Available now!
The complete unabridged journey of American pioneer woman, Sarah (Daglish) Rousseau is now available to the mass market. Readers can follow along as each day brings new surprises, plenty of drama, danger, romance, and (of course) excitement.
Read what reviewers are saying by clicking here.
What’s Inside?
- Suggested Reading Level: Middle school to Post-Grad Academic Research.
- States Traveled: Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming (Idaho Territory), Utah, Arizona, California
- Places of Interest: Council Bluffs, Grand Island, Chimney Rock, Calb’s Hills, Fort Laramie, “Black Hills of Idaho,” Devil’s Pass, Rocky Mountains, Fort Bridger, Salt Lake City, Corn Creek Settlement, Moapa Valley, Valley of Fire, Las Vegas, Sierra Nevada, San Bernardino, Redlands
- Persons of Interest: Nicholas Earp, Virginia Earp. Wyatt Earp, Brigham Young, Orson Wells, Pahvant Ute Chief Kanosh, John Brown, Mary Brown, Fanny Kelly, Sarah Larimer, Martha Roe, Lt. Col. William O. Collins, Hon. Israel C. Curtis, Judge William Jesse Curtis
- Relevant Events: Kelly-Larimer Kidnapping, Mountain Meadows Massacre, Platte River Raids, Wyatt Earp’s first documented shoot-out against Northern Plains Indians
BONUS MATERIAL: Sneak peek of From Where I Sat, the fictionalized retelling of the Pella Company’s adventure across the plains by award-winning historian and author, Janelle Molony. (Click here for more on that forthcoming book.)
Back cover blurb:
For Sarah Jane Rousseau, an accomplished pianist from New Castle Upon Tyne, this seven-month journey means leaving all her gentrified comforts behind. It‘s a sacrifice she is willing to make, however, if she ever wants to walk again.
After years of trying everything he could for his wife, Dr. James Rousseau is desperate to find a cure for Sarah’s debilitating rheumatism. He hopes that a climate cure in the warm, dry air of California might be the answer she needs.
Order your copy from Amazon today! Http://www.tinyurl.com/SRdiary
While the Civil War is raging in the east, the Rousseaus join with three other families from Pella, Iowa to make the arduous covered wagon journey across the American Plains. Along the way, tensions run high under the stern captaincy of Sgt. Nicholas P. Earp. While crossing through Idaho Territory, unsuspecting emigrants are caught in the crossfire of angry Northern Plains Indians. In Utah, Mormons put Dr. James to the test while sickness runs rampant. When they leave, Paiute Chief Kanosh sends them with a guide who leads the Pella Company across the desolate Mohave Desert and into the Valley of Fire. By the time they reach the Sierra Nevada, food and water supplies are exhausted and every bit of ammunition is spent. When the Rousseaus can go no further, the Pella Company leaves them stranded in Winter.
In the only complete, surviving account from the Pella Company, read how the Iowans face fierce enemies, quicksand, hailstorms, poison water, and the blazing sun. Feel the budding romance between youths. See who has enough mettle to survive. And meet the surprise heroes who restore the emigrants’ faith in humanity.
Sarah Jane Rousseau captures every exquisite detail in this precious family heirloom; now, a treasured tale of American History.
From the author of the highly anticipated trail diary companion, Emigrant Tales of the Platte River Raids
3rd Great- Granddaughter of Dr. James & Sarah Rousseau
Janelle Molony is a family historian and nonfiction writer with prolific stories about individuals from the Civil War Era, Depression Era, and in Westward travel. Her work has been featured in the Annals of Wyoming, Michigan Historical Review, Minnesota Genealogist, History Nebraska magazine, and many other notable publications. Molony has won numerous awards from Writer’s Digest, Readers’ Favorite, BookFest, National Indie Excellence Awards, the National Federation of Press Women, and the Arizona Authors Association (and more).
In addition to writing, Molony has served as the oral history committee chair for the Wyoming Historical Society and is the program host of their YouTube video series, “Women of Wyoming: Then & Now.”
Other books by Molony:
From Where I Sat (in progress)
Evidence for the 1864 John Brown Family Camp Corral Sketch (2024)
Emigrant Tales of the Platte River Raids (2023)
Poems from the Asylum (2021)
Un-Adoptable? Faith Beyond Foster Care (2020)
Author-Approved Educational Articles and Episodes About This Content:
“Tales from the Trail,” Janelle Molony & Nicholas Cataldo retrace the Rousseau journey through Cajon PAss in San Bernardino County.
“1864 More Than Massacres,” Janelle Molony’s award-winning research in the Annals of Wyoming.
“Victorian Sweetheart Wins Over the Wrong Michigan Suitor,” Article in GenTales Magazine (2022).
“Murders and Misconceptions on the Oregon Trail,” Author appearance on “Wake Up Wyoming” with Glenn Woods.
“Explore the Rousseau-Daglish Family History with Surname Expert || Stephen Daglish,” Interview by Janelle Molony (2021). (*Stephen is a 1st cousin to Sarah Rousseau, 3 removed.)
“1864 Trip Across the Plains with Earp family expert || Nicholas Cataldo,” Interview by Janelle Molony (2021).
“On Sarah Jane Daglish Rousseau’s Diary,” by Pamela Greenwood (Verified descendant-researcher from the Pella Company), Essay for Geni Family Tree Maker (2007).
“Mrs. Rousseau” Interviews Genealogy Researcher || Kathleen Rousseau,” Interview by Janelle Molony (2021). (*Kathleen is a descendant of James & Sarah Rousseau’s son Albert.)
And many, many more (as listed in the book’s bibliography).
Sarah Rousseau is also being nominated for the Oregon-California Trails Association’s Emigrant Trails Hall of Fame as a remarkable Trail Pioneer. The nomination packet (including photographs, illustrations, achievements, biography, critical elements within the diary, and more) is available to download here.
What’s Next?
- Stay connected on social media for updates on the book, expanded tales, photos, and related content. (Facebook) (Instagram)
- Learn how Molony is bringing more female-centric history to life in Wyoming! (Women of Wyoming, Then & Now interview series with the Wyoming Historical Society)
- Invite Molony to speak at your next engagement. (Contact the author.)