John Chaffee and Jason Chamberlain

John Chaffee
Born
John Amos Chaffee

1823
Woodstock, Connecticut, U.S.
DiedJuly 31, 1903(1903-07-31) (aged 79–80)
San Francisco, California, U.S.
OccupationGold miner
PartnerJason Chamberlain
Jason Chamberlain
Born
Jason Palmer Chamberlain

1821
Windsor County, Vermont, U.S.
Died (aged 81)
Groveland, California, U.S.
Cause of deathSelf-inflicted gunshot wound
OccupationGold miner
PartnerJohn Chaffee

John Chaffee and Jason Chamberlain were gold miners in California who lived together for over 50 years. Referred to as the "wedded bachelors", they are a well-documented example in early American history of a male same-sex couple living in a relationship similar to marriage.[1] There is some evidence they were the inspiration for Bret Hart's gold rush era story Tennessee's Partner[2] and they are part of the local lore of Tuolumne county where they lived.[1][3]

In their cabin in Second Garrote, Groveland, CA circa 1890.
  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference :1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Photos of Originals in "Tennessee's Partner" Revealed in San Raphael". San Francisco Bulletin. August 21, 1925.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference :2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).