Russell, Thomas
Thomas Russell (d.1858) was a pre-statehood arrival in Santa Cruz who was able to patent the 92-acre Rancho Potrero y Rincon de San Pedro Regalado in 1855. The rancho had been granted to Jose Arana in 1842. On the 1866 Town of Santa Cruz map, the owner of that large parcel is shown as Alexander Russell, son of Thomas. (1840-1898). The Sentinel obituary reproduced on the Find-a-Grave page notes that: "Mr. Russell resided in Santa Cruz for over forty years, coming here with his brother and sister from Ireland to join his father, who was murdered in 1858. The murderer was never captured. Alexander was a part owner in the Russell tract, famous for having been the scene of military encampments. He was never married, residing with his brother and sister, who formed the family. Not a foot of the tract has been sold or a foot added to it since it came into the possession of the Russells." From that we can assume that Thomas was also a native of Ireland.
- John L. Chase, The Sidewalk Companion to Santa Cruz Architecture (4th ed. 2023), Chapter Six, introduction, page 181.
- Riptide CPL15
Alexander Russell was a Soc. of Pioneers member.
Previous owners of the Russell tract included Isaac Graham and Eliza Farnham. The tract is in the "Harvey West" area of the potrero. The hills above the former Russell tract are now part of the Pogonip Open Space, and Pogonip Creek runs through the tract.
