Charley Parkhurst

For other people named Charles Parkhurst, see Charles Parkhurst (disambiguation).
"One Eyed Charley" redirects here. For the 1973 Western film, see Charley One-Eye.
Charley Darkey Parkhurst
Artist's reimagining of Parkhurst based on descriptions in historical accounts.
BornJanuary 17, 1812
Lebanon, New Hampshire
DiedDecember 28, 1879, age 67
Watsonville, California
Resting placePioneer Cemetery, Watsonville, California
Occupation(s)Stagecoach driver, farmer, rancher

Charley Darkey Parkhurst (born Charlotte Darkey Parkhurst;[1] January 17, 1812 – December 28, 1879) also known as "One-Eyed Charley" or "Six-Horse Charley", was an American stagecoach driver, farmer and rancher in California. Raised in New England and assigned female at birth, Parkhurst ran away as a youth, taking the name Charley. Now presenting as a man, he started work as a stable hand and learned to handle horses, including to drive coaches drawn by multiple horses. He worked in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, traveling to Georgia for associated work.

In his late 30s, Parkhurst sailed to California following the Gold Rush in 1849; there he became a noted stagecoach driver. In 1868, he may have been the first person who was assigned female at birth to vote in a presidential election in California.[1][2] After his death in 1879, others discovered his sex, as well as that he had given birth at an earlier time.[3]

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  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference thrapp was invoked but never defined (see the help page).