Thomas Foster Rhoades
Thomas Foster Rhoades (Rhoads) arrived at Johnson's Ranch near Wheatland, California on October 6, 1846 with his wife Elizabeth and their family. Wheatland lies to the north of the Sacramento area. Rhoades, a devout Mormon, left Missouri and brought his family to Northern California. The 'first' Mormons to arrive in California overland, this Rhoades family is related to the local Sloughhouse area Rhoades family.
Rhoades' brothers, Daniel and John were 2 of the 7 members of the first Donner/Reed Rescue Party.
They struck it rich in Rhoads Diggins ( @ present Hwy 50 and Scott Road ) in 1848 and was called to Salt Lake City by Brigham Young in 1849, where he along with Caleb and sister Lucinda, gave Brogham a cask of his personal gold diggings. He was the richest Morman until Sam Brannan got his Million by selling shovels to the miners.
Thomas's older sons Daniel & John ( 2 of the Donner Party Rescuers )
and all his daughters, Sarah, Catherine, Elizabeth, and Polly, all married into the
Fannings, Mathews, Keysers, Daylors, Grimshaws, Sheldons, and Mahones. All
of Sacramento and Sloughhouse history.
Letter to Lety Esery from Daniel Rhoades
Picture of Thomas Foster Rhoades
Pictures of Rhoads Diggin's (or approximate location)
* The information above was submitted to Sloughhouse Area Genealogical Society by B. Rhoades and is presented here with permission of the Rhoades family. This is for informational use only and for historical interest. No portion of this letter may be copied without consent of the submitter or Sloughhouse AGS.
