Collection Guide
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San Francisco Marriage Requests; San Francisco Land for Sale; Rainfall and Reservoir Tables Ledger
SFH 621
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Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library
Title: San Francisco Marriage Requests; San Francisco Land for Sale; Rainfall and Reservoir Tables Ledger
creator:
Bartlett, Washington M.
Identifier/Call Number: SFH 621
Physical Description:
2 Linear Feet
1 flat box
Date (inclusive): 1862-1906
Abstract: Ledger book used for San Francisco Marriage Requests; San Francisco Land for Sale; Rainfall and Reservoir Tables Ledger.
Physical Location: The collection is stored off-site.
Language of Material: Collection materials are in English.
Container: 1
The collection is available for use during San Francisco History Center hours, with photographs available during Photo Desk
hours. Collections that are stored offsite should be requested 48 hours in advance.
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Permission
for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items
San Francisco Marriage Requests; San Francisco Land for Sale; Rainfall and Reservoir Tables Ledger (SFH 621), San Francisco
History Center, San Francisco Public Library.
Washington Montgomery Bartlett (February 29, 1824 – September 12, 1887) was the 20th mayor of San Francisco, California from
1883 to 1887, the 16th governor of California, and – to date – the only Jewish governor of California.
This ledger book was used for three distinct and significant purposes over 40 plus years.
The ledger begins with the recording of requests for marriage licenses in San Francisco in 1862. The first 70 unnumbered pages
index names found later in the ledger. The index includes spaces for both bride and groom but only alphabetize by the groom's
name. Following the first 70 unnumbered pages (pp. 3-15) the ledger contains some 47 requests, each approximately eight to
ten lines. It is written in the hand of San Francisco County Clerk Washington Bartlett, signed by Bartlett and by the male,
and in one instance female party (a few are signed with an X). The requests state the man lives in San Francisco, gives his
approximate place of residence (and that of his prospective bride), that the bride is 18 years or older, where she resides,
and her parent or guardian's consent if applicable. Two of the requesting parties are Chinese.
Section two of the ledger (pp. 18-49) lists various properties for sale by Bartlett and Randolph, Real Estate Brokers, from
1872-1877. The various properties and their locations, mostly in San Francisco but some in Bay Area or Northern California
locations, are described and often list prices. Some of the descriptions are neatly crossed out, a few are marked Sold. There
are four sketch maps on letterhead of Bartlett and Randolph affixed to the leaves, and one map directly on the ledger leaf.
The descriptions are in various hands.
Section three of the ledger records rainfall and discharges from various creeks and reservoirs in Northern California. It
begins with a report from 1875 but primarily lists data from 1903-1906, comprising nearly 100 pages. These include Alameda
Creek, Calaveras and La Honda Creeks, Calaveras Dam site, Arroyo Valle above Spring Valley, etc. The listings are in both
ink and pencil, and many are quite rough. There are also some carefully compiled rainfall tables.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Marriage -- History
Marriage -- United States -- History
Property -- United States
Rain and rainfall -- California -- History
Reservoir