Collection context
Summary
- Creators:
- Crockett, J. B. (Joseph Bryant), 1808-1884
- Abstract:
- Correspondence; miscellaneous legal papers; deeds for lands in San Francisco, Contra Costa and Santa Clara Counties.
Letters to his wife from San Francisco, 1852-1858, relate to his law practice and to land claims, his association with Page and Bacon, the assassination of James King of William and the Vigilance Committe of 1856.
Also included are papers of the Grimwood family, 1863-1915, pertaining mainly to property in Fruitvale, California. - Extent:
- Number of containers: 1 box and 1 oversize folder
- Language:
- English
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The collection includes letters from Crockett to his wife from 1852 to 1869, telling of the establishment of his practice in San Francisco, reporting on the crash of Page and Bacon in 1855, and on the assassination of James King of William with the subsequent activities of the Vigilance Committee of 1856; legal papers in suits against Swan and Clifford, and in cases instituted by Matilda and Franklina Gray; miscellaneous accounts and printed items. Papers relating to lands in San Francisco, Santa Clara, and Contra Costa Counties and elsewhere have been placed in an oversize portfolio.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Joseph Bryant Crockett came to San Francisco in 1852 and soon became an established lawyer active in land claims, and a speculator in San Francisco real estate. He was the organizer and spokesman for a committee of citizens attempting to reconcile Governor J. Neely Johnson and William T. Sherman with the 1856 Vigilance Committee. He was appointed to serve out the term of Oscar L. Shafter who resigned his position as Judge of the Supreme Court of California in December 1867. Judge Crockett retained the office until 1881.
- Acquisition information:
- This group of papers was given to the Bancroft Library by R. C. Eckart, Oct. 15, 1963, and by Miss Emma P. Grimwood and Mrs. A. W. Weeks, Jan. 31, 1965.
- Physical location:
- For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Access and use
- Location of this collection:
-
University of California, Berkeley, The Bancroft LibraryBerkeley, CA 94720-6000, US
- Contact:
- 510-642-6481