Benjamin D. Wilson Papers, 1856-1872

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Summary

Creators:
Wilson, Benjamin Davis
Extent:
0.1 Linear Feet (1 folder)
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Benjamin D. Wilson Papers, 1856-1872, Braun Research Library Collection, Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles; MS.703.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains 25 pieces of correspondence, invoices, ledgers, papers, and stock certificates from Benjamin David Wilson. Documents are dated from 1856-1872 and some have notations written on verso from 1936.

Biographical / historical:

Benjamin Davis Wilson (1811 December 1 – 1878 March 11) was a California statesman and politician. He was known to the Native Americans as Don Benito because of his benevolent manner in his treatment of Indian affairs. Wilson, a native of Tennessee, was a fur trapper and trader before coming to California. He married Ramona Yorba, daughter of Bernardo Yorba, a wealthy and prominent landowner, and purchased part of Rancho Jurupa in what would become Riverside County. Wilson was made Justice of the Peace for the Inland Territory and was entrusted with the care of Indian affairs. He was also commissioned to deal with the hostile Ute tribe over their cattle rustling and other crimes against the ranchers.

Wilson became the first non-Hispanic owner of Rancho San Pascual, which encompassed today's towns of Pasadena, Altadena, South Pasadena, Alhambra, San Marino and San Gabriel. Wilson was the second elected Mayor of Los Angeles for one term, Los Angeles County Supervisor and served three terms as a California State Senator. Wilson died at his San Gabriel ranch in 1878.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Davis_Wilson

Processing information:

Processed by Library staff after 1981. Finding aid completed by Holly Rose Larson, NHPRC Processing Archivist, 2012 November 9, made possible through grant funding from the National Historical Publications and Records Commissions (NHPRC).

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Appointments to view materials are required. To make an appointment please visit https://theautry.org/research-collections/library-and-archives and fill out the Researcher Application Form.

Terms of access:

Copyright has not been assigned to the Autry Museum of the American West. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Research Services and Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Autry Museum of the American West as the custodian 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.

Preferred citation:

Benjamin D. Wilson Papers, 1856-1872, Braun Research Library Collection, Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles; MS.703.

Location of this collection:
4700 Western Heritage Way
Los Angeles, CA 90027, US
Contact:
(747) 201-8448
rroom@theautry.org
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