Hello,

Over the years, I have been researching an ancestor of mine named Tyler Martin. In 1850 he left Indiana and headed for the gold fields of California. He stayed there up until the Civil War years. In 1863, he enlisted in Company D Second California Infantry Volunteers. He served as an Indian Scout when company D went on scounting expeditions. During this same time About 1864, Seth Kinman was employed as an Indian Scout within this same company. Seth never joined the company or wore a uniform but nevertheless was employed as an Indian Scout. It was mentioned somewhere in Humboldt County, CA history that he had kept a journal or diary of his experiences. In this diary it mentions the time he spent serving with the company. I was wondering if anybody knew where to get a photocopy of this diary? Just want to see if it has any detailed information about Company D and their expeditions. Also, I want to see ,on a outside chance, if it mentions anything about my ancestor, Tyler Martin. Since I have been doing research, I have written an article about Company D and the California Indian Wars. Mostly the article contain information about my ancestors experiences during this time period. Any info will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Sincerely,

I have something you would love to see! I have a photo of this man. It's a Brady portrait, and the caption reads:
SETH KINMAN
California Hunter an Trapper who presented President Lincoln with the Elk Horn Chair. I also have a photo of the chair. It says if was given to the President Nov 26, 1864.
I'll bet this is still in the Smithsonian or somewhere. The photo's were in the possession of my family who was from New York. These photo's are almost like trading cards and I'm guessing the my gggggrandfather James Little who was in the NY 6th Cavalry during the Civil War, picked up the photo's either in NYC or Washington DC.
Would love to show any of the relatives.

I have a copy of this picture, but would like to see a more accurate one. Mine is a copy of a copy of a copy . . . and I believe it was from a book or newspaper, cannot tell. My ancestor was William Kinman and Elizabeth through their son John, who married Angnes Eades and his son John, who married Anna Jump, and his son James John, who married Mary Ann wilson and his son Clay Kinman. Looking forward to your reply.

I remember seeing a picture of Seth Kinman in a history book (holding a rifle if I recall correctly).
His father and my great great great grandfather were brothers, so Seth has always interested me.
I once tried to find out the present location of the elkhorn chair he presented to Lincoln. It went back to Illinois after his death, but I haven't been able to find its current whereabouts.
----- Cheers,
Ken Kinman

Seth Kinman's father and my gggggrandfather were brother's. I've seen this picture also. Several years ago I went to a museum in Eureka, California where they have a old trunk of his and his buckskin clothes, aslo pictures and much more. My cousin's husband and son are writing a book about him. Also the chair he gave President Hayes is in Ohio now at the Hayes Museum. I been to his grave in Lolita, Calif at Table Bluff Cemetery. I have alot on him. I think my cousin knows what has happened to this chair ( Lincoln chair). Ken I need to talk with you. I think you e-mailed me years ago about Nathan's wife Jane??

Sheila

Hi
I have been reading with interest all about Seth Kinman. I live in Warwickshire England and my grandma was a Kinman. A very distant cousin has traced the family back to 1744 - all living in the Warwickshire area - but has not yet found a connection with America. I suppose in the dim and distant past your relatives must have come from Europe. I look forward to hearing more about Seth and the chair.

Would love to see a copy of pictures described. My grandmother was a Kinman and need to try to make the connection to her. Am tracing family roots and not having much luck. Family has talked about Seth Kinman for years, just don't know the connection yet. Grandmother was Clara Ellen Kinman daughter of Jacob Irving Kinman and lived most of her life in Washington

Mr. Ken Kinmen

I am Jeff Combs I know where is the chair is you are looking for. It is in Freemont Ohio. Seth Kinman was my Great great great grandunlce. Ida M. Kinman was my Great great great grandmother. Which made her and Seth brother and sister. If you get this email. Please email me back.

My God be with you.

Jeff

Hi Jeff,
I think you are referring to the chair that Seth Kinman gave to Hayes. He gave similar elkhorn chairs to both Lincoln and Hayes. Johnson, who was President after Lincoln, got a bear chair from Seth, and I don't think its location is known either (or was it Buchanan that got the bear chair?---will have to check on that to make sure). Anyway, the Hayes chair is the only one whose present location is known (as far as I know anyway).
-- Cheers,
Ken Kinman
kinman@hotmail.com

I would love to see the photo of Seth and any others of our kinman family. Please reply, I would love to e-mail directly. Thanks, Donna1954@roadrunner.com