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Stearns (Abel) Papers
mssStearns  
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Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • Conditions Governing Access
  • Conditions Governing Use
  • Preferred Citation
  • Immediate Source of Acquisition
  • Biographical / Historical
  • Scope and Contents
  • Related Materials
  • General

  • Contributing Institution: The Huntington Library
    Title: Abel Stearns papers
    Creator: Stearns, Abel, 1798-1871
    Identifier/Call Number: mssStearns
    Physical Description: 61.34 Linear Feet (99 boxes, 1 folder)
    Date (inclusive): 1821-1935
    Abstract: This collection contains the professional and personal papers of Southern California businessman and political Abel Stearns (1798-1871). The materials in the collection deal with life in California during the Mexican and early statehood periods, including the cattle industry, ranching, real estate, political and social life, and the gold discoveries in Southern California in 1842.
    Language of Material: The records are in English and Spanish.

    Conditions Governing Access

    Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more information.

    Conditions Governing Use

    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]. Abel Stearns papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

    Immediate Source of Acquisition

    Purchased from Mrs. Margaret Gaffey Kilroy, February 1937.

    Biographical / Historical

    Abel Stearns (1798-1871) was born in Lunenberg, Massachusetts. As a young man he spent some years at sea, taking part in the trade with South America and China. In about 1826 he reached Mexico and during his residence there became a naturalized citizen. In about 1833, Stearns settled in Los Angeles, joined Juan Bandini in the trading business and married Bandini's daughter Arcadia. He became involved in almost every type of business and held minor political offices. In 1849 he represented the Los Angeles district at the constitutional convention in Monterey, and later was a member of the state assembly. By 1858, he had become the wealthiest man in Los Angeles County. After the drought of 1863-1864, he became bankrupt and had to sell a great deal of his property. He died in San Francisco in 1871.

    Scope and Contents

    Professional and personal papers of Abel Stearns, including correspondence, business records, legal documents, and other manuscripts. The materials in the collection deal with life in California during the Mexican and early statehood periods, including the cattle industry, ranching, real estate, political and social life, and the gold discoveries in Southern California in 1842. Correspondents include Juan Bandini, Cave Johnson Couts, Tomas Eleuterio Estenaga, John Forster, Thomas Oliver Larkin, Perfecto Hugo Reid, Alfred Robinson, and others. Also included are diaries kept in 1879-1905 by Juan Bautista Bandini, son of Juan Bandini, who lived in the Santa Monica area. The collection also contains a group of papers accumulated by John Tracy Gaffey, third husband of Mrs. Abel Stearns. The Gaffey papers contain correspondence, including letters from Stephen Mallory White, papers relating to San Pedro, California and historical sketches. There are also papers related to María Victoria Bartoloméa Comecrabit Reid.

    Related Materials

    1. Abel Stearns Papers: Addenda 1, 1821-1879 (bulk 1821-1831)   (Call number: mssHM 48988-49068)
    2. Abel Stearns Papers: Addenda 2, 1817-1878   (Call number: mssHM 57166-57209)

    General

    Former call number: mssStearns papers.

    Subjects and Indexing Terms

    Businessmen -- California -- Archives>
    Cattle trade -- California
    Politicians -- California -- Archives
    Ranching -- California
    Real property -- California
    California -- Gold discoveries -- Sources
    California -- History -- 19th century -- Sources
    California, Southern -- History -- Sources
    Los Angeles (Calif.)--History -- Sources
    Business records -- California -- 19th century
    Diaries -- California, Southern
    Family papers -- California
    Letters (correspondence)--United States
    Legal documents -- California
    Personal papers -- California
    Professional papers -- California
    Property records -- California
    Bandini, Juan,1800-1859
    Bandini, Juan Bautista
    Couts, Cave Johnson, 1821-1874
    Estenaga, Tomas Eleuterio
    Forster, John,1814-1882
    Gaffey, John Tracy
    Larkin, Thomas Oliver, 1802-1858
    Reid, Hugo, 1811?-1853
    Reid, María Victoria Bartoloméa Comecrabit
    Robinson, Alfred, 1806-1895
    White, Stephen Mallory, 1853-1901