Stevenson, J. D. (Jonathan Drake), 1800-1894

Col. Stevenson was the commander of the First Regiment of New York Volunteers, known as Stevenson's Regiment, sent to Calif. during the Mexican War.

From the description of J.D. Stevenson letter : San Francisco, Calif., to Isaac M. Baker : ALS, 1850 Oct. 4. (California Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 122381837

Stevenson was born Jan. 1, 1800 in NY; private secretary to NY Governor Daniel D. Tompkins, later accompanying him to Washington, DC, when Tompkins was elected Vice-President in 1816; won a seat in the NY State Assembly; accepted command of military volunteer regiment in CA from President Polk in 1846 and arrived in San Francisco in March 1847; made commander of post in Monterey and later became military commander of the southern district of CA (headquartered in Los Angeles), May 1847; after his regiment went out of service in 1848, he later entered the mining and real estate businesses; appointed Shipping Commissioner, Port of San Francisco, 1872; died in San Francisco on Feb. 14, 1894.

From the description of Papers, 1840-1892, bulk 1845-1880. (University of California, Los Angeles). WorldCat record id: 38273069

Biography

Stevenson was born Jan. 1, 1800 in NY; private secretary to NY Governor Daniel D. Tompkins, later accompanying him to Washington, DC, when Tompkins was elected Vice-President in 1816; won a seat in the NY State Assembly; accepted command of military volunteer regiment in CA from President Polk in 1846 and arrived in San Francisco in March 1847; made commander of post in Monterey and later became military commander of the southern district of CA (headquartered in Los Angeles), May 1847; after his regiment went out of service in 1848, he later entered the mining and real estate businesses; appointed Shipping Commissioner, Port of San Francisco, 1872; died in San Francisco on Feb. 14, 1894.

Expanded Biographical Narrative

Jonathan D. Stevenson was born with the century on January 1, 1800, in Richmond, Staten Island, New York. His father, an old time shipmaster attached to the Revenue Department, was an intimate friend of the Vanderbilt family. Young Stevenson and Cornelius Vanderbilt were contemporaries, and through Stevenson's influence, Vanderbilt received his start in the shipping business that was to lay the foundation for the Vanderbilt fortune. Although Vanderbilt often urged him to go into business, Stevenson's proclivities were in the direction of mercantile pursuits which eventually brought him into New York state politics.

At an early age, he attracted the attention of New York Governor Daniel D. Tompkins and became his protege. He served as private secretary to the Governor and accompanied him to Washington in that capacity when Tompkins was elected Vice President in 1816.

Through his work at Washington and later in New York State, Stevenson made friends with men like Martin Van Buren, Cave Johnson of Tennessee, Levi Woodbury of Connecticut, William Henry Haywood of North Carolina and Silas Wright of New York. His friendship with prominent politicians and his temerity in helping to expose the notorious Glentworth election frauds of 1839-1840 gained him a certain stature in the Democratic Party. He won a seat in the New York State Assembly and supported James K. Polk for the Presidency in 1844.

While on a visit to Washington in 1846, President Polk offered Stevenson the command of a regiment of volunteers to be raised for military service in California. He accepted the command and returned to New York. Within three days after the rolls opened, the Regiment. was recruited. Stevenson sailed for California with his Regiment of New York Volunteers on September 26, 1846, and arrived at San Francisco March 7, 1847.

After his arrival in San Francisco, Stevenson joined General Stephen Watts Kearny at Monterey and was made commander of the post. In May, 1847, he became the military commander of the southern district of California with headquarters in Los Angeles. While there, Stevenson did much to gain the goodwill of the native Californians and became known for his justice and kindness.

When his Regiment was mustered out of service in 1848, Stevenson went to the mining community of Mokelumne Hill. He was appointed alcalde of the settlement, and drew up a code of mining laws and regulations. He remained in the "diggings" long enough to amass the respectable fortune of ten thousand dollars.

He returned to San Francisco to enter the real estate business with William C. Parker. He remained in the city carrying on his real estate business and was appointed Shipping Commissioner for the Port of San Francisco in 1872. He held this position for many years. Even after his term as Shipping Commissioner expired, he continued to engage in his law practice and to manage real estate transactions. He died in San Francisco on February 14, 1894, a respected and prominent figure among local celebrities.

From the guide to the Jonathan Drake Stevenson papers, 1840-1892, bulk 1845-1880, (University of California, Los Angeles. Library. Department of Special Collections.)