Manish Vaidya
A 1899 promissory note from David Jacks to Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton of Salinas County, residing within the Steinbeck family archives at Stanford University, presents a compelling point of intersection for archival analysis, historical inquiry, and potential literary connections. This document, beyond its legal function, becomes a tangible artifact of late 19th-century California, offering insights into lives of regular people who lived in the region. This particular archival artifact with its interesting familial connection also opens several avenues of exploration into the study of literature and its historical context.
Firstly, the note provides a direct link to David Jacks, a figure whose influence on the economic and social landscape of Monterey County is undeniable. This primary source allows for a closer examination of Jacks’ activities as a landowner and financier, offering valuable context for understanding the economic forces at play in the region. These are the very dynamics which Steinbeck would later depict in his writing. This connection invites inquiry into how historical figures and their actions become woven into the cultural narrative and potentially transformed into literary themes or characters.
Secondly, the presence of this note within the Steinbeck archives itself raises questions about nature of archiving. Would this note have survived if it wasn’t connected to the famous author? As Cook & Schwartz argued, the role of archivist has progressed from being merely a keeper of records to a selector of artifacts1. As a result of this selective processing, a promissory note becomes a vehicle for uncovering history and literary references.
Finally, One might ask: Did Steinbeck encounter this document, or similar records of financial transactions? Did awareness of these economic realities inform his understanding of the social dynamics of his native region? This prompts consideration of the archive as a potential source of influence, suggesting possible lines of inquiry into the interplay between archival material, family history, and the creative process. This perspective allows for a broader discussion of how seemingly commonplace documents can reveal significant insights into the cultural and historical contexts that inform literary production.
Origins and Context
This archival journey began with my interest in Margaret Jacks, a significant donor to Stanford University. Her name is on the very building housing this class. Her portrait hangs prominently in the lobby of the building, sparking curiosity her life and background.
Margaret Anna Jacks, the last surviving heir of David Jacks, passed away in April 1962. Upon her death, the remainder of the family estate was bequeathed to various California colleges and universities. Notably, her gift to Stanford University constituted one of the largest single donations in the university’s history since its founding grant, establishing two endowed professorships and resulting in the naming of Margaret Jacks Hall in the main quad in her honor.2
I sought to connect with the past not only through research on the individual but also through a direct, physical engagement with archival materials. This led me to seek out a document within the Stanford archives. A catalog search on Margaret Jacks yielded limited results. Further research revealed that she inherited her fortune from her father, David Jacks, a prominent landowner and dairy farmer in Monterey County. A document search on him resulted in many interesting findings in the archives. Of these, the promissory note most attracted my attention.
David Jacks was a Scottish immigrant who arrived in California during the Gold Rush. Throughout mid to late 19th century, David Jacks acquired vast tracts of land, often through predatory practices such as foreclosing on loans made to struggling farmers. His influence extended to the dairy industry, where he established a significant presence. David Jacks’ legacy extends beyond land acquisition and into the realm of California cheese production. The origins of the cheese he is associated with can be traced back to the ingenuity of Spanish Franciscan missionaries who arrived in California from Mexico during the early mission period. Facing an abundance of fresh milk, they devised a method for preservation by converting it into cheese. This resulted in a soft, creamy delicacy known as “Queso blanco pais” (country peasant cheese) and “Queso blanco” (white cheese). These cheeses became dietary staples for the Spanish-speaking settlers.
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Jacks, through partnerships with 14 dairies owned by Spanish and Portuguese dairymen, established a dominant position in North Californian dairy farming. Similar to the Franciscans, he encountered challenges of milk surplus. His solution involved producing cheese himself, and he began marketing it as “Jack’s Cheese.” This cheese gained significant popularity on the West Coast, with customers requesting it by name. As a result, “Monterey Jack” became synonymous with this white, creamy cheese.
The popularity of Monterey Jack cheese endures to this day. It remains readily available in most supermarkets and serves as a key ingredient in various Mexican dishes and pizzas. Notably, the Sonoma Cheese Factory in California alone produces a staggering 10,000 pounds of Jack cheese daily, highlighting its significance within California’s overall cheese production, accounting for roughly 10 percent.4
David Jacks was married to Maria Soledad de Romie, known for her acts of charity, often providing food to those in need. From the nature of the note, it’s clear that local townsfolk turned to him for cash loans in their times of need or to fund some new small business venture.5 They had seven children: five daughters and two sons. His two sons and two of his daughters married. Upon his death in 1909, his estate was passed on to his family.
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The other signatories to this promissory note proved to be equally interesting and potentially the reason for it archival. They were John Steinbeck’s maternal grandparents, Samuel and Eliza Hamilton. The Hamilton family played a significant role in shaping Steinbeck’s life and writing. Samuel Hamilton emigrated to the United States during the Irish Potato Famine of the 1840s. He and Eliza settled in the Salinas Valley of California, where they established themselves as successful farmers. Their daughter, Olive Hamilton, married John Ernst Steinbeck Sr., and they had four children, including John. This agrarian background profoundly influenced Steinbeck’s early life and provided a rich source of inspiration for his literary works, particularly his portrayals of rural life and the struggles of ordinary people.
The Archive and its Significance
This promissory note is part of the S.J. Neighbors collection of John Steinbeck papers, accessible through the Online Archive of California at https://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/c85t3s74/. Housed within the Department of Special Collections and University Archives at Stanford University under the identifier/call number M2467, this collection comprises 3.21 linear feet of material (6 manuscript boxes, 1 half box, 2 oversize flat boxes). The note itself is located in box 5, folder 31, and is described as “Samuel and Eliya7 Hamilton promissory note, handwritten document, 1p, [229] 1899-05-08.”
Visiting the Stanford archives at Green Library provided an invaluable opportunity to physically interact with the document. Holding a piece of paper from 1899 offered a powerful connection to the past. Exploring the surrounding folders revealed a treasure trove of material related to the Steinbeck family, including details about Steinbeck’s grandfather’s life as a farmer in Palestine and his subsequent immigration to the United States. This experience resonated with Ariette Farge’s observation that archives offer a unique vantage point for reconstructing the past. As she eloquently states, “The archive is a vantage point from which the symbolic and intellectual constructions of the past can be rearranged” (Farge, Ariette. The Allure of the Archives, trans. Thomas Scott-Railton). This experience underscored the power of archives to not only provide factual information but also to enable new interpretations and understandings of historical events and individuals.
Editorial Policy and Transcription
My editorial approach for this analysis prioritized accessibility for a general audience interested in Steinbeck family history. I retained most of the original spelling and punctuation, as the text was written in legible, modern English.
Original:
Transcript
Front:
$500000 Salinas City, California, May 8th, 1899
Eighteen months after this date, for value received, we / jointly and severally promise to pay to David Jacks, / or order, Five thousand dollars in gold coin, with / interest thereon from the date hereof in like coin, / at the rate of nine percent per annum from / date until paid, payable semi annually and if / not so paid such interest to be added to the / principal and become a part thereof and bear / like interest. At the opinion of the holder of this / note if any instalment of the interest is not paid / when due then the whole principal sum shall / become forewith due and payable
[Documentary Stamp] [Signature] Samuel Hamilton
[Signature] Eliza Hamilton Back:
The note is signed in the front (overlaid on the text) by David’s son, Will Jacks, who had by 1904 started taking over managing the family’s business interests.
Analysis and Interpretation
Around the turn of the 20th century in Northern California, handwritten promissory notes were a common instrument in everyday financial transactions, particularly in rural communities and among individuals who may not have had easy access to formal banking institutions. These notes served as basic loan agreements, documenting a debt owed by one party to another. They were used for a variety of purposes, from securing small personal loans between neighbors or family members to financing larger transactions like the purchase of livestock or farm equipment. A typical note would include the date, the amount of the loan (principal), the interest rate (if any), the date of repayment, and the signatures of both the borrower and the lender.8
Enforcement of these handwritten promissory notes relied heavily on community trust and social pressure. In close-knit communities, a person’s word and reputation were often sufficient to ensure repayment. However, if a dispute arose, the note itself served as evidence of the debt. The lender could pursue legal action in local courts to recover the owed amount. The informality of these notes sometimes led to ambiguity or disputes over the terms, making legal enforcement challenging. However, the presence of clear terms and signatures significantly strengthened the lender’s case in court. The legal system at the time, while evolving, generally recognized these handwritten agreements as binding contracts, provided they met basic contractual requirements.
The promissory note, written on a legal sheet of paper, is divided into two parts. The front uses formal legal language to outline the loan amount, interest rate, and terms of repayment. The back contains detailed handwritten notes documenting each interest payment made, presumably until the loan was fully repaid. This meticulous record and our ability to draw inferences resonates with Farge’s assertion that “legal documents can reveal a ‘fragmented world,’ offering a glimpse into the everyday lives and social interactions of individuals” (Farge). The painstakingly recorded interest payments provide a compelling window into the financial realities of the Hamilton family and their relationship with David Jacks. They offer subtle yet significant insights into the family’s financial stability, their commitment to debt fulfillment, and perhaps even the level of trust and respect that characterized their interactions with David Jacks.
An investigation into the stamp affixed to the promissory note reveals a system designed to collect tax duties on a variety of goods and services. Proprietary stamps, for instance, were affixed to goods such as alcohol and tobacco, signifying the payment of applicable taxes. These stamps were also utilized for various services, indicating revenue collection beyond tangible goods. Documentary stamps, in contrast, served to denote the payment of duties on legal documents, including mortgage deeds, stocks, and a considerable number of other legal transactions. Proprietary and Documentary stamps often bore these respective designations, clearly indicating their intended use. However, in several instances, these two types of stamps shared similar designs, sometimes with only minor variations differentiating them. Beginning in 1862, the first revenue stamps were issued, marking the commencement of a system that would continue to be utilized for well over a century.9
Connection to “East of Eden”
The most compelling aspect of this archival analysis was the artifact’s connection to Steinbeck’s literary work. A promissory note signed by Samuel Hamilton provided a tangible connection to the real-life inspiration for his eponymous fictional figure. In the book, Sam Hamilton is portrayed as a resourceful and hardworking man, but he faces financial difficulties throughout his life. He struggles to make a living as a blacksmith and well-driller, and his land is often plagued by drought. It is well-known that Steinbeck based Samuel Hamilton on his own grandfather, and examining Sam’s actual signature on this historical document was fascinating. This underscores the significant connections between archival analysis and both historical and literary interpretations.
Conclusion
This investigation into a seemingly mundane promissory note unexpectedly uncovered a complex web of interconnected narratives. Beyond its immediate function as a financial instrument, the document serves as a gateway to diverse historical threads, from the contested origins of Monterey Jack cheese to the genealogical roots of John Steinbeck’s literary legacy. This underscores the transformative power of archival research to forge profound connections between the present and the past. By examining this primary source, we uncover valuable insights into the real-world inspirations for Steinbeck’s fictional characters, offering a deeper understanding of the author’s creative process. Ultimately, this research highlights how seemingly simple documents can yield rich historical insights, challenging and enriching our perception of the past. This exploration reaffirms the critical role of meticulous archival research in illuminating the intricate tapestry of history and uncovering unexpected links between historical events and even literary creations.
Bibliography
- Dwyer, James T. “The Author You Probably Never Thought of as Irish: John Steinbeck.” America: The National Catholic Weekly, March 15, 2022, https://www.americamagazine.org/arts-culture/2022/03/15/catholic-book-club-steinbeck-irish-242598.
- Farge, Ariette. The Allure of the Archives. Translated by Thomas Scott-Railton. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1989.
- Samuel and Eliya Hamilton promissory note, handwritten document, 1p, [229] 1899-05-08. Box 5, Folder 31. S.J. Neighbors collection of John Steinbeck papers (M2467). Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, California. (https://searchworks.stanford.edu/view/np420qz6765)
- Steinbeck, John. East of Eden. New York: Viking Press, 1952.
- “The Land King: The Story of David Jack,” Museum of Contra Costa History, accessed December 3, 2024, https://mchsmuseum.com/local-history/people/land-king-the-story-of-david-jack/.