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
-
Abel Stearns Papers: Addenda 1, 1821-1879 (bulk
1821-1831)
(Call number: mssHM 48988-49068)
-
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