A historically interesting early deed from the pioneer days of San Joaquin County (incorporated in 1850), California.

Quarto (ca. 25 x 20 cm). 2 pp. on bifolium. Brown ink on bluish wove paper. Fold marks, but overall a very good document, written in a legible hand.

This document regards the sale of the Langford and Beatty Ranch, situated along the north bank of the Mokelumne River in the now-ghosted town of Elliot (first settled in 1846). Between the 1850s and 1880s, Elliott was one of the most active pioneer towns of San Joaquin County, mainly for the abovementioned ranch. The town started to lose prominence in the late 19th century due to the 1890s depression and possibly the outbreaks of tuberculosis and diphtheria. The town of Elliot's demise seemed complete by the 1910s, when its last agricultural enterprises, including Langford and Beatty Ranch, were finally abandoned.

The deed was compiled by a California pioneer and one of the owners of the Langford and Beatty Ranch, Benjamin F. Langford (1827-1904). In the document's text, the author declares the sale of his rights and shares in the ranch to his former partner Addison Beatty for $900. The deed is witnessed after Langford's signature by Samuel Shelton and certified by G. C. Holman, J. P. on 2 January 1854.

In 1850, Benjamin Langford of Tennessee arrived in San Francisco and, after earning enough money in gold mines, opened a general goods store in Tuolumne County. In February 1851, Langford received wounds in an encounter with the Indians and decided to move to the Elliot Township. Together with George Bracken and Addison Beatty, Benjamin started a ranch on newly surveyed land covered in oak trees. Apparently, Langford first sold his rights in the ranch to Beatty and then bought out his partners a few months later. He built a sawmill along the river to cut up the oak timber, but soon sold the machinery to Judge Terry, and used it in putting up a gristmill at Clements. For this mill, Langford built the first engine ever made in Stockton. He signed the contract for building the mill with Burdsall of Stockton but did most of the work himself. By 1879, Langford had helped improve designs of wheat harvesting equipment and owned 3,000 acres in San Joaquin County. In 1879, Langford was first elected to the State Senate and served as state senator for the next twenty-one years. In 1904, Langford died at his home. The San Francisco Call newspaper reported that Langford's vast fortune was no more, and he died "a poor man." (source)

Overall, an important original document from the pioneer days of San Joaquin County.

The text of the deed:

“In consideration of the sum of nine hundred dollars to me paid by A. Beaty I have this day sold transferred and delivered to the said Beaty all my right, title, and interest in and to the improvement known as Langford and Beaty Ranch situated in the County of San Joaquin on the North bank of the Moquellemne River between Staples and Benedicts Ranch, or – now amend and occupied by the said Langford together with the right of preemptions thereto and all the priveledge and appurtenances appertaining thereto

<…> This is to certify that on this second day of January AD. 1854. the said B. F. Langford personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace for the state County aforesaid, and acknowledged the above Instrument to be of his own free will & accord.”