Description
This collection consists of the business and personal papers of rancher and businessman Henry Dalton (1803-1884) and his life
in early
Southern California, with the bulk dating from 1840-1883. Of note are land papers and maps related to Dalton's ranches: Rancho
Azusa, Rancho Santa Anita, Rancho San Francisquito, Rancho San José, and Rancho
Addition.
Background
Henry Dalton (1804-1884) was born in London, England, on October 8, 1804. On July 7, 1819,
at age 14, he was apprenticed to Winnall Thomas Dalton as merchant tailor for a period of
seven years. In 1827 Dalton was in Peru, where he purchased for $3000 certain articles in
corner Public House in Callao, apparently for commercial purposes. He engaged in coastal
trade and commerce in Peru and Mexico, extending his interests in Mexico when he contracted
for the purchase of the estate of the Marques de San Miguel de Aguayo. He acquired property in both San Pedro and Los Angeles
as early
as 1843, from which time he appears to have been definitely established in California. In
1844, he purchased Rancho Azusa from its original grantee Luis Arenas; thereafter Dalton interested
himself more in ranching than in shipping, although he maintained his commercial
establishment in Los Angeles as an outlet for the surplus production of his various ranches.
After 1846, when he charted a cargo vessel between Callao, Peru, and California, he seems to
have diminished his trading relations with Peru, but he never abandoned his Mexican
contacts.
Extent
2,430 pieces in 15 boxes; 40 bound volumes; 1 tan case; and 13 maps
Restrictions
The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from
or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The
responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining
necessary permissions rests with the researcher.
Availability
Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department.
For more information, contact Reader Services.