USA > California > Santa Barbara County > History of Santa Barbara county, California, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 12
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He immediately engaged in stock-raising, and soon achieved a marked success. During one of his exten- sive business transactions he had need of a large sum of money. There were no banks to make loans, but Father Narcissa, one of the priests of the Santa Barbara Mission, sent him, by an Indian boy, a cora (a kind of Indian basket holding about four gallons) full of money, with a remark that he should apply to his padre when he needed assistance.
Dr. Den had at the time of his death 10,000 head of cattle. He owned the San Marcos, Dos Pueblos, Cañada del Corral, and Tequepis, and also rented the College Ranch at $3,000 per year. He died March 3, 1862. He left the following children: Catherine, married to John S. Bell; Mary, married to Thomas R. More; Rosa, died 1878, aged eighteen years; Susie, Emanuel, Nicholas, William, Alfred. Alphonso, and Augustus.
THE ARRELLANES FAMILY.
This family originally owned the Guadalupe Ranch, and were among the highest and best of their race. They were high-minded, honest to simplicity, and generous to the last dollar, and when surrounded by those who were equally honorable, who did not abuse their hospitality, they remained wealthy. They had an abundance of gold and silver plate. Teodor, the elder, had three sons, Luis, Chino (believed to be a nickname), and Antonio. The latter once gave 200 head of fine beef cattle, which. however, were ouly valued at $5.00 per head. for a highly ornamented saddle. They welcomed all, especially strangers, to their house when they had the means to entertain.
THE COTA FAMILY.
The following newspaper accounts of the death of two of the first-born of Santa Barbara will be read with interest. Lugo, the grandfather of Señoras de la Torre and Pico, was the Lugo who assisted in beating off the pirate, commanded by Bouchard, which made an attack on the Refugio Rancho in 1818, and carried John Chapman, who was one of the pirates, on his horse behind him as a prisoner, he being the same man who subsequently married one of the noted beauties of the Ortega family.
" San Francisco Bulletin, 1877: Mrs. Maria de Los Angeles de la Torre died at Monterey last Sunday. and was buried on Monday. She was born at Santa Barbara, California, in 1790. and was consequently eighty-seven when she died. Her father was Don Pablo Cota, ensign of the company at Santa Barbara, and her mother was Doña Rosa Lngo. At the age of thirteen years she was married in Monterey to Don José Joaquin de la Torre, who at the time was cadet and commissary of the company stationed there, and afterwards Secretary to Governor Sola. When her death occurred she had been married seventy-four years. She left three sons, three daugh- ters, forty-three grandchildren, thirty-four great grandchildren, and several great great grandchildren."
DEATH OF SENORA MARIA ISABEL COTA DE PICO.
"October 2, 1869: Señora Maria Isabel Cota de Pico, whose death at this place (Castroville) was announced last week, was a lady whose great age, extensive acquaintance with our earliest pioneers, and relationship to the most prominent families in the State, make her demise an occurrence of more than usual interest, and worthy of more than pass- ing notice. She was born at Santa Barbara, in this State, on the 28th day of May. 1783. At the age of nineteen she intermarried with José Dolores Pico, one of the three brothers. Jose Maria Pico, Patricio Pico, and José Dolore : Pico, who came to California with the first Mexican Colony as officers in the mili- tary service of the Spanish Viceroyalty of Mexico. José Dolores was active and efficient in founding the missions, and coping with and civilizing the Indian tribes then powerful in the southern portions of the State. He died in 1827, having given fifty years of military service to his country, first under the Gov- ernment of Spain and then under that of Independ- ent Mexico. The children born of this marriage were thirteen in number. They, with their cousins, the Castros, children of their father's brothers, and
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HISTORY OF SANTA BARBARA COUNTY.
allies by marriage, were all powerful in the Govern- mental affairs of California up to and at the time of the American invasion. One of the most conspicu- ous of the sons was Antonio Maria Pico, who died at San Jose May last (1869), having filled several high offices, both before and since the conquest. Señora Pico's descendants numbered over 300, one being of the sixth generation, nearly all living in this State, bearing the names of the most prominent native California families, and many of them those of some of our leading American citizens, who mar- ried members of those families. One of her grand- sons is Captain Pico, of San Jose, who commanded a company of cavalry in the service of our country during the late civil war. She died full of years and surrounded by many descendants."
THE OLIVAS FAMILY.
Raymundo Olivas was born in Los Angeles in 1801; came to this county in 1821; was the original grantee of the San Miguelito or Cassita Ranch, which was made in 1840. He was a man who delighted in home and its legitimate hospitalities. The following account, taken from a paper published in Oakland, by a visitor, will give an idea of the noble character of the man :-
" Below Valley Mound Ranch, and on a high bluff overlooking the Santa Clara River, lies, nestled in a luxuriant grove, the homestead of the venerable patriarch of Ventura County, R. Olivas, now on the verge of fourscore years. One of the most pleasant reminiscences of this trip will be the brief visit made at his hospitable mansion on Sunday last. A bevy of gaily-dressed Señoritas, preceded by the lord of the manor, extended a cordial welcome to their Yankee visitors. Under a leviathan fig-tree, saluta- tions were interchanged, after which we were nshered into the dwelling. This is a long, adobe structure some fifty years old, recently modernized and beauti- fied. The main drawing-room, opening into the spacious court-yard, presents an inviting appearance to the stranger guest. The walls are elegantly papered and family portraits and quaint relics adorn the apartment. The dining-hall, in the center of the house, is large, airy, and cheerful, and beyond it the kitchen, amply big for a moderate-sized hotel. This is well, for the family requires no little room and food. The Don has twenty-one children by his first and only wife, who is now living, a hale and hand- some matron still, sixty years of age. In this old homestead at present dwell no fewer than forty- three descendants of this venerable couple, eighteen of whom are sons and daughters. The young ladies favored us with sweet music, and, although maintain- ing a maidenly reserve, exerted themselves to render the sojourn of their visitors agreeable. Besides the forty-five sons, daughters and grandchildren of this household, the Don has a daughter living at Santa Cruz, in this county, who is the mother of ten chil- dren. The old gentleman is rich, and enjoys an income of $6,000 per annum from his leased lands. He owns 2,400 acres in this valley, most of which is sown with barley and planted with corn. He is a remarkably well-preserved specimen of the native Californian, has few gray hairs, fewer wrinkles, and bids fair to become a centenarian."
OTHER PROMINENT FAMILIES.
There were other families of eminent respectabil- ity, such as Del Valle, Arnaz, Camarillo, and others
whose genealogy and history we tailed to get, who acted prominent parts in the history of the country. The Picos, Castros, and Vallejos were actors in other parts of the State.
PROMINENT AMERICANS AND OTHERS NOT OF SPANISH DESCENT .*
Having given an account of the Spanish families at the most interesting and also most historical period in the settlement of the country, also of some of the persons allied to them by marriage, others who acted a prominent part should also be mentioned.
Joseph Chapman, the hero of the pirate ship and of the romantic affair with a daughter of the Ortega family, built a house still standing in the rear of the Episcopal Church, and left many descendants.
Capt. James W. Burke, a native of Galway, Ire- land, came from Lima in 1820; settled permanently in 1828.
Wm. E. P. Hartnell, a native of Bristol, England, arrived in Santa Barbara in 1822. Was afterwards Government translator at Monterey. Is mentioned in connection with the Noriega family.
Capt. Thomas Robbins, a native of Nantucket, came in 1827, and died in 1857.
Capt. Wm. G. Dana came from Boston in 1877. Lived most of the time on the Nipoma Ranch in San Luis Obispo County. Is mentioned in connec- tion with the Carrillo family.
Alfred Robinson, mentioned in connection with the Noriega family, is still living, a resident of the city of San Francisco, and has furnished valuable infor- mation concerning the early history of the county. His work entitled "Life in California," published in 1846, has been frequently consulted.
Robert Elwell, of Boston, came in 1825, and sur- vived until 1853. He was a man of marked ability and individuality of character.
James Breck of Boston came in 1829.
Julien Foxen, of England, arrived in 1828, and became owner of the " Tinequaic," where he lived until his death, February 19, 1874. He was a man of marked character, fearless and independent. He left numerous descendants, whose names will appear in this book as it progresses to completion.
Capt. Alpheus B. Thompson came from Honolulu in 1834. He also left numerous descendants who have helped to make the history of this county. His name will be found in the family history of the Carrillos.
Lewist T. Burton, also connected with the Carrillo family, came in 1831 from Kentucky as a hunter. He engaged here in otter hunting. He was set upon by robbers and nearly killed near Port Harford, but escaped to Santa Barbara, where he was received by his countrymen, Jones and Thompson, and nursed back to health by the ladies of the Carrillo family, into which be soon after married.
"In making this account we have made free use of the centennial history of Santa Barbara by Hon. C. E. Huse.
+Spelled Luis by the Spaniards.
SANTA MARIA HOTEL
SANTA MARIA HOTEL
SANTA MARIA HOTEL, SANTA MARIA, SANTA BARBARA CO. S. M. BLOSSER, OWNER & PROPRIETOR .
1
VIEW OF WHARF AT SANTA BARBARA, CAL. J. P. STEARNS, PROP'R.
49
DAYS OF THE SHEPHERD KINGS.
Augustus Janssens, of Belgium, came in 1834. He was a son of Lieutenant-Colonel Janssens, who commanded the French forces that captured St. Denis in 1815, in the last Napoleonic war.
Capt. John Wilson, of Scotland, came from Peru in 1830, and was for a long time a merchant. Ile died in 1860 at San Luis Obispo.
Francis Ziba Branch. of New York, came from New Mexico in 1833, was a merchant, and died in San Luis Obispo in 1874.
Isaac J. Sparks, of Maine, came overland in 1832. He was a merchant and the first man who held the appointment of postmaster; he also built the first brick house, which now forms a part of the Park Hotel.
James Scott, of Scotland, came in 1830; died in 1851.
George Nidever, of Arkansas, came in 1835. His name is famous in connection with the lost woman of the San Nicolas Island.
Capt. John F. Smith, a native of France, came in 1833. He built the first wooden dwelling-house in Santa Barbara, not far from the gas house. Died in 1866.
John C. Jones, mentioned in the history of the Carrillo family, also frequently in subsequent history, came from Honolulu in 1835, to which place he was American Consul.
Albert Packard, who has helped to make much history. came from New England in 1845.
Wm. A. Streeter, of New York, who was a mill- wright by profession, but was capable of practicing every kind of handicraft, and also occasionally acted as dentist and physician, came in 1845.
CHAPTER XI.
EMPLOYMENTS OF THE PEOPLE.
Land Grants-Santa Barbara-Domestic Life-Beds-Washing Days -Hospitality-The Mission Forty Years Ago-The Old Town-Summer Residences-Amusements-Horse Rac- ing.
LARGE tracts of land were now donated to the heads of families. Land could be had in abundance for asking. The policy of the Mexican Government had been to limit each holding to eleven leagues, which would contain something over 48,000 acres. This, in time, came to be considered a small tract, and many of the families acquired several times that by exchange, purchase, or Government favor. This was the case with the Noriega family, who, at one time, owned not less than 200,000 acres. As before related, there was little difficulty, in the confusion which ensued after the sccularization, in stocking the ranches, and the amount of property of all kinds was raised to a higher amount than under the missions. The following list from Hoffman's reports on land cases will show how the earth was apportioned to the people. Though some of the grants date back to
1790, the most of them were made subsequent to 1836. In the following list of grants will be found some which were in other counties. They are put in here because they were made to members of families who resided in Santa Barbara :-
THE NIPOMA RANCH was granted to William Dana, April 6, 1837; acreage, 32,728.62. Dana was A member of the Carrillo family.
THE LOMPOC was granted to Jose Antonio Carrillo, April 15, 1837; acreage, 38,335.78.
SAN JULIAN to George Rock, April 7,1837; aere- age, 48.221.68. The claim was purchased, and the title perfected by José de la Guerra y Noriega.
GUADALASCA to Isabel Yorba, May 6, 1846; acre- age, 30,593.85.
SIMI, OR SAN JOSE DE GRACIA, to Patricio Javier y Miguel Pico, in 1795, by Governor Diego de Borica; claim revived by Alvarado to Noriega April 25, 1842; 92,341.35 acres.
SESPE to Don Carlos Antonio Carrillo, November, 1833; six leagues. This number was pronounced a fraud in the trial for title, and dos (2) substituted. The grant will be referred to again.
SAN BUENAVENTURA to Fernando Tico, March 24, 1845; 29.90 acres.
GUADALUPE to Diego Olivera and Teodoro Arrel- lanes, March 21, 1840; 30,408.03 acres.
CUYAMA to Jose Maria Rojo, April 24, 1843; con- firmed to Maria Antonio de la Guerra and Cesario Lataillade; 22,198.74 acres.
HUERFANO (San Luis Obispo) confirmed to Francis Branch, member of the Carrillo family; originally granted to Mariano Bonilla.
TEQUEPIS to Joaquin Viila; confirmed to Antonio Maria Villa; 8,919 acres.
SisQuoc to Maria Antonio Caballero, June 3, 1833; confirmed to James B. Huie; 35,485.90 acres.
SANTA ROSA ISLAND to José Antonio and Carlos Carrillo, October 4, 1843; contains about 60,000 acres. This island was given to Jones and Thompson, who married into the Carrillo family.
CANADA LARGA O VERDE to J. Alvarado. Joaquin Alvarado pushed the claim confirmation; contains about 2,220 acres.
PUNTA DE LA LAGUNA to Luis Arrellanes and E. M. Ortega, December 24, 1844; 26,648.42 acres.
CONEJO to José de la Guerra y Noriega, October 12, 1822, by Governor Sola; 48.674.56 acres.
ARROYO GRANDE, OR SAN RAMON (in San Luis Obispo) to Zeferino Corlon, April 25, 1841, confirmed to Francisco Branch, who married into the Carrillo family.
OJAI to Fernando Tico, April 6, 1837; 17,792.70 acres.
Name unknown to Teodore Arrellanes, January 22, 1835; 4,440 acres.
MISSION OF SAN DIEGO to Santiago Arguello, June 8. 1846; small quantity.
ISLAND OF SANTA CRUZ to Andres Castillero, May 22, 1839; about 60,000 acres.
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HISTORY OF SANTA BARBARA COUNTY.
MISSION VIEJA DE LA PURISSIMA to Joaquin and José Antonio Carrillo, November 20, 1845: 4.440 acres.
CORRAL DE CUATI to Augustine Davilla; confirmed to Maria Antonia de la Guerra Lataillade; 13,300.24 acres.
TEQUEPIS to Thomas Olivera, April 7, 1837; con- firmed to Antonia Maria de Cota. 8,900.75 acres.
LA LAGUNA to Miguel Abila, November 3, 1845; confirmed to Octaviano Gutierrez; 18,212.48 acres.
TINAQUAIC to Victor Linares, May 6, 1837; con- firmed to William D. Foxen; 8,874.60 acres.
LA CALERA or LAS POSITAS to Narciso Fabrigat, May 16, 1843; confirmed to Thomas M. Robbins and Manuela Carrillo de Jones; 3, 281.70 acres.
TODOS SANTOS to Salvador Osio, November 3, 1844. This tract contained 22,200 acres; another tract on the Cosumnes, granted at the same time to the same party, contained 26,640 acres. These tracts were confirmed to William E. Hartnell.
CANADA DE SAN MIGUELITO to Ramon Rodriguez, March 1, 1846; 8,880 acres.
ALISAL to W. E. Hartnell, January 26, 1843; 2,971.26 acres.
LA ZACA to Maria Antonia de la Guerra y Latail- lade, 1838; 4,480 acres.
LOMAS DE LA PURIFICACION to Augustin Janssens, December 27, 1844; 13,320 acres.
LAS POSAS to José Carrillo, May 15, 1834; con- firmed to José de la Guerra y Noriega; 26,623.26 acres.
SAN MARCOS to Nicolas A. Den, June 8, 1846; 35,573 acres.
One square league to - Mcelina, August 16, 1843; confirmed to Maria de la Guerra Lataillade.
San Francisco (partly in Santa Barbara County) to Antonio del Valle, January 22, 1839; confirmed to Jacob Feliz.
LAS HUERTAS confirmed to Maria Antonia de la Guerra Lataillade; granted July 26, 1844; 13,000 varas square.
Los ALIMOS to José Antonio Carrillo, March 9, 1839; 48,803.38 acres.
SANTA CLARA DEL NORTE granted Juan Sanchez May 6, 1837; 13,988.91 acres.
CALLEQUAS granted José Pedro Ruiz, May 10, 1847; 9,998.29 acres.
SAN MIGUEL to Raimundo Olivas, July 6, 1841; 4,693.91 acres.
LA LIEBRE to José Maria Flores, April 21, 1841; eleven square leagues.
- three square leagues to José Ramon Malo, April 12, 1845.
SANTA ROSA to Francisco Cota, three and a half leagues, granted July 30, 1839; and a subsequent addition November 19, 1845.
PURISSIMA to Ramon Malo, December 6, 1845; 14,- 927.62 acres.
Ex MISSION SAN BUENAVENTURA to José Arnaz, June 8, 1846. Confirmed to Poli.
CAMULOS to Pedro C. Carrillo, October 2, 1843; 17,760 acres.
NOJOQUI to Raimundo Carrillo, April 27, 1843; 13,522.04 acres.
SANTA ANA to Crisogono Ayalo and others, April 14, 1837; 21,522.04.
to José Chapman, 4,440 acres, 1838. Confirmed to Guadalupe Ortega de Chapman. This is the Chapman who was taken prisoner on the Ortega Ranch, in 1818, while engaged in plundering the place, and who a year later married one of the fair daughters of the Ortegas.
Dos PUEBLOS to Nicolas A. Den, April 18, 1842; 15,535.33 acres.
CANADA DEL CORRAL to José Dolores Ortega, Novem- ber 5, 1841; 8,875.76 acres.
LA GOLETA to Daniel Hill, June 10, 1846; 4,440 acres.
TEMESCAL to Francisco Lopez, March 17, 1843; 13.320 acres.
NUESTRA SONORA DEL REFUGIO to Antonio Maria Ortega, August 1, 1834; 26,529 acres.
JESUS MARIA to Lucas Olivera, April 8, 1837; 42,- 184.93 acres. Two-thirds confirmed to Luis Burton.
SAN CARLOS DE JONATA to Joaquin Carrillo, Sep- tember 24, 1845; 26,631.31 acres.
MISSION SANTA YNEZ to José Maria Covarrubias and others, June 15, 1846. This claim was rejected by Commissioners.
PUEBLO DE SANTA BARBARA to Common Council: granted in 1782; claim filed February 1, 1853; rejected by Commissioners August 1, 1854. Con- firmed by District Court March 1, 1861.
ISLAND OF CATALINA to Thomas Robbins, July 4, 1846.
SANTA PAULA y SATICOY to Manuel Jimeno Casarin, April 1, 1843; 17,733.33 acres.
CASMALIA to Antonio Olivera; September 12, 1840; 8,841.21 acres.
COLLEGE RANCH or CANADA DE LA PINO; 35,499.37 acres.
SANTA BARBARA MISSION to Richard S. Den, June 10, 1846.
Mission lands allotted after secularization-San Buenaventura, 36.27 acres; Santa Barbara, 37.83 acres; Santa Ynez, 17.35 acres.
Though the grants of lands from eleven leagues down would seem large enough for any reasonable purpose, many persons thought they needed much more, and we find influential families acquiring terri- tory enough for a kingdom. The Carrillo family had twelve grants, Castro twenty, de la Guerra twelve, Foster eight, Limantour eight, Murphy thirteen, Ortega nine, Pacheco eight, Rodriguez seven, Sanchez twelve, and Vallejo fourteen.
Santa Barbara, next to Monterey, was the most important town in the territory. The Carrillos, Noriegas, and Ortegas, were families who exercised almost judicial authority in determining matters. The governors appointed by the Mexican Government
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DAYS OF THE SHEPHERD KINGS.
generally tarried here a few days to learn something of the duties incidental to the office, and were some- times the guests of the Carrillos, and sometimes of the Noriegas. Chico, who became Governor in 1836, spent a few days with Don Carlos Carrillo. Here he met Jacob P. Leese, the future millionaire, by request, to learn something of the lynching of two persons at Los Angeles, in which affair Leese had acted a principal part. The occurrence as related to .Chico by Captain Noriega was rather discreditable to the citizens at Los Angeles, but as explained by Leese seemed to be a matter of necessity. Lcese was never troubled about it. Chico and Leese made the trip overland to Monterey together, the Governor obtaining much valuable information from Leese.
It was the great center of the hide and tallow trade. Everything tended toward this point for a hundred miles around. Here were seen the cavaliers with fiery, but well-trained horses, eaparisoned with saddles and bridles trimmed with silver and silk ornaments, racing to and fro. or prancing their horses before the admiring eyes of the señoritas who esti- mated elegant horsemanship as among the chief accomplishments of a man. The low adobe stores kept by Burton and others, were filled with rich, showy goods, silks from the Indias, jewelry from Paris, and the cunning work of the artists of every land. for the love of beauty and its adornment reigned supreme, and was anything too good to deck the dainty limbs of the daughters of the cattle kings? The mission buildings formed the ideal of architecture, and no attempt was made to erect palatial dwellings. The adobe with its clay floor and bare walls satisfied the wants of the people, and they lavished their wealth in personal adornments. The men were not less fond of ornaments than the women. The gala dress of the Don was a pair of broadeloth pants open at the side, which showed drawers of fine snowy white material beneath. Silver buttons, or gold it the owner's purse could afford them, were placed thickly along the sides of the legs of the pants, as a reminder that they once were buttoned. but now they were never used for that purpose. A sash or scarf "of fine silk encircled the waist of the man. This was the sword belt reduced to the uses of peace, though tradition had not entirely vanished regarding its use, for the pistol or knife found in the sash a ready and convenient place for use when jealousy or wounded honor called them into action.
·
The females found means to display, as well as hide, their charms in a skirt of bright colors, over a gar- ment of snowy white linen or cotton. Stockings of fancy colors would set off a well-turned ankle or betray the well-rounded limbs over which they were drawn, and the universal rebosa, or shawl, which had centuries of use among the Spanish and Moorish beauties, was as effective as in centuries past in half masking the batteries of the glorious black eyes, which in all ages have driven mad Kings and states- men, as well as poets. To wear this gracefully,
requires a hereditary skill, a dim recollection of triumphs achieved by maternal ancestors.
Parasols, reticules, boquets, portmonunies, and all the other machinery used to show the graceful move- ments of the hands and arms of belles, are nothing to the rebosa, which can be used to hide all emotions or embarrassment, when desirable or overwhelm a poor, beauty-struck hombre with a display of charms that would bring him to instant submission.
DOMESTIC LIFE.
Scarcely a house had a fire-place, floor, window, or chimney. A fire was built in one corner of the room on the clay floor, where the cooking was done. A copper or iron kettle, the rock for pulverizing maize. which was but little in advance of the Indian mortar, and the soap-stone rock for baking the tortillas, con- stituted the entire culinary apparatus. The kettle was used to boil beef and matton with chile colorado (red pepper) and such vegetables as they might raise. No dishes or table ware, or even tables, were used. The abalone or clam shell was plate and knife and fork. These could be picked up on the beach when- ever wanted, consequently there was no washing of dishes. The *metale used for pulverizing corn or wheat is made of some kind of porous stone found on the islands. It may be amygdaloid or some kind of volcanic roek. It is flat, perhaps twelve inches by eighteen, and is set on three legs, one end being raised two or three inches above the other, so that the flour. when fine enough, may work toward the lower end, where it is caught by a raised rim. The rubbing was done with a smaller stone. A woman can make flour enough for a family supply of tortillas in a few minutes, though the work is rather hard on the wrists and arms. Persons who were compelled to do much of it had enlarged and deformed wrists, so that making flour was considered degrading.
BEDS.
Scarcely anything was used in the way of bedding, a rawhide on the ground would be about all that was necessary, as the adobe houses retained the heat of the sun absorbed through the day and maintained an equable temperature. When the door and the holes which served to let in the light during the day, were closed, the children required very little cover- ing, and lay huddled together until hunger would arouse them at daylight. Clothing was worn as much for ornament and modesty's sake as for com- fort, and even now it is not uncommon to see, in the honses outside of the town, children three or four years old, plump and healthy. running around the houses entirely naked.
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