Journal Of A Voyage From Ohio To California By Sea PDF Download

Negative photostat facsimile of the ms. diary of J.M. McGaffey, containing an account of his journey from Massachusetts to California by ship and wagon train between Feb. 24 and June 15, 1849. McGaffey leaves Beverly, Mass. on Feb. 24, 1849, and boards a schooner near Hull. After spending several days anchored because of bad weather, the ship finally sets sail down the coast, past Stirup Key and the Bahama Islands and banks. By March 24th, the travelers arrive in Corpus Christi, Texas, where they camp to make preparations for the overland portion of their journey. They begin their march westward on April 2, 1849, their party consisting of two large government wagons drawn by teams of mules, a small wagon, four pack mules, and 28 mounted men. The roads are bad, the wagons heavy, the mules hungry, and several members of the train become ill with cholera, as they journey towards Laredo, and the Mexican towns of Parras and Durango. There McGaffey sees bullfights for the first time, and notes how difficult it is to do business with the local Mexicans whom he describes as "a faithless and treacherous race". The group reaches Mazatlán on June 4, and boards the schooner "Greyhound" on June 15, bound for San Francisco. The sailing is rough, the drinking water begins to grow scarce, and the bread is mouldy and full of bugs. Luckily they are able to take on fresh supplies in Santa Barbara. McGaffey describes the delightful climate of the area, the terrain, the mission house and church, and at this point, his portion of the diary ends. Remaining entries include some Latin grammar exercises, signed by Joseph Wyatt McGaffey in Maryville, Mo. on Feb. 23, 1870; and one p. of entries about St. Louis by Ernest McGaffey.