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Before The Gold Rush: The Sinclairs of Rancho del Paso 1840-1849
Finalist, historical nonfiction, 2018 Next Generation Indie Book Awards.
They married in 1844 and settled on a great Sacramento Valley rancho in Mexican-owned California, expecting to lead quiet, productive country lives. Two years later, their lives were in turmoil…because their Rancho del Paso was located at a geographic crossroads that put them square in the middle of transformative, history-making the Bear Flag Revolt, and the American military conquest of California. The next year the Sinclairs were active participants in the rescue of the snow-trapped Donner Party—and the year after that, caught up in the chaotic California Gold Rush. New research reveals previously unknown facts about extraordinary settlers John and Mary Sinclair, predecessors of the tide of Americans who emigrated west in covered wagons in search of a brighter future.
This is the true story, told for the first time, of a courageous, resilient couple who lived on the edge of fortune and discovery; and whose lives and experiences are part of the Golden State’s pioneer past.
They married in 1844 and settled on a great Sacramento Valley rancho in Mexican-owned California, expecting to lead quiet, productive country lives. Two years later, their lives were in turmoil…because their Rancho del Paso was located at a geographic crossroads that put them square in the middle of transformative, history-making the Bear Flag Revolt, and the American military conquest of California. The next year the Sinclairs were active participants in the rescue of the snow-trapped Donner Party—and the year after that, caught up in the chaotic California Gold Rush. New research reveals previously unknown facts about extraordinary settlers John and Mary Sinclair, predecessors of the tide of Americans who emigrated west in covered wagons in search of a brighter future.
This is the true story, told for the first time, of a courageous, resilient couple who lived on the edge of fortune and discovery; and whose lives and experiences are part of the Golden State’s pioneer past.
145 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 22, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 17, 2017
Cheryl Stapp has again treated her readers with another gripping, well-researched narrative of John and Mary Sinclair, the founding family of Rancho Del Paso, an important landholding paralleling the onging development of Sutter's Fort. Ms. Stapp's meticulous research and her flair for storytelling make the Sinclairs' adventures come to life for the reader. Very inspiring work.
July 25, 2020
Meticulously researched local history, particularly of interest for anyone fascinated by the California Gold Rush, or for anyone who grew up in the Sacramento region and wanted to know the origins of US History on the specific piece of earth he's walked most of his life!
Interesting and compelling read. Thanks Cheryl!
Interesting and compelling read. Thanks Cheryl!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews