In March 1852, Parker Germain, his wife Ann Fassett Germain, their three children Dwight, Guy, and Clara (aged six to two), and Ann's younger brother Noah Chittenden Fassett (Chitt) left their homes in Ohio and traveled overland to California. During the next ten years they and another brother, Harris Hardinge Fassett, who joined them in 1854, wrote back to their parents, Dr. Harry and Clarissa Peck Fassett, who lived in Johnstown and later Granville, Ohio. These letters were preserved by the Fassett descendants in Ohio and are cataloged here. In the 1970s, William A. Castle, a great grandson of Dr. Harry Fassett transcribed the letters, and the typewritten pages have been scanned, edited, and made available here.

All the letters were written either by Chitt, Ann, or (after 1854) Harris to their parents or to their siblings, Jane, Sarah, John, Mary, or Willie. One letter (#91) is from Ann's daughter, Clara Germain, on her 12-th birthday, to Grandma.
 
Click on an underlined  number to open a PDF copy of the text. Click on HTML to open a letter as a web page. PDF files can be read using Adobe Acrobat Reader available free from Adobe.

Click here to read more background material about the Fassett emigrants from Licking County, Ohio.
Click here to open the Preface.
Click here to open the index of people mentioned in the letters.
Click here to go to the Licking Co. Fassett Family Tree at RootsWeb.com
 
 

###	Date Place	Subject
001 HTML	Feb 8 1852 Circleville, O	Chitt, away on a trip, asks his father to send a coach to meet him on his return to Columbus.
002 HTML	Mar 19 1852 St. Louis	Ann describes the steamer trip from Cincinnatti and their wait in St. Louis for passage to St. Joseph. The men are busy buying provisions for the trip.
003 HTML	Apr 14/19/20 1852 St. Joseph	Ann mentions that their steamer was slowed by ice, and another ship, the Saluda, blew up killing 150. They are waiting for enough grass for the trip. Many Indians are in town.
004 HTML	May 11 1852 Fort Kearney	Chitt relates that the trip is going well. They passed some Indians without incident, but met some groups returning after losing their cattle. There has been some cholera on the plains.
005 HTML	Jun 26 1852 Bear River	Chitt writes a brief note en route and discusses trading with an Indian and catching trout. Noyce Gregory has left the party.
006 HTML	Aug  8 1852 Placerville, Cal	The party arrives at Placerville on Aug. 6. Chitt discusses the trip and the life here (trading, gambling, etc.). He hopes to get to the Bay soon for news and trading.
007 HTML	Aug 10 1852 Hangtown	Ann stays at the hotel while Parker and Chitt go to the Bay for mail and goods. She is shocked by the Sunday commerce and tells of the trouble crossing the mountains.
008  photo HTML	Aug 30 1852 Martinez, Cal	Chitt writes a long discussion of the trip across the plains, and a trip to San Francisco to sell his cattle. He talks about the life, the food, the wonderful climate for agriculture, and the people.
009 HTML	Dec  6 1852 Placerville	Ann was ill but is recovering. They have decided to build in Placerville and manage a store. She talks about cooking for the store, prices, and the Sacramento fire.
010 HTML	Dec 23/27 1852 Placerville	A lot of mail from the States has been received. Ann discusses the activities of the children, Chitt and Parker's mining, and the Methodist minister; unfotrunately there is no Baptist minister.
011 HTML	Feb 23 1853 Placerville	Smallpox hits the village and the family. Ann becomes ill and delivers her baby prematurely, but the baby sucumbs after three weeks. Parker is very ill; Clara is not as sick--all are recovering.
012 HTML	May 13 1853 Placerville	Parker worked at a sawmill near Mokelumne until he was badly hurt in an accident. He is now home and recovering. Ann continues baking for the store, and they moved into their own house.
013 HTML	Aug  8 1853 [Placerville]	Ann sends a brief note welcoming her parents back from their trip to Vermont. Then she talks about the cost of things in California and wants everybody to come west and make their "pile."
014 HTML	Nov 13 1853 Placerville	Ann writes to sister Jane and says they just moved into their new house up the hill. Then she recalls how she always wanted to travel and how much she loves being in wonderful California.
015 HTML	Mar 27 1854 Placerville, Cal	Chit writes to his father in Granville where he has just moved from Johnstown. He says he will try to come back home for a visit in the spring, He is busy going to San Francisco to buy goods.
016 HTML	Jun 28 1854 Placerville	Ann talks about baking pies, the lack of Baptist preaching or news and Parker's work. She is sometimes weary of baking. Chitt adds a line saying he hopes to come home this summer.
017 HTML	Oct 29 1854 Placerville	Ann dreams of going home for a visit but can't afford it. She talks about the success of Parker's tunnel and about the schools for the children. Chitt is still in Ohio.
018 HTML	Nov  6 1854 New York	Chit is in New York on the return trip to California and is bringing brother Harris with him. They sail later today on the "George Law." Harrris did some sightseeing and writes about it.
019 HTML	Jan 12/17 1855 Placerville	Harris, in Placerville with Ann, comments on things in general and composes a Valentine verse. Ann says she is very busy and talks about Christmas. She gives the menu and mentions presents.
020 HTML	Mar  5 1855 Placerville	Harris writes about the weather (a very dry winter) but now rain will permit gold to be taken out and the store will profit. It is a very healthy climate--everybody should emigrate.
021 HTML	Mar  4/12/14 1855 Placerville	Ann tells about their life--Chitt buys and oversees the store while Harris and Hale man it. Parker hopes to sell his claim and move to the bay. James Morrow leaves for Ohio. Harris adds a note.
022 HTML	Mar 13 1855 Placerville	Chit writes to father and promises to send money to buy sheep and to send Mary to school. Business is good, and he has opened a second store with Hale as partner.
023 HTML	May 14 1855 Placerville	Ann tells about school for the children and about her baby. They bought a cow and sell the milk. Harris continues with news of the stores and tells father it is best to invest his money in land.
024 HTML	Jun 15 1855 San Francisco	Chitt is in San Francisco to buy stock for his stores. He worries about the hot, dry weather--many fires are threatening the towns. He now has a quarter claim in Parker's tunnel.
025 HTML	Sep 18/19 1855 Placerville	Haris writes about the cost of food and hopes the legislature will pass Sunday closing laws. Ann talks about her baby and says she got to go to the church supper with Mrs. Lee.
026 HTML	Oct 11/17 1855 Placerville	Harris says things are going well, but no trips home are likely soon. Ann says she has been unwell and the baby was a bit sick too--they will stay here all winter. Harris writes to Jane.
027 HTML	Jan  3 1856 [Placerville]	Harris writes and gives advice on land payment. He and Ann went to Sacramento for Thanksgiving with Truman's family from Ohio. Tru works for Chitt and Lucy was in Placerville.
028 HTML	May  2 1856? Placerville	Chitt has sent a photo of Placerville and expects the county seat to move here. He reports that he saw Ann and Lydia here. Truman is teaming for him, and Harris is now a partner.
029 HTML	Jul  2 1856 Placerville	Harris writes brief notes to each of the family in Ohio.
030 HTML	Aug  1 1856 Sacramento City	Chitt's store burned down in the Placerville fire and he is now building a brick replacement. The Vigilance Committee is meeting in San Francisco and there have been executions.
031 HTML	Sep 1 1856 Placerville	Harris reports that Chitt's store is rebuilt as are 30 or 40 new fireproof buildings in Placerville. He is back in the grocery business with Hale and hopes to hear more news from home.
032 HTML	Sep 3 1856 Placerville	Ann writes to recently married sister Sarah and hopes she will come west. She tells about the children's schooling, music lessons, etc., and Chitt's, Harris's and Parker's work.
033 HTML	Sep 18 1856 Placerville	Chitt talks about his business and recovery after the fire. He talks about Truman Fassett and his family--daughter Lucy is to be married in Sacramento shortly and Harris will go to the wedding.
034 HTML	Dec 10 1856 Placerville	Harris writes to sister Jane while thinking about home. His business is doing well and he talks about Ann, Chitt, the beautiful weather, home life and quotes Shakespeare, etc.
035 HTML	Mar 2 1857 Placerville	Harris discusses the climate and details the high prices for food. He says Chitt has moved to San Francisco and that Placerville is now the county seat. He adds a letter to sister Mary asking her how things are going at the boarding school.
036 HTML	Apr 2 1857 Placerville	Ann tells her mother that she would not like to live in Ohio again as Parker and the children are so much healthier here. She describes her house and furnishings in great detail.
037 HTML	Apr 3 1857 Placerville	Chitt adds a note to Ann's letter above saying she looks better than a year ago. He is returning to San Francisco in a few days. Dr. Carothers has gone to the Gadsden Purchase.
038 HTML	Sep 16 [1857] Placerville	Ann says their house has been sold but they are still in Placerville. Parker is away much of the time at Folson hauling goods and the children help with the work.
039 HTML	Oct 11 1857 San Francisco	Chitt mentions the Golden Gate accident, says Ann moved to the ranch near Martinez, and discusses the business failures in the East
040 HTML	Nov 19 1857 San Francisco	Chitt visited Ann and says he is too busy to get to Placerville. He discussed the financial situation in the country.
041 HTML	Dec 21 1857 San Francisco	Chitt answers his mother's letter, says they are all well and hopes to hear from others back home. He sent Ann's children plenty of Christmas presents.
042 HTML	Jan 17 1858 Placerville	Harris answers letters with little news but comments he is sorry his ambrotype didn't please them (He is now overweight, wiskered, etc.) He hopes to make enough money this year to visit home.
043 HTML	Jan 31 1858 On the Ranch [near Martinez]	Ann writes from the ranch where they will stay until the crop comes in. Parker and Dwight are plowing now and Ann is busy with the young children.
044 HTML	Feb 4 1858 San Francisco	Chitt sends a hurried letter enclosing a check for $50 and offers to send more. He intends to write soon and asks Mary to write. He plans to go to Oregon on business for about a month.
045 HTML	Apr 2 1858 Pachicko [Pacheco]	Ann and Parker have moved from the ranch to the new town of Pacheco. Chitt has sold his Placerville store; Harris may open a store in Pacheco. Parker will team in Placerville for the summer.
046 HTML	Aug 4 1858 San Francisco	Chitt sends $75 home to Ohio and writes a quick note commenting on the activity on Steamer Day, the possible new steamer company via Nicaragua, and the weekly pony express to St. Joseph, Mo. He is now rooming in San Francisco.
047 HTML	Aug 15 [1858] San Francisco	Chitt mentions other boarders in his San Francisco home. He discusses the view from his hill and the wonderful fruit now in the market. Everything goes well, but not be able to come home soon.
048 HTML	Aug 17 1858 Pacheco	Clara gets 25¢ to hem sheets for Hale and Harris' store; the children play with Emily's children. The crop has been poor -- they cannot afford any luxuries. Ann thanks sister Mary for recipies.
049 HTML	Aug 17 1858 Pacheco	Harris tells mother about their new store in Pacheco, their customers, their goods (wheat, barley etc.) and even about his dog, cat, horse and favorite songs.
050 HTML	Sep 4 1858 San Francisco	Chitt sends check and tells how things are going at the new town of Pacheco. He says the Democrats won the election, and he mentions the success of the Vigilance Committee locally.
051 HTML	Nov 9 1858 San Francisco	Chitt was at Ann's yesterday and all are well; Ann is in better health now than in Placerville. William Hale will leave for Iowa and Ohio in December. Chitt encloses $50.
052 HTML	Dec 5 1858 San Francisco	Chitt says Mr. Hale leaves for Iowa and Ohio tomorrow and will visit them. He will bring presents from Chitt and Harris. Chitt spent much time on jury duty which kept him from his affairs.
053 HTML	Dec 19 1858 San Francisco	Chitt sends another check and letter of introduction for Mr. C.W. Harvey who is leaving for Ohio. He hopes Mother will not visit Aunt Ann in Mill Creek again.
054 HTML	Jan 19 1859 San Francisco	Chitt comments that farmers are very busy plowing and sowing but that the mines are too cold to work. He is less busy. Trade is quite different here than in Ohio.
055 HTML	Feb [1]/2 1859? [Pacheco]	Ann sends a brief note telling her mother how much she values receiving her letters and tells about the children's activities.
056 HTML	Apr 1 1859 Pacheco	William Hale returns from Ohio with photos of the Fassetts back home. Ann tells her mother about her feelings and those of the children too. Harris has seen them and is homesick.
057 HTML	Apr 3 1859 San Francisco	William Hale and Seeley Bennett have arrived from Ohio after delay in Mexico. Chitt regrets that he will not be able to come home this summer as now busisness is picking up. He will return in fall. He mentions the fatal steamship explosion on the bay.
058 HTML	Jun 16 1859 Pacheco	Ann describes life in Pacheco. Parker has a teaming business and the boys help him and the neighbors. Clara does chores and the younger girls play. Ann describes their house (illustrated with a floor plan) and she hopes they will soon finish improving it. She wants a sewing machine but they cannot afford it. She longs to see her parents.
059 HTML	Jun 16 1859 Pacheco	Harris says he has moved into a hotel across the street from the store. He has a new horse having sold his old one at a profit.
060 HTML	Jun 19 1859 San Francisco	Chitt comments on how he enjoys letters from home then talks about how busy he is with the summer season. He mentions opening a new store in Columbia, Tuolumne Co. and he discussses the wonderful fruits and vegitables now available.
061 HTML	Jul 3 1859 San Fran	Chit thanks his father for his fine letter; then he talks about politics including the Vigilence Committies and he morns Jefferson's loss. He talks about family back home and gossips about bankruptcies and some of the emigrants from Granville.
062 HTML	Jul 7 1859 San Fran	Chit appologizes for not writing as he has been ill, but is better.
063 HTML	Jul 11 1859 Pacheco	Harris says business at the store is fair but he will soon have 2 boats to San Francisco helping business. He has learned Spanish and can talk to his customers. The hot weather has turned chilly and the harvesting is finished.
064 HTML	Jul 19 1859 San Francicco	Chitt visited Pacheco -- all well. Crops are fine this year. He will go to Columbia for a week and will write his impressions later. He thinks many of his old Ohio friends could settle in California if they were younger and better able to adapt to customs here.
065 HTML	Oct 4 1859 San Fran	Chitt says he will send suggestions for Mary's schooling next letter and promises that his money is always available for the family's needs. He mentioned Ann's new boy, then comments favorably on Ann's children. Harris is settled in very well.
066 HTML	Oct 19 1859 San Francisco	Chit sends $100 from Harris and himself. He comments briefly about the Daguerotypes he received from home and says his former partmer is leaving tomorrow and may stop in Granville. The Harkers will visit Ann in Pacheco.
067 HTML	Jan 19 1860 San Francisco	Chitt sends another check ($50) to his parents and announces that he is coming home leaving either February 5th or 20th.
068 HTML	Apr 15 1860 Pacheco	Harris thanks his brother for his letter and says he won't give news as Chitt is back home. After philosophising a bit, he asks about news from specific friends back home and says he won't be home soon.
069 HTML	Apr 19 1860 New York	Chitt is in New York en route to San Fancisco after visiting his family in Granville, Ohio. He mentions his travel details.
070 HTML	May 20 & Jul 1 1860  Pacheco	Ann tells about her life with much housework and up to 11 boarders. She sometimes get to sew with a machine. She talks about the photos Chitt brought back from Ohio and about her children. It took over a month to finish the letter.
071 HTML	May 27 1860 San Fran	Chitt tells his mother about his trip back to California and the subsequent week spent doing business in Los Angeles. There are wonderful fruits and flowers there all the time.
072 HTML	July 8, 1860 San Francisco	Chitt writes to his sister Jane and hopes she will write. He mentions a law suit that came up while he was away and is now settled. Summer came slowly but crops are now fine -- especially the fruits. Chitt has grown tired of people asking if he is married yet.
073 HTML	Aug 5 1860 San Francisco	Chit says he is now settled back in his business and rooms. He was so glad to see everybody in Ohio. He drives his carriage to Pacheco frequently (on the ferry to Oakland). The harvest was delayed a full month by the weather, but now is good.
074 HTML	Sep 2 1860 San Francisco	Chitt appologizes for his infrequent letters and sends $50. It is the busy season; a young man might not start if he knew how hard it might be. Breckenridge will carry California in the election, but not Oregon. His runningmate, Lane, is a Stick.
075 HTML	Sep 10 1860 Pacheco	Harris says he is now warehouse superintendent with 3 to 5 men working for him. He seems eager to find a wife but with no current prospects. He asks young Willie to take care of the animals and Harry to write to compare costs here and there.
076 HTML	Jan 21 1861 Pacheco	Harris congratulates mother on her birthday and notes that he is no longer her little boy. He talks about the very fine weather and his dog and horse. The money that Chitt has been sending is equally from both of us.
077 HTML	Feb 1 1861 San Francisco	Chitt says business is slow. He will go to Pacheco to take inventory. The tight money crisis is easier now, but secession is worrysome. California is largely pro Union. He tells his parents to go north immediately if war breaks out and comes to Ohio.
078 HTML	Mar 31 1861 San Francisco	Chitt writes to Harris in Ohio about the rain and floods in Pacheco. Some warehouses and bridges were washed away. Some people may leave for Washoe, Esmaraldo or Mexico where the government has become more settled and prospects look good.
079 HTML	Apr 30 1861 San Francisco	Chitt says they have heard of the war. It is regretable and he blames corrupt government for it. The latest news is never very reliable. If Harry and John go to Lake Superior father should give up farming. Prospects in Pacheco are good.
080 HTML	May 19/21 1861 New York City	Harris is in New York City retruning to California and gives he father the particulars of his trip back. He encourages everyone to write often and mentions visiting the Great Eastern, really the ship.
081 HTML	Jun 16 1861 Pacheco	Harris is back in Pacheco and finds all well. A new Sunday closinig law effective Aug. 1 was passed. Many improvements have been made -- 2 wells are done and a new church and Fair Grounds are being built.
082 HTML	Jul 10 1861 San Francisco	Chitt appologizes for not mailing a letter from Ann on March 10. He is glad Ohio is not in the war zone -- says if neccessary he might enlist. He is going to Geyser Springs for a short vacation with friends. Harris has given all the news from home.
083 HTML	Sep 29 1861 San Francisco	Chitt discuses the state election in which the Union candidates overwhelmed the Peace party. He talks about his rifle used if a call to arms were issued. He says his horse has arrived from Ohio in poor shape (as expected). Everything is now closed Sundays.
084 HTML	Oct 16 1861 San Francisco	Chitt's brother John is joining the army to lead a regiment of recruits. Chitt encourages him and will watch reports of his movements. He offers to pay the costs of his recruitiment if needed.
085 HTML	Oct 18 1861 San Francisco	Chitt is happy that John will not be a Private. He says Fremont is honest and respected by Californians but not smart enough to be a General, and he criticizes his aides. He want his parents to sell their mare and hopes to get more mail from home.
086 HTML	Nov 19 1861 San Francisco	Chitt is sorry John could not raise a company and hopes he will not enlist. We are all well here, Lucy Gordon is visiting Ann. Our telegraph is working and we get news right away. Nellie now pulls our buggy.
087 HTML	Nov 30 1861 Pacheco	Harris describs his work and the warm rainy weather cotrasting it with winter in Ohio. Lucy Gordon was here for 2 weeks; her family is fine. Harris wants to hear from everybody at home and John's campaign in Western Virginia.
088 HTML	Feb 6 1862 Pacheco	Harris says Chitt has gone to La Paz (lower country) returning in March. Heavy rains have caused huge floods, the worst since 1827. Everybody is cross. John should try to buy Uncle Tom's farm. Ann just had another boy. Dwight is learning printer's trade.
089 HTML	Mar 2 1862 Pacheco	Harris says that Chitt is not yet back from Lower Cal, their coal mining may start in the spring and his "Irish Gal" didn't work out. He describes the terrific floods. He thanks Mary for her letter and is not happy about his marriage prospects.
090 HTML	Mar 5 1862 Gulf of California	Chitt has just heard of the devastation at Pacheco due to the flood. He describes Lower California and camping on a trip inland by mule. He has heard about Ann's baby boy from Hale.
091 HTML	Mar 9 1862 Pacheco	Clara tells Grandma the news about her sibliings and  talks about the flood. Dwight works in a priinting office, Sarah and Guy are in school. Jane and Harry are at home. The baby still has no name. Ann says she is still too weak to work.
092 HTML	Mar 10/12 1862 Pacheco	Harris gives advice to brother John. He is glad he has left the service and hopes he will buy or rent his uncle's farm. Be careful of the details. Sheep business looks good or a mill. Clara's note of March 9 is enclosed and there are comments to Mary.
093 HTML	Mar 18 1862 San Francisco	Chitt is back from Mexico and writes a brief note with more to follow when he has more time. Their flood losses are considerable, but others are worse off. He missed hearing the war news while away and is glad for our victories.
094 HTML	Apr 30 1862 San Francisco	Chitt sends $150 which he promised Mary to buy a nice dress. He appologizes for the brief note and is glad that we have taken New Orleans.
095 HTML	May 13, 18 1862 Pacheco	Harris has been very busy rebuilding and now business is picking up. Spring has come a month later than usual. He seems a bit lonely as he has received only one letter since February and asks everyone to write.
096 HTML	May 15 1862 San Francisco	Chitt says 30,000 letters are held up as Indians have stolen the mail horses. Steamer mail arrives weekly -- slow but dependable. He mentions the new Cariboo and Salmon River gold rushes. Business is good and the weather now fine after the terrible winter.
097 HTML	Jun 13 1862 San Francisco	Chitt send his brother John a $500 check by steamer with a copy by overland mail. He says this is the last letter mail by steamer.
098 HTML	Jun 30 1862 San Francisco	Chitt talks about Steamer Day, when all bills are settled, and the overland mail coming through. He is especially interested in war news but only gets it reliably when the telegraph is working. He has been drilling in case he must serve. Hopes everybody writes.
099 HTML	Aug 11 1862 San Francisco	Chitt says the burning of the steamship Golden Gate is very sad; many here have lost friends. He was in Pacheco recently where he and Harris went riding Nellie. All there are well, but Lewis Fassett lost his little girl.
100 HTML	Sep 19 1862 San Francisco	Chitt sends John $1000 to buy land. He says that San Francisco collected $106,000 in 3 days for the Patriotic Fund and will get $200,000. Last winter they sent $150,000 to Sacramento sufferers.
101 HTML	Sep 21 1862 San Francisco	Overland mail is now open. Chitt blames Vanderbilt for closing the mail so he could make money on his steamer mail. We get news by telegraph two hours before New York. San Francisco will raise $200,000 for war relief and $500,000 total for charity.
102 HTML	Oct 3 1862 San Francisco	Chitt sends money home, $1000 for John for his farm and $50 from Harris to Harry. He hopes John did not reenlist because of the recent excitement in Ohio.
103 HTML	Nov 19 1862 San Francisco	Chitt received a photo from Uncle Samuel of his house; he would like one from father too. Harris has been to Truman's all are well. Parker and Ann's baby were sick but are better. McClellan's dismissal is not popular. Democrats will win the next election.

Index revised 6/22/2008.