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.
This week:
GOLD!
Thursday August 23rd, 1849
This my birthday (and what a day) here in the prime of life wasting my youth & valuable time in the search of mere dross, sacrificing that which is far better a good home in civilized life. Well, here I be & must make the best of it. I shall be. Thought of home, alone. I Long. to hear from there.
Camped at a spring on the road the oxen being tired out. Distance 16 miles. This night had a very good night's rest. Better than I have had since leaving ship.
August 24th.
Made but little progress today. The oxen being tired out or sick. Road hilly. Arrived at Smith's or Jackson Creek at 9 P.M. having travelled only 4 miles.
August 25th.
Started before the team which was to come with only one pr of oxen. Taken with the dysentery. Arrived at the old camp by the way of the ? bar, a place that I had never been. Felt sick & discouraged. Found to my great surprise old friend Chamberlain in the mines close by.
Sunday the 26th.
? around a little. Had a pleasant time in conversation with my old acquaintance John. Found him, like myself, greatly disappointed in getting the ore. Many of his ship Company sold out and left the mines.
The 27th.
Apleton taken sick with the dysentery. Baxter quite recovered. Myself quite unwell. Nothing of importance transpired except that there was about $12.00 worth of gold taken out by one of our old Company and a few others out of the river's bed. It being owned by them (This was the first place our Director Bates worked to turn the river). [The price of gold is variously reported to have been $19-$21 / oz.]
Five now of the old Company arrived all sick having had a hard time coming up. In the mean time up to the 12th Sept. Apleton got smart again. I did not leave the tent from the 27th up to this time, but a few steps. When I went out and worked a little, the air became cooler.
13th.
Worked digging & prospecting not but little success.
The 14th.
Worked a little in the forenoon. Got nothing. Went up the river in the afternoon about five miles. Prospecting since friend Mears & party had their health & not averaged 1/2 oz a day.
Saturday Sept. 15th, 1849
Prospecting all day towards night found a pretty favorable hole & left tools to work Monday.
Sunday the 16th.
Layed around. One of the blue days. Talked about leaving the mines. Went down to the Sonoran camp two miles below to sell my gun. Found no sale for the heavy thing. Much mar? low. This camp on Sunday is visited by hundred of the ignorant race to gamble their money away.
The 17th.
Went to work in the new hole in the gulch about a mile from our camp. Was fortunate & took over 3 1/2 oz. for it days work.
The 18th.
To work this first time, we worked hard together. I was not well having the diarrhea badly. Took out 2 3/4 oz. Good satisfied.
The 19th.
We took out 4 oz. Not smart. My bones ached all over. Feared I was going to have the ague.
The 20th.
Took out 2 1/2 oz. Felt satisfied as long as we got our oz. a day.
Friday Sept. 21st.
Took out 3 1/4 oz. Worked very hard. Much water--very hot--Nothing is so ?ting as digging. Nothing that I every experienced. Took out one piece that weighted 9$. Looked & worked hard to find more such pieces.
The 22nd.
Took out 2 1/2 oz. This was a good weeks work. We were all satisfied for this extreme good luck for us having taken out over $100 a piece.
Sunday the 23rd.
This morning a team was to leave for Embarkadero or Sacramento City. I snatched the opportunity of but a few minutes to write a few lines to Father & friend Bolling. I sent them specimens four or five dollars am't each. The letter to R--s was very brief of but three lines. Friend Chamberlain left the mines today for Stockton.
The 24th.
Went to work in the old hole. Took out 2 3/4 oz. Not any better from my Diarrhea, but worse. Been drinking white pine tea for the last week as recommended.
25th.
Took out 2 1/2 oz. Holes giving out. Prayed that it might hold out for another week.
Wednesday, the 26th, 1849
Worked the hole out. Got one oz. Felt weak from dysentery.