Sunday, January 10, 2010

Asa Butler and Fred Farnsworth Bound for California

Asa Butler moved with his parents and large extended family from Maine to Walworth County, Wisconsin circa 1850. He married Rosina Farnsworth on 26 Jan 1854 in Geneva, Walworth, Wisconsin. It is not known whether this couple had any children or not. Then, prior to 1860, Asa and his brother-in-law, Fred Farnsworth, travel by covered wagon from Wisconsin through Fort Kearney, the South Pass. Asa, Rosina and Fred are found in the 1860 census of Eel River Twp, Humboldt, California in 1860. Asa's sister, Harriet Downs Butler Leeman also made her way to California but settled in Shasta County. Harriet married Mattias Brand on 8 Nov 1859 in Shasta, California. From Serial Set Vol. No. 1100, Session Vol. No. 9; Report: H. Exec. Doc. 63; Asa Butler had 1 wagon, 2 people, and 4 stock destine for California. Fred (listed as F. Carnsworth) had 2 wagons, 4 people and 8 stock destine for California. The interesting question becomes, who were the other four people? Was one of the party, Harriet Leeman who was a widow at the time? Fred was not married yet. Just who were the other 3 or 4 unaccounted for persons??

It must have been an adventure.

Asa Hunt Butler b. Oct 1825 in New Vineyard, Franklin, Maine. Asa and Harriet's parents were Elijah Butler and Naomi Viles. Harriet was born 26 Feb or March 1826. Either Asa's or Harriet's birthdate is not correct.