This folder contains 1 1885 letter of correspondence from Dewell to the Society of California Pioneers regarding the veracity of his claim that he helped construct the original Bear Flag.

Dewell was born on October 27, 1821 in Jefferson County, OH. In 1845 he was hired in Dade County, MO by William Bell Elliott as a drover and came with the Elliotts to California that same year. Also on the wagon train was ten year old Celia H. Elliott. Dewell married Celia in Santa Rosa, CA on May 5, 1850. They were the first white settlers in Lake County, moving in to Upper Lake on May 24, 1854. They established a ranch with twenty-two head of horses and one hundred cattle. They had eleven children. Mr. and Mrs. Dewell were both involved in the Bear Flag Revolt of 1846. Her mother supplied much of the red flannel, and Dewell and Thomas Cowry sewed it together. Dewell then organized a military company and marched to Los Angeles to fight in the Mexican War. Dewell died on February 21, 1905 and is buried at Upper Lake Cemetery.

1.0 folder (1 item)

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