Description
Collection consists mostly of clippings and published articles, with two unpublished papers: Geoffrey Bilson, "Peter Coutts
- 'The Frenchman'" and Regina Kriss, "The influence and effects of French politics (1848-1880) on the life of Stanford's Frenchman,
Peter Coutts," 1965.
Background
Jean-Baptiste Paulin Caperon (better known in California as Peter Coutts), was a successful French businessman, book collector
and editor of the republican, anti-royalist paper, LA LIBERTE. Political disputes and health problems caused him to leave
France and take up residence in California. In 1875 Caperon, now known as Peter Coutts, purchased 1,400 acres just north of
Mayfield and named it Rancho Matadero. Coutts returned to Europe in 1880 to reclaim his confiscated estates and Rancho Matadero
was sold to neighbor Leland Stanford.
Extent
0.02 Linear feet (1 folder)