Denton Ranch Collection (Jacume, Baja California Norte, Mexico)
Mandeville Special Collections Library
Mandeville Special Collections Library
The UCSD Libraries
9500 Gilman Drive
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, California 92093-0175
Phone: (858) 534-2533
Fax: (858) 534-5950
URL: http://orpheus.ucsd.edu/speccoll/
Copyright 2005
The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.
Descriptive Summary
Creator:
Denton Family
Title: Denton Ranch Collection (Jacume, Baja California Norte, Mexico),
Date (inclusive): 1864 - 1993
Extent:
1.00 linear feet
(2 archives boxes, 6 oversize folders)
Abstract: Title documents and correspondence related to the ownership of the Denton Ranch, also known as Rancho Jacume, located on the
international border in Baja California Norte, Mexico near La Rumerosa. The collection forms the documentation for the Denton
Family's claim for compensation for the expropriation of the ranch in 1939 during the Cardenas administration.
The collection is divided into three series: 1) TITLE DOCUMENTS, 2) CORRESPONDENCE, and 3) MISCELLANEOUS MATERIALS.
Repository:
University of California, San Diego. Geisel Library. Mandeville Special Collections Library.
La Jolla, California 92093-0175
Collection number: MSS 0115
Language of Material:
Collection materials in English
Access
Collection is open for research.
Acquisition Information
Not Available
Preferred Citation
Denton Ranch Collection (Jacume, Baja California Norte, Mexico), MSS 0115. Mandeville Special Collections Library, UCSD.
Publication Rights
Publication rights are held by the creator of the collection.
Historical Background
Col. William Denton (1828-1907), an English civil engineer, came to California during the Gold Rush, worked for the United
States geodetic survey and later pursued an interest in mining exploration and speculation in Mexico. In 1860, he married
Elena Cano de los Rios of Mulege, Baja California and eventually moved his family to San Diego in 1874. Denton became a naturalized
Mexican citizen in 1896.
In 1885, Col. Denton purchased two thousand five hundred hectars (6,175 acres) of land in Mexico known as "Jacumbo" from Senora
Higinia Tortoledo for five hundred pesos. Rancho Jacume, as it was known locally, was located on the frontier of the Northern
District of Lower California, Mexico on the international border. Col. Denton maintained his residence in San Diego, where
his children were educated, and used Rancho Jacume for cattle grazing.
At the time of his death in 1907, Col. Denton's estate was largely comprised of properties in Baja California, Mexico. He
owned an undivided interest in Rancho Algodones, located on the Colorado River in Baja California; Rancho Jacume; and half
interest in the mines known as Toronjil, Angel de la Guardia, Nueva Esperanza, La Vaca, Tarantula, the Chubasco group, the
Sireno group, Santa Rosa, Alice, Josephina, Ajax and Vulcan. Denton worked in a mining partnership with H.A. Howard of San
Diego, who provided capital for survey expenses, title acquisition, and taxes.
Upon Col. Denton's death, title to the Denton Ranch was divided between his wife, who received a one half interest, and his
children, William Smith Denton, Oscar Alan Denton, Sara Brent Denton Scott, Alexander Marion Denton, Maria S. Denton Showley
and Morgan Gascoigne Denton. Elena Denton willed her property equally to Sara Denton Scott, Maria Soledad Denton Showley,
Morgan Gascoine Denton, and Samuel John Murvin Showley. Oscar Alan Denton occupied the Denton Ranch and administered the
property.
In 1939, the Denton Ranch was expropriated by the Mexican government and ownership transferred to a newly form ejido, or agricultural
collective. Over the next seven years, Maria Denton Showley and her brother, Morgan Denton, pursued a suit with the American
Mexican Claims Commission for compensation and on June 28, 1946 a settlement was reached.
Scope and Content of Collection
The Denton Ranch records contain title documents and correspondence supporting the Denton Family's claim for compensation
to the American Mexican Claims Commission for the 1939 expropriation of the Denton Ranch. The documents trace the chain of
ownership from Senora Higinia Tortoledo, through Colonel William Denton, to Maria Denton Showley and Morgan Denton. The bulk
of the correspondence relates to the compensation claim.The collection is arranged in three series: 1) TITLE DOCUMENTS, 2)
CORRESPONDENCE, and 3) MISCELLANEOUS MATERIALS.
SERIES 1: TITLE DOCUMENTS
The TITLE DOCUMENTS series contains copies, often holograph, of documents of conveyance, wills, certificates and testimony
which establish clear title to the Denton Ranch. The materials date from 1872 to 1939 and are arranged in chronological order.
Of particular interest is the document which associates Senora Higinia Tortoledo with the property called "Jacumbo" in 1885
(Box 1, Folder 3).
SERIES 2: CORRESPONDENCE
The CORRESPONDENCE series contains all the correspondence in the collection and is arranged chronologically. Included are
letters from Col. William Denton and his wife, Elena and other family members. The bulk of the correspondence dates between
1930 to 1946 and relates to the administration of the estate. Elena Denton, Maria Denton Showley and Morgan Denton are the
major correspondents during this period.
SERIES 3: MISCELLANEOUS MATERIALS
In the MISCELLANEOUS MATERIALS series are documents related to William Denton's other holdings in Baja California- Rancho
Algodones and various mining properties. Also included is geneaological information on the Denton Family. Finally, an interesting
transcription by Dan Showley of a seaman's diary provides description of Baja California at the time of William Denton's marriage
to Elena Cano de los Rios in 1860.
RELATED COLLECTIONS
Maps and materials related to Denton's Baja California mines are located at the San Diego Historical Society.
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Subjects
Denton Family -- Archives
Denton, William, 1828-1907
Denton, Elena
Showley, Maria Denton
Denton, Morgan
Denton Ranch (Jacume, Baja California Norte, Mexico) -- Archives
Rancho Jacume (Jacume, Baja California Norte, Mexico) -- Archives
Land titles -- Registration and transfer -- Mexico -- Baja California (Peninsula)
Land tenure -- Mexico -- Baja California (Peninsula)
Baja California (Mexico : Peninsula) -- History
box 1, folder 1
Transfer of title to Jacume executed in La Paz, Baja California
1872
Note
Typescript carbon transcription of conveyance from Albina Arriola de Higinia Tortoledo to William Denton for 500 pesos.
box 1, folder 2, oversize FB08201
Marriage certificate of William Denton and Maria Elena Cano de los Rios
1876
Note
Recorded in San Diego, Cal.
box 1, folder 3
Rancho "Jacumbo" homestead document
1885
Note
Document establishes Senora Higinia Tortoledo's claim to the 2,500 hectar tract
box 1, folder 4, oversize FB08202
C. Secretario de Estado y del despacho de Fomento
1885
Note
Signed in Todos Santos de Ensenada by William Denton
box 1, folder 5, oversize FB08203
William Denton's Mexican naturalization certificate
1886
box 1, folder 6, oversize FB08204
Power of attorney from Higinio Tortoledo to William Denton
1877
Note
Transcribed copy and lawyer's translation
box 1, folder 7
Citacion
1887
Note
Executed at Todos Santos de Ensenada
box 1, folder 8
No. 644 El Administrador de Rentas de este Territorio....
1887
box 1, folder 9, oversize FB08205
Certificacion
1887
Note
Relates to the payment of 246 pesos by William Denton to the Administrador de Rentas in Todos Santos de Ensenada
box 1, folder 10
Testimonio compulsado de los poderes....
1890
Note
Documentation of the transfer of power of attorney from Higinia Tortoledo to William Denton in 1877
box 1, folder 11
El suscrito, Consul de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos en San Diego....
1893
box 1, folder 12
Copias certificadas de algunas constancias que obran en el juicio....
1905
Note
Validation of Denton's title to "Jacume" in the District Court of Ensenada
box 1, folder 13
William Denton's last will and testament
1906
box 1, folder 14
Copy of title as recorded in Ensenada
1911
Note
Photographic copy and typescript translation
box 1, folder 15
Court of Tecate confirms Elena Cano de los Rios as owner of "Jacume"
1916
box 1, folder 16, oversize FB08206
Primer testimonio de la escritura por la que la senora Elena Cano de los Rios...
1929
box 1, folder 17
En Tecate, Baja California a las nueve horas....
1930
Note
Elena Cano de los Rios' signed will
box 1, folder 18
Testament of Elena Cano de los Rios
1930
Note
Typescript English translation of records submitted in probate proceedings
box 1, folder 19
Appointment of executors for Elena Cano de los Rios' will
1939
Note
Typescript English translation
box 1, folder 20
El Ciudadano Luis G. Carreno, Secretario del ramo penal....
1939
box 1, folder 21
Correspondence
1864 - 1899
box 1, folder 22
Correspondence
1900 - 1909
box 1, folder 23
Correspondence
1910 - 1919
box 1, folder 24
Correspondence
1920 - 1929
box 1, folder 25
Correspondence
1930 - 1939
box 1, folder 26
Correspondence - Part I
1940 - 1949
box 1, folder 27
Correspondence - Part II
1940 - 1949
box 1, folder 28
Correspondence
1950 - 1959
box 1, folder 29
Correspondence
1970 - 1979
box 1, folder 30
Correspondence
1980 - 1982
box 1, folder 31
Fitch, F.G. "The Sea of Cortes, 1858-1859: the diary of F.G. Fitch"
1858 - 1859
Note
Recent typescript transcription edited by Dan Showley
box 1, folder 32
In regard to the Algodones Rancho - Thos. H. Blythe & others
Note
Typescript photocopy
box 1, folder 33
Newspaper clippings
1907 - 1993
box 1, folder 34
Photographs of Denton Ranch
1929 - 1954
box 1, folder 35
Report on a group of iron properties in the "Trinidad" mineral district
1903
box 2, folder 1
Showley, Dan. "Sabbatical Leave Report"
1949
Note
Description and travel in Mexico
box 2, folder 2
Some allied families & posterity of Robert John Young and Daisie Frances Denton
box 2, folder 3
Vital dates of Denton family members
box 2, folder 4
Originals of preservation photocopies