CALIFORNIA

This Journal has been provided by Leon Rowland Moore- Feb 2002
NEW  April 5, 2002(see also additional information submitted by Mary L. (Fay) Donovan, great-great-granddaughter of George Counts-scroll down to Aug 6, 1849 to see the new addition)

George Counts' Journal of Travel to California in 1849

The following is a journal of the travel of George Counts to California on March 23, 1849.

Note: On the outside cover the following was writen:

George Counts, Mary Jane Counts Joy,William H. Joy Counts ,E. W. Joy Counts

San Francisco November 30, 1849 It is 146 miles from Ft. Smith to Little River where there are stores. It is 595 miles from Little River to San Miguel in New Mexico. It is 200 miles from San Miguel to San Antonio on the Rio Grande - settled all the way by Mexicans in towns and Ranches. It is 400 miles from San Antonio to Santa Cruz - a Mexican Village where some troops were stationed by Mexico - here we procured flour, beans, etc. It is 100 miles from Tucson [Tucson] to Pima village a large Indian town where we purchased corn, wheat and Peiioba and meat etc. It is 370 miles from Pima Village to Agua Caliente where we could purchase beef and flour."

"Copied from the original by Richard Obor for his and my aunt Mrs. M. C. Duncan - July 22, 1900. R.L.O was camped at the American Mines, Coulterville, California."

Journal

Wagon left home at Clinton, Arkansas on March 23, and S. P. Grigg's, the 24th, and George Counts on March 28, 1849.

I overtook my wagon on the 1st of April, 5 miles above Ozark, on the South side of the river camped on the 5th of April near the old barracks at Fort Smith. On the 10th, the Clarkville Company Organized. Elected Redmond Rogers, Captain and S. P. Griggs 4th Lieutenant, on the 11th. Wagons were inspected - went 3 miles.

April 12, 1849 Went six miles and camped in a prairie, one mile from the ferry on the Posto [Poteau]. River

April 13, 1849 Crossed the Posto [Poteau]. Went a few miles and camped.

April 14, 1849 Went two miles west of the Choctaw agency and camped 25 miles from Fort Smith.

Sunday April 14, 1849 Rested. J. B. Annis preached, Bunkin preached also. Indians had a ball play near our camp.

Monday April 16, 1849 Remained in Camp. McAllister preached.

Tuesday April 17, 1849 Traveled 14 miles, camped in a prairie.

Wednesday April 18, 1849 Traveled 6 miles across the Sans Bois - went one mile and camped - Saw two Indians whipped.

Thursday April 19, 1849 Traveled 8 miles over bad road camped in a prairie.

Friday April 20, 1849 Traveled 12 miles. Got stone cool today - two wagon got pork.

Saturday April 21, 1849 Traveled 8 miles. Camped at the foot of a mountain six miles from the Canadian River.

Sunday April 22, 1849 Went to the top of the mountain and camped.

Monday April 23, 1849 Crossed the South Fork of the Canadian. Went 5 miles and camped. This is a level fertile section. We are 85 miles from Fort Smith.

Tuesday April 24, 1849 Traveled 18 miles. Camped in a prairie 40 miles East of Little River.

Wednesday April 25, 1849 Traveled 15 miles. Crossed a little creek and camped in a prairie.

Thursday April 26, 1849 Traveled 11 miles over bad roads. Camped near Indian hut.

Friday April 27, 1849 Traveled 16 miles. Crossed Little River. Went one and one-half miles and camped. Crossed several small creeks today.

Saturday April 28, 1849 Traveled 7 miles. Camped on the South Fork of the Little River.

Sunday April 29, 1849 Rested and had a sermon by Parson [A. B.] Bates.

Monday April 30, 1849 Traveled 16 miles. Crossed a beautiful creek of limestone water. Camped in a prairie with groves of timber.

Tuesday May 1, 1849 Traveled 15 miles partly over good land - camped.

Wednesday May 2, 1849 Traveled 16 miles over good prairie upland. Crossed a little muddy creek and camped.

Thursday May 3, 1849 Traveled 18 miles. Camped at Choteaus old trading post, which stood on an elevated part of a large, rich prairie. Used old gate post for fuel. This marked 218 miles from Fort Smith.

Friday May 4, 1849 Traveled 10 miles. Had a Northerner - as cold as November. Camped at a branch - all wet and cold.

Saturday May 5, 1849 Remained in camp all day - to repair guns, etc.

Sunday May 6, 1849 Rested and had a sermon by J. B. Annis.

Monday May 7, 1849 Traveled 11 miles over level prairie.

Tuesday May 8, 1849 Traveled 12 miles over prairie.

Wednesday May 9, 1949 Traveled 14 miles. Camped without wood. Cooked with chips. This is rich land here.

Thursday May 10, 1849 Traveled 15 miles. Saw a "Dog Town". Camped at wood and water.

Friday May 11, 1849 Traveled 14 miles. Crossed the South Fork of the Canadian at Spring Valley. Camped on a elevated prairie ridge in a Thunder Storm. Had wood and water plenty.

Saturday May 12, 1849 Traveled 18 miles over prairie with here and there a high mound rising majestically in it. Camped on the South of the road in wood and water.

Sunday May 13, 1849 Rested. Had a sermon by Parson Tatimore.

Monday May 14, 1849 Traveled 19 miles. Camped at a creek running South. Had plenty of wood and then a thunder storm.

Tuesday May 15, 1849 Traveled 15 miles. Crossed three small streams. Passed in sight of the False Wachita [River] - Camped - found wood and water.

Wednesday May 16, 1849 Traveled 16 miles. Crossed a small stream of water. Sew Hills with izing [sic] glass. Camped at wood and water.

Thursday May 17, 1849 Traveled 14 miles. Camped to the right of the road. Traveled a short distance today up a small creek in the morning.

Friday May 18, 1849 Traveled about 20 miles. Came to South Fork of the Canadian. Turned up it and camped. - 3 of our Company being lost guns were discharged and they came in.

Saturday May 19. 1849 Traveled 16 miles. Left the river on our right - passed some high mounds - a Buffalo was killed - Camped - found Wood and water.

Sunday May 20, 1849 Rested - Had sermon by Parson [A. B.] Bates.

Monday May 21, 1849 Traveled 18 miles over rolling prairie. Camped at a Sandy Creek - Water standing in holes - saw sand hills on North side of the river.

Tuesday May 22, 1849 Traveled 15 miles in the morning. Crossed a large stream with but little water in it and at noon crossed the dried fork of the Canadian.

Wednesday May 23, 1849 Traveled 16 miles. Camped near the mouth of a clear creek of water. The hills on the North side of the river have assumed an impossible appearance today.

Thursday May 24, 1849 Traveled 18 miles. Passed several san hills. Camped at a spring of water - found wood. We have been traveling up on the South side of the river.

Friday May 25, 1849 [Entry missing!]

Saturday May 26, 1849 Traveled 12 miles. Camped at a small stream of water - wood and grass scarce; Our "Inquirer" reported none short of 8 miles. In morning we left the river - crossed the hills at the winding. Started at noon found water standing in holes. Green Barnes killed an antelope.

Sunday May 26, 1849 Rested. Had a sermon by A. J. Annis.

Monday May 27, 1849 Traveled 18 miles.

Tuesday May 28, 1849 Traveled 16 miles. At noon crossed a creek - camped at a small stream in the evening. Found plenty of grass - but wood was scarce.

Wednesday May 29, 1849 Traveled 18 miles over rolling prairie full of dog houses. A range of mountains on our left with some dwarf ceder in them. Camped on a branch road North.

Thursday May 30, 1849 Traveled 14 miles. Ascended the hills - entered a large plain - it crossed a small creek of water - left it and had to camp without wood and but little water in a hole made by late rain. Saw some sign of Mexican wagons.

Friday June 1, 1849 Traveled 17 miles. Camped at a small creek - had a storm - found wood.

Saturday June 2, 1849 Traveled 20 miles - passed water in the forenoon - found none in the evening and camped without wood or water.

Sunday June 3, 1849 Traveled 14 miles. Camped at a creek with some water standing in holes. Sank a barrel in it and got plenty of good water. Wood scarce. There ia a range of mountains on our left.

Monday June 4, 1849 Rested.

Tuesday June 5, 1849 Traveled 15 miles over level country - crossed two branches - traveled up the last one - turned to the left and camped on it - found water in holes - some cottonwood about the banks.

Wednesday June 6, 1849 Traveled 17 miles over level plain - came to a branch - found little water in holes but not enough, camped.

Thursday June 7, 1849 Traveled 8 miles over ceder hills - found water to right of road in holes in the bed of a creek - camped - cut some wagon tires etc.

Friday June 8, 1849 Traveled 23 miles. At noon found water near the road on both sides in a branch - some cottonwood about it - at evening camped for the first time on the waters of the Rio Grande - found no wood.

Saturday June 9, 1849 Traveled 14 miles over rolling country. The mountains to the North rise majestically - camped on a clear creek of water - here we found two Mexicans with sheep.

Sunday June 10, 1849 Rested.

Monday June 11, 1849 Remained in camp and cut wagon tires. The Little Rock Company came up to us.

Tuesday June 12, 1849 [No entry.]

Wednesday June 13, 1849 Traveled 15 miles. At noon passed to springs at the roadside. At evening camped without water.

Thursday June 14, 1849 Traveled 12 miles. Came to a Mexican Ranch - watered our teams - went within 2 miles of San Miguel and camped without water. We made it about 740 miles from Fort Smith to San Miguel.

Friday June 15, 1849 Traveled 7 miles. Camped near a Ranchero or Mexican Village, 5 miles from San Miguel - grass poor.

Saturday June 16, 1849 Traveled 16 miles. Camped at an old Spanish Monastery or Fort. Had good water but no grass.

Sunday June 17, 1849 Traveled 20 miles - found no water but camped within 3 miles of a ranch or village where found water next day.

Monday June 18, 1849 We moved camp to it 3 miles.

Tuesday June 19, 1849 Remained in camp.

Wednesday June 20, 1849 Traveled 4 miles - camped on a creek.

Thursday June 21, 1849 Traveled 15 miles. Camped near the gold mines one and a half miles from a Mexican village or town - found neither water nor grass at our camp.

Friday June 22, 1849 Traveled 13 miles over rough road. Camped at a ranchers - wood and water plenty but no grass.

Saturday June 23, 1849 Remained in camp. Got timber for our boat.

Sunday June 24, 1849 Rested - had a sermon by Pastor [A. B.] Bates.

Monday June 25, 1849 Traveled 15 miles over rough road. Entered the plain in view of the Rio Grande - camped and left of the road - grass poor - water inconvenient.

Tuesday June 26, 1849 Traveled 10 miles. Camped on banks of Rio Grande below a town of some note - called Albuquerque. Made a flat boat and launched it.

Wednesday June 27, Thursday June 28, and Friday June 29, 1849 Cross Rio Grande. Commenced crossing our train, continued finished June 29.

Saturday June 30, 1849 Traveled 14 miles. Camped below Pueblo an Indian village.

Sunday July 1, 1849 Traveled 3 miles - camped - found better grass.

Monday July 2, 1849 Traveled 9 miles. Camped at a ranch - found plenty of grass and water but no wood.

Tuesday July 3, 1849 Traveled 10 miles. Camped at a ranch - found plenty water and grass - no wood.

Wednesday July 4, 1849 Traveled 7 miles. Camped at a ranch - found plenty of grass and water but no wood. Here we in company with two other companies of emigrants celebrated our National Anniversary of Independence - to the enjoyment of the natives.

Thursday July 5, 1849 Traveled 12 miles. Found good grass and some wood.

Friday July 6, 1849 Traveled 7 miles over sand hills. Camped on the river - grass and plenty.

Saturday July 7, 1849 Traveled 14 miles and camped near Decoralle - here some U.S. Troops stationed.

Sunday July 8, 1849 Rested and had two sermons by Wilson and [J. B.] Annis and prayer meeting etc.

Monday July 9, 1849 Traveled 15 miles and camped at San Antonio, a Mexican village, the last on the Rio Grande - here we hired a guide. Traveled 192 miles through settlements.

Tuesday July 11, 1849 Traveled 5 miles and camped in consequence of the sickness of Capt. Rogers, was sick myself with diarrhea.

Wednesday July 12, 1849 Traveled 6 miles and camped. Found wood and grass. Captain Williams passed us.

Thursday [No entry.]

Friday July 13, 1849 Traveled 18 miles over rough road - camped on the river and found grass and wood.

Saturday July 14, 1849 Traveled 14 miles over bad road - camped on the river and found grass one mile below us ------990 M.

Sunday July 15, 1849 Rested and had a sermon by Pastor Williams. (Here we left 3 wagons) Monday July 16, 1849 Traveled 15 miles over bad sandy roads - some of our oxen failed. Camped on the river - found plenty of grass.

Tuesday July 17, 1849 Traveled 12 miles over bad road - camped in a river bottom - found plenty of grass.

Wednesday July 18, 1849 Traveled 7 miles. Camped at the foot of a hill not far from the river. Grass and water plenty here. S. P. Griggs made us a pot pie of venison which was not bad to take.

Thursday July 19, 1849 Traveled 12 miles. Had two bad hills to climb - camped to the left of the road - found plenty of grass, wood, water.

Friday July 20, 1849 Traveled 7 miles and camped - found plenty of grass, wood, and water - here road leaves the river.

Saturday July 21, 1849 Traveled 18 miles and camped without water.

Sunday July 22, 1849 Travelled 6 miles - camped - found a little water but not enough to supply our wants.

Monday July 23, 1849 Travelled 24 miles without water - camped at a creek - found plenty water, grass and wood.

Tuesday July 24, 1849 Remained in camp.

Wednesday July 25, 1849 Traveled 10 miles - started at 3 O'clock P.M. camped without water.

Thursday July 26, 1849 Traveled 5 miles - came to water standing in holes in a creek - camped - here we traded with some Apache Indians.

Friday July 27, 1849 Remained in camp.

Saturday July 28, 1849 Traveled 5 miles. started at 3 O'clock camped without water.

Sunday July 29, 1849 Travelled 22 miles. Found no water except a little in a hole near the foot of mountain which we passed over and camped.

Monday July 30, 1849 Hunting our oxen, we found some water 2 miles to the left of the road, standing in holes from the recent rains - went to it and watered our teams. Traveled 12 miles - crossed the dried lake - found water - camped.

Tuesday July 31, 1949 Traveled 9 miles over a chain of mountains - camped on a little branch - found some water made by late rains. We are now entering the Cordilleras Mountains.

Wednesday August 1, 1849 Traveled 20 miles - at noon found water, camped - where found plenty of wood, water, grass.

Thursday August 2, 1849 Travelled 12 miles. Camped on a branch - found some oak timber and plenty of water and grass.

Friday August 3, 1849 Traveled 12 miles. Passed through the Guadalupe Pass of the Cordilleras Mountains - camped at the foot in a thunder storm - plenty wood and water.

Saturday August 4, 1849 Travelled 10 miles down a clear running creek. Crossed it every 15 or 20 minutes and camped on it.

Sunday August 5, 1849 Rested - had 2 sermons.

Monday August 6, 1849 Traveled 15 miles - camped - water on our left in a branch. (Passed a deserted Ranchero [sic] - found wild cattle here. Our company divided today and I was chosen Captain of company called Dardanelle. Tuesday August 7, 1849 Traveled 18 miles. Camped without water - crossed a running creek 4 or 5 times before we camped where we should have stopped. Supplied our kegs with water - did not suffer.
==============================
NOTE-----further information from the Journal provided to this site- April 5, 2002---------

The following is the excerpt that followed the Monday, August 6, 1849 entry in the copy of the
Counts journal as provided me by my uncle, George Counts Joy 11:

"The following is the 'Preamble and Rules' governing the formation of the 'Dardanelle' Company which
took place on August 6, 1849, just west of Guadalupe Pass in the Cordilleras Mountains of New Mexico.
In this division of what started out from Clinton, Arkansas on March 28, 1849 as the Clarksville Mining
Association, 44 wagons left the train and went their separate ways under the supervision of George
Counts, 'Captain.'

Section 1.
    We the undersigned Citizens of the United States of America and the State of Arkansas, having started
to upper California on the Pacific Ocean as an Emigrating party connected with the Clarksville Mining
Association of California of said state.  For divers good causes and our mutual interests having separated
ourselves from said associations, do hereby covenant and agree in and with each other to form ourselves
into a separate company to be called and known by the name of "Dardanelle" and for the preservation of
order, hamony and good will amongst ourselves and the advancement of our train to the said Territory of
California do by Common Consent adopt the following Rules for the good goverment of ourselves as said
company to wit.

Section 11.
    There shall be one Captain and one wagon master who shall be elected by the popular vote of the
company.  The Captain's duty shall be to regulate the movement of the company and have the right to
call to his assistance from time to time in the discharge of his duties any person or persons he may desire.

Section 111.
    The Wagon Master shall discharge all the duties incumbent on him as Wagon Master.

Section 1V.
    That we will render mutual assistance to each other, and not do anything to injure the progress of the
company.  Nor will we as a company leave any member of the company on the road because he has not
the means of transportation without his or their consent.

Section V.
    That the majority of the company shall have the power to reject, rescind or alter or amend their rules
or regulations from time to time or at any time they may see fit or abolish the whole and make others in
their place.

Section V1.
    When any member of the company feels himself aggrieved he may lay his complaint before the
captain, and it shall be his duty to call the company together who shall try and determine the matter.

Signed:
George Counts
A. B. Pryor
S. M. Shinn
G. W. Armstrong
Buck Johnson
Thomas Baker
E. F. Hine
A. H. Coulter
L. Armstrong
N. Forbes
John Thornsley
John W. Woods
John Blankenslip
James M. Sullivan
James Murphy
J. N. Barmore
Benya Evans
J. J. Simmons
Samuel McClure
Jonathan Logan
A. N. Carothers
L. B. Wicker
G. B. Barnes
Wm. Cagle
Coleman Manasco
S. P. Griggs
C. W. Petray
A. H. Well
C. Tomlinson
Francis Armstrong
E. C. Baker
G. W. Cownover
G. W. Mican
L. L. Sanders
Wm. M. [evidently uncompleted]
L. H. Cooper
M. Loyre
Charley Robinson
Elijah Baker
J. B. Lyar
A. J. Mican
G. W. Johnson
J. S. Barmore
J. N. Robinson"

[Submitted by: Mary L. (Fay) Donovan, great-great-granddaugher of George Counts].

 ===============================================
Wednesday August 8, 1849 Traveled 15 miles - found water at noon - killed 2 wild bulls - camped in a prairie.

Thursday August 9, 1849 Traveled 15 miles. This morning we found ourselves awfully drenched from last nights storm. At noon found water in a branch to our left - camped near a large cottonwood.

Friday August 10, 1849 Traveled 15 miles - found plenty of wood - camped at a creek - found plenty of wood, water, and grass.

Saturday August 11, 1849 Traveled 15 miles Northerly up a running branch - camped at the foot of a mountain pass - found wood, water, and grass.

Sunday August 12, 1849 Traveled 10 miles across the mountains camped near Santa Cruz, a Mexican Village.

Monday August 13, 1849 Travelled 16 miles down the River Santa Cruz - brought some flour, sold some Calico, camped on the back of the river. Grass as good as the world affords.

Tuesday August 14, 1849 Traveled 8 miles - camped on the banks of the river - found plenty of wood and grass - Murphy's black boy is sick.

Wednesday August 15, 1849 Traveled 20 miles. Camped to the left of the road on the river banks - wood and grass plenty.

Thursday August 16, 1849 Traveled 15 miles - Passed 3 deserted Mexican towns - camped to the left of the road on the bank of the river - found grass and wood.

Friday August 17, 1849 Traveled 16 miles - Camped on level plain - found water in holes in a branch - found wood and grass scarce.

Saturday August 18, 1849 Traveled 13 miles over a dry barren plain - passed an Indian village - some Mexicans here had a fine Church and we camped in sight of it - traded a little with them.

Sunday August 19, 1849 Traveled 7 miles. Camped at a creek in sight of Tucson - a Mexican Town - here purchased flour etc.

Monday August 20, 1849 Traveled 18 miles over level, barren plain - camped in a shower of rain without grass.

Tuesday August 21, 1849 Traveled 15 mile and camped and would have been without water if it had not rained.

Wednesday August 22, 1849 Traveled 16 miles over a barren plain with here and there a spot of young grass, camped and found water in holes made by late rain.

Thursday August 23, 1849 Traveled about 18 miles and camped without grass - here we are in a desert myself and several other's traveled all night to find grass - found some near Gila River.

Friday August 24, 1849 Traveled 8 miles - camped within a few miles of Gila River - found grass.

Saturday August 25, 1849 Traveled 26 miles. Passed today through the Peruaugh [sic] Indian Village - camped near them - here found water in wells - and plenty of course grass in a soft plain. Here we traded with the Indians and prepared for the 40 miles stretch without water or grass.

Sunday August 26, 1849 Rested.

Monday August 27, 1849 Traveled 20 miles - started at 4 O'clock - camped - found nothing for man or beast.

Tuesday August 28, 1849 Traveled 20 miles. Camped on the Gila River found no grass.

Wednesday August 29, 1849 Traveled 6 miles - found some careless weeds and camped.

Thursday August 30, 1849 Remained in camp. John H. Murphy died today - part of the wagons went 10 miles and stopped.

Friday August 31, 1849 Buried Murphy and traveled 14 miles and camped - found little grass but not enough.

Saturday September 1, 1849 Traveled 9 miles - camped on the bank of the river - fed on willow bushes here destition seemed to await our poor famished animals.

Sunday September 2, 1849 Traveled 14 miles over some hills camped in a valley 2 miles from the river found some patches of grass.

Monday September 3, 1849 Travelled 12 miles - Started at Sunset - camped near the river - had a little grass - some willow and cottonwood bushes for our animals to feed on.

Tuesday September 4, 1849 Traveled 5 miles - found some grass and camped.

Wednesday September 5, 1849 Traveled 7 miles - turned down one nile below where the road leaves the river - found some grass and camped on a sandbar.

Thursday September 6, 1849 Traveled 12 miles and camped to the right of the road near the river - grazed our animals on a willow bar on the opposite side of the river. This has been a very warm day.

Friday September 7, 1849 Traveled 12 miles - camped near the point of a range of mountains jetting into the river on the south side - found a little grass on a willow bar (which is our only hope) here found a wagon and many other useful items abandoned.

Saturday September 8, 1849 Traveled 10 miles and camped without water or grass - had a shower of rain and some wind.

Sunday September 9, 1849 Traveled 10 or 11 miles Northerly over sand hills - rested where road strikes the river - camped 4 miles below - found some grass on the hills to the South and a pond of water to the North of our camp.

Monday September 10, 1849 Traveled 4 miles - camped near the river - had to swim our animals across the river to get grass.

Tuesday September 11, 1849 Remained in camp. Bought one yoke of oxen from Petroy Company. gave my mare for another yoke. Took Doctor Cogle into our company and at my mess - S. P. Griggs and others went to look for grass.

Wednesday September 12, 1849 Traveled 10 miles - camped on the banks of the river. Found some grass to the South of the hills.

Thursday September 13, 1849 Traveled 12 miles. Camped not far from the river - found some grass for animals.

Friday September 14, 1849 Traveled 8 miles and camped without water or grass.

Saturday September 15, 1849 Traveled 8 miles, Started at down of day - camped to right of road at a pond not far from the Gila River 3 miles from its mouth. Found grass and made hay etc.

Sunday September 16, 1849 Rested - here we found some Indians and Mexicans which made us keep a sharp lookout.

Monday September 17, 1849 Traveled 5 miles. Camped 2 miles below the mouth of the Gila River.

Tuesday September 18, 1849 Traveled 7 miles. Came to the crossing of the Colorado River - camped and built a temporary boat to cross the river in. Wednesday September 19, 1849 Spent the day crossing the river.

Thursday September 20, 1849 Finished crossing by 2 O'clock - placed the bottoms in our wagons loaded - traveled 5 miles through deep sand hills - camped without wood, grass, or water.

Friday September 21, 1849 Traveled 11 miles. Camped at the first wells in the desert. Found no grass but found Mesquite Beans - had to haul a dead mule out of the well and clean it before we could supply our needs.

Saturday September 22, 1849 Travelled 12 miles over sandy desert - started in the evening - camped without water or grass.

Sunday September 23, 1849 Travelled 14 miles. Camped at a pond of water to the right of the road after passing a second well, dug by U. S. Troops - found no grass but some Mesquite Beans - this day caused serious reflections as nearly all of our oxen failed and one fell dead on the road.

Monday September 24, 1849 Traveled 10 miles to Salvation Camp - here we found plenty of grass and wood and water. Green Barnes and L. L. Sanders are both sick - here we found a small company of U. S. Dragoons commanded by Lieutenant Couts.

Tuesday September 25 through September 29, 1849 Remained in camp - made some hay. Friday September 28, purchased a pony. Saturday September 29 purchased a mule.

Sunday September 30, 1849 Traveled 10 miles and camped without water or grass.

Monday October 1, 1849 Traveled 3 miles - we found some water standing in holes and some careless weeds - rested a few hours. Traveled 18 miles over a sandy plain - camped without wood, water or grass.

Tuesday October 2, 1849 Traveled 15 miles over bad road - camped at Carrizo Creek without anything for our animals to eat except the hay we hauled with us. Wednesday October 3, 1849 Traveled 16 or 18 miles over sandy desert - camped at Vallecito an Indian village containing a few degraded beings. - found some grass and good Sulphur water to drank.

Thursday October 4, 1849 Traveled 5 miles. Crossed a steep mountain - at the foot a good spring of sulphur water and a little grass. Took dinner at 6 or 7. Camped in a narrow pass in a mountain without water or grass - lost my (some of my) oxen and a pony horse.

Friday October 5, 1849 Traveled 10 miles and camped at San Phillipe [Felipe], another filthy Indian village. found water and grass and some cedar on the mountain close at hand.

Saturday October 6, 1849 Rested.

Sunday October 7, 1849 Traveled 15 miles - camped - found water and grass near Warners Ranch.

Monday October 8, 1849 Traveled 6 miles and camped at Agua Caliente a warm Sulphur spring - here is an Indian village - purchased grapes and peaches of the Indians.

Tuesday October 9, 1849 Traveled 9 miles and camped - found wood, water, and some grass.

Wednesday October 10, 1849 Traveled 13 miles. Camped found grass and water- today we passed an Indian village.

Thursday October 11, 1849 Traveled 12 miles - camped at Timacula a small Indian village, composed of Indians and some Mexican - found grass and water.

Friday October 12, 1849 Traveled 14 miles. Camped at water and some grass but our oxen did not like the place and started back causing us much trouble.

Saturday October 13, 1849 Traveled 8 miles and camped at the North side of a salt lake - found little grass and water brackish.

Sunday October 14, 1849 Traveled 10 miles. Camped at Muscal Ranchero - found good water but little grass - purchased some grapes.

Monday October 15, 1849 Travel 12 miles. Camped at the River Santa Anna at a Mexican Ranchero - grass is poor but water good - purchased a beef and some flour. Our oxen have nearly all failed.

Tuesday October 16, 1849 Traveled 8 miles. Camped near Williams or Chino Ranch - here we found wild oats, water and a little wood.

Wednesday and Thursday October 17th and 18th Rested.

Friday October 19, 1849 Sold my wagon and team to Colonel Williams for $150.00 and started to Los Angeles in one of the Colonels mule wagons. Traveled 12 miles - camped in a steep hollow at a salt spring - here we saw tar or Bituminous springs, oozing out of the side of a mountain.

Saturday October 20, 1849 Traveled 12 miles. Camped at a clear running river - but little wood, no grass but some clover burs supplied our animals.

Sunday October 21, 1849 Traveled 10 miles - camped in Los Angeles, Mexican town of some note which is well situated in a fertile country nearly destitute of timber.

October 22, 1849 to October 29, 1849 Remained in town. Purchased some horses etc and prepared for the rest of the journey.

Tuesday October 30, 1849 Moved our camp one mile below to procure corn for our animals. We are now, according to my calculations 2003 miles from Ft. Smith.

Wednesday November 1, 1849 Traveled 20 miles. Camped in a large plain on Indian Ranchero - this day was cloudy and rained a little for the first time. Thursday November 2, 1849 Traveled 15 miles - camped in a steep hollow at a sulphur spring. 3 Mexicans camped with us going to the gold mines.

Friday November 3, 1849 Traveled 20 miles. Camped at the foot of a steep mountain found water and wood.

Saturday November 4, 1849 Traveled 14 miles. Camped at a Mexican Ranch - today it rained - we are in hearing of the ocean.

Sunday November 5, 1849 Traveled 25 miles. Near the coast passed a Mexican Village camped on a hill after crossing a creek near the mouth.

Monday November 6, 1849 Traveled 12 miles. Came to Santa Barbary [Barbara], a Mexican Town of some note - traveled 3 miles and camped at a ranch - found wood and dry clover.

Tuesday November 7, 1849 Traveled 16 miles. Camped on a small stream near the ocean. found wood and clover.

Wednesday November 8, 1849 Traveled 13 miles over bad road camped on a branch near the ocean - this has been a rainy day - found plenty of wood and some clover.

Thursday November 9, 1849 Traveled 17 miles. Left the coast - passed through a narrow canyon, passed through a small ranch and then over a high mountain. Crossed a river and camped at a Mexican Ranch - got some barley for the animals.

Friday November 10, 1849 Traveled 12 miles - passed a ranch - saw hundreds of cattle feeding and camped one mile from the ranch, found plenty of wood, grass and water.

Saturday November 11, 1849 Traveled 23 miles - camped near a ranch, found plenty of wood and water but no grass - had a little rain on us. My mule got mired and I left him.

Sunday November 12, 1849 Traveled 12 miles - camped at a ranch - found some grass and water. Monday November 13, 1849 Traveled 16 miles. Passed San Luis Obispo - camped in a steep hollow - mountain high - found plenty of oats, wood, and water.

Tuesday November 14, 1849 Rained all day and we remained in our tent.

Wednesday November 15, 1849 Rain remained in camp.

Thursday November 16, 1849 Traveled 18 miles - passed a ranch - camped near another where I paid 12½ cents per pound for salt. Found water and wood but little grass.

Friday November 17, 1849 Traveled 20 miles. Passed an old deserted village of fine buildings - camped on a hill - found water in holed in a branch made by late rains - found wood and some grass.

Saturday November 18, 1849 Traveled 12 miles - camped at grass and water.

Sunday November 19, 1849 Traveled 18 miles. Passed a ranch where I paid 37½ cents per pound for flour - camped in a plain - found no water and little grass.

Monday November 20, 1849 Traveled 21 miles. Camped at a lagoon of water - found little grass - here stands an old adobe building.

Tuesday November 21, 1849 Traveled 15 miles and camped on the River Salinas - found but little grass.

Wednesday November 22, 1849 Traveled 21 miles in the rain - camped at a deserted ranch - a tan yard - slept upstairs - found some grass.

Thursday November 23, 1849 Traveled 18 miles. Passed San John [Juan] - camped one league from it on a bold running creek - found plenty of oats - San John [Juan] is a Mexican town situated in a large rich plain or valley.

Friday November 24, 1849 Traveled 22 miles mostly through a large rich plain - camped in a grove of oak timber - found water standing in holes made by the late rains. - found plenty of young oats looking as green as in May.

Saturday November 25, 1849 Traveled 20 miles. Camped in sight of Pueblo De San Jose the present seat of government in California. This is one of the most beautiful rich valleys.

Sunday November 26, 1849 Rested.

Monday November 27, 1849 Myself and S. P. Griggs started for San Francisco - traveled 25 miles through endless oak plain. Camped with a Mexican and his wife - got water in a mud hole.

Tuesday November 28, 1849 Traveled 30 miles. Camped the side of a large road 6 miles from San Francisco. This has been a unpleasant day of wind and light rain.

Wednesday November 29, 1849 Traveled 6 miles to San Francisco - found one letter from my wife - Wrote one to send home - Sold our horses.

Thursday November 30, 1849 Remained in city all day. In evening got on board a schooner to sail to Stockton.

This makes 2470 miles from Fort Smith according to my memorandum but I suppose it to be some farther - say 2500 miles or more.

[Note:] Log ends Thursday November 30, 1849.

[Other entries:]

Sunday October 11, 1852 D. B. and Mays Griggs worked in their shop.

Mrs. Melinda Counts earned by sewing in California in 1855 For 2 calico shirts $7.50 Old Garry calico shirts $8.00 Hemming handkerchiefs $1.00 Loran for shirts $8.00 Margaretta for shirts $5.00 Joy for shirts $8.00 Star for shirt $7.50 Window Curtains $5.00 Hunt for shirt $1.50 ------ $51.50

In Loving memory cards , contributed by Shay Seaborne, great-great-granddaughter of George Counts.
 s-seaborne@juno.com
 

George Counts business card-
Contributed by Tom Hilk, October 19, 2002
 
 

Return to the Mariposa County, California- History and Genealogy
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February 17, 2000

UPDATED with photos, memory cards, and business card- October 2002
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November 23, 2002