Jane McDougal
1851–1852
Significant Facts
Born: May 16, 1824 in Indiana
Died: May 26, 1862 in San Francisco
Married: John McDougal on July 13, 1841
Maiden Name: Palmer
Family
Father: Nathan Palmer
Mother: Chloe Sackett
Husband: John McDougal
Children: Sue, Caroline, Latham, William, Lillie
Find out more about the time period and interests of Jane McDougal
Biography
Jane Palmer and John McDougal were married on July 13, 1841. Lured by the discovery of gold, John, Jane, and daughter Sue arrived in San Francisco in 1849 on the maiden voyage of the California. Unsuccessful in the gold mines, John managed his brother’s store in Sutterville. Dissatisfied with living conditions in Sutterville, Jane decided to return to Indiana with Sue. They began the return trip from San Francisco to Indiana via an overland crossing of Panama on May 1, 1849. During the voyage to Panama, Jane kept a journal in which she described the ways people entertained themselves with amateur theater productions, songfests, by holding teas, or playing practical jokes. She also described the various unpleasantries of a sea voyage - seasickness, bad food, and poor weather. Jane also gave detailed descriptions of the towns and villages she visited in Mexico and Panama. Jane returned to California in 1852. She is the only First Lady to live outside of California while her husband was Governor. Jane McDougal died in childbirth on May 26, 1862.
Bibliography
Books
- Cook and LaDue, The First Ladies of California, Xlibris Corporation, 2007
- Myres, Ho for California!: Women's overland diaries from the Huntington Library, Huntington Library, 1980
