history of the sunol and muwekma

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Background History of the Sunol/Pleasanton Region (partially excerpted from Pleasanton General Plan 2012) Pleasanton is located in the Amador Valley in eastern Alameda County, California, bounded by the Diablo Range foothills on the north and south, the coastal Pleasanton Ridge on the west, and the adjacent Livermore Valley on the east. Major water courses consist of the Arroyo del Valle and Arroyo de la Laguna, both are tributaries of Alameda Creek. Pleasanton proved attractive for settlement in prehistoric and historic times because of its abundant artesian water supply. Historically, a large portion of the valley northeast of downtown Pleasanton along the Arroyo de la Laguna was a seasonally flooding area known as Tulare Lake. However, in the late nineteenth century this area was largely drained with the use of a series of canal for agricultural interests. Before the permanent settlement of Europeans in the San Francisco Bay Area in the late eighteenth century, members of the ancestral Ohlone tribal groups inhabited the Amador Valley and vicinity of Pleasanton and Sunol. The Amador and Livermore valleys were important travel routes for trade between coastal and interior Native California tribes, and during exploratory travels of the San Francisco Bay area, Fray Juan Crespi noted two Ohlone villages near the site of Pleasanton in 1772. Milliken in his published dissertational study suggested that the Causen Ohlone Tribal group resided in: “the Sunol Valley area to the north of Mission San Jose, also known as Patlans, after the name of one of their older male members (SJO-B 35, 108, 111, 442, and 462). They were intermarried with the Pelnens of the Livermore Valley and with the Tuibuns of the Fremont Plain. Only eleven people specifically identified as Causens and another seven identified as Patlans were baptized at Mission San Jose between 1803 and 1808 (1995:238). The earliest European presence in the vicinity of Pleasanton occurred in conjunction with the establishment of the Spanish Mission San Jose in present-day Fremont in 1797. Mission San Jose lands included the Amador Valley, and though there were no permanent settlements left in the area during the Mission period, Native Californian neophytes and others associated with the mission grazed cattle on nearby hillsides. With American annexation of California and the onset of the Gold Rush in the late 1840s, members of the Bernal family established permanent homes on their rancho, both to capitalize on the proximity to travel routes from the coast to inland mines through the Altamont Pass and protect their land claims. Augustín Bernal, Juan Bernal, and Juan Bernal’s son-in-law John Kottinger were the initial permanent settlers in the area (as well as the Sunol and Pico family), constructing adobe homes along the path of the Arroyo del Valle. The Pleasanton area was originally called Alisal in reference to the cottonwood or sycamore (or alders) trees prevalent along the banks of the arroyos. Alisal was originally part of Murray Township (formed 1868), a government unit within Alameda County (formed 1853) encompassing present-day Sunol,

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History of the Sunol and Muwekma

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Page 1: History of the Sunol and Muwekma

Background History of the Sunol/Pleasanton Region (partially excerpted from Pleasanton General Plan 2012) Pleasanton is located in the Amador Valley in eastern Alameda County, California, bounded by the Diablo Range foothills on the north and south, the coastal Pleasanton Ridge on the west, and the adjacent Livermore Valley on the east. Major water courses consist of the Arroyo del Valle and Arroyo de la Laguna, both are tributaries of Alameda Creek. Pleasanton proved attractive for settlement in prehistoric and historic times because of its abundant artesian water supply. Historically, a large portion of the valley northeast of downtown Pleasanton along the Arroyo de la Laguna was a seasonally flooding area known as Tulare Lake. However, in the late nineteenth century this area was largely drained with the use of a series of canal for agricultural interests. Before the permanent settlement of Europeans in the San Francisco Bay Area in the late eighteenth century, members of the ancestral Ohlone tribal groups inhabited the Amador Valley and vicinity of Pleasanton and Sunol. The Amador and Livermore valleys were important travel routes for trade between coastal and interior Native California tribes, and during exploratory travels of the San Francisco Bay area, Fray Juan Crespi noted two Ohlone villages near the site of Pleasanton in 1772. Milliken in his published dissertational study suggested that the Causen Ohlone Tribal group resided in:

“the Sunol Valley area to the north of Mission San Jose, also known as Patlans, after the name of one of their older male members (SJO-B 35, 108, 111, 442, and 462). They were intermarried with the Pelnens of the Livermore Valley and with the Tuibuns of the Fremont Plain. Only eleven people specifically identified as Causens and another seven identified as Patlans were baptized at Mission San Jose between 1803 and 1808 (1995:238).

The earliest European presence in the vicinity of Pleasanton occurred in conjunction with the establishment of the Spanish Mission San Jose in present-day Fremont in 1797. Mission San Jose lands included the Amador Valley, and though there were no permanent settlements left in the area during the Mission period, Native Californian neophytes and others associated with the mission grazed cattle on nearby hillsides. With American annexation of California and the onset of the Gold Rush in the late 1840s, members of the Bernal family established permanent homes on their rancho, both to capitalize on the proximity to travel routes from the coast to inland mines through the Altamont Pass and protect their land claims. Augustín Bernal, Juan Bernal, and Juan Bernal’s son-in-law John Kottinger were the initial permanent settlers in the area (as well as the Sunol and Pico family), constructing adobe homes along the path of the Arroyo del Valle. The Pleasanton area was originally called Alisal in reference to the cottonwood or sycamore (or alders) trees prevalent along the banks of the arroyos. Alisal was originally part of Murray Township (formed 1868), a government unit within Alameda County (formed 1853) encompassing present-day Sunol,

Page 2: History of the Sunol and Muwekma

Livermore, Dublin, and Altamont. Cattle ranching and grass crops such as hay were the primary staples of the local economy. Pleasanton remained sparsely populated in the 1850s, but in the 1860s news of the impending arrival of a segment of the Transcontinental Railroad sparked the first efforts at organized town development and an increase in population. The Western (later Central/Southern) Pacific Railroad planned construction of a segment of the final railroad link between Sacramento and San Jose through Pleasanton beginning in the early 1860s. John Kottinger began subdividing and selling his property in Pleasanton along the Arroyo del Valle as early as 1863, though completion of the railroad took until 1869. Joshua Neal, one of Augustín Bernal’s sons-in-law also settled in Pleasanton in the early 1860s and subdivided portions of his property abutting the route of the Central Pacific Railroad line. The Neal and Kottinger divisions created the core of the Pleasanton town site, arranged along the axes of Main Street and the railroad. By the arrival of the railroad, Pleasanton had a population of about 500 people. The vicinity of Pleasanton was part of the ancestral homelands of the Ohlone, or Costanoan, Native Californian tribe. The Amador-Livermore Valley was an important travel route for trade between coastal and interior Native California tribes, and during exploratory travels of the San Francisco Bay area, Fray Juan Crespi noted two villages of Ohlone near the site of Pleasanton in 1772. The Ohlone territory that included Pleasanton and Sunol region fell under the control of Mission San Jose in present-day Fremont after the founding of the mission in 1797. Spanish Franciscans brought most of the local Native Californian population into the mission for conversion and acculturation to Spanish and European culture and practices, though some Native Californians remained in the Pleasanton vicinity tending the mission cattle that the Franciscans grazed on the valley floor and hillsides. After American annexation of California in 1848, a small group of Ohlone from Mission San Jose formed the Alisal Rancheria in the southeast portion of Pleasanton on the land of Augustín Bernal. Over the second half of the nineteenth century and well into the twentieth century, Native Californians worked as laborers and servants on the local ranchos and farming operations. In 1886, George Hearst purchased the former Bernal land including a portion of the Alisal Rancheria. At that time, the population of the rancheria was about 125 people. The Western Pacific Railroad constructed a rail line to serve the Hearst estate in 1910 and named the station Verona. Federal Native American censuses after 1905 refer to the residents of the Alisal Rancheria as the Verona Band of Alameda County because of their proximity to the station. In the 1905 Federal Native American census, there were 70 people at Alisal Rancheria. Most of the buildings on the Alisal Rancheria reportedly burned in 1914, and the settlement was abandoned in 1916.

Page 3: History of the Sunol and Muwekma

Pleasanton retains strong evidence of early Native Californian settlement in the archaeological record, as shown by substantial discoveries of temporary and permanent settlement sites, cemeteries with 100s of burials, and during ground disturbing activities in the City during the late twentieth century. Particular areas of sensitivity are likely to include the banks of major waterways such as the Arroyo del Valle and Arroyo de Laguna. El Rancho del Valle de San Jose (1839-ca. 1850) In the 1830s, the Mexican government of Alta California granted three ranchos on the land that now makes up Pleasanton to prominent California citizens. Augustín Bernal (abt. 1785-1872), a twenty year veteran of the Spanish and Mexican army, received the Rancho del Valle de San José in 1839. This rancho encompassed the southern two-thirds of Pleasanton. The remaining northern third of present-day Pleasanton was part of Rancho Santa Rita, granted to Jose Maria Pacheco, a former Mexican alcalde, in 1839, and Rancho San Ramon, granted to Jose Maria Amador, a former soldier and administrator of Mission San Jose, in 1834. Augustín Bernal’s Rancho del Valle de San Jose was the largest single Mexican land grant east of the San Francisco Bay, totaling more than 48,000 acres. Augustín Bernal initially divided his interest in the Rancho del Valle de San Jose between himself and his three siblings, Juan Pablo Bernal, Maria Pilar Bernal (m. Antonio Maria Pico), and Maria Dolores Bernal (m. Antonio Maria Sunol). By 1846, however, Augustín and Juan Bernal had purchased their sister and brother-in-laws’ interests and owned the entirety of the rancho grant. Though the Bernal brothers owned significant land in the vicinity of Pleasanton, they remained on their initial ranching properties in the Santa Clara Valley until the 1850s. The Bernals primarily used the rancho for cattle grazing and pasturage, holding as many as 25,000 head of cattle between their Santa Clara and Pleasanton ranchos. One historic account about the establishment of some of the East Bay rancherias has recently come to light via the oral recollections of Mary Ann Harlan Smith which was recorded by her daughter Emma Smith. Mary Ann Harlan was the daughter of George Harlan who was a wagon master on the ill-fated Donner Party expedition and who led his group successfully into California in 1846/47. Mary Ann Harlan had married Henry C. Smith in 1847 and was living at Mission San Jose at the time of the removal of the Indians to the Alisal Rancheria area located between Sunol and Pleasanton. Emma Smith recorded the following account from her mother:

My husband was appointed the first Alcalde or justice of the peace by Gov. Riley, Military Governor of California. He could speak Spanish very fluently and the Spaniards came to him with their difficulties. My husband and his brother remained in partnership for a couple of years, then his brother sold his interest to E. L. Beard and moved to Martinez. Beard and my husband continued in business for a short time. My husband purchased tract of land two and a half miles from the Mission, and also 800 acres on the Arroyo De Alameda, where he afterwards laid out and named the town of Alvarado. My second daughter, Emma was born in Mission San Jose. … .

Page 4: History of the Sunol and Muwekma

I grew very tired of living there, so we built a house on the rancho, near the Mission and moved there. We engaged in farming and stock raising. In the summer of 1850, my father who was living in Mission San Jose died from typhoid fever the age of forty-eight. … . The Mission Indians had a rancheria on our rancho and we often watched them performing their religious ceremonies. … They had a large room dug in the ground and covered with brush and earth, with one door to enter. This place was called a sweet house. … The Indians decorated themselves with feathers and all sorts of ridiculous costumes. … A fire was built in the center of the room and the Indians danced around it. … When one made a trip in those days from Oakland to San Jose, one would see millions of cattle and quite a lot of wheat which was raised by the Indians.

Cholera broke out among the Indians, and a number of them died. … Their crying and howling and moaning were almost unbearable. My brother Joel, was obliged to take his family and go away where they could not hear the dreadful noise. … When I found out that he was going, I had our men take me and my family along. … I was very much afraid of the disease. … My husband was away at the time. When he returned and found us gone, he immediately had all the Indians moved to the Alisal, located where Pleasanton now is [emphasis added] (Emma Smith, 1923).

The Alisal Rancheria appears to have been established in the vicinity of a large pre-contact ancestral Muwekma Ohlone village, now underneath or near the historic Castlewood Country Club (Gifford 1947). The Bernals, who, unlike many of their Californio neighbors, were able to hold onto their rancho lands, continued to maintain their economy with the help of Indian labor. The Bernals also had a history of sponsoring Indian children as godparents and apparently had children with some of the ancestors of the Muwekma Ohlone. Relationship Between the Bernal Families and Muwekma Ohlone Indians The Verona Band of Indians were so named because one of their principal rancherias called Alisal was located on the Rancho lands of Augustin Bernal, a Californio, which was later purchased by George and Phoebe Apperson Hearst. The Hearsts built a summer home on the Bernal Rancho, adjacent to the Alisal Rancheria. The Hearsts named their house Hacienda del Poso de Verona (The Alameda County Historical Society: 42). A railroad station was built by the Southern Pacific Railroad for the Hearsts and it too was named Verona. Prior to the Hearsts' purchase of the Bernal Rancho, the Bernal families had a very long inter-relationship with the greater Verona Band community. In many cases the Bernals serve as sponsors and godparents to the greater Alisal Indian community during marriages and baptisms, and in some case have children with the Muwekma people. The Bernals also appear as godparents for the Sanchez family as well [e.g., Guadalupe Bernal was a godparent to Ohlone Indian Maria de Jesus, the daughter of Francisco Solano and Soledad (MSJ bapt. # 8415) in 1849; Juana Bernal was

Page 5: History of the Sunol and Muwekma

godmother to Ohlone Indian Lucas Gonzales, the son of Felipe Gonzales and Guadalupe (MSJ bapt. # 8568) in 1854; Encarnacion Bernal was the godmother to Maria Alberta (MSJ bapt. # 3228) in 1862; Antonia Bernal was godmother to Natividad (MSJ bapt. # 248) in 1863; Andres Bernal and Jacoba Bernal were the godparents to Ohlone Indian Maria Cecelia Simon the daughter of Feliciano Simon and Visitacion (India) in 1867; John (Johanne) Bernal and Maria (India) had a son named Alfred in 1868, the godparents were Thomas and Refugia Bernal; Augustin Bernal was a godparent to Adelina Sanchez, the daughter of Antonio and Aurora Sanchez in 1884; Ohlone Indian Petrus (Peter) Bernal appeared as the godfather of Ohlone Indian Ramona Marine, the daughter of Rafael and Avelina in 1893); while Augustin's brother, Antonio Bernal, had a relationship with Magdalena Armija and their child, Rosa Bernal was born in 1895; and Joseph Reis Bernal witnessed the marriage of his daughter Josepha Bernal to Alfred Sanchez (son of Antonio Sanchez) in 1894. Harrington, extensively interviewed in the 1920s two surviving elders of the Verona Band (Jose Guzman and Maria de los Angeles Colos) who served as his principal linguistic and cultural consultants, informed him that:

Augustin Bernal and Juan Bernal owned the ranch where Pleasanton is. El Alisal is the old name of where Pleasanton is now (reel 36:579).

The inter-relationship between the Bernals (and Sunols) and the Verona Band community was so important that other historic Muwekma Ohlone figures bearing the Bernal surname were remembered as late as 1965 by Dario Marine and his sister, Dolores:

Raymundo Vernal (Bernal) was Great grandfather people, so were Lupe Vernal and Jose Vinoco (Binoco) an uncle (Avelina Cornate Family History 1965). Raymundo Bernal was married Maria de los Angeles Colos (also see Maria de los Angeles Colos marriage MSJ # 212 in 1873 below)

According to Maria de los Angeles’ own account to J. P. Harrington, she was born on the ranch of Don Agustin Bernal in Santa Teresa, south San Jose. Angela informed Harrington that she learned to speak Chochenyo from her step-father, Santiago Piña, and his parents. Santiago's lineage has been traced through the Mission San Jose records. Santiago's parents were Bruno and Fermina. Bruno was born 1796 and listed as an "Este" referring to the Taunan Ohlone Tribe of the Alameda Creek and Del Valle Creek drainages (Sunol/Pleasanton). Fermina was born 1801 and was identified as a Luecha (Ohlone) [see Francisca Luecha below] from around the del Mocho/Hollow Creek drainages of Livermore. Santiago Piña was born July 11, 1819 and raised by the Californio Piña family. Joaquina was apparently raised by the Pico family living in San Jose and she eventually moves to the Bernal Rancho, where Maria was born. El Valle de San José, granted to Antonio Maria Pico, April 10, 1839; confirmed to Antonio Suñol et al., by Commission January 31, 1854; by the District Court January 14, 1856; 51,572.25 acres. .

Antonio Maria Pico (1809–1869), son of José Dolores Pico, was stationed in the Pueblo de San José in 1833–1839. His brother, José de Jesús Pico, was the grantee of Rancho Piedra Blanca. Antonio Maria Pico had married Maria del Pilar Bernal (1812–1882) in 1831. He was alcalde at Pueblo de

Page 6: History of the Sunol and Muwekma

San Jose. Pico sold his one fourth share of Rancho Valle de San José to Juan Pablo Bernal. Pico received the eight square league Rancho Pescadero grant in 1843. He took part in the revolt against Governor Micheltorena in 1845, and was a member of the 1849 California Constitutional Convention. Antonio Maria Pico sold half the property to Henry Morris Naglee (1815–1886) in 1849.

~ 1858 - Ramon Sunol. On the 1880 Census for Murray Township, Alameda County (District 26), a Ramon Sinol (Sunol), estimated age 22 (born ca. 1858) was listed as a farm hand in the household of John Kottinger. Ramon (Raymond) might have been Angela and Raymundo’s son, Joseph who was born in 1862. In the Alisal rancheria community was a Clareño Ohone man named Raymond Bernal, who was also identified in other San Jose Mission records as Raymond Sunol. Mission Santa Clara baptismal records identified a child by the name of Jose Raymundo (Bernal) who was baptized on April 10, 1842 (MSC Baptism # 10219). He was identified as the son of (Jose?) Domingo Bernal and Maria Tacia Sunol who were both listed as “neofitos”. His godparents were Antonio Bernal and Eusebia Valencia. Randy Milliken suggests that his parents were most likely baptised at Mission San Jose. Raymundo Bernal was married to a Mission San Jose woman named Angela Cornelia (most likely Angela Colos). Maria would have been age 22 or 23 in 1862. 1870’s Modesto Sanchez - Ramona Marine's husband, Porfidio (Porfirio) Sanchez (born September 15, 1884) was the son of Modesto Sanchez and Augustina Amado (born 1866). Before Modesto married Augustina, in 1872, he had a child named Joseph Florius Sanchez with a Muwekma Indian woman named Louisa. Joseph's godparents were Mission San Jose Indians Rustico Gonzales and Maria Soledad who were also the mother and step-father of of Benedicta Gonzalez Pinos. Soledad was also the mother of Delfina Armija by previous husband, Francisco Solano: 1873 Feb 13, #1108, Page 222 Joseph Florius (Sanchez) Born: Jul? 17, 1872 Father: Modesto Sanchez Mother: Louisa* (Sanchez) Godparents: Rustico Gonzales & Maria Soledad Several years later, between 1879 and 1889 Modesto obtained a land patent in Alameda County, to the southeast of the Town of Sunol three miles from Welch Creek. In 1873, Maria de los Angeles and Raymundo Bernal (Sunol) joined with other Indian couples of the Verona Band to renew their marriage vows at Mission San Jose. As mentioned elsewhere, this was done during the height of the 1870 Ghost Dance religious movement. 1873 May 30, #212, Page 62, Jose cum Refugia - This entry holds three marriages. "Die 30, May 1873, coram Maria Selio et Raimundo consentium renovavares J.o Jose cum

Rafaela; 2. Reimendums Bernal (Sunol) et Maria de los Angeles 3. Maria con Selso.

Page 7: History of the Sunol and Muwekma

1883 - Modesto Sanchez and Augustina Amado were married on September 3, 1883, their marriage is recorded in the Mission San Jose records. Also cited in the Bans for Marriage dated August 8, 1883, are the testimonies of Jesus Amado and Pachenco Bernal* (another relation of Augustin Bernal and see Colos and Guzman statement about Jacoba’s parents buying the land from P. Bernal below. Pachenco Bernal was also the godparent to Ramona Marine). Augustina's parents Jesus Amado and Trinidad Selaya were married in 1862. The parents of Modesto Sanchez were Antonio Sanchez and Johanna Carrasco. Porfirio Sanchez's family lineage can be traced through the Mission San Jose records back to the 1820's generation. Susanna Nichols shared with Harrington a story that involved Antonio Sanchez and Sunol (reel 71:428-429). Muwekma Indians Jose Guzman and Maria de los Angeles Colos also provided the following information about Jacoba's family history and her purchase of land from Pechento Bernal to Harrington on October 29, 1929:

“Jacoba was of otshe-ha tribe. Her parientes (madre and marido) died here too. The family used to live at Rancho Alviso and later they moved to Pleasanton. House where she lived is still here -- she bought it of Pechento Bernal.” (reel 37:713)

1887 – On December 19, 1887, Modesto Sanchez signed a Non-Mineral Affidavit at the United States Land Office in San Francisco for his ¼ Section Homestead.(NE ¼ of Section 28,Township 4 South, Range 2 East) south east of Sunol. On that legal document he was identified as residing in Sunol. From the Livermore Herald there are several news articles about the Indians of Pleasanton. One article dated Sept. 2, 1899 (page 8) records the passing of Tausino Sanchumi who "Died at the age of 120 years". It states that:

He was born in the immediate vicinity of San Francisco where he resided until about seventeen years of age when he came to this county and with the old monks was one of the first to plant the cross at Mission San Jose before the construction at that place. Years after when the first shovelful of dirt was turned for the construction of the Old Mission, the deceased was present and with a study hand helped in the construction of that ancient and sacred Mission. Later he with his family joined others of his tribe on the old Chabot place at the foot of the mountain near Dublin and as the country began to become more populated they moved about until at last they settled on the roadside between Pleasanton and Sunol where they have since resided. Upon several occasions he gave old settlers here to understand that at the time of his joining his countrymen on the Chabot lands, that many who were then living had long before passed their one hundredth year and were then at the age of 140. ... The remains were taken to Mission San Jose Monday and laid to rest.

Tausino Sanchumi was most likely Chief Taurino or Chaurino who appears on the 1965 Marine Family history. Livermore Herald dated Nov. 11, 1899, a news article appeared entitled ““A Drunken Brawl” about the death of Frank Flores who was most likely Jennie Flores’ father.

Page 8: History of the Sunol and Muwekma

In a drunken brawl in Indian Town a small hamlet in the foothills between Pleasanton and Sunol, Saturday night Frank Schmeca stabbed Frank Flores inflicting a wound which resulted in the latter’s death Sunday morning.”

March 1900 A Livermore Herald article dated March 10, 1900, ran a story about Benedicto Guerraro: "a squaw, made an assault upon Charley Kruse" at the Indian Rancheria between Pleasanton and Sunol. On the 1900 Census, Murray Township (June 27, 1900), taken by Richmond Logan, Modesto Sanchez and his family were living in Murray Township (on Glen Ave. in Sunol or Rosedale Road?) seven houses down from Thomas Wauhab and eight from Alexander Shaix. Modesto owned his own ranch and was listed as a “Farmer” and having emigrated from Mexico in 1859 and listed as born in 1845 (age 55). Augustina Amado, his wife was listed as being born in 1864 (age 36) and married with one child, Porfiro Sanchez born 1883 (age 16). Also living with them was Frank Amado, Augustina’s uncle. Jose Binoco appeared on the 1900 Census as Indian, age 42 and born in 1858 (1900 Census, Murray Township, page 70A). His occupation was listed as "Servant" and he is residing on the land of Jean Arbios, "the Frenchman" in Sunol, who Jose Guzman and Maria Colos were alluding to, when Harrington interviewed them in 1929. In 1903 Jose Binoco appeared as a godparent with Susanna Flores (Nichols) for Rafael Marine and Avelina's last child, Joseph Rafael: 1903 Jun 21, Page 29, Joseph Rafael Marino (of Indian Birth) [St. Augustine] Born: Apr 25, 1903 Father: Rafael Marino

Mother: Abalina Marina Godparents: Josephus Binocho (Binoco) & Susanna Flores (Nichols) Jose Binoco was also listed as Joe Wenoco on Kelsey's 1905-1906 Indian Census for Pleasanton and without land. Five years later, on November 5, 1910, he is interviewed along with Jose Guzman, by C. Hart Merriam. Merriam wrote:

Joe Benoko, and his father before him, lived at Sunol rancheria and belong to the Han-ne-su tribe. He is not sure however as to whether or not the Han-ne-su territory reached westerly from the San Joaquin valley to near Sunol, or his father's people moved into the Sunol country from the valley (1967:368).

1904 - In another article dated October 1, 1904, records the death of Custiniano "Oldest Inhabitant Passes Away".

Custiniano, the oldest survivor of the tribe of Indians which has had its home for generations in the neighborhood of Sunol, and probably the oldest resident of Alameda county, passed away Sunday morning. Custiniano was known to be over a hundred years old and some of the Indians claim that he was fully 112.

Page 9: History of the Sunol and Muwekma

1905 Death Certificate - Modesto and Augustina Sanchez had an unnamed stillborn daughter on November 6, 1905. The information on her death certificate was provided by Porfirio Sanchez. The family was living near Sunol Glen, parents identified as Modesto Sanchez and Augustina Amado, Contributory “prolonged labor, faulty position.” Place of Burial: near Sunol Glen, November 8, 1905. (Note: This baby girl’s birth also appears in the California Birth Index 1905-1995). On the 1910 Indian Census for Pleasanton Township Mercedes Marine, age 15, was listed along with her son Albert Marine and her brother Dario Marine. Also listed as residing on the Alisal Rancheria were: First household: Angela Colos, age 71, widowed and Joseph Garcia, grandson, age 20, single. Next house: Ocavio (Jacoba) Antonio, age 60, widowed, Catherine Peralta, age 19, single, Merced Marine, Beatrice Peralta (Marine), age 1 and 4 months, Frank Guzman, age 12, D. Marine, age 22. Next house: Jose M. Kazoos (Jesus), age 70(?), A. Scott, White. Next house: McGill (Miguel) Santos, age 60, married 40 years, Selsa (Celsa), age 60, married 40 years, Jennie Flores, granddaughter, age 12, Albert Marine, age 1 and 6 months. Next house: Phoebe Inigo, age 32. Next house: Sacarus (Francsico? Ramon?) Spinosa, age 32, single, Mexico, immigrated 1899. Next house: Granad Asilias (Trinidad Gonzales), age 54. Next house: Jose Rayes (Reyes), age 47. 1910 Census - Pleasanton Township (April 28, 1910), Modesto Sanchez and his family were living on Rosedale Road two houses away from Rafael Marine and his family. Listed in the household are Modesto (age 78, married 29 years, naturalized citizen 1842, farmer), his wife Augustina (age 42, had seven children, two alive), Porfirio (age 26, single) and Andrew (age 1 and 8/12 months, born 1908), and Frank Amado (age 88, naturalized citizen 1830) On the 1910 Census, Pleasanton Township, (Sunol Precinct) Manuel Hernandez was a hired man working for the Elbert C. Apperson’s (Phoebe Apperson Hearst’s brother) household on Glenn Avenue (which was located adjacent to Rosedale Road, in Sunol). Manuel was listed as an Alien, immigrated 1900, age 41 (born ca. 1869), married, worked as a woodchopper and was identified as Mexican Spanish. Living nearby on Niles Road was Charles Nichols, Jr. who was working as a farm laborer for James Whitaker. Modesto Sanchez and his family and Raphael Marine and his family were living nearby on Rosedale Road. 1910 Census - Rafael Marine was listed as being 42 years old (may be an error, because this would place his birthdate around 1868, making him ten years old when he arrived in the United States), living with his son Lucas (age 9), daughter Ramona (age 17) and her son Enos Marine Sanchez (age 1). Also living on the same property immediately next to them (probably in a little casita), was Raphaela Pareta (age 80). Based upon both Mission San Jose records and Kelsey's 1905-06 Indian Census, Rafaela Pareta was Rafaela (Bia) Levias Padedes. She was listed on Kelsey's 1905-06 Indian Census as Rafaella Padedis. She was the godmother to Lucas Marine (1899) and Enos Marine Sanchez (1910) and others in the Verona Band community. Rafael Marine and his family were living on Rosedale Road in Sunol. Their next door neighbor was Joseph Rose Silveira and living next to him was Modesto Sanchez (age 78) who living with his wife Augustina Amado (age 42) and sons Porfirio [Porfidio Sanchez] (age 26) and Andrew (age 18), and also Augustina's uncle, Frank Amado (age 88). This proximity between the Marine and Sanchez households explains how Ramona Marine and Porfirio Sanchez met.

Page 10: History of the Sunol and Muwekma

November 18, 1910 - Rafael Marine passed away. On his death certificate Rafael’s son, Dario Marine served as witness and provided the information. It stated that he was residing in at the Rosedale Road residence for 20 years (since 1890) and he was living in California for 25 years (since 1885). He was identified as Indian, Date of Birth: 1865, age 45, Married, Birthplace “Costa Rica”, laborer, Father’s name: Leon Montoya, Costa Rica, Mother’s name: Ramona Marine, Costa Rica, Cause of Death: Lobar(?) Pneumonia, Place of Burial: St. Augustine Cemetery, Nov. 20, 1910, C.S. Graham Undertaker. October 1910 – Porfirio Sanchez married Ramona Marine. Based upon information contained on an Application for State Aid for two of his children, Dolores and Augustina Sanchez, filled out by Porifirio Sanchez dated July 7, 1921, he provided the following information: “Place and date of marriage: Oakland, Cal. Oct. 1910”, debts: $275.00, to Tom Berge, Irvington, for Funeral expenses (Ramona’s), relatives: Antonio Sanchez, uncle, Pleasanton; Modesto Sanchez (father), Milpitas; Carmelita Feliz, cousin. Non-relatives listed were: Mrs. Parks, Milpitas, Henry M. Ayer, San Jose (1920 census living on N. 1st St.) and Don Filipe, San Jose. Ramona and Porfirio’s first child was Enos who was born in on Feb. 1, 1910. --1910 Apr 16, Page 248, Ignacio Marin*(Mission San Jose) Born: Feb 1, 1910 Father: - (Porfirio Sanchez)

Mother: Ramona Marin Godparents: Pedro Joarez & Raphaela Leivius

Note: On his birth certificate Enos Sanchez was identified as “California Indian.”

--1912 April 13, Page 282, Mariam Dolorem (Dolores) Sanchez (Mission San Jose) Born: Dec 25, 1911 Father: Ponfilio (Porfirio) Sanchez Mother: Ramona Maria Marino Sanchez Godparents: Petrus Joares (Pete Juarez) & Marguerita Pinos* * Marguerita Pinos Juarez was the daughter of Benedicta Guerrera and Manuel Pinos. 18 Sept. 1912 – Raphaela Padedes died presumably at the home of Porfirio and Ramona Sanchez on Rosedale Rd. in Sunol. Death Certificate Raphelia Paderas, County of Alameda California State Board of Health Mission San Jose, California Local Registered No. 336. Place of Death: Mission, Alameda County, Female, Indian, Age: 97 yrs (about), Birthplace: Mission San Jose, Father: uk, Mother: uk, Place of Burial:, Mission San Jose (Ohlone Indian Cemetery), September 20, 1912, Informant: Puff Sanchez Address: Sunol 1912– Porfirio Sanchez was listed in the Great Register for the Primary Election in Sunol. He was identified as Puff Sanchez, Sunol, laborer, Republican. Porfirio and Ramona Sanchez continued to live and work in the Sunol/Pleasanton region. Their next three children were baptized at St. Augustine's Church in Pleasanton:

Page 11: History of the Sunol and Muwekma

--1914 Oct 18, Page 49, Augustina Sanches (St. Augustine) Born: Jun 13, 1914 Father: Porfirio Sanches

Mother: Ramona Marin Godparents: Pedro Juarez & Margarita Pinos --1916 Apr 30, Page 57, Paulina Sanchez (St. Augustine) Born: Jan 25, 1916 Father: Porfirio Sanchez

Mother: Ramona Marin Godparents: Pedro Juarez & Francisca Nunez (Guzman) --1917 Jul 1, Page 63, Richardus Robertus Sanchez (St. Augustine) Born: Mar 26, 1917 Father: Porfirio Sanches

Mother: Ramona Marine Godparents: Joseph Gonzales* & Margaret Peters (Pinos) *Note: Joseph Gonzales was most likely Maggie Juarez’s uncle Eulario Gonzales who was a Muwekma Ohlone indian. Ramona and Porfirio's last child, Margaret, was baptized in the Mission San Jose: --1920 Sep 4, Page 362, Margaret Sanchez (Milpitas) Born: Mar 26, 1919 Father: Porfirio Sanchez

Mother: Ramona Sanchez Godparents: Rafael Feliz & Carmelita Feliz Notes: Margaret (Sanchez) Martinez was an elder of the Muwekma Tribe and her children and grandchildren are active members). According to an interview with Dolores Sanchez, Carmelita Feliz was a cousin to Ramona (Interview with Dolores Sanchez, 1986). 1916 – Muwekma Indian Joseph Saunders listed in the Great Register for the Primary Election in Niles Precinct No. 2. He was identified as Joseph Saunders, Niles, laborer. (Ancestry.com) Erolinda Santos and Joseph Saunders (Joe Santos) had a baby boy who died at the age of 23 days on February 29, 1916

February 29, 1916 – Death Certificate -Baby Santos, County of Alameda, California State Board of Health, Niles, California, Local Registered No. 87. “Place of Death: Niles, Alameda County, Male, Age: 23 days, Birthplace: Sunol, Father: Joe Santos (Saunders), Mother: Laura Juaurus (Erolinda Juarez), Date of Death: February 29, 1916, Place of Burial: Mission San Jose (Ohlone Indian Cemetery). Buried on March 2, 1916. Informant: Joe Santos”

Page 12: History of the Sunol and Muwekma

June 5, 1917 Draft Registration Card – Toney Guzman, Age 27, residing Pleasanton, Cal., dob January 15, 1890 (see above), born in Pleasanton, laborer, Frager Bros*., Sunol, single, Race: American Indian. Registerd in Pleasanton.

*Notes: Dario Marine was also working for the Frager Bros. at this time. On the 1910 Census, Brothers Manuel and William Frager and families (born in California, parents from the Azores) were living on Pleasanton Rd. next to the Reimers and Turner families (who purchased title to the Bernal rancho several years earlier). On the 1920 Census Joe, Francisca, Toney, Alfred and John Guzman were probably living the same house of the Frager Bros. identified in 1910 next to the Riemers and Turner families on Pleasanton-Sunol Rd. By 1920, Manuel and William Frager and families had moved and were living on Sunol Rd. next to Thomas Rd, Mission San Jose Town, Washington Township (this location was probably close to the Guzman residence). In 1930 they were living on First Ave. in Pleasanton. They were listed as farmers.

June 15, 1917 Draft Registration – Joseph Saunders, living in Sunol, age 27, born November 1, 1890, Pleasanton, working as a laborer for Spring Valley Water Co., married, wife and two children (Alfonso Juarez and Daniel Santos). Draft Card describes Joseph as Tall, brown eyes, black hair. Note: Joseph Saunders (aka Joseph Garcia/Armijo) who was also the father of Muwekma Ohlone Indian Thomas Garcia and the father of Alfonso Juarez. He was also Daniel Santos’s father. Joseph Armijo (born Nov. 1, 1890) was the son of Muwekma Indians Francisca Luecha (Angela Colos’ daughter) and Edward Armijo. 1918– Joseph Saunders listed in the Great Register for the Primary Election in Sunol Glen Precinct. He was identified as Joseph Saunders, Sunol Glen, Trackman (Ancestry.com) [also see Maggie Juarez’s photos of railroad workers in Sunol] September 21, 1918 – Draft Registration Card – Pedro Sarate (Juarez) –residing Sunol, Alameda County, Cal, age 45 (should be 36), born October 13, 1882, born in Mexico, laborer, place of employment: Frank Tuscana, Sunol, Alameda County, Cal. Nearest relative: Margarita Pinas (wife), Sunol, Cal. Note: Frank Tuscano and family appeared on the 1920 Census as a farmer living in Sunol on Main Street near Glen Ave. Spetember 12, 1918 Draft Registration Card – Porfirio Sanchez (age 33) born September 15, 1884, Teamster working for William Parks, Milpitas, Ca., Modesto Sanchez, father, living at Sunol, Alameda County. Registered at San Jose, Ca. September 12, 1918 – Draft Registration Card – Jose Rayes Sanchez –residing Calavaras Dam, Sunol Glen, Alameda County, Cal, age 34, born July 3, 1884, laborer, place of employment: Spring Valley Water Co. Calavaras Dam, Sunol Glen, Alameda County, Cal. (Note: Jose Sanchez was the last husband of Muwekma Elder Trinidad Gonzalez)

Page 13: History of the Sunol and Muwekma

1920 Census - Pleasanton Township, Sunol Town-Sunol Glen Precincts, Modesto Sanchez was listed as living on Niles Road near Sunol Road and Glen Avenue. Modesto was identified as a widower, age 68, farmer, alien, immigrated 1859. On January 3, 1920 US Census Pleasanton Township (Amador Precinct), Francisca Guzman was listed as Frances Hernandez (age 55), along with her third husband Manuel Hernandez [Hernanez] (54) and her two children Carolyn (14) [Candilana] and Paul (13) and they were living along the County Road Dublin to Sunol. Two days later, on January 5, 1920, censustaker, Ernest W. Schween (also see Harrington notes) also listed Francisca (age 50) along with Joe Guzman (70), and sons Tony (28), Alfred (23) and John (17) living on the Pleasanton – Sunol Road (Pleasanton Township). Tony was identified as working as a railroad laborer. Alfred and John were listed as farm laborers. The Guzman neighbors were George Clement Turner and family and Rudolf Reimers and his wife Virginia and daughter. The Turner and Reimers families were involved in the acquisition of a portion of the old Bernal property near the Alisal Rancheria. Based upon a 1937 deed George Clement Turner obtained the property on December 1, 1906 and the transfer of the property to heirs Harry Turner and Catherine H. Crow (a daughter of George Crow) was witnessed by Virginia Reimers. 1920 - John Guzman was also identified as John Gooseman on the 1920 Census residing in Sunol. He was listed as being age 19, and a “partner” with Joseph Cabral (Head), Portuguese; Joseph Alameda, Portuguese; Frank Rodrigues, Portuguese, all farm hands on the Thomas Wauhab’s stock ranch. They were living next to Thomas Wauhab on La Rosia Road between Railroad Avenue and Valicitos Road in Sunol. Living nearby was George Buttner and family living on Railroad Avenue (see East Bay Interview of George Buttner Jr.) and Modesto Sanchez on Niles Road, between Glenn Avenue and Sunol Road, in the Sunol Glen Precinct. 1920 Census - Maggie Pinos and Pete Juarez appeared on the 1920 Census, Pleasanton Township. They were identified as Peter Sarate (age 46, alien, immigrated 1900, farm laborer), Margaret (age 34, servant, private family), Laura Saunders (niece, age 21), Alfonso (grandnephew, age 5) and Daniel (grandnephew, age 2 and 7 months). They were living next to Elbert C. Apperson and his wife Elizabeth and son Randolph on Glen Avenue near Rosedale Road in Sunol (near the Alisal Rancheria). Elbert Clark Apperson (b. Jan. 10, 1851) was the younger brother of Phoebe Elizabeth Apperson Hearst (b. Dec. 3, 1842 – d, 1919). Phoebe married George Hearst in 1862. Elbert had married Elizabeth Ann Sutherland and their children were Ann Drucilla Apperson (b. 1878 San Simeon, Ca,) and Randolf William Apperson (b. 1897, Pleasanton, Ca.). 1929 - . In October, 1929, Susanna Nichols informed Harrington that she "was born at Trinidad's parents' house, at la Rancheria del Mocho, which was the biggest ra.(ncheria) at Pleasanton" (71:497). Jose Guzman and Maria Colos also informed Harrington that:

Felipe Gonzalez had his nose septum pierced. That is sena de un capitan (does not know Indian word for) nosestick. Capt. also wears earrings and nosestick of some color. Vigilio, the padre of inf's. tocaya (namesake) Angela wore nosestick -- it was a huesito [little bones] (with bead lots of shell inserted at ends). Vigilio was Capt. but inf. nesc. (does not know) of

Page 14: History of the Sunol and Muwekma

what tribe. He lived at Monte del Diablo and was light complexioned. His daughter Angela was well complexioned too. (reel 36:533/Oct. 14, 1929). Francisca (Nonessi) was taught to pray by Felipe Gonzales. She heard him talk in the idioma to his wife Quiteria (Catherine). This was after Trini's mother had died. Guz. thinks Trini's mother was called Guadalupe. .... Francisca used to hear Felipe G. and Quiteria talking (kik language) together (reel 37:817).

Harrington obtained the following information from Jose Guzman and Angela Colos:

Alvino was an Indian captain who lived where the Kaslos live now ... He had several other Inds. there with him. These were all of the same nation that were settled at Sunol's ranch at what is now Sunol. Inigo was an old Indian of this same kind who lived at Kaslo's at Sunol and at Rancho de Carlos (a short distance Nilesward of where Jose and inf. live now. Angela's comadre Paula was of this nacion. Angela and Jose cannot remember the name of the tribe. (page 127 handwritten notes).

Jose Guzman Maria De Los Angeles Colos

(circa 1934) (circa 1929)

J.P. HARRINGTONPRINCIPAL CHOCHENYO LANGUAGE INFORMANTS

1921 - 1930

John Peabody Harrington(1884 – 1961)

Muwekma Ohlone Tribe Of The San Francisco Bay Area

Page 15: History of the Sunol and Muwekma

J. P. Harrington's field notes (dated October 12, 1929, and October 1934) provides information about the culture, history and languages spoken by the Verona Band/Mission San Jose Indians. Jose Guzman and Angela Colos shared the following information with him:

The San Jose Indians were of many tribes gathered at the mission. They are called Chocheños.

I asked inf. how to say Abajeños, but inf. never heard the term. But inf. knows how to say arribenos.... when I asked if these were the Indians of Oakland, Inf. said no, that they were from [Martinez].

Inf. does know one tribe, Halkin. It is the name of a tribe up San Rafael way.

Liberato here was a Halkin, or was said to be one. [inf.] told him he was a Halkin, and Liberato got mad, denied it.... He [Jose Guzman] made a map, showing the location of "Hacienda Station" for Mrs. Hearst's place.

From Sunol, … he drew a line, indicating the former location of "Barona" [Verona] Station north of the San Jose Mission. Then, he noted under Roundhouse/Dancehouse:

Was a big temescal just up the road from here. Until recently could see the place. Door inside and a big hole & also a smaller hole in the roof. Tu'pentak, temescal. Used to have fiestas here.

1930 BIA Application - On Phoebe (Petra Inigo) Alaniz's BIA Application #10301, Examiner Fred Baker indicates that she was a full-blooded Indian, who was born between Sunol and Pleasanton on August 1, 1877,. The location of her birth places her on the Alisal Rancheria. Also included on her enrollment application is Phoebe's mother, Trinidad Gonzales, who was born November 28, 1856. Phoebe also identified her first husband as Tom Duncan who died about 1910. Her second husband was Trinidad Alaniz, who was born December 12, 1884 (see below). Phoebe's father was Thomas Inigo (Jose Prudencio Inigo) who died about 1898. She stated that her mother, Trinidad, was born near Dublin and died October 28, 1928. Trinidad's parents were identified as Felipe and Guadalupe Gonzales. 1960s -1980s During the 1960's when the American Indian Historical Society in San Francisco was working with the Verona Band families to obtain title of the Ohlone Indian Cemetery from the Catholic Church, Dario Marine was asked to come back to the cemetery in order to identify the burial location of some of his direct family and relations. On August 8, 1965, the following cultural and historic information was recorded and made available to other Verona Band families:

OHLONE INDIAN CEMETERY (page 1 Marine Family History 1965) Mission de San Jose de Guadalupe, Fremont

Page 16: History of the Sunol and Muwekma

Approximately one mile west from the Mission on Washington Boulevard on this day THE OLDEST OHLONE INDIAN, DARIO JOSEPH DARIO (sic), age 77 visited this Burial Ground. Brother to Dolores M. Galvan of San Jose, Dario lives in Woodland with his son Domingo and close by lives a nephew Ernest Marine. Dario pointed to the precise location where his two day old son was buried. Gilbert Marine is buried next to his two aunts, Victoria Munoz and Ramona Sanchez. … He then pointed the plot where his Grandmother, Mother, one sister and two cousins were resting in peace. … Avelina Cornate, Mother to Dario and Dolores; a sister Isabel Nichols, two cousins Rosa the oldest and Maria Nichols are buried in this location. … The Rancheria was located at Verona Station between Sunol and the town of Pleasanton. The Rancheria was composed of eleven casitas with the Temescal in the center. In the Temescal various ceremonies were held.

1981- Emily Thompson Dewey (Armija lineage) died in 1981. Her obtituary stated that:

“… She was 71. Mrs. Dewey was a native of Sunol and had worked at the Sunco Cafe. She is survived by two daughters. Maxine Blair and Jackie Dewey, both of Fremont, two brothers, Lawrence Thompson and Ernest Thompson , both of Oakland, nine grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. … Burial will be at Irvington Memorial Cemetery.”

1982- Henry Marshall, Sr. (Armija lineage) was born December 11, 1900 on the Alisal Rancheria. He had died in 1982 and according to his daughter Margaret Ariza, he was cremated and his ashes were scattered over Sunol.