Branch (Francis Z.) Correspondence and Papers, 1837-1874

Collection context

Summary

Title:
Francis Ziba Branch Correspondence and Papers,
Dates:
1837-1874
Creators:
Branch, Francis Ziba, 1802-1874
Abstract:
A few family letters and personal memorandum books but mainly accounts for business and lands in San Luis Obispo Co. Early accounts with pioneer merchants and ships; some reflect hide and tallow trade.
A few papers, 1875-1876, of his son-in-law, H.A. Sperry, with the above.
Extent:
Number of items: 111 items in box
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Francis Ziba Branch Correspondence and Papers, BANC MSS C-B 348, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.

Background

Biographical / historical:

Francis Ziba Branch was born in upstate New York in 1802 and left his family at an early age to make his own way in the world. In 1830, after various experiences including sailing ventures on Lake Erie, he joined, at St. Louis, a trading party bound for Santa Fe. While there Branch joined the Wolfshill trapping party and came with them to California in the Spring of 1831. A few of the party decided to remain, Branch among them. He married Manuela Carlon in 1835 and he and his wife were granted land in the vicinity of San Luis Obispo. Later, by right of his own grant and two others which he claimed through his wife's family and by purchase, he became possessed of one of the largest land holdings in the county. His business prospered and in 1874 he died, leaving a large family to share in a considerable estate.

Acquisition information:
Francis Ziba Branch's papers were placed in the Bancroft Library in 1943 by the Misses Eleanora and Margaret Branch of Arroyo Grande
Physical location:
For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Processed by The Bancroft Library staff
Date Prepared:
© 1997
Date Encoded:
Machine-readable finding aid derived from paper by means of scanning and OCR; OCR file edited for typographical errors before encoding; finding aid encoded by Xiuzhi Zhou. Date of source: Unknown.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

Copyright has not been assigned to The Bancroft Library. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Public Services. Permission for publication is given on behalf of The Bancroft Library 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.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Francis Ziba Branch Correspondence and Papers, BANC MSS C-B 348, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.

Location of this collection:
University of California, Berkeley, The Bancroft Library
Berkeley, CA 94720-6000, US
Contact:
510-642-6481