Miss Priscilla Anne Dashwood and Mr. Jeremiah Nigel Graysmith

I was born on January 23rd, 1830, at my ancestral home, Dashwood Manor, in Yorkshire, England. Jeremiah, five years my senior, came from a long line of Graysmiths who maintained a partnership with my father, the Earl of Dashwood, in sheep and agriculture. I knew at an early age that Jeremiah and I would wed.

My father, Edward, was a modern man in his day, believing that the well educated and well informed would be the successes of the world. And, he believed this as much for women, and in particular, for me, his only child. I was privileged to have some of the best Oxford scholars spend time with me at the manor; my age of enlightening. Jeremiah had also received a fine education at a boy’s academy in Yorkshire and then onto Eton.

As much as we loved Yorkshire and the lovely manors in which we lived, Jeremiah and I were restless. We were young, in love, and wanted our lives to be more adventures. It was the spring of 1849 when one of father’s business associates had recently returned from America and spoke about someone in California finding gold and the excitement surrounding the event. Jeremiah and I had talked about going to America after we were wed. Father was going to give us a fair share of the manor, with Jeremiah becoming a full partner. Jeremiah said our trip to America would be both business and pleasure.

But, hearing about the gold made my heart rush and my desire to go to America, and now, California, made everything more urgent. I could not even think about waiting another year to be wed. And, by then, would this rush for the gold be over? I pleaded with my father that Jeremiah must leave immediately to find the riches and adventure that await him. Of course, I too, would have to go! Father knew that I would be persistent, and so, he relinquished. It was unheard of for an unmarried woman to travel with a gentleman companion. But, Father also agreed that time would be fleeting for the rush for the gold, but Jeremiah and I would spend a lifetime together. We would be wed . . . in America!

Jeremiah and I could not believe it. Three weeks later, our carriage and another wagon loaded with many precious belongings, arrived in Dover. Two days later, we boarded the Crescent Moon sailing ship bound for Yerba Buena, California. In 1849, travel to America was either by sailing ship to New York or Boston, or down to the Isthmus of Panama. If one were able to survive the harsh conditions aboard ship and then the jungles of Panama, one would then board another sailing ship, travel around Cape Horn and eventually find their way to the California coast. Otherwise, one would travel as Jeremiah and I chose to stay aboard the Crescent Moon for the six-month voyage, only touching land once on some small islands in the Atlantic Ocean where seasoned mariners found ports-of-call for teas, spices, and exotic trinkets.

The voyage started out pleasant enough and then the weather turned frightful. I became dreadfully ill, barely able to keep down water and some biscuits. Jeremiah remained strong for both of us. I contracted scarlet fever and alas, my beautiful tresses were cut off to ease the fever. (Unfortunately, my hair never grew back as it once was.) But, being of a strong constitution, I endured for several days, and the fever broke. Slowly, I regained my health, but would always have a tendency to bouts of fatigue.

We arrived at Yerba Buena in September 1849. Many of our belongings didn’t fare very well being stowed away in the hull of the sailing ship. But, I was elated to have reached our first destination of our journey to America. We found lodging at the Buena Vista Hotel. Jeremiah made contact with the business associate of James Fairweather, Father’s longtime friend who had been to America. He made plans to get us passage on a steamer bound for Sacramento City. Everyone made their way to Sacramento City. It was a stepping off point to the gold fields, so we were told . . .

We arrived in this Sacramento City, September 20th, 1849. It was a very hot day. It was nothing like the days in Yorkshire that time of the year. There were no cobblestone roads and beautiful estates. Everything looked very dusty and I did not see a sign—Hotel—anywhere! There were mostly structures made from sailing canvas and wooden planks that looked like they came from ships. If I had not realized, our journey had barely begun six months earlier, and I think that it was really going to begin now!

We were able to find lodging at the Ebner Boarding House at the south end of the city. A Mrs. Brown and her husband, originally from Boston, ran the establishment. Mr. Brown was off mining their claim. I knew that very soon, Jeremiah would be doing the same. Although, luckier than most, having some securities as we traveled, Jeremiah would be purchasing supplies, and the lodging was not complimentary. I did have an ability to sew and tat lace. Mrs. Brown told me about a Mrs. Hein and her dressmaking and tailor shop on the north end of the city.

Two days later, Jeremiah left me with Mrs. Brown and headed up to Diggins Pass to check out a lead from the local assay officer. He assured me he would return in one month for supplies and have his pockets filled with gold! I would stay with Mrs. Brown, helping her at the boarding house and also working with Mrs. Hein. I would have food, lodging, and clothing. And, I was on land—a wonderful change from the last several months! I was able to finally write to father letting him know all was well on our adventure of a lifetime.

And, our story has only just begun to turn another page . . .