Leidesdorff, William A. (William Alexander), 1810-1848

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William A. Leidesdorff, early California trader and official, was born in the Danish West Indies of a Danish father and mulatto mother. In 1841 he came to California as master of the ship "Julia Ann." He engaged in trade between Hawaii and San Francsico, and afterwards began a general exporting business in San Francisco. Leidesdorff became a Mexican citizen in 1844 and received a grant for Rancho Rio de los Americanos, east of Fort Sutter. The next year he was appointed vice-consul of the United States, and remained prominent in the affairs of San Francisco until his death in 1848.

From the description of Papers of William A. Leidesdorff, 1840-1867. (Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens). WorldCat record id: 122593650

William Alexander Leidesdorff was born in the Danish West Indies in 1810. He came to California in 1841 as captain of the schooner Julia Ann. Engaged in trading between California and Hawaii, he had settled in Yerba Buena by 1845. He became a Mexican citizen, and acquired the Rio de los Americanos rancho near Sacramento. Buying up property in Yerba Buena, he built a warehouse and the City Hotel here, and had bought a home by 1847. He served as U.S. vice-consul under Thomas Larkin, beginning 1845, and launched the first steamer to sail San Francisco bay, the Sitka (later, the schooner Rainbow). Besides becoming one of the town's most prominent merchants, he served on the Town Council, as Treasurer, and as a School Committee member. He died of typhus May 18, 1848 in San Francisco, and his estate, thought encumbered by debt, increased greatly in value following the gold discovery. William D. M. Howard was named administrator of Leidesdorff's estate in 1848, then removed from that position the following year; Joseph L. Folsom then searched out heirs and purchased title to the Leidesdorff estate, becoming one of the wealthiest men in San Francisco.

From the description of Leidesdorff-Folsom estate papers, 1844-1858. (San Francisco Public Library). WorldCat record id: 433127207

Stephen Smith was a sea captain from Mass. who owned a ranch with a sawmill and lumber trade at Bodega, Calif.

From the description of William A. Leidesdorff letter : to Steven [sic] Smith : ALS, 1847 Feb. 18. (California Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 145416653

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Brown, John Henry, 1810-1905. John Henry Brown Public House partnership agreement : San Francisco : ms., 1846. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Howard, William D. M. (William Davis Merry), 1818-1856. William D.M. Howard papers, 1823-1878. California historical society
creatorOf Leidesdorff, William A. (William Alexander), 1810-1848. William A. Leidesdorff papers, 1843-1848. UC Berkeley Libraries
creatorOf Leidesdorff, William A. (William Alexander), 1810-1848. Leidesdorff-Folsom estate papers, 1844-1858. San Francisco Public Library, Main Library
referencedIn Alcorn, Ken. Papers, 1848. University of Oklahoma, Bizzell Memorial Library
creatorOf Leidesdorff, William A. (William Alexander). William A. Leidesdorff title transfer materials : ms., 1849. UC Berkeley Libraries
creatorOf San Francisco. Town Council. San Francisco town journal : ms, 1847-1848. California historical society
referencedIn Jones, Elbert P. Elbert P. Jones real estate papers : San Francisco, California, 1847-1851. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn San Francisco (Calif.). Mayor. Exceptions, the Counsel of Absent Heirs vs. William D.M. Howard, Administrator of the vacant succession of William A. Leidesdorff, deceased : San Francisco : ms., 1849. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Morgan, John Edwin. Comparison study of the lives of William Alexander Leidesdorff and Joseph Libby Folsom : Revised : ms., 1966. UC Berkeley Libraries
creatorOf Halleck, H. W. (Henry Wager), 1815-1872. William A. Leidesdorff collection, 1834-1857. California historical society
referencedIn Jones, John Coffin, 1796-1861. Deposition regarding William A. Leidesdorff's employment as master of Julia Ann in 1840 : Boston : ms., 1849. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Leidesdorff, Frederica Cordelia. Frederica Cordelia Leidesdorff title transfer materials : ms., 1849. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Zacharie, James W. Deposition regarding William A. Leidesdorff as merchant in New Orleans prior to 1840 : New York : ms., 1849. California Digital Library
creatorOf Montgomery, John Berrien, b. 1794. John B. Montgomery letter : [Yerba Buena, Calif.?], to William A. Leidesdorff, Yerba Buena, Calif. : ALS (photocopy), [184-?]. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Halleck, Peachy and Billings Collection. UC Berkeley Libraries
creatorOf Rancho de los Americanos. Rancho de los Americanos espediente, no. 389 : Promovido por Don Guillermo A. Leidesdorff en prebencio del terreno conocido con el nombre del Rio de los Americanos : ms., 1849. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Julia Ann (Schooner). Logbook from the schooner, Julia Ann, 1840 July 30-1841 Jan. 9. UC Berkeley Libraries
creatorOf Larkin, Thomas Oliver, 1802-1858. Thomas O. Larkin papers, 1822-1858. UC Berkeley Libraries
creatorOf Crocker, Templeton, 1884-1948. San Francisco early documents scrapbook, 1838-1877. California historical society
creatorOf Leidesdorff, William A. (William Alexander), 1810-1848. City Hotel mortgage settlement with James Lick and related material, 1848 and 1940. California Digital Library
referencedIn Martínez, Ignacio, 1774-1848. Don Ignacio Martinez : list of debits to William Leidesdorff : ms., 1844-1845. UC Berkeley Libraries
creatorOf Leidesdorff, William A. (William Alexander), 1810-1848. William A. Leidesdorff title transfer materials : ms., 1849. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn William D. M. Howard papers, 1823-1878 California historical society
creatorOf Leidesdorff, William A. (William Alexander), 1810-1848. Leidesdorff estate papers, 1844-1852. UC Berkeley Libraries
creatorOf Pickett, Charles E. (Charles Edward), 1820-1882. C.E. Pickett receipt : [San Francisco, Calif.], of W.A. Leidesdorff : ADS, 184[1?] Oct. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Mellus & Howard Company (San Francisco, Calif.). Mellus & Howard Company, San Francisco, Calif. bill to Leidesdorff estate for articles furnished for funeral : San Francisco : ms., 1848 May 20. UC Berkeley Libraries
creatorOf Howard, William Davis Merry, 1819-1856. Promissory note to James Alexander Forbes : San Francisco : ADS, 1848 Sept. 1. UC Berkeley Libraries
creatorOf Leidesdorff, William A. (William Alexander), 1810-1848. William A. Leidesdorff genealogical notes : ms., [undated] UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Leffingwell, William A. Deposition regarding William A. Leidesdorff's cargo on Schooner Julia Ann clearing customs in 1840 : ms., 1849-1850. California Digital Library
referencedIn Folsom, J. L. (Joseph Libbey), 1817-1855. J.L. Folsom-William A. Leidesdorff estate papers, 1850-1861. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Boggs, Lillburn W., 1792-1860. Lillburn W. Boggs letter : photocopy of ALS, [184?]. California historical society
creatorOf Leidesdorff, William A. (William Alexander), 1810-1848. William Alexander Leidesdorff papers, 1838-1848. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn San Francisco (Calif.). District. Blotter B: District record of land grants and deeds in the city of San Francisco, 1847-1849. Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
creatorOf Leidesdorff, William A. (William Alexander), 1810-1848. Papers of William A. Leidesdorff, 1840-1867. Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
creatorOf Leidesdorff, William A. (William Alexander), 1810-1848. William A. Leidesdorff letter : to Steven [sic] Smith : ALS, 1847 Feb. 18. California historical society
referencedIn Jones, Elbert P. Elbert P. Jones real estate papers : San Francisco, California, 1847-1851. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Thomas O. Larkin papers, 1839-1856 Bancroft Library
referencedIn W. Sherman Savage Collection, c.1950-1981 The Huntington Library
referencedIn California. Probate Court (San Francisco). Judgment in the matter of the estate of W.A. Leidesdorff, decd. : DS, 1850 Feb. 19. UC Berkeley Libraries
creatorOf Fauntleroy, Daingerfield, 1799-1853. Daingerfield Fauntleroy papers, 1819-1873. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Janion, Robert C. Receipt to Mellus & Howard : ADS, 1848 Aug. 14. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Folsom, J. L. (Joseph Libbey), 1817-1855. Letter to Andrew S. Garr and related material : New York : ALS, 1849. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Crocker, Templeton, 1884-1948. Joseph L. Folsom collection, 1834-1870. California historical society
referencedIn San Francisco (Calif.). Council. Minutes of proceedings of the San Francisco Council, 1847 Sept. 16-1848 Apr. 10. UC Berkeley Libraries
creatorOf Larkin, Thomas Oliver, 1802-1858. Thomas O. Larkin papers, 1831-1859. UC Berkeley Libraries
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Alvarado, Juan Bautista, 1809-1882. person
associatedWith Arguello, Santiago. person
associatedWith Bartlett, Washington A. person
associatedWith Birdsall, L. A. person
associatedWith Boggs, Lillburn W., 1792-1860. person
associatedWith Brown, John Henry, 1810-1905. person
associatedWith Buzzell, William. person
associatedWith California. Probate Court (San Francisco) corporateBody
associatedWith City Hotel (San Francisco, Calif.) corporateBody
associatedWith Commodore Stockton (Brig) corporateBody
associatedWith Cowan, Robert Ernest, 1862-1942. person
associatedWith Dalton, Henry, 1803-1884, person
associatedWith Douglas, James, 1803-1877, person
associatedWith Fauntleroy, Daingerfield, 1799-1853. person
associatedWith Folsom, J. L. (Joseph Libbey), 1817-1855. person
associatedWith Folsom, Joseph Libbey, 1817-1855. person
associatedWith Forbes, James Alexander, 1804?-1881. person
associatedWith Foss, Ole Stampe. person
associatedWith Frémont, John Charles, 1813-1890, person
associatedWith Gillespie, Archibald H., 1812-1873. person
associatedWith Gindrup, Anna Christiana. person
associatedWith Gindrup, Anna Christina. person
associatedWith Guerrero, Francesco. person
associatedWith Hansen, Peter. person
associatedWith Hastings, Lansford Warren, 1819-ca. 1870. person
associatedWith Heitmann, Ludwig. person
associatedWith Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery. corporateBody
associatedWith Howard, William Davis Merry, 1819-1856. person
associatedWith Howard, William D. M. (William Davis Merry), 1818-1856. person
associatedWith Hudson's Bay Company. corporateBody
associatedWith Hyde, George, 1819-1890, person
associatedWith Janion, Robert C. person
associatedWith Jones, Elbert P. person
associatedWith Jones, John Coffin, 1796-1861. person
associatedWith Julia Ann (Schooner) corporateBody
associatedWith Larkin, Thomas Oliver, 1802-1858. person
associatedWith Leffingwell, William A. person
associatedWith Leidesdorff, Frederica Cordelia. person
associatedWith Leidesdorff, Frederika Christina. person
associatedWith Lick, James, 1796-1876. person
associatedWith Limantour, José Yves, d. 1885. person
associatedWith Martínez, Ignacio, 1774-1848. person
associatedWith Mason, R. B. (Richard Barnes), 1797-1850. person
associatedWith Mellus & Howard Company (San Francisco, Calif.) corporateBody
associatedWith Merrill, George A. (George Arthur), b. 1866. person
associatedWith Montgomery, John Berrien, b. 1794, person
associatedWith Morgan, John Edwin. person
associatedWith Norris, Thomas W. (Thomas Wayne). person
associatedWith Ogden, Peter Skene, 1790-1854, person
associatedWith Peachy, Archibald C., 1820-1883. person
associatedWith Pedroreno, Miguel. person
associatedWith Peralta, Antonio María, 1802- person
associatedWith Pickett, Charles E. (Charles Edward), 1820-1882. person
associatedWith Pico, Pío, 1801-1894. person
associatedWith Prudon, Victor. person
associatedWith Rancho de los Americanos. corporateBody
associatedWith Reading, Pierson Barton. person
associatedWith Rogers, Daniel. person
associatedWith Rossiĭsko-amerikanskai︠a ︡kompanii︠a,︡ corporateBody
associatedWith San Francisco (Calif.). Council. corporateBody
associatedWith San Francisco (Calif.). District. corporateBody
associatedWith San Francisco (Calif.). Mayor. corporateBody
associatedWith San Francisco. Town Council. corporateBody
associatedWith Savage, W. Sherman (William Sherman). person
associatedWith Semple, Robert B. (Robert Baylor), 1769-1831. person
associatedWith Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891. person
associatedWith Smith, Stephen, 1789-1855. person
associatedWith Spark, Anna Maria. person
associatedWith Sproul, Robert Gordon, 1891-1975. person
associatedWith Stevens, Daniel. person
associatedWith Stevens, F. C. person
associatedWith Stevenson, J. D. (Johathan Drake), 1800-1894, person
associatedWith Stevenson, J. D. (Jonathan Drake), 1800-1894, person
associatedWith Stockton, Robert Field, 1832-1918. person
associatedWith Sutter, John Augustus, 1803-1880. person
associatedWith Sutter, John Augustus, 1826-1897, person
associatedWith United States. Army. California Battalion of Mounted Riflemen. corporateBody
associatedWith Vallejo, Mariano Guadalupe, 1808-1890. person
associatedWith Vignes, Jean Louis, ca. 1779-1862. person
associatedWith Wilmerding School of Industrial Arts (San Francisco, Calif.) corporateBody
associatedWith Zacharie, James W. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
San Francisco (Calif.)
San Francisco (Calif.)
San Francisco (Calif.)
United States
California--San Francisco
California--Sacramento County
California
California--San Francisco
Subject
Bear Flag Revolt, 1846
Businessmen
Land tenure
Real property
Occupation
Activity

Person

Birth 1810-10-23

Death 1848-05-18

Spanish; Castilian,

English,

German,

French

Information

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SNAC ID: 48292075