Finding aid for the Joseph Benjamin Colling Papers MS.503
Anna Liza Posas
Library and Archives at the Autry
2013
210 South Victory Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91502
rroom@theautry.org
Contributing Institution:
Library and Archives at the Autry
Title: Joseph Benjamin Colling Papers
Creator:
Colling, Joseph Benjamin
Creator:
Colling, Aurelia E. Rowland
Creator:
Hodge, Frederick Webb
Creator:
Foy, Mary Emily
Identifier/Call Number: MS.503
Physical Description:
0.1 Linear Feet
(4 folders)
Date (inclusive): 1951-1952
Abstract: Joseph Benjamin Colling was an early resident of Los Angeles, California born in 1875 and died sometime after 1952. After
1918 he became a resident of Del Monte, California and worked for Del Monte Hotel specializing in fine printing. This collection
consists of correspondence and writings of Joseph Benjamin Colling, created between 1950-1951. His writings, or "reminiscences,"
describe Colling's time in Los Angeles from 1878-1918. This collection also includes the "reminiscences" of Colling's wife,
Aurelia E. Rowland Colling, which describes her experiences in Los Angeles from 1905-1949. Aurelia E. Rowland, was the granddaughter
of pioneer John Rowland.
Language of Material:
English
.
Conditions Governing Access
Acquisition
Donated by Joseph Benjamin Colling and Mary Foy, 1951-1952.
Preferred Citation
Jonathan Benjamin Colling Papers, 1951-1952, Braun Research Library Collection, Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles; MS.503; [folder number] [folder
title][date].
Biographical Note
Joseph Benjamin Colling was an early resident of Los Angeles, California born in 1875 and died sometime after 1952. After
1918 he became a resident of Del Monte, California and worked for Del Monte Hotel specializing in fine printing.
He was the child of Benjamin Colling and Maria Antonio Coronel. Maria Coronel died when her son was about two years old.
Joseph Colling's wife, Aurelia E. Rowland, born in 1881. She was the 19th child out of 22 of Thomas Rowland and Zenobia Yorba
de Rowland. She was also the granddaughter of pioneer John Rowland. Aurelia married Richard Vejar of Lordsburg in 1905 and
they had two sons and a daughter. Vejar passed away in 1937. She married Colling in 1949.
Scope and Contents
This collection consists of correspondence and writings of Joseph Benjamin Colling, created between 1950-1951. His writings,
or "reminiscences," describe Colling's time in Los Angeles from 1878-1918. This collection also includes the "reminiscences"
of Colling's wife, Aurelia E. Rowland Colling, which describes her experiences in Los Angeles from 1905-1949.
Processing History
Processed by Glenna Schroeder, circa 1977-1981. Finding aid completed by Anna Liza Posas, 2013. Final processing of collection
and publication of finding aid made possible by a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (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.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Carbon copies
Correspondence
Los Angeles County (Calif.)
Los Angeles (Calif.)
folder 1
Reminiscences of Los Angeles
1951-1952
Scope and contents
Typed manuscript that descries Colling's experiences in Los Angeles, California from 1878-1918. Folder also includes a hand-written
letter from Colling to Frederick Webb Hodge, Southwest Museum Director. The letter is dated 1952 November 22.
folder 2
"Notes on Coronel Home" brochure
undated
Scope and contents
Special edition print of brochure provides biographical information about Colling and his grandfather, Don Ignacio F. Coronel.
Front page of brochure features block print of the Coronel Home, built in 1842 and located in Los Angeles, California.
Biographical note
Don Ignacio F. Coronel moved to Los Angeles from Mexico City in 1836. From 1838-1942, Coronel served as a school teach through
the recommendation of Governor Pio Pico of California. He retired in 1842 and resumed work in his orange grove of 60 acres
of land in Los Angeles, California which he acquired from a Spanish grant. The tract of land bordered on Alameda Street,
Centeral Avenue, 6th Street and 8th Street.
He fathered 15 children. His eldest daughter, Maria Antonia Coronel, was the mother of Joseph Benjamin Colling. Other children
of Coronel include Frank Indart and Antonio F. Coronel.
folder 3
Correspondence with Mary Foy and Frederick Webb Hodge
1951
Letter from Colling to Foy
1951 July 6
Scope and contents
Also includes a note by Foy dated 1951 July 27.
Letter from Hodge to Foy
1951 July 9
Letter from Colling to Hodge
1951 July 12
Letter from Hodge to Colling
1951 July 16
Letter form Colling to Foy
1951 July 31
Letter from Colling to Foy
1951 October 31
Scope and contents
Letter also includes three newspaper clippings that relate to the Rowland family.
Letter from Ella Robinson to Colling
1952 March 26
Biographical / Historical
Ella Robinson was the Librarian for the Southwest Museum.
Letter from Hodge to Colling
1951 July 9
folder 4
Colling Family reminiscences
1951
Joseph Colling family reminiscences
1951 June 19
Scope and contents
This is a 5-page hand-written document by Colling that includes information about the Coronel, Perez, Del Valle, and Cabot
families; early schools and jail of Los Angeles; flood of 1849; and Casa Amarilla. The document also mentions local business
owners and residents, Mr. and Mrs. Mariekich, Don Marquitos, and the Hellman family.
Aurelia E. Rowland Colling, reminiscences
1951 June 19
Scope and contents
This is a 2-page hand-written document by Aurelia Rowland Colling about her life experiences in Los Angeles, California from
1905-1949. The document also includes information about her parents and grandparents from the the Rowland and Yorba families.
Her description also mentions the Sanchez and Hudson families.