Washington Allon Bartlett
Encyclopedia
Washington Allon Bartlett (ca. 1816 – February 6, 1865) was the first alcalde
(mayor) of the American-era San Francisco serving from August 14, 1846 to January 31, 1847.
, a signatory of the United States Declaration of Independence
; however, there is no independent evidence for either proposition. Much of the biographical data regarding Bartlett in the period before 1856 is found in a memorial he submitted to Congress. He was originally appointed as a midshipman in the United States Navy on January 22, 1833, having had some previous at-sea nautical training. Between 1833 and 1837, Bartlett served on board the sloop USS Vincennes on a lengthy Pacific Ocean cruise. On July 8, 1839, he passed seventh in a class of 32 in examinations for the rank of passed midshipman. Between 1839 and 1844, he was principally engaged in surveying duties, until he was commissioned a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy in November, 1844, at which time he joined the sloop USS Portsmouth for a cruise which lasted until May, 1848.
claimed California for the United States on July 7, 1846, and Commander John B. Montgomery
in the Portsmouth arrived at the coastal village of Yerba Buena
on July 9, 1846 to take control of the area for the United States.
As Lieutenant Bartlett was a fluent speaker of Spanish, and was well read in legal matters, he was detailed by Commander Montgomery on August 14, 1846 to take command at Yerba Buena. Accordingly, Lt. Bartlett became the first American alcalde, or mayor, of Yerba Buena. Lt. Bartlett was elected to succeed himself as mayor at the first election held under the new regime, on September 15, 1846. Bartlett was involved in the Donner Party
tragedy; upon news being received at Yerba Buena of the disaster, Bartlett collected clothing and provisions to relieve the survivors. For a period of a month in December, 1846, he was taken prisoner by "an irregular body of Californians" while on a provisioning expedition. In one of his last acts as mayor, he formally changed the name of Yerba Buena on January 30, 1847 to that which it is known by today: San Francisco.
Bartlett, as an experienced surveyor, also ordered the creation of some of the first maps of the city-to-be. Montgomery Street
, still a prominent thoroughfare in San Francisco, was named for his commanding officer, and although Bartlett Street is most probably named for him, some say it was for Washington Montgomery Bartlett
, who was the twentieth mayor of San Francisco
, and later the sixteenth governor of California
.
.
In February, 1855, Bartlett once again went to sea, for service as a first lieutenant and executive officer of the flagship of the African squadron. This service was not to be long, for in September, 1855, Bartlett was struck from the Navy List by a naval board. Upon an enquiry by the wife of Lt. Bartlett, it was noted that no charges had been preferred against any officers so struck.
Lt. Bartlett, upon his return to the United States, engaged in vigorous efforts to be restored to the Navy List, including the presentation in 1856 of a lengthy “Memorial” to Congress which outlined his service. To a certain extent, the Memorial was focused on rebutting charges that Lt. Bartlett had been engaged in financial irregularities when acting as agent for the Treasury, and when an officer in the African squadron. As of 1859, Lt. Bartlett had not been restored to service; Bartlett was granted leave to withdraw his petition to be restored to service by the U.S. Senate on March 13, 1857.
) on Mott Street in New York on October 13, 1859. The wedding was soon known as "The Diamond Wedding," in part because of the allegedly lavish gifts of jewelry given by the 55-year old Oviedo to his 18-year old bride. The name was also attached to a satirical poem written by Edmund Clarence Stedman which appeared in The New York Tribune, which so enraged the father of the bride that an apology or "satisfaction" was demanded. Neither or duel nor a threatened lawsuit ever came to pass.
The marriage lasted until Don Esteban's death in February, 1870. His widow, in 1882, was subsequently remarried to Bodo von Gluemer, a German engineering officer in the service of the Mexican Army. As of 1904, Frances Amelia Bartlett de Oviedo von Gluemer was still alive, though in significantly reduced circumstances, pursuing claims under the Treaty of Paris, which ended the Spanish-American War, regarding property left to her by her first husband in Cuba.
, Virginia
in the late spring of 1861, the Brigade was rejected for service by the commanding officer, Major-General Benjamin F. Butler
. Bartlett, who was Colonel of the Brigade, subsequently suffered a serious injury in a fall, and the Brigade was dissolved, portions of it being reformed as the 99th Volunteer Regiment of the New York militia in August, 1861. Bartlett was subject to serious criticism in the press by some regarding his conduct, one article even noting that some in the Brigade questioned his sanity.
Bartlett continued to seek vindication; Senator John P. Hale
of New Hampshire is on record as having written to Navy Secretary Gideon Welles regarding Bartlett's case in March 1862. However, there is no record of Bartlett ever receiving vindication. As of 1862, Bartlett was in a partnership practicing civil, marine, naval and steam engineering at 169 Broadway, in New York City.
Bartlett died in Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn
, New York City
, in February 1865, and is buried at Green-Wood Cemetery
, section 90, lot 772/775, in Brooklyn
.
Alcalde
Alcalde , or Alcalde ordinario, is the traditional Spanish municipal magistrate, who had both judicial and administrative functions. An alcalde was, in the absence of a corregidor, the presiding officer of the Castilian cabildo and judge of first instance of a town...
(mayor) of the American-era San Francisco serving from August 14, 1846 to January 31, 1847.
Early life and career
While some sources state that Bartlett was born in Maine, citing dates of 3 September 1812 to 1820, other sources have stated he was related to Josiah BartlettJosiah Bartlett
Josiah Bartlett was an American physician and statesman, delegate to the Continental Congress for New Hampshire and signatory of the Declaration of Independence...
, a signatory of the United States Declaration of Independence
United States Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was a statement adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, which announced that the thirteen American colonies then at war with Great Britain regarded themselves as independent states, and no longer a part of the British Empire. John Adams put forth a...
; however, there is no independent evidence for either proposition. Much of the biographical data regarding Bartlett in the period before 1856 is found in a memorial he submitted to Congress. He was originally appointed as a midshipman in the United States Navy on January 22, 1833, having had some previous at-sea nautical training. Between 1833 and 1837, Bartlett served on board the sloop USS Vincennes on a lengthy Pacific Ocean cruise. On July 8, 1839, he passed seventh in a class of 32 in examinations for the rank of passed midshipman. Between 1839 and 1844, he was principally engaged in surveying duties, until he was commissioned a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy in November, 1844, at which time he joined the sloop USS Portsmouth for a cruise which lasted until May, 1848.
Mayor of San Francisco
It was during this cruise that Bartlett achieved his greatest professional fame. The Mexican-American War broke out during this cruise. Commodore John D. SloatJohn D. Sloat
John Drake Sloat was a commodore in the United States Navy who, in 1846, claimed California for the United States.-Life:...
claimed California for the United States on July 7, 1846, and Commander John B. Montgomery
John B. Montgomery
John Berrien Montgomery was an officer in the United States Navy who served during the Mexican-American War and the American Civil War.-Biography:...
in the Portsmouth arrived at the coastal village of Yerba Buena
Yerba Buena
Yerba buena is a rambling aromatic herb of western and northwestern North America, ranging from maritime Alaska southwards to Baja California Sur...
on July 9, 1846 to take control of the area for the United States.
As Lieutenant Bartlett was a fluent speaker of Spanish, and was well read in legal matters, he was detailed by Commander Montgomery on August 14, 1846 to take command at Yerba Buena. Accordingly, Lt. Bartlett became the first American alcalde, or mayor, of Yerba Buena. Lt. Bartlett was elected to succeed himself as mayor at the first election held under the new regime, on September 15, 1846. Bartlett was involved in the Donner Party
Donner Party
The Donner Party was a group of American pioneers who set out for California in a wagon train. Delayed by a series of mishaps, they spent the winter of 1846–47 snowbound in the Sierra Nevada...
tragedy; upon news being received at Yerba Buena of the disaster, Bartlett collected clothing and provisions to relieve the survivors. For a period of a month in December, 1846, he was taken prisoner by "an irregular body of Californians" while on a provisioning expedition. In one of his last acts as mayor, he formally changed the name of Yerba Buena on January 30, 1847 to that which it is known by today: San Francisco.
Bartlett, as an experienced surveyor, also ordered the creation of some of the first maps of the city-to-be. Montgomery Street
Montgomery Street
Montgomery Street is a north-south thoroughfare in San Francisco, California, in the United States.It runs about 16 blocks from the Telegraph Hill neighborhood south through downtown, terminating at Market Street. South of Columbus Avenue, Montgomery Street runs through the heart of San Francisco's...
, still a prominent thoroughfare in San Francisco, was named for his commanding officer, and although Bartlett Street is most probably named for him, some say it was for Washington Montgomery Bartlett
Washington Bartlett
Washington Montgomery Bartlett was the 20th Mayor of San Francisco, California from 1883–1887 and was California's first and to date only Jewish Governor of California.- Life and career :...
, who was the twentieth mayor of San Francisco
Mayor of San Francisco
The Mayor of the City and County of San Francisco is the head of the executive branch of San Francisco's city and county government. The mayor has the duty to enforce city laws, and the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, the legislative branch....
, and later the sixteenth governor of California
Governor of California
The Governor of California is the chief executive of the California state government, whose responsibilities include making annual State of the State addresses to the California State Legislature, submitting the budget, and ensuring that state laws are enforced...
.
Later career and scandal
After the conclusion of these duties, and the war, Lt. Bartlett continued to engage in various surveying-related duties, including an extended period of time in Europe purchasing lighthouse equipment on behalf of the Treasury, and the first major survey of the Columbia RiverColumbia River
The Columbia River is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. The river rises in the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia, Canada, flows northwest and then south into the U.S. state of Washington, then turns west to form most of the border between Washington and the state...
.
In February, 1855, Bartlett once again went to sea, for service as a first lieutenant and executive officer of the flagship of the African squadron. This service was not to be long, for in September, 1855, Bartlett was struck from the Navy List by a naval board. Upon an enquiry by the wife of Lt. Bartlett, it was noted that no charges had been preferred against any officers so struck.
Lt. Bartlett, upon his return to the United States, engaged in vigorous efforts to be restored to the Navy List, including the presentation in 1856 of a lengthy “Memorial” to Congress which outlined his service. To a certain extent, the Memorial was focused on rebutting charges that Lt. Bartlett had been engaged in financial irregularities when acting as agent for the Treasury, and when an officer in the African squadron. As of 1859, Lt. Bartlett had not been restored to service; Bartlett was granted leave to withdraw his petition to be restored to service by the U.S. Senate on March 13, 1857.
"Diamond Wedding"
The daughter of Lt. Bartlett, Frances Amelia Bartlett, married Don Esteban Santa Cruz de Oviedo, a wealthy Cuban landowner and slave-owner, in a lavish ceremony at St. Patrick's Cathedral (now St. Patrick's Old CathedralSt. Patrick's Old Cathedral, New York
The Basilica of Saint Patrick's Old Cathedral, or Old St. Patrick's, is located at 260-264 Mulberry Street between Prince and Houston Streets in the Nolita neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City, with the primary entrance currently located on Mott Street...
) on Mott Street in New York on October 13, 1859. The wedding was soon known as "The Diamond Wedding," in part because of the allegedly lavish gifts of jewelry given by the 55-year old Oviedo to his 18-year old bride. The name was also attached to a satirical poem written by Edmund Clarence Stedman which appeared in The New York Tribune, which so enraged the father of the bride that an apology or "satisfaction" was demanded. Neither or duel nor a threatened lawsuit ever came to pass.
The marriage lasted until Don Esteban's death in February, 1870. His widow, in 1882, was subsequently remarried to Bodo von Gluemer, a German engineering officer in the service of the Mexican Army. As of 1904, Frances Amelia Bartlett de Oviedo von Gluemer was still alive, though in significantly reduced circumstances, pursuing claims under the Treaty of Paris, which ended the Spanish-American War, regarding property left to her by her first husband in Cuba.
Civil War career
Upon the outbreak of the Civil War, Bartlett was engaged in raising Bartlett's Naval Brigade for service. However, upon reporting to the area of Fort MonroeFort Monroe
Fort Monroe was a military installation in Hampton, Virginia—at Old Point Comfort, the southern tip of the Virginia Peninsula...
, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
in the late spring of 1861, the Brigade was rejected for service by the commanding officer, Major-General Benjamin F. Butler
Benjamin Franklin Butler (politician)
Benjamin Franklin Butler was an American lawyer and politician who represented Massachusetts in the United States House of Representatives and later served as the 33rd Governor of Massachusetts....
. Bartlett, who was Colonel of the Brigade, subsequently suffered a serious injury in a fall, and the Brigade was dissolved, portions of it being reformed as the 99th Volunteer Regiment of the New York militia in August, 1861. Bartlett was subject to serious criticism in the press by some regarding his conduct, one article even noting that some in the Brigade questioned his sanity.
Bartlett continued to seek vindication; Senator John P. Hale
John P. Hale
John Parker Hale was an American politician and lawyer from New Hampshire. He served in the United States House of Representatives from 1843 to 1845 and in the United States Senate from 1847 to 1853 and again from 1855 to 1865. He was the first senator to make a stand against slavery...
of New Hampshire is on record as having written to Navy Secretary Gideon Welles regarding Bartlett's case in March 1862. However, there is no record of Bartlett ever receiving vindication. As of 1862, Bartlett was in a partnership practicing civil, marine, naval and steam engineering at 169 Broadway, in New York City.
Bartlett died in Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn
Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn
Brooklyn Heights is a culturally diverse neighborhood within the New York City borough of Brooklyn. Originally referred to as 'Brooklyn Village', it has been a prominent area of Brooklyn since 1834. As of 2000, Brooklyn Heights sustained a population of 22,594 people. The neighborhood is part of...
, New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, in February 1865, and is buried at Green-Wood Cemetery
Green-Wood Cemetery
Green-Wood Cemetery was founded in 1838 as a rural cemetery in Brooklyn, Kings County , New York. It was granted National Historic Landmark status in 2006 by the U.S. Department of the Interior.-History:...
, section 90, lot 772/775, in Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
.