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Manuscripts

Los Angeles land papers


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    Certificates of Sale because of Law Suits

    Manuscripts

    These papers document the transfer of land in Los Angeles County during the first few decades of California statehood. This collection consists of the original documents certifying the sale, purchase, pre-emption, or surveying of land by sheriffs, clerks, notary publics, and surveyors of Los Angeles County between 1850 and 1889. Some of these legal proceedings partially document the transfer of land ownership from Californio to American hands. Many of these documents are “pre-emption” claims to land made mostly by new American immigrants to California under the Possessory Act of April 20, 1852, which gave individuals the right to claim 160 acres of public lands for the purposes of mining or agriculture. The "inventories of women’s separate property" were a result of the California State law enacted on April 17, 1850, entitled "Act defining the rights of Husband and Wife." This collection includes mortgage agreements and releases; inheritances and wills; certificates of sale due to taxes owed, law suits, and foreclosure; claims of preemption; land documents of individuals significant to Los Angeles history including Abel Stearns, Pío Pico, Ignacio del Valle, Francis P.F. Temple, and Benjamin D. Wilson; lease agreements; and additional miscellaneous legal documents relating to land transfers.

    mssLAL

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    Women's Separate Property

    Manuscripts

    The bulk of these items are documents entitled "Inventories of Women's Separate Property." In addition to inventories, this folder also includes other legal documents relating to female ownership of land and property including deeds of sale, wills and leases.

    mssLAL

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    Henry Vail papers

    Manuscripts

    A collection of 108 items from 1840-1918, which contains personal and business correspondence as well as government records pertaining to the emerging mining industry in California. The collection includes legal and governmental records such as agreements, bills and receipts, bills of sale, deeds, a deposition, homestead claims, land indentures, an insurance policy, mine maps, mine reports, notices of location, a land protest, and a Water Appropriation Notice. Because Henry Vail created and stored these records, his outgoing letters are not included in this collection. Additionally, some of the discussions are fragmented or may have long periods of silence within the surviving material.

    mssVail

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    Henry Vail papers

    Manuscripts

    A collection of 108 items from 1840-1918, which contains personal and business correspondence as well as government records pertaining to the emerging mining industry in California. The collection includes legal and governmental records such as agreements, bills and receipts, bills of sale, deeds, a deposition, homestead claims, land indentures, an insurance policy, mine maps, mine reports, notices of location, a land protest, and a Water Appropriation Notice. Because Henry Vail created and stored these records, his outgoing letters are not included in this collection. Additionally, some of the discussions are fragmented or may have long periods of silence within the surviving material.

    mssVail

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    Bradbury Land Papers

    Manuscripts

    This collection consists of land records associated with the Bradbury family and company developments in the Rancho Azusa de Duarte and the city of Monrovia from the 1850s to the 1930s. These documents include certificates of title, deeds, and contractual agreements relating to land sales, mortgages, leases, and water rights. Parties to various contracts in the collection include the city of Monrovia, Los Angeles County, the Southern California Edison Company, Elias Jackson Baldwin, and several members of the Bradbury family, including L. L. Bradbury, Simona Bradbury, and Lewis Bradbury. There is also a folder of correspondence relating to the family's business interests. Correspondents include the Los Angeles Flood Control District and William Mulholland.

    mssBradbury land papers

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    Contract with Elias G. Granger, Los Angeles, Calif

    Manuscripts

    This document is a contract between C.C. Kiertz, E.R. Dunlap, and Elias G. Granger regarding the sale and transfer of water canal property in Los Angeles

    mssHM 62566