The Bancroft Ranch House was constructed by Augustus S Ensworth, Justice of the Peace, in approximately 1856, out of timbers salvaged from a ship wreck in San Diego Bay. When he died, the adobe ranch house was purchased by Rufus King Porter, son of the founder of Scientific American, who gave Spring Valley its name. [...]
Bancroft History - The Bancroft House
The Bancroft Ranch House was constructed by Augustus S Ensworth, Justice of the Peace, in approximately 1856, out of timbers salvaged from a ship wreck in San Diego Bay. When he died, the adobe ranch house was purchased by Rufus King Porter, son of the founder of Scientific American, who gave Spring Valley its name. H H Bancroft purchased the property, now known as The Bancroft Ranch House, from Porter in 1885 and owned it until his death in 1918.
Hubert Bancroft also bought additional properties in the locality and in doing so amalgamated over 500 acres of farm land. He subsequently built a more comfortable family home up the hill from the ranch house and also a rock school house for his children which is now located across the street.
It is uncertain as to whether or not Bancroft wrote any of his books whilst staying at the Spring Valley ranch. While some historians believe that he did write some of his works here, others believe that the ranch was merely a holiday home where Hubert Bancroft came on vacation.
The Bancroft House is now a state and national historic landmark.
In 1852, Hubert Bancroft‘s brother-in-law, George H. Derby, wrote a letter of introduction for Bancroft, prior to his departure from Buffalo, New York, to California. In his letter, Derby recommends Bancroft as being; “capable honest, willing, industrious, virtuous, & in every way well calculated for a Pioneer in any Country, & especially in a new [...]
George H. Derby's Letter Of Introduction For Hubert Bancroft
In 1852, Hubert Bancroft‘s brother-in-law, George H. Derby, wrote a letter of introduction for Bancroft, prior to his departure from Buffalo, New York, to California.
In his letter, Derby recommends Bancroft as being;
“capable honest, willing, industrious, virtuous, & in every way well calculated for a Pioneer in any Country, & especially in a new one, where these good qualities could be used to a good advantage.”
Hubert Bancroft's Business Card
On 24 February 1852, Bancroft left New York by steamer and arrived in San Francisco on 1 April.
George H. Derby had entrusted Bancroft with an important consignment of books and stationery to sell.
While waiting for the shipment to arrive, Hubert Bancroft and his good friend, George L. Kenny, worked at a quartz mine at Long Bar and a general merchandise store in Rich Bar.
Bancroft also visited Sacramento where he contacted commission merchants with whom his brother-in-law had previously dealt.
Bancroft & Kenny List Of Valuable Books For Sale
Unfortunately, George H. Derby passed away on September 15, aged only 30. This left Bancroft and Kenny with the task of selling the stock as soon as quickly as possible so that Derby’s estate could be settled.
Kenny subsequently entered into partnership with William B. Cooke in San Francisco and successfully sold all of the books.
In 1856, Derby’s widow Cecilia, Bancroft’s sister, loaned Hubert Bancroft the $5,500 profit from the sale of the book consignment which he used as capital to start his own business in San Francisco.
