The Missionaries
Sarah Ellen Rayner and David Anderson Dryden
It is somewhat Ironic that the easiest persons to research are the two who arrived earliest in California. David was one of the first Methodist missionaries to arrive in California. There is much information about him in church records, church history, newspaper articles, and his own publications. Not as much can be found about Sarah, but there are enough records to provide a sense of who she was. Much of what follows is from a 17 page essay written by Irwin Addicott in 1970.
They were both born in 1824. Sarah in England and David, or D.A. as he was often referred to, in Adams County Ohio. When David was about ten, his family moved to Miami County where Sarah’s family had settled after emigrating from England. In 1840, David’s father moved the family to Illinois leaving David behind in Piqua. David was apprenticed to a cabinetmaker for two years (or four depending on the source). Upon completion of the apprenticeship he was to be paid fifty dollars, and "should be free to leave". Once released from his service, he continued his education, studying law, the classics, and later theology at Miami University. Between 1840, and 1850, David completed all but his senior year at Miami, met and married Sarah Rayner, converted from Calvinism to Methodism, became Methodist clergyman, and finally volunteered become a missionary in California (not necessarily in that order). Sarah and David were married on June 6, 1850
They were both born in 1824. Sarah in England and David, or D.A. as he was often referred to, in Adams County Ohio. When David was about ten, his family moved to Miami County where Sarah’s family had settled after emigrating from England. In 1840, David’s father moved the family to Illinois leaving David behind in Piqua. David was apprenticed to a cabinetmaker for two years (or four depending on the source). Upon completion of the apprenticeship he was to be paid fifty dollars, and "should be free to leave". Once released from his service, he continued his education, studying law, the classics, and later theology at Miami University. Between 1840, and 1850, David completed all but his senior year at Miami, met and married Sarah Rayner, converted from Calvinism to Methodism, became Methodist clergyman, and finally volunteered become a missionary in California (not necessarily in that order). Sarah and David were married on June 6, 1850
To California
From Rayner Family History by William Henry Rayner. No publication date. The Library of Congress kindly scanned and sent this image to me.
Santa Cruz Sentinel 5/17/1891.
Sarah Rayner Dryden and David Dryden arrived in California on May 4, 1851. They had come down the Mississippi, sailed to the Isthmus of Panama, (which they likely crossed on foot), and then boarded ship to San Francisco. Once in San Francisco, they then quickly moved on to Marysville where David was assigned to fill a vacant pulpit in the Methodist Church there. Each year in the late Summer or Early Fall, the California Convention of the Methodist church would convene. It was the norm for Methodist clergy to be reassigned every one to three years. The first California Convention was held in 1851. At this convention David was assigned to Santa Cruz. He was the first regularly placed ordained Methodist minister in Santa Cruz. David travelled well beyond the city, preaching in San Juan and Watsonville. The first protestant service in the city of Watsonville was conducted by David. David often traveled to other communities to spread the word. An anecdote from one of his trips is documented in the book: Fifty Years of Methodism:
Published in 1901, Fifty Years of Methodism contains several references to D.A. Dryden.
David A. Dryden arrived early in 1851. He had received a partial course in college, and according to the standards of the time, was well educated. He was a transfer from the Ohio conference. Genial, pleasant in conversation, sprightly in speech, wielding an able pen, he soon took rank among the strong men of the conference. His wife was formerly Miss Sarah Raynor, the daughter of an English local preacher. She was intelligent, well educated, and possessed of quite a gift in poetry. Many contributions of hers found their way into the periodicals of that time. Dryden's pastorate at Santa Cruz, has been described elsewhere, but an incident of that period, of a somewhat amusing character, may be properly related here. His zeal led him to the region of San Juan. Hiring a horse for the journey he found several settlers in the vicinity of the old mission, who gladly gathered at a private house to hear the gospel preached. He was the guest of the family who had kindly given him their house for sanctuary purposes. Before retiring he asked permission to have family worship. It was readily granted, but while he read and prayed, the man sat in one corner of the huge fireplace, smoking his pipe vigorously, while his wife sat in the other corner doing exactly the same thing.
On his way home he took a lesson in zoology of a somewhat expensive character. The whole Pajaro Valley at that time was occupied by roving herds of horses and cattle. Not more than two or three families, and they Mexicans, were to be found. Squirrels abounded. These, living in holes, had a kind of grewsome companion in the owls that appeared so tame that one might think he could walk up to one and take it in his hand. Try it. Just before your object was accomplished the bird would seem to vanish into thin air. Its motion into its under- ground covert was so rapid as to be imperceptible. Now Dryden was a taxidermist, he sent not a few birds to his Alma mater, and he coveted one of these owls for the same purpose. At length he came so close to one that he thought he had gained his desire. Dismounting, he approached carefully, only to find nothing but the hole to look at. Dryden hoped to scare it out by running a stick down the hole. Some large mustard stalks growing near seemed to favor his enterprise. He let go his horse's bridle for a moment to break off a stick, when away went his horse, galloping over the valley toward Santa Cruz. He was twenty miles from home, and many miles from a house. While meditating on the condition of things, a Mexican came by. By means of a few Spanish words that he knew, and a great many motions, he succeeded in making the man understand what had happened. He offered to get his horse for “cinquo pesos." Five dollars was a large sum to pay for the service, but there was no help for it, and so the bargain was made, and, within two hours, Dryden was on his horse again, glad to go without the owl.
On his way home he took a lesson in zoology of a somewhat expensive character. The whole Pajaro Valley at that time was occupied by roving herds of horses and cattle. Not more than two or three families, and they Mexicans, were to be found. Squirrels abounded. These, living in holes, had a kind of grewsome companion in the owls that appeared so tame that one might think he could walk up to one and take it in his hand. Try it. Just before your object was accomplished the bird would seem to vanish into thin air. Its motion into its under- ground covert was so rapid as to be imperceptible. Now Dryden was a taxidermist, he sent not a few birds to his Alma mater, and he coveted one of these owls for the same purpose. At length he came so close to one that he thought he had gained his desire. Dismounting, he approached carefully, only to find nothing but the hole to look at. Dryden hoped to scare it out by running a stick down the hole. Some large mustard stalks growing near seemed to favor his enterprise. He let go his horse's bridle for a moment to break off a stick, when away went his horse, galloping over the valley toward Santa Cruz. He was twenty miles from home, and many miles from a house. While meditating on the condition of things, a Mexican came by. By means of a few Spanish words that he knew, and a great many motions, he succeeded in making the man understand what had happened. He offered to get his horse for “cinquo pesos." Five dollars was a large sum to pay for the service, but there was no help for it, and so the bargain was made, and, within two hours, Dryden was on his horse again, glad to go without the owl.
Grass Valley, UOP, and the Family Grows
By the spring of 1853 David and Sarah had been reassigned to Grass Valley. Here, their first daughter Luella was born. In 1854 he was reassigned to Marysville, where Daisy was born. In 1855 the family moved once again. This time their new home was Santa Clara where David was appointed the principal of The Female Institute of the University of the Pacific (The University of the Pacific was originally founded in that city and did not move to Stockton until the 1920s). Sarah was named the Preceptress of the institute and taught French and art classes. It is not clear if David Albion (Albie) was born in Santa Clara, or at their next assignment. The positions at the Institute did not come with salaries. David, as the principal, was responsible for raising the funds to pay staff salaries (as well as his own). So, after 18 months, he sought another position.
By the spring of 1853 David and Sarah had been reassigned to Grass Valley. Here, their first daughter Luella was born. In 1854 he was reassigned to Marysville, where Daisy was born. In 1855 the family moved once again. This time their new home was Santa Clara where David was appointed the principal of The Female Institute of the University of the Pacific (The University of the Pacific was originally founded in that city and did not move to Stockton until the 1920s). Sarah was named the Preceptress of the institute and taught French and art classes. It is not clear if David Albion (Albie) was born in Santa Clara, or at their next assignment. The positions at the Institute did not come with salaries. David, as the principal, was responsible for raising the funds to pay staff salaries (as well as his own). So, after 18 months, he sought another position.
The Female Institute of the University of the Pacific 1853
The fire of 1906 destroyed many of the churches records. Irwin Addicott wrote that the Dryden’s served in San Francisco at least two times before 1885, but I have not been able to find any records of these assignments. The Dryden's may have been in San Francisco from 1856 to 1857. Irwin relates a story of David in the City. It is said that David was offered a lot on market in lieu of salary or payment. The lot was considered nothing more than a sand dune. Dryden did not accept the offer, as he could not afford to pay the taxes on the lot. Today, that lot is the site of the Palace Hotel. It is interesting to note that this lot would later become the first site of the Sisters of Charity's orphanage. Three of the Dryden's great, great great, great grandchildren's great grandmother would live in that orphanage.
Reassigned Each Year
The Dryden’s served in Nevada City in 1857-1859. There, daughter Daisy was born. In 1859-1860 they were possibly in San Francisco, and in the Fall of 1860, they were assigned to Stockton, were Helen was born. Tragedy struck while they lived there. Two of their children, Helen age 15 months and Albie age 5, died and were buried in the Stockton Rural Cemetery.
Cover page from They Rise - The Resurrection of the Dead
San Jose and Another Tragedy
The next posting was San Jose. Soon after their arrival, Sarah gave birth to Wendall her fifth child. The happiness brought by another child would be short lived. While there, death struck once again when Daisy was lost to typhus. At this point the Dryden's had lost three of their five children. The circumstances of Daisy’s death would greatly impact the course of David and Sarah’s lives. Irwin Addicott’s description of the even follows:
“It was during their stay in San Jose that the second daughter Daisy, succumbed in October 1864, apparently from the effects of typhoid fever, of which according to Luella there was an epidemic at that time in that part of California. Daisy then ten years of age, and Luella was a year older. Her illness spread over a considerable period of time. During the last days of her illness Daisy beheld and related to her parents visions of life beyond this earth, including descriptions of her deceased brother Allie (Albion) whom along with others she had know earlier before they died. She insisted she knew that they were “right here with me. Can’t you see them?” and who had come to take her where they were. She also insisted, that while she knew them, these individuals had “spiritual bodies” not like the bodies they had while on earth. These visions were published in a little book of some 58 pages written by her mother, Sarah Dryden and published, entitled Daisy Dryden: A Memoir. First published in Canada by Frank Higgins in Toronto, It went through at least three editions, the last one apparently published in Boston by the Colonial Press in 1909. Her body was buried in Rural Cemetery in Stockton beside her brother and sister. “
Dryden wrote a series of essays on the experience. These were later published under the title They Rise - Resurrection of the Dead. In the essays he argued, “using scripture to prove his points sets forth the premise that the Bible itself refutes the doctrine of the resurrection of the body.” His views were quite unorthodox for the Methodist Church, and made Dryden a controversial figure.
The next posting was San Jose. Soon after their arrival, Sarah gave birth to Wendall her fifth child. The happiness brought by another child would be short lived. While there, death struck once again when Daisy was lost to typhus. At this point the Dryden's had lost three of their five children. The circumstances of Daisy’s death would greatly impact the course of David and Sarah’s lives. Irwin Addicott’s description of the even follows:
“It was during their stay in San Jose that the second daughter Daisy, succumbed in October 1864, apparently from the effects of typhoid fever, of which according to Luella there was an epidemic at that time in that part of California. Daisy then ten years of age, and Luella was a year older. Her illness spread over a considerable period of time. During the last days of her illness Daisy beheld and related to her parents visions of life beyond this earth, including descriptions of her deceased brother Allie (Albion) whom along with others she had know earlier before they died. She insisted she knew that they were “right here with me. Can’t you see them?” and who had come to take her where they were. She also insisted, that while she knew them, these individuals had “spiritual bodies” not like the bodies they had while on earth. These visions were published in a little book of some 58 pages written by her mother, Sarah Dryden and published, entitled Daisy Dryden: A Memoir. First published in Canada by Frank Higgins in Toronto, It went through at least three editions, the last one apparently published in Boston by the Colonial Press in 1909. Her body was buried in Rural Cemetery in Stockton beside her brother and sister. “
Dryden wrote a series of essays on the experience. These were later published under the title They Rise - Resurrection of the Dead. In the essays he argued, “using scripture to prove his points sets forth the premise that the Bible itself refutes the doctrine of the resurrection of the body.” His views were quite unorthodox for the Methodist Church, and made Dryden a controversial figure.
Another Series of Postings
In 1865 David and Sarah would return to Marysville where their daughter Ermina was born. Ermina, their sixth child would survive to adulthood along with her sister Luella, and brother Wendell. In 1867 the Dryden's were posted to Napa, and in 1869 they went south to San Diego. In San Diego Dryden was the founding pastor and was responsible for the building of a new church. This was an ideal setting, but it was only to last for one year.
In 1870 they were off to Gilroy. The south Santa Clara County posting was not the most lucrative, but Dryden was able to build what would be the family home for the rest of his and Sarah’s life. While there, They Rise – the Resurrection of the Dead was published.
In 1865 David and Sarah would return to Marysville where their daughter Ermina was born. Ermina, their sixth child would survive to adulthood along with her sister Luella, and brother Wendell. In 1867 the Dryden's were posted to Napa, and in 1869 they went south to San Diego. In San Diego Dryden was the founding pastor and was responsible for the building of a new church. This was an ideal setting, but it was only to last for one year.
In 1870 they were off to Gilroy. The south Santa Clara County posting was not the most lucrative, but Dryden was able to build what would be the family home for the rest of his and Sarah’s life. While there, They Rise – the Resurrection of the Dead was published.
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Heresy
In September of 1874, Dryden addressed the Methodist Episcopal Church Convention in San Francisco. He responded to charges of heresy by reading a paper laying out his differences with the church dogma. The church hierarchy was unhappy with Dryden’s interpretations of the bible. The church leadership determined to separate Dryden from the California Methodist Episcopal Church. Hoping to avoid a heresy trial, the leadership transferred Dryden to Hollister. The community there was unable to provide the support necessary to maintain a family. So, when in 1875 or 1876 an old friend of Dryden’s from Marysville, US Senator A. A. Sargeant arranged a federal job for Dryden, the reverend requested to be temporarily released from his position in Hollister. The church leadership took this as an opportunity to be done with the heretic, and released him. Dryden then went back to southern California where he became a federal Indian agent. |
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 Dryden's report to the commission starts on page 228.
Bureau of Indian Affairs
The position of Special Agent for the Commission on Indian Affairs was not a good fit for a compassionate christian like Dryden. The 1875 Annual Report of the Commission on Indian Affairs includes a narrative written by Dryden. He wrote frankly of the conditions of the Indian communities and of the actions of the white settlers, which lead to the destruction of the native peoples property and communities. The incident in Temecula, in which 300 Indians were forcibly removed from their homes is a well documented piece of history. Dryden was the responsible agent in the area at the time. He did not get to the scene of the eviction until after the people had been removed. He was powerless to help them substantially. In his report to the Commission, Dryden expressed his concerns over the condition of the Indians and their treatment by the white settlers. He offered recommendations for the improvement of their conditions. The report is too long to transcribe here. To view it, click this link. The image will open in a new window. |
Sacramento Bee 9/25/1874. D. A. Dryden, responds to charges of heresy. While addressing the M. E. Church Conference in S. F. on 9/19/1874, Dryden details his beliefs.
Los Angeles Herald 10/7/1875
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Santa Cruz Sentinel July 8,1890
1876-1894
Dryden worked as a Special Agent only for about a year or so. Upon the completion of his service in the Commission, he returned to Gilroy to rejoin his family. Sarah and Ermina (Minnnie) had stayed in the Gilroy home while he was stationed in Southern California. The next ten years were lean for the Drydens. David, who had spent most of his adult life working as a clergyman, was without a church. He made a living for his family as best he could as a furniture maker, and as a lecturer/preacher. For a short time he served as an interim preacher for a non-denominational church in Santa Cruz. Later he was the pastor of the Swedenborgion Church in San Jose. Always living in Gilroy, he commuted to his posts in San Jose and Santa Cruz by train.
Dryden worked as a Special Agent only for about a year or so. Upon the completion of his service in the Commission, he returned to Gilroy to rejoin his family. Sarah and Ermina (Minnnie) had stayed in the Gilroy home while he was stationed in Southern California. The next ten years were lean for the Drydens. David, who had spent most of his adult life working as a clergyman, was without a church. He made a living for his family as best he could as a furniture maker, and as a lecturer/preacher. For a short time he served as an interim preacher for a non-denominational church in Santa Cruz. Later he was the pastor of the Swedenborgion Church in San Jose. Always living in Gilroy, he commuted to his posts in San Jose and Santa Cruz by train.
Dryden Died on the Fourth of July 1894 of a heart attack. Sarah lived in their home for six more years. She passed on June 21 1900. Dryden and Sarah are buried together in the IOOF Masonic Cemetery in Gilroy.
Gavilon Hills Memorial Park
Santa Cruz Evening Sentinel June 23, 1900
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San Francisco Call 6/22/1900
San Francisco Chronicle 5/30/1875
Santa Cruz Sentinel 7/10/1894
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Senator Sargent was a close friend of D.A. They met in Nevada City in the 1850's. The senator was instrumental in helping D.A. find a position in the Commission on Indian Affairs. - Article from Los Angeles Times 8/17/1877
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Documents and Images
Click on the image for source and background information
This portrait is one of two known images of David Anderson Dryden. (In fact it may be the source for the other portrait, as they are very similar. The image was provided by Erica H. of Kansas City. She runs a website, savingourpast.wordpress.com dedicated to preserving old photographs. While in Arizona, she came across this photo of D. A. Dryden, and used the information on the back to trace it to our family tree. Thank you Erica.
This is the back of the portrait found in a Phoenix Antique store.
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D. A. Dryden from Rayner Family History by William Henry Rayne
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