Title: Autograph Document Signed - 1852 Founding the city of Alameda
Author: Chipman, William W.
Description: 1 pp.A legal deposition by Chipman, prominent San Francisco land lawyer, for conveyance of a 320-acre tract of land to his brother Edward, “for the purpose of making a permanent settlement thereon”. Notarized by another pioneer lawyer, and later Judge, T.W. Freelon. A significant document in the history of the city of Alameda, which was originally part of the massive Peralta family Rancho. In 1850, Peralta leased this shady peninsula fronting on the Bay, with its coastal oak forest that hunters and trappers found occupied by coyotes, quail, rabbits and deer to two Frenchmen seeking firewood for the growing city across the water; but after a few months, they sub-leased much of it to lawyer Chipman and his partner, who pitched a tent and laid plans for a town. Chipman soon bought the entire peninsula from Peralta for $14,000 (becoming, incidentally, Peralta’s lawyer) and built the first house on what was to become the Township of Alameda. In September 1852, weeks before he wrote this document, Chipman partitioned off 4-acre lots which he put up for sale for $80 each. At the same time, Congress passed a law authorizing the State of California to sell 500,000 acres of unoccupied federally-owned lands, proceeds from these “School Land Warrants” to fund the state’s first public school system. Chipman bought several 160 and 320-acre warrants, probably related to his other Alameda land holdings. For some shadowy legal reason, he conveyed these to his younger brother - who actually lived in Ohio, knew nothing about the land deals, and did not move to California until 1855. This “conveyance” later prompted years of litigation, but, nevertheless, played its part in the development of Alameda by Chipman, who may rightly be called Alameda’s Founding Father.
Heading: (California Gold Rush)Place Published: San Francisco
Publisher:
Date Published: Oct. 13, 1852

Very light wear from handling; very good.