USA > California > San Luis Obispo County > History of San Luis Obispo County, California, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 28
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HIS ANCESTRAL ESTATE.
During that period Captain Dana appears to have become acquainted with the California Coast and impressed with its advantages for business, as in 1825 he located at Santa Barbara and established a store, placing it in charge of Capt. C. R. Smith, while he con- tinued in command of the Waverly, continuing the circle of voyages on the Pacific to Canton, Sitka, the islands, California ports, and elsewhere. Something of his busi- ness and his voyages we learn from old bills of lading, powers of attorney, letters, etc., which have survived the vicissitudes and ravages of time. Among these old papers is one showing something of the ancestral estate of his mother, and also the difficulties attending business transactions in the days before regular mails, steam, and
the telegraph. This is a power of attorney to Joshua Davis, of Boston, to sell and dispose of Captain Dana's interest in a "piece of land, or flats, in the southerly part of the city of Boston, Commonwealth of Massachu- setts, and in the rear of land of Mary Davis, and about 100 feet westerly from Washington Street, extending about 35 feet along the land of . Mary Davis, and about 1,000 feet toward the mill-dam," etc. This was prepared in Boston in 1825, sent to the Sandwich Islands, thence to Santa Barbara, where Captain Dana drew up a copy and carried it to Oahu, where he executed it before the American Consul in March, 1827, probably reaching Boston in about two years from the time it was sent out. No large sum was expected from the property, which would probably represent a good fortune at the present time; but whatever it might have been, Captain Dana very honorably expressed his doubts about his right to receive anything from the property, as he thought it had been omitted by " mistake from the will of the late Gen. A. Davis, and reverted to the heirs of my grandfather- Robert." He says: " If I am not one of the rightful heirs, I feel no disposition to retain that which is the property of another contrary to the rules of equity and justice."
AFFECTIONATE CORRESPONDENCE.
In the first ten years immediately succeeding his departure from Boston he maintained a correspondence with his relatives, a number of well-expressed and very affectionate letters appearing from his sister Adeline E. and his cousin Sarah, whose heart he seems to have taken with him, but at a later date the correspondence appears to have ceased, as in January, 1849, his sister, then Mrs. Darling, of New York, writes that she has seen his name favorably mentioned in Fremont's reports and in Bryant's "What I Saw in California," the latter describing him as a native of Massachusetts and a "gentleman whose unbounded liberality and hospitality is known throughout California." Those were times when everybody was talking of "the land of gold," and Mrs. Darling receives many compliments of the praise of her brother and
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inquiries of California; but she writes: "I am constrained, dear William, despite my mortification, to say that I have not received a letter from you for 18 years!" Oh, how many young wanderers there have been in California, leaving hearts full of love at home waiting and watching for letters and the return, wearily watching in vain!
INHERITS PROPERTY.
Several members of the Davis family appear in his correspondence, in Boston, Hartford, the West Indies, and Sandwich Islands, showing them prominent mer- chants and men of wealth and enterprise. In 1822, William H. Davis, then of Oahu, makes his will, dying soon after, in which his nephew, William G. Dana, is bequeathed the sum of $5,000. The same will gives to the friends of the testator, Thomas Meek $5,000, John C. Jones $5,000, Eliab Grimes $5,000, John Gowen $2,000, and the remainder of his property to his son, Robert G. Davis.
GOLD IN THE CARGO.
The following bill of lading is reproduced as a relic of olden time, and showing the existence of gold as an article of commerce in 1826 ;-
Shipped in good order, and well conditioned, by J. R. Cooper, in and upon the brig called the Waverly, whereof Wm. G. Dana is Master, for this present voyage; now lying in the harbour of St. Barbara, and bound for Oahu, as follows: Fourteen hundred and twenty-eight guilders; two thousand Spanish dollars; four bars silver, weight five hundred and twenty-six marks and five oz., more or less; three casks con'g one hundred and thirty- eight otter skins, more or less; one cask con'g two hun- dred and twelve black pup fur-seal skins, more or less; and one lump gold, weight unknown, being marked as in the margin (no mark); and are to be delivered in like good order, and well-conditioned, at the aforesaid port of Oahu (the danger of the seas only excepted), unto said Wm. G. Dana, or to S. Reynolds, or their assigns, they paying freight for said goods at one-half per cent., without primage and damage as accustomed. In witness whereof, the master of said brig hath affirmed to them bills of lading of this tenor and date, one of which being accomplished, the others to stand void.
WVM. G. DANA.
Santa Barbara, October 22, 1826.
Where the gold and silver came from is not stated, but as neither the weight nor the value of the gold is given, it was probably from the mines of California, the placers of the Santa Clara, or Piru, in the region contrib- utory to Santa Barbara, being known at that time.
In a document vouching for the good intentions and character of Jedediah S. Smith, dated December 20, 1826, previously published, Wm. G. Dana is recorded as Captain, and Thomas M. Robbins as Mate of schooner Waverly, but elsewhere this vessel is called a brig.
A CARGO TO SITKA.
At a later date Captain Dana sends a cargo of wheat, beef, salt, etc., to Sitka, by the smack William Little, Capt. Henry Carter, with instructions to dispose of to the best advantage, receiving in payment cash, furs, or such goods as will pay a profit. Seal skins were usually taken
at " $1-6 each;" $1-6 probably meaning one dollar and six reales, or $1.75. In selling the cargo it would be by weight, the Russian pood being equal to thirty-six English pounds. Captain Carter was also instructed to use all possible efforts to procure a lot of hunters and " fifteen or sixteen bydarkies " (skin boats), and to land them on Santa Rosa Island. "Boards, planks, etc.," all he could stow, were desirable cargo for him to bring back.
OPPOSITION TO AMERICANS IN CALIFORNIA.
From a letter from John B. R. Cooper, dated Monte- rey, July 22, 1828, we see that even at that early date there was great dissatisfaction with the existing Govern- ment, and the hope was expressed that some disturbance could be created whereby the United States might intervene and take possession of the country. Cooper was very indignant on account of the trouble given Dana in relation to his marriage, it being necessary first to be- come naturalized as a citizen, and be married in the Catholic Church. Allusion is made to the " great man," whom Cooper calls the " American hater," and, referring to his own wrongs, says, "There is not one jot of honesty, truth, honor, or principle in the country, but a set of the most shameless, swindling, deceitful rascals that ever dwelt on earth. Oh! 'Home,' Dana, ' sweet, sweet home, there is no place like home.' This coun- try, I fear, will never do for you nor me. The only hope I have is that they will kick up a dust with the United States and we may have a different Government here." The state of affairs probably ran smoother after- wards, as both remained in the country, which did well for them, as they lived happily and prospered. The " sweet home" of the distant East was forgotten in the new home in the far West. William G. becomes Guil- lermo G. Dana, and John is changed to Juan B. R. Cooper, de la profesion maritima, and licensed to employ ten boats in hunting sea otter between the latitude of San Luis Obispo and Bodega. While the old, or rather young merchants and hunters became attached to the country-and to its fair daughters-naturalized under its laws, rearing large families and acquiring great wealth, they never lost their love for their native land and Gov- ernment, as they gladly accepted the change of flag and aided in the establishment of the new order.
PERPLEXING LAWS.
The " great man," as Dana writes, or the " American hater " as Cooper calls him, appears to have been Gen. José Maria de Echeandia, to whom Dana presents a petition written on stamped paper, dated Santa Barbara, March 22, 1828, addressed Senor Gefe Superior Politico, praying for the authorization of his espousal with Doña Maria Josefa Carrillo, daughter (hija legitima) of Don Carlos Antonio Carrillo, resident of the presidio of Santa Barbara.
To this the worthy Political Chief replies from San Diego, under date of May 1, 1828, that the application could not be acted upon as yet, since the Mexican authorities had not replied to Señor Dana's application for citizenship, forwarded some time in January ultimo.
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In this case, he said, proceedings would necessarily be delayed for at least five months in accordance with the law, in which time, if nothing happened to the contrary, the question would be definitely settled.
After waiting the allotted five months from March, or at least till August 20, 1828, the marriage was cele- brated. Mr. Dana did not, however, get his certificate of naturalization until February 18, 1835. The certifi- cate is signed by José Figueroa, whose title was General of Brigade of the Mexican Republic, Commandant Gen- eral Inspector, and Political Chief of the Territory of Alta California. It is attested by Agustin P. Zamorano, Secretary.
CLOSES BUSINESS IN OAHU.
Having in 1825 established business at Santa Barbara, he soon after becomes a permanent resident and closes out his affairs in the Sandwich Islands. His property there he left in charge of Stephen Reynolds. In his instructions to Reynolds making him his agent, while being precise in details, he shows a very generous and friendly spirit toward his debtors, among whom is the King, saying he is in no hurry to present them unless some accident happens to himself. One account i against Boki, who appears to be one of the owners of the brig Waverly, amounting to $2,274.34 for advances on the brig more than his proportion. Captain Rutter is in command of the Waverly at that time, but the date is not given. It is at a time, however, when he is about to leave the islands for a voyage in different parts of the Pacific Ocean.
LETTER FROM HIS AGENT.
From a letter to Captain Dana, from Stephen Rey- nolds, dated Oahu, Thursday, March 17, 1836, 5 P. M., we are given an insight into the manner in which news was received in this country from the East, also of the society and business on the Sandwich. Islands. From this letter we quote :-
New York had a tremendous fire 16th December; $26,000,000 were destroyed, buildings, property, etc. It was so cold the water froze in the engine hose. They used kegs of gunpowder and blew up (or down) the buildings to stop the flames.
We are almost overrun with the missionaries, seamen's preachers, and train of native hypocrites. I hope I have charity for all men; if I have not, the mission wretches have the least of any class.
The bachelors here were given a ball on the 4th of March evening. Fourteen foreign ladies, some thirty or forty males present.
The poor simpleton, the seamen's preacher, took upon himself to say to some of the ladies who partook of the supper: " If you go to the party you cannot go to the table next Sabbath !"
The times are bad here; little doing; money all gone to Canton; what we are to do is hard to tell. Send us a good lot of hides. Stick to your farm, so when hunger drives me hence I may find you with a spare loaf for a poor old friend. I am truly glad your prospects are good for becoming a wealthy farmer. Stick to it! Stick, stick, stick, stick, stick to it. Go slow, go sure; you have nothing to fear.
The Don Quixote will be on the coast this summer. If I can get a barrel of "sweet taters " I will send you one. We do not get enough to eat now.
I wish you would come among us and look into all your old affairs, not that I think you will be more fortu- nate than we who live here in getting old debts from Government. Remember the China saying, "Short account, long friend."
CAPTAIN DANA BUILDS A SCHOONER. .
In 1828 Captain Dana built a schooner on the coast of Santa Barbara, the locality still bearing the name, Goleta, the Spanish word for schooner, from that fact. This is claimed as the first sea-going vessel ever launched in California, and exhibited a spirit of enterprise quite astonishing to the natives of the country. This was a valuable vessel, and the labor and expense of construc- tion were large. She was named the Santa Barbara and placed under the command of Capt. Thomas M. Rob- bins, the former mate of the Waverly, who sailed her for some years and afterwards sold her at Acapulco. Captain Robbins subsequently married Encarnacion Carrillo, sister of Mrs. Dana, became a resident of Santa Barbara and one of its wealthy citizens, owner of Las Positas Rancho, and the grantee of Santa Catalina Island
OBTAINS THE NIPOMO GRANT.
In 1835, having become a naturalized citizen of the Mexican Republic, and thereby entitled to hold land, he applied for and obtained the grant of the Nipomo Rancho, comprising 37,887.91 acres. The grant to Dana was one of the earliest made, and he had his choice in a very extended area of country as lovely as the sun shines upon, and he made a selection which, for the purpose of grazing or tillage, exhibited a profound judgment. This grand body of land is now included in the southern part of San Luis Obispo County, extending from near the shore of the Pacific to the base of the Santa Lucia Mountains. The name is derived from an expression of the Indians of the locality, saying ne-po-mah, meaning it was at the foot of the hill, or mountain. In their guttural language the first two syllables were only slightly sounded, the accent being on the last. From this the grant was designated as the Nipomo.
After obtaining the grant Mr. Dana continued in business in Santa Barbara, also carrying on the rancho, until in the fall of 1839 he moved to the Nipomo and became thereafter heavily engaged in stock-raising, farm- ing, and manufacturing. He erected a large adobe house of thirteen rooms, which continues to be the residence of members of the family, some of whom, with their wives, or husbands, and children have become too numerous for the shelter of the parental roof and dwell in modern structures on allotted farms on the great rancho, or in the neighboring towns. The venerable casa de Dana stands a conspicuous object on an elevation overlooking a large area of the grant, a monument in the history of the county second only to the old missions, and around it cluster many pleasant and interesting reminiscences. In the period of the ranchero days, when the great land- holders were the lords of the country and the patrone of all the people, this was the headquarters of the region and the stopping-place of all travelers, where hospitality was unbounded. In nearly all the books upon California
NCOH
LOS BERROS, RANCHAND RESIDENCE OF W. C. DANA, SAN LUIS OBISPO CO. CAL.
RANCH AND RESIDENCE OF JOHN F. DANA, NIPOMO, ... "! SAN LUIS OBISPO CAL.
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in the early days, in Government reports and orders, frequent mention is made of Captain Dana, his pleasant home, and his hospitality.
THE HOSPITALITIES OF NIPOMO.
The rancho of Nipomo was a pleasure resort, a recu- perating place, for all Americans traveling through the country, and the guests entertained and welcomed there were numerous, including many names of important personages in the history of California. Among them have been noted Colonel Fremont, and Edwin Bryant, who wrote so complimentary of the generous host. The late Mayor Teschmacher and General (then Captain) Halleck made it their home for long periods. In 1848 the United States steamship Edith went ashore between Point Arguello and Point Sal, and the officers and crew were taken by Captain Dana to his home, where they were kindly entertained for two or three weeks, until he could perfect arrangements to transport them to Monterey, which he did by providing horses and saddles and send- ing men to guide them on the way and return with the animals. Several of the officers remained some months at the rancho. At that time it was customary to provide travelers with meals, lodging, and a relay of horses free of charge, and, if unacquainted with the country, a guide was sent to accompany them to the next place. All this was without charge, and at times, it is said, if the traveler was thought to be in need, money would be placed near his bed that he might supply himself without the indel- icacy of asking his condition or openly making the tender of a gift. Such was the hospitality of the Californians, of which the rancho of Captain Dana was a conspicuous example, known and availed of by all travelers.
The only places on the road between San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara were Nipomo, twenty-four miles from San Luis, thence twenty-one miles to Los Alamos, thence twenty miles to Santa Ynez Mission, thence to Refugio, and thence to Santa Barbara. These distances were the regular jornadas between the stopping-places named.
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The house was located upon an elevation, in order that a more extended view could be had of the surround- ing country, to observe the approach of the marauding Indians, and the better protection from them. Also there was presented thereby a panoramic view of the most picturesque and enchanting character, the broad and fertile valley of Nipomo spreading in front many miles to the north and south and east, with the precipitous range of the Santa Lucia beyond. The Indians from the Tulare Valley frequently made raids upon the great stock ranchos of the coast, and often from the house they have been seen gathering the horses and cattle in the valley or upon the bordering hills. Then it was necessary to arm and mount all the men of the place and speed to the attack of the marauders. Some fierce conflicts have occurred, and constant vigilance was required to protect the stock.
ENGAGES IN MANUFACTURES.
Considerable manufacturing was also carried on. Captain Dana had not been born and brought up in thrifty New England to rest quietly with the semi-civilized
systems of the native Californians. Although but a lad of eighteen when he left Boston for a life of the sea and adventure, he retained some ideas of his early home. He established at Nipomo a soap factory, looms for making. cloth, turning lathe and furniture factory, blacksmith shop, and other means for making agricultural imple- ments, and also made many other articles. With his manufactures he supplied his own people, the neighbor- ing ranchos, and the missions of La Purissima and Santa Ynez. With his looms he made coarse cloths for cloth- ing, serapes, and blankets, of the latter some being in existence at a late date, after constant use since their manufacture. While a ship-owner and in trade with the coast and islands of the Pacific, and in settling up his business, he dealt much in sandal and other valuable woods. Of these he made elegant furniture, and some beautiful bedsteads and wardrobes are still among the . most admired ornaments of the old home at Nipomo, and other places, at the present day. At his blacksmith shop he made such improvement in plows as quite astonished the Californians, creating a revolution in agriculture in that quarter of the country; but, singularly enough, it did not spread to any great extent. The people were accus- tomed to the arada, usually a section of a small tree, having a limb of sufficient length for a pole reaching to the yoke of the oxen drawing it, one end of the body sharpened to scratch the ground and the other fixed for the handle. 'Dana made such plows as he had seen in his youth, which, though very crude, were a great im- provement upon the pointed stick of ancient Biblical times used by the Californians, and were in use until the Americans brought in the new styles of modern times.
POLITICAL CONTROVERSIES.
In the political controversies of the country Captain Dana took but little part. We presume he was in favor with the party of the south, supporting his father-in-law, Carrillo, for Governor when legally appointed by the President of Mexico, as against the revolutionists, Alvarado and Castro, of the north. Governor Nicolas Gutierrez, in October, 1836, writes him a letter address- ing him Mi estimado amigo (my esteemed friend), show- ing the probability of his friendship for the party repre- sented by Gutierrez. In 1840 the armed forces ot Alvarado arrested John M. Price, then in the service of Captain Dana, but did not disturb the principal. This was probably as far as they thought prudent to go against so powerful a man in resenting his adherence to the opposite party. That he was favorable to the American cause is shown by the warm friendship of Fremont and other prominent officers. His health at the time, how- ever, did not permit him to take a very active part in military operations, he being a victim to acute rheuma- tism for many years.
OFFICES HELD.
Captain Dana was tendered many political offices, and held several. Under Mexican rule he was Prefecto of the district, the highest office in the gift of the Gov- ernor. At the first election for officers under the Con- stitution of the State of California, in 1849, he received
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the largest vote for the Senate, but, owing to informali- ties in the election, the office was accorded to Don Pablo de la Guerra, of Santa . Barbara. He was after- wards urged to accept the nomination for another term, but declined to run. In 1851 he was elected Treasurer of San Luis Obispo County.
BUSINESS ENTERPRISES.
The discovery of gold in the Sierra Nevada, in 1848, and the impetus given thereby and the American occu- pation to business, opened a field for greater enterprise to Captain Dana. San Luis Obispo County was created, including Nipomo within its boundaries, and the mission of San Luis Obispo was made the county seat. There he established a large business for those days, erecting the first frame building in the town or county. This pioneer evidence of progress was erected in 1850, front- ing the road leading past the mission to Monterey, now called Monterey Street, and near the palm tree which was even then a large tree, of age contemporary with the mission. This building, or a portion of it, still occupies its original position. In 1851. he constructed the "Casa Grande," a large adobe structure, on the land now occu- pied by the bank of San Luis Obispo and other buildings. This was a famous building for a period, serving for hotel, saloons, stores, Court House, etc. The walls were of adobe and the roof of iron. The timbers used in it were hauled from the pine forests near Cambria, at great labor and expense, oxen being the motive power, and no roads worthy of the name. The building is reported to have cost over $50,000, and was the great hotel of the south. At that time there was a great deal of travel through San Luis Obispo, and the town, with its limited means transacted a large and profitable business. But it is not believed that Captain Dana ever realized a fort- une from his "Casa Grande." The building was at one time used as a Court House, and the collect on of the rent involved the owner in a long and very annoying controversy and law suit. Mr. Dana had been County Treasurer, and in settling his accounts with the Court of Sessions, retained the amount due for rent. The Court refused to allow it, and after much correspondence finally ordered suit to be commenced, which was finally decided by the supreme court in favor of Dana.
MARRIAGE AND FAMILY OF MRS. DANA.
The marriage of Captain Dana has been mentioned. This was solemnized at Santa Barbara, August 20, 1828. Señora Dana, Maria Josefa Carrillo, was the . eldest daughter of Don Carlos Antonio Carrillo and Maria Josefa (nacio Castro) Carrillo, sister of General Castro. Her grandfather was Don Raymundo Carrillo, one of the first commanders of the posts of San Diego and Santa Barbara, and the founder of the family in California. He married Tomasa Lugo, a daughter of one of the oldest soldiers stationed at Santa Barbara. Their children were Don Carlos Antonio, Anastacio, Domingo, José Antonio,and a daughter, who married José de la Guerra y Noriega. The sons of Don Carlos Antonio Carrillo were José, who married Catarina Ortega; Pedro,
who married Josefa Bandini, and José Jesus, who mar- ried Tomasa Gutierrez. There were five daughters, Maria Josefa, who married Capt. William G. Dana; Encarnacion, who married Capt. Thomas M. Robbins; Francisca, who married Capt. A. B. Thompson, an American shipmaster and merchant of Santa Barbara; Manuela, who married John C. Jones, Consul of the United States at the Sandwich Islands, and afterwards married M. C. Kettle, a merchant and banker of Boston, and Maria Antonia, who married Don Luis Burton, or Lewis T. Burton, an American merchant. All became wealthy, establishing large families, and are prominent in the history of California.
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