All ranchos: Ranchos of California (Univ. of California at Berkeley)
Tehama county: Los Rancheros of N. California
Wilhelm Benitz
Rancho Real Estate Transactions
(1841-1867, ages 26-52 years)
(Last updated: Sunday June 07, 2009)
In the table below we list Wilhelm's real estate transactions on file at the Sonoma County Recorder's Office, plus some we know of from elsewhere. His real estate transactions in Alameda County (i.e. Oakland) are in a separate table (see menu). We have not yet researched his business transactions, of which we are certain there are many, in other counties, in particular in the California counties Tehama & Shasta (i.e. Rancho New Breisgau) and Nevada (mining), and in the state of Nevada in Washoe county (mining).
During his first ten years at Fort Ross (1845-1855), Wilhelm was active acquiring and selling properties, essentially building up his capital. During the mid-1850's he consolidated his holdings: selling his share in Rancho Herman, buying out his partner in Fort Ross, and settling his ownership issues over New Breisgau. During his last ten years at Fort Ross (1855-1866) he concentrated his activities on Fort Ross, operating it as a business enterprise.
Wilhelm did very well for himself when you consider that when he arrived at Sacramento in 1843 he was, if not penniless, close to it. Twenty years later (1867) he sold his Fort Ross real estate for $64,000 (more than $1,150,000 USD-2000). His total capital worth was likely much more, for example we don't know when he sold his investments in Agua Caliente, Rancho Jonive, and Rancho New Breisgau, nor do we know the value of his other investments, such as in mines.
Letters:
His letters of that period sketch his growng capital, largely amassed through real estate transactions. Basically he and his partners (Ernest Rufus and Charles Meyer) obtained property for little or nothing (Mexican grants) and sold them for considerable profit. He also made good money from his farming and ranching operations at Fort Ross, through the sale of agricultural products and livestock to the markets in the Bay area.
The monetary amounts in his letters are quite often larger than those in the official documents, possibly because he includes other expenses such as lawyers. Also, he sometimes rounded the numbers. We include here pertinent quotes from his letters, concentrating on his real estate transactions:
27 June ’53:
My partner and I have 2 camps [ranches], one of 20.000 acres [Fort Ross] and one of 11.000 [Rancho Herman?]; the latter we have sold for $26.500.- but the one we still have is much more valuable. I have lived there for 10 years already. I have another property of 25.000 acres up the Sacramento river, which belongs to me alone and which was given to me by the Spanish Government. I have named this piece of land "New Breisgau" this having also been inserted in the map. Till next spring it will be decided whether I remain here or not; in the first case I will keep Fort Ross and New Breisgau; besides I have invested $36.000.- which give me $500.- a month.
8 March ’55:
Times are getting worse out here. Two weeks ago, the banks stopped their payments. I also have, with my partner Meyer, $14.400.- in them, not knowing whether we will get it back or not. I am losing money besides, because you can feel the scarcity in all business. I an also losing my camp on the Sacramento, New Breisgau of 22.000 acres. The American government has acquired (?) this land, but there will be an appeal.
I have bought my partner's half of the camp [Fort Ross] and owe him $22.500.- to be paid on the lst. of May.
22 Sep ’56:
I lost $12.000.- in cash and 14.500 acres of land at New Breisgau, where they left me 7.500 ac.
Of course I could not economise anything during these last three years, but to the contrary had big losses. Still I could lend out $25.000.- and there is no danger either in other respects.
4 Sept ’58:
The wages will have risen over there too (ever 12 Kreuzer)? I pay my cook $40.- (100 Gulden) a month. If I had the idea to remain here, I would have advised you long ago to come, but I can not sell so soon. I want now $100.000.- for Fort Ross as it is; my camp [ranch] has been measured, it consists of 17.500 acres, and my new ranch at New Breisgau will soon be decided upon; there are another 6.750 acres. In my opinion these places will be worth double price in three years. Also my life-stock will do doubled by that time.
18 Jan ’63:
Three years ago I had a lawsuit which cost me $8.000. It was on account of my camp; somebody covetted it, but I won the lawsuit, less the $8000.-
Additional information:
The following websites provide useful background information:
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All ranchos: Ranchos of California (Univ. of California at Berkeley) |
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Tehama county: Los Rancheros of N. California |
List of Real Estate Transactions:
Bear in mind that early property descriptions were made using land marks, their sizes approximated within boundaries defined by a river, mountain range, or a particular tree. The deeds use a mix of terms for the same unit of land area (see our page on Measures):
|
1 sitio de ganado mayor = California league = Spanish league = league = 4,340.2 acres = 1,756.5 hectareas |
|
1 acre = 0.4047 hectareas |
|
1 vara = 33 inches = 0.8382 meters |
|
1 California league = 2.6 miles = 4.2 km. |
|
18xx |
Property |
Ac./Ha. |
Total $ |
WB Out |
WB In |
WB Net |
Partners |
Type |
From/To |
Other Party |
| Agua Caliente (Sonoma) | ||||||||||
|
13-Sep-47 |
1 mile square of land English measure |
640 a. 259 h. |
$2,000 |
1,000 |
|
|
Ernest Rufus William Bennett |
Deed? |
Seller: |
Jacob Dopken |
|
|
Same |
|
$0 |
|
0 |
|
|
|
Buyer: |
** MISSING ** |
|
|
Total: |
|
|
1,000 |
0 |
-1,000 |
|
|
|
|
| Rancho Herman (Sonoma) | ||||||||||
|
1846 |
Grant: 5 sitios de ganado mayor, bounded on north and east by Gualala river, west by Pacific Ocean. [True size: approx. 3 sitios] |
21,701 a. 8,782 h. |
$0 |
|
|
|
Ernest Rufus |
Grant |
Grantor: |
Mexican Governor Pío Pico |
|
1846 |
1 sitio de ganado mayor |
4,340 a. 1,756 h. |
$0 |
|
|
|
Ernest Rufus |
Gift |
Gift to: |
Frederick Huguls |
|
1846 |
1 sitio de ganado mayor |
4,340 a. 1,756 h. |
$0 |
|
|
|
Ernest Rufus |
Gift |
Gift to: |
William Bihler? |
|
08-Jun-49 |
3 of the original 5 sitios de ganado mayor (Mexican leagues) |
13,020 a. 5,269 h. |
$1,000 |
500 |
|
|
Chas.
Meyer |
Indenture (see New Breisgau) |
Seller: |
Ernest Rufus |
|
08-Jul-49 |
1 Spanish league NW part |
4,340 a. 1,756 h. |
$1 |
1 |
|
|
Charles Meyer |
Quit Claim |
Seller: |
Frederick Huguls |
| 1853 | First payment on sale of 2 & 1/4 leagues? Total price was $26,500 per letter of 27 June '53. |
-- |
$11,100 | 5,550 |
Charles Meyer William Bennitz |
Letter: 27 June '53 |
Buyer: |
Charles Wagner ? |
||
|
04-Jun-55 |
NW part: 2 & 1/4 Spanish league +/-, plus all cattle & horses branded by Meyer, Bennitz, Jim Davison, Henry Hegeler, and Frederick Hügel. |
9,765 a. 3,952 h. |
$15,000 |
|
7,500 |
|
Charles Meyer |
Indenture |
Buyer: |
Charles Wagner |
|
18-Apr-62 |
Bounded on north & east by Gualala river, west by Pacific |
-- |
$1 |
|
1 |
|
Charles J. Meyer |
Indenture (Quit Claim) |
Buyer: |
William Bihler |
| 3/4 Spanish league, difference between bought & sold |
3,255 a. 1,317 h. |
$0 |
|
0 |
|
Charles Meyer |
|
Buyer: |
** MISSING ** |
|
|
|
Total: |
|
|
501 |
13,051 |
12,550 |
|
|
|
|
| Rancho Jonive | ||||||||||
|
25-Jan-59 |
Detailed description |
|
$3,000 |
3,000 |
|
|
William Benitz |
Indenture |
Seller: |
William M. Gillespie |
|
|
Same |
|
$0 |
|
0 |
|
|
|
Buyer: |
** MISSING ** |
|
|
Total: |
|
|
3,000 |
0 |
-3,000 |
|
|
|
|
| Rancho Muñiz (Sonoma) | ||||||||||
| Mar-1812 | Fort Ross [Rossiia colony] established, approx. 1 by 2 miles |
1,300 a. 525 h. |
Tools & trinkets |
-- | -- | -- | Ivan A. Kuskov |
Permission |
Grantors: |
Kashaya group, Pomo native people |
| Dec-1841 | 2 contracts, #1 unofficial: coast land from Point Reyes to Cape Mendocino (190 x 12 miles, 300 x 20 km.). #2 official: All Russian assets (buildings, livestock, implements) but no land. |
Unofficial 1500,000 a. 600,000 h. Official no land |
$30,000 |
-- | -- | -- | Johann A. Sutter |
Installment Contract |
Seller: |
Alexander Rotchev, manager of the colony |
| 04-Dec-45 | 4 leagues of land +/-: Bounded on the south by the Russian River, west by Pacific Ocean, east by Coast Range of mountains [Fort Ross] |
17,360 a. 7,026 h. |
-- |
-- | -- | -- | Manuel Torres |
Grant |
Grantor: |
Mexican Governor Pío Pico |
|
17-May-51 |
4 leagues of land +/-: Bounded on the south by the Russian River, west by Pacific Ocean, east by Coast Range of mountains [Fort Ross] |
17,360 a. 7,026 h. |
$5,000 |
0 |
|
|
Charles Meyer |
Agreement |
Seller: |
Manuel Torres |
| 1-May-55 | Same 4 leagues of land | -- | 22,500 | 22,500 | William Benitz |
Letter: 8 March '55 |
Seller: | Charles Meyer | ||
|
11-Aug-55 |
Same 4 leagues of land |
-- |
$1 |
1 |
|
|
William Bennitz |
Indenture (Quit Claim) |
Seller: |
Charles Meyer |
|
13-Apr-57 |
Same 4 leagues of land |
-- |
$5,000 |
5,000 |
|
|
William Bennetz |
Indenture |
Seller: |
Manuel Torres |
|
24-Nov-57 |
1mile Spanish square (1,666 varas square) |
479 a. 194 h. |
$3,000 |
|
3,000 |
|
William Bennitz |
Indenture |
Buyer: |
James
M. Small |
|
05-Nov-59 |
Same 4 leagues of land |
17,360 a. 7,026 h. |
$6,000 |
6,000 |
|
|
William Bennitz |
Indenture (Quit Claim) |
Seller: |
John A. Sutter |
|
05-Nov-59 |
Legal expenses? Difference between Quit Clain and $8,000 per letter of: 18 Jan.'63. |
-- |
$2,000 |
2,000 |
|
|
William Benitz |
Letter: 18 Jan. '63 |
Expenses: |
Lawyers ? |
|
04-Feb-60 |
Same 4 leagues of land, now 17,760.75 acres, based upon US survey approved 4 Oct., 1859. |
17,761 a. 7,188 h. |
-- | -- | -- | -- |
Manuel Torres |
Patent |
Issued by: |
US Board of Land Commissioners |
|
11-Aug-60 |
SE corner, along Russian River up to Sheep Rancho Creek |
1,500 a. 607 h. |
$3,000 |
|
3,000 |
|
William Benitz |
Indenture |
Buyer: |
John
Orr |
|
23-Jul-63 |
Mineral rights: 3/4 rights to a mineral ledge |
-- |
$0 |
|
0 |
|
William Benitz |
Agreement |
Buyer: |
W.W.
Hudspeth & partners |
|
21-Nov-63 |
Mineral rights: 9/10 proceedings for only right to prospect for coal southern half of Rancho Mooney for 10 years |
-- |
$0 |
|
0 |
|
Wm. Benitz |
Agreement |
Buyer: |
Trustees of the Fort Ross Coal Mine Co. |
|
03-Apr-65 |
Mineral rights: 9/10 mineral rights |
-- |
$1 |
|
1 |
|
William Benitz |
Agreement |
Buyer: |
Trustees of the Fort Ross Mining Company |
|
03-Apr-65 |
Mineral rights: 9/10 proceedings for only right to prospect for all minerals north half of Rancho Mooney for 10 years |
-- |
$1 |
|
1 |
|
William Benitz |
Agreement |
Buyer: |
F.W.
Shattuck |
|
02-Jul-66 |
SE corner along Russian River from Sheep Rancho Creek. |
1,907 a. 772 h. |
$7,500 |
|
7,500 |
|
William Bennitz |
Indenture |
Buyer: |
Arthur
Thing |
|
28-Aug-66 |
215 acres (in Timber Cove), grant to bro-in-law |
215 a. 87 h. |
$0 |
|
0 |
|
William Benitz |
Indenture (Grant) |
Gift to: |
John Kolmer |
|
28-Aug-66 |
502 acres (in Timber Cove) next to Kolmer |
502 a. 203 h. |
$1,500 |
|
1,500 |
|
Wm. Benitz |
Indenture |
Buyer: |
Wm. R.
Miller |
|
28-Aug-66 |
NW 103 acres (in Timber Cove?) |
103 a. 42 h. |
$0 |
|
0 |
|
Wm. Benitz |
Indenture (Grant) |
Gift to: |
Franziska Blanchard |
|
01-Mar-67 |
North half (+/-) |
7,000 a. 2,833 h. |
$30,000 |
|
30,000 |
|
William Benitz |
Indenture |
Buyer: |
James Dixon |
|
03-Apr-67 |
Remaining south half (+/-) excluding that sold to others. |
7,000 a. 2,833 h. |
$25,000 |
|
25,000 |
|
William Benitz |
Indenture |
Buyer: |
Charles J. Fairfax |
|
20-Sep-73 |
North half orig. sold to Dixon. |
2,500 a. 1,012 h. |
$1 |
|
1 |
|
William Bennitz |
Indenture (Quit Claim) |
Buyer: |
George W. Call |
|
|
Total: |
|
|
$35,501 |
$70,003 |
34,502 |
|
|
|
|
| New Breisgau (Shasta) | ||||||||||
|
26-Jul-44 |
Grant: 5 sitios de ganado mayor, bounded on the west by Sacramento River, and on the east by the sierra, straddling Battle Creek. [True size: approx. 3.5 sitios] |
21,701 a. 8,782 h. |
$0 |
0 |
|
|
William Benitz |
Grant |
Grantor: |
Mexican Governor Manuel Micheltorena |
| 26-Mar-50 | Undivided 1/2 share (exchanged for a share of Rancho Hermann - Shasta Co. Book of Deeds E: 505) |
21,701 a. 8,782 h. |
$0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | William Benitz | Exchange | Buyer: | Ernest Rufus |
|
1856 |
2/3 of property, expropriated. (See transcript of his petition.) |
14,467 a. 5,855 h. |
$0 |
|
0 |
|
William Benitz |
Letter: 22 Sep. '56 |
Expropriator: |
US Land Commission |
|
1856 |
Legal expenses of attempt to retain title? |
-- |
$12,000 |
12,000 |
|
|
William Benitz |
Letter: 22 Sep. '56 |
Expenses: |
Lawyers ? |
|
|
1/3 of property, retained (exact extent currently unknown). |
7,234 a. 2,927 h. |
$0 |
|
0 |
|
William Benitz |
|
Buyer: |
** MISSING ** |
|
|
Total: |
|
|
12,000 |
0 |
-12,000 |
|
|
|
|
| Town of Sonoma | ||||||||||
|
09-Apr-49 |
Lot #19; 109 varas square +/- |
2.05 a. 0.83 h. |
$1,200 |
1,200 |
|
|
William Benitz |
Indenture |
Seller: |
L. & F. Hegermann |
|
15-Jan-57 |
Same |
|
$1,500 |
|
1,500 |
|
William Benitz |
Indenture |
Buyer: |
Charles Van Geldern |
|
|
Total: |
|
|
1,200 |
1,500 |
300 |
|
|
|
|
| Town of Sonoma | ||||||||||
|
|
Lot #34; Orig. bought from Blume. |
2.05 a. 0.83 h. |
$0 |
0 |
|
|
William Benitz |
Indenture |
Seller: |
Blume |
|
12-Jul-73 |
Same |
|
$1 |
|
1 |
|
William Bennitz |
Indenture (Quit Claim) |
Buyer: |
Friederike Fichler |
|
|
Total: |
|
|
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
| Town of Sonoma | ||||||||||
|
21-Jan-50 |
Lot #199; 109 varas square +/- |
2.05 a. 0.83 h. |
$9 |
9 |
|
|
Wm. Bennett |
Deed |
Seller: |
Wm. M. Fuller (alcalde/mayor) |
|
08-Feb-50 |
Same |
|
$200 |
|
200 |
|
Wm. Bennett |
Deed |
Buyer: |
Joshua A. Brackett |
|
|
Total: |
|
|
9 |
200 |
191 |
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL: |
53,211 | 84,755 | 31,544 | |||||||
|
|
Final sale 1866-1867: |
|
|
|
64,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
