Woolsey's in Sonoma, California




Woolsey's in Ione, Amador County, CA



Amador County was formed in 1854 and named after native Californian Jose Maria Amador. The first gold quartz mine in California was started in 1850 at Amador City.

Jackson, the county seat, has the deepest mines on the Continent, which produced over half the gold mined in the Mother Lode. Mining ended in 1958. Highway 49 intersects with all-year transSierra Hwy. 88, designated most scenic highway in U.S. by Parade Magazine. Elevations reach 9,371 feet. Industries include lumber, gold, clay, glass, sand, cattle, sheep, goats, poultry, fruit, grains, vineyards, and wineries.

During the days of the Gold Rush, the miners knew the town by the names of "Bedbug" and "Freezeout." Unlike other communities in Amador County, which were founded on gold mining, Ione was a supply center, stage and rail stop and agricultural hub.


2004 September 28 from Marilyn Demas.
To Wilford W. Whitaker

If I remember correctly, I wrote to you [quite some time ago] about a "Mrs. Woolsey" whose first name I do not know, who lived in Amador County, about 1870 and she was getting a divorce. I had a letter written by an attorney named Creed Haymond whom I was researching, who asked another attorney to take care of Mrs. Woolsey's case. The tenor of the case was that she was bothersome and he didn't have time for a bothersome person.

From the letter I had no clue as to who Mr. Woolsey was. I still don't really but you sent me a list of Woolsey's in Ca. abt 1870, and I will check it but I thought that the following may interest you if you still have that tidbit of information. The material was sent to me as a biography from Amador County, Ca. I have no further source at this time. I am just curious to learn if this Mr. Woolsey in Amador Co. could be related to Luther here in Sacramento. Amador is so close that fro the early years poeple in Amador were actually living in Sac county. - Marilyn

Charles BAMERT

Was born at Baden, in Germany, April 2, 1830. The first five years of his life were passed in his native country; but coming to America at that early
age, his first recollections are consequently located in this country. Upon his arrival in America, he went with his parents to Ontario, New York, where he remained until 1852. During that time he attended school and acquired a common school education.

In the year last named, he came to California, reaching San Francisco in the month of July. His first occupation was that of a miner, in ophir district, in Placer county, where he experienced the trails and privations usually connected with that kind of life in those days. For eight years he followed that business, and in 1860 settled on the Mokelumne river, where he has since resided. Mr. Bamert has a fine ranch containing seven hndred acres, and is also largely interested in other tracts of land in connection with to the sheep business, in company with Pardeau & Borden. For thirteen years Mr. Bamert has been engaged in general merchandise, being first interested with Messrs. Woolsey & Palmer, afterward purchasing their interests in the stock of goods, and conducting the business himself. His natural ability for the trade has manifested itself throughout his years of experience and he ranks at the present time with the prosporous and successful business men of the county. He was married in 1876, to Miss Leah Shelburn, and their union has been blessed with two children, now aged three and one years respectively.


2004 September 29 from Wilford Whitaker
To Marilyn Demas
Cc: Carolyn Wilkerson

Without doing too much more research, I am assuming that the Woolsey House in Ione, Amador Co, CA is the house of the Merchant George Woolsey, or possibly of the Merchant Robert S. Woolsey. The following link showes the Woolsey home:
http://amadornet.safepages.com/directory/travelers/cities/ione/ionepage4.html

It appears these two Woolsey men may have been brothers and were born in New Jersey. I don't know how they connect to the NY Woolseys yet.

In the 1879/1880 Amador County, CA directory there is:

A. H. Palmer - 240 acres
George Woolsey - 200 acres
George Woolsey - Merchant
Robert Woolsey - --
R. S. Woolsey - Merchant

George Woolsey, b 1837, New Jersey md 1) S. C. ______, b 1837, MA. 2 children:
01. Dennis Woolsey, b 1863, CA
02. Willis M. Woolsey, b 1867, CA,
George Woolsey md 2) Sophia _____, b 1850, Hesse Cassell, Germany. 1 child:
03. J. Leslie Woolsey, b 1872, CA

Robert S. Woolsey, b 1843, in NY or NJ, md Mary E. _____, b 1850, Ohio. 4 children:
01. Emma R. Woolsey b 1869, of Amador Co, CA
02. Eugene G. Woolsey b 1877 "
03. Herbert A. Woolsey b 1883 "
04. May S. Woolsey b 1889 "

There is some indication that R. S. Woolsey may be related to William George Woolsey of England, San Francisco, and Hawaii, but confusing.

Best Wishes.
Sincerely, Wilford W. Whitaker



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