New Cuyama in Santa Barbara County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

In Honor of Nancy Kelsey

"I've enjoyed the riches and suffered the pangs of poverty"

— 1823 - 1896 —

In Honor of Nancy Kelsey Marker image. Click for full size.

1. In Honor of Nancy Kelsey Marker

Inscription. By being the sole woman to join the Bidwell - Barttleston Party, the earliest organized overland immigrant party into California, Nancy Kelsey became the first American woman to come across the plains and transverse the rugged Sierra Nevada. She arrived on foot in 1841 carrying her infant daughter, Ann.

Nancy followed her husband from Missouri to California, up to Oregon and back, on To Mexico and Texas then back again to various locations in California, where in Los Angeles she was widdered in 1888. Following her loss, Nancy returned to Cuyama and homesteaded an area up an oak studded canyon. She raised chickens and vegetables to support herself until her death in 1896. The local community called her the "Angel Of Cuyama" because of her generosity toward the infirmed. As was her wish, Nancy was buried in a store bought coffin purchased by her friends. It was brought in from Santa Maria by horse.

Erected 1994 by E Clampus Vitus De La Guerra y Pacheco 1.5 Peter Lebec 1866.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Settlements & Settlers • Women. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1888.

Location. 34° 56.861′ N, 119°

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41.308′ W. Marker is in New Cuyama, California, in Santa Barbara County. It is on Primero Street, on the right when traveling west. Primero Street is a frontage road which runs parallel to the Cuyama Highway (Highway 166). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: New Cuyama CA 93254, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on California’s Central Coast,

specifically on the Coast Ranges,

and specifically in the Transverse Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least one other marker is within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Traver Ranch (approx. 8.9 miles away).

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Route of the Bartleson - Bidwell Party

2. In Honor of Nancy Kelsey Marker

Nancy Kelsey image. Click for full size.

from Wikipedia

3. Nancy Kelsey

Credits. This page was last revised on November 20, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 31, 2017, by Frank Gunshow Sanchez of Hollister, California. This page has been viewed 864 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 31, 2017. 2. submitted on January 31, 2017, by Frank Gunshow Sanchez of Hollister, California. 3. submitted on February 7, 2017. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.