Background
Peter Burnett (1807-1895) , California's first Governor (1849-1851), is represented by a
document commissioning Ludlow Thomas as notary public for Shasta and Trinity counties
(July 16, 1850). Burnett first came to Oregon (1843) where he was a member of the Oregon
Supreme Court (1845-1847). He later moved to California (1848) where he was active,
following the California Constitutional Convention, in seeking the Governership. A
Democrat, Burnett's administration was plagued by an inability to raise sufficient monies
to carry on the business of state government. He is remembered for his opposition to
slavery in California. Burnett resigned in mid-ter to settle his own debts (1851). No
"Ludlow Thomas" appears in the Index to the 1850 Census of the State of California in
either Shasta or Trinity County, nor is a "Ludlow Thomas" mentioned in the Annals of
Trinity County (1857).