Guide to the Den, Bell, and Luton Families Papers MS-07

Updated by Chris S. Ervin CA
Presidio Research Center
2020-03-18
215 East Canon Perdido St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
chris@sbthp.org


Language of Material: English
Contributing Institution: Presidio Research Center
Title: Den, Bell, and Luton Families Papers
creator: Den, Richard S.
creator: Den, Nicholas Augustus
creator: Meagher, Thomas Francis, 1823-1867
creator: Pico, Pío, 1801-1894
creator: Micheltorena, Manuel, 1802-1853
creator: Stearns, Abel, 1798-1871
Identifier/Call Number: MS-07
Physical Description: 2.2 Linear Feet 2 record storage boxes
Date (inclusive): 1784-1974
Abstract: The papers of the Den, Bell, and Luton Families are focused largely on land ownership by brothers Nicholas and Richard Den, early settlers of Santa Barbara and Los Angeles, and their heirs. They highlight the transition in land tenure during the Mexican period and early years of California statehood as well as the inner operations of land and oil development in Santa Barbara County during the first part of the twentieth century.
Language of Material: Materials in Spanish and English.

Scope and Contents

The papers are focused largely on land ownership by brothers Nicholas and Richard Den, early settlers of Santa Barbara and Los Angeles, and their heirs. They highlight the transition in land tenure during the Mexican period and early years of California statehood as well as the inner operations of land and oil development in Santa Barbara County during the first part of the twentieth century.
The types of materials contained in these papers include: correspondence; land titles, deeds, and leases; legal documents including opinions, powers of attorney, and depositions; diaries, photographs, and printed materials. Many of the deeds to various parcels and ranchos are scarce handwritten copies of the originals. Many are accompanied by certifications of authenticity by local officials or by the U.S. Surveyor General.

Biographical / Historical

Den Family
Nicholas August Den (1812–1862), son of Emanuel Den and Katherine O'Shea, came to California, by way of Nova Scotia, from Waterford, Ireland. Den had studied to become a medical doctor in Dublin, and although there is no record of his having graduated, he became the first medical doctor in the Santa Barbara area, moving there in 1836. He later served as mayor of Santa Barbara. He married Rosa A. Hill, a daughter of Daniel A. Hill in 1843 and died in 1862, leaving ten children.
Richard Somerset Den (1821–1895) also studied medicine in Ireland. Afterwards, he sailed to Australia and then Mexico, landing in Mazatlan, before arriving in Santa Barbara in the fall of 1843 where his brother lived. Richard Den was given a certified medical license in 1844 by Governor Micheltorena to practice medicine in Mexico, and he treated wounded Californios and American prisoners during the Mexican-American war. Den also practiced medicine in Los Angeles where he resided for much of his life. He never married.
Over the course of his life, Nicholas Den acquired several Mexican ranchos in Santa Barbara County, starting with Rancho Dos Pueblos in 1842. In 1845 Den and Daniel Hill became lessees of the Mission Santa Barbara lands which were granted to his brother Richard in 1846 by Governor Pio Pico. Richard acquired Rancho Los Prietos in 1857 and Rancho Tequepis in 1858. The brothers also owned the Rancho San Marcos which Richard managed for a number of years.
Bell Family
Nicholas Den's daughter Catarina Maria Den, who grew up on Rancho Dos Pueblos, married John Stewart Bell in 1842. Bell was born in Tahiti where he father had a sugar plantation. They lived in Santa Barbara and had five children: Katherine Maria Den Bell, Charles Den Bell, Caroline Alexandra Bell, Rosa Margaret Antonia Bell and Mary E. Bell. Katherine M. Bell married Seth Cheney and in 1931 she compiled a history of her mother Catarina's life entitled Swinging the Censer: Reminiscences of Old Santa Barbara.
Luton Family
Caroline "Carrie" Bell married George Roscoe Luton. They had one son, William and lived in Montecito, California.

Arrangement

The papers of the Den, Bell, and Luton Families are arranged in four series:
Series 1 - Documents
Series 2 - Miscellaneous Family Materials
Series 3 - Photographs
Series 4 - Printed Matter

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Nancy Luton Jackson.

Separated Materials

Two books removed and added to library collection.

Processing Information

Collection guide updated by Chris S. Ervin CA 2020-03-18.

Preferred Citation

Den, Bell, and Luton Families Papers, MS-07, Presidio Research Center, Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation, Santa Barbara, California.

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open to researchers.

Conditions Governing Use

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Archivist and Librarian. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation Research Center 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.

Bibliography

Bell, Katherine M. Swinging the Censer: Reminiscences of Old Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara, CA: Finlay Press, 1931.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Ranches
Land tenure
Diaries
Deeds
Church lands
Oil and gas leases
Leases
Inventories of decedents' estates
Letters
Rancho Dos Pueblos (Calif.)
Rancho Las Armas (Calif.)
Rancho Los Prietos (Calif.)
Rancho San Marcos (Calif.)
Rancho Tequepis (Calif.)
Den, Richard S.
Den, Nicholas Augustus
Bell, John Stewart
Bell, Katherine M., 1844-1926
Luton, Caroline
Luton, George Roscoe, 1880-1947
Hill, Daniel A.
Santa Barbara Mission

 

Documents

Material Specific Details: A seemingly unrelated but interesting item is a letter to an unknown correspondent (one of the Den brothers?) from Irish nationalist Thomas Francis Meagher (1823-1867) written when he was a prisoner in exile in Van Dieman's Land, Tasmania. Meagher eventually escaped from Tasmania and settled in the United States, participated in the Civil War and eventually was appointed acting governor of Montana.

Scope and Contents

The documents in Series 1 form the bulk of the collection. Many were owned by Richard Den and were annotated by him. Some of the most significant items document the transfer of the lands once owned by Mission Santa Barbara. Detailed inventories of livestock, agriculture, buildings, aqueducts, material goods, and other features provide a glimpse of life at the mission before 1846.
The selling of the missions by Governor Pio Pico and controversies over ownership of land afterwards is also documented in several legal documents, since lawsuits were filed over ownership.
Richard Den's medical practice is also described in several letters to Thomas Larkin requesting reimbursement for services he provided during the Mexican American War, and in several diaries from his work in Los Angeles.
The inheritance and management of land by later generations of Bell and Luton families can be traced through the title documents and other correspondence from the early part of the 1900s.
box-folder 1/1

Testimony of Don Yldefonso Zamora Herranz ("History of Carrie's Madonna and Our Santo") 24 Oct 1784

box-folder 1/2

Antonio Maria Osio and Nicholas A. Den. Provisional title to Nicholas Den for portion of Santa Barbara Mission land 29 April 1842

box-folder 1/3

Copy of title to San Antonio and Cieneguita 29 April 1842

box-folder 1/4

Manuel Micheltorena. Affidavit of license for Richard S. Den to practice medicine 14 March 1844

box-folder 1/5

Pio Pico and Jose Antonio Carrillo to Richard Den. Invitation to attend a dance 25 July 1844

box-folder 1/6

Manual Requena et al. Alcalde's certificate for registration of Richard Den's cattle brand 7 December 1844

box-folder 1/7

Jose Dominguez to Francisco Vadillo. Deed for Los Prietos 8 October 1845 - 14 March 1854

Scope and Contents

Accompanied by affidavit in English filed by Santa Barbara County Recorder, dated 27 August 1875, that the signatures on the accompanying deed are valid and legitimate.
box-folder 1/8

Pio Pico to inhabitants of the Californias. Translation of regulations regarding alienation and leasing of mission lands 28 October 1845

box-folder 1/9

Translation of regulations regarding profits and obligations of "lessees" 28 October 1845

...Extract from the Mexican Archives in possession of U.S. Surveyor Generals for California
box-folder 1/10

Montes de oco, Minister of Justice and Public Instruction, to Governor of California. Translation of letter regarding the public sale of mission properties. 14 November 1845

Scope and Contents

All proceedings relating to the transfer are suspended until resolved by the government.
box-folder 1/11

Nicholas Den to Richard S. Den. Letter regarding purchase of Santa Barbara Mission lands 28 November 1845

box-folder 1/12

Postura por la Mision de Santa Barbara [Agreement for Nicholas Den's rental of mission lands] 3 December 1845

box-folder 1/13

Translation of lease of Santa Barbara Mission lands to Nicholas Den and Daniel Hill 5 December 1845

Physical Description: 1 legal size document, 4 p., folded

Scope and Contents

One or more documents copied and translated, listing four missions and their contents (livestock, orchards, and vineyards) and who was the highest bidder and the lease price. The document also contains a statement by Governor Pio Pico that NIcholas Den and Daniel Hill are the lessees of Mission Santa Barbara for nine years.
This document is a translation of five separate pages in folders 14-18.
box-folder 1/14-18

Spanish version of document 13 5 Dec 1845

Physical Description: 5 p. on onion skin

Scope and Contents

Spanish version of document in folder 13.
box-folder 1/19

Copy of official dispatch from Minister of War to Governor of the Californias Pio Pico. 10 March 1846

Scope and Contents

The dispatch discusses the impending operations by the U.S. Navy on Mexican ports and potential war with the United States. It gives Pico the power to do what he sees is necessary to defend the Department of the Californias and the Republic of Mexico.

Existence and Location of Originals

Copy of original which remains in Pico's possession made Sept. 30, 1852
box-folder 1/20

Copy of official dispatch from Minister of War to Governor of the Californias Pio Pico. 10 March 1846

Scope and Contents

Another very similar document to folder 19. This one is somewhat more direct, telling Pico he is fully empowered....to leave no stone unturned to preserve unsullied th rights of the Country.
box-folder 1/21

Inventory of Mission Santa Barbara 24 March 1846

Scope and Contents

Inventory made out by the lessees of all buildings and rooms, including tools, household items, furniture, vineyards and equipment, livestock and equipment, gardens, and orchards.
box-folder 1/22

Extract from General Inventory of the Property, Chattels and Stock of Mission Santa Barbara March 1846

box-folder 1/23

Certified copy, Mission Santa Barbara general inventory and appraisal of real estate and livestock 24 Mar 1846

Scope and Contents

Spanish version of document 21.
box-folder 1/24

Copy of security for nine-year lease of Mission Santa Barbara lands, Nicholas Den and Daniel Hill 6 June 1846

box-folder 1/25

Certified copy of lease of Mission Santa Barbara lands 8 June 1846

Scope and Contents

True copy of the lease signed by Pio Pico. Copy certified by the Santa Barbara County Clerk on August 13, 1858. Clerk affadavit is in English.
box-folder 1/26

Certified, traced copy of title to Rancho San Marcos, issued by U.S. Surveyor General for California 8 Jun 1846 - 18 June 1859

Scope and Contents

Traced copy of original on onion skin in Spanish. Bound with sealed certification by J.W. Mandeville, U.S. Surveyor General in English.
box-folder 1/27

Copy of deed for lease of Mission Santa Barbara lands 8 June 1846

box-folder 1/28

Pio Pico. Certified copy of title to Mission Santa Barbara 10 June 1846

Scope and Contents

Copy dated 1 February 1853.
box-folder 1/29

Translation of title to Mission Santa Barbara, purchased by R.S. Den 10 Jun 1846

Scope and Contents

English translation of document 28.
box-folder 1/30

Legal provision for sale of Mission Santa Barbara to Richard Den 10 Jun 1846

box-folder 1/31

Lease and title to Mission Santa Barbara 8 June 1846 - 10 June 1846

box-folder 1/31a

Pio Pico. Notice of purchase of Rancho San Marcos by Nicholas Den and Richard Den

box-folder 1/32

Certified, traced copy of lease for Mission Santa Barbara and certified traced copy of grant to Mission Santa Barbara April - June 1846

Scope and Contents

2 sets of documents bound together and certified by the Office of the Surveyor General. The documents are in Spanish with English translations. Set one is a traced copy of the lease of Mission Santa Barbara to Nicholas Den and Daniel Hill and was certified on 8 April 1865. Set two is a copy of the grant by Governor Pio Pico to Richard S. Den for the lands of the MIssion Santa Barbara, dated 10 June 1846. Also included is a short note from Pio Pico, dated 9 June 1946 stating that Richard Den had permission to pass freely to and from the Department of the Californias with no impediment.
box-folder 1/33

Arch[ibald] H. Gillespie to Dr. [Richard] Den. Letter requesting Den go to the camp of Capt. Flores to attend to wounded men. 28 September 1846

box-folder 1/34

Comandante Jose Maria Flores to Dr. Richard Den. Order for return of horses. 10 Oct 1846

box-folder 1/35

Jose Maria Flores to Richard Den. Letter 30 Oct 1846

box-folder 1/36

Richard Den to Government of California. Bill for medical services 23 November 1846

box-folder 1/37

Richard Den to Jose Maria Flores. Contract for medical services for Mexican army troops 25 November 1846

box-folder 1/38

Richard Den to California Military Tribunal. Bill for services, 24 December 1846

box-folder 1/39

Richard Den to U.S. Government. Bill for medical services with testimony by Thomas Larkin 29 December 1846

box-folder 1/40

Inventory of livestock at Mission Santa Barbara, 1845-46

box-folder 1/41

James Alexander Forbes, H.B.M. Vice Consul, to Richard Somerset Den. Deed with official seal to part of a quicksilver mine known as San Antonio located in pueblo of San Jose de Guadalupe 2 March 1848

box-folder 1/42

Joseph Stewart to Charles H. Main. Promissory note of money owed to the Hort Brothers for business in Moorea, and receipt. 14 - 23 October 1848

box-folder 1/43

Mr. Hort to Joseph Stewart in Moorea. Letter regarding shipments of beef and pork 7 November 1848

box-folder 1/44

Messrs. Hort Brothers to J. Stewart. Statement of account 7 July 1848

box-folder 1/45

Harland Aspinwall to Richard Somerset Den c/o Alfred Robinson. Letter regarding transfer of funds to Mrs. Catharine Den 16 August 1849

box-folder 1/46

Charles M. Weber to Richard S. Den. Deed for land parcel in Stockton 13 September 1849

box-folder 1/47

Charles M. Weber to Richard S. Den. Deed for land parcels in Stockton 10 November 1849

box-folder 1/48

Indenture between Nicholas A. Den and John and Esther Davis 2 January 1850

box-folder 1/49

Abel Stearns to Richard Den. Title to lot 10 Calle de la Loma y Manzana 11 13 March 1850 (filed in Los Angeles 1867)

box-folder 1/50

Abel Stearns to Richard Den. Title to lot 6, Calle del Fortin y Manzana #10 13 March 1850 (filed in Los Angeles 1867)

box-folder 1/51

Abel Stearns to Richard Den. Title to lot 7, Calle del Fortin y manzana #10, 13 March 1850 (filed in Los Angeles 1867)

box-folder 1/52

Abel Stearns to Richard Den. Title to lot 10, Calle de Ia Loma y manzana #14, 13 March 1850 (filed in Los Angeles 1867)

box-folder 1/53

Abel Stearns to Richard Den. Title to lot 2, Calle de la Primavera y manzana #10 13 March 1850 (filed in Los Angeles 1867)

box-folder 1/54

Thomas Francis Meagher. Letter from exile in Van Dieman's Land, Tasmania 2 July 1850

box-folder 1/55

Jose Carrillo to Richard Den. Bond for 30 cattle 15 August 1850

box-folder 1/56

Nicholas Den. Appointment of Richard S. Den as his power of attorney 22 August 1850

box-folder 1/57

Certification of marks and brands of Richard Den by Office of the Recorder 24 August 1850

box-folder 1/58

Richard Den. Declaration of shared ownership of property in Stockton, CA with his brother Nicholas Den 3 May 1851

box-folder 1/59

Certificate of Richard Den's Brand, Mark, and Counterbrand 9 July 1851

box-folder 1/60

Treaty Stipulations Between Mexico and the United States, Act of Congress of March 3, 1851 1852

Physical Description: pamphlet, 20 p.

General

published by Commission for Settling Private Land Claims in California, San Francisco
box-folder 1/61

Hill & Den vs. John Powers, judgment for case regarding ownership of Santa Barbara Mission lands 6 July 1852

box-folder 1/62

Daniel Hill, Nicholas A. Den and R.S. Den to Benjamin H. Reed and Eduard S. Hoar. Certified copy of deed of sale for part of ex-mission lands in Santa Barbara 21 August 1851

box-folder 1/62a

Nicholas A. Den to Richard S. Den. Letter regarding trip to San Francisco

box-folder 1/63

Certified copy of inventory for lease of Mission Santa Barbara lands 22 February 1853

box-folder 1/64

Nicholas Den to Richard Den. Deed for land at San Antonio and the Sienguita [i.e. Cieniguita] 28 February 1853

box-folder 1/65

Certified traced copy and translation of an extract of the Mexican law, regulating the sale and leasing of the Missions 21 Aug 1853

box-folder 1/66

Harry Innes Thornton. Judicial opinion regarding the sale of Mission Santa Barbara lands to Nicholas Den and Daniel Hill and whether they can keep their cattle when their lease is up. Aug 1853

box-folder 1/67

Deposition of Daniel Hill to U.S. Land Commission about ownership of La Goleta, part of ex-Mission lands, and Richard Den's commentary. 1 October 1853

Scope and Contents

This deposition and commentary refer to U.S. Land Commission Case no. 621, Daniel Hill, on behalf of the United States vs. R.S. Den.
box-folder 1/68

Deposition of Augustin Olvera to U.S. Land Commission regarding the lease of ex-Mission Santa Barbara lands 28 March 1854

box-folder 1/69

Deposition of lgnacio Coronel to U.S. Land Commission regarding the lease of ex-Mission Santa Barbara lands 21 July 1854

box-folder 1/70

Confirmation of Richard Den's claim to ex-Mission Santa Barbara, U.S. Land Commission Case No. 621, 22 November 1854

box-folder 1/63

Certified copy of inventory for lease of Mission Santa Barbara lands 22 February 1853

box-folder 1/71

Richard Den giving Power of Attorney to Father Gonzales, vicar general, regarding possession of Mission Santa Barbara buildings, vineyards and orchards upon termination of lease 2 Jul 1855

box-folder 1/72

Opinion, U.S. Board of Land Commissioners, Case No. 299: Nicholas A. and Richard Den vs. The United States 17 July 1855

box-folder 1/73

Joseph Alemany to Richard Den. Request for conveyance of gardens, orchards and buildings of Mission Santa Barbara to the Catholic Church 1 Dec 1854 - 8 Aug 1855

Physical Description: 2 letters
box-folder 1/74

Richard Den to Joseph Allemany [sic]. Deed to Mission Santa Barbara lands, buildings, gardens, aqueducts, etc. including La Cienaguita 1855

box-folder 1/75

Cayetano Arenas to Richard Den requesting loan 23 Jan 1856

box-folder 1/76

Francisco and Rafaela Vadillo to Richard Den. Deed to Rancho Los Prietos 16 Mar 1857

box-folder 1/77

Summons for Richard Den to appear in court regarding Mission Santa Barbara lands claim, U.S. District Court Case No. 338, Richard S. Den appellee vs. The United States appellants 5 January 1857

box-folder 1/78

Antonio M. Ortega and Francisco Vadillo. Papers of reconveyance of Rancho Los Prietos to Richard S. Den 1846-1857

box-folder 1/79

Antonio Maria Villa and Estefanita Feliz de Villa to Richard Den. Deed to Rancho Tequepis 23 July 1858

box-folder 1/80-80a

Albarelli and Latapie vs. Villa. Satisfaction of judgment by Richard Den 6 Jun 1859

Physical Description: 2 copies
box-folder 1/81

Jose Antonio de la Guerra to Pedro Allube. Lease 18 October 1867

box-folder 1/82

Lewis Dent to [Richard Den] Letter offering legal services 27 March 1861

box-folder 1/83

F. F. Gallardo and Richard Den. Certification of transfer of sale 10 August 1875

box-folder 1/84

F. F. Gallardo and Richard Den. Receipt of deed for Los Prietos 24 August 1875

box-folder 1/85

Richard Den. Deposition regarding his certification to practice medicine in California 19 April 1876

box-folder 1/86

Emanuel Den to John Bell. Deed for Rancho Dos Pueblos 8 December 1876

box-folder 1/87

Funeral notice for John Jones December 1876

box-folder 1/88

Nicholas Den to John Bell. Deed to Rancho Dos Pueblos 15 March 1880

box-folder 1/89

A Message from Mother 15 January 1883

Scope and Contents

Photocopy of typescript of an article about childhood written by Katherine Bell's mother. Typescript signed by Katherine.
box-folder 1/90

John Bell to Thomas Bell. Deed for a certain portion of Rancho de los Alamos 18 Mar 1885

box-folder 1/91

Mary B. More et al. to C.M. Bell. Deed for Rancho Dos Pueblos 4 Mar 1886

box-folder 1/92

B.A. Stephens to Richard Den. Letter regarding election as honorary member of the Historical Society of Southern California 6 Jun 1889

box-folder 1/93

Copy and translation of deposition of Captain Walter regarding medical services of Richard Den, 24 Apr 1844

Scope and Contents

Description of medical services for Mr. Rose, pilot and capenter of the vessel Clarita in Mazatlan on July 23, 1843. Copy of original in Spanish and translation dated 22 Jan 1891.
box-folder 1/94

Thomas Bell to John Bell. Misc. correspondence 1867-1892

box-folder 1/95

Manuscript copy of law, "Chapter 3 Profits and Obligations of Lessees"

box-folder 1/96

Excerpt from Mem. for Counsel in Mission Case

box-folder 1/97

Richard Somerset Den to Fredericke Franck. Deed for San Marcos Rancho, Prietos Rancho, and Tiquepes [sic] Rancho

box-folder 1/98

Envelope with written notation by Richard Den: Papers relating to Rancho San Marcos

box-folder 1/99

L.H.Mitchell, geologist to John E. Walker. Printed statement regarding possible oil resources on Bell ranch property. 19 Nov 1907

box-folder 1/100

Judgment, Catherine M. Bell vs. O. H. Harshbarger et al. 17 Jul 1912

box-folder 1/101

[Mother of Charles Bell] to Charles Bell. Letter regarding family matters 9 Nov 1913

box-folder 1/102

Katherine M. Den Bell to Right Reverend J.J. Cantwell. Copy of letter regarding property in Santa Barbara at State and Figueroa streets 27 Nov 1921

box-folder 1/103

Sidney M. van Wyck, Jr. to Mrs. Seth Cheney, Mrs. George Luton, Mr. Charles Bell, and Mrs. Charles Cheney. Letter regarding transfer of Los Alamos lots and Los Primos Corporation 1927-1939

box-folder 1/104

Sidney M. van Wyck, Jr. to Mrs. George Luton and Mr. Charles Bell. Letter regarding Rosa M. Bell estate 4 April 1927

box-folder 1/105

Sidney M. van Wyck, Jr. to Mrs. George Luton. Letter regarding Las Armas oil lease 4 May 1927

box-folder 1/106

Sidney M. van Wyck, Jr. to Bell heirs. Letter regarding Katherine Bell land 30 Aug 1927

box-folder 1/107

Sidney M. van Wyck, Jr. to Charles Bell. Letter regarding Las Armas oil lease 12 Oct. 1927

box-folder 1/108

Note of Escrow by Reservoir Hill Gasoline Company (Canada de Las Armas Tract), 15 Dec 1927

box-folder 1/109

Sidney M. van Wyck, Jr. to Carrie Luton. Letter regarding power of attorney for oil lease 9 Jan 1928

box-folder 1/110

Sidney M. van Wyck, Jr. Letter to Carrie Luton regarding possible land trust 9 January 1928

box-folder 1/111

Sidney M. van Wyck, Jr. to Bell heirs re Los Alamos lots, 1 Feb 1928

box-folder 1/112

Sidney M. van Wyck to Mrs. George Luton. Letter regarding powers of attorney for Las Armas oil lease 6 March 1928

box-folder 1/113

Executor's petition for leave to compromise and execute release and quitclaim. Estates of Philip B. Rice 12 March 1928

box-folder 1/114

Final settlement of estate of Rosa M. Bell 12 March 1928

box-folder 1/115

Receipt for Los Alamos lot, estate of Katherine M. Bell 3 April 1928

box-folder 1/116

Sidney M. van Wyck to Mrs. George Luton. Letter regarding Las Armas Rancho 7 May 1928

box-folder 1/117

Sidney M. van Wyck to Mrs. George Luton. Letter regarding estate of Rosa M. Bell 29 Aug 1928

box-folder 1/118

Sidney M. van Wyck to Barnsdall Oil Company. Letter regarding payment of royalties 12 Sep 1928

box-folder 1/119

Memo regarding deposit of funds for oil and gas permits 7 Nov 1928

box-folder 1/120

Sidney M. van Wyck, Jr. to Caroline Luton. Letter regarding tide land permits, Las Armas Ranch 9 Apr 1929

box-folder 1/121

W. L. Appleford to Mrs. Seth Cheney, Mrs. George Luton, Mr. Charles Bell, and Mrs. Charles Cheney. Letter regarding Ocean States Oil Co. 13 Apr 1929

box-folder 1/122

H.S. Stillwell to E.C. Tyler. Letter regarding property issues 22 Jan 1930

box-folder 1/123

Bondholders' Protective Committee, Vertientes Sugar Company. Letter regarding anticipated default on bonds 16 Apr 1932

box-folder 1/124

Security Title Insurance and Guarantee Company, Report to California State Highway Commission regarding land ownership of Katherine Cheney, Charles Bell, Caroline Luton and Mary Bell Cheney 4 May 1932

box-folder 1/125

W.L. Appleford to Caroline [Luton]. Letter regarding leases 2 May 1932

box-folder 1/126

Norman W. Ambrose to Mrs. George Luton. Letter regarding land claim disputes and a sketch map of Dos Pueblos Ranch 25 Aug 1932

box-folder 127

Harold S. Kemp to Dr. Luton. Letter regarding Bill Luton 9 Sep [1932]

Physical Description: letter and typescript
box-folder 1/128

W.L. Appleford to T.R. Scoon. Letter regarding tax assessments on oil leases 14 Jun 1934

box-folder 1/129

W.L. Appleford to George Luton. Letter regarding tax issues 9 Aug 1934

box-folder 1/130-130a

Caroline Luton to William Luton. Grant deed for Rancho La Laguna 20 Dec 1934

box-folder 1/131

Hilary H. Crawford to Mrs. George Luton. Letter regarding Las Armas files 4 Feb 1936

box-folder 1/132

Edward Tyler to Caroline Luton. Letter regarding personal loan 29 Mar 1936

box-folder 1/133

W.L. Appleford to George Luton. Letter regarding Luton Bell 14 oil well 30 Mar 1936

box-folder 1/134

Edward [Tyler] to Caroline Luton. Letter regarding personal loan 1 Apr 1936

box-folder 1/135

W.L. Appleford to George Luton. Letter regarding proposed legislation for offshore oil 21 Apr 1937

box-folder 1/136

Grant of Right of Way and Easement Rights regarding Rancho Las Armas oil lease July 1937

box-folder 1/137

Dailey Realty Corporation and M. Harold Casey to William F. Luton, Lease for Laguna Rancho 22 Sept 1938

box-folder 1/138

W.L. Appleford to George Luton. Letter and telegram regarding proposed legislation 31 Mar 1939

box-folder 1/139

W.L. Appleford to George Luton. Letter regarding proposed legislation and Hawkins & Faries lawsuit 17 Apr 1939

box-folder 1/140

W.L. Appleford to George Luton. Letter regarding Spanish land grant oil 27 Apr 1939

box-folder 1/141

W.L. Appleford to George Luton. Letter regarding United Landowners Association, Inc. 2 Jun 1939

box-folder 1/142

Statement of Account, Dr. Alfred A.J. Den [1939]

box-folder 1/143

W.L. Appleford to Caroline and George Luton. Letter regarding legal documents

 

Miscellaneous Family Materials

Scope and Contents

Included in Series 2 are Nicholas Den's Last Will and Testament and Katherine Bell's two 2 volumes of the abstracts of title for Dos Pueblos Ranch.
box-folder 1/144

Newspaper clipping regarding wedding of Miss Nancy Dickinson to William Franklin Luton

box-folder 1/145

Newspaper clipping about S. J. Bell from Santa Barbara 40 Years Ago 12 March 1927

box-folder 1/146

Report, History of Oil Well: Barnsdall and Rio Grande Oil Companies (Luton-Bell No. 1, "Old Faithful")

box-folder 1/147

Copy of the Last Will and Testament of Nicholas A. Den, Deceased 1870

Physical Description: paper, bound; 32 p.; 2 copies

General

published in Santa Barbara: Times Company
box-folder 1/148

Valuation of Silver and Plated Articles and Jewellery [sic] which belonged to the late Miss Margaret Jemima Steedman, No.5 Abbotsford Park, Edinburgh [n.d.]

box-folder 1/149

Engravings: Nicholas Den and 2 unidentified men

Physical Description: 3 copies of Den engraving
box-folder 1/149a

Leather wallet

Physical Description: Wallet has the letters AEIOU stamped on one side and Laur: John Den, Aylesford, N.S. Sept. 8, 1833 on the other. There is also ink handwriting on several surfaces as well.
box 2

Richard Den medical license from Los Angeles County 10 January 1877

box 2

Medical Diary of Richard Den 1872-1873

box 2

Medical Diary of Richard Den 1883-1886

box 2

Abstract of Title: Catherine M. Bell, Dos Pueblos Rancho 1851-1920

Physical Description: 2 legal size bound volumes
 

Photographs

Scope and Contents

Series 3 includes several mounted photographs of adobe buildings in Santa Barbara in the area of the Presidio and a number of photographs of the Santa Barbara earthquake in 1925.

Separated Materials

Photographs have been transferred to Research Center photo collections.
 

Printed Materials

Scope and Contents

Series 4 includes several publications that belonged to family members, as well as the proceedings and testimony for the court case of the heirs of Nicholas Den vs. Richard Den.
box-folder 1/150

Paxton, Joe D. Rancheros Vistadores pamphlet; two sticker decals 1974

box-folder 1/151

Tompkins, Walker. "Cattle History of Santa Barbara County." Typescript, unedited copy

box-folder 1/152

Zion National Bark, Bryce Canyon, Cedar Breaks, issued by the Union Pacific System 1925

Physical Description: 48 p.: some col., maps
box-folder 1/153

Misc. publications about Santa Barbara

Material Specific Details: 1) Los Adobes Antiguos de Santa Barbara; 2) Santa Barbara Earthquake; 3) commemorative pamphlet about earthquake damage to Santa Barbara Mission
box 2

Argument of Oliver P. Evans for the heirs of Nicholas A. Den in the Case of Charles E. Huse, et al. vs. Richard S. Den et al

Physical Description: bound vol., 333 p., covers and title page missing
box 2

Jules Verne. Adventures in the Land of the Behemoth. 1874

Physical Description: bound book with gilt cover and spine. Loose hinges and generally worn.
box 2

Henry Ellis. Marbles of the Classical Ages in the British Museum. Volume II 1846

Physical Description: bound book, cover and some pages missing, title page torn and badly stained