Chapter 3

JOHN STEINBECK'S ROOTS

Draft

Donald G. Kohrs
Copyright © 2021

SAMUEL HAMILTON’S BLUESTOCKING DAUGHTERS

John Steinbeck, in his book Travels with Charley in Search of America, provided a small bit of information about Samuel Hamilton’s daughters with the following sentence.

My grandfather Samuel Hamilton loved good writing, and he knew it too, and he had some bluestocking daughters, among them my mother. [1]

The term “bluestocking” used by Steinbeck in this sentence was once a commonly used noun used to describe to an educated, intellectual woman of the nineteenth century. Three Hamilton daughters, the oldest Lizzie, and two youngest, Euna and Olive were bluestocking, as these girls were well - educated pioneering schoolteachers in early California statehood.

 Two of these daughters, Euna and Olive, each passed the Monterey County Teachers Exam in 1880 and 1884, respectively. These two sisters then spent a considerable number of years teaching in the one-room schoolhouses that dotted Monterey County in the late nineteenth century.

Steinbeck presented several paragraphs in East of Eden describing the responsibilities that the character Olive Hamilton, modeled after his mother, had as a teacher in the rural one-room schoolhouse of California.

In her school there were pupils older and bigger than she was. It required great tact to be a schoolteacher. To keep order among the big undisciplined boys without pistol and bull whip was a difficult and dangerous business. In one school in the mountains a teacher was raped by her pupils.

Olive Hamilton had not only to teach everything, but to all ages. Very few youths went past the eighth grade in those days, and what with farm duties some of them took fourteen or fifteen years to do it. Olive also had to practice a rudimentary medicine, for there were constant accidents. She sewed up knife cuts after a fight in the schoolyard. When a small barefooted boy was bitten by a rattlesnake, it was her duty to suck his toe to draw the poison out.

She taught reading to the first grade and algebra to the eight…..If a marriageable son belonged to the family where she boarded a proposal was automatic; if there was more than one claimant, vicious fights occurred over her hand. The Aguita boys, three of them, nearly clawed each other to death over Olive Hamilton. Teachers rarely lasted long in the country schools. The work was so hard and the proposals so constant that they married within a very short time.[2]

 The following paragraphs provide an introduction to Samuel Hamilton’s five daughters. Lizzie Hamilton, who was a college educated schoolteacher and president of a nonprofit supporting poor children’s needs. The career-oriented Dessie Hamilton, who did not become a schoolteacher, but became proprietor of women’s clothing. Mary Hamilton, who married a wealthy man and joined her sister, Dessie, as a proprietor of women’s clothing. The two youngest daughters, Euna and Olive Hamilton who chose careers as schoolteachers in rural communities of Salinas and South Monterey County.

LIZETTE CARTER “LIZZIE” HAMILTON

            Lizzie—I guess Lizzie must have been the oldest since she was named for her mother—I don’t know much about Lizzie. She early seemed to find a shame for her family. She married young and went away and thereafter was seen only at funerals. Lizzie had a capacity for hatred and bitterness unique among the Hamiltons. She had a son, and when he grew up and married a girl Lizzie didn’t like she did not speak to him for many years. [3]  (John Steinbeck - East of Eden)

Samuel and Eliza Hamilton’s first daughter, Lizette Carter Hamilton, was born 1850 in New York. In 1852, she traveled with her mother via the Isthmus of Panama to San Jose. The earliest suggestion of Lizzie advanced education appears in an announcement in The California Teacher in 1871, where the name Lizzie Hamilton was among one hundred others enrolled in a session organized by the Santa Clara County Teachers Institute.[4]

Next, in 1876, one finds Lizzie Hamilton in the Preparatory Department at the University of the Pacific working as an assistant teacher.[5] The University of the Pacific, founded by Methodist ministers in 1851, in Santa Clara, was California’s first chartered institution of higher education. In 1871, the campus of the University of the Pacific moved to San Jose, and the college opened its doors to women, becoming the first independent co-educational campus in California.

In 1877, Lizzie received a Bachelor of Philosophy degree from the University of the Pacific. Joining her among the twenty-four graduates for that year was her cousin John E. Richards.[6]

The 1880 U. S. Federal Census recorded Lizzie Hamilton living at 392 Third Street, San Jose, California with her twenty-three-year-old cousin John E. Richards, now a lawyer, and her young brother William J. Hamilton, who was attending school.[7] As previously mentioned, John E. Richards was the son of Mary Hamilton, and therefore a first cousin to Lizzie and WJ Hamilton. John Evan Richards later became a Judge of the District Court of Appeals of the First District-San Francisco.[8]

As Lizzie Hamilton was twenty-nine years of age at the time of the 1880 census, her advanced age does not fit well with the character Lizzie portrayed by Steinbeck in East of Eden, described as having “married young.” In 1880, JP Farrell, the man Lizzie would marry, was working for the California Door Company in Oakland, California.[9]

Lizzie Hamilton marriage to Joseph P. Farrell on December 22, 1884, was conducted by a Catholic Priest named Father Prendergast the parishioner of St. Mary’s Church in San Francisco.[10] As the marriage took place in a Catholic church, suggests that Lizzie Hamilton may have converted to Catholicism; a religious conversion that may have caused a serious rift in the Hamilton family.   

According to John Steinbeck in East of Eden…Lizzie, who had left the family and joined another,… 

The U. S. Federal Census for 1910 recorded JP Farrell’s parents as having immigrated from Ireland in 1849 to South America, where he was a born in 1855.[11] When JP Farrell immigrated to the United States has yet to be determined.

Several years after their marriage, the Farrells moved to Los Angeles. A newspaper article recognizes Farrell living in Los Angeles and employed at the California Door Company as early as 1891, [12] where he held a manager position.[13]

Several references suggest that JP and Lizzie Farrell remained close to the Hamilton’s - taking time to attend family events. As previously mentioned, Mr. and Mrs. Farrell attended the fiftieth wedding anniversary of Samuel and Eliza Hamilton in 1899, celebrated at the Steinbeck’s family home in Paso Robles. An article in the Los Angeles Herald in 1890 mentions Olive Hamilton visiting her sister and brother-in-law, J. P. Farrell, and child during the summer.[14]

On May 28, 1905, family members gathered John and Olive Steinbeck’s home in Salinas for baptismal ceremonies of their three children. The parish baptismal register for St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Salinas recorded “Eliz. Farrell” and her brother “Will Hamilton” were baptismal sponsors (godparents) for Elizabeth Steinbeck (b 1894), and “Thomas Hamilton” and “Eliz. Bailey” as sponsors for John Steinbeck (b. 1902), [Elizabeth Bailey, an English Teacher in Salinas High School.] “J. R. Hamilton” and “Mary L. Martin” as sponsors for Mary Steinbeck (b. 1905).[15]

For many years, Lizzie Farrell served as president of an organization of charitable women that maintained Saint Elizabeth Day Nursery at 135 North Anderson Street in Los Angeles.[16] Established in 1909, St. Elizabeth became one of the largest day nurseries in the city. Located in the industrial section of the Los Angeles, this non-profit nursery serviced families of the very poor. During her years as president, Lizzie worked to organize Saint Elizabeth Day Nursery’s famous annual “Pencil Sale Drives” which raised thousands of dollars to support the organization.[17] Considering that Lizzie Farrell was president of St. Elizabeth Day Nursery contradicts Steinbeck’s description of the character Lizzie in East of Eden as “a hateful and bitter woman.” Lizette C. Farrell died April 18, 1923, in Los Angeles, California.[18] At the time of her passing, John Steinbeck was twenty-one years old. Her husband, Joseph P. Farrell, had passed away five years earlier on November 22, 1918, in Los Angeles.[19]

ADELIA “DESSIE” HAMILTON

 Dessie was studying dressmaking… The girls were married, all except Dessie, and she had a successful dressmaking business in Salinas… (John Steinbeck -East of Eden)

Dessie Hamilton and her younger sister, Mary Hamilton, did not choose the career path of schoolteachers. Instead, these Hamilton daughters became dressmakers and milliners (i.e. makers of ladies' hats). For a time, the two sisters owned and operated a small dress shop on Main Street in Salinas, California.

The San Jose City Directory for 1876, recorded that a Miss Dessie H. Hamilton was a student at the Normal School, living at the corner of Ninth and San Salvador. Thus, there is the possibility that Dessie Hamilton, for a time considered becoming a schoolteacher, attending the California State Normal School in San Jose.[31]

Found to date, the first advertisement for Dessie Hamilton that identified her occupation appeared in the Business Directory of the Pacific States and Territories for 1878, with her listed as a dressmaker in Salinas.[32] Next, in the U. S. Federal Census Record for 1880, one finds both Dessie and Mary Hamilton, listed as dressmakers.[33]

Other publications that reference Dessie Hamilton as a dressmaker include McKenney's Pacific Coast Directory for the year 1883-1884,[34] and California State Gazetteer and Business Directory, R.L. Polk & Co., for the years 1888, 1890 and 1893.[35] The Southern Pacific Coast Directory, 1888-1889, listed Dessie Hamilton as a dressmaker whose store was on Main Street in Salinas.[36] Also in 1888, Samuel Hamilton divested part of his property, Hamilton’s Corner, on Main and Central, to the township of Salinas.

The San Jose City Directory 1892, recorded the sisters Dessie Hamilton and Mary Martin owned and operated the dressmaking store “Hamilton & Martin” at the intersection of Main Street and Central Avenue.[37] During this year, Joseph R. Hamilton the youngest sibling was living with his elder sister, likely attending Salinas High School.[38] In the California State Gazetteer and Business Directory, R. L. Polk & Co., 1893, the business was listed as Hamilton & Martin (D Hamilton, ML Martin), millinery.[39] Also in 1893, The Salinas Weekly Index reported that the “Hamilton building” at Main Street and Central Avenue was being prepared for a hardware store, which suggests Dessie’s Dress Store was located elsewhere.[40]

From the local newspapers, one finds mention of Dessie visiting her parent in South Monterey County. For example, the Salinas Daily Journal, April 28, 1897 reported “Miss Dessie Hamilton went yesterday for a visit with her parents at the ranch near King City.” Dessie Hamilton never married, living as a single woman in Salinas for most of her life. She was a popular and active member of Salinas “Reveille” Chapter of the Masonic Order of the Eastern Star.[41] The U. S. Federal Census for 1900 recorded Dessie was living with John and Olive Steinbeck family at their residence on 28 Castroville Street.[42] Today, this address maps to 28 West Market Street, an empty lot in Salinas near the National Steinbeck Center, and may well have been where Dessie Hamilton’s and/or Sam Hamilton’s family home was located. Across from the empty lot stands the site of Lang's Bakery, at 31 West Market Street. Lang's Bakery stood on property once owned by Samuel Hamilton, John Steinbeck's maternal grandfather. In East of Eden, Lang's pastries are part of Kate's carefully contrived supper parties for Faye.

Like the Steinbeck’s Victorian home at the corner of Central and Stone, Dessie Hamilton’s residence entertained frequent visits from the family, her father and mother, Samuel and Eliza; brother Tom, Will, George, and the youngest Joe, who apparently lived with her while attending Salinas High School, and sisters Mary Hamilton Martin, the most frequent of visitors, and Olive Hamilton Steinbeck.

During a four-year period (1900-1904), Dessie Hamilton advertised in the Salinas Daily Journal for an apprentice to learn dressmaking. Those wishing to apply were to see Miss Hamilton at No. 6 Central Avenue.

Dessie’s business began to fall off. And the women who had thought they wanted dresses never realized that what they had wanted was happiness. Times were changing and the ready-made dress was becoming popular…Then Samuel died and the world shattered like a dish. Dessie decided to sell her business and go back to the ranch to live with Tom. 
(John Steinbeck-East of Eden).

On Monday, April 4, 1904, Samuel Hamilton died at his home on the ranch near King City.  Sometime during 1905 or 1906, Dessie Hamilton appears to have moved to the Hamilton Ranch. In May 1906, she traveled to Sausalito to visit Mary, followed by a visit with Olive in Salinas, before returning to the ranch. On April 4, 1907, Dessie Hamilton at forty-eight years of age, passed away on the Hamilton Ranch. The obituary that appeared in the King City Rustler stated: The news of the death of Miss Dessie Hamilton at Hamilton ranch came as a shock to her many friends here, as she was in town only a short time ago, seemingly the picture of health. She succumbed to an acute attack of Bright’s disease, being ill only a few days…The remains were taken to the home of her sister, Mrs. J. E. Steinbeck of Salinas Monday where short funeral services were held.[43] At the time of her passing, John Steinbeck was five and a half years old.

MARY LOUISE “MOLLIE” HAMILTON

Mollie, pretty Mollie, would obviously marry some well-to-do man. (East of Eden)

Samuel went on, “After we’ve visited with Olive for maybe a month or two, there will

come a letter from George. And his feelings will be hurt if we don’t visit him in Paso

Robles. And after that Mollie will want us in San Francisco, and then Will, and maybe

even Joe in the East, if we should live so long…”[44] (John Steinbeck - East of Eden)

Beyond her working as a dressmaker with her older sister Dessie, little has been written about Mary Louise “Mollie” Hamilton. Steinbeck provided a hint of what became of Mollie Hamilton in his book East of Eden, suggesting that she married a wealthy man.

Mary Hamilton married William Jefferson Martin on January 6, 1886, in Monterey, California.[45] Born 1861, William J. Martin was one of six sons born to Daniel C. Martin, an early California pioneer.[46] In 1864, Daniel Martin took a homesteaded claim in Carmel Valley, in areas near what is now Garland Park and Corral de Tierra3 and ranched cattle.[47]

Over the years, DC Martin’s boys followed his lead into cattle ranching. A short article in the Marin County Tocsin, in 1908, described WJ Martin as a prominent cattle rancher of Monterey County who owned over seven thousand acres of the finest grazing lands in the region.

The ranch that was secured by their father in an early day and was devoted to stock raising has greatly increased in value and productiveness with the passing of time and now ranks among the valuable places in the county. A. W. and W. J. have the management of it and are making a good success of their operations. [48]

Martin did not acquire all his wealth from ranching but also through a successful career as manager of the several well-known companies. William. J. Martin began his professional career at fourteen with the Western Union Telegraph Company holding positions first in Salinas, then Stockton, San Jose, and Sacramento. When WJ Martin married Mary Hamilton, he was working at the Western Union Telegraph Company office in Sacramento. During the fall of that year, he was promoted to chief operating officer of the San Francisco office.[49]

In 1898, Martin became the manager of the business department for the San Francisco newspaper, The San Francisco Call, [50] during the regime of John D. Spreckels. An article that appeared in the Call, in May 1898, mentions a Mrs. WJ Martin as a member of the Order of the Eastern Star.[51] This mention suggests that like several of her sisters, Mary Hamilton was a member of the Freemason society. Her husband, William Jefferson Martin was a Royal Arch Mason of the Salinas Masonic Lodge #204, along with John Ernst Steinbeck Sr.

The U. S. Federal Census for 1900 recorded the home of WJ and Mary Martin as 100 Haight Street in San Francisco, California. In 1902, WJ and Mary Martin moved to Sausalito, a small community North of San Francisco where he served as town trustee,[52] a position he held for the next five years.[53] After he retired as trustee, the Martins continued to live in Sausalito, where they owned a lovely home on Bulkley Avenue. The couple frequently traveled to Monterey County to visit family, friends, and several ranches WJ Martin owned and managed. By this time in his life, WJ Martin had become a well-respected man, known throughout the State of California.[54]

Mary Hamilton remained associated with her sister in the Salinas dress shop well into her marriage to the “well-to-do” WJ Martin. Numerous accounts in the local newspapers of Sausalito and Salinas tell of the sisters, Dessie and Mary, visiting one another.

Mary Hamilton Martin has been credited for giving her nephew, John Steinbeck the book by Sir Thomas Malory’s Morte d'Arthur for his ninth birthday. This birthday of Steinbeck’s was in 1911, at which time Mary Martin would have been fifty years of age. In relation to the influence this book had on his youth, John Steinbeck commented: “The Bible and Shakespeare belonged to everyone, this was mine—secretly mine.” The Arthurian tales became a passion he never outgrew.[55]

In 1913, WJ and Mary Hamilton Martin left Sausalito to live in Pacific Grove, where they owned a cottage at Second Avenue and Ocean Boulevard. “The Martins have been residing in Pacific Grove of late years but have been frequent visitors to Salinas where they have a large circle of friends.”[56],[57] In 1914, Eliza Hamilton left the family ranch near King City and moved to a small cottage at 222 Central Avenue, Pacific Grove.

On August 11, 1915, Mary Hamilton Martin, at age 54, passed away after a prolonged illness at John and Olive Steinbeck’s house in Salinas. Mary had spent the last several months of her life being cared for at the Steinbeck home. A newspaper obit that appeared in the San Jose Mercury  stated She leaves two sisters, one Mrs. J.E. Steinbeck, whose home she passed the last months of her illness, and Mrs. Farrell of Los Angeles and three brothers, W. J. Hamilton of King City, G. W. Hamilton of Paso Robles and J. R Hamilton of Chicago.[58] Funeral services were held at the Steinbeck home in Salinas, under the direction of H. V. Mueller followed by burial at the Independent Order of Odd Fellows/Garden of Memories cemetery.[59] Attendees included Judge and Mrs. John Evan Richards.[60] At the time of her passing, John Steinbeck was thirteen years old.

Several years following Mary Hamilton Martin’s death, William Martin returned to Salinas as an assemblyman of the state legislature, serving as an elected representative of Monterey County. In May 1920, W. J. Martin was elected postmaster of Salinas.[61] The 1920 U.S. Federal Census recorded William J. Martin, age 59 was living with John and Olive Steinbeck, John Jr. was 17 years old, and Mary, 14 years old.[62]

EUNICE “EUNA” HAMILTON

 Una the oldest, a thoughtful, studious, dark girl…. Una was married to a stranger and gone away.[63] 
(John Steinbeck - East of Eden)

Of all his daughters Una was Samuel’s greatest joy. Even as a little girl she hungered

for learning as a child does for cookies in the late afternoon. Una and her father had a

conspiracy about learning—secret books were borrowed and read and their secrets

communicated privately. (John Steinbeck - East of Eden)

An article that appeared in the Salinas Daily Index on June 7, 1877, mentioned a debate that took place at the Salinas City Schools and the stance in favor of women’s rights taken by Euna Hamilton. “Women’s rights” an original discussion by Aimee Cook and Euna Hamilton. Miss Euna presented some strong arguments in favor of women’s rights and gave them “particular fits” all the way through; Miss Aimee was opposed for the views enunciated by her opponent and gave many cogent reasons for doing so. She thought that the home circle was woman’s proper sphere, not dabbling in politics and wrangling at the polls on election days.[64]

Whether the stance Euna Hamilton took was her true position on the matter or an assigned position she was to argue for the class is not clear. Considering Olive Steinbeck and her daughter’s participation in later years with women’s suffrage suggests Euna may have held such beliefs.

A complete review of the Annual Reports of the Condition of Common Schools in the County of Monterey, State of California, from July 1, 1879 - June 30, 1892, serve as a primary source that documents the teaching career of Eunice B. Hamilton.[65] These Annual Reports, along with a scattering of other references, allow one to identify the schools in Monterey County where Euna Hamilton served as a teacher.

The Annual Reports record Euna Hamilton, at age eighteen, as having passed the County Board exam on June 18, 1880, with a percentage score of eighty-two, at which time she was granted a Monterey County Teachers Certificate. Also, in the 1880 U. S. Federal Census Record for Monterey County, Euna Hamilton, age eighteen, was recorded as a schoolteacher.[66]

For her first two school years in the profession (July 1, 1880-June 30, 1882), Euna Hamilton taught at the Pfeiffer Big Sur one-room schoolhouse. The following school year (July 1, 1882-June 30, 1883), she was a teacher at the Elkhorn schoolhouse in Castroville, California. For the school year (July 1, 1883-June 30, 1884), Euna taught at the Peachtree schoolhouse in the Peachtree Valley, located fifteen miles east of King City.

 In 1883, one finds the name of Euna B. Hamilton of Salinas among Middle Class of students attending California State Normal School of San Jose.[67] The Middle Class of the Normal School was composed of those students who were to form the graduating class of the next term. This listing suggests that Euna continued her education by pursuing a degree from the California State Normal School in 1884.

During the next four school years (July 1, 1884-June 30, 1888), Euna Hamilton was a teacher at the Salinas public schools in Salinas, California. The following sources corroborate her position as a teacher in Salinas during these years and provide further insight into the Hamilton family.

A mention in the Hollister Free Lance for the week of December 17, 1886, suggests the Hamilton’s had been participants of the agricultural industry as tenant farmers of the Salinas Valley. Miss Euna Hamilton, a teacher in the Salinas schools, along with one of her brothers, were leasing a portion of the San Lorenzo ranch, near Kings City, and preparing to put in a crop.[68]

A brief article that appeared in The Pacific Educational Journal 1887, reporting how the teachers of Salinas were spending their vacations stated: “Miss Una Hamilton, with her sister, Mrs. WJ Martin, in San Francisco.” [69] And in the Salinas Weekly Index during the spring of 1888, Euna Hamilton was recognized as a fifth-grade teacher in Salinas.[70]

During the school year (July 1, 1888-June 30, 1889), Euna was teaching at the Bernabe schoolhouse in King City.[71] For the school year (July 1, 1888-June 30, 1889), Euna was a teacher at the San Lucas schoolhouse, located 10 miles south of King City. During the winter of 1888, one finds Euna Hamilton serving as Secretary for the recently organized San Lucas Lyceum and later that month performing "La Cica" for the Lyceum. [72], [73] Euna’s return to teaching school in South Monterey County follows the year in which her father moved from Salinas to the Hamilton Ranch near San Lucas. The King City Rustler for July 11, 1889, mentioned that as part of the program of exercises Miss Euna Hamilton provided a reading of the Declaration of Independence.

For the next two school years (July 1, 1889-June 30, 1891), Euna Hamilton was a teacher at the Warm Springs school at Paraiso Springs. [74], [75] The next school year (July 1, 1891-June 30, 1892), she taught at the Deep Well schoolhouse in Chualar.[76], [77] The outline of Eunice B. Hamilton’s teaching career suggests she taught for twelve years and at nine different schoolhouses in Monterey County.

Of all the children Una had the least humor. She met and married an intense dark

man—a man whose fingers were stained with chemicals, mostly silver nitrate. He was

one of those men who live in poverty so that their lines of questioning may continue. His 

question was about photography. He believed that the exterior world could be transferred

to paper—not in the ghost shadings of black and white but in the colors the human eye perceives.

 (John Steinbeck-East of Eden)

His name was Anderson and he had little gift for communication. Like mst technicians, he had a terror and a contempt for speculation. The inductive leap was not for him. He dug a step and pulled himself up one single step, the way a man climbs the last shoulder of a mountain. He had great contempt, born of fear, for the Hamiltons, for they all half believed they had wings—and they got some bad falls that way. (John Steinbeck-East of Eden)

Euna Hamilton married MacFarlane Anderson in Colville, Washington in Stevens, Washington on July 5, 1893.[78] A mention in the Salinas Index Real Estate Transactions on September 9, 1893, documents an apparent property exchange between Euna Hamilton and her father, Sam Hamilton. The property appears to have been located near Hamilton Corner in downtown Salinas.

Real Estate Transactions: Euna B. Hamilton to Charles Hepp nw1/4 of sec22, twp 20 s, r9 e: $2000.

Charles Hepp and wife to Samuel Hamilton et al. nw1/4 of sec22, twp 20 s, r9 e: $1500 and Charles Hepp to Samuel Hamilton et al. nw ¼ sec23, twp 20 s, r 9 e: $800

Three years later, MacFarlane Anderson, inventor of a color photographic process, authored the book Anderson's Photo-mechanical Processes and Guide to Color Work, published by the E. & H. T. Anthony Company in 1896. The couple was living on South Avenue, Northport, Washington when Euna suddenly died at her home of an overdose of aconite poisoning on March 26, 1898.[79]

Anderson never fell, never slipped back, never flew. His steps moved slowly, slowly upward, and in the end, it is said, he found what he wanted—color film. He married Una, perhaps, because she had little humor, and this reassured him. And because her family frightened and embarrassed him, he took her away to the north, and it was black and lost where he went—somewhere on the borders of Oregon. He must have lived a very primitive life with his bottles and papers.

Una wrote bleak letters without joy but also without self-pity. She was well and she hoped her family was well. Her husband was near to his discovery. And then she died and her body was shipped home. (John Steinbeck-East of Eden)

A ceremony was directed by Reverend Dr. T. C. Armstrong at the Presbyterian Church in Northport, Washington.[80] Euna Hamilton Anderson’s body was then returned to Salinas, with services conducted by Rev. E. B. Hatch at the residence of the deceased’s brother WJ Hamilton and burial at the Garden of Memories in Salinas California.

The obituary in the Salinas Daily Index, on March 31, 1898, stated that Mr. and Mrs. Sam Hamilton of King City, Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Steinbeck of Paso Robles, George Hamilton of Paso Robles, Thomas Hamilton of King City traveled to Salinas to receive the remains, which arrived on the afternoon train from San Francisco, accompanied by Mrs. W. J. Martin.[81]

“And then they brought her home. Her nails were broken to the quick and her fingers

cracked and all worn out. And her poor, dear feet—” George could not go on for a while,

and then he said with the fierceness of a man trying to control himself, “Her feet were

broken and gravel-cut and briar-cut. Her dear feet had not worn shoes for a long time.

And her skin was rough as rawhide. “We think it was an accident,” he said. 

“So many chemicals around. We think it was.” (John Steinbeck-East of Eden)

On July 16, 1900, MacFarlane Anderson died at the Presbyterian Hospital in New York City, after having been ailing for an extended period.[82]

OLIVE “OLLIE” HAMILTON

John Steinbeck’s mother, Olive Blanche Hamilton, was born December 11, 1866, presumably on the Hamilton property that was once part of the Rancho Santa Teresa, Mexican land grant in present-day Santa Clara County. She graduated from Salinas High School in 1883, one of thirteen girls to graduate that year. In East of Eden, Steinbeck wrote his character, Olive Hamilton, had left the family home in King City at fifteen, boarding with a family in Salinas, in order to attend a secondary school.

Olive Hamilton became a teacher. That meant that she left home at fifteen and went to live in Salinas, where she could go to secondary school. (East of Eden)

A review of Samuel Hamilton’s timeline allows one to recognize that Olive had no reason to leave the home in King City to board with a family in Salinas, as her family still lived in Salinas. This verification with primary references, of course, calls into question the historical validity of comments presented by Steinbeck in his book, East of Eden. One should always keep in mind, John Steinbeck’s vocation was that of a novelist, and not a historian.

The Annual Reports of the Condition of Common Schools in the County of Monterey State of California (July 1, 1884 - June 30, 1885) record Olive B. Hamilton, at eighteen, having passed the County Board exam on December 4, 1884, with a percentage score of eighty-two, was granted a Monterey County Teachers Certificate.

At seventeen she took county board examinations, which covered all the arts and sciences, and at eighteen she was teaching school at Peach Tree. (John Steinbeck – East of Eden)

By reviewing the Annual Reports of the Condition of Common Schools in the County of Monterey State of California (July 1, 1884 - June 30, 1891) one can confirm the schools where Olive Hamilton taught during this period.

In East of Eden, Steinbeck states that Olive Hamilton was a schoolteacher at the districts of Pleyto, Peachtree and Big Sur. A review of the annual reports finds she never taught at Pleyto nor the Peachtree schoolhouses. During her first two school year (1884-1886), Olive B. Hamilton taught at the Bernabe School in San Antonio, California. As well, the Pacific School Journal of April 1886 reported that “Miss Ollie Hamilton” had commenced her third term of school in the San Barnabe district. [83]

During the 1886-1887 school year, Olive Hamilton taught at the Mal Paso School in Monterey, California. The schoolhouse was presumably located near Mal Paso Creek, five miles south of Carmel. Thus, as mentioned by Steinbeck in East of Eden, Olive did spend one year as a teacher in a schoolhouse near Big Sur.

For the next several school years (1887-1888 and 1888-1889), Olive Hamilton taught at the Fair View School in Gonzales, California. [84]

It is of interest note that, in June 1888, Olive Hamilton served as maid of honor in the wedding of Carrie E. Miller to John M. Striening.[85] The service, conducted by Reverend J. Simonds, rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, was held at the home of the bride's parents, in Salinas City. Several years later, Mrs. Carrie Striening became the first librarian of the Salinas Public Library. During her time as the librarian, Mrs. Striening was an active member of two of the community women’s organizations, the Salinas Civic Club and the Salinas Wanderers Study Club.

Nelson Valjean author of the book John Steinbeck the Errant Knight: An intimate biography of his California years, noted “The boy Steinbeck was a familiar figure to Mrs. Carrie Streining, the city librarian (in Salinas).”[86]

Olive Hamilton’s final term as a teacher was during the school year, 1889-1890, when she taught at the King City schoolhouse in King City, California. A mentioned in the Salinas Daily Index that for several months during the summer of 1890, Olive Hamilton visited with her sister, Lizzie in Los Angeles. [87]

A mention of  the San Francisco Call for December 22, 1890, noted that JE Steinbeck and WJ Hamilton had recently registered their arrival at the Lick House hotel on Montgomery at Sutter.[88] John and Olive Steinbeck’s wedding announcement published in the Call, and the Steinbeck’s family bible recorded the couple were married Monday December 22, 1890, in San Francisco, California.

After her marriage, Olive Hamilton Steinbeck retired from her career as a schoolteacher in Monterey County and devoted herself to her family and civic efforts associated with Salinas, California. Olive Hamilton’s marriage to John E. Steinbeck may have resulted in her becoming a member of the Episcopalian Church.

St. Mark's Episcopal Church of Kings City held its first services in June 1888.[89] The church registry, dated March 10, 1889, notes John Ernst Steinbeck Sr. donation of ten dollars for the construction of St. Mark’s Church.[90]

Olive Hamilton Steinbeck was not the only family member to welcome the denomination, as her brother Will Hamilton joined the St. Mark’s Episcopal church as early as 1894. Two years later, on April 25, 1896, William J. Hamilton and Adela H. Winkler were married at St. Marks Church, King City.[91]

John and Olive Steinbeck were members of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Salinas, where the young John Steinbeck attended services and Sunday school regularly. 

On April 14, 1892, their first child Olive Esther Steinbeck was born in King City. Later that year, in November 1892, the family moved from King City, when Steinbeck was transferred to manage a flour-mill owned by the Sperry Milling Company in Paso Robles, California.[92],[93] On May 25, 1894 their second daughter Elizabeth Steinbeck was born in Paso Robles.

As previously mentioned, Sam Hamilton, in 1894, sold to his daughter Olive several pieces of property he owned in Salinas. [Deed – Samuel Hamilton et ux to Olive B. Steinbeck, Oct, 13, 1894. $10. - Lot on northwest corner of Main street and Central Avenue, Salinas: Lot 4 of Block 1 in Stone’s Addition of Salinas; Lot 4 on south side of Castroville street in Salinas]. [94]

While living in in Paso Robles, Olive B. Steinbeck became a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, “Bethlehem” Chapter (Paso Robles).[95] Olive later became a popular and active member of the “Reveille” Chapter of the Masonic Order of the Eastern Star in Salinas. [96]

After her parents celebrated their fiftieth anniversary at their home Paso Robles in October 1899 and before February 1900, JE Steinbeck was transferred to the Sperry Flour Mill in Salinas.

 Over the course of almost two decades, the Salinas Daily News noted the many occasional trips, first from King City (1891-1892), then from Paso Robles (1893 -1899) as Olive Steinbeck traveled to Salinas to visit her sister, Dessie Hamilton. 

When Adam left Kate’s place he had over two hours to wait for the train back to King City. On an impulse he turned off Main Street and walked up Central Avenue to number 130, the high white house of Ernest Steinbeck. It was an immaculate and friendly house, grand enough but not pretentious, and it sat inside its white fence, surrounded by its clipped lawn, and roses and catoneasters lapped against its white walls (John Steinbeck, East of Eden).

GATHERINGS AT THE STEINBECK’S IN SALINAS

A remarkable number of social gatherings took place at Steinbeck ‘s two residences in Salinas. Shortly after moving to the community, Olive began hosting social gatherings. In January 1904, Mrs. Steinbeck hosted members of the Fortnightly Whist Club at her home. The following year, during the fall of 1905, Mrs. Steinbeck hosted twenty-eight ladies who were members of the Five Hundred Club. A year later, during the fall of 1906, Mrs. Steinbeck hosted twenty-six ladies of the Five Hundred Club at the family residence.[97] The next 25 years would see numerous gatherings of the Salinas Wanderers Study Club at the Steinbeck family home (1906-1930).

As mentioned in the Salinas Daily newspapers there were many visits from the family members, Olive’s mother Eliza, and siblings Lizzie, Tom, Mary, Dessie, Will, George and Joe. Some more frequent than others, as Lizzie resided in Los Angeles with her husband. Olive’s mother and sibling also accompanied the Steinbeck family on occasions to their cottage in Pacific Grove.

The Salinas Daily Index mentions visits from Dessie Hamilton (1906), Henry Steinbeck’s boys, Willie and Eugene from Paso Robles, 1906. Mary Hamilton Martin (1910), Mrs. Samuel (Eliza) Hamilton (1905, 1910, 1911), Joseph Hamilton (1905, 1908, 1911, and 1915 a month after the passing of Mary Hamilton. Joseph Hamilton and his wife also visited Eliza Hamilton in King City. Eliza and Joe visited August 1911 Tom Hamilton for Thanksgiving (1911).

The surreys and the buggies had driven out of the Salinas cemetery. The family and

friends went back to Olive’s house on Central Avenue to eat and to drink coffee, to see

how each one was taking it, and to do and say the decent things. 

(John Steinbeck, East of Eden)

Family funeral services conducted at the Steinbeck’s Salinas homes included Samuel Hamilton, 1904; Dessie Hamilton, 1907; Harry Steinbeck passed away during a visit to their home in March 1908. Tom Hamilton’s funeral services we held at the home in 1912. Mary Hamilton passed away and funeral services conducted at their residence in 1915. Will Hamilton funeral services apparently were held at their home in 1930.

SALINAS

It has never been clear when the Steinbeck family moved into the two story Victorian house at 132 Central Avenue. Built in 1897, the home was first purchased by John Ernst Steinbeck’s parents, Johann Adolph and Almira Steinbeck from J. J. Conner on March 28, 1901. [98] One might guess the Steinbeck family moved in shortly thereafter John and Olive Steinbeck later purchased the house from his parents in 1908? In July 1901, J. E. Steinbeck, wife and two children of Salinas and Miss Dessie Hamilton registered at El Carmelo Hotel in Pacific Grove in preparation to attend the Chautauqua gathering.[99] It appears as though Olive Steinbeck may have inherited the “Hamilton Building” positioned on the Northwest corner of Main and Central Avenue. A mention in the Salinas Index Real Estate Transactions on December 19, 1906: Monterey County Records. (Recorder’s Office). Lease - Olive Steinbeck to A. G. Lafka, Dec. 1, 1906 – Leases frame building situated on northwest corner of Main and Central Avenue, Salinas for six years at monthly rent of $50.

John Steinbeck, their only son, was born in Salinas on February 27, 1902. The following year, in 1903 John and Olive Steinbeck purchased two lots on Eleventh Street in Pacific Grove, California. Upon one lot the family built a small three-room summer cottage and on the other lot was planted a garden.

On January 9, 1905, their youngest child, Mary Steinbeck was born in Salinas, California. Later that year Olive Steinbeck became a charter member of a recently formed local progressive women’s civic organization named the Salinas Wanderers Study Club.

During the 1911 campaign, suffragists hosted a gala honoring the California suffrage leader Lillian Harris Coffin. The Salinas Daily Index lists five young women who assisted with the function. Two of whom were John Steinbeck's older sisters, Esther and Beth Steinbeck.[100]

A mention in the Salinas Index Real Estate Transactions on November 14, 1916: Real Estate Transactions. Lease - Olive Steinbeck to A. G. Lafka, Feb. 11, 1915 -3 years 9 months. $40 a month, frame building at NW corner Main and Central ave., Salinas.

Fast forward fifteen years later to 1920, Mrs. Steinbeck’s two eldest daughters had graduated from Mills College in Oakland, Esther in 1914 and Elizabeth in 1916; John had enrolled at Stanford University and Mary was attending Salinas High School.

 In the fall of 1920, one finds Olive Steinbeck serving as secretary for the Monterey County Republican Central Committee. In November 1920, Mrs. Steinbeck provided the following comment to the San Jose Mercury Herald regarding the upcoming National and State elections. “Mrs. Olive Steinbeck, secretary county central communities, says the women of Monterey county are taking active and intelligent interest in politics this year. They approach the political questions with open minds and have been doing considerable thinking. I am certain that the majority of the women in this county are for Harding and Coolidge on national issues and for Shortridge and Free on the state and national issues. [101]

In 1920, 68% of Monterey County voted for the Republican candidate for president, 25% voted Democrat and 7% voted for a candidate outside these two parties other. Passed by Congress June 4, 1919, and ratified on August 18, 1920, the 19th amendment of the U. S. Constitution granted all women who were American citizens over the age of twenty-one the right to vote. An article that appeared in The Journal of San Diego History, provided the following description of women of that county who voted in this presidential election.

The profile of the women voters of 1920 as a class which has emerged from this study is that they were women of English extraction. They were married, with an average age of approximately 35 years, and they saw as their career the all-embracing occupation of housewife and mother even though their families were small. They belonged to a local Protestant church, they occasionally joined a civic or social group, and they were Republicans who identified politically with their husbands.[102]

Several scholars have recognized the Steinbeck family as Republicans. The three daughters, Esther, Elizabeth and Mary voted Republican throughout their life, which resulted in arguments with their brother, who had been a Democrat since the 1920s.[103]

In 1933, the Steinbeck’s sold several piece of property they owned in Pacific Grove to Attorney Raymond Shellooe. Deed: J. E. Steinbeck et ux to Raymond W. Shellooe, May 10. $10 Lots 19ock 5 and lots 1 and 3, Blk. 27, Pacific Grove Retreat. Sly. 127.6 ft. of Lot 1, and Ely. ½ of Lot 2 Blk. 3, Stone’s Add. Salinas Deed: Raymond W. Shellooe to J.E. Steinbeck and Olive B. Steinbeck Jt. Ten. May 10, $10. Same as above Deed. [104]

In March 1933, Olive Steinbeck suffered a severe stroke. Throughout her stay at the Salinas Valley Hospital, her son remained either by her side or just outside her door. When she was released from the hospital in June 1933, John and Carol Henning Steinbeck took up residence in the family home to care for his parents. Olive Steinbeck died in February 1934, at the family home in Salinas with her son sitting at her side.[105]John Steinbeck was about to turn thirty-two years old. His father, who has served as the County Treasurer of Monterey County for eleven years, passed away May 1935, a little over one year after his wife’s death.

REFERENCES

[1] Steinbeck, John. Travels with Charley in Search of America, New York : Viking, 1961.

[2] Steinbeck, John. East of Eden. The Viking Press. September 19, 1952.

[3] Steinbeck, John. East of Eden. The Viking Press. September 19, 1952

[4] The California Teacher, Volume 9, Towne & Bacon, 1871. Santa Clara County Teachers Institute, San Jose June 26 1871. The Institute met, pursuant to a call of the Superintendent, at the courthouse in San Jose and was called to order at 10 o’clock a.m. by N. Furlong, County Superintendent. W.W. Kennedy was elected Secretary pro tern. On motion, the Chair appointed J.G. Kennedy, J.B. Finch and C.W. Baker a Committee on Permanent Organization. Institute adjourned to meet at 2 p.m. The following names were registered during the sessions of the Institute: Lizzie Hamilton, Whole number enrolled 100, teachers 76.

[5] Hamilton, Lizette C. assistant teacher Preparatory Department University of the Pacific. Bishop's Directory of the City of San Jose for 1876: Containing a General Register of the Names of All Residents, and a Classified Business Directory...: Also a Directory of Santa Clara, Containing a General Register ...B. C. Vandall, 1876.

[6] Hamilton, Lizette Carter (Mrs. Joseph P. Farrell)., Ph B. 1877, Los Angeles. Catalogue of the Alumni of the University of the Pacific. June, 1898 University of the Pacific Brower & son, 1898. Page 7.

[7] U. S. census for San Jose, California in the County of Santa Clara, taken June 17, 1880. "United States Census, 1880," database with images FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M6PJ-VQ5 : 14 July 2016), William J Hamilton in household of John E Richards, San Jose, Santa Clara, California, United States; citing enumeration district ED 243, sheet 46D, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 0081; FHL microfilm 1,254,081.

[8] Judge John Evan Richards in Eugene T. Sawyers' History of Santa Clara County, California, published by Historic Record Co., 1922. Page 313.

[9] According to the 1880 West Coast Gazetteer & Directory ~ Oakland, California. California Door Co, J P Farrell agent, 460-464 Second.

[10] Headline: Marriages. San Francisco Chronicle. December 25,1884.

[11] United States Census, 1910, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MVP6-27D : accessed 1 April 2017), Joseph P Farrell, Los Angeles Assembly District 73, Los Angeles, California, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 104, sheet 5B, family , NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 82; FHL microfilm 1,374,095.

[12] Headline:Chamber of Commerce: Proceedings of the Meeting Last Evening.

Los Angeles Herald (Los Angeles, California). 15 Aug 1891, Saturday Page 8.

[13] Headline: Diamonds Lie The Ruins. The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California). December 5, 1905. Tuesday Page 6.

[14] Headline: Santa Monica. Notes and Personals Gathered at the Seashore Volume 34, Number 79. June 30, 1890.

[15] Ray, William (2013). Steinbeck and St. Paul’s Part 1. John Steinbeck, Episcopalian: St. Paul's, Salinas Part One. The Steinbeck Review, Vol. 10, No. 2 (2013), pp. 118-140. Although each of Olive and Ernst’s children became a member of St. Paul’s, the parents waited until May 28, 1905, following the birth of their fourth child Mary, to have John, age three, and eleven-year-old Beth christened with their infant sister. Curiously, the children’s group baptism took place at the Steinbeck home rather than in the church, a statistical anomaly within parish records and Episcopal practice of the period. In the parish baptismal register, “Mary L. Martin” and “J.R. Hamilton” are listed as sponsors—the Episcopal version of godparents—for Mary, while “Eliz. Bailey” and “Thomas” Hamilton are listed as John’s sponsors, and “Eliz. Farrell” and “Will Hamilton” appear as sponsors for Beth.

[16] Headline: Halloween: Spooks Delight Nursery Tots. Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) October 31, 1915. Sunday, Page 29.

[17] Headline: Pretty Girls To Sell Pencils For Day Nursery. Los Angeles Herald, Number 134. April 5, 1916.

[18] California Death Index, 1905-1939, database with images, Family Search (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK91-N5PQ : 5 June 2015), Lizete C Farrell, 18 Apr 1923; citing 17219, Department of Health Services, Vital Statistics Department, Sacrament

[19] California Death Index, 1940-1997, database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VPD7-ZMJ : 26 November 2014), Richard Cullen Farrell, 19 Aug 1947; Department of Public Health Services, Sacramento.

[20] California Death Index, 1940-1997, database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VPD7-ZMJ : 26 November 2014), Richard Cullen Farrell, 19 Aug 1947; Department of Public Health Services, Sacramento.

[21] Headline: Sausalito Notes.The Marin Journal Vol. 45 No. 38, Page 3. 25 November 1904.

[22] The 1908 Blue and Gold of the University of California, Volume 34, 1907.

[23] Southwest Contractor and Manufacturer, Volume 10 Number 22, 05 April 1915, Los Angeles, Ca.

[24] United States Public Records, 1970-2009, database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KY31-FMC : 23 May 2014), Mary V Farrell, Residence, Sacramento, California, United States; a third party aggregator of publicly available information.

[25] California Death Index, 1940-1997, database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VPD7-ZMJ : 26 November 2014), Richard Cullen Farrell, 19 Aug 1947; Department of Public Health Services, Sacramento

[26] United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZVV-TWY : 12 December 2014), Richard Cullen Farrell, 1917-1918; citing Los Angeles County no 1, California, United States, NARA microfilm publication M1509 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,531,190.

[27] United States Census, 1920, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHQZ-6PR : accessed 1 April 2017), Margaret Farrell in household of Richard Farrell, Long Beach, Los Angeles, California, United States; citing ED 85, sheet 5B, line 51, family 116, NARA microfilm publication T625 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1992), roll 104; FHL microfilm 1,820,104.

[28] United States Census, 1930, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XCDM-HGD : accessed 1 April 2017), Margeret C Farrel in household of Richard C Farrel, Alhambra, Los Angeles, California, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 1410, sheet 1A, line 35, family 9, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 173; FHL microfilm 2,339,908.

[29] . United States World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V4DM-H71 : 8 April 2016), Richard Cullen Farrell, 1942; citing NARA microfilm publication M1936, M1937, M1939, M1951, M1962, M1964, M1986, M2090, and M2097 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).

[30] California Death Index, 1940-1997, database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VPD7-ZMJ : 26 November 2014), Richard Cullen Farrell, 19 Aug 1947; Department of Public Health Services, Sacramento.

[31] Hamilton Dessie H Miss student Normal School residential corner Ninth and San Salvador Directory of the City of San Jose for 1876: Containing a General Register of the Names of All Residents, and a Classified Business Directory ... : Also a Directory of Santa Clara, Containing a General Register . (B. C. Vandall, 1876 - San Jose (Calif.)

[32] Business Directory of the Pacific States and Territories for 1878, containing names, business, and address, of merchants, manufacturers, and professional men, county, city, state, territorial, and federal officers, and notaries public, of the principal towns of California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Utah, Montana, Idaho, Arizona, and British Columbia.

[33] U. S. census for township of Salinas California, taken June 15, 1880. United States Census, 1880, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M6P9-CJB : 14 July 2016), Samuel Hamilton, Castroville, Monterey, California, United States; citing enumeration district ED 53, sheet 185B, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 0069; FHL microfilm 1,254,069

[34] McKenney's Pacific coast directory for 1883-1884. Giving Name, Business, and Address of Business and Professional Men of California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, Alaska, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Montana, Arizona, and New Mexico. Together with Sketches of the Different Towns, Giving Location, Population, etc. Complete Alphabetical Lists of 3,000 Cities and Towns. Over 35,000 Names. L.M. McKenney & Co. San Francisco.

[35] California State Gazetteer and Business Directory. R.L. Polk & Co., 1888, 1890 and 1893.

[36] The Southern Pacific Coast Directory 1888-1889, Being a Business Directory of San Francisco, Central and Southern California, Arizona, New Mexico and Southern Colorado. San Francisco: McKenney Directory Co. April 1888.

[37] San Jose City Directory including Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties. Giving Name, Occupation, And Residence of All Adult Persons in The Three Counties. F. M. Husted, San Francisco. 1892.

[38] Ibid

[39] California State Gazetteer and Business Directory, R.L. Polk & Co., San Francisco. 1893.

[40] Salinas Weekly Index. Thursday, March 9,1893. M. J. Burke is fitting up the Hamilton building, corner of Main street and Central avenue, for a hardware store which he will open in a few days.

[41] Headline: Mrs. W. J. Martin's Sister Passes Away. Sausalito News. Volume 23, Number 14. April 6, 1907.

[42] United States Census, 1900, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M9PR-GSD : accessed 1 April 2017), Dessie Hamilton in household of John E Steinbeck, Alisal Township Salinas city Ward 1-3, Monterey, California, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 2, sheet 11A, family 241, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,240,094.

[43] The Salinas Valley Rustler. King City, California Vol. 6, No. 50. April 5, 1907. Friday, Page 1.

[44] Steinbeck, John. East of Eden. The Viking Press. September 19, 1952.

[45] California, County Marriages, 1850-1952, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZ3F-KQB : 28 November 2014), William J. Martin and Mollie L. Hamilton, 06 Jan 1886; citing Monterey, California, United States, county courthouses, California; FHL microfilm 1,290,899.

[46] Daniel C. Martin. History and biographical record of Monterey and San Benito Counties: and history of the State of California : containing biographies of well-known citizens of the past and present by Guinn, J. M. (James Miller), 1834-1918; Leese, Jacob R. Monterey County; Tinkham, George H. (George Henry), b. 1849. Story of San Benito County Published 1910.

[47] Homestead Records. U. S. Department of the Interior: Bureau of Land Management: General Land Office Records. (https://glorecords.blm.gov/default.aspx)

[48] Marin County Tocsin. Volume 32, Number 21. November 7, 1908.

[49] Headline: Social and Personal. Sacramento Daily Union. Volume 58, Number 58. October 27, 1887.

[50] Headline: William J. Martin Will Become the Business Manager of the “Call.” The Record-Union (Sacramento, California) January 28, 1898, Friday.

[51] Headline: Fraternal News Order of Eastern Star. The San Francisco Call. (San Francisco [Calif.]). Volume 83, Number 180. May 29, 1898. Page 28.

[52] Marin Journal. Volume 43, Number 7. May 1, 1902.

[53] Headline: Board of Trustees Meeting. Sausalito News. Volume 24, Number 17. April 25, 1908. Page 2.

[54] Headline: Death of a Pioneer. Lompoc Journal. Number 49. April 19, 1913.

[55] George, Stephen K. (2007). The Influence of Sir Thomas Malory’s Morte d’Arthur on John Steinbeck. In John Steinbeck and His Contemporaries. Stephen K. George, Barbara A. Heavilin Scarecrow Press.

[56] Headline: Pacific Grove. San Jose Mercury Herald (San Jose, California). February 28, 1915. Page 26.

[57] Headline: The Passing of A Good Woman. Salinas Daily Index. August 12, 1915.

[58] Headline: Mrs. W. J. Martin is buried at Salinas. San Jose Mercury Herald (San Jose, California). August 14, 1915. Page 5.

[59] Headline: The Passing of A Good Woman. Salinas Daily Index. August 12, 1915.

[60] Headline: Mrs. W. J. Martin Passes Away. Sausalito News. Volume 31, Number 33. August 14, 1915.

[61] Sausalito News. Volume 36, Number 19. May 8, 1920.

[62] United States Census, 1920, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MH7G-FBS : accessed 1 April 2017), John E Steinbeck, Salinas, Monterey, California, United States; citing ED 4, sheet 1B, line 51, family 14, NARA microfilm publication T625 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1992), roll 122; FHL microfilm 1,820,122.

[63] Steinbeck, John. East of Eden. The Viking Press. September 19, 1952.

[64] Headline: Salinas City Schools. Salinas Daily Index. June 7, 1877.

[65] Annual Reports of the Condition of Common Schools in the County of Monterey State of California from July 1, 1879 - June 30, 1892.

[66] U. S. census for township of Salinas California, taken June 15, 1880.

United States Census, 1880, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M6P9-CJB : 14 July 2016), Samuel Hamilton, Castroville, Monterey, California, United States; citing enumeration district ED 53, sheet 185B, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 0069; FHL microfilm 1,254,069.

[67] Within the section titled “Names and Residences of Pupils” Eunice B. Hamilton, of Salinas, listed among Middle Class of students. Catalogue of the State Normal School at San Jose, California for the ... Catalogue of the State Normal School at San Jose, California with Announcements for the School Year Ending May 31st 1883.

[68] Miss Euna Hamilton, Teacher in The Salinas Schools, And Her Brother Have Leased a Portion Of The San Lorenzo Ranch, Near Kings City, And Are Preparing To Put In A Crop. Hollister Free Lance. December 17, 1886.

[69] Teachers in Salinas are spending their vacations as follows: Miss Una Hamilton, with her sister, Mrs. W. J. Martin, in San Francisco. Pacific Educational Journal Educational Publishing Company, 1887.

[70] Eunice B. Hamilton employed as the fifth grade teacher in Salinas. Salinas Weekly Index. April 5, 1888.

[71] Fall of 1888, Enna Hamilton was teaching school in a one room school house named “Bernabe” in King City (Addresses and Proceedings - National Education Association of the United States 1888).

[72] Salinas Weekly Index. December 13, 1888. The “San Lucas Lyceum,” has been organized with the following named officers: President, Dr. MORSE; Vice-President, Mrs. John KERNS; Chorister, Mrs. J.W. WALSH; Secretary, Miss E.B. HAMILTON; Treasurer, W. BEEBE.

[73] Salinas Weekly Index. December 27, 1888. San Lucas & Vicinity -- from last Thursday's 'Settler' -- -San Lucas Parlor, No. 115, N.S.G.W., has elected new officers as follows: President, W.H. QUIVEY; First Vice-President, R.R. DIAZ; Second Vice-President, P. NARVAEZ; Third Vice-President, S.A. RICHARDSON; M., T.S. SOBERANES; Recording Secretary, J.A. TRESCONY; Financial Secretary, W.A. BEEBE. -The following programme was rendered at the San Lucas Lyceum last Friday evening: Song, by Mesdames KERNS, KEEF, MORSE, WALSH and Dr. MORSE. Select reading, by Mrs. WALSH Song, "The Shaking of the Hand," Mesdames WALSH, KERNS, MORSE and Dr. MORSE "Roast Pig," select reading by Dr. MORSE. Solo, "Then You'll Remember Me," E.T. HARRIS "La Cica," by Miss E.B. HAMILTON "The Famine," select reading from "Hiawatha," by Mrs. J. KERNS.

[74] Salinas Weekly Index. April 11, 1889 -- List of Teachers -- Employed in the Schools of Monterey County for the Spring Term, 1889, With Post office Addresses -- School -- Teacher -- Post Office Bernabe -- Miss Euna B. HAMILTON -- Kings City.

[75] Salinas Weekly Index. Thursday, February 26, 1891. Miss Euna HAMILTON, teacher of the Warm Spring school, visited her sister, Miss Dessie HAMILTON, in Salinas last Saturday, returning Monday.

[76] Miss Euna B. HAMILTON, after a portion of her vacation spent with her sister, Miss Dessie HAMILTON, left Sunday to resume her school duties in Deep Well district. Salinas Weekly Index. August 4, 1892. Thursday.

[77] Salinas Weekly Index. Thursday, August 25, 1892. List of Teachers of the Schools of Monterey County for the Fall Term, 1892, with Post-office Addresses: Deep Well -- Miss E.B. HAMILTON; Chualar.

[78] “Washington, County Marriages, 1855-2008," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPMY-TGPR : 28 November 2018), McFarland Anderson and Euna Hamilton, 5 Jul 1893, Stevens, Washington, United States, Washington State Archives, Olympia; FamilySearch digital folder 005015241.”

[79] Salinas Daily Index. March 30, 1898. Death of Mrs. Euna Anderson.

[80] Northport News. Northport, Stevens County, Washington. Volume 5, No. 40. March 31, 1898. Page 1.

[81] Salinas Daily Journal. April 01, 1898. Page 2.

[82] Headline: MacFarlane Anderson Dead. Salinas Daily Index. November 29, 1900.  Page 2.

[83] The Pacific school journal by California. Dept. of Public Instruction; California. State Board of Education; Lyser, Albert Volume v.10:1 (April 1886). Monterey County. — The Monterey County Teachers' Institute meets at Salinas April 13th, and continues four days. Miss Ollie Hamilton has commenced her third term of school in the Barnahe district.

[84] Salinas Weekly Index. April 11, 1889. List of Teachers -- Employed in the Schools of Monterey County for the Spring Term, 1889, With Post office Addresses -- School -- Teacher -- Post Office Bernabe -- Miss Euna B. HAMILTON -- Kings City Fair View -- Miss Olive B. HAMILTON – Gonzales.

[85] Salinas Weekly Index. June 7, 1888. STRIENING/MILLER--Married at the residence of the bride's parents, in Salinas City, June 3, by Rev. J. SIMONDS; John M. STREINING [transcriber's note: name spelled 2 ways], of San Francisco, and Carrie E. MILLER, of Salinas. The bride is the accomplished daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Geo. S. MILLER, Auditor of Monterey county and the fortunate winner of the prize is a most estimable young business man of the metropolis. The wedding ceremony was strictly private and took place at 12:30p.m. Mr. M.J. STRIENING, brother of the groom, and Miss Ollie HAMILTON, an intimate friend of the bride, "stood up" with the happy couple on the auspicious occasion. After dinner the newly wedded pair took the 2 o' clock train for Santa Cruz where they intended to remain a few days and then proceed to San Francisco, their future home. The 'Index' acknowledges the receipt of a generous supply of wedding cake and wishes Mr. STRIENING and his fair young bride good health, good fortune and unbounded happiness.

[86] Valjean, Nelson. (1975). John Steinbeck the Errant Knight: An intimate biography of his California years. Chronicle Books, San Francisco, CA.

[87] Salinas Daily Index. November 05, 1890.

[88] Headline: Hotel Arrivals: Lick House. San Francisco Call. Volume 69, Number 22. December 22, 1890. Page 6.

[89] Barrows, Henry D. and Ingersoll, Luther A. 1893. A Memorial and Biographical History of the Coast Counties of Central California. Lewis Publishing Company.

[90] St. Mark’s Church Registry. St. Mark’s Church, 301 Bassett Street. King City, CA.

[91] St. Mark’s Church Registry. St. Mark’s Church, 301 Bassett Street. King City, CA.

[92] JE Steinbeck has been transferred to the Paso Robles mill and JC Brown will go to the same place to act as head miller (Pacific Coast Notes, In: The Weekly Northwestern Miller, October 7, 1892, page 517. The Northwestern Miller, Volume 34, Miller Publishing Company, 1892.

[93] Headline: King City Items -- from last Saturday's 'Settler'. Salinas Weekly Index. Thursday, November 10, 1892. In a few days Mr. & Mrs. J.E. Steinbeck leave King City to make their future home in Paso Robles. For a long time they have [illeg] among the most popular of our people, [illeg] there is universal regret at their departure.

[94] Salinas Daily Index. November 2, 1894.

[95] Headline: Grand Chapter, Order of Eastern Star, Will Meet Tuesday Morning. San Francisco Call. Volume 87, Number 136. October 14, 1900.

[96] Headline: La Posa Chapter, O. E. S., King City. Salinas Daily Index. March 31, 1909.

[97] Salinas Daily Index. November 23, 1906. Friday. Page 2.

[98] Salinas Daily Index. March 22, 1901. Friday. Page 3.

[99] Headline: Much Life At Pacific Grove Many Trains Bring Visitors To Attend The Chautauqua Meetings. Small Fire in the Carmelo Hotel Creates Some Excitement—Recent Hotel Arrivals. San Jose Mercury-News. Volume LX, Number 24. July 24, 1901.

[100] Salinas Daily Index. August 11, 1911. Page 1.

[101] Headline: Great Republican Victory at Polls Tomorrow. San Jose Mercury Herald (San Jose, California). November 1, 1920. Page 9.

[102] Smith, Jean M. (1920). The Journal of San Diego History San Diego Historical Society Quarterly Spring 1980, Volume 26, Number 2. The Voting Women of San Diego, 1920.

[103] Hayashi, Tetsumaro, ed. (1993). A New Study Guide to Steinbeck's Major Works, with Critical Explications. Metuchen, N.J. : Scarecrow Press.

[104] Headline: Deed. Salinas Daily Index June 3, 1933, Saturday. Page 7.

[105] Wagner-Martin, Linda. (2017). John Steinbeck. A Literary Life. Chapel Hill, North Carolina.