Samuel Brannan

From: Maxine Wilton
Sent: Sunday, August 25, 2002 4:04 PM
Subject: GOLDRUSH MOST WANTED - BRANNAN

BRANNAN, SAMUEL (SAM), ONE OF THE BIG NAMES in GOLDRUSH DAYS, my grandmother's 3rd cousin. I just had to put this relative's name in here. He discovered the GOLD and told Sutter of it and wanted him to go in with him and keep his mouth shut about it, but as all learned, he couldn't keep his mouth shut. So the GOLD RUSH was on before anything was done to accommodate etc the Hoard 's of men etc. Swarmed in. Samuel took the Boat, "BROOKLYN" around So. America loaded with settlers and arrived in San Francisco the same day a few hrs after The US had taken California from the Spaniards I believe. Before the GOLD RUSH.

There are some books in Lib. about this SAM BRANNAN who came from Maine in 1840's? Father was Thomas Brannon, born 1855 Ireland, left Ireland in late 1700's for Saco, Maine with family. Sam was born in Saco. He acquired much and then lost it later. He had streets in San Francisco etc and other places named after him. Died a Pauper with body laying in a morgue till a brother in law about 9 months later got him buried in San Diego Cemetery.

He also helped to get the travelers who were caught up in the Winter in the Mountains where many died etc at THE BONNERS PARTY, I believe is name.

He along with Sutter were the cause of the GOLD RUSH of CA. His father, Thomas was a Brother to my John (Irish John) Brannon b. 1745 in Stradbally Queens, Ire, later of Winchester, Virginia coming to Pa in 1763 after a spout with his father, Patrick Brannon in Ire. JOHN was a prominent fig' in late 1700's and early 1800's there. Several of his descendants were Prominent. Judges and Lawyers in Weston W Va. by the end of 1800's into 1900's. John was my 4th great-grandfather, he married Rebecca Baldwin abt. 1865.

I am looking for some of Sam's descendants from his children. Son Samuel died in Marysville Ca late 1800's.

Maxine Baldwin Wilton in Washington