Collection context
Summary
- Title:
- Las Animas Rancho abstract
- Dates:
- 1850-1880
- Creators:
- Houghton, S. O. (Sherman Otis), 1828-1914 and Reynolds, John
- Abstract:
- This collection consists of eight bound volumes of copies from official records and one index volume. The volumes document chains of title to lands encompased within the Las Animas Rancho in and around Gilroy.
- Extent:
- 2 cubic feet
- Language:
- Languages represented in the collection: English
- Preferred citation:
-
Las Animas Rancho abstract, 2008-002, Santa Clara County Archives.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
These volumes consist primarily of transcriptions from official records. In each volume, the transcriptions appear to be roughly in chronological order. Items transcribed are primarily recorded documents such as deeds and court records. The items date from the 1850s to the late 1870s. There is significant insect and water damage to some of the books. There is a separate index, which provides access to the documents by both grantee/plaintiff and grantor/defendant.
- Biographical / historical:
-
These volumes were created by the attorneys for land and cattle baron Henry Miller in preparation for the lawsuite Miller et al. v. Thomas et al., involving title to land encompassed by the Las Animas Rancho, including the town of Gilroy. The purpose of the volumes was to expedite settlement of the lawsuit by gathering together all available information about chains of title to lands involved in the dispute.
- Acquisition information:
- This collection was donated to the Archives by the Ousley-Hoey family of Gilroy in 2008.
- Custodial history:
-
The volumes most likely were moved from San Jose to the Gilroy law office of Peter Francis Hoey during the course of the lawsuit. After Mr. Hoey's death in 1888, the volumes came into the possession of the Hoey family. They were found in storage in 2007 and donated by the Ousley-Hoey family to the Archives in 2008.
- Processing information:
-
This collection was processed by Michael Griffith working under NHPRC grant RA-10047-07, the Santa Clara County Archives Project. A fuller account of the grant project is available at the Archives website.
- Arrangement:
-
The volumes are arranged in numerical order.
- Physical location:
- For current information on the location of these materials, please consult Archives staff.
- Rules or conventions:
- Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard
Indexed terms
About this collection guide
- Date Prepared:
- © 2008
- Date Encoded:
- Machine-readable finding aid created by Michael Griffith. Date of source: May 6, 2008.
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
Collection is open for research.
- Terms of access:
-
The Archives can claim physical ownership only for some collections. Users are responsible for securing permission of the copyright holder for publication or quotation.
- Preferred citation:
-
Las Animas Rancho abstract, 2008-002, Santa Clara County Archives.
- Location of this collection:
-
1875 Senter RoadSan Jose, CA 95112, US
- Contact:
- (408) 755-7895