Los Angeles land papers, 1850-1889

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Summary

Abstract:
Documents and papers showing the ownership and transfer of land in Los Angeles County, California, between 1850 and 1889.
Extent:
2 Linear Feet (1 box, 1 oversize folder)
Language:
The records are in English and Spanish.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Los Angeles land papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

These papers document the transfer of land in Los Angeles County during the first few decades of California statehood. This collection consists of the original documents certifying the sale, purchase, pre-emption, or surveying of land by sheriffs, clerks, notary publics, and surveyors of Los Angeles County between 1850 and 1889. Some of these legal proceedings partially document the transfer of land ownership from Californio to American hands. Many of these documents are "pre-emption" claims to land made mostly by new American immigrants to California under the Possessory Act of April 20, 1852, which gave individuals the right to claim 160 acres of public lands for the purposes of mining or agriculture. The "inventories of women's separate property" were a result of the California State law enacted on April 17, 1850, entitled "Act defining the rights of Husband and Wife." This collection includes mortgage agreements and releases; inheritances and wills; certificates of sale due to taxes owed, law suits, and foreclosure; claims of preemption; land documents of individuals significant to Los Angeles history including Abel Stearns, Pío Pico, Ignacio del Valle, Francis P.F. Temple, and Benjamin D. Wilson; lease agreements; and additional miscellaneous legal documents relating to land transfers.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Kenneth S. Greenburg, 1968-1970.
Arrangement:

Arranged alphabetically by folder title.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader Services.

Terms of access:

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.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Los Angeles land papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
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