Finding Aid to the Cooper-Molera Family Papers
Lara Michels
The Bancroft Library
2015
The Bancroft Library
University of California
Berkeley, CA 94720-6000
bancref@library.berkeley.edu
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
The Bancroft Library
Title: Cooper-Molera family papers
creator:
Cooper, Juan Bautista Rogers
creator:
Molera, E. J. (Eusebius Joseph)
creator:
Molera, Andrew J.
creator:
Molera, Frances Mary
creator:
Cooper family (Monterey County, California)
creator:
Molera family (Monterey County, California)
Identifier/Call Number: BANC MSS 78/57 c
Physical Description:
11 linear feet
(7 cartons, 8 volumes, 2 oversize folders)
Date (inclusive): 1803-1970
Abstract: Papers of the Cooper and Molera families of Monterey County, California. Includes some nineteenth-century materials from patriarch
John B. Rogers Cooper and papers from his descendants, many of which relate to the operations of El Sur Ranch.
Physical Location: For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Materials in this collection may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.). In addition, the reproduction
of some materials may be restricted by terms of University of California gift or purchase agreements, donor restrictions,
privacy and publicity rights, licensing and trademarks. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond
that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of without permission of the copyright owner. The copyright for unpublished
manuscript material in this collection is held by the donor. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.
All requests to reproduce, publish, quote from, or otherwise use collection materials must be submitted in writing to the
Head of Public Services, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley 94720-6000. See: http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/reference/permissions.html.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The Cooper-Molera family papers were gifted to the Bancroft Library by The National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1977.
Processing Information
Processed by Lara Michels in 2015.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Cooper-Molera family papers, BANC MSS 78/57 c, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
Biographical / Historical
John Rogers Cooper (1791-1872) came to Monterey, California from New England in 1823 as captain of the trading schooner Rover.
In Alta California, Cooper became a Mexican citizen and took the name Juan Bautista Rogerio Cooper. He married Encarnacion
Vallejo (1809-1902), sister of General Mariano Vallejo.
In 1829, Cooper purchased Rancho Bolsa del Potrero y Moro Cojo, which sat between the Salinas River and the Tembladero Slough,
near present Castroville. Rancho El Sur, a land grant made in 1834 by Governor Jose Figueroa to Juan Bautista Alvardo, was
transferred to Cooper in 1840 in exchange for Rancho Bolsa del Potrero y Moro Cojo. Cooper's claim on Rancho El Sur was confirmed
by the United States in 1866.
Until the late 1920s, Rancho El Sur was a working ranch and farm operated by descendants of John B. Rogers Cooper, including
daughter Amelia Cooper (1844-1918) and her husband Eusebio Joseph Molera (1846-1932), and Amelia's and Eusebio's children,
Andrew J. Molera (1875-1931) and Frances Mary Molera (1879-1968). On this land currently sits Andrew Molera State Park.
Content Description
Papers of the Cooper and Molera families of Monterey County, California. Includes some nineteenth-century materials from patriarch
John B. Rogers Cooper and papers from his descendants, many of which relate to the operations of El Sur Ranch.
Among the John B. Rogers Cooper materials are ship log books dating from 1811 to 1846 and account books and other financial
material dating from 1804 to 1832.
The largest part of the collection consists of the papers of Cooper's grandson Andrew J. Molera. These papers mostly document
the operations of the El Sur Ranch and consist of correspondence, materials relating to ranching and agriculture, and a large
number of invoices and receipts.
Other family members with scattered papers in the collection include Eusebio Joseph Molera (Cooper's son-in-law), Ana Cooper
Wohler and Herman Wohler (Cooper's daughter and son-in-law), and Frances Mary Molera (Cooper's granddaughter).
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Ranching -- California
Animal pedigrees
Rancho El Sur (Calif.)
Monterey County (Calif.)
Account books
Leases
Ships' papers
Ships' logs
Receipts
Cooper, Juan Bautista Rogers
Molera, E. J. (Eusebius Joseph)
Molera, Andrew J.
Molera, Frances Mary
Cooper family (Monterey County, California)
Molera family (Monterey County, California)
Series 1:
Juan Bautista Rogers Cooper
1803-1875
Physical Description: Carton 1
Carton 1, Folder 1, Reel 1
Hunter (ship) log book
September 9, 1810-September 16, 1811
Content Note
Voyage from Boston to the Fiji Islands, William M. Rogers, Commander. Several pages missing in front and indefinite number
of pages missing at end of log.
Carton 1, Folder 2, Reel 1
Elizabeth (brig) log book
February 27, 1843-July 16, 1844
Content Note
Several voyages from Gambia to Salem, Salem to Gambia (points between Rio Nuñez, Russis, Cochoe. Includes leter from James
Coghlan (2 pages) 1845, 21 pages (printed and hand-written) sea songs and stories, 3 blank pages. Eden B. Hooper, Captain.
Carton 1, Folder 3, Reel 1
California (schooner) log book
April 28, 1844-January 19, 1846
Content Note
Last pages missing. Several voyages Monterey to Mazatlan (and Acapulco). John B. R. Cooper, Captain.
Carton 1, Folder 4, Reel 1
Joven Guipuzcoana log book
February 6, 1846-June 3, 1846
Content Note
San Diego to Callao. Captain unknown.
Carton 1, Folder 5, Reel 1
Invoice book
November 1, 1803-April 28, 1804
Carton 1, Folder 6, Reel 1
John B. Cooper's Ledger
1805-1806
Carton 1, Folder 7, Reel 1
John R. Cooper's day book
1805-1806
Carton 1, Folder 8, Reel 1
John R. Cooper's trial balance
1805-1806
Content Note
Including one added page for account of articles sold onboard "Rover" and expenses.
Carton 1, Folder 9, Reel 2
Accounts for goods sold in California
1825-1826
Carton 1, Folder 10, Reel 2
Account book from the Schooner Rover
1824-1827
Content Note
General inventories, merchandise sold, and wages. Voyages to Woahoo, Manila, Guhan, Canton, and California.
Carton 1, Folder 11, Reel 2
Account book (Santiago)
1827-1829
Language of Material: In Spanish.
Carton 1, Folder 12, Reel 2
Laborers' financial accounts (Monterey)
1828-1830
Carton 1, Folder 13, Reel 2
Account book (Lima)
1827-1831
Content Note
Mr. John Evans
Carton 1, Folder 14, Reel 1
Laborers' account book
1829-1832
Carton 1, Folder 15, Reel 2
Account book, financial records
1831
Carton 1, Folder 16, Reel 2
Day book
1830-1832
Content Note
Account of artciles sold from "Volunteer" and record of debts of employees and J.B.R. Cooper.
Carton 1, Folder 17, Reel 1
Carton 1, Folder 18, Reel 2
Laborers' accounts
approximately 1847
Carton 1, Folder 19, Reel 2
Disbursements de la California
1840-1842
Carton 1, Folder 20, Reel 2
Carton 1, Folder 21, Reel 2
Accounts, George Benton
1844-1846
Carton 1, Folder 22, Reel 2
A book of rents of rooms (Valperaiso)
1845-1846
Carton 1, Folder 23, Reel 2
Boarders' Book (Valperaiso)
1846
Carton 1, Folder 24, Reel 2
Account book (Monterey)
1827-1845
Carton 1, Folder 25, Reel 1
Wage book for seamen from the Brig Eveline (to Wahoo and to Hong Kong)
1849-1850
Carton 1, Folder 26, Reel 1
Blotter (accounts)
1851-1852
Carton 1, Folder 27, Reel 2
Carton 1, Folder 28, Reel 1
Carton 1, Folder 29, Reel 2
Carton 1, Folder 30, Reel 2
Small account book
1859-1860
Carton 1, Folder 31
Letter to John Cooper from Henry O. Howard
1862
Carton 1, Folder 32, Reel 2
Small account book
1862-1867
Carton 1, Folder 33, Reel 2
Carton 1, Folder 36
Accounts, summons
undated
Carton 1, Folder 37
Household accounts
undated
Carton 1, Folder 38, Reel 2
Directions of the house of Don Juan Ant. Vallejo
undated
Carton 1, Folder 39
Manuscript map of Monterey
undated
Content Note
2 floor plans, 1906, by David Little and Berry in oversize.
Carton 2, Folder 1
Lease from J.B.H. Cooper to Esperidion Vasques
1898-1899
Carton 2, Folder 2
Trial affidavits for land case and defendants' brief for Martin vs. Cooper
approximately 1899
Series 2:
Eusebio Joseph Molera
approximately 1893
Carton 2, Folder 4
E.J. Molera report on the Tehuantepec Railroad
Series 3:
Ana Maria de Guadalupe Cooper and Herman Wohler
1861-1911
Carton 2, Folder 5
H. Wohler taxes
1861-1862
Carton 2, Folder 6
Letters to Ana M. (Cooper) Wohler
1872-1880
Carton 2, Folder 7
Invitations to Ana Wohler
undated
Series 4:
Andrew J. Molera
approximately 1890-1931
Physical Description: Carton 2, Folder 9-24; Carton 3-6; Carton 7, Folder 1-4; oversize Folder 1-2
Carton 2, Folder 25
University of California materials
approximately 1895
Carton 3, Folder 1-27
Ranching/Breeding on El Sur Ranch
approximately 1895-1919
Scope and Contents
Herd books for sheep and cattle; stud books; pedigree documents; inventories; lists of horse names; account books; day books;
horse family trees; stud advertisements; checkbooks and stubs.
Carton 4, Folder 1-5
Ranching/Breeding on El Sur Ranch
approximately 1895-1919
Scope and Contents
Herd books for sheep and cattle; stud books; pedigree documents; inventories; lists of horse names; account books; day books;
horse family trees; stud advertisements; checkbooks and stubs.
volume 1
Ranching/Breeding on El Sur Ranch: Ledger
1907-1911
volume 2
Ranching/Breeding on El Sur Ranch: Ledger, Employee's Account Book
1918-1920
volume 3
Ranching/Breeding on El Sur Ranch: Ledger
1907-1917
volume 4
Ranching/Breeding on El Sur Ranch: Insurance
1908
volume 5
Ranching/Breeding on El Sur Ranch: Ledger
1907-1911
volume 6
Ranching/Breeding on El Sur Ranch: Account book of Monterey Draft Horse Company
1907-1911
volume 7
Ranching/Breeding on El Sur Ranch: Account book of Monterey Draft Horse Company
1907-1911
volume 8
Ranching/Breeding on El Sur Ranch: Account book
1913-1918
oversize-folder 1
Ranching/Breeding on El Sur Ranch: Pedigree chart for Bathos (horse)
Carton 4, Folder 6-15
Invoices/receipts
1915-1920
Carton 5
Invoices/receipts
1920-1924
Carton 6
Invoices/receipts
1924-1927
Carton 7, Folder 1-4
Invoices/receipts
1927-1929
oversize-folder 2
Other materials
approximately 1890-1930
Content Note
Architectural drawings for homes and apartment building; front/elevation for theater building in Monterey; a circal 1910 hand-drawn
plat map of part of Carmel Valley (including locations for the properties of the Paizzoni family, James Martin, Owen Smith
and others as well as locations for Corral de Tierra, Los Laureles, Los Tularcitos, El Toro, Llano de Buena Vista, the tract
of James Meadows).
Series 5:
Frances M. Molera
approximately 1930-1970
Carton 7, Folder 5-13
Financial, property records, artichoke ephemera, legal records
1930-1970
