Tale of “Old Settler” James Tunstead, 1842–1912

by Laurie Thompson

View of San Rafael from the Northeast from a stereoview by Muybridge, circa 1870s. Anne T. Kent Calif. Room Collection.

Account of former Marin county Sheriff James Tunstead, at “Old Settlers’ Day,” Tamalpais Centre, Kentfield, as published in the San Rafael Independent, October 24, 1911:

Cover of 1944 “San Rafael Day” program. Anne T. Kent Calif. Room Collection.

I came to San Francisco in a clipper ship around the Horn in 1860. I labored in San Francisco for several years and saved considerable money. Then the gold excitement broke out in Cariboo [British Columbia] and I left for Victoria only to return a few months later, poorer in pocket but richer in experience. Later I was taken sick and was advised by Dr. Lane to come over to San Rafael for the benefti of my health. I left [San Francisco] at the Vallejo Street wharf and came to [San Rafael] by way of San Quentin. Old Barnard was driving the [San Quentin-San Rafael] stage in those days. I arrived in San Rafael on the afternoon of October 24, 1866. It was San Rafael Day and in the evening I attended a ball…. Later I leased a tract of land [at Pacheco Ranch] from Mr. Black at Ignacio at $3. an acre and engaged in ranching for a number of years. I came to San Rafael later and built a home in the Coleman Addition. Later I was elected Sheriff of the County and served two terms.

Editor’s Note: James Tunstead served as Marin County Sheriff from 1866 to 1880. His December 12, 1912 obituary says:

History of “San Rafael Day from the 1944 “San Rafael Day” program. Anne T. Kent Calif. Room Collection.

“ Mr. James Tunstead of San Anselmo, one of the oldest and best of Marin County’s citizens passed away…on Wednesday at the Adler Hospital in San Francisco, aged seventy years…. Mr. Tunstead was a man of an iron constitution and was vigorous and strong until he was injured in a railway accident while he was returning from the funeral of Warren Dutton, held in Tomales. From that day he has been losing ground…[and] for the past twelve months he has been little more than an invalid. His last public appearance was at the Pioneer’s Day at Tamalpais Centre…. It was his blunt candor and uncompromising integrity that made him so popular with the people….. As an officer, he was absolutely fearless and his name was a terror to evil doers…. To his friend and neighbor he was gentle and sympathetic and to his town he was loyal and generous. His liberal donations to San Anselmo should keep his memory green in generations to come.”

Originally published at https://annetkent.kontribune.com.