Alameda County Biographies

Augustine Alviso

Transcribed by Peggy Allen, April 23 2006

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

 

	Augustine Alviso was born at the Presidio of San Francisco, on the 28th day of August, 
1809, and is the son of Jos� Ygnacio Alviso and Margarita Bernal, two of the founders of 
California.  At an early age he removed with his parents to the Mission of Santa Clara, where 
he grew to manhood.  Here he was engaged, under his father, who was then administrator of that 
mission, in various capacities, mostly in the cultivation of the soil, overseeing and directing 
improvements then being made.  On the 1st day of May, 1940, he was appointed by Jos� Maria 
Amador foreman (Mayor-domo) of the Mission of San Jos�.  He received from his predecessor as 
property belonging to said mission over 25,000 head of cattle, 40,000 head of sheep, and over 
1,000 head of horses, there were also over 1,000 tame  Indians, most of them engaged in various 
industries, and under the control of the mission authorities.  In the year 1841 there was a 
great drought.  The scarcity of feed was such that it was necessary to send the Indians to the 
nearest forests of trees to chop the limbs for the stock to feed on.  The year 1842 was a 
favorable one for rain, the low lands being all inundated.  On the 5th day of May, 1842, he 
commenced to build a house on the Rancho Potrero de los Cerritos (in Washington Township), 
having obtained permission from the Governor of California to do so,  In December of the same 
year he removed, with his family, to the rancho; and shortly afterwards obtained a grant of 
three leagues of land, in company with Tomas Pacheco, his brother-in-law, on which he continued 
to reside up to within one year past.  While on his rancho, he engaged in the raising of horned 
cattle, sheep, horses, and in the cultivation of the soil.  In the year 1844 he raised over 600 
fanegas (120 lbs.) of wheat, 200 of beans, and over the same quantity of corn.  The market for 
all these products was the Presidio Ruso, in Bodega.  The price of wheat then was $3 for a 
fanega; for beans, $1.50; for corn, $3; the price of cattle was $1.50 per head.  In the year 
1844 he took part in expelling Governor Micheltorena from the country, and was taken prisoner by 
Gen. John A. Sutter.  Through the assistance of his friend, the late Robert Livermore, in the 
autumn of the same year, while camping near the latter�s house in Livermore Valley, he escaped.  
Augustine Alviso married Maria Antonia Pacheco, the daughter of two colonists, on the 7th day of 
May 1831.  There were born to them five children�one girl and four boys�all of whom are now l
iving.  His wife departed this life on the 15th day of June, 1871.
	Many of the immigrants and early settlers of the valley of Alameda will remember his 
hospitality and kindness of heart.  It is gratifying to the members of his family that during his 
long life he has never been accused or even suspected of a dishonest act, or of breaking a promise, 
when once made.  He is a good citizen and a distinguished patriot.  At the time of the 
intervention against the Republic of Mexico by France, England, and Spain, in order to establish 
the empire of Maximilian, still retaining his liberal sentiments, he aided General Placido Vega, 
the representative of the Juarez Government in this State, with his means and influence.  Se�or 
Alviso has a worthy descendent in his son Valentine, at present Supervisor for Murray Township. 

Centennial Yearbook of Alameda County, California - Oakland, Calif., 1876 Pages 558-559