My 3x great grandfather, Obed F. Fosdick (from Nantucket Island in Massachusetts) arrived in California in 1849 during the gold rush on the “Henry Astor”. He was 1st mate on this ship. I don’t have any information about him following this voyage and until his death in early 1852 (prior to April 1). He reportedly died at sea, possibly en route to California, and in the South Pacific. I don’t have any details about his death or any information about what he did after he arrived in California. I have a copy of a death announcement dated 4/7/1852 from the newspaper, National Aegis in a column titled “Later From California”. I also have a death announcement dated 4/1/1852 in the newspaper Springfield Republican in a column titled “Two Weeks Later From California”. Can anyone help locate further information. I know that he was involved in whaling at one point and has been referred to as “Capt. O.F. Fosdick” as he’s called in the death announcements. Thank you for any information you can provide.

During a quick search I found the following Mining Ship entry. A few more articles about Captain Fosdick are also now on the Maritime Heritage site at: Obid F. Fosdick

Mining Companies

Henry Astor, (Astor Mining Company and the Sherbourne Company) from Nantucket, 12 MAR 1849 or 10 MAR 1849, 188 days to San Francisco, 16 SEP 1849. 378 tons, returned to eastern port.

Chase, John H., third mate
Coffin, Alix H., mate
Fosdick, Obed, second mate
Joy, George, master
Thompson, Isaac, physician
51 in company

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