SCVHistory.com | People | The Reading of Henry Mayo Newhall's Will, March 1882.

Webmaster's note.

Following the untimely death of San Francisco auctioneer and Santa Clarita Valley town founder Henry Mayo Newhall on March 13, 1882, his heirs set up three companies: (1) H.M. Newhall & Co., run by second and fifth sons William Mayo and George Almer Newhall and their uncle Gilbert Palache, to manage the $2.5 million estate and to continue as commission merchants and insurance brokers; (2) Newhall Sons & Co., run by third and fourth sons Edwin White and Walter Scott Newhall, to continue their father's auction business; and (3) The Newhall Land and Farming Co., with first son Henry Gregory Newhall serving as its founding president, to manage "all the land that is not in cities" — i.e., Rancho San Francisco (Santa Clarita Valley) in Los Angeles and Ventura counties; Rancho El Suey in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties; Rancho Todos Santos in Santa Barbara County; and Ranchos El Piojo, San Miguelito and Santa Rita in Monterey County.

Beneficiary Gilbert Palache was Henry Newhall's indispensible business partner and brother-in-law. Born in Jamaica, Palache came to San Francisco in the 1850s, joined the company and married into the family, in the person of Margery White, youngest sister of Henry's first and then-current wife, Sarah Ann White. Sarah Ann gave Henry his first three sons and died in childbirth, along with what would have been their fourth son. Now alone with sons aged 5, 3 and 1, Henry married the second sister, Margaret Jane White, with whom he would father two more boys.

Further reading: Newhall, Ruth. "A California Legend: The Newhall Land and Farming Company." [Valencia, Calif.]: The Newhall Land and Farming Company 1992.

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H.M. Newhall's Will.

The will of the late Henry M. Newhall was filed for probate yesterday in Department No. 9 of the Superior Court. It is dated June 23, 1880, and is signed by William Alvord, Thomas Brown and Russell J. Wilson as witnesses. The executors named are Margaret Jane Newhall, surviving wife of deceased, Henry G. and William M. Newhall, sons, and Gilbert Palache. The instrument devises to Margaret Jane Newhall, during her natural life, the homestead lot and house and stable and stable lots adjoining on the southwesterly corner of Sutter street and Van Ness avenue, as a home for herself and five sons of testator. The said homestead, furniture, personal property, jewelry, carriage, horses and other property appertaining thereto, to be held and used by her during her natural life. On her decease the homestead property shall pass to the executors in trust for the five sons, Henry Gregory Newhall, William Mayo Newhall, Edwin White Newhall, Walter Scott Newhall and George Aimer Newhall. To Margery Palache the sum of $10,000, for her separate use. To Sarah Ann Newhall, Palache and Ida Palache, daughters of Gilbert Palache, $10,000 each for their own use. To Gilbert Palache, in trust for Thomas Hood Palache, to be invested until the legatee attains his majority, $1,000.

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The will devises the residue of the estate to the executrix and executors, and directs that as speedily as possible all personal property, except household furniture, etc., shall be reduced to money, and after payment of debts and legacies, the money, together with money on hand and what may be collected without sales of real estate, should be invested for the use and benefit of the five sons share and share alike. The will directs that distribution shall take place when the youngest son, George Almer Newhall, shall attain the age of 21 years, and the property to be distributed shall include everything, real and personal, remaining in the hands of the executrix and executors. In the event of the death of testator's wife before the youngest son attain his majority the interest given to her passes to the five sons share and share alike. It the wife shall survive when the youngest son attains his majority, then the homestead and personal property thereabouts shall still remain for her use and benefit until her death. The will details upon the executors and particularly upon the surviving wife, to attend strictly to the morals, health and education of the children. It provides that in case of the death of any of the children, the share of such is to fall to the others. It directed the executors to select as the legal counsel Samuel M. Wilson of San Francisco. The petition places the value of the estate at about $2,500,000. It consists of real and personal property in San Francisco and in the counties of San Mateo, Santa Clara, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles and Ventura.