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Wilson (Benjamin D.) Papers
MS.703  
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Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • Scope and Contents
  • Preferred Citation
  • Processing History
  • Conditions Governing Use
  • Biographical Note
  • Conditions Governing Access

  • Contributing Institution: Library and Archives at the Autry
    Title: Benjamin D. Wilson Papers
    Creator: Wilson, Benjamin Davis
    Identifier/Call Number: MS.703
    Physical Description: 0.1 Linear Feet (1 folder)
    Date (inclusive): 1856-1872
    Language of Material: English .

    Scope and Contents

    This collection contains 25 pieces of correspondence, invoices, ledgers, papers, and stock certificates from Benjamin David Wilson. Documents are dated from 1856-1872 and some have notations written on verso from 1936.

    Preferred Citation

    Benjamin D. Wilson Papers, 1856-1872, Braun Research Library Collection, Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles; MS.703.

    Processing History

    Processed by Library staff after 1981. Finding aid completed by Holly Rose Larson, NHPRC Processing Archivist, 2012 November 9, made possible through grant funding from the National Historical Publications and Records Commissions (NHPRC).

    Conditions Governing Use

    Copyright has not been assigned to the Autry Museum of the American West. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Research Services and Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Autry Museum of the American West as the custodian 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.

    Biographical Note

    Benjamin Davis Wilson (1811 December 1 – 1878 March 11) was a California statesman and politician. He was known to the Native Americans as Don Benito because of his benevolent manner in his treatment of Indian affairs. Wilson, a native of Tennessee, was a fur trapper and trader before coming to California. He married Ramona Yorba, daughter of Bernardo Yorba, a wealthy and prominent landowner, and purchased part of Rancho Jurupa in what would become Riverside County. Wilson was made Justice of the Peace for the Inland Territory and was entrusted with the care of Indian affairs. He was also commissioned to deal with the hostile Ute tribe over their cattle rustling and other crimes against the ranchers.
    Wilson became the first non-Hispanic owner of Rancho San Pascual, which encompassed today's towns of Pasadena, Altadena, South Pasadena, Alhambra, San Marino and San Gabriel. Wilson was the second elected Mayor of Los Angeles for one term, Los Angeles County Supervisor and served three terms as a California State Senator. Wilson died at his San Gabriel ranch in 1878.

    Conditions Governing Access

    Appointments to view materials are required. To make an appointment please visit https://theautry.org/research-collections/library-and-archives  and fill out the Researcher Application Form.

    Subjects and Indexing Terms

    Los Angeles (Calif.)
    San Francisco (Calif.)
    Correspondence
    Invoices
    Ledgers
    Stock certificates
    Financial records
    Pico, Pio
    Newmark, Myer Joseph
    Wells, Fargo & Company