Our Mugford's ~ Cornwall to California, Canada, & Beyond

- We continue to work with our cousin, Bonnie Rose [bonnier@jps.net], researching the MUGFORD Family name, specifically for ancestors and descendants of William Trembeth, Samuel G., and John MUGFORD, originally from St. Blazey and St. Austell, Cornwall, England. A fourth brother, Thomas is believed to have died in England in1854.
- Family legend says that in the mid-1850s, the three brothers left Cornwall for America in search of California Gold. They didn’t make it to California that year, their ship returning instead to New York, due to an epidemic on board. The brothers made their way to Michigan and worked in the iron mines that year and the following year, came to California. The route they took has not been confirmed. Conflicts in oral history have them sailing around the Horn and/or crossing the Isthmus of Panama, carrying a gun purchased upon their arrival in New York.
- They debarked in San Francisco and came to Sacramento by riverboat. The brothers all went to Mormon Island [now under Folsom Lake] and panned for gold. Later, Samuel married Johanna THOMAS and John married Sarah HARTLEY. They went to Amador County and eventually settled near Sutter Creek, California.
- The eldest brother, William, returned to Cornwall with his California gold and married his sweetheart, Amy BENNETT.
- We have made many wonderful contacts with descendants of these three brothers and have enjoyed numerous family gatherings since beginning our research in 1998.
- Our focus now is to find the brothers aboard a ship for America. Any advice or help with that mission would be greatly appreciated.