Lincoln Letters by Santa Barbara Historical Museum

onto

r Lhicoln Letters

VOL. X, NO. 4

AUTUMN, 1964

9 ●

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Abbic Smith Patrick Lincoln.

Amasa Lyman Lincoln.

NOTICIA5 QUARTERLY BULLETIN OF THE SANTA BARBARA HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Lincoln Letters By Anna Blake Lincoln PREFACE The following saga contained in the letters written by iny grandmother Abbie Smith Patrick Lincoln to her family in the East, tells of the move from Boston, Massachusetts to Santa Barbara, California in 1869. With her husband Amasa Lyman Lincoln (referred to as Macie or Macy in the letters) and their boys, Lyman Putman, six years old, and Henry (Harry) Patrick, four years old, they sailed from New York via Panama, crossing the Isthmus by train at Aspinwall, by ship again to San Francisco. They were six days in that city before sailing for Santa Barbara, arriving just before Christmas, De cember 22 in one of our dry but beautiful winters. Accompanying the Lincoln family was a Mr. Frank Young. He (and his brother, George, who later came to California, too) planned to go into partnership with Mr. Lincoln in the purchase of a ranch. These richly descriptive letters tell how they stopped off in Santa Bar bara instead of proceeding to Los Angeles as was their original intention; how they met Col. W. W. Hollister and came to purchase the beautiful Tajiguas Ranch, north west of Santa Barbara, which was established by the Ortega Family. The possibilities of the ranch which Mr. Lincoln wrote about in a letter in 1870 to his solicitor in Boston, gives more detailed descriptions of the ranch and speaks of his eyes still troubling him. This may have been one of the reasons (besides the glowing stories of the far west) which en couraged him to resign his post as a teller in the Massachusetts Bank of Boston and go into ranching. Unfortunately 1870, the year they took the rancho, was another very dry one. After a year Mr. Lincoln sold his share to the Young brothers who kept it until 1884 when they sold it to the Lawrence Mores. In 1920 it was sold to the Kirk Johnsons. In 1954 the A. B. Ruddocks bought it, selling it in 1962 to the present owners, the Stewart Abercrombies. In 1872 Mr. Lincoln established “The Lincoln House”. This fine board ing house still stands with added annex and cottages on the corner of De la Vina and Sola Streets. It is called “Hotel Upham” and under the manage ment of Mr. John Hall. It is Santa Barbara’s oldest continuously operated hotel. In 1872 Mr. Mortimer Cook became guest there following an injury 1

to his leg in a carriage accident. During his recuperation he learned of Mr. Lincoln’s hanking e.xperience. Mr. Cook felt that they would make a good team by coupling Lincoln’s experience with Cook’s capital. He persuaded Mr. Lincoln, later that year, to join him in his small private bank at the corner of State and Haley Streets, furnished only with a safe, a desk and a chair! His business heading was printed “Mortimer Cook, Banker”. According to his niece Miss Gail Harrison, when his father heard of tliis in the East, he advised him that this was not a proper title for a bank. Perhaps w'ith this in mind, he and Mr. Lincoln helped organize in 1873 “The First National Gold Bank”. The photo of the 1874 bank note shows that they were still using the old bank notes (perhaps for economy’s sake) with the change marked by a line drawn through the Bank and 1st National written in ink above. So Mr. Lincoln relinquished his short term as Inn Keeper and became Cashier in the first bank of Santa Barbara, now' the United California Bank. Mr. Lincoln then sold the Lincoln House and they lived for aw'hile at Chapala and Arrellaga Streets (now Family Medical Center). However, they returned to the Lincoln House as boarders at the time of the birth of their third son, John Spencer. He was born upstairs in the West Bedroom. They stayed there several years, later moving to their home built on the corner of Micheltorena and De la Vina Streets. Mr. Lincoln remained in the bank until his death in 1897. He had also filled the posts of City and County treasurer for many years. Mrs. Lincoln died in 1902. The house was torn down before World War I. They were very active in the Episcopal Church. Their son Lyman went into the coffee business in the Hawiian Islands. He also was village Postmaster. He married Henrietta Kepilino. He lived to be almost ninety. He died in 1953. His wife and children, Howard, Abbie, Arthur and Harry and grandchildren still reside there. Henry entered the banking business in the same bank as his father. He married Annie Stanw’ood (sister of Sam Stanwood). They both died in 1955, he close to ninety years old. Their children, Warren, Margaret and Anna lived at 1426 Bath Street. They and grandchildren survive. Home is now owned and occupied by the writer (Anna). John w'as with Nathan Bentz Oriental Arts Store at Victoria and State Streets. He married Louise Stanwood (Annie’s younger sister). He died in 1939 and she in 1959. They and their daughters, Frances, Marian and Louise lived above the A. L. Lincoln home at 1511 De la Vina Street. This house still stands. The daughters and grandchildren live in Santa Barbara.

Steamer Alasco November 22, (1869) Monday, A.M.

From N.Y. to Aspinwall

Tot Mrs. J. C. Putnam My dear Cousin Abby, Marcia and all the dear ones. I have not written any since Saturday just before the Pilot left us. Hope you rec’s the few lines 1 sent by him. Saturday I managed to go to the dining room and take one spoonful of soup, but left in a hurry. Macy followed and we four w'ere the sickest mortals to et undressed you ever saw. We were sick enough 2

all night. I thought of Rip Van Winkle. “All one family” when Frank Young would jump, climb on the edge of my berth and hold the pail for the children who were above me. He is as kind as can be. The children and I were sick all day Sunday. Lyman would raise his head and say “oh by gings” then drop down again. Lyman is such a considerate little fellow. He would say to Harry “Don’t speak to mama now, she is too sick to answer you.” I have not been down to the dining saloon again but this Monday morning have eaten a good breakfast of fried hominy, beefsteak, coffee, etc. So you see I am doing nicely. It is decidedly warmer today. Do not need any over coats or shawls on the deck. Miss Cooper is very pleasant. I enjoy her very much. She had white grapes and tamarinds which were very acceptable when I was so sick. The children are both playing on the deck this morning. I hope they will keep well after this. Tues. Nov. 23. The Captain is a monstrous fat fellow, stomach that stands out decidedly. Harry came up to a party of us on the deck and says “Who is that man who looks this way?” throwing his shoulders back and stomach out. There w'as no mistake, who he meant. Everybody roared with laughter and told him it was the Captain. There is a very interesting bride, a lovely blonde. She has new diamonds etc. that would astonish you. He is probably a rich Californian who has been East for a wife and found a dashing N.Y. girl. The Stewards are very attentive. Macy keeps them fee’d and I receive plenty of attention. There are some ladies on board who are not the best. George Young saw them before he left and warned Macy about his soul. Frank is as kind as possible. 1 like him so far very much. This is Thursday. I went to breakfast this morning. The first meal I have taken in the saloon since the day we left. Marcia this would be w'arm enough to suit you. When we wake in the morning it is as if we should roast but after dressing and seating ourselves on the deck we revive a little. We had a tremendous rain storm yesterday. I thought I had seen it rain before but you ought to have been here. We passed a small island this morning, expect to sight Cuba this P.M. The old Capt. lives in Brooklyn. He knew Capt. Eaton very well. I have a social chat with him every day. There is a very pretty English girl on board who has come all the way from England and now on her way to California to marry her lover. What do you think of that Josie? Macy is dressed in his linen suit and white hat on the 25th day of November! We often think of the cold winds whistling through Boston and N.Y. Oh Cousin Abby this would take all the cold out of you. Your old poplin is just the thing for me cool but dark. 1 do not care to rig up in white dresses as so many do. My wrapper has been a great comfort. 1 am sadly off without a shade hat. I hope to buy one in Panama or Aspinwall. We expect to arrive in A Sunday evening, lay all night and cross the Isthmus Monday Morn. Saturday morning. Oh. I am thankful one more of these terrible nights are over. We long to cross the Isthmus and have it begin to grow cooler. We have a tremendous rain squall nearly every P.M. It dries off the deck very quickly. There is a strong breeze all the time. If it were not for that should suffocate. This morning all our trunks will be taken out of our rooms we and weighed. W^e shall not see them again until next Tuesday after have crossed the Isthmus. We expect to reach Aspenwall Sunday eve, la) there all night. 3

Sunday morning. Expect it will be very warm tonight lying still in Aspenwall. Oh, I dread two long weeks of sailing. Wish it was San Francisco we were to reach this evening. We are to have a service at 1/2 past 10 o’clock this morning and 1 think we may give llianks from our hearts for such a delightful voyage. Here we are in Aspenwall, oh. such funny sights, hundreds of darkies, half naked, hauling in the ropes and now as we lie in our berths, this melting hot night, hear them singing and slamming down the luggage. With love for all and kisses.

Abhy Steamer Constitution Wednesday December 1, (1869) Dear Friends one and all: I closed my last on board the Aiasco just after we reached Aspinwall. Everything in the way of stores were open and watered round them. I scarcely see anything but darkies, women dressed in a chimese very low in the neck and without sleeves and old dress skirt constitute the wardrobe of the women and men with old white pants without shirts and children en tirely naked not a dud on them. They carried large baskets on their heads full of oranges and bananas the last very large and perfectly elegant. A large bunch for 10 cts. Also cocoanut hats, the c|ueerest looking things. Amasa and the boys each have one and wore them across the Isthmus. The steam cars look so funny. The seats are made of cane and everything made as cool as possible which 1 assure there is need enough of. It seems as if the sun would burn us up. I never imagined such funny people and place existed. When we passed their bamboo huts all the darkies would rush out with fruit to sell. The trees have long narrow leaves. Cocoanuts and Bananas in a month from now they said will be in full blossom. Panama is very pretty. We were about three hours in crossing. Did not stop in Panama but went directly to the ferry boat. This look us to the steamer. After we were on board A went back to Panama and saw the horse racing, bull and cock fights, etc. We did not sail until 11 o’clock. I was worried almost to death fearing the children would eat too much fruit. Everybody was giving it to them. H was taken with diareah (sic) last night. They gave him rubarb (sic) and paragoric (sic). Today 1 am feeding him on rice water and crackers. I hope he will get over it soon, I fear anything of this kind in this climate but we are beginning to sail north. It will soon be cooler, but when I think of it 12 or 13 days before us yet it is discouraging to think of. This ship is not as spacious as the Aiasco. The eatables have a grand appearance but consist mostly of stewed stuff. We have some fruits, no ice in the water. Have to pay for every particle. Capt. Parker is a very gentle manly old navy officer. We have seats at his table through friends made at court, Mr. and Mrs. Willey whose home is in San Francisco. We have many pleasant people on board but many look as if they belonged in the steerage but have money enough to enable them to take cabin passage. I should never advise you Cousin Abby to take this long passage. By rail we should have been in San Francisco last Sunday night unless got shut up in a snow bank. We miss the long promenade deck of the other 4

« % Henry Patrick.

Lyman Putman.

Steamer. Lyman rooms with Frank Young. Macy, Harry and myself stow away in one little closet, 3 berths, close storage for such hot weather. The barber clipped the childrens’ heads yesterday which makes them look cooler. Friday. I have just untied the bottle for the gentlemen to fill with all sorts of writing to throw overboard. 1 must go and see the fun. Three volcanos 14 thousand feet high. Mount Washington is 5000 so you can imagine how high these must look. 1 wish I had more thin dresses handy. The ladies wear organdies, muslins, nansooks (sic) and everything that looks cool. I cannot believe it is December. It seems more like our warmest day in August. I presume it will be cooler soon, as we are going north all the time. We are sailing along the coast of Mexico now, have the shore and range of mountains in plain sight all the time. We expect to reach Man zanillo Tuesday where we shall stop six hours for coal but the passengers are not allowed on shore. This is the third Sunday on board. We shall have one more. Then if all is well we shall reach Frisco, as they call it, on Mon day. The Capt. estimates his time closely and always seems to do just as he says he will. There is a report that we are to have ice cream for dinner which will be refreshing. The children had a splendid dinner today, roast chicken, vegetables, plum pie, fruit, etc. It is strange for me to be so anxious to reach Frisco with no friends or home there but after 3 weeks at sea with children one is glad to reach any land. There are so many children, all crying with the heat most of the time. It has broken out all over my boys, They have on their last suit of linen and they are soiled. I don’t know what I shall do then after we get on the last week. Sunday eve did not go into Acapulco but stopjjed and sent rockets etc. The natives came out and took one passenger and several trunks. At one o’clock went into Manzanillo harbor. The cannon fired which woke us up. I would have laughed to see the picture we ladies presented on the deck in flannel wrappers minus hoop and chemises. The natives brought out banana.', the largest bunches 1 ever saw for a dollar. I should think over a hundred on one. i^ou would laugh to hear me try to talk Spanish. It is such a romantic looking place. Imagine four mountains within a half circle with a small 5

beach. Natives with dresses and every colored shirts. Little row boats with canopies over them, it looks. The accounts of fruit etc. in Los Angeles seem fabulous. The thermometer in the shade is 89° so you can imagine the heal on the deck in the sun. One needs perfect loads of summer clothing for this trip. We had oyster patties for breakfast brought on board fresh this morn ing. Also saw some live green turtles on deck. Presume we shall have soup made of them. Oh what a SI ihey are. They have just brought them up to be butchered. They are as large as an extension table without the extra leaves. It takes three men to manage one. Wednesday. We have crossed the gulf of California. 1 was sick. I was sick enough. All that started me out of my berth was a Cal. steamer passing. We both stopped. Sent a boat and got the papers. I saw our names registered F. C. Young and child and Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln and child. It is now cooler and I can wear a thicker dress. Do not require shawls or over coats yet. It is a delightful change. 1 counted 128 bananas on one bunch cost them Ic a piece. I w'ish you could all have some. They are so fresh and delicious. Poor Harry is most dead with worms. He says they eat like little pigs. He fell downstairs and hurt his head. The Capt. is a very pleasant young man. He brought a piece of ice to bind on his head to keep it from swelling badly. The children are great favorites. Lyman has just come up with his hair all greased and parted. The Steward has been combing it. I have to watch them very closely for fear if too much fruit being given them. December 13. Mon. Here we are in the Occidental Hotel. San Fran cisco. We had a splendid day to come up the harbor. I never saw one more beautiful. The City seemed built on several hills. It was very exciting as we moored to the wharf to see the friends wailing. It seemed strange to think that not one soul cared whether we came or not. But I was glad enough to be on shore if they didn’t. The English girl who came all the way from England to be married was greatly excited. He was the first person on board and splendid fellow he was. We expected to find Will Barnes at this hotel but he had just left and gone to the Metropolitan. We enjoyed our lunch without the motion of the steamer. I cannot be thankful enough we are here and have had such fine weather. Not a storm in 22 days on the ocean. It was rough coming over the bar. Macy has gone to see Will and emjuire for letters. I am anxiously waiting his return. ~ This is a splendid hotel but expensive so we must be off to our biz as soon as possible, I saw the Ranchos as we came up the Coast. Macy and Frank have crowds of men to see. The grass is green as summer and weather like June with us. The City looks hazy. The rainy season has begun but we have seen nothing of it as yet. Macy has come in, could not see Will no letters yet. We have been to dinner. Frank’s cousin dined with us, a very pleasant young man. Oh my how splendid everything is. Gay ladies, tables with Calla lillies, Japaneze in elegant bouquets, lettuce, etc. While at dinner the best dish of all was in the shape of a package of letters from home. It is the best time to stay until I have a night’s rest on land. The bed on the steamer did not rest me much as the pillows were so hard. Ranchmen living here are delighted with the place and would not live anywhere else. I’m expecting John Chinaman to take my clothes every moment 7 doz only S3.00. a doz. Think of that. We were obliged to have our trunks examined for fear of contraband goods from Panama. I was afraid they would take my bananas but they did not. This house is very spacious and crowded with 6

people. We shall not be here over a week and less if we can get very inconvienent (sic) to be poor. I should like to remain some courage Abigail to the end. The band is playing so splendidly of the house. I cannot but wish I could have all our friends with

off. It is time but in front us. Now

Cousin Abby do be careful. You must ward off any more colds for this winter. I believe this climate would be good for you. The story is that a man lived so long in Santa Barbara that he left there to die but wished to be brought back to be buried. When they buried him there he came to life again and could not stay dead, it is so healthy there. Urso the violinist sits opposite to me at the table and Miss Melba the actress who made rapsody wdth us. She is very pleasant. Miss Cooper here also the Millers. May God bless you all. Goodbye.

Abbie

San Francisco Occidental Hotel December 16, (1860) My dear Cousin Abby and Marcia: Will Barnes look Made and Frank through the markets the first day they were here. He sent me the most lovely bunch of violets grown in the open air. In the evening he and his wdfe made a long call, stayed until after 10 o’clock. Will enjoyed talking over the old times in Springfield with me. They proposed my going out with Mrs. Barnes to see the sights the next morning also to send Willie and Macie to take my children and spend the morning on the beach which they did. The children had a lovely time and I enjoyed myself much more not to drag them round with me. We went all through the markets. It is a sight indeed. All the delicious fresh vegetables and fruits w'e should have in the middle of summer. Also meat. Each kind by itself. The meats and game and fish look beautifully. I should think it might be an easy matter to keep house here. Mrs. Barnes says the difficulty is to know what not to buy. We went into the Chinese store. Oh such beauti ful goods and so tempting but very high priced. I bought a little charm for each of your watch chains. The green one is for you Marcia and the other for Cousin Abby with a “Merry Christmas” from my heart. Open yours, Cousin Abby. I think those little dice are a curiosity. 1 am more and more pleased with this place every day, would like right well to live here. Not that the city is so elegant for it is not, but such a home feeling for a strange place. The houses are all of wood like our country houses about thei color of ours in Medford each with land round it, very few in blocks. Also gardens and calla lillie:,, geraniums and roses and everything in blossom, now in the open air. I wear my black silk suit without anything over my shoulders in the street, am plenty warm. The children do not require any overcoats. Their suits are plenty warm. Yesterday Frank hired a Barouche and Span invited us all with Miss Cooper to take a drive. We went the great drive out to the Cliff House. A beautiful hard board road all the way for six miles. The house is built right on the edge of the rocks with immense Piazza looking off on the sea. You sit there and look rightdown into the surf and watch the waves dash up as warm and comfortable as our beaches in August. Out a little from the house 7

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are these large rocks that the seal(s) come up on and sun themselves. 1 thought we might see two or three seals but instead there were hundreds. You could hear them barking like so many dogs above the roar of the sea long before we reached the House. Could sit there and watch them jump in the water and come out again. The children were highly amused as were the grown children. The beach puts any we have all in the shade. A beautiful drive and it seems so strange to be on it nearly Christmas time. When we reached home found that Bessie Stickney had called. I felt very sorry to miss her. Will Barnes is right round the corner from here at the Cosmopolitan Hotel. Their rooms are splendid, first flight from the street. Large parlor and chamber, bath room, nursery and one room upstairs, private table, every luxury one could desire and as private as in their own house. I should not object to living so myself. I acknowledge rather extravagent ideas. Never mind, wait until we shear the sheep. The accounts of the ranches are just as encouraging as ever. Still I do not put faith in what others say but wait to try ourselves. 1 know we have got to put our shoulders to the wheel and work hard if we hope to play by and by. Will insists upon it, I will not be 8

lonely; that there is a certain excitment attending that life that is very pleasant. Not in elegant homes and that kind of thing but the entirely new style of life. But 1 do not credit all this. Still have felt thankful every day since I left that I came when I did, had Made with me on that long tedious journey. Am here now to encourage and help him begin and it is no more expense than it would have been to support me and the children at home. Mrs. Barnes thinks I was so wise to come. They feel very much interested in our affairs. Say it reminds them of their own coming from friends and home. She says, “I should think you would be so happy now. All the breaking up and start ing is over.” I expect we shall start Saturday to go down the Coast to some of the towns where I can board with the children. Then Made and Frank will look in earnest for a home. They are obliged to buy themselves saddles here. There is a great deal of horse back riding here and here it is the only means of locomotion. Oh, the hills in the city the streets are entirely perpendicular. All the carriages have breaks(sic) on the wheels. I shut my eyes and teeth driving down. I had a funny time with Harry this morning. Miss Cooper, Lyman, Harry and I went out for a walk. After Miss C left us I stepped into a store to buy some paper collars. Lyman w'as close by m© and I was sure Harry was. 1 bought and paid two bits for my things said Come Harry and found he was not there—looked all over the store for him then went into the street and could not see him anywhere. By that time 1 was slightly frightened for I knew he would be so much so to find himself alone. I walked along not knowing what direction to take when I met a man who asked me if I was looking for a little boy dressed just like Lyman for he had seen him crying along the street hold of a man’s hand said he had lost his mother. Showed me the way they had gone and 1 walked on. Sent Lyman into the Hotel to get Macie and Frank looking. They were not there so Lyman and I posted on and asked at every corner. The Policeman told me he would be carried to the Station House. I started for that when a little Irish boy told me as far as they had gone right up that hill. Thanks to the high hill way up ^ I could see was Harry’s red stockings. He (had) hold of a mans hand. Lyman ran uj> and at last could make him hear his voice. They came back and glad enough the little fellow was to see us. The man said that Harry said he lived in California. So he supposed it was California Street and was taking him there. I shall keep them pinned to me after this, I have been sitting in the drawing room watching the sights, no one knows me so I look all 1 can. The ladies begin to pay visits about two o’clock and keep it up until dinner at six. Talk about extravagence(sic) m dress in N.Y. or Boston. I will mention a few of the suits I have seen this afternoon. Two elegant black silk velvet suits trimmed elaborately with black thread lace a quarter of a yard deep. Lavendar satin suit, hat and all to match with white point lace sash. Elegant blue silk with black satin over dress. Crimson velvet suit and the bustles and trimmings I never saw equaled. The hats have three or four more feathers than in N.Y. The hair is elaborate but much more neat than with us. Each head looks as if it had just come from the hairdresser. The ladies who drive to call wear trains a yard and a half long. I have seen some splendid looking women. The streets do not seem to be crowded with common looking people as east. Some hours you do not see a lady then when you do they are all elegantly dressed. The goods are 9

displayed very finely. I looked right down from my window into a store. One large window of elegant shawls, the other shelves covered with red cloth and point and thread laces displayed on them. The goods are elegant. I should judge more like Paris than any place I have ever seen. It must be a land of gold for women to spend money as they do here. There are a great many hotels and many families live in them. Another very funny custom is to see nicely dressed ladies come into the drawing room, ring the bell send their cards up to gentlemen who come down and receive them as ladies would make their calls and leave. It is not like appointments or meetings of that

kind.

By the way you never saw such elaborate dressed hair as the Chinese women have. It stands out behind their heads as much as a quarter of a yard done up in the form of a butterfly. I thought it was not possible for them to do it every day. It seems they never sleep on a pillow, put a block of wood cut for their heads to fit in it. Saturday, December 18th. Well dear friends this is our last day in Frisco. We leave tomorrow, Sunday morning which is not a very pleasant idea but as it is the regular sailing day cannot be helped, will make the 5th Sunday on the water since I left you. Yesterday morning Miss Willey, Miss Cooper, Miss Shetter and Mrs. Calef, Aunt and friend of Willie Couty the young boy Mr. Shetter introduced us to. They called to thank me for our kindness to Willie. He is a nice boy, very fond of Lyman and Harry has been here to see. These ladies invited me any time when I came to San ●Francisco to come to see them. Were very much pleased to hear me say I liked the place so much. Miss Cooper wrote a letter home in my room then we took early lunch. Macie said he would take care of the children while. Frank and I went over to Oakland to call on Bessie Stickney. I felt so sorry to miss seeing her. She has a cunning little house everything so pretty. She was dressed very handsomely and her baby is beautiful. A splendid boy dressed very nicely but I am surprised to see the modest house people of means are willing to live in here. One story wooden houses and small. 1 think it is sensible. Why one house in Medford would be a perfect palace compared with any I have seen. Still it all has an air of comfort. Bessie said I was the only young friend of hers she had seen here since she was married. She seems very happy. Would give anything to have her father and mother come here to live. She feels the death of her Aunty very much. She has improved so much, seems so womanly. They intend to move into the city next month to live. Oakland has beautiful gardens about the places. . The grass as green as our first grass in the spring, every variety of beautiful flower in blossom. The geraniums are trained up along the fences and reach the top of a high fence. Miss Willey told me they had delicious strawberries the day they reached home plenty of them grown in their garden without any covering. You go to Oakland in a Ferry Boat then take steam cars over a bridge three miles long. By the way it is the Pacific Railroad. We saw the train pass hy starting for the East with tea tables set in refreshment car as nice large heads of celery and napkins in the glasses in great style. I was most tempted to step in and trip back to see you all. I never tasted such delicious living as it is here. The broiled quail for breakfast would make your mouth water. The greatest quantity of nuts, candy for dessert ice cream every day. The housekeeper is an elegant lady, associates with 10

everyone in the house, walks the hall and parlor with her long train. I think it is a good idea. 1 must go out and buy a few buttons etc. today. Also say goodbye to Mrs. Barnes. Made bought the children beautiful guns exactly like a man’s without the powder. A fine click on them, also a regular brass horn, pipes etc. for Christmas. Frank is going to get them something so they will not suffer for Santa Claus if they are too far from home. Macie and Frank came in. I must stop. Frank has got boats for the boys, the toys here are very nice. We start down the coast tomorrow for Santa Barbara town in Santa Barbara County, there to deposit me and the children in some boarding house while Frank and Macie buy them each a horse and scour the county for Ranches. They are advised to go there first instead of Los Angeles. We leave here on the steamer Sunday morning at 9 o’clock, reach there Monday p.m. before dark. So it is not very formidable. Still I dread another hour on the ocean. Do not say anything to George Young about Frank having courage etc. I had rather would hear from himself then me.

Abbie Santa Barbara St. Charles Hotel December 21st, (1869) Dear Cousin Abby, Marcia one and all; Here we are so far on our way. We left Frisco Sunday morn at 9 o’clock. Miss Cooper came dow'n to the boat to see us off. She brought me a lovely bouquet and each of the children a book. Poor girl. She felt dreadfully to have us leave. I should think we had known each other five years instead of weeks. Oh dear, how rough, worse than any weather we had coming from N.Y. not a storm, but fearfully windy. Still it was in our favor and carried us along very fast. We reached Santa Barbara Monday P.M. at 8 o’clock. Came off in a row boat. The Captain had flags spread on the seats to keep them dry and helped me in. The last thing he looked very funny and tossed down a paper bundle said it belonged to me. I said it was not mine put it with another ladies bags. When we reached the hotel heard them wondering who it belonged to. I looked and behold my nig;ht gown. I can hear cousin Abby say “just like her,” but I think 1 have done very well have not lost anything since we started. I cannot describe this funny old Spanish town to you. It is very pretty as you come up the harbor, all green and bright surrounded by smooth hills not covered with trees like our hills. There are some nice wooden dwellings have been built the last year, but mostly Adobe one story. This hotel is built of Adobe that is mud two stories. The doorways and windows are three quarters of a yard deep that is the thickness of the walls. It is papered, very neatly furnished. The Parlor I am sitting in is a very large room nice oil cloth on floor, rosewood furn iture covered with hair cloth, muslin curtains, marble top table, nice little stove with bright wood fire which we have night and morning. It is quite cool then and very warm in the middle of the day. More so in this town as it lies in the valley. There are immense verandas all round the second story. All the rooms open on it. You go out of doors to go from one to the other. No halls. You go out of doors and downstairs to get to the dining room.

The cooking is rather too frenchy all garlic and little menu, good bread and butter and milk. No woman of any description connected with the house Chinamen Chamber maids, etc. But oh the horses they are as thick. Every man, woman and child on a Mexican horse. They are treatcherous(sic) animals No mat ter how long tamed will leave you if they get a chance are always lied to a post. You should see the men fool with them, the horses will stand up strait(sic) almost sit down on their haunches but their riders keep their seats and bring them back all right. The stirrups are an immense piece of leather with spurs almost as large as our saddles. The tearing rale that everyone was riding round frightened me when I first arrived but you soon get used to it. Three young ladies came to the hotel with us, one returning home from sehool. Her father owns a ranch 40 miles from here. He was at the landing to meet her, is related to the Stevens of Boston but does not know them very well. Here I have been interrupted by a Mr. Bixby calling, fine looking gentleman. We have looked over maps and talked Ranches all the time. Macie and Frank expect to start ofT tomorrow for a two or three days trip to look at Ranches. A guide goes with them. They will drive in wagon part of the way ride horseback the rest. I will continue to tell you about the young ladies who came here. They are both nicely educated girls come to get situations as teachers. One drove home with Miss Stevens, the other is here. She and I are cronies. She will sleep with one of the boys and 1 with the other while Macie is goneThe first evening we Macie talked over all the that came in here about returns soon. Macie and

were here a Mr. Fisk of Boston called. He and Boston men. Mr. F. was on his way to the boat 10 o’clock that evening for San Francisco but Frank have letters to all the richest men here.

Still government agents have got the start of us and bought up all that is desirable so to buy from them will cost rather more than it has done. There is a tremendous tide of emigration this way, many who have gone farther south will come back and settle all along. It is a rich country. Will be hard work at first but there is no doubt there is money in it at last. I may have to remain here for month until some kind of a house is built. There is a Mr. Thompson here. He looks all Spanish. His father was American, mother Spanish. His father built this house. He was born here and has always lived here. The house cost his father 12,000 dollars was sold for 40,000. His married sister, Mrs- Ting also boards here. She is very pretty. They are both so black, eyes, hair. Mr. Thompson is a perfect gentleman, has been teaching Lyman Spanish today. I shall amuse myself studying it when I am here alone. Miss Halley the teacher who is here and myself went to walk this p.m. was passing a very pretty place thought we would walk in and look at the garden. The lady walked right out showed us all over the place. Orange trees as thick as they could stand and as full as our apple trees often are also figs growing, a date tree, citrons which look like a large lemon smell delicious. She gave us each one to keep in our trunk, ate the figs right off the tree seem like an entirely different fruit from the dried ones. She picked oranges for us. Also immense pepper trees are growing they are beautiful evergreen look something like our weeping willows.

There are :ood stores here furniture, dry goods, toys, groceries everythe verandas that reach thing. The children have a splendid time running on as all around the house their trumpet has sounded all day, it is as good a cow hell to tell where they are. There is Catholic, Methodist, Episcopal and I don’t know what other churches here. I shall go on Christmas day with a great deal of pleasure as I have not been in a long time. I know you will all think of and pray for me so far away on that day. There is a stage comes in every day. The Railroad runs within thirty miles of here and stage from there. I should go that way again sooner than he so sea sick. This is a plan of the second story of this house.* Under this is dining room, bar room, kitchen, veranda. You see those windows in the parlor are all there are on this floor. The doors are like french windows open down the whole length from each room, then door between the rooms. Now for the events of today. Miss Halley proposed taking the children and she and 1 walking up to the Old Mission Church. It was built in 16 hundred and something. I never saw one of those old Catholic churches before, bare stone floor some beautiful paintings the Virgin Mary dressed up very much like a ballet dancer in pink lace. One of the Monks showed us about. We went through the orchard tasted olives just taken from the trees also saw them growing such cactus plants you never immense. Coming home we were very tired especially Harry. He has a bad rock cold taken on the steamer coming down here. We were resting on a when one of the monks from the Abby drove by with a pair of Mexican horses. There are no roads except those made by natives. We asked him to take the children in. After they were seated on the only seat with him he asked us if we would get on behind and sit on the bottom of the wagon so in ii. we j jumped and drove up to the Hotel in style much better than walking. I have not dared to try the horseback riding yet, but shall soon. Lyman is in bed. He will learn Spanish very soon. It will be a long time after a Ranch is bought before we can get a house built^ so we are trying to get a few rooms or small house and go to housekeeping. I shall have to Iniy furniture for the Ranch and cart it from here at any rate so may as well get it now and have the use of it. It will be a much cheaper way of living than boarding here. They charg 9 dollars for each of us and 9 for both children together making 27 dollars a week. I will finish this for tomorrow’s steamer and tell you what success about a house. M^ie and Frank did not go off as they expected to do today but drove out about 12 miles to Colonel Hollister with their letters to him. He is worth millions of money. Is building a house out there betiveen thirty and forty rooms in it to accomodate his friends who may come here. Macie thinks he put them in the way of getting a good Ranch. Do not require any carpets only beds and chairs. It amuses me every time Frank and Macie come jn they look around for me and tell me all that has been said. They would not either of them do it at home but I am all either of them have got to speak to here. I feel more thankful every day that I came whether it be for failure or success think it was best. Thursday Macie and Frank have started off in a buggy with his gay horses to drive 30 miles and look at some land that was highly recommended. I shall feel anxious until they return as they do not know the road or the horses. I have been with Miss Halley who had a letter to Mr. Williams the 13

Ej)iscopal minister. He is a very pleasant man. Said he should call on me very soon. They are busy trimming the church for Christmas. It looks as if we shall have rain Christmas day. The rainy season has begun although they have only had two rains but during the dry season they do not have any rain. It rains mostly in the night. 1 hope Macie will get back Friday night so as to see the children’s stockings filled as that is our celebration. I have hung up your picture Cousin Abby in my room and shall trim it with green but there will not be any snow for the contrast every yard is full of green trees. We have decided to take five rooms in the second upper story of a new brick house that has just been Iniilt here.t It has a long veranda with doors from the rooms opening on it. It will be much pleasanter than living here. There are so few ladies and so many men round the Hotel. 1 am very much templed to buy a house lot here in the town with my bank money instead of investing in a Camels hair shawl. You can get one now in a lovely location beautiful view of the sea for 150 dollars. It is a quarter of an acre. I cannot begin to write you how land is going up here every day. All the handsome places have been built within the last year now is the time to do such a thing. If I could get one lot for the children and one for me adjoining I could fence them in plant oranges and get quite an income from them until we are rich enough to have a town house or sell again. Miss Halley has quite an idea of buying her a lot. A Mr. Fish told us this is the Newport of lower California- It is delightfully situated. Just let the Yankees get hold of it and it will grow fast enough. Write often and think of us often, as ever

Abby *Sce sketch. Page 23. tDr. Biggs.

Santa Barbara January 5th, 1870 Dear Cousin Abby: Your letter in answer to my first from Frisco was rec’d last evening. What I dread most about moving to the ranch is the loss of the mail every day. We shall have to drive in here once a week to get one’s letters. The matter is still undecided. This property we have in view belongs to a widow and heirs, who are unknown. The Judge would not take Macie and Frank’s offer last court day. He thought it altogether too little for the property. It is layed(sic) by until next Thursday when if no one comes forward to offer more than they have, it will be theirs. Macie will write you all the particulars as soon as anything is settled. The Rain came on last night, the first we have seen since our arrival in the country. Everyone is jubilant over it. It seems as if the grass has grown green in one day. As we sit in our rooms all day with windows and doors open, no carpet on the floors etc., I wonder what would become of us to do the same in Medford at this season of the year. Oh how I wish you could have the benefit of this climate without the long tedious journey. The children play out of doors all day long. Yesterday Lyman appeared with a white kitten, one of the Spanish children had given him. I informed him he must make a bed down in the yard for it. So at tea time Harry informed us all at the table that they had made a nice little house and a nice little

●'V;: -W' --

The Lincoln House. John Spencer Lincoln sitting on fence. Guests on veranda.

hack liouse for the Kitty. I thought Frank would die laughing. This morning they informed me kitten was the kind tliat had little ones when she got old enough. So Harry speaks for one of them when they arrive. I know you are interested to hear all their speeches. Harry has changed from fretting to laughing most immoderately all the time. He is full of the comic, rigs up in all the old hats he can fi nd. We look quite cozy now. Have the striped red table cloth on black walnut extension table, some cane oak chairs, a barrel table in one corner, green striped patch trunk on one side. This is parlor and dining room both. We bought a good table as it will be constantly used for eating and every thing else. Lyman sits up later than Harry now, has a nice time playing the game of Match and Catch cards you gave him. He studies a little arith metic, Spanish and Geography every night. I have not got settled enough to have regular school hours yet. There are many steps where one gets all the meals and cleans up after them. When we get on the ranch we shall be obliged to have a John Chinaman and I shall get more time to devote to the children. Mr. Williams the Clergyman called yesterday just as I got my dinner on the table but I did not mind, asked him right in to parlor and dining room. There are very few to call here, not many American ladies and they live long distances away. Mrs. Brown is a very pleasant lady. She is about your age and so cordial, stands and holds both my hands as if I had always known her. I am sorry it is raining for I hoped to go and see her this week. Still we are glad enough of the rain as there would be fearful times here when it is dry for six months if the rain did not come now. The vineyards 15

are planted like currant bushes, cut down within three feet of the ground every year, then all the sap comes out in grapes spread right over the tops with leaves and hang solid full. We get splendid bread, beef 15tf a lb for the very best, mutton 1 bit ten cents a lb. Sweet potatoes very nice. Irish potatoes splendid, other things are high because the people are too lazy to cultivate them but with some thrifty Yankee farmers it would be a land teaming with good things. Macie has bought a horse for 27 dollars. He is rather thin as all the horses are that are not in use, they don’t get anything to eat but what they pick up in the fields which so far have had nothing but dust in them. We shall fat him up a month or so before using him. I cannot realize my ambition for a horse has at last been realized. 1 boiled and roasted a ham yesterday to have something in the house to eat. Frank and Macie get along nicely together. I am very glad they are company for each other. Frank is as pleased with the housekeeping as a child with a new toy. His dyspepsia has all left him he says with my cooking. He brings up an armful of wood every time he comes up, nails up shelves, fixes boxes, has much more mechanical genius than Macie. If you have anything that will make a good covering for the barrel tables send it . along in the trunk. We had an invitation to a Grand Masonic Ball the first week we were here, but as I did not come in party array, declined. I loaned some of my fixings to Miss Halley, the teacher, and dressed her hair for her. She wore buff alpaca dress. By the way Miss White and Miss Hailey the two young ladies 1 wrote you came down on the Steamer with us, have taken a house about a mile from here for six dollars a month, and gone to house keeping. I have felt too tired to walk over and see them yet. They come in here whenever they come up to the stores. Neither of them have any prospect of a school. I think they have good courage to go on alone so. Frank rides 16 or 20 miles a day now on his horse. He called on the young ladies yesterday. Macie took a ride on Frank’s horse yesterday, the second he has taken and was thrown off, the oidy injury, sprain of finger. We laugh at him and tell him he is top heavy. I am binding the scallops on my old black rep skirt that I had dyed. My whole rep dress is rather heavy for this climate. The children wear the brown cotton stockings altogether. They will not require any more woolen ones. 1 shall put some thick skin knees on their pants. I never saw anything like Lyman for going through. Thursday Eve. I have called on Mrs- Brown the sister of Col. Hollister this afternoon. She is so pleasant. Came out here years ago over land with her brother in a tent three months. Col. Hollister owed 20 thousand dollars. Started with his sister with a few hundred, now is one of the richest and happiest men in the country. His wife is up at the farm house on their Ranch eight miles from here. They are building a splendid large house in Santa Barbara. Mrs. Brown remains on until the new one is finished. She is much wrapped up in their three little children as you are in our two. She feels so badly for you to be separated from them, says if you come out another fall and escape the severe winter it will add years to your life, which I believe. Lyman has filled a box with earth and planted four Rosegeranium slips in it today. It stands on the veranda by our door. He is so fond of flowers. Send any nice seed you can get from any of your friends. They only have to be stuck in the earth here to flourish. The Castor Beans are large 16

trees. Made and Frank bought the property today that I mentioned Three men here expected down from Frisco to bid on it but the Steamer did not arrive. So they got it. 1 think they were very lucky from all accounts, but I will not brag yet. There is hard work to be done. With heaps of love.

Abbie

Tajiguas Rancho Sunday, Feb. 6th (1870) My dear Cousin Abby: Here we are at last on the Ranch. It is a rough old place but the only thing we could do was to come here and fix up gradually as we can. It was altogether too far from Santa Barbara to be driving back and forth all the time. That is the most uncomfortable feature in the case that our letters have to remain in Santa Barbara post office until we drive to town for them. We shall try and go in every week after we are more regulated. At present none of the men folks can be spared two days. It is too hard a road for the horses to go over twice in one day. When we came out our Caravan consisted of Large Wagon filled with furniture, four horses, man to drive called Lance, who is a real Yankee tall muscular sandy hair and whiskers, very pleasant, hardworking man, quite a carpenter, he is to remain with us. Frank Young and puppy. Next load was small wagon, one span horses, colt running after Harry Lyman Chinaman (Amasa) Macy and myself. It was a hard day, the loads were heavy. At noon we stopped and watered the horses. All sat down in the shade and had quite a Picnic, part of the drive is along the beach where w'e all walked and froliced. The children colt and puppy having a grand time. The old house is built in a little valley with mountains towering up on every side close by it. Have little view between them of the ocean. To look at the old place you would not think we could possibly be comfortable in it. But after all the old adobe or mud house is the best suited to the climate. It is cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter than anything else. The roof is thatched with straw, three rooms have a floor, the rest have none. The kitchen is build(of) at the end separately. The paper is very shabby and all that we brought (is) some wallpaper for the sitting room and our chamber all on one floor, no up stairs. I am determined not to spend every penny we can raise on this old house for it would be the same thing after all. Shall make one or two closets as the house does not contain such a thing, then white wash, pull down the old pig styes etc. from the front door yard, build fence around the home and plant some flowers. The fences are all made of the limbs of trees stuck in the ground just as they came off. A long veranda on the front of the house where we live most of the time. The vineyard must be splendid when it is hanging with fruit just at present it is all dry in fact everything is dry. No rain yet. Everyone has given it up and made up their mind to a dry season which is a dreadful thing. They have grass all the year. So when it does rain very few provide themselves with hay. Accordingly it is 60 dollars a ton now and cannot be bought for any money soon. It is really painful to see the sun shine. It will be very unfortunate for us if it is a dry year. The sheep manage to eat the 17

grass seed that are on the ground. It is such a pretty sight to see them come home at night and go off in the morning. The herder or shepard is as black as an Indian, he is a Mexican wears blue army overcoat goes on horseback with two splendid sheep dogs one of which Don Pacifico gave us. There are over seven hundred sheep. A large place is fenced in called a carall(sic) where they are kept nights with dogs to watch and keep off kiotas(sic) or wild cats, Grisly(sic) bears etc. We kill a sheep every week right in front of the door hang it up and eat it up quick enough I can tell you. I never provided for seven men before. It takes some food. There are only six men and my two boys. You see I have quite a harem. My Chinaman is splendid. Is willing and nice about his work. (It) He is much better in such a place as this than any woman I could get. The water has to be brought a long way from the brook. We are going to change the course of the brook soon so as to water the vineyard then it will be nearer the house. We carry all the soiled clothes down to the brook and have the washing done there. Iron out in the yard. It seems so strange that it is warm enough to do the work out of doors all day the year. I write all these things to give you an idea of how we live. Yesterday Don Pacifico came back here. He is the Spaniard who lived here. They looked over the sheep, had them jump through a hole in the fence to count them after he had a settlement with Macy and Frank. He made a formal presentation to Senora, that is myself, of fifteen beautiful hens and a rooster. Quite a present. One large white hen is as tame as can be. Insists every morning upon coming into the house and laying her egg on the l)ed rather too familiar. The dogs which there are seven of, two old pigs and eight little ones, hens, horses, turkeys eat up all there is to spare. I forgot to mention about five cats. Frank sleeps in my China closet as I call it, a little room off dining room until he can floor and white w’ash a room for himself. The men sleep up over head where the hay is kept. I forgot to mention Guadalupe Otaga(sic), a Spaniard or Mexican. His father set out these olive trees 62 years ago. He works in the vineyard, has it nearly all pruned now’. After that will make olive oil out of the ripe olives that have not been picked off the trees yet. We shall not have olives and grapes until another fall only a few left here for our use. We bought forty gallons of wine. I do not feel lonesome at all never expect a fine house and place as they have east but feel greatly interested in the products of the place. If it would only rain so we could plow would have a splendid garden of vegetables and flowers. It is going to take a long time to make things deasent(sic) but it is no use to be miserable about it. The children enjoy every moment, sit quietly and study one hour every morning. You would laugh to see the school hut I am not afraid but what they will get school enough some day. A good consideration to begin with is the most important. Frank and Guadalupe have gone off deer shooting to change the diet from sheep. We have a Spanish breakfast Tortias(sic) that is hard biscuit, coffee nothing else. I will try to draw a plan of the house. Write often.

Abbie

Santa Barbara, California July, 1870 Edward Whitney, Esq. Boston Dear Sir: Time has flown so rapidly since I left Boston that it is hard to realize that nearly eight months have gone since I came to you for assistance. After arriving at San Francisco, 1 somewhat changed my plans, for I found that the value of land had advanced beyond the point where it could be made profitable with sheep exclusively, unless one had an abundance of means. After looking around and seeking advice of the well posted we invested our funds in a rancho of about 1600 acres about 30 miles from here—west— it is right on the coast and for climate there is nothing like it in the Stales. Our Rancho has good tillage and grazing land with plenty of wood and water. It w'as sold by order of probate for the benefit of two minor heirs and a Newburyport man, a lawyer who has been here 18 years, made up the papers and pronounces them correct in every particular. We gave S5,750 for it and had to pay a Californian S600 to vacate a lease he had running another year. We paid half cash in gold coin and the balance on mortgage of two years with interest at one and a half pr. ct. per mo. that Mr. Huse (the lawyer) told us w'as favorable terms as 2 pr. ct was the usual int. We have about a thousand sheep and a small band of mares and some cows and steers. On the Rancho is a vineyard of d.OOO vines which pro duces a wine which has a very good local reputation of many years standing. There are also 23 olive trees about -10 years old wh. are in full bearing and yield about 800 gallons of olives. We have in the ground and doing well over 5,000 grape cuttings and 250 olive slips. The Wine, Olives, Wool and the increase of the sheep and cattle w'e rely upon to remunerate ourselves and to pay our indebtedness, and we are not mistaken if the advice of those who are in position to know is worth anything. We are bounded on the south by the Pacific Ocean and run back to the mountains and the South l^acific R.R. must cross our Rancho when it comes and I believe it is only a question of time, its coming. Every steamer brings Eastern people seeking lands and I believe that when the beauty of this climate is known more generally there will be a large migration to this County. At first we had to buy everything w’e consumed but now’ we raise everything that Farmers do east or anywhere. It is very hard work but never felt belter in my life and were it not for my eyes (w'hich still trouble me) I should feel perfectly well. A. L. Lincoln

(Not signed)

EXTRACTS FROM THE LINCOLN JOURNAL Nov. 12, 1869

Not« to Martin Brumcr 1000. 2 yrs int. 1% annually

Nov. 15, 1869 Note to Edw. 'Whilney $1000 on demand. Int. 7% A. S. Barnard Mrs. A. S. Putnam $1,150 R. Perry Gene A. to J. Miller Jr. for $45.88 S. H. Spaulding

8.36 ● .25

8.11 15.77 22. 45.80

Eversaw & Haines 103 Montgomery St., San Francisco Agnt of N.E. Ma Life Ins Co. Geo McKowen S. H. Spaulding E. Boston Herman Schatler Clay St. Sun., Jan. 9, 1870: D for medicine for Frank’s horse

50 40

Mon., Jan. 10, 1870: 4 horses and 2 colts taken to Curley S. Paid for pole straps 1.50 Thurs., Jan. 13, 1870: Bought Curley’s horses 2 horses 23 colts sold Curley to use horses for keeping. Dimensions of slied. 14 ft. 3 in. Length 32 ft. 6 in. Height in rear 6 ft. 8 in. Height in front 9 ft. 10 in. 30 rafters 2x4; 10 standards 4x4 30 boards for .shakes. Length of stall at bottom 8 ft. 4 in. Height of manger bottom to ground 2 ft. 3 in. Length of stall at top 5’3” redwood for Salvador at Rancho Vijo station. At the old Rancho Vijo station. A shake stable. A little house at foot of hill. Mon., Jan. 24, 1870: Lance hired to go on the Ranch at $40 per month. Commenced work today. 75. 750. 5 mares @ 15 580 sheep 1.50 120. 140. 7 cows 20. 4 horses @ 30 15. 90. 6 steers 15. 3 colts @ 5 90. 6 heifers 15. 5. 1,285. 2 calf Tues., Feb. 1. 1870: Moved bag & baggage to El Canada de Tahiguas. Tues., Feb. 15, 1870: Planted peas, sweet corn, cucumbers, watermelons, musk melons Tlmrs., Feb. 17, 1870: Paid Pedro Ortega on a/c of Guadalupe two dollars. Planted potatoes Humbolt 3 rows in garden. Abbie planted tomatoes. Sat., Feb. 19, 1870: Sowed barley in lower part of vineyard. Sun., Feb. 20, 1870: Frank and Lance Shot at one. No kill.

went to town

Second rain. Saw 4 deer

Tues., Feb. 22, 1870: Finished pruning vineyard. Thurs., Feb. 24, 1870: Set a hen. Fri., Mar. 11, 1870: Planted carrots, beets, corn, peas, potatoes, watermelon, cucumbers, and tomatoe.s. Sun., Mar. 13, 1870: Paid for In. Elmer .75

Pd. for Mexican 1.50.

Sat., Apr. 9, 1870: Ton of coal for range. Mon., Apr. 11, 1870; Piano tuned. Mon., Apr. 18, 1870: Planted potatoes in upper field. Fri., Apr. 22, 1870: Paid a/c John Elivalles’ wages 6. Pd. Carlos on a/c 5. Fri., Apr. 29, 1870: Harry baptised by Rev. Dr. Randall, Bishop of Colorado. Wed., May 4, 1870: Went to Museum with Abbie & Cousin A. “Lost in London”. Thurs., May 5, 1870: Paid Danforth Register, Plymouth, for recording two deeds and for 2 examinations of records $6.30. Fri., May 6, 1870: Went to Sereno Nickersons in the p.m. to see his pictures, etc.

Thurs., May 12, 1870: Planted byo beans in Barley field. Fri., May 13, 1870: Planted pea beans in tater field. Also Mangle Wurtzel. Tues., May 17, 1870: Planted pea beans in front of house also squashes, sweet corn and pop corn. Sat., May 21, 1870: Ton of range coal. Thurs., May 26, 1870: Cut barley hay in lower vineyard. Mon., May 30, 1870: Paid Guadaloupe in S.B. 17.50 Paid sitting shoes 2. Paid brads & screws for Frank. Paid Wood. Paid Tobacco. George. Paid Bradley. Paid Curley. Mon., June 6, 1870: Sam Bradley came. Sat., June 11, 1870: Abbie started for Michigan at y-j. past 8 A.M. arrived in N.Y. at 5 p.m. Left N.Y. at 7 V-i p.m. by Erie R.R. Sun., June 12, 1870: Arrived at Cleveland at 9 p.ni. Mon., June 13, 1870: Arrived at Lydias all well. Wed., June 29, 1870: Bot 125 cigars @ 6.00. Fri., July 1, 1870: Jn. Elwell came at $1 per day. Geo pd Josie (Josie M. Loreyo) Wed., July 6, 1870: Paid Sam Chinaman $20. Jn. Elwell went up mi. Sat., July 23, 1870: Paid off Chinaman 10.75 paid off Mexican 30. Paid off Jn. Elwell 9. Paid off Sulpher .25 Paid off Lincoln 20. Paid off Jose on the road 24th 5. Paid off Dennis 29tli .50 Paid off interest 256.50. Sat., July 23, 1870: Rec’d fm Childs 15.25 lYost 2.50 Sam 10.75 John E 9. Mexican 30. Lincoln 20. Aug Vincente 3. Aug. 15 Pacific 3. Tues., July 26, 1870: John went up Mt. at 20 pr mo. Frank went with him. Wed., Aug. 10, 1870: Skelton came at noon. Guadalupe quit at night. Thurs., Aug. 11, 1870: John hired at Guadalupe went. Sun., Aug. 14, 1870: Jolin went home sick in the forenoon. Mon., Aug. 15, 1870: Baptista came at 10 pr. mo. Sun.., Aug. 28, 1870: Jose .M. Loureyro Thurs., Sept. 1, 1870: Slovenly Peter Sat., Sept. 3, 1870: Engine at N.Y. from I’ort Jarvis Sat., Sept. 17; Baptista 50 Tom shoe 50

Oxalic arid 25

Tues. Sept. 27: Frank for bags 2.50 Sal., Nov. 5, 1870: Brot in Carrillo pd him $24 Oct. 4—Nov. 4 3 days out 28.36 I owed Frost $52.36

Drew on Child for total

1870

CASH ACCOUNT Frank Paid for

/ paid for

580.00 Jan. 10 Horses wagons, etc. 4.00 13 Blacksmith shoeing, etc. 3.00 Jan. 15 Blacksmith setting tins Curley for horses & keeping 17 For lease For oil & tape 2.25 .50

Jan. 10 Jan. 13 17

200.00 100.00

2.75 3.00 18 Goose neck for wagon 20 for hammer & brushes 48.50 9.00 25 Shakes Whf.’r 5.50 50.00 Barley & hay 2350. Deed of property 27 Schooner to Ranch 45. 8. 31 Shooing horses 39.75 Curley's Tree 100. Feb. 9 Sheep wine etc. Lumber 100. 195.50 1st trip in 69. 20 2nd trip in Mch. 1 Men to date 121.75

Feb.

1.50

Pole straps Blacksmith on a/c of Rancho for lease

1.00 5.00 500.

recording same Shakes beans Crowbar Leach & K’s tree Wallpaper Child Butcher Curley’s bill Rent of Dr. Biggs house

2.50 15.00 5.00 3.25 140.00 8.60 100.50 124.25 25. 0.00

Bradley Milk bill 9 Sheep Wine & c. overpaid Frank, p. back Leach & R

17 on a/c of Guadaloupe Mar. 2 shirt 3 trips in 22 Mexican Jose ElweJI 13 Mexican Flaxy

0 0.00 440. 0.00 61.12 2.00 2.50 83.62

27.50 1886.47

iCKy t ■

o 1874 cheek showing Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln's purchase in 1st Nat. Gold Bank stock.

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Aoor

NA/lVdouV

Roor»'

d *0

I >

c^oor

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-5

door

Our

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vV «■»> <(<) y./

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Vff ra'wd a Second floor, St. Charles Hotel (See Page 13).

CASH ACCOUNT Horse Hoe Wheel for plough 2 shovels 1.65 2 hoes I weed cutter 2 forks 2 rakes iron 4 axes 1.87 2 axes handles 2 coils wire Piek axe Square Ripsaw 3 cut saw Hammer 1.25 Level 3 Divider $1 Planes 5.50 hit stock & bits Screw D. 1.75 Gage .25 Wood pile .75 Chisels 1.25 Chalk line 25c 1 keg 10 p nails 1 Key as s 2 pails Faucets 75c Coffee mill .75 Scales in. rope 4%. Hinges 3.25 Stove Pipe 4.50 Glass Grind stone Saw Cowbells

pd. 17. 3. 3.25 2.50 1.00 2.25 2.25 6.75 .87 14. 2.25 1.50 6. 4.25 6.50 3.50 1.00 2.00 .25 12. 2.50 1.50 1.00 1.00 7.75 3.50 5.00 .75 1.50

Tajiguas 33 26 15

Old Lady Guardian Int. Helps Horse Living Cows Wagon

50.00 15 1500 500 250 15 3.75 82.25 3.60 3.60 4.00 8.00 7.50 1.20 2.00 31.40

Income Piano Watch 52 oz. silver @ 5

35.55 2. 1.

2.60 41.15

Net lax City Int. Rent Law

44.25 17.80 127. 500. 600.

1289.05 710.95 5 3554.75

#:■

mm Maria Anfonia de la Guerra Orena 1827-1917

Don Gaspar Orena 1824-1905

The Life of Don Gaspar Orena* (As Recorded by Carlotta de Koch) By Robert E. Easton Don Gaspau Orena 1824-1905

(Don Gaspar Eugenio de Orena y Gomez de Ascandon) Un gran caballero distinguido, nacido con talento abundantc (Distinguished gentleman — endowed with real ability) Rancho Los Alamos de Santa Elena Tierra Adorada y Historico (Land venerated for generations) For three generations vested in The Family of Orena.

●Supplement to "l^on Gaspar Orena”, Noticiai Vol. X, No. 3 (Summer, 1964), Pp. 7-12.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS To Charlotta Orena de Koch: Daughter of Serena Orena and William I. Koch, spent her early days on El Rancho Los Alamos de Santa Elena. In later years, residing in Los Angeles, she interested herself in literary pursuits as well as travel in Mexico and Europe. Her voluminous family records were bequested to the Santa Barbara Histrocial Society, which records were made available for the preparation of this Condensed Biography, by the Director of the Society, W. Edwin Gledhill. To Anita Orena Dibblee: For her material help during the preparation of this Biography. To Ynez E. Orena: For kindly providing the highly valued original photo graphs of the subjects of this Biography. To John T. Rickard: For providing the most interesting records of the Ranchos, the property of the Orena Family at one time; as well as the History of the notable Cuyama Grants by the Mexican Governors in 1843 and 1846. RANCHOS BELONGING TO THE ORENA FAMILY AT ONE TIME Simi: Formerly occupied by Picos in 1831 and Romualdo Pacheco Sr. granted the use of a portion was finally confirmed to Patricio and Miguel Pico in 1842. Acres, 92,341. Bought by Jose de la Guerra. Granted by Alvarado. Las Pozas: Six leagues granted to Jose Carrillo by Figueroa in 1834. Bought by Jose de la Guerra. Conejo: In October, 1822, Jose de la Guerra obtained part of this Rancho from Governor Sola which had been granted to Jose Polanco by Arrellaga but had been abandoned—the rest of the Rancho belonged to the heirs of Ignacio Rodriguez. San Julian: Granted by Alvarado to Jose de la Guerra in 1837, 48,000 acres. Los Alamos: Granted to Jose Antonio de la Guerra by Alvarado— 48,000 acres—in 1839—47 Indians in the Ranch not to be molested. Jose Antonia was the oldest son of Jose de la Guerra. Cuyama No. I: Five leagues or 22,200 acres granted to Jose Maria Rojo in 1843 by Micheltorena, bought by Lataillade. Cuyama No. 2: 48,000 acres granted in 1846 by Micheltorena to Cesario Lataillade, married to Maria Antonio de la Guerra. Corral De Cuate: Three leagues granted in 18^15 to Agustin Davila. Zaca: Granted in 1838 to Antonino .. . bought by Lataillade from whose widow Father bought one-half interest in both ranchos—Corral de Cuate and Zaca. Alamo Pintado: One league granted in 1843 by Micheltorena to Marcelino an Indian from whom Father bought it but the Land Commission disapproved of the sale on the ground that Indians could not sell. Espada: Bought by Don Caspar from Isaac Sparks in about 1853. About five leagues. Note: The San Julian Ranch in 1865 came into possession of my Father who sold it together with the Espada to Dibblee and Hollister for 81.25 an acre. Cuyama No. 2 was abandoned, almost lost through the carelessness of the Administrators of the Lataillade Estate. A man by the name of Alexander 25

Godoy squatted on it and lived there twenty years. After Father’s marriage he got busy and employed some live-wired lawyers. Fought the case in Washington and redeemed it. Their fee was one-half of the Ranch. When Caesar became of age Mother gave him and Maria Antonia their share and they, in turn assigned their interest in Cuyama No. 1. Remember that to the Mother’s interest must be added that of a son who died in infancy. DARIO ORE^\ Cuyama No. 2 (48,827 acres) which is now known as the Russell Ranch was granted to Don Cesario Lataillade on June 9, 1846 by Governor Pio Pico. As all legal requirements had been met, the title was later con firmed by U.S. Patent on January 10, 1879 to Maria Antonia Lataillade by President Rutherford B. Hayes. Because this property was threatened by a person who claimed squatter’sriglus, Don Gaspar retained an attorney named John Hancock who success fully saved the title to the property and took 1/3 of the ranch as his fee. The balance of the property was given by Maria Antonia Lataillade after the death of her first husband to her two children by that marriage Cesario Lataillade and Maria Antonia Lataillade. Cuyama No. 1 (22,193 acres) w'as granted to Jose Maria Rojo on April 24, 1843 by Governor Micheltorena. Title was confirmed to Maria Antonia Lataillade by U.S. Patent on July 20, 1877 by President Rutherford B. Hayes. After the death of Gaspar Orena and Maria Antonia Lataillade (her daughter) this ranch was given to the then surviving 5 children of Gaspar Orena and Cesario Lataillade the son of Cesario Lataillade Sr. equally and by them later partitioned into 6 parcels of equal value. All parcels have now been sold except parcel one given to Acacia Orena Rickard and parcel four given to Arturo Orena and one-half of parcel three to Dario Orena. All of the portions of Cuyama No. 2 given to Cesario Lataillade and Maria Lataillade were by them sold to the Cebrian family of San Francisco. ADDENDA With amazing foresight, Don Gaspar placed his finger on the spot which was to be the future business center of the City of Los Angeles. He acquired the area between Sixth and Seventh Streets from South Hope to Flower Streets. In the early 1930’s, after the depression of 1929, the city extended Wilshire Boulevard through the center of this area, with almost confiscatory assessments on the adjacent property. With the exception of his son, Arturo, all heirs to his estate rejected this forced obligation. Arturo paid the assessments with the result that his heirs are now benefiting from the ownership of a most valuable parcel in the center of the business district of Los Angeles.

Activity Report—Women's Projects Board Highlighting the Women’s Projects Board activities for the summer was the Casa Tour held on Saturday afternoon, August 8, the fifth such tour to be presented since the organi2ation of the Board, in 1960. It was well attended by local residents as well as a surprising number of visitors from out of town. Mrs. James T. Lindsey, a new member of the board, spent three months searching through old newspapers, title company records, writing letters, and consulting local historians to find the backgrounds of the houses on the tour. Details on three of the houses visited were given in the Summer issue of Noticias—these being the homes of Mr., and Mrs. Nicholas Dumas, 2010 Garden Street; Mr. and Mrs. James P. Smith, 1915 Las Tunas Road; and Dr. Prynce Hopkins, 1920 Garden Street. A fourth home, which was not listed in the Summer Noticias, was that of Mr. and Mrs. Guido Ferrando, at 316 E. Los Olivos Street, near the Old Mission. Named “Villa Yasodhara” {Sanskrit for “Gift of God”) by Mrs. Ferrando, who was formerly an exponent of religious dances in Florence, Italy, this beautiful villa is an outstanding example of the Mediterranean style current in 1914, the time of its construction. Designed by Russel Ray, for Mr. and Mrs. Reginald Wilmer Vaughn, it was acquired by the Ferrandos in 1958. Mr. Ray was the son of the Rev. Edward C. Ray, DD., pastor of member of the the First Presbyterian Church of Santa Barbara. He was architectural firm of Winsor Soule, later practicing alone. Mr. Ray died in San Diego, in 1950. As as result of the letters of inquiry written by Mrs. James Lindsey to his widow, the Santa Barbara Historical Society has been the recipient of several large folios of the original drawings and plans made by Mr. Ray. Mrs. Ray was one of the honored guests at the Ferrando home during the tour onAugust 8. Refreshments were served by the Women’s Board in the beautiful El Encanto Hotel gardens, made available through the cooperation of the hotel management. Adding color to the sloping approach to the Dumas house, were several vintage cars which were parked in the curving driveway. These were loaned for the afternoon through the courtesy of members of the Horseless Carriage Club and Clasen Hoyt, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ingle Hoyt. On Sunday, August 9, the day following the tour, a special open house was held at the Fernald House and Trussell-Winchester Adobe, to exhibit recent acquisitions, and changes which have been made under the direction of Mrs. Leo McMahon, house chairman. On display were original Victorian dresses once worn by Mrs. Charles Fernald, which are shown in photographs of her given the Fernald collection by her grandson, Cameron Rogers. Also restored to its former location, is a Victorian walnut “whatnot”, found in a local antique shop and purchased by the Women’s Board. Other changes include the arrangement of furniture in one of the smaller upstairs bedrooms, which had temporarly been housing the Girard Van Barcaloo Hale mementos, (now removed to the new Museum headquarters where they will be dis played). In this room, instead, are the favorite desk and chair and other possessions of Judge Fernald. Mrs. McMahon recently found an old album 27

of snapshots which showed the interior of the Adobe, and^tl^is, with an inventory of furnishings, has enabled her to restore the rooms as accurately as possible to their former condition. Several years ago, when Miss Maria Lorenza Trussel, the last remaining child of Captain Horatio Gates Trussell and his wife, Ramona Burke, moved from her home next door to the Fernald House, she gave the Society the 94-year-old coal-burning stove. It has been stored in the barn near the Adobe, but now it finally is in place in the kitchen of the Adobe, its copper waterheater at the back shining once more, and by the side, on the floor, sits an old type coalskuttle. Members of the board who were fortunate enough to know her, were saddened by the death on June 29, of Miss Jennie Kimberly, just short of her 90th birthday. Daughter of a sea captain, Martin Morse Kimberly, and Jane Amelia (Merritt) Kimberly, she had lived in the immediate area of the 'frussell-Winchester Adobe all of her life. It was her father, along with Captain Trussell, who had salvaged the wreck in 1853 on Anacapa Island, of the “Winfield Scott a side-wheel steamer enroute from San Francisco to Panama laden with homeward-bound goldseekers and their gold dust— bringing back to Santa Barbara much of the cargo plus large timbers from which most of the Trussell Adobe is constructed. Space does not permit listing the items which have been received, but gifts which add great interest to the character of the two restored homes have recently been donated by the following: Mrs. William Maris, Miss Minerva Cross, Mrs. Wilson Forbes, Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Haworth, Miss Mary Jennings, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth D. Lamb, Dr. Anna B. Lefler, Mrs. Ruth Mayer, Miss Bella Millar (articles formerly bedonging to Miss Florence Fernald); the Misses Harriett and Mildred Moody, also the Mmes. Leo McMahon, Clarence Phelps, Bertha F. Salomon. Ethel B. Shaw, Gaston Bourlard, William Ashworth. William Barton, Robert Ingle Hoyt, Verrill Findlay. James Dazey; and Mr. Horace A. Sexton. Our sincere thanks to all for their generosity. Two new books by local authors, which are of great interest to Santa Barbarans, are those by Edward Selden Spaulding, “A Brief History of Santa Barbara,” (available from the Historical Society or at the Fernald House) and “Fourteen at the 1'able”, written by Walker A. Tompkins in collaboration with Mr. Horace A. Sexton. Mr. Spaulding developed his history from ma terial presented at classes he has taught over the years for the Adult Educa tion classes, and it is an excellent introduction to the history of our area. Proceeds from its sale have been contributed to the Santa Barbara Historical Society by Mr. Spaulding, going into a special publishing fund. The Sex ton book is a “collector’s item”, telling the story of Joseph and Lucy Ann (Foster) Sexton, (famed pioneer horticulturalist of early Goleta) and their 12 children. Privately printed, the edition was limited to 200 copies, with distribution mainly for members of the Sexton family descendants, and is available only through libraries. Mr. Sexton has been one of the most loyal Sunday hosts at the Adobe, as his family and the Winchester family were close friends many years ago. His knowledge of them makes him our finest guide through the little home. He has presented one of his books to the library of the Fernald House. WiLBERTA M. Finley

SANTA BARBARA HISTORICAL SOCIETY OFFICERS ●Dr. Hilmar 0. Koefod

President..^ First Vice President Second Vice President.

Hugh J. Weldon Mrs. Wilson Forbes Paul G. Sweetser

Secretary Treasurer Past President

Mrs. Henry Griffiths ■Thomas J. McDermott DIRECTORS

Mrs. Rev. John Mrs. Yale

Charles H. Cannon Virgil Cordano D. Gill W. Edwin Gledhill B. Griffith

John Jordano, Jr. Mrs. Godwin Pelissero Edward S. Spaulding Lockwood Tower Garrett Van Horne

Elmer H. Whittaker Dr. Irving N. Wills John Galvin* Thomas M. Storke* * Honorary Directors Museum Director Curator Editor-In-Chief

W. Edwin Gledhill Mrs. W. Edwin Gledhill Edward Selden Spaulding.

NEW MEMBERS ACTIVE Mr. James Allen Mrs. Mercedes Cable Mrs. Dorothy Noe Clark Mrs. Vera Denham Rev. and .Mrs. Frank E. Denison

Mr. and .Mrs. James T. Hogg .Mrs. Sylvia M. Krier Mr. and .Mrs. Harold H. Poett Mrs. Hictiard Praul Mr. and .Mrs. Donald Score Mr. Healey Tondel .Mr. and Mrs. Glover Whittaker

SUST.M.MNG .Mr. allace Coons Mr. and Mrs. Robert Janda Mrs. William Kirkbride Mrs. Val Shannon Mrs. Cordon K. Smith

GIFTS Mr. Stewart L. Abercrombie Los .\dobes de los Rancheros Mrs. Hcloise L. Bacon Miss Frieda H. Boecktnan Mrs. Sellar Bullard Mrs. Edna Sharpe Cannon Miss Pearl Chase Mr. R. M. Coudrall Mrs. Martin 0. Elmberg Mr. Donald Evensen Father Maynard Geiger, O.F..M. Mrs. Arthur Greenwell Mrs. Emma Orella Haines Mrs. Frances .Miller Hanov er Mr. George Harris Mr. and .Mrs. Michael Harrison Mrs. Robert Hartman Miss Lynne Heaton Miss Ruth Henderson Miss Ruth Parsons Hope

Mr. Francis B. Keck Mr. Henry Kinsell Miss Maud Lane Mr. Dwight Murphy Mrs. John Frederic Murphy Miss Laura .McKeen Mr. Robert McLean Mrs. .. Robert Nitske Miss nez Orena Mrs. Godwin Pelissero Mrs. Clarence Phelps Miss Frederica Poett Prince Casimir Poniatowski Mrs. Russel Ray Mr. Robert G. Robinson Mr. Andrew Rosenberger Mr. Jack Schwartz Mr. Horace Sexton Mr. Stanley S. Slotkin Mr. Selden Spaulding Mrs. Samuel Stanwood

.Mrs. W. Guy Stockton Miss .Marie Phelps Sweet Mr. .Nathan Sweet Mr. Healey Tondel Estate of Carmen D. Underhill Mrs. Rita van Buskirk Mr. John T. De Blois Wack Mr. Eugene \\ hitcomb Mr. Don Woods

IN MEMORIAM .Mr. Peter Cooper Bryce Dr. Julia A. Bramlage Mr. Sellar Bullard Mrs. W'allcr Cheever Mrs. Churchill Groves Mr. Herman Hageclorn .Miss Jennie Kiml)crly Mr. Clarence I’helps

NCTICIA5 QUARTERLY BULLETIN OF THE SANTA BARBARA HISTORICAL SOCIETY OLD MISSION SANTA BARBARA. CALIFORNIA

Non-Profit Org.

U. S. Postoge PAID Sonta Barbara, Calif. Permit No. 534