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a 15 b “Off for California” Reading, February 27, 1848 Yesterday morning a great crowd of our citizens assembled at the Reading Depot to witness the departure for the land of promise, of as noble looking band of young men as can be found anywhere. They were all in good spirits, and left with the full determination to carry out the intention of the “Reading California Association ” to the letter. They will sail from Philadelphia today or tomorrow, on board the schooner Newton, Capt. West, for Tampico, from there go to Mazatlan or San Blas on mules, where they will again embark on a vessel and sail to San Francisco. The following is a list of their names: Allen Grosh, Hosea Grosh, Thomas Taylor, Charles Taylor, Andrew Taylor, Uriah Green, Henry Kerper, John Hahs, Samuel Klapp, Simon Seyfert, Peter Rapp, Dr. W. J. Martin, Reuben Axe, William Zerbe, William Thos. Abbott, Robert Farrelly, Noland Witman, and Johnston Flack.1 The vessel is equipped with everything necessary for their accommodation, and the company with an ample stock of implements, provisions, clothing, &c.­­—Reprinted from Lancaster Intelligencer (Lancaster, Pennsylvania) as it appeared in the Berks County Republican, March 6, 1849 q˜Based on handwriting it appears this letter is from Allen Grosh: February 27, 1849 American House, Philadelphia Dear Father, Yours enclosing Frank’s letter, your correspondence, etc., was duly received and we are very thankful for them. Frank is quite touched with the gold fever . . . and Bayard too! Well, if the country is what it is represented, we will use our utmost endeavors to induce them to emigrate. Mother has not yet arrived might it [be] possible that the telegraph dispatch would have miscarried? She may come in tonight. If so, we will yet get to see her—which heavens grant. We sail tomorrow morning, and should we not get to see her, I know not what to do. Aaron Ritter sent word by Mr. Tyson to have our miniatures taken here before we left. But we all were kept so busy that not a moment was to be lost and it was not until this evening that we had leisure to try—we did try how1849 a1b 16 a gold rush letters of the grosh brothers ever about 4 p.m. today but not succeed. If you can have our images taken off of our other pictures it will do as well. We sail tomorrow morning, and would have done so this afternoon had not the winds and ice been too strong. We are in excellent spirits—anxious to go. We are very well provided with . . . Indian rubber blankets, tents, caps, bags—good arms, and mining tools. All have worked hard, and the Board of Directors deserve great credit for their activity and kindness. I have seen most of the friends and they all send love. Brother Thomas is half inclined to the “Gold Fever.” He says that were he young he’d go without hesitation. Tell the girls that the more we think of it the greater is our gratitude for the completeness of our outfit at their hands. Could we but see mother before we leave we would be satisfied. Heavens grant that we may. We will then be ready to go. Give love to all. Affectionately, your sons, Hosea and Allen q˜Letter from Allen Grosh: March 1, 1849 122 Schooner Newton, Delaware River Dear Father, We are on our way to the “land of promise” having left yesterday at 2 p.m. Hosea and I detained the vessel some two hours and would have left us, had not Messrs. Boas, Green, Salliday, Tyson, and I guess all the rest from Reading persisted in not starting until we were on board. Of course we would not have been left behind but we would have been put to the trouble of going down to Trenton. Well, thanks to them all—we’ll try and return the favor at the earliest opportunity. In relation to U. Green I shall do as you request—had in fact made up my mind to try before we left Reading. Have no fear of Hosea and myself on the score of Temperance. There is a small keg of wine bitters on board that is all the intoxicating drink we have and I do not think much harm . . . from it . . . it is so confounded . . . bitter we are very sparing in its use. Father, I have great confidence in our captain—and the more I see...

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