mitted to anchor here, though not without occasional objection.[1] In 1835 William A. Richardson became the first settler, erecting as a temporary dwelling a tent, or 'shanty of rough boards' as Dana saw it in December, replaced within a year or two by an adobe building: His lot was granted in 1836, and his building stood near the corner of what were later Dupont and Clay streets. His business was the collection of produce from points about the bay to make up the cargoes of trading vessels by the aid of Indian crews who navigated two or three old launches belonging to himself and the missions. His Indians had a temascal, or bath-house, at the foot of Sacramento street, the water front being the present Montgomery street.[2] In 1836 Jacob P. Leese, in partnership with Spear and Hinckley, obtained a lot and built a wooden structure for house and store near Richardson’s, completing the building in time for a grand celebration on July 4th, at which assembled as guests — and prospective customers of the enterprising proprietor — all the residents for leagues around.[3] In 1837, or possibly the next year, Leese obtained through the influence of Governor Alvarado permis-
- ↑ Dec. 3, 1833. Receptor to admin. at Mont., urging that vessels be obliged to anchor in sight of the presidio and not at Y. B. Dept. St. Pap., B. M., MS., lxxv. 3. Davis, Glimpses, MS., 7, says that on his arrival at Y. B. in 1833 Candelario Miramontes had a potato-patch on what is now the plaza. From him D. borrowed a horse for trips to the mission and presidio, keeping him tethered near the shore.
- ↑ Authorities for the progress of Y. B. in these early years are Hittell's Hist. S. F., 77 et seq.; Soulé's Annals of S. F., 162 et seq.; Tuthill's Hist. Cal., 289 et seq.; Dana's Two Years, 261-2; Davis' Glimpses, MS.; and a great variety of newspaper and other accounts. As to minute details there is no agreement. According to Hittell the Widow Briones lived in the North Beach region, building about 1836 an adobe house at the corner of Filbert and Powell streets. José Ramon Sanchez, Notas, MS., 16-17, says that in the presidio region, but distinct from the presidio buildings, were two houses, one, occupied by the Sra de Higuera, built of timber by the Russians; the other of adobe at the Ojo de agua del Polin.
- ↑ See in Annals of S. F., 170, a view — not from a photograph taken on the spot — of the house and festivities.
Ferguson, John Matthews, and perhaps one Brown, undertook to repair an old launch of Captain Richardson's, towing her to Y. B. for the purpose, and living there for several months. But they abandoned the launch after doing much work on her. W. makes the date 1832, but he also speaks of the execution of Rubio, which was in 1831.
