USA > California > Santa Cruz County > History of Santa Cruz County, California with Biographical Sketches > Part 7
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RELIC OF SLAVERY DAYS.
George H. Williams, of Watsonville, formerly of Cape Girardeau, Mo., having owned and held the bearer, a negro man called Alexander Nurenberg aged about fifty-eight years, a slave in the said county from 1841 until my emigration to California in 1852 and having brought him here to California with me under an agreement with him that I would emanci- pate him in consideration that he would serve me well and faithfully for two years; and he having tendered to me good service for the term of two years, to my full satisfaction, I do by these presents emancipate and set free the said Alex- ander Nurenberg to the intent that he be and remain his own freeman forever. Signed, sealed and acknowledged before G. M. Bockius, County Judge. Armed with this document
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Alex left for Missouri and on arrival he presented the above to the proper authorities and he was allowed his freedom. Another old darkey did not fare so well. Uncle Dan Rogers contended that he would like to go back on a visit to Arkansas and was given his emancipation papers; on his arrival his papers availed him nothing; "Golly, Massa," he told me on his return, "dey had dis nigger on de block and sold him." He had to buy his freedom and returned to Watsonville and attained the age of one hundred years. On a visit to San Francisco to see some of his relatives he was run over by a street car. Another colored man, James Brodes, brought here under an agreement that he should be free after working two years in the mines, came to the conclusion that the agree- ment was not to be carried out, hence he "skipped" to the Pajaro valley. For several years he was in terror expecting his owner to come and claim him. The fifteenth amendment released him of any further danger. He lived to accumulate quite an estate; the property known as Watsonville Heights was conveyed by this man, James Brodes, to the present owners. "Nigger Jim," as he was first called and after hav- ing acquired property was designated by name, died in 1906 and his estate was distributed to his heirs.
Martina Castro, one if the numerous Castro family and daughter of Joaquin Castro of the San Andres, obtained a grant of the Soquel rancho from Governor Figueroa Novem- ber 23, 1833, for 1,668 acres, which was confirmed by the land commissioners on a patent issued by the United States government. She also obtained a grant for the Soquel Auymentation rancho of 3,272 acres and a United States patent was issued to her. This second tract contained vast forests of redwood timber, live oak, Madrona and other wood; these tracts of land were conveyed by Martina Castro to other parties and a partition was made by the district court
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allotting the several interests to the respective owners. She was married first to Michael Sage and after his death was married to Louis Depeaux. She died in December, 1890, and at the time of her death she was not in possession of any of the broad acres acquired by the grants referred to. On De- cember 12, 1895, a petition for special letters of administra- tion was filed in the superior court of this county by M. Elizabeth Peck, a grand-daughter of Martina Castro, setting forth that there was considerable real estate belonging to the heirs of the late Martina Castro Depeaux, and it would be necessary to commence action at once to recover the property belonging to the estate, before the statute of limita- tions expired. M. Elizabeth Peck having been appointed special administrator, in due time the filing of suits against several hundred defendants who had obtained titles to their lands which were supposed to be valid, was quite a surprise, as no claims were ever made during the lifetime of Martina to any portion of the lands conveyed by the grants in ques- tion. After some litigation the suits came to an end and the various owners felt greatly relieved. It was urged that Martina was "non compos" at the time she transferred her interests, but as forty years had elapsed before this claim was advanced it fell to the ground. About the last order made was that directing the suits instituted by M. Elizabeth Peck dismissed. This was the first case where the party had rested so long a time without attempting to enforce his rights.
It is no uncommon thing for descendants of the owners of ranch grants to entertain a belief that by some means they are still entitled to share in some portion of the land con- veyed by their ancestors. How these tracts were transferred, what influences were brought to bear by designing individuals it is unnecessary to inquire at this late day. Manifest destiny
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and the survival of the fittest have entirely changed the as- pect of affairs. The land on which Capitola is located was included in the suits referred to.
JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE FROM THE CITY OF BALTIMORE TO SAN FRAN- CISCO VIA CAPE HORN BY C. SCHULTZ, A PASSENGER.
Books suitable for records were probably difficult to be obtained in the early days. The book from which this rem- iniscence is copied has written on the fly leaf "Edward M. Abell, Edward Myers, Charles Myers, Peter Tracy, county clerk of Santa Cruz and from the state of California. James Kirk, Francis Kirk, both of San Francisco, lately from Cal- ifornia." Five pages of the book contain judgments written in several cases before the county court. The journal com- mences January 24, 1849, the day prior to our leaving Balti- more on our perilous, yet I hope, prosperous expedition. In the announcement which appeared in the newspapers for several days before our ship (Jane Parker) was to sail, passengers were requested to be on hand at the appointed time; however, not only passengers, but crowds of spectators, both ladies and gentlemen, numbering some eight or ten thousand, filled the wharves, rigging and ships; all the neigh- borhood were anxious to witness the departure of their friends on so lengthy an expedition. The Independent Blues brass band was stationed in the forecastle and discoursed excellent music, adding much to the pleasure and excitement of the scene. The Junior Artillery had their cannon posted on the wharf ready to fire a parting salute; such a scene was never before enacted on the departure of any ship from any port, not even excepting the celebrated Christopher Columbus voyage of discovery. The writer regrets that the leave-taking had to be gone over again on the next day, as the ship was. detained. Amidst the cheering crowds and the firing of the
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artillery, notwithstanding all this joyous demonstration, the parting at the last moment was very sad. A meeting of the passengers was held shortly after leaving the city, at which resolutions were passed complimentary to the citizens of Baltimore and to the artillery, and were ordered published in the city newspapers. At 10 P. M. we came to anchor and then, as one of the passengers observed "the last link was broken" and many a longing look was cast towards shore.
About two hundred yards from us lay the ship Silas Richards, bound for London, waiting for a fair wind. He invited us to visit his vessel, which some of us did and were treated very nicely and found the captain a gentle- manly and very agreeable man. After enjoying his hospital- ity we returned to our own vessel, and the weather being very cold the passengers flocked to the cabin, where a scene of confusion was presented which I will not attempt to de- scribe. After clearing my bunk (a sailor's word for berth) of the almost numberless amount of bundles which were crammed into it --- here the journal ends abruptly, the leaves of the book being torn out, and whether Mr. Schultz ever finished his journal or what became of it will remain a mystery.
The journal shows the feeling at that time (1849) of the sailing of a vessel for California; the fears for a safe voy- age round Cape Horn and the hopes for a safe arrival in port and the return of the voyagers with their fondest ex- pectations realized. In these days the sailing of a vessel for California excites no more interest than the sailing of a vessel from San Francisco to Santa Cruz. The sailing days were generally set for Sunday, that being considered a lucky day, besides it was a "dies non". Edward M. Abell was a voter in Santa Cruz at the first election held in 1850 in April, and at one time kept a hotel on Grant street in partnership
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with R. J. F. Scott. They subsequently moved to Watson- ville. C. Schultz was also a voter at the same election. All have long since ended their earthly voyage. This frag- mentary journal may be of interest to the pioneers who reached California by way of the Horn; it will remind them of their own leave taking, leaving with high hopes and ex- pectations of acquiring a competency in a few years and returning to the land of their birth to enjoy the same. To the Native Sons it may have an interest in depicting the hardships endured in reaching the Golden State, and their efforts in building up and clearing the way for others to follow by a much easier route.
As some reference has been made to squatters, a brief sketch of some of the troubles may not be out of place.
On the 14th of August, 1850, the city assessor was killed and Biglow, the mayor, was mortally wounded, others were killed in the same fight, among them Maloney, the leader of the squatters. Dr. Charles Robinson, who afterwards be- came governor of Kansas, was severely wounded. On the following day in a continuation of the same fight a few miles out of the city of Mckinney, the sheriff of the county, and several others were killed. There were swarms of squatters in San Francisco and fights were frequent. Three hundred men, squatters on the Fitch Pana and Berressa grants, sit- uated about Healdsburg on the Russian river and in Napa county, banded together for mutual protection in movements for defense and aggression. Sonoma and Santa Rosa val- leys, in common with almost all parts of the state covered with Mexican grants, have been the scene of repeated as- sassinations. In April, 1858, armed men attacked the govern- ment surveyor, Tracy; acting under instructions issued by Mandeville, surveyor general, they seized and tore in pieces his papers and informed him if he valued his life he had
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HISTORY OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
better go home; he thought it was good advice and acted upon it and retired. Fights between squatters in Santa Clara were frequent and several were killed; in some way the sentiment got abroad that the owner's title was of no value, that anyone might settle on an unoccupied spot; the treaty of Hidalgo when ratified became a part of the constitution of the United States and was supposed to be respected, but was not taken into consideration. "Did not the United States buy all this land when California was purchased from the Mexican government? Certainly we bought it and the land is ours, treaty of Hidalgo be damned." This was the ar- gument used in support of the position of the squatters.
Years of litigation ensued before order was restored. In this county happily no fights took place, no lives were lost in any conflicts between squatters and ranch owners. In Santa Clara the district court adjourned at one time not be- ing able to have orders obeyed. S. B. McKee, the judge of the court at that time, remarked that "if the processes of his court could not be enforced, he would adjourn until they could be." The squatters were strongly organized, suf- ficiently to defy the officers of the court. I append here an extract from an article by the late M. M. Estee. "I was once employed by some public land men or squatters, as they were termed, and I advised them to appeal to the laws of their country and quit fighting. They said they would and in a few months one of their number called on me and said they were prepared for a peaceful mode of settling their land troubles. I was much surprised and asked him how? He replied that they had formed a squatters league and that every man but one within ten miles of his place belonged to it. Soon after I was called down to the so-called fighting line where they were going to try some forcible entry cases. When I got there I found they had a jury summoned, every
1
1
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one of whom was a member of the league; the justice and constable were members and the verdict was necessarily in favor of that body. After the trial the grant owner asked the men who had cut his hay, if they would pay the taxes on the land as they were in possession of it; they answered that government land could not be taxed and they did not want to astonish the government by paying taxes on its own property."
SPANISH DOCUMENTS.
Spanish documents relating to the Branciforte pueblo have been in the custody of the officials of the court house for many years; so far as can be ascertained they were trans- ferred from Monterey to the authorities of Santa Cruz county. In 1850 the legislature of the state authorized cer- tain documents to be procured from Monterey and in 1851 arranged for classification and indexing the same, as well as their disposition; those relating to land titles were de- livered to the office of the surveyor-general, while those that pertained to the prefectorate remained. At the present time no one seems to know how these Spanish documents got here. I thought that perhaps some papers relating to the history of this county might be found and of some interest to the people. I find nothing of very great interest among these so called Spanish archives, it seems that the people of that period had troubles of their own similar to those of the present day. They told their troubles to the alcaldes, who appeared to have dispensed justice in their own manner. I find a call for a meeting of citizens written in the French language asking that they assemble in accordance with the laws of the United States, purpose not stated. I also find a complaint against Joven (Young) Felipe Gonzales in 1845, alleging that he was guilty of conducting himself in a manner
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distasteful to the authorities. Felipe was afterwards a re- spectable citizen of Watsonville and died there universally respected by all persons. A letter dated Monday February 4, 1799, from Diego Borica to the authorities of Branciforte recommending that they put in wheat, corn and beans so that they can be sure of an abundance of provisions without de- pending on the pueblo of San Jose. A communication ad- dressed to Governor Micheltorena signed by Diego Guillermo Weeks, Alberto Fernando Morris, J. L. C. Majors, William Barton, Paul Sweet, Charles Heath, Samuel Buckel, stating that they are not responsible for the acts of Capt. Isaac Graham and assuring His Excellency that they are law-abid- ing and respect the law of Mexico. At Santa Cruz, in June, 1843, it was reported that lumber valued at $7,000 was de- stroyed by fire supposed to have been incendiary; as this was a very grave crime the authorities were commanded to make a rigid investigation and apprehend the authors of the crime if possible ...... y Libertad, Jose R. Estrado.
I find nothing of a historical nature save a proclamation by the several Mexican governors, relating to the administra -. tion of affairs in the pueblo. If any other documents were ever deposited with the authorities at the time of the estab- lishing of American authority they have disappeared; there were several communications from Father Real, the padre of the Mission, recommending that attention be given to better observance of the church festivals. Some one complained that he found three horses in possession of George Chapel and accused him of being a ladrone chief. There was at one time quite a feud between Chapel and Leggett, both for- eigners (estrangeros) resulting in the killing of one of them. Micheltorena, brigadier-general of the army, called the de- partment assembly to meet at Monterey on August 28, 1844, Don Pio Pico, Francisco Figueroa, Don Narcisco Borello,
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HISTORY OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
Don Esteran Murray, Don David Spence; this session was called to take into consideration the actual condition of the state of affairs, that the country was threatened with war (Guerra Estrangeros), and it was necessary that something should be done. It is dated at the governor's palace of Cal- ifornia at Monterey, August 28, 1844, signed Manuel Michel- torena, Manuel Jimeno, Sio del Despacho. At this meeting Don Narcisco Borello was elected secretary in place of Zenon Fernandez, deceased. Among the first settlers of Branciforte were many undesirable citizens sent from Mexico, probably their characteristics descended to their successors. The Viceroy Branciforte, after whom the pueblo was named, was recalled to Mexico and his property confiscated owing to some troubles between him and the higher powers. Manuel Jimeno, April 30, 1844, issued an order that Diego Guillermo Wikes (Weeks) must not be molested by any person what- ever in the land he now occupies. In 1845 the authorities were informed that five sailors had deserted from La Fragata Argo, and were supposed to be in hiding at the house of Jose Buelna, and the officials were directed to find the deserters and return them to their vessel.
One interesting bill is on file and made the subject of a suit of one Rousillon to Graham and Naile, itemized
1 bottle grog 1
1 gallon " 4
1 bot. 66 1 1 Bbl Aguardente. 60 1 gal. grog ..
and so on down to a keg of nails, a few nails to several gallons of grog.
The bill receipted, marked paid through the court at Monterey.
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Pasted in one of the alcalde's records is a notice written in Spanish of which the following is a translated copy :
August 14, 1849.
Suiz Lucaz. agrees within three days after the arrival of Padre Anzar he will obligate to marry Marie Dolores Mojiza or pay $500 as a fine in default.
Signed before J. S. Majors, Alcalde.
Whether the parties were married or whether the $500 was paid the records do not disclose.
These documents are of little value at present. I suggest that they be divided between the two principal libraries, where some future "Dryasdust" may have the privilege of examining them.
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HISTORY OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
CHAPTER IX.
STATISTICS OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY 1907 AND 1908.
REPORT OF AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Area, 500 square miles, or 320,000 acres.
Number of farms
1,765
Number of acres assessed
262,938
Value of country real estate $ 4,640,260
Of improvements thereon 1,625,800
Of city and town lots 4,962,155
Of improvements thereon 2,753,045
Of personal property 1,903,765
Total value of all property $15,885,025
Expended on roads last fiscal year $ 40,662
Expended on bridges last fiscal year 12,389
Number of miles of public roads 458
Road levy per $100 in 1908. 60c
Value of county buildings $162,500
Railroads, steam-miles 51.49; assessed value 802,244
Railroads, electric-miles 15; assessed value 55,045
Electric power plants, 2-assessed value 52,085
Electric power lines-miles, 70; assessed value 18,500
Number of acres irrigated. .1,200
Ocean Shore R. R. has 25.6 miles of road but it is not subject to assessment as yet.
Number of fruit trees and vines:
889,015
Total fruit non-bearing
Total nut bearing 6,555
Total nut non-bearing 3,175
Total fruit bearing 121,585
HISTORY OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY 101
Total acres grapes bearing 1,370
Total acres grapes non-bearing 2,615
Total acres berries bearing 625
Total cereals acres 2,600; tons 2,259; value $ 85,510
Total hay acres 6,215; tons 11,467 ; value 157,637
Total fruits and vegetables and this includes berries,
apples, figs, grapes pounds production 114,954,945 valued at $1,860,030
Total dried fruits pounds 9,277,100 valued at 423,842
Total canned fruits cases 10,500 valued at. 25,855
A case of apples contains 12-1 gal. cans.
3,000 cars actual shipment of apples does not include 815,495 boxes that were handled by the driers, vinegar plants and canneries.
Live stock industry:
Total stock of all kinds 20,095; value .$663,890
Manufactured output includes bituminous rock, cement, cigars, box shooks, lime, malt, hides, lard, meats, tallow, paper, glue, soap, powder, leather, barrels, and this is figured in tons, pounds, barrels, kegs, and thousands.
Total value of forest products $ 881,822
Miscellaneous products, such as bees, sugar beets, melons, etc. . 173,865
Total manufactories of all kinds employ 1,200, value of output 4,600,415
Poultry and eggs, value 213,818
Wine, brandies, beer, vinegar gals. 1,202,025, value 272,460
There are 12 wineries and 3 breweries.
Fish industry, pounds, 1,419,133, valued at. $42,575
Dairy industry:
Butter 245,535 pounds, value $76,115
Cheese, 475,660 pounds, value. 47,560
Gals. cream, 11,195, value. 12,315
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HISTORY OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
Number of dairies 20 and besides there are the products of several dairies that are delivered to home consumers.
Of the men who worked on the Sal-se-puedes rancho for J. Bryant Hill in 1852, Louis Martinelli and this writer are the only survivors of the days that "tried men's souls." Charles McDermott, one of the three horsemen mentioned in company with Hill, died several years ago in Arizona. All of the orig- inal merchants of Santa Cruz and Watsonville have ceased their labors except F. A. Hihn of Santa Cruz, who started as a merchant in 1850 and is now still active and interested in large undertakings.
I have seen this county grow from a population of 350 to that of 25,000 and have seen great changes during the last. half century. The advantages and possibilities of Santa Cruz county are yet in their infancy, awaiting development by the people who will be attracted here by climate and other attrac- tions for homes and investments. It is one of the beauty spots. of the state, in a climate equable the year around and where men can work out of doors with their coats off at all seasons. In how many cities in the Union can the school children be seen eating their lunches seated on the lawn in the months of December and January, as they often do in Santa Cruz?
With best wishes for the prosperity of Santa Cruz county, I conclude this imperfect sketch.
EDWARD MARTIN.
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HISTORY OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
CHAPTER X.
NOTES ON THE HISTORY OF THE FRUIT INDUSTRY OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY.
BY
C. H. RODGERS.
HORTICULTURAL COMMISSIONER AND PRESIDENT OF
PAJARO VALLEY ORCHARDISTS' ASS'N.
The information contained herein was obtained largely from the survivors of the earliest white settlers of this county whom I have interviewed at various times for more than a decade.
This being the case, of course the data are necessarily in- complete and fragmentary. Nevertheless it will doubtless be of interest to our successors to be able to trace out the beginnings of what has developed into the greatest interest of our county.
The first fruit trees and vines planted in Santa Cruz county were located at the Mission of Santa Cruz, which was founded in 1791. My researches have not enabled me to ascertain the date of the planting of this orchard by the Mission founders, but in accordance with their usual custom it is fair to assume that the planting was made shortly after the founding of the Mission. According to the best information the area of this orchard was about ten acres and the varieties of fruits consisted of pears, olives and a few grape vines.
The pears were of a variety unknown to the Americans, but possessed good eating qualities. They ripened in the early autumn but did not keep well. The olives were of the
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HISTORY OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
ordinary Mission variety. The few grape vines which were planted did not produce good grapes probably on account of the fact that the variety planted was not adapted to coast conditions. A few of those ancient pear trees are still liv- ing, but the greater part of the orchard was washed away by the floods of 1861-62. At the time of the arrival of the first Americans in the county, this was the only orchard, although an occasional pear tree was found growing near some of the old adobe ranch houses.
The first planting of fruit trees by Americans was made at Soquel, during the winter of 1847-48, according to the state- ment of A. Noble, a pioneer of the state and resident of Soquel since 1856. He writes: "On the west side of Soquel creek John Daubenbiss, a pioneer of 1842, and John Hames, a pioneer of 1843, each planted a small orchard during the winter of 1847-48. Daubenbiss told me that they sent to Oregon for these trees. The varieties of apples planted were Virginia Greenings, Baldwins and Rhode Island Greenings. These were the first apple orchards planted in Santa Cruz county." Some of the apple trees and one or two of the cherry trees planted at that time by those men still remain.
According to the best authentic information, the next or- chard plantings were made in 1853, by Judge William Black- burn, in Santa Cruz, and Jesse D. Carr, in Pajaro valley. (Further details concerning the last named will be presented later in this article.)
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