Robert G. Dean Collection
Finding aid created by Contra Costa County Historical Society staff using RecordEXPRESS
Contra Costa County Historical Society
2018
724 Escobar Street
Martinez, California 94553
(925) 229-1042
http://www.cocohistory.com/
Title: Robert G. Dean Collection
Dates: 1850s-1920s
Collection Number: 2003.21
Creator/Collector:
Dean, Robert G.
Extent: 4 boxes
Repository:
Contra Costa County Historical Society
Martinez, California 94553
Abstract: A collection of diaries, letters, scrapbooks, and family bible of the Robert G. Dean family. Family bible which contains some
family information, oil and gas certificates, diaries written by Robert G. Dean, scrapbooks, letters to his wife, ledgers,
and 1836 Hooper’s Dictionary. Also of importance is a remembrance plate to R.G. Dean from the Veale family and a Senate Report
of the Commissioner of Patents of 1860 for agriculture for the 36th Congress second session.
Language of Material: English
Collection is open for research.
Contact the Contra Costa County Historical Society for publication permission.
Robert G. Dean Collection. Contra Costa County Historical Society
Biography/Administrative History
Robert G[arwood] Dean (1831-1920) was a land owner in East Contra Costa County. He was also involved in mining, managed the
18,000 acre John Marsh rancho, was president of the Bank of Brentwood, farmed wheat, was an agent for Balfour Gurthrie & Co,
and was instrumental in the establishment of Liberty High School in Brentwood. Robert G. Dean was the author of the “East
Contra Costa County” chapter in F. J. Hulaniski’s The History of Contra Costa County California, 1917. He married to Jerusha
H. Martin in San Francisco and they had no children, though they raised a foster son, George O Wilson.
Scope and Content of Collection
Box 1: Seven folders that are completely itemized; Leaves of Affection (autograph book of Jerusha); journal; A Journal of
Historical Account of the Life, Travels, Sufferings… by George Fox, 1808.
Box 2: Holy Bible, 1872 diary of Miss Sarah H Martin (sister of Jerusha Dean); 50th Anniversary plate from the Veales; Commissioner
of Patents of 1860 for agriculture for the 36th Congress second session; box of stock certificates; miscellaneous items
Box 3: diaries & journals of Robert G. Dean; cash book from John Marsh ranch, remembrance book of his life; foldout map of
Seattle; an account book
Box 4: guest book, letters of Mrs. Dean, account books & ledgers, journals (including one from 1830’s), bible, dictionary
Family Papers
Bible
Business accounts