"Joseph Kendall was born in 1803 in the little English town of Bicester,twelve miles from Oxford. His mother died with his advent into the world.
He married Charlotte Paxton, eldest daughter of William Paxton, whose brothers included Sir Joseph Paxton, the architect and botanist. To better their fortunes, the young people ventured to America in 1830, leaving
behind with the Paxtons their first child Lucy. In New York City, Joseph entered upon the business of retailing paints, oils and varnishes and, it appears, also undertook contracts for painting and decorating of ships' interiors that, in those days, required not only great skill but unbelievable quantities of paint, since as high as fourteen coats are said to have been none too many for the magnificent salons and cabins the ships of the 1840's were given. Plainly the business grew; apparently it would
have prospered, but constant exposure to the heavy and deadly gases and lead in the wares of his trade, coupled doubtless with some inherent anemia, made Joseph almost an invalid. A change of trade was necessary.
Then the news of gold in California took the whole country by fire; when the venture promised so much, both in health and in fortune, to Joseph Kendall it is small wonder that 'gold fever' found him vulnerable. . . and so be became a true 49er. A company of 50 young men proposed to charter a ship and make the trip, at the earliest possible moment, around the Horn of South America to the gold fields of California. On March 27th, 1849, the bark 'Canton' cleared the Port of New York. Four days later she actually embarked on the long voyage around the Horn arriving off San Francisco October 6th, 188 days out. The long trip down the Atlantic and up the Pacific, punctuated by a visit to the Galapogas Islands, is largely captured in his journal of the arduous journey. Coupled with letters to his wife and daughters, they give an insightful glance into his life and mind, as well as giving a fascinating account of ship-travel in 1849. It is doubtful that Joseph found a fortune of gold in California, but by 1852 he had established a comfortable home on Yerba Buena Street (north of Sacramento, between Mason and Taylor streets). In that year he was joined by Charlotte, his wife, "darling Lucy" and "dear little Annie," and by his good friend Harry East. Material success came to the Kendalls, and a few years of complete happiness. Then, in 1854, after a short illness, Charlotte Kendall died. Joseph survived this sorrow by two years before he was striken, though he lived, a partial invalid, for eight years thereafter, dying in 1864."
A Landsman's Voyage to California. Joseph Kendall, edited by Wilbur
Hall, 1935.
In the 1852 San Francisco Business Directory, Joseph Kendall is listed as
a sign painter at 142 Clay Street.
Originally buried in Searsville, San Mateo County. Reinterred with his wife at Mt. View in 1901. (Following construction of the Searsville Dam)
He married Charlotte Paxton, eldest daughter of William Paxton, whose brothers included Sir Joseph Paxton, the architect and botanist. To better their fortunes, the young people ventured to America in 1830, leaving
behind with the Paxtons their first child Lucy. In New York City, Joseph entered upon the business of retailing paints, oils and varnishes and, it appears, also undertook contracts for painting and decorating of ships' interiors that, in those days, required not only great skill but unbelievable quantities of paint, since as high as fourteen coats are said to have been none too many for the magnificent salons and cabins the ships of the 1840's were given. Plainly the business grew; apparently it would
have prospered, but constant exposure to the heavy and deadly gases and lead in the wares of his trade, coupled doubtless with some inherent anemia, made Joseph almost an invalid. A change of trade was necessary.
Then the news of gold in California took the whole country by fire; when the venture promised so much, both in health and in fortune, to Joseph Kendall it is small wonder that 'gold fever' found him vulnerable. . . and so be became a true 49er. A company of 50 young men proposed to charter a ship and make the trip, at the earliest possible moment, around the Horn of South America to the gold fields of California. On March 27th, 1849, the bark 'Canton' cleared the Port of New York. Four days later she actually embarked on the long voyage around the Horn arriving off San Francisco October 6th, 188 days out. The long trip down the Atlantic and up the Pacific, punctuated by a visit to the Galapogas Islands, is largely captured in his journal of the arduous journey. Coupled with letters to his wife and daughters, they give an insightful glance into his life and mind, as well as giving a fascinating account of ship-travel in 1849. It is doubtful that Joseph found a fortune of gold in California, but by 1852 he had established a comfortable home on Yerba Buena Street (north of Sacramento, between Mason and Taylor streets). In that year he was joined by Charlotte, his wife, "darling Lucy" and "dear little Annie," and by his good friend Harry East. Material success came to the Kendalls, and a few years of complete happiness. Then, in 1854, after a short illness, Charlotte Kendall died. Joseph survived this sorrow by two years before he was striken, though he lived, a partial invalid, for eight years thereafter, dying in 1864."
A Landsman's Voyage to California. Joseph Kendall, edited by Wilbur
Hall, 1935.
In the 1852 San Francisco Business Directory, Joseph Kendall is listed as
a sign painter at 142 Clay Street.
Originally buried in Searsville, San Mateo County. Reinterred with his wife at Mt. View in 1901. (Following construction of the Searsville Dam)
"Joseph Kendall was born in 1803 in the little English town of Bicester,twelve miles from Oxford. His mother died with his advent into the world.
He married Charlotte Paxton, eldest daughter of William Paxton, whose brothers included Sir Joseph Paxton, the architect and botanist. To better their fortunes, the young people ventured to America in 1830, leaving
behind with the Paxtons their first child Lucy. In New York City, Joseph entered upon the business of retailing paints, oils and varnishes and, it appears, also undertook contracts for painting and decorating of ships' interiors that, in those days, required not only great skill but unbelievable quantities of paint, since as high as fourteen coats are said to have been none too many for the magnificent salons and cabins the ships of the 1840's were given. Plainly the business grew; apparently it would
have prospered, but constant exposure to the heavy and deadly gases and lead in the wares of his trade, coupled doubtless with some inherent anemia, made Joseph almost an invalid. A change of trade was necessary.
Then the news of gold in California took the whole country by fire; when the venture promised so much, both in health and in fortune, to Joseph Kendall it is small wonder that 'gold fever' found him vulnerable. . . and so be became a true 49er. A company of 50 young men proposed to charter a ship and make the trip, at the earliest possible moment, around the Horn of South America to the gold fields of California. On March 27th, 1849, the bark 'Canton' cleared the Port of New York. Four days later she actually embarked on the long voyage around the Horn arriving off San Francisco October 6th, 188 days out. The long trip down the Atlantic and up the Pacific, punctuated by a visit to the Galapogas Islands, is largely captured in his journal of the arduous journey. Coupled with letters to his wife and daughters, they give an insightful glance into his life and mind, as well as giving a fascinating account of ship-travel in 1849. It is doubtful that Joseph found a fortune of gold in California, but by 1852 he had established a comfortable home on Yerba Buena Street (north of Sacramento, between Mason and Taylor streets). In that year he was joined by Charlotte, his wife, "darling Lucy" and "dear little Annie," and by his good friend Harry East. Material success came to the Kendalls, and a few years of complete happiness. Then, in 1854, after a short illness, Charlotte Kendall died. Joseph survived this sorrow by two years before he was striken, though he lived, a partial invalid, for eight years thereafter, dying in 1864."
A Landsman's Voyage to California. Joseph Kendall, edited by Wilbur
Hall, 1935.
In the 1852 San Francisco Business Directory, Joseph Kendall is listed as
a sign painter at 142 Clay Street.
Originally buried in Searsville, San Mateo County. Reinterred with his wife at Mt. View in 1901. (Following construction of the Searsville Dam)
He married Charlotte Paxton, eldest daughter of William Paxton, whose brothers included Sir Joseph Paxton, the architect and botanist. To better their fortunes, the young people ventured to America in 1830, leaving
behind with the Paxtons their first child Lucy. In New York City, Joseph entered upon the business of retailing paints, oils and varnishes and, it appears, also undertook contracts for painting and decorating of ships' interiors that, in those days, required not only great skill but unbelievable quantities of paint, since as high as fourteen coats are said to have been none too many for the magnificent salons and cabins the ships of the 1840's were given. Plainly the business grew; apparently it would
have prospered, but constant exposure to the heavy and deadly gases and lead in the wares of his trade, coupled doubtless with some inherent anemia, made Joseph almost an invalid. A change of trade was necessary.
Then the news of gold in California took the whole country by fire; when the venture promised so much, both in health and in fortune, to Joseph Kendall it is small wonder that 'gold fever' found him vulnerable. . . and so be became a true 49er. A company of 50 young men proposed to charter a ship and make the trip, at the earliest possible moment, around the Horn of South America to the gold fields of California. On March 27th, 1849, the bark 'Canton' cleared the Port of New York. Four days later she actually embarked on the long voyage around the Horn arriving off San Francisco October 6th, 188 days out. The long trip down the Atlantic and up the Pacific, punctuated by a visit to the Galapogas Islands, is largely captured in his journal of the arduous journey. Coupled with letters to his wife and daughters, they give an insightful glance into his life and mind, as well as giving a fascinating account of ship-travel in 1849. It is doubtful that Joseph found a fortune of gold in California, but by 1852 he had established a comfortable home on Yerba Buena Street (north of Sacramento, between Mason and Taylor streets). In that year he was joined by Charlotte, his wife, "darling Lucy" and "dear little Annie," and by his good friend Harry East. Material success came to the Kendalls, and a few years of complete happiness. Then, in 1854, after a short illness, Charlotte Kendall died. Joseph survived this sorrow by two years before he was striken, though he lived, a partial invalid, for eight years thereafter, dying in 1864."
A Landsman's Voyage to California. Joseph Kendall, edited by Wilbur
Hall, 1935.
In the 1852 San Francisco Business Directory, Joseph Kendall is listed as
a sign painter at 142 Clay Street.
Originally buried in Searsville, San Mateo County. Reinterred with his wife at Mt. View in 1901. (Following construction of the Searsville Dam)
Family Members
Advertisement
Advertisement
