James White was a 21 year old farmer from Quincy, MA. In 1849 he sailed from Boston around Cape Horn to San Francisco and the gold diggings of California. In all he spent 6 months at sea and a year in California. I've transcribed his journal and am publishing it here as well as on Amazon/Kindle and Apple/iBooks.
I am resuming this thread today. I quit last Summer when I became frustrated with my slow internet speeds and the awkward user interface here. This Winter I have access to fast internet and will continue posting until I finish or until the middle of May when I will no longer have access to fast internet.
Monday Oct. 8th, 1849
Left the Mokelumne at 8 A.M. Travelled to Hixes. Baxter & Bugbee took a hare from a wild cat not dead when they found it. Saw a great number of rabbits and quails.
Tuesday the 9th.
Left Hixes after enjoying a fine breakfast of stewed rabbit. Very fine eating. Arrived at Coates. Encamped north side of the Mokelumne. On our way across the plains saw two antelope & several of those disagreeable & poisonous tarantellas resembling a spider.
Wednesday the 10th.
Left Coates early in the morning. Had a very disagreeable nights sleep. It raining & very chilly all night. Arrived at Sacramento at 3 PM. Looked very much like rain. Teams arrived at 4. P'd $10 for passage. Commenced raining. Pitched tent. Got a little wet. Found my bed clothes that was left ?? in good condition to my great comfort. Anxious to sleep once more on a mattress. Heard of bad acts concerning the sacrifice of the ship's property by the commissioners. Rained at intervals during the night. The first rain good two days we have had since I have been in the country.
Thursday, Oct. 11th.
Looked round in quest of situation. Found many ready to take up with chances at 100$ per month. Thought I would wait a fews days & learn the ways & prices of work.
The 12th.
Looking round business was not so brisk as I expected find it.
The 13th
learning the ways of the city etc. Pity selection for a charter. Went for Charter & Lycence. Today found and old Quincyan, L.C. Edwards. Very much pleased to see him. He was too with me.
Sunday the 14th.
The stores & business places closed as usual. Gambling & places of amusement open according to old Spanish customs. Got no news by the steamer. Two sent back.
The 15th.
By the aid of Birch got a place to go to work putting up a house & tending it for Mr. Bevins at one hundred & fifty dollars per month.
The 16th.
Continued to work on the house.
Wednesday 17th, Oct. 1849
At work on the house. Found Mr. B. to be a very clever sort of a man. Judged him to be a very honest sort of a man. Got information today that there was a man in town that had letters. Looked for him in rain.
The 18th.
Still continued to work getting the timber etc. from the woods. Saw a man today to my great wonder with a Tiger 2 hat on. Ran after him thinking he might be the one that had letters for me, but no he bought the hats off W'm Field. Came out in ship with him. Today ship Everett sold to Dr. A. Abbe for 14000$ with the library, beef, port & sundry other articles all included at sacrifice & a great shame. Said to be fraudulently sold by the commission.
The 19th.
At work fitting the canvas to the roof.
20th.
Rather unwell with with diarrhea.
Sunday The 21st.
Moved tent up up into city further in, a pleasanter and and more commodious place. How unlike a Sabbath at home. Washed my clothes etc. Glad when I should be able to have them done up in good style. No female here. Alas what an unfortunate country. Took oak bark for my complaint.
Monday the 22nd.
At work making benches for the house. Provisions in the market high. Pd $1.50 for butter, 75 Cts, for Potatoes.
The 23rd.
At work on the house. Thought Mr Bevins rather slow. Concluded to give us 150$ per month & more if the business allowed. Apleton went to work in Missouri House for the same.
The 24th.
Received Boston papers of June & July. Quite a feast.
The 25th.
At work as usual. Great numbers continued to arrive bound to the mines. Poor victims.
The 26th.
Sewing up the side canvass for the building.
The 27th.
At work. The McKinea arrived here. Started in the morning at 8 from Benicia. A propeller steam ship. The first large size steamer up the river. Great excitement. Fired guns. Cheered etc. etc. etc.
Sunday the 28th, 1849
Done a little washing etc. Read N. York & Boston papers of July 29th. At work finishing the building and making preparation to receive boarders.
The 30th.
At work putting in the kitchen.
31st.
Cook came & a customer came in to patronize the new refectory.