1848- CALIFORNIA GOLD RUSH….
The discovery of gold at Sutter’s Mill leads to the California Gold Rush.
In 1849 two brothers, John Dickerson Stephens and George Dickerson Stephens cross the plains from Cooper County, Missouri, and arrive in Sacramento in search of gold.
By July 1850, the Stephens Brothers give up their “gold quest” and focused on raising livestock- (cattle, horses, mules and sheep.) and began dry farming.
They purchased part of the “land grant” RANCHO CANADA de CAPAY along Cache Creek adjacent to the “Gordon Grant.”
First built a 19’ by 40’ “Abode-brick Granary” to store their wheat. They established a substantial grain and an excellent livestock business.
HISTORIC OAKDALE RANCH, County Road 86A, Esparto, California
A Walk through History…….
1846- RANCHO CANADA DE CAPAY
RANCHO CANADA de CAPAY was a “40,079 acre Mexican Land Grant” located in present Yolo County. “CANADA de CAPAY” “means “Valley of the Capay” in Spanish. “Capay” comes from the Southern Wintun Indian word for “stream.” (The RANCHO occupied the Capay Valley on both sides of Cache Creek.)
In 1846- the Mexican Governor Pio Pico had granted “nine square leagues” to three Berreyesa brothers: Jose Catario Santiago (1815-1856), Joseph Zenobia Nemicio Barreyesa (1819-1854) and Francisco Antonio Berreyesa (1824-1856). (Their father, Jose de los Reyes Berreyesa, who was grantee of RANCHO SAN VICENTE was killed by John C. Fremont’s men in 1846.)
July 21, 1847— Jasper O’Farrell purchased “seven and half leagues” (about 33,400 acres” from the Berreyesa Brothers.
Charles Hoppe purchase “one and a half leagues” (later know as the “Hoppe tract.) Mr. Hoppe sold “his Tract- one and a half leagues” to Henry Lawrence.
1850- Mr. Henry Lawrence sell “the land” to John D. Stephens and his brother George D. Stephens in partnership with Mr. John S. Jury and Mr. John Q. Adams.
With the cession of California to the United States following the Mexican American War, the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo provided that the “Land grants would be honored.”
As required by the “LAND ACT of 1851, a claim for RANCHO CANADA de CAPAY was filed with the Public Land Commission in 1852.
The “LAND GRANT” was patented to Mr. Jasper O’Farrell, Mr. John S. Jury and Mr. John D. Stephens.
1854- John D. Stephens (1826-1898) marries Mary Frances Alexander (1826-1906). Two children,
Adobe Grainery at OAKDALE RANCH was made into a livable “home for the family” with parlors, porches, and a second story was added.
1859- John D. Stephens and George D. Stephens organize the COTTENWOOD or CAPAY DITCH COMPANY. (eventually became the CLEAR LAKE WATER COMPANY.)
1868- John D. Stephens chartered and was elected President of the BANK OF WOODLAND. The BANK OF WOODLAND was the largest financial establishment on the Pacific Coast outside of San Francisco. (John D. Stephens moves to Woodland, California.)
1854- STEPHENS- OAKDALE RANCH
1872- John D.Stephens and Miss Laura Wilcoxson are married.
1875- Laura Wilcoxson Stephens passes away, leaving two infant children- Kate Stephens and Josephine Stephens.
1877- George D. Stephens marries Miss Nannie Lucas. Together they have 11 children.
John, Louise, Sarah, Margaret, Elizabeth, George, Fulton, Frank, Ben, Jack and Paul.
1872-George D. Stephens and Miss Laura Wilkerson.
Laura Wilcoxson Stephens (d. 5 Dec.1875 Aged 30 years. First Wife
Nanie Lucas Stephens (1855-1931)- Second Wife
George Dickson Stephens- (b. 31 July 1828 d.22 December 1891)
George D. Stephens Family Grave Plot- Woodland Cemetery,