Bandini Family Papers, ca. 1834-1927

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Summary

Creators:
Bandini Family
Abstract:
Juan Bandini (1800-59) was one of the most prominent men of his time in Southern California. He amassed a fortune through merchandising, farming, and stockraising. One of his daughters married the biggest land owner and rancher in Southern California at the time. The collection consists of correspondence, legal papers, and business records of members of the Bandini family.
Extent:
3 boxes (1.5 linear ft.) 1 oversize box
Language:
English.

Background

Scope and content:

Collection consists of correspondence, legal papers, and business records of members of the Bandini family, including Juan Bandini (1834-59), Juan B. Bandini (1860-89), Abel Stearns (1837-68), and John T. Gaffey (1885-1910). Correspondence includes 93 letters from Cave J. Couts to Abel Stearns, 1851-70. In addition to the business records, there are several documents related to various ranches and land holdings of the Bandini family. Also includes historical reminiscences of Mariano Ruiz.

Portions of this collection are in Spanish.

Biographical / historical:

Juan Bandini (1800-59) was one of the most prominent men of his time in Southern California, amassing a fortune through merchandising, farming, and stockraising; his landholdings eventually included fifty thousand acres extending from Rincon to Agua Manse; one of his daughters, Arcadia Bandini (1825-12), married Abel Stearns (1798-1871), a Yankee merchant who later became the biggest land owner and rancher in Southern California another of Bandini's daughters, Isidora, married Colonel Cave J. Couts; Bandini's son, Juan B. Bandini (b. 1833) managed his father's ranch, worked at Abel Stearns's store, and later operated a cattle business at Last Chance ranch.

Bandini family

Juan Bandini, 1800-1859.

  • Daughter - Arcadia Bandini, 1823-1912.
  • -Married Abel Stearns in 1837 (Stearns was in business with Bandini). Stearns died 1871.
  • -Married Colonel Robert S. Baker, 1874.
  • -Arcadia had no children.
  • Daughter - Ysidora Bandini
  • -Married Cave Johnson Couts, also in business with Stearns.
  • Son - Juan B. Bandini, d. 1906.
  • -Married a Sepulveda.
  • -Daughter - Arcadia Bandini, married John T. Gaffey. their daughter is Margaret Gaffey Kilroy, donor of this collection.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Margaret Gaffey Kilroy, 1942.
Arrangement:

Arranged in the following series:

  1. Juan Bandini.
  2. Abel Stearns and Mariano Ruiz.
  3. Mariano Ruiz typescripts, 1926-27.
  4. Rancho San Rafael account book, 1843-56 (oversize box).

Physical location:
Stored off-site at SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact the UCLA Library Special Collections Reference Desk for paging information.

Access and use

Location of this collection:
A1713 Charles E. Young Research Library
Box 951575
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575, US
Contact:
(310) 825-4988
AskLSC@library.ucla.edu
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