I have always wondered if there were any connections with nineteenth century American East Coast potters and the California Gold Rush of the 1840s and 1850s, and I believe I have finally identified a direct connection with the Drake family in Western New York, which will be discussed in detail in my forthcoming two-volume New York book, titled, America's Great Awakening and Migration: The Red Earthenware of Western New York: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2025/02/update-on-forthcoming-two-volume.html.
This connection involves Martin Holmes Drake (1832-1893), who is cited as a "19-year-old Potter" in the 1850 United States Federal Census in Bethany, Genesee County, New York, which is a red earthenware company that involved other family members during the circa 1840s to the early 1860s period: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2025/02/the-19th-century-drake-family-red.html.
But Drake quickly disappeared from Bethany in the early 1850s, opting for the Gold Rush in Amadore County, California, where he probably had previously learned of the 1849 California Gold Rush, while living in New York, which brought a massive wave of migration to California, with hundreds of thousands of people arriving in search of gold. This migration became known as the "forty-niners." Afterwards, Drake married in the late 1850s and moved to Southern Oregon, where he is listed as a farmer and a merchant for the remainder of his life, according to census records.
Nevertheless, in the heart of California’s Sierra Nevada mountains lies Amador County, a region renowned for its rich gold mining history. It all began in the 1840s when pioneers discovered gold at Sutter’s Mill, sparking the famous California Gold Rush. Thousands flocked to the area, including modern-day Amador County, in hopes of striking it rich. The county was officially established in 1854 and aptly named after José Maria Amador, a wealthy gold miner.
Interestingly, it was published in the 1884 book, History of southern Oregon, comprising Jackson, Josephine, Douglas, Curry and Coos countries, “M. H. Drake: lives in Ashland; is a merchant and stock grower; was born in Steuben county, New York; came to state and county in 1860; was married in 1858, to Miss Martha Preater. Children, Ida (deceased), Fred M., Belle, May, and Ella.”
Furthermore, it was published in the 1904 book, Portrait and Biographical Record of Western Oregon: Containing Original Sketches of Many Well Known Citizens of the Past and Present: "In Ashland, Mr. Norris married Sarah May Drake, a native of Jacksonville, Ore., where her father, the late M. H. Drake, was a pioneer settler. Born and reared in Steuben county, N. Y., M. H. Drake came by way of Cape Horn to the Pacific coast in 1852, and for six or more years was engaged in mining in California, afterwards being in the stock business in the vicinity of Stockton. Coming to Oregon in 1859, he stopped at first in Portland, remaining there until September of that year, when he settled in Jackson county, taking up land, and engaging in the raising of stock, near Jacksonville. Removing with his family to Ashland in 1873, he resided here until his death, in 1893. He served for a time county commissioner of Jackson county, and was identified by membership with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He married Elizabeth Preator, who was born in Ione, Cal., of English ancestry, both of her parents having been natives of England. Mrs. Drake survived her husband, and is now living in Ashland. Mr. and Mrs. Drake became the parents of five children, namely: Frederick M., junior member of the firm of Vaupel, Norris & Drake; Ida, who died in the seventh year of her age; Belle, wife of J. S. Parson, of Ashland; Sarah May, now Mrs. Norris; and Ella, wife of George S. Calhoun, of Grants Pass, Ore. A native of Jacksonville, Ore., Frederick M. Drake was educated in the public schools of Jackson county, and for four years after leaving school was a clerk in his father's store. For seven years thereafter, he was a resident of Harney county, Ore., being associated with his father in the cattle business. On retiring from that industry he engaged in mercantile pursuits with his present partners, becoming junior member of the firm. A stanch Republican in his political convictions, Mr. Norris is a member, and ex-president, of the Ashland school board. He is also a member, and the vice-president, of the Ashland Board of Trade. He is connected with several fraternal organizations, being a member of the Knights of Pythias, of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and of the Woodmen of the World. Mrs. Norris is a member of the Presbyterian Church.”
Note: There is no known record that can prove if Martin Drake supplemented his income in Oregon as a farmer/merchant, while also producing pottery, similar to how his family worked in Western New York. But I wouldn't completely rule it out either.
Martin H. Drake: A Red Earthenware Potter from Bethany, New York
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