October 2, 1852
October the 2th 1852
My Dear Sarah:
I now take the first opportunity of writing to you a few lines to let you know that I am well. Hoping that these few lines will find you the same; enjoying good health as it leaves me at present. And thank God for his kindness to us all, especially to the people that is in California that is far from their home; no one to see to them in sickness or trouble.
Sarah, the plain truth is this; if I had known what California was what I know now, I should never have left the States. But I am not sorry for coming. It is a good lesson to me and all others that come here besides me. My advice to every man, woman, [or] child is this; that they had better stay at home if they know when they are well off.
Now I have experienced that and that is the truth. I will assure you Sarah as soon as I can make money enough to come home I am out of California for sure. And I know one more that is out a little as soon if not a little sooner. I will leave you to guess who it is. He is very homesick, but I think he is lovesick for Miss Payne.
Before I forget, I must tell you where George is. He went up to Slat Creek last Wednesday to Sears’s old diggings to see and got some good claims for the winter. That is about fifty miles from this place. So as soon as I get through here I will winter up there.
Sarah, this is a curse[?], California. I have not had much luck so far yet. I have not dug on my own hook (claim?). I have been working out (working for hire?) since being here by the day. So I mean to try my luck before I leave the destined place and if there is no luck for me I will no[t] stay long here ‘til I am home if I don’t die.
Sarah, I have not got any letters from you nor yet have I got any from the States. Your brother George is well and I have no more at present but remain your most affectionate lover,
John Bryden
My love to your mother and [your sister] Charlotte and all the folks, not forgetting yourself. Sarah, be a good girl ‘til I come home and believe me to be your most sincere lover,
John Bryden
Direct [your letters to]
Fosters Bar
North Yuba
Yuba County
Cal[ifornia]
Please to write soon, my dear Sarah
SB
Foster’s Bar
John Bryden
No 3.
Written in ink on blue 8.5” x 14” landscape-ruled rag paper, folded along the short axis in to a 4-page signature. Watermark in top left corner of the first page in the shape of a decorative oval.
This letter has the recipient’s name and address (Miss Sarah Bowles, Lairdsville, Oneida County, New York) and postage (paid 9 cents) on the last page. From the fold lines, wear marks, and round, red stains, it appears to have been folded and sealed, rather than placed in an envelope.
The bottom half of the third page of the letter is covered with writing in a different hand; the words Mr. John Bryden, Foster’s Bar, Yuba County, California, and Lairdsville are scattered repeatedly across the page.
Yuba County, California is in the Central Valley north of Sacramento, and just east of Sutter’s County. The other place names that GGGF lists in this letter—Foster’s Bar, Slat Creek, and North Yuba—apparently no longer exist as communities.
