James H. Carson
Encyclopedia
James H. Carson a Second Sergeant in the US Army, boarded the U.S. Lexington with his regiment and set sail for California
in 1846. After passing through Rio de Janeiro
and Cape Horn
, Carson reached Monterey, California
in January 1847. When gold was discovered
, many members of the regiment deserted, and eventually Carson did the same. By all accounts, Carson found luck in the mine, and although the exact amount is questionable, he was certainly remembered, as Carson Creek and the hamlet of Carson Hill were named for him. Carson’s most noted work, Early Recollections of the Mines (1852) documents this time in Carson’s life.
Carson continued to prospect, and even helped organize the Carson-Robinson party in an attempt to prospect unexplored territory.
Shortly thereafter, Carson was struck by rheumatism, and went to Stockton to recuperate. While there, the San Juaquin Republican printed 31 articles of his, forming the three series of “Early Recollections of the Mines,” “Tulare Plain,” and “Life in California.”
In 1853, Carson ran for, and was elected to State Assembly on the Democratic ticket. Sadly, before he could take office, another bout of rheumatism struck, and Carson died in April 1853.
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
in 1846. After passing through Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro , commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th...
and Cape Horn
Cape Horn
Cape Horn is the southernmost headland of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago of southern Chile, and is located on the small Hornos Island...
, Carson reached Monterey, California
Monterey, California
The City of Monterey in Monterey County is located on Monterey Bay along the Pacific coast in Central California. Monterey lies at an elevation of 26 feet above sea level. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 27,810. Monterey is of historical importance because it was the capital of...
in January 1847. When gold was discovered
California Gold Rush
The California Gold Rush began on January 24, 1848, when gold was found by James W. Marshall at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California. The first to hear confirmed information of the gold rush were the people in Oregon, the Sandwich Islands , and Latin America, who were the first to start flocking to...
, many members of the regiment deserted, and eventually Carson did the same. By all accounts, Carson found luck in the mine, and although the exact amount is questionable, he was certainly remembered, as Carson Creek and the hamlet of Carson Hill were named for him. Carson’s most noted work, Early Recollections of the Mines (1852) documents this time in Carson’s life.
Carson continued to prospect, and even helped organize the Carson-Robinson party in an attempt to prospect unexplored territory.
Shortly thereafter, Carson was struck by rheumatism, and went to Stockton to recuperate. While there, the San Juaquin Republican printed 31 articles of his, forming the three series of “Early Recollections of the Mines,” “Tulare Plain,” and “Life in California.”
In 1853, Carson ran for, and was elected to State Assembly on the Democratic ticket. Sadly, before he could take office, another bout of rheumatism struck, and Carson died in April 1853.
Works
- "Early Recollections of the Mines" (1852)
- "Tulare Plains" (1852)
- "Life in California" (1852)
- James H. Carson's California, 1847-1853 (1997)