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

Born in England in 1798, William Edward Petty Hartnell, also known as Guillermo Eduardo Hartnell, came to California in 1822 after spending several years in South America in the employ of Lima's John Begg and Co. Beginning in 1823, Hartnell, with his partner Hugh McCulloch, conducted an extensive trade with the California missions, exchanging hides and tallow, foodstuffs, and other goods. Hartnell converted to Catholicism in 1824, married Maria Teresa de la Guerra in 1825, and became a Mexican citizen in 1830. In 1834, Hartnell was granted the Alisal Ranch near Monterey, where he founded a school that would be attended by his children and other students. He also held offices under the Mexican and United States governments of California, serving as visitador-general of missions (1839-1840), and official interpreter for United States (1847-1850). Hartnell died in 1854.

From the description of William Hartnell papers, 1823-[183?]. (California Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 122499026

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