Nathan Coombs
Nathan Coombs | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1826 |
| Died | December 26, 1877 |
| Known for | founder of the city of Napa |
Nathan Coombs (1826-December 26, 1877) was a California pioneer and founder of the city of Napa, California.
Life[]
Nathan Coombs lived in Massachusetts and came overland to Oregon in 1842. Coombs came to California in 1843, first working for Steven Smith in Bodega Bay; and then for William Gordon at Rancho Quesesosi in Yolo County. In 1845 he married William Gordon's daughter Maria Isabel Gordon (1831-1890). Coombs came to Napa Valley in 1845 and purchased a small part of Rancho Tulucay on the east side of the Napa River from Juarez Cayetano. Coombs participated in the Bear Flag Revolt of 1846. In 1847 Coombs purchased a 325 acres (1.3 km2) farm[1] on Rancho Napa from Salvador Vallejo about one and a half miles north-west of present-day Napa, and where he resided until his death.
Coombs purchased 80 acres (0.3 km2) of Rancho Entre Napa from Nicholas Higuera in 1847.[2] On this land, he founded and laid out the city of Napa in 1848.
Coombs and William Gordon purchased Rancho Chimiles from the Berreyesa family in 1851.[3] Coombs was a member for 10th District of the California State Assembly, 1855–56 and 1860-61. He died in Napa, December 26, 1877.[4]
Legacy[]
Coombsville is named for him. His son Frank Coombs was a United States Representative from California.
References[]
- ^ United States. District Court (California : Northern District) Land Case 109 ND
- ^ United States. District Court (California : Northern District) Land Case 108 ND
- ^ United States. District Court (California : Northern District) Land Case 43 ND
- ^ History of Napa and Lake Counties,: San Francisco, Cal.: Slocum, Bowen & Co., Publishers, 1881
- 1826 births
- 1877 deaths
- People from Napa, California
- History of Napa County, California
- American city founders
- Members of the California State Assembly
- 19th-century American politicians