Description
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.
Background
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.
Extent
Number of items: 111 items in box
Restrictions
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.
Availability
Collection is open for research.