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Finding Aid to the Manuel Fernández del Castillo y de Mier Papers
1869-1914
BANC MSS M-B 4
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Collection Title: Manuel Fernández del Castillo y de Mier Papers
Date (inclusive): 1869-1914
Collection Number: BANC MSS M-B 4
Creator: Fernández del Castillo y de Mier, Manuel
Extent:
Number of containers: 31 volumes
Repository: The Bancroft Library
Berkeley, California 94720-6000
Physical Location: For current information on the location of these materials, please
consult the Library's online catalog.
Abstract: Miscellaneous accounts for hacienda belonging to Manuel Fernandez del Castillo y
de Mier, whose daughter married Andres Lefebvre. There are journals, ledgers, cash books, and other
records which illustrate the management of a typical family estate of that time, including the care of
impecunious relatives or workers and payments to the Church. Also included: accounts (1913-1914),
Antigua Madereria del Caballito, S.A.
Languages Represented: Collection materials are in Spanish
Collection is open for research.
Copyright has not been assigned to The Bancroft Library. All requests for permission to publish or
quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Public Services. Permission for
publication is given on behalf of The Bancroft Library as the owner 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.
[Identification of item], Manuel Fernández del Castillo y de Mier Papers, BANC MSS M-B 4,
The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
Received from Baker Library, Harvard University. March 1955.
Owner of the farm: Manuel Fernández del Castillo y de Mier. Wife's name: Señora
Concepcion M de Fernández del Castillo. Two children: Señorita Paz and a little
son whose name was impossible to know through the records.
Besides the farm, he had $7,000 invested in a lumber business which capital was $11,000.
Besides that, he had 12 estates for rent.
The jewls and silver goods kept in the safe were avalatued in that time on $45,331.12. (April 1882)
In May of 1897 for the first time the name of Lefevbre is mentioned in the books of the farm.
They had two farms: "San Bartolome del Monte" and "Cuamatta." The biggest product was "Pulque" (fermented
juice of the maguey). (A very popular Mexican drink.)
Salaries for the people working within the house of the farm ranked from 125 to 6 pesos per month. All of
them with room and board.
Mr. Manuel Fernández del Castillo had the coustom of buying regularly tickets for the lotery.
Among the diferent magazines to which he was subscribe, were: "La Orquesta" (The Orchestra),
"Mefistofeles," "La Linterna" (The Lantern), "Don Quijote," "Historia de America," "Trait d'union."
The product produced by the farm were as follows: Wheat, "arbejon," Cattles, Horses, Mules, Sheeps
(current and thoroubred), piggs, horse bean, Lumber, corn, "ochada," barn, meats, grass, potatoes,
bricks and goats.
Net worth of the family on April 6, 1890: $612,735.55.
On October 14, 1876, Mr. Fernández del Castillo draw against Hutt and Co., London,
£ 600 at 39 d. That made an amount of $3,692.31.
The significant and interesting factor of these records, is that they show in a very clear way the system
used in the management of the old family estates, where the father was not only the owner but the head
of all activities.--Any worries or illness affecting the workers, and they came to him, the boss, for
assistance.
The sons and daughters are almost sons of God. They have free access to the cash and may ask at any
moment money for their expenses. There is not a line drawn between "personal expenses" and "operating
expenses."
The accounting books show very clear the fact that there were not a regular system to keep the books, and
no items for depreciation of machinery or alike are there.
Furthermore, the head of the family has to take care of all the relatives that are not in such a good
economical situation. Many items are recorded proving this fact: regular amounts paid monthly.
Moreover, the relations between the head of the family and the church are very strong. The father is the
one who mantains the Church wholly, or almost wholly. The Church pays him back with blesses.