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Willey (Robert H.) Legal Collection
MSS.2013.04.30  
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Collection Overview
 
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Description
The collection of Robert H. Willey contains records pertaining to Willey’s law practice in Monterey County from 1879-1916. The first series consists of records documenting various Willey family legal transactions. Series two consists of a variety of legal records that include: deeds, legal agreements, mining documents, financial statements, patent correspondence, court documents and other legal records. Series three consists of a single petition and includes a typescript. The petitioner requests Colonel R. B. Mason, the Governor of Upper California (1847-1849) for enforcement of protection of rancheros' located in San Diego, San Luis, Santa Ana, and San Bernardino from continued robbery of cattle, horses, and mules by Native Americans and others. Applications for armed protection were made to the Military Commandant without result. The petitioner requests assistance from the Governor by providing a detachment of U.S. military officers to enforce the rule of law in the region.
Background
Robert H. Willey (1852-1916) was born in 1852 in New York, New York, while his father was a temporary worker in New York and following the end of his assignment, he and his family returned to their home in Yorkshire, England. At the age of seventeen Robert Willey traveled to San Francisco with his father and from this experience he moved to Napa Valley to study law. While in Napa Valley, Willey met and married Susie Clark. In 1879, the couple relocated to Monterey where Willey established his law practice. Some years later Willey became Monterey’s City Attorney while continuing his private law practice. Willey died November 30th, 1916 leaving behind a widow and three children.
Extent
1 Box (.417 linear feet)
Restrictions
Copyright has not been assigned to the San José State University Library Special Collections & Archives. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the SJSU Special Collections & Archives as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader. Copyright restrictions also apply to digital reproductions of the original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research and educational purposes.
Availability
The collection is open for research.