The whaler from England who created Rancho Saucelito

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Richardson Bay is that beautiful stretch of water between Sausalito, Belvedere, and Mill Valley where houseboats bob and egrets wade. But how many of us know the story of the English sailor who gave it his name?

An Englishman by the name of William Anthony Richardson was aboard a British whaling ship visiting SF in 1822. This was great timing because Mexico had recently won its independence from Spain. And Richardson could speak fluent Spanish, a skill he picked up on his travels.

At an all-night fiesta, he met a local woman, Maria Antonia Martinez. He ended up jumping ship, staying in SF, and marrying her. She was the eldest daughter of the commandant of the Presidio in SF (the city of Martinez is named after him). I’m imagining a Netflix show similar to Shogun about this…

William was a savvy dude and quickly became influential. He wanted to be a landowner though and petitioned the governor for a rancho at the headlands across the Golden Gate, to be called “Rancho Saucelito.”

It took a decade, but it was worth the wait. A massive 19,751 acres were included in the grant, which is over 30 square miles! Stretching from present day Sausalito to Mill Valley and over to Tiburon. Right where the Bay of Richardson is located today.

When the United States took over, they didn't just confiscate Mexican land grants. Instead, they created the Land Claims Act of 1851, which required all Mexican grants to be validated through U.S. courts. Richardson had to prove his title was legitimate, which he did.

More fun facts:

• He was the first non-Spanish speaking settler in SF

• Built SF’s first private residence and was influential in city planning

• Before owning the land, he created a freshwater station in Sausalito, which is a pretty important resource for sailors

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There are some amazing mansions nestled back by Dominican University in San Rafael. This one is an entertainer’s dream.

6 bed, 7 bath and 6,431 square feet. It was just built in 2003, I have some clothes that are older…

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Thanks for reading. We will be back with the regular events and activities email Wednesday morning!

— Allison + Brian