Jacob P. Leese Family Archive

Heading: (Leese, Jacob Primer)
Author:
Title: Important archive of material from the family and descendants of California pioneer Jacob P. Leese, with much source material on early California history
Place Published:
Publisher:
Date Published: 19th-20th centuries
Description:

Comprises:

Nine three-ring binders of biographical and source material arranged chronologically, from 1800 to 1865, with typed and manuscript copies of original letters, interviews, biographical sketches, photographic copies of original documents and letters, typed excerpts from various histories and archives, some original letters and documents, etc.

Metal file box with file folders containing original letters, documents, receipts, typed copies letters, and other materials from members and descendants of the Leese family, grouped both according to the family member and by year.

Elaborate genealogical chart of the extended Leese family, measuring approx. 25x43", typed with color highlights on numerous sheets of paper taped together (the tape has darkened and discolored).

Small stack of related papers, biographical and genealogical essays, interviews, and other miscellanea.

Historically valuable family archive of Jacob P. Leese and his descendants, and the California in which he played an influential and significant role. The archive was evidently arranged and compiled over many decades to present a comprehensive history of the Leese family in California. Jacob Primer Leese (1809-1892), born in Ohio, settled in Los Angeles in 1834 after several years in the Santa Fe trade, entering into a business relationship with Hugo Reid, and a year later moved north to the newly established town of Yerba Buena. He built the first permanent house in the settlement that was to become San Francisco, and opened a store in 1837 on Montgomery Street near Sacramento Street which did business mainly with the large ranches in San Francisco Bay area and the ships which came to California seeking hides and tallow. Perhaps to his greatest advantage, in 1837 Leese married María Rosalia Vallejo, sister of General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo. He was granted large parcels of land in Napa and Sonoma Counties, north of San Francisco. During the Bear Flag Revolt of 1846, Leese was taken prisoner with Vallejo and held captive at Sutter's Fort. He figured somewhat conspicuously in the historic Bear Flag revolt as interpreter for the contending force. In 1846 he was associated with Thomas O. Larkin in executing his plans of annexation to the United States. He moved to Monterey in 1849, where he helped found Salinas, and was involved in many business projects in the succeeding decades.

A sampling of material in the archive:

Typed copy of letter from Abel Stearns to Jacob P. Leese, 1838, ''I recd. The two Barills of Brandy by Brig Bolivar and have given you credits for same... If you do want any Flower this year let me Know and I will supply you at 123s Robe in Denty at 50$ pr Barill or Hids & Tallow Current."

Typed "History of the Bear Party" by Rosalia Leese, "who witnessed the raising of the Bear Flag at Sonoma on the 14th of June, 1846. 4 pp.

Typed "Private Record of Lots sold by Thomas O. Larkin, California," to Jacob Leese (or Leece, sic).

Six-page typed excerpt from "History of California as dictated to me by Salvadore Vallejo, Sonoma May 14th, 1874. Enrique Cerruti."

Eight-page typed "Statement by Jacob Leese Relation to Col. J C Fremont proceeding in Upper California previous to the declaration of War in this Dept."

Due to the size and/or weight of this lot extra shipping and/or handling charges may apply.
Condition Report: Varying amounts of wear associated with such archive, overall very good.