San Joaquin County is one of the original 27 countiesCreated on February 18, 1850. Territory which at one time was in San Joaquin County is now in Stanislaus County. The County has had two Boundary Changes:
Most of San Joaquin County has been in the county since 1850.
Territory was in Sacramento County from 1850 to 1878 when it was added to San Joaquin County.
The County takes its name from the San Joaquin River. In the early 1800s Lieutenant Moraga, commanding an expedition in the lower great Central Valley of California, gave the name of San Joaquin (meaning Saint Joachim) to a rivulet that springs from the Sierra Nevada mountains and empties into Buena Vista Lake. The County Seat is Stockton . See also County History for more historical details.
San Joaquin County Cities Include Escalon, Lathrop, Lodi, Manteca, Ripon, Stockton, Tracy. CDPs(A census-designated place (CDP) is a type of place or area identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes)Include August, Country Club, Farmington, French Camp, Garden Acres, Kennedy, Lincoln Village, Linden, Lockeford, Morada, North Woodbridge, South Woodbridge, Taft Mosswood. Unincorporated Communities Include Banta, Mountain House, Victor
PLEASE READ FIRST!! Please call the clerk's department to confirm hours, mailing address, fees and other specifics before visiting or requesting information because of sometimes changing contact information. All Departments below can be contacted by clicking the link.NOTE: The record dates below are from the earliest date to present time.
San Joaquin County Clerk-Recorder's Officehas Birth Records from 1850, Marriage Records from 1850, Death Records from 1850 and , Land Records from 1850. The County Recorder-Clerk is responsible for examination and recording of all documents presented for recording that deal with establishing ownership of land in the County or as required by statute; administers the real property transfer tax law and maintains a permanent record and indexes of all documents for public viewing plus providing certified copies requested by the public; recording of all lawful documents such as deeds, deeds of trust, judgments, liens, affidavits, Uniform Commercial Code Financial Statements, etc; and the filing of Births, Deaths, and Marriages.
San Joaquin County Clerk of Superior Court has Probate Records from 1851 and Court Records from 1851. The county Superior Court clerk has probate books and files from the county's superior court, civil court records, and naturalizations. Divorces may be here or in the Recorders Office, depending on how it was filed.
Some early court records from the various courts may have been sent to the California State Archives. Besides court minutes and judgements, these records include tax lists, wills, deeds, estate inventories, and marriage bonds. The California State Archives has microfilm of selected county records, 1850–1919.
Below is a list of online resources for San Joaquin County Court Records. Email us with websites containing San Joaquin County Court Records by clicking the link below:
California Voter Registrations, 1900-1968: This database contains indexes to voter registration lists from various counties in California from 1900-1968. Information listed in these records includes: name of voter, age, address, occupation, and political affiliation.
California Passenger and Crew Lists, 1893-1957: This database is an index to passenger and crew lists of ships and some airplanes arriving at Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Pedro, and Ventura in the U.S. state of California, between 1893 and 1957. Information contained in the index includes name of passenger, their age, gender, ethnicity, nationality or last country of permanent residence, arrival date, port of arrival, port of departure, and ship name. If a name of a friend or relative whom the passenger was going to join with, or place of nativity was provided, that information is included as well.
San Francisco Ship Passenger Lists Vol. I [1850-1864]: The volume offered here is a reprint of the first volume in a series dealing with passenger arrivals at the port of San Francisco between 1850 and 1875, though this first volume contains a selection of passenger lists extending only though 1864.
San Francisco Ship Passenger Lists Vol. II [1850-1851]: Volume II is based on completely different sources than the first volume in the series, which covered the years 1850-1864, and it encompasses an additional 16,500 passenger arrivals at San Francisco Bay during the 20-month period from April 1850 to November 1851.
San Francisco Ship Passenger Lists. Vol. III: November 7, 1851 to June 17, 1852: Volume III covers a seven-month period during which approximately 25,000 persons arrived at the port of San Francisco--nearly 50% more than the number of arrivals for the preceding 18-month period covered in Volume II. The year 1852 witnessed a surge in migration to California, and this volume reflects the initial thrust of that surge.
Click Here to Search California Birth, Marriage & Death Records! - Birth, marriage, and death records are connected with central life events. They are prime sources for genealogical information. Look also for baptism, christening, and burial records in this collection.
California Department of Public Health, Office of Vital Records,
MS 5103, P.O. Box 997410, Sacramento, CA 95899-7410; (916) 445-2684. They have the following records:
Birth & Death Certificates: The state of California began issuing certificates for births and Deaths in July 1905. Birth and death records for current year events and one year prior are available from the county health department; records for all years are maintained by the county recorder.
If not, you should submit your request to the County Recorder’s Office in the county where the birth or death took place or order the birth / death certificate online through VitalChek.
Cost: $14.00 per birth certificate & $12.00 per death certificate.
Processing Time: 12-14 weeks when ordered by mail (Application for Birth or Death Certificate) or 2-5 Days when you order online
Marriage Certificates: The state of California began issuing certificates for marriages since July 1905, except for 1987 to 1995 (The state does not have indexes for the years 1987-1995 so you must request these from the county). Certified copies of public marriage records are available from both the California Office of Vital Records and the County Recorder’s Office in the county where the public marriage license was issued. However, the Office of Vital Records is limited in its ability to search the records, and it can take up to 2-3 years to obtain a certified copy from thier office. Therefore, we recommend that certified copies of public marriage records be requested directly from the County Recorder’s Office or online.
Cost: $13.00 per certificate.
Processing Time: 2-3 years when ordered by MAIL or 2-5 Days when you order online
Divorce Certificates: Certified copies are not available from State Health Department. Certified copies of actual divorce decrees are only available from the Superior Court in the county where the divorce was filed. The Office of Vital Records issues a Certificate of Record that includes only the names of the parties to the divorce, the county where the divorce was filed, and the court case number – it is not a certified copy of the divorce decree and does not indicate whether the divorce was ever finalized in court. The Office of Vital Records only has information for divorces that were filed with the court between 1962 and June 1984, and our processing times can take up to 2-3 years or Online with VitalChek.
Cost: $12.00 per certificate. Fee is for search and identification of county where certified copy can be obtained.
Processing Time: 2-3 years when ordered by MAIL or 2-5 Days when you order online
PLEASE READ!! A certified copy fee must accompany all requests for copies of vital records. Requests received without the appropriate fee will be returned to the sender. Make your check or money order payable to the Office of Vital Records. Checks must be drawn on a United States bank. Money orders must be drawn on a United States bank or issued by the United States Postal Service. Do not send cash. If no record is found, they will issue a Certificate of No Public Record and retain the fee for the search according to State law. Before submitting your application to the Office of Vital Records, please view the processing times to make sure they are acceptable for your needs.
Order On-Line: To obtain a certified copy of a vital record by on-line purchase with a credit card, please link to VitalChek
Below is a list of online resources for San Joaquin County Vital Records. Email us with websites containing San Joaquin County Vital Records by clicking the link below:
California Birth Index, 1905-1995: This database is an index to over 24.5 million births occurring in California between 1905 and 1995.
California Death Index, 1940-1997: his database is an index to the death records in State of California, USA, from 1940 through 1997. The database provides such valuable information as first, last and middle names of the descendants, birth dates, mother's maiden name, father's last name, sex, birth place, death place, residence at time of death, death date, social security number (when available), and the age of the individual when they died.
California Divorce Index, 1966-1984: This database is an index to over 3.5 million divorces that were filed in California (U.S.A.) from 1966-1984. Information that may be found in this database includes spouses' names, divorce date, and divorce county or city.
California Marriage Index, 1960-1985: This database contains a statewide index to over 4.8 million marriages that were performed in California between 1960 and 1985. Information that may be found in this database includes the bride's and groom's names, their ages, the marriage county, and the marriage date.
California Marriages, 1850-1877: This database contains information on individuals who were married in select areas of California between 1850 and 1960. Note that not all counties are included in this index and within the counties that are included not all years within the date range...
Below is a list of online resources for San Joaquin County Census Records. Email us with websites containing San Joaquin County Census Records by clicking the link below:
California Census, 1790-1890: This collection contains the following indexes: 1790 Census Substitute; 1850 Federal Census Index; 1860 Federal Census Index; 1870 Federal Census Index (excluding San Francisco County); 1870 San Francisco County Census Index; 1834 Census Index of Santa Barbara; 1890 Veterans Schedule; 1890 Naval Veterans Schedule.
California Antique Maps & Atlases has images of old American atlases during the years 1795, 1814, 1822, 1823, 1836, 1838, 1845, 1856, 1866, 1879 and 1897 for California and other states.
You can view rotating animated maps for California showing all the county boundaries for each census year overlayed with past and present maps so you can see the changes in county boundaries. You can view a list of maps for other states at Census Maps
You can view rotating animated maps for California showing all the county boundary changes for each year overlayed with past and present maps so you can see the changes in county boundaries . You can view a list of maps for other states and State Department of Transportation Maps at County Maps.
Below is a list of online resources for San Joaquin County Maps. Email us with websites containing San Joaquin County Maps by clicking the link below:
Click Here to Search California Military Records! - Military and civil service records provide unique facts and insights into the lives of men and women who have served their country at home and abroad.
The uses and value of military records in genealogical research for ancestors who were veterans are obvious, but military records can also be important to re-searchers whose direct ancestors were not soldiers in any war. The fathers, grandfathers, brothers, and other close relatives of an ancestor may have served in a war, and their service or pension records could contain information that will assist in further identifying the family of primary interest. Due to the amount of genealogical information contained in some military pension files, they should never be overlooked during the research process. Those records not containing specific genealogical information are of historic value and should be included in any overall research design. A list of Wars fought on American.
Below is a list of online resources for San Joaquin County Military Records. Email us with websites containing San Joaquin County Military Records by clicking the link below:
The U.S. Internal Revenue Service Assessment List for California, 1862–66, is available on thirty-three microfilm rolls at the California State Library in Sacramento. The lists include names, location and description of business, and tax rate for individuals taxed.
Similar to tax records in their yearly listing of residents are the “Great Register” of California, which are miscellaneous county voting registers that exist from the mid-nineteenth century. The registers were compiled and printed about every two years. Before 1900, they show name, address, and age (but the age may remain the same after a man's first entry). From about the mid-1800s, physical descriptions are included, but after the 1898 register, only the name, address, party affiliation, and sometimes occupation are listed.
Before 1892, the lists are county-wide, but usually alphabetical only by first letter or surname. They are particularly valuable for foreign-born voters, as the date and court of naturalization are listed. Copies of the "Great Registers," (1866–1944) are at the California State Library, which also has alphabetical card file abstracts for some of the earlier registers for San Francisco. Records from 1946 are with the individual county registrars of voters.
Below is a list of online resources for San Joaquin County Tax Records. Email us with websites containing San Joaquin County Tax Records by clicking the link below:
The Repositories
in this section are Archives, Libraries, Museums, Genealogical
and Historical Societies. Many County Historical and Genealogical
Societies publish magazines and/or news letters on a monthly,
quarterly, bi-annual or annual basis. Contacting the local societies
should not be over looked. State Archives and Societies are
usually much larger and better organized with much larger archived
materials than their smaller county cousins but they can be
more generalized and over look the smaller details that local
societies tend to have. Libraries can also be a good place to
look for local information. Some libraries have a genealogy
section and may have some resources that are not located at
archives or societies. Also, take a special look at any museums
in the area. They sometimes have photos and items from years
gone by as well as information of a genealogical interest. All
these places are vitally important to the family genealogist
and must not be passed over.
Below is a list of online resources for San Joaquin County Genealogical Addresses. Email us with websites containing San Joaquin County Genealogical Addresses by clicking the link below:
The California Historical Society, 678 Mission Street, San Francisco, California 94105; 415-357-1848 — voice; 415-357-1850 — fax; info@calhist.org — e-mail
California State Genealogical Alliance, 19765 Grand Avenue, Lake Elsinore, CA 92330
One way to access many local and county genealogical and historical societies is through the Alliance, which publishes its own newsletter.
California State Archives, Office of Secretary of State, 1020 O Street, Room 130, Sacramento, CA 95814; Reference Desk: (916) 653-2246; General Information: (916) 653-7715; FAX: (916) 653-7363; E-Mail:ArchivesWeb@sos.ca.gov
California Newspapers & Periodicals Records - Newspapers and periodicals are the diaries of local communities. They are excellent sources of family history details - often recorded nowhere else. Look for obituaries, marriages, legal notices, and more found in our Historical Newspaper Archives.
Click Here to Search California Obituary Records! - This database is a compilation of obituaries published in U.S. newspapers, collected from various online sources. Obituaries can vary in the amount of information they contain, but many of them are genealogical goldmines, including information such as names, dates, places of birth and death, marriage information, and family relationships.
There are no centralized repositories dealing with church records in California. Scattered records can be found in genealogical publications, the DAR compilations, and on microfilm. The Spanish missions have played a central role in California's religious history.
Printed secondary sources of transcribed cemeteries exist for most California counties. The California State Society of the DAR has collected hundreds of such records. Transcripts are housed both at the national DAR and with some local chapters and libraries.
Below is a list of online resources for San Joaquin County Cemetery & Church Records. Email us with websites containing San Joaquin County Cemetery & Church Records by clicking the link below:
Click Here to Search Califonia Family Tree Records! - The use of published genealogies, electronic files containing genealogical lineage, and other compiled sources can be of tremendous value to a researcher.
When view family trees online or not, be sure to only take the info at face value and always follow up with your own sources or verify the ones they provide. Below is a list of online resources for San Joaquin County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information. Email us with websites containing San Joaquin County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information by clicking the link below:
Genealogy Encyclopedia: General Abbreviations, Early Illnesses, Nickname Meanings, Worldwide Epidemics, Early Occupations, Common Terms, Censuses Explained, Free Genealogical Forms
Nichols and Related Families of Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virgina.
California Family & Local History Records - The Family & Local Histories Collection lets you read journals, memoirs, and other first-hand historical narratives right on your computer. Gathered from some of the world's finest libraries, these materials may provide hard-to-find town, county, and state information; tax records and wills; military, church, and court records; as well as photographs, stories, and maps.
California Pioneer Project - The California Pioneer List (CPL) is a list of settlers to California who migrated to or were born in California prior to 1880 (included in the 1880 California Census) and obtained from those sent (e-mailed) directly from individuals doing genealogical research.
Of all the substantial buildings erected in the late-19th-century boom years in Stockton ("destined to become the Chicago of the West," according to one writer at the time), the courthouse was the most impressive. Among its many marvels was a gas well "providing heat and light without cost to taxpayers" and a statue of Justice atop a dome that rose 172 feet above the street. The building was demolished in 1961 to make room for a new courthouse
Captain Charles M. Weber, the father of Stockton, the county-seat, and practically of San Joaquin County, was born in the Netherlands in 1814, came to America in 1836, and in 1841 to California,, with the Bartleson party, stopping first at Dr. Marsh's, near the east base of Mt. Diablo. During the ensuing winter he was an assistant of Captain Sutter at the fort, where he, with an eye to the future, cultivated friendly relations with José Jesus (pronounced hozay hasoos), the celebrated chief of the Siyakumna tribe, in this region. Seeing also that California would probably soon fall into the possession of the United States, he began in his calculations to cast his anchor in that direction.
In the spring he settled at San Jose, in mercantile business, in. partnership with Guillermo (William) Gulnac, a Mexican citizen. Not yet being naturalized himself, and desiring a tract of land, he persuaded Gulnac to obtain for him a grant, in his, Gulnac's, name. This grant was of about 44,000 acres of land, in the heart of what is now San Joaquin County, called Rancho del Campo de Los Franceses, whereon the city of Stockton now stands. Weber, however, did not move his residence upon this land until after the close of the Mexican war, in which he took a conspicuous part, for the United States. Moving upon the grant he proceeded to lay out a town, which he at first named Tuleburg, on account of the great quantity of rank tules in the vicinity. Soon afterward he named it Stockton, because Commodore Robert F. Stockton, while meeting him at Los Angeles during the war, made great promises as to what he would do in Congress for him by way of improving the navigation of the San Joaquin River, etc., but which were never fulfilled, and Weber was sorry afterward that he had named his pet village in his honor. Another name he had reserved for it was Castoria.
Weber was an exceedingly generous man, making many large donations to all the churches and schools, etc., although, especially toward the latter part of his life, his idiosyncrasies became rather conspicuous. Had he been as penurious as the average man he would have been worth hundreds of thousands of dollars more than he was at the time of his death, which occurred May 4, 1881. In 1850 he married Miss Helen Murphy, a member of the celebrated Murphy party of 1844, and they had three children, namely: Hon. C. M. Weber, who resides in the Santa Clara Valley, and is managing their vast estate there; Julia H. and T. J., residing at Stockton.
THE COUNTY
is probably the best part of the great San Joaquin Valley, and is characteristic of that level section of the country, being but twenty to 100 feet above the sea level. The lower portions are of adobe soil, which prevails mostly in the western part of the county, while the rest is more sandy. It has always been a great grain-raising section, but, like most other parts of California, it has of late years been drifting more into fruit-culture. All the fruits raised in California do well here, in streaks and spots, especially where irrigation can be had, for the county is greatly dependent upon this. Many artesian wells are in operation, and schemes are contemplated for the more thorough supply of water by canals from the mountains.
The digging of artesian wells has developed the fact that there is at least a thousand feet of "mountain wash" here, and that therefore the valley has, geologically speaking, been but recently elevated above the sea. But, to the surprise of the world, natural gas is found in the county, and already Stockton and other points are abundantly supplied with this most useful product.
San Joaquin County, where now live about 30,000 inhabitants, is the next south of Sacramento; is bounded on the east by Amador, Calaveras and Stanislaus, on the south by Stanislaus, and on the west by Contra Costa, Alameda and Santa Clara. The lines of latitude 38° north and longitude 121° 20' west cross near the center of the county.
Politically, this is one of the original counties of February 18, 1850. In 1860 a slice was taken off its southeastern corner and attached to Stanislaus County.
For the purpose of forming a State government, General Bennett Riley, by virtue of his office as Military governor, issued a proclamation in 1849, calling for a convention to frame a constitution, and dividing the Territory into districts in order that there be a fair geographical representation. The San Joaquin district comprised all the territory south of the Cosumnes River lying between the Coast Range and the Sierra Nevada mountains. The delegates elected were J. McH. Hollingsworth, O. M. Wozencroft, Thomas L. Vermeule, S. Lippincott, B. F. Moore, J. M. Jones, C. L. Peek, S. Halley, M. Fallon, B. Ogden, G. A. Pendleton, J. Ford, B. L. Morgan, Colonel Jackson and Walter Chapman,—only the first six named serving.
March 2, 1850, the county organized by the election of the following officers: Benjamin Williams, Judge; S. A. Booker, District Attorey; R. P. Ashe, Sheriff; A. C. Bradford, Clerk; A. A. Mix, Recorder; B. F. Whittier, Assessor; H. W. Aldin, Treasurer; Walter Herron, Surveyor; E. L. B. Brooks, Administrator; and J. B. Clements, Coroner. Some amusing anecdotes are related with reference to the looseness with which the election was conducted. At one place a game of "seven-up" was played to decide a question in regard to counting of certain votes!
The court of sessions was organized June 3, 1850, consisting of Judge Benjamin Williams, ex-officio, and the associate justices Harrison Amyx and O. C. Emory. This court proceeded to levy a tax on all merchants, brokers, owners of hotels, etc., for the purpose of creating a county fund. These business men were thus aroused into opposition by such an unusual poll tax, and excitement grew so strong that bloodshed seemed imminent; but, taking the second thought that they could easily indemnify themselves by raising the prices of their goods they calmed down.
The first court-house was completed in the spring of 1854, at a cost of $83,920, built of brick manufactured in the vicinity, and served until it was torn away in 1888 to make room for the erection of the present magnificent structure, at a cost of about $229,000, in 1890. The new jail when completed will cost about $60,000.
The county hospital is a fine institution just outside the city limits east. The main building, erected about 1879, cost nearly $11,000. Two wings have since been added, at a cost of $5,000 or $6,000 each. Present number of inmates, about 175, who are kept at an average cost to the county of 42½ cents per day.
The first railroads in the county were the "Stockton & Copperopolis" and the Western Pacific, both built in 1869, the same year that the great trans-continental line was completed to Sacramento. The Western Pacific, afterward the Central Pacific, was the line from Sacramento through Stockton to San Jose. As usual there was a deal of underhanded work, delay and waste of funds, and even the citizens of Stockton themselves overreached when they imposed so great burdens upon the Central Pacific Company in 1869 that they lost the junction now at Lathrop. The "San Joaquin & Sierra Nevada" narrow-gauge road, running from the northwestern corner of the county to Burson in Calaveras County, was completed to the latter point in 1885. All these roads are now operated by the great Southern Pacific Company.
CHAPTER I - SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY THE GATEWAY OF THE VALLEY - The Valley Gateway—The Inland Sea—Nature, the Soil Builder—The Work Complete—The Spring Floods—The Tule Land—Fish Aplenty—The Underground Springs—A Climate Unsurpassed—Varieties of Soil.
CHAPTER II - THE FIRST LANDOWNERS - Indians Everywhere Found—Name and Location of Tribes—Their Food Supply—Indians versus Bears — Physical Appearance—Indian Wikiups — Their Clothing — Courtship and Marriage— Woman's Degraded Position—Childbirth—Form of Government—Famous Chiefs—Estanislao, the Warrior Chief—His Fight with Soldiers—He Defeats General Vallejo—Jose Jesus, the White Man's Friend—The Indian's Religion—The Sweat House—The Ravages of Disease—A Night of Mourning—Disposal of Their Dead—A Sorrowing People—Calaveras River, How Named—An Extinct Race—A Brutal Law—The Barr Collection.
CHAPTER III - THE DAWN OF CIVILIZATION - Moraga Discovers the San Joaquin Valley—Hunters and Trappers—The Trail of John C. Fremont —First Family in San Joaquin—Captain Charles M. Weber—El Campo de los Franceses— Weber's Treaty with the Indians—Indians Kill James Lindsay—The Murder Avenged—Gulnac Sells His Half of Grant—Weber Again Tries to Locate Settlers—Tuleberg's First Inhabitants— Indian Raids.
CHAPTER IV - THE DISCOVERY OF GOLD - Marshall Discovers Gold—Great Excitement at Tuleberg—The Stockton Mining Company— Stockton's First Mercantile Store—The First Murder—The First Merchants—Christmas and July 4th—The Great Fire on Christmas, 1849—Stockton a Lively Burg—The Rush of '49—The Population of State, County and City.
CHAPTER V - COUNTY ORGANIZATION AND LAND GRANTS - The Mexican War—The Rush to California—First Constitutional Convention—Fight to Seat Delegates—San Joaquin County Elects Senators—The Van Buren-Fair Contest—Resignation of Assemblyman—Boundary of County—Origin of Name San Joaquin—The County Land Grants—-Settlers Fight with Southern Pacific—First County Election—Citizens Oppose Taxation—The People Score the Court—Creation of Townships—Staten Island—Efforts to Divide County—The Scheme a Failure—Court House Square and Title—The Court House and City Hall—The Old Time Dirt Roads—Beginning of Good Highways—The Father of Good Roads—The Educational Campaign—The Result.
CHAPTER VI - BUSINESS DAYS AND BUSINESS WAYS - The Rush to California—Mountain and Valley Population—The Magic City—Stockton's Business Center—Benjamin F. Cheatham—Importation and Exportation of Merchandise—Food Prices— Business Losses—Foreign Miners' Tax—Ships Block the Harbor—The Brig Adelaide—Great Fires in History—The Era of Frame Buildings—Fire of July 30, 1855—Fire of February, 1855—Fire Limit Ordinance—The Spectacular Fire of 1864—A Block of Fire Traps—A Horrible Death— Destruction of City Property—Building Progress—The First Up-to-Date Buildings—Merchants and Their Locations in 1864.
CHAPTER VII - COMMERCIAL EVENTS UP TO 1869 - South Stockton—The Pioneer Steamer—Criminal Neglect of Life—Explosion of Steamer Stockton —The American Eagle on Fire—The Mosquito Fleet—Excitement Over Steamboat Competition Merchants' Steamboat Company—The Project a Failure—Merchants’ Social Customs—State Telegraph Established—Stockton Boys Learn Telegraphy — An Enthusiastic Editor — Atlantic Cable Celebration—Advertisements and Boycotting—Early Auctioneers—A Wild Horse Sale—The Drayman on Duty.
CHAPTER VIII - EARLY DAY TRANSPORTATION - The Pioneer Ferryman—First River Ferry Boat—Heath & Emory Ferry—The Benson Ferry Tragedy—Woods Ferry—The Fighting Ferryman — The Staples Ferry—Bridges of County — Stockton the Mining Depot—The Mule of Commerce—A Pack Mule Train—First Freighting Business—The Mogul Teamsters—The Commission Merchants—China John—Prairie Schooners— Hauling Big Loads—Expert Mule Drivers—The Bell Mule Team—Heavy Freight Shipments— Miners Short of Food—The Road Stations—The Camping Ground—Highwaymen Hold Up Stages —Decrease of Mining Population—The Copper Excitement—Teamsters' Association—Marrying the Mountain Maids—Staging to the Mines—Fisher Brothers' Stage Line—The Live Yankee Stage Man—The Coaches and Routes—Overland Mail Line.
CHAPTER IX - JUSTICE COURTS—SQUATTERS—MOB LAW - Respect for Law—A Riot of Crime—Courts and Law—David S. Terry's First Duel—The Stocktons Alcaldes—Tragic Death of Alcalde Belt—Punishment for Crime—The Chain Gang—A Fake Shakespearean Actor—Judge Reynolds Holds Court in Saloon—The Prison Brig Susanna—Heavy Jail Expenses — Market Street Jail — Imperfect Land Titles — The First Squatters — A Rough-handed Proceeding—The Battle of Waterloo—The Comstock Affair—A Mob Law Court—Russell, the Sydney Duck—The Vigilance Committee.
CHAPTER X - THE MAYOR AND THE COMMON COUNCIL - Necessity of Law—The Unfortunate Town Council—Preliminary City Government Meeting— Report on City Government—Judge Williams Orders an Election—A Nonpartisan Ticket—First City Election—Samuel Purdy and David S. Terry—The First City Survey—Laying Off a Big City—Naming the Streets—The Flood of 1852—Reception to Peter Rothenbush—The Bridgers and Diggers—Mayor Kenney's Administration—Assassination of William A. Brown—Disposal of the Dead—The City Burial Place—J. M. Burlington's Administration—The City Rents Property —Victory of the American Party—A Banker for Mayor—Deserting the Democratic Party— Mayor Bours' Farewell Message.
CHAPTER XI - THE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT - The Fire Heroes—Social and Civic Leaders—Preliminary Organization of the Department—The First Hook and Ladder Truck—The Weber Bucket Company—Organization of Weber Engine Company—City Buys Fire Engine—Protection No. 1 Organized—Reorganization of Weber Company—The New Yorkers Secede—The Eurekas' Housewarming—The Button & Smith Engine—San Joaquin No. 3—The Firemen's Favorite Daughter—Presentation of Diamond Pin—A Gift of Banners—Howard Engine Company Visits Stockton—Eurekas Make a Return Visit— Patriotic Firemen—The Weber's Flag Pole—First Steam Fire Engine—Dedication of Engine House—The Horse-Drawn Steamer—The City Fire Wells—"Old Betsey"—Members of Weber Engine Company—The Young Fire Volunteers—Water Playing Contests—Eureka Members— Marshall Hook and Ladder—Members of Protection No. 1 — The Eureka Serenaders — The Double-Deck Engines—The Eureka Association—Eureka Steam Fire Engine—"The Day We Celebrate"—Decoration of Graves—The Fire Bell—The Babcock Chemical Engine—San Francisco Exempts Visit Stockton—Stockton Exempts—Bad Morale of Fire Department—The Paid Department in Politics—The Splendid Department of Today.
CHAPTER XII - TEN YEARS OF DEMOCRACY - California a Free State—The Congressional Fight—The Slavery Question—First County Convention—Ben F. Moore, Lawyer and Fighter—Purdy Whips an Editor—Party Hatred—Sheriff Nominees and Election—Democratic Convention of 1853—Campaign Speakers at Stockton—The Bigler Campaign—George Kerr, State Printer—The American or Know-Nothing Party—The Campaign of 1855—Terry Deserts His Party—The Know-Nothing Victory—Henry A. Crabb— His Tragic Death—Judge Weir, the Filibuster—Crabb's Fugitive Slave Law—The Sale of a Slave —David S. Terry Stabs Hopkins—The Democratic Rallying Song—United Whigs and Democrats—The Republican State Organization—Republican County Organization—First Republican County Ticket—Democrats Again Win—An Exciting Campaign—The United Democracy— Terry's Abusive Speech—The Republican Convention—Reception to Latham—The Death of Broderick—The Farcical Murder Trial of Terry.
CHAPTER XIII - THE FOREIGN POPULATION - America the Melting Pot—Stockton's Foreign Population—The Mexican People—The Mexican Home—Occupation of the Men—Expert Horsemen and Thieves—Joaquin Murietta—Organization of Outlaws—The Capture and Death of Murietta—The Fandango or Spanish Dance—The Cascarone Ball—Hanging of Judas—The Flour Battle—Rooster Pulling—Jewish Occupations and Characteristics—Building a Synagogue—A Hebrew Marriage—The Jewish Place of Burial—The Oppenheimer Duel—The Jewish Reform Movement—Dedication of the Temple—Arrival of Chinese—An Outrageous Affair—Burning of Chinatown—Persecution of Chinese—A Tong War—The Joss House—A Chinese Funeral—The Chinese New Year.
CHAPTER XIV - THE PROGRESS OF CHRISTIANITY - The First Sermon Preached in Stockton—Arrival of Protestant Pastors—A Noisy Church Service—Whisky Barrels for Seats—Organization of the Church—Captain Weber Donates a Lot— Dedication of Church—A Strenuous Life—A Handsome Brick Church—The Presbyterian Choir— East Side Presbyterian Church—Grace Methodist Episcopal Church—Christian Church or Disciples of Christ—The Church Choir—The Congregationalists—Celebration of Forefathers Day— First Baptist Church—Elder Knapp—A Baptist Church Secession—The Episcopalians—St. Mary's Catholic Church—San Joaquin Cemetery—Memorial to Father O'Connor—Central Methodist Church—People's Temple—German Churches—Colored Congregations—Unitarian Society— The Christian Science Church—The Hindu Temple.
CHAPTER XV - SAVED TO THE UNION - Slavery and State's Rights—Secession Threats—Birth of the Republican Party—New Year's Day, 1860—City Election of 1860—The Fourth of July, 1860—State and National Democratic Conventions—Abraham Lincoln for President—Local Campaign of 1860—Election of 1860—Talk of a Pacific Republic—Bear and Secession Flags—Washington's Birthday—Secession News from the South—War News and City Election—The Famous Woodbridge Meeting—Republican County Convention—The Fourth of July, 1861—The Secessionist Pastor—State Democratic Convention— Budd-Underhill Debate—Exciting Meetings at Woodbridge and Liberty—Tyler's Assault on Budd—Republican Campaign Eve of Election—Union Men Rejoice—County Convention—Hook's Sensational Speech—Union Clubs Formed—News of Gettysburg and Vicksburg—Campaign of 1863—Fall of Atlanta—State Campaign of 1864—Loyal Business Men—Close of the War— Assassination of Lincoln.
CHAPTER XVI - HOTELS OF OTHER DAYS - Baltimore House—Eagle Hotel—Dickenson House—Stockton House—The Magnolia—New York Hotel—Crescent City Hotel—Golden Lion Hotel—The Gault House—United States Hotel-----Stockton Bakery Hotel—The Cottage Home—The Weber House—The Yosemite House—Hotel Stockton and Hotel Clark.
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