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