Capt. William A. RICHARDSON

 

Capt. William A. RICHARDSON was one of the first settlers of English or American blood located in San Francisco.  He was a pioneer of pioneers and a brief recital of his career brings up some of the most interesting historical events and associations of the old Presidio which historically was the beginning of settlement by European races on the Bay of San Francisco.

 

His father was a rich land owner in England and William A. was born in London.  He was educated there and as a youth went to sea.  His first visit to San Francisco occurred in 1822.  He engaged in trading in hides and tallow, and lightered these supplies out of the Bay in small boats to the ocean-going ships that lay outside.  At that time none of the regular ocean liners came into the Bay.  Later, Captain RICHARDSON had the distinction of piloting the first deep sea ship to enter the San Francisco Bay, landing it at Sausalito.  He did trading for several years and in the meantime acquired large tracts of land in Marin County.  On this land he raised horses and cattle.  He also owned two blocks now incorporated in the Presidio, the United States Military Reserve.  When he first saw San Francisco, the Presidio was the center of the little garrets maintained by the Mexican government.  He sent a boatload of lumber to build the first wharf at San Diego, taking this from Mendecino County.  He also operated a barge from Sausalito to San Francisco, carrying fresh water for the city.  For a time he lived in a tent on what is now Dupont Street near Clay.  He came to know all of the California coast country by his business travels.  Once he made a trip to Los Angeles by horseback.  He brought back with him three chickens, and having missed one of the fowl one morning and noticing the bear track, he secured some Indians and tracked the animal to what is now the Mission and killed it.

 

Capt. William A. RICHARDSON died at San Francisco in 1856. At the Mission Dolores he married a daughter of Ignatius MARTINUS, the first commander of the Presidio under the Mexican government.  To this union were born three children.  Maryanna, born April 9, 1826, was the first white girl born at Presidio.  Stephen, the second child, was born in 1831.  The third child, Frank died in early manhood. All the family were Catholics.

 

The son Stephen, now living in San Francisco, is ninety-two years of age and is the oldest native son in California.  He is a member of Mount Tamalpais Parlor of the Native Sons of the Golden West.  For many years he conducted a ranch in Marin County.  By his marriage to Mary GORDON, he became the father of five children: Stella, who died in infancy; William, of San Francisco; Thomas of Oakland, Josephine and Mary of San Francisco.

 

Maryanna RICHARDSON, the only daughter of Captain RICHARDSON, was married to Manuel TORRES.  Her husband was born in Lima, Peru, January 1, 1826 and came to California in 1842 on a merchant ship with his brother-in-law, Captain SMITH, who had a large ranch in Sonoma County.  Manuel TORRES took charge of this ranch, raising horses, cattle and potatoes, and at one time employed 300 Indians.  He was one of the first settlers in Sonoma County and owned extensive holdings there until his death in 1910.  His wife died in 1908.  Manuel TORRES operated the Estudillo House in San Leandro, and also the Marin Hotel in San Rafael.  He is a staunch democrat and twice elected a member of the California General Assembly.  Manuel TORRES and wife were the parents of six children; Manuel S., who died when forty-eight years of age; Ruth M. who became the wife of Col. F.E. BECK, of San Francisco; Jane Josephine, deceased wife of George W. DAVIS, former county clerk of Marin County; Alfred of San Francisco; Charles E., who resides at 233 Clayton Street in San Francisco, and Albert, also of San Francisco.