per pound, the first planted in
green valley on the 1 of May 1850 I started with Mr Mrs [T.] Churchman  with oxen in the
wagons slow traveling We were 2 days two nights We had to camp out the weather
was very fine, when we came to green valley it seemed almost like a paradise it was like a picture
grass clover flowers in abundance the grass was as tall as myself.

Well we staid for about 1 month in the mashall cabbin dureing that time gregson the boys raised
another log cabbin on the gregson ranch, so we moved into it set up housekeeping with what little
we had. the deer was plenty when we wanted meat our men would go kill some. I tell you it was
rather lonely for some time. the churchmans family went over into the other valley settled there after
a time some others like ourselves came into the Valley to squat on Coopers claim so it remained in
green Valley. in June July 1850 Mitchill Gilliams  with his family a man called major I. W. Sulivan
came settled on the left side of our ranch, also lank [Lancaster] Clyman  family settled on the other
side that is west of us a little to the left of us. others came in untill the Valley was pretty well settled,
between here petaluma there was no settlements, there was plenty of elk the men of the Valley
made up a party about the 1 week in July started hunting elk they came back on the eight. now I
must tell a little about myself a night or 2 before the men went out hunting in my dreams of the night I
saw a white garment spoted with bright blood. I was rather uneasy I did not want gregson to go for
fear that he would get hurt some how, I did not rest very good untill he was home again. Well on the
9th day of July about 9 oclock in the morning the hawks were very bad they would come almost
into the house pick up a chicken gregson snaped his rifle two or 3 times he laid it on the table to fix
it. I was sitting in front of the door with my 2 little girls one on eather side of me. I was feeling rather
sick with the head ach when the gun hammer went down shot me through the left shoulder making a
bad wound but not fatally then I saw the same cloth with spots of blood it was 3 months before I
was healed. on the 24 of September our son William F was born I must not forget to say that all the
neabours were very kind unto us during our misfortunes sickness Well we did not raise much
produce this year but still we did not starve quite

in the winter of 49 50 I sold a roan horse for $100 With the proceeds I bought the flour to do us
during the first year in Green Valley. I also brought a cat kittins we had one black horse old nig he
was not a work horse so Gregson had to borrow some mony to buy a yoke of oxen so that he
could haul rails to fence in some land brake the sod so as to plant potatoes some garden vegetabls

Sometime in august 1850 my sister Mary Ann Ames her husband came out from sonoma Valley
took up their abode with us they had a son born about the 24 or 25 of october. he lived about 4
weeks when by some mistake she gave him some medesane which caused his death the same fall
we had a sick man by the name of fred Starkey but he got well left soon afterwards Mary Ann Doc moved into
thier own little cabbin a little futherup the Valley. the year of 50 is past with its privations its accidents sorrow
some enjoyments myself 2 little girls 1 little boy we spent our christmas with our Mother Mrs Marshall.

1851 after a rather stormey winter [with] plenty of work [there was] nothing for both myself
husband provisions high cloaths high prised very little coming in making everything hard on us, to
make matters worse we just began to get letters from his kinsfolks in the east then we learned that
Mr Mrs Gregson were both dead the rest of the family scattered or maried the youngest boy John
gregson was in the Orphan Asiulm. Well richard gregson wanted to come out to Callna after a time
father borrowed $300 to help him he concluded that it was not enough he never came we had to
foot the bill so what with one thing or another it kept us on the bed rock with plenty of work but
little pay. fathers health not good if he went to work a day he would be taken down sick so we had
to hire a good deal.

in 52 we had another boy born on the first of Sept so making one more to cloath feed  about this
time old Johney Moor gregson started a blacksmith shop on the hill Well it did for a while but the
benifits were all on one side we came out the losers

In 50.1 [1851?] gregson went upon the hill to see if [he] could get some deer meat being tired he
sat down to rest right on the spot where we now live. Well he with some hired men went into the
woods cut down trees scored the logs with help he got them out hauled them here as was [the]
custom the neighbors all turned out to raise a hewed log house green Valley was pretty well filled
with neighbors by this time. we moved into this house on the 20th of October 53 it was only half
finished for seaverall years.

about this time Newburg bernhard kept a store near freestone

in the spring of 54 on the last day of May another daughter was born to us somewheres in the
summer of 54 I [think] it was the neighbors began to want their claims surveyed Cap Cooper came
into the Valley to look after the land received pay for the same. [Here a few words have been cut
from the bottom of the page.] our line Henry Marshalls the surveyor mark it did not sute. We
gregsons had been paying taxes for more land than we had inside our fence Marshall had it
surveyed ove[r] twice he was not yet satisfied but wanted it done over again but the surveyor Mr
Gray told him that it was right that he knew his bissiness better than mashall so that ended that
part we was in possesione of our rights (160 acaers) We fenced in our ranch planted some Apple
trees grapevines so this classes all we can make goes on to the farm again

.......in the early part of 52 [possibly 53] my Brother Henry my mother went on a visit to the
eastren States--namly Mass R.I. to see my eldest Brother F Wm. M. who never left there. it was
during that visit that my Brother henry became acquainted with Mary Jane Coterril latter in that year
he married her a few weeks latter they all came back again to Call. they lived [in] a adobe house
down below where they live now. my children called her our new Aunty--

Well nothing of importance transpiring only the common routine of business incdently to farming
such kind of work. such as ploughing clearing planting out orchards vineyards raising stock milking
cows trying all ways to make a liveing our girls boys getting large enough to help us. so that we
might be able to pay our debts

on the 5 of Oct 1856 our son Henry M was born in 56 our country about sonoma county begins to
improve, towns springing up all over the people building houses leaveing old cabbins to be used for
outhouses. the people begin to talk county fairs improve their stock. farms improveing more better
fences more usefull emplements to work with

At healdsburg the first county fair we recieved a silver butter knife for the best butter.

Well passing along we have another daughter born to us the 20 of March. 1858.  caroline one
more daughter born to us on the 29 of October 1862.

Adelia J., born on March 28, 1858. Another son, Luke B., was born on March 27, 1868.

there are but few persons that can write their history while they are alive sufice it to say all our
children are maried scatered over the land myself husaband are almost alone as we were 42 years
ago.