[4], 103, [2] pp. With laid in map of property boundaries. 31x20.5 cm. (12¼x8¼"), quarter black leather and brown pebbled cloth.
Early volume containing manuscript entries detailing the ownership history and chain of custody of Oakland lots spanning nearly 30 years, from 1853-1871. Extensive entries here include deeds, deeds of confirmation, partition deeds, sheriff's deeds, probate court records including estate distributions, mortgage payments, powers of attorney, state and county taxes, district court attachments, judgments, and registers, etc.
Other docketed names appearing on front cover include J. L. Barker, C. O'Grady, and A. G. Larrie, "Searcher of Roads", San Leandro, [California]. "Title of Abstract" first page describes a swath of land totaling some 24 lots which are chronicled throughout volume. Records here go as far back as one of the original Spanish heirs, Vicente Peralta. Oakland's Peralta Hacienda Historical Park (also known as the "Birthplace of Oakland") is named in honor of the Peralta family. Printed map bound in back of volume shows the exact location of the lots in an area of Oakland known today as the Acorn Industrial neighborhood.
Manuscript entries chronicle the earliest history of the land on which the Oakland lots sit. The land is situated in a tract once known as "The Rancho de San Antonio" [which] "was granted to Luis Peralta in the year 1820 by Pablo Vicente de Sola Governor of California whose authority to make such grants was derived from the King of Spain, and on February 13, 1844, the same was confirmed by Micheltorena Governor of Upper California under the Mexican Government. By marriage with Loretta Alviso the said Peralta had issue four sons and five daughters. In 1842, the said Grantee, Luis Peralta made a division of the Rancho among his four sons named respectfully Ignacio, Antonio Maria, Vicente and Jose Domingo who he placed in possession of the portions severally so apportioned. That tract of land known as the Encinal of Temascal which is comprehended within the limits of the City of Oakland which comprehends the premises under search being comprised in the division allotted to Vicente Peralta. Luis Peralta died in 1851 leaving a will executed on the 29th day of April in that year, which purports to ratify and confirm the division of the Rancho among his sons as above mentioned...The validity of this will...was impeached by the daughters...Eventually the 3rd District Court for Santa Clara County pronounced in favor of said daughters." The case of was eventually heard by the U.S. Supreme Court which ruled against the daughters whose title to the land was then rejected. The nation's highest court also ruled that the original will leaving the land to the sons was "to operate as a deed".
Also included are the names of numerous parties who bought and sold the lots over the course of time including one of the original Spanish heirs Vicente Peralta. Land owner names here include Ann E. and Elsie A. Alden, Edson Adams, Judah Baker, Jr., E. Bigelow, Joseph Black, James J. and Kate Cadogan, Ino and John Caperton, Lawrence Carr, Jacob A. Cost, William B. Dameron, Stephen Edmonds, Nicholas F. French, Francisco Galindo, William H. Glasscock, John C. Hays, H. Hillebrand, Ambrose S. Hurlburt, Edward Jones, Joseph K. Irving, Catherine S. and Joseph Lyons, Humphrey Marshall, William Meek, Ann E. Miner, Moses O'Connor, Juan Salvio and Salvio Pacheco, Anna R. Poole, Vicente Peralta, William Quinn, Patrick Scully, Henry Sinram, Caleb Underhill, Francis S. Wensinger, John A. and John Wolf, Alexander H. and Serina S. Young,