Hartnell, W. E. P. (William Edward Petty), 1798-1854.

Biography

William Edward Petty Hartnell, born in Lancashire, England in 1798, lived in South America for some years, and came to California aboard the John Begg as a member of McCulloch, Hartnell & Co., agents for John Begg & Co. of Lima and Brotherston's in England. His firm, having contracted to take mission produce for three years, 1823-1826, carried on a profitable business until 1826. In 1825 Hartnell married María Teresa de la Guerra. He suffered financial reverses in 1827 and closed his partnerhsip in 1828 heavily in debt. He was naturalized in 1830 and in 1831 became a ranchero at Alisal with the Soberanes. From this time on he had a multiplicity of jobs, teacher, visitador, general of missions, officer of customs, etc. His gift for languages was such that he was employed as state translator in legal cases, especially in the land claims then being tried. He died in 1854.