Page 12 - hssc1929parks

In Pursuit of Vanished Days 145
"I claim," reminisced Albert G. Toomes, a member of one
of the two companies which arrived in California that No-
vember, "[that] we were the first regular emigrants who
ever started from the States to California, as those who
arrived in the country before us dropped in by mere chance,
as old trappers, whale men, and sailors from the islands and
Boston ships."1
Toomes considered the 1841 arrivals as of one party, al-
though they were divided into two companies, the first com-
ing via Salt Lake into the northern while the second,
country,
headed by Rowland and Workman,
to which he belonged,2
came over the southern route into Los Angeles. As the Row-
party originated in New Mexico, it is to be
land-Workman
supposed that one division of the group with which Toomes
started from Independence May 6, 1841, joined them after
on
reaching Santa Fe or at the final rendezvous in western New
Mexico from which they set out for California the first week
1841.
in September,
Anyway, the southern route party certainly came with
the intention of settling in the new country. That is, all
except Don Benito Wilson, who wanted to go to China but
finally gave that up when after three trips to San Francisco
he couldn't find a boat by which he might.
Rumors of Texan plans for invasion and annexation of
New Mexico, which led to violent demonstrations
against
foreign residents, provided the specific urge for the forma-
Workman emigrant train, in which B. D.
tion of the Rowland-
William Gordon,
Wilson, who became Don Benito in California,
and William Knight (later of "Knighťs Ferry" fame up on the
Sacramento), also were leading figures.
After a trip free from accidents or unusual events, the
party arrived in Los Angeles on November 5, 1841. Work-
man and Rowland evidently began at once to look about for
a permanent home. By the spring of 1842 they were pe-
titioning for Rancho La Puente, and John Rowland, armed
from the priest at San Gabriel and from the
with certificates
Prefect of the Second District stating that there was no ob-
jection to granting the land, since it would not be prejudicial

1. The California Scrap Book, Oscar T. Schuck, p. 181.
2. Bancroft, Vol. XXI- p. 278.