A handwritten daily diary comprising 211 pages written by Stephen L. Fowler, covering the period from Jan 12, 1849 to March 19 1852. It records the life and experiences of the author and his brother, James E. Fowler, beginning with their 7 month voyage on the sailing ship "Brooklyn" around the Horn. It provides descriptions of the places they were, the details of daily life and the hardships of mining and making a living in Gold Rush California. For two years they try their luck in the diggings at Dry Creek and Downeyville, with intermittent periods doing carpentry, fishing and hunting for the market and other jobs to cover expenses. They go to Bodega Bay in 1851 to try potato farming supplemented with carpentry work for Captain Stephen Smith. There the diary ends in March 1852.

There is no biographical information on Stephen Lawrence Fowler. His brother James E. Fowler joined the Society of California Pioneers in July 1890. James is also mentioned in the "History of Sonoma County (1879)" where he is described as a retired merchant, living a life of leisure upon handsome competence gained in this township. His home was located at Valley Ford.

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