Sutter, John
Laura Brooks (talk | contribs) |
Laura Brooks (talk | contribs) |
||
| Line 4: | Line 4: | ||
| image = JohannAugustSutter2.jpg | | image = JohannAugustSutter2.jpg | ||
| image_size = 200px | | image_size = 200px | ||
| − | | birth_date = 28 | + | | birth_date = February 28 1803 |
| birth_place = [[Kandern]], [[Baden-Württemberg]], [[Germany]] | | birth_place = [[Kandern]], [[Baden-Württemberg]], [[Germany]] | ||
| death_date = June 18 1880 | | death_date = June 18 1880 | ||
| Line 19: | Line 19: | ||
===The New World=== | ===The New World=== | ||
| − | In the United States, Sutter undertook extensive travels. Before he came to the United States, he learned [[Spain|Spanish]] and [[England|English]]. Together with 35 [[Germany|Germans]] he moved from the [[St. Louis, Missouri|St. Louis]] area to [[Santa Fe, New Mexico|Santa Fe]], then moved to the town of [[Westport]]. On April 1, 1838, he joined a group of [[missionaries]], led by the [[fur trapper]] [[Andrew Dripps]], and went along the [[Oregon Trail]] to [[Fort Vancouver]] in [[Oregon Territory]], which he reached in October. With a few companions, he went on board the [[United Kingdom|British]] bark ''Columbia'' which left Fort Vancouver in November and laid at anchor in [[Honolulu]] on December 9. Sutter wanted to settle in California, but the only vessel riding at anchor in the harbor was the brig ''Clementine'' | + | In the United States, Sutter undertook extensive travels. Before he came to the United States, he learned [[Spain|Spanish]] and [[England|English]]. Together with 35 [[Germany|Germans]] he moved from the [[St. Louis, Missouri|St. Louis]] area to [[Santa Fe, New Mexico|Santa Fe]], then moved to the town of [[Westport]]. On April 1, 1838, he joined a group of [[missionaries]], led by the [[fur trapper]] [[Andrew Dripps]], and went along the [[Oregon Trail]] to [[Fort Vancouver]] in [[Oregon Territory]], which he reached in October. With a few companions, he went on board the [[United Kingdom|British]] bark ''Columbia'' which left Fort Vancouver in November and laid at anchor in [[Honolulu]] on December 9. Sutter wanted to settle in California, but the only vessel riding at anchor in the harbor was the brig ''Clementine''. Sutter managed to be signed on as unpaid [[supercargo]] of this brig freighted with a cargo of provisions and general merchandise for the [[Russia]]n colony of [[Sitka City and Borough, Alaska|New Archangel]], now known as Sitka, Alaska. The ''Clementine'' hoisted anchor on April 20 1839, with Sutter together with 10 [[Kanakas]], two of them women, a few companions, and a [[Hawaii]]an [[bulldog]]. From the Russian colony at Sitka, where he stayed one month, Sutter traveled by sail to [[Yerba Buena]], now [[San Francisco]], at that time a tiny poor mission station. The ''Clementine'' arrived in Yerba Buena on July 1 1839. |
===New Helvetia=== | ===New Helvetia=== | ||
[[Image:JohannAugustSutter.jpg|200 px|thumb|John Sutter]] | [[Image:JohannAugustSutter.jpg|200 px|thumb|John Sutter]] | ||
| − | At the time of Sutter's arrival in California, the territory had a population of only 1,000 | + | At the time of Sutter's arrival in California, the territory had a population of only 1,000 [[Europe]]ans, in contrast with 30,000 [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]]s. It was at that point a part of [[Mexico]] and the [[governor]], [[Juan Bautista Alvarado]], granted him permission to settle; in order to qualify for a [[land grant]], Sutter became a Mexican citizen on August 29 1840 - the following year, on 18 June, he received title to 48,827 acres. Sutter named his settlement [[New Helvetia]], or "New Switzerland," after the homeland of his father. Sutter employed variously Native Americans of the [[Miwok]] and [[Maidu]] tribes, Kanakas and Europeans at his compound, which he called Sutter's Fort; he envisioned creating an [[agriculture|agricultural]] [[utopia]], and for a time the settlement was in fact quite large and prosperous. It was for a period the destination for most California-bound immigrants, including the ill-fated [[Donner Party]], whom Sutter attempted to rescue. |
[[Image:Sutters Fort 1846.png|200 px|thumb|right|19th century illustration of Sutter's Fort]] | [[Image:Sutters Fort 1846.png|200 px|thumb|right|19th century illustration of Sutter's Fort]] | ||
| Line 33: | Line 33: | ||
===Land grant challenge=== | ===Land grant challenge=== | ||
[[Image:Camp Sutterville plaque historical marker 666 with pillar in background.jpg|thumb|left|Camp Union, Sutterville (State Historical marker and fort pillar)]] | [[Image:Camp Sutterville plaque historical marker 666 with pillar in background.jpg|thumb|left|Camp Union, Sutterville (State Historical marker and fort pillar)]] | ||
| − | Sutter's El Sobrante land grant was challenged by the Squatter's Association, and in 1858 the [[U.S. Supreme Court]] denied its validity. Sutter sought reimbursement of his losses associated with the Gold Rush. He received a pension of US$250 a month not as a reimbursement of taxes paid on the Sobrante grant at the time Sutter considered it his own. | + | Sutter's El Sobrante land grant was challenged by the Squatter's Association, and in 1858 the [[U.S. Supreme Court]] denied its validity. Sutter sought reimbursement of his losses associated with the Gold Rush. He received a pension of US$250 a month not as a reimbursement of taxes paid on the Sobrante grant at the time Sutter considered it his own. He and wife Nanette moved to [[Lititz, Pennsylvania]]. The proximity to [[Washington, D.C.]] along with the reputed healing qualities of Lititz Springs appealed to the aging Sutter. He also wanted his three grandchildren to have the benefits of the fine private and Moravian Schools. Sutter built his home across from the Lititz Springs Hotel; the present day General Sutter Inn. |
| − | For more than fifteen years, John Sutter, the undisputed founder of California, petitioned Congress for restitution but little was done. | + | |
| + | For more than fifteen years, John Sutter, the undisputed founder of California, petitioned Congress for restitution but little was done. On June 16 1880, Congress adjourned, once again, without action on a bill which would have given Sutter US$50,000. Two days later on June 18, 1880 John Augustus Sutter died in a Washington D.C. hotel. He was returned to Lititz and is buried in the Moravian Cemetery. Mrs. Sutter died the following January and is buried with him. | ||
===Legacy=== | ===Legacy=== | ||
[[Image:General sutter grave.jpg|thumb||General Sutter Grave in [[Lititz]] Moravian Cemetry]] | [[Image:General sutter grave.jpg|thumb||General Sutter Grave in [[Lititz]] Moravian Cemetry]] | ||
| − | + | Sutter Street in downtown [[San Francisco, California]] is named after him. Sutter's Landing, Sutterville Rd., [[Sutter Middle School]], and Sutterville Elementary School in Sacramento are all named after him. The Sutterville Bend of the [[Sacramento River]] is also named after him. Sutter Medical Foundation, a [[Non-profit organization|non-profit]] medical system in Northern California also takes its name in honor of Sutter. | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
Revision as of 14:20, 19 October 2007
| Johann Augustus Sutter | |
 | |
| Born | February 28 1803 Kandern, Baden-Württemberg, Germany |
|---|---|
| Died | June 18 1880 Washington D.C. |
Johann Augustus Sutter (February 28 1803 – June 18 1880) was a Swiss pioneer of California known for his association with the California Gold Rush. After the discovery of gold by James W. Marshall at Sutter's Mill, he established Sutter's Fort in the area that would eventually become Sacramento. Although famous throughout California for his association with the Gold Rush, Sutter ironically died almost penniless, having seen his business ventures fail while those of his elder son, Augustus Sutter, prospered.
Biography
Early years
Johann Augustus Sutter was born on February 23 1803 in Kandern, Baden, Germany, when his father came from the nearby town of Rünenberg in Switzerland. He went to school in Neuchâtel, Switzerland and later joined the Swiss army, eventually becoming captain of the artillery. Debts incurred in business dealings, however, compelled Sutter to leave Europe for the United States. In May 1834, he left his wife and seven year old child in Burgdorf, Switzerland, and with a French passport he came on board the ship Sully which traveled from Le Havre, France, to New York City where it arrived on July 14 1834.
The New World
In the United States, Sutter undertook extensive travels. Before he came to the United States, he learned Spanish and English. Together with 35 Germans he moved from the St. Louis area to Santa Fe, then moved to the town of Westport. On April 1, 1838, he joined a group of missionaries, led by the fur trapper Andrew Dripps, and went along the Oregon Trail to Fort Vancouver in Oregon Territory, which he reached in October. With a few companions, he went on board the British bark Columbia which left Fort Vancouver in November and laid at anchor in Honolulu on December 9. Sutter wanted to settle in California, but the only vessel riding at anchor in the harbor was the brig Clementine. Sutter managed to be signed on as unpaid supercargo of this brig freighted with a cargo of provisions and general merchandise for the Russian colony of New Archangel, now known as Sitka, Alaska. The Clementine hoisted anchor on April 20 1839, with Sutter together with 10 Kanakas, two of them women, a few companions, and a Hawaiian bulldog. From the Russian colony at Sitka, where he stayed one month, Sutter traveled by sail to Yerba Buena, now San Francisco, at that time a tiny poor mission station. The Clementine arrived in Yerba Buena on July 1 1839.
New Helvetia
At the time of Sutter's arrival in California, the territory had a population of only 1,000 Europeans, in contrast with 30,000 Native Americans. It was at that point a part of Mexico and the governor, Juan Bautista Alvarado, granted him permission to settle; in order to qualify for a land grant, Sutter became a Mexican citizen on August 29 1840 - the following year, on 18 June, he received title to 48,827 acres. Sutter named his settlement New Helvetia, or "New Switzerland," after the homeland of his father. Sutter employed variously Native Americans of the Miwok and Maidu tribes, Kanakas and Europeans at his compound, which he called Sutter's Fort; he envisioned creating an agricultural utopia, and for a time the settlement was in fact quite large and prosperous. It was for a period the destination for most California-bound immigrants, including the ill-fated Donner Party, whom Sutter attempted to rescue.
A Francophile, Sutter threatened to raise the French flag over California and place New Helvetia under French protection, but in 1847 the Mexican land was handed over to the United States.[1] Sutter at first supported the establishment of an independent California Republic but when United States troops briefly seized control of his fort, Sutter did not resist because he was outnumbered.
In 1848 gold was discovered near his sawmill in Coloma, along the American River. Sutter's attempt at keeping this quiet failed when merchant and newspaper publisher Samuel Brannan returned from Sutter's Mill to San Francisco with gold he had acquired there and began publicizing the find. Masses of people overran the land and destroyed nearly everything Sutter had worked for. In order to keep from losing everything, however, Sutter deeded his remaining land to his son, Augustus Sutter. The younger Sutter, who had come from Switzerland and joined his father in September 1848, saw the commercial possibilities of the land and promptly started plans for building a new city he named Sacramento, after the Sacramento River. The elder Sutter deeply resented this because he had wanted the city to be named Sutterville and be built near his New Helvetia domain.
Land grant challenge
Sutter's El Sobrante land grant was challenged by the Squatter's Association, and in 1858 the U.S. Supreme Court denied its validity. Sutter sought reimbursement of his losses associated with the Gold Rush. He received a pension of US$250 a month not as a reimbursement of taxes paid on the Sobrante grant at the time Sutter considered it his own. He and wife Nanette moved to Lititz, Pennsylvania. The proximity to Washington, D.C. along with the reputed healing qualities of Lititz Springs appealed to the aging Sutter. He also wanted his three grandchildren to have the benefits of the fine private and Moravian Schools. Sutter built his home across from the Lititz Springs Hotel; the present day General Sutter Inn.
For more than fifteen years, John Sutter, the undisputed founder of California, petitioned Congress for restitution but little was done. On June 16 1880, Congress adjourned, once again, without action on a bill which would have given Sutter US$50,000. Two days later on June 18, 1880 John Augustus Sutter died in a Washington D.C. hotel. He was returned to Lititz and is buried in the Moravian Cemetery. Mrs. Sutter died the following January and is buried with him.
Legacy
Sutter Street in downtown San Francisco, California is named after him. Sutter's Landing, Sutterville Rd., Sutter Middle School, and Sutterville Elementary School in Sacramento are all named after him. The Sutterville Bend of the Sacramento River is also named after him. Sutter Medical Foundation, a non-profit medical system in Northern California also takes its name in honor of Sutter.
Notes
- ↑ Ancestry Magazine Retrieved October 19, 2007.
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Cendrars, Blaise. Gold Being the Marvellous History of General John Augustus Sutter. New York: M. Kesend Pub, 1984. ISBN 9780935576085
- Dillon, Richard H. Fool's gold the decline and fall of Captain John Sutter of California. Santa Cruz: Western Tanager, 1981. ISBN 9780934136150
- Hurtado, Albert L. John Sutter A Life on the North American Frontier. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 2006. ISBN 9780806137728
External links
- His account of the discovery of gold Retrieved October 19, 2007.
- Collection of John Sutter Journal Entries Retrieved October 19, 2007.
- Street names in San Francisco Retrieved October 19, 2007.
- General Sutter Inn Lititz, PA Retrieved October 19, 2007.
Credits
New World Encyclopedia writers and editors rewrote and completed the Wikipedia article in accordance with New World Encyclopedia standards. This article abides by terms of the Creative Commons CC-by-sa 3.0 License (CC-by-sa), which may be used and disseminated with proper attribution. Credit is due under the terms of this license that can reference both the New World Encyclopedia contributors and the selfless volunteer contributors of the Wikimedia Foundation. To cite this article click here for a list of acceptable citing formats.The history of earlier contributions by wikipedians is accessible to researchers here:
The history of this article since it was imported to New World Encyclopedia:
Note: Some restrictions may apply to use of individual images which are separately licensed.
