Abstract of Title, 1856-1918

Accession #78.8.1, 334 pages with hard cover, 8” x 12”.

Donor: Marie Taueffer, Healdsburg, 1978.

This month’s featured artifact is a document.  It is an Abstract of Title to 126.64 acres of land, located just north of Simi Winery on Chiquita Road (or more specifically “part of the NE ¼ of section 8 and the NW ¼ of section 9, Township 9 North, Range 9 West in the Sotoyome Rancho, Sonoma County, California”). This title abstract is an impressive collection of deeds, mortgages and leases pertaining to the property, dating from its sale in 1856 by Josefa Carrillo de Fitch (as guardian of the heirs of Henry Fitch) up to purchase by W. Hill Gatrell in 1918.  It includes the articles of incorporation for the Litton Springs Sanitarium and the People’s Mineral-Hygiene Company, former owners of the property. The title report was researched and compiled by William H. Pool, Searcher of Records, Santa Rosa in 1918.

Cover of Abstract

Revealed in 334 neatly typed pages is some fascinating history of early northern Sonoma County.  The property included within the title abstract was part of Lytton (Litton) Springs for much of its history and before that was part of the Sotoyome Rancho.  William H. Litton bought 2,630 acres in 1859.  This property became the celebrated Litton Springs resort.  Litton overextended himself, got into financial difficulties and was sued by N.P. Cole of San Francisco.  The judgment against him was $74,255.38.  The Abstract of Title illustrates, through the recorded documents, how William Litton struggled to hold on to his property.  He took out mortgages, leased mineral rights, leased his livery stable and barn, rented out his vineyards.  In May 1877, the nearly 3,000-acre property was sold to Odd Fellows Savings Bank for $56,670.24 at a sheriff’s sale. 

The above was researched and written by Holly Hoods.

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