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 Captain Frederick William Macondray, 1803-1862. Frederick William Macondray was born in Raynham, Massachusetts, in the year 1803. Through both his parents he was of Scottish blood.
While Frederick was yet an infant his father died, leaving two children to the mother's care and love, who, without resources, was compelled to meet the stern realities of life. At a very early age Frederick showed a decided tendency to a sea-faring life, and before he was ten years old, in the year 1812, during the war, under the fatherly care of Captain William Austin, a splendid specimen of the New England sailor, be braved the dangers of the deep. Captain Austin was very fond of the lad, and quickly discerned the sterling qualities that were in him. He gave him a warm place in his heart, instructed him faithfully in all the details of a seafaring life, and entrusted him with positions of responsibility. His wise and unremitting care was well rewarded in the early development of unexpected excellences on the part of his protege and ward. The captain possessed the royal grace of patient continuance in well being, and for ten years young Frederick Macondray was being welded and molded for a noble life. What a debt of gratitude does the world owe to sturdy men like Captain Austin, who, by their keen discernment, shape the destinies of the young and inexperienced committed to their charge. Had the guardian over that young life been hard, exacting, and unprincipled, how vastly different might have been the career of him whose life proved a benediction to mankind.
After eight years of training as a seaman William set off on the first great adventure of his young life. At the age of 18, still under the care of Captain Austin he began his longest journey as Clerk and Fourth Officer on the Sailing Ship Panther on a two year voyage to California to collect hides and tallow. Among his jobs was keeping the Log of every detail of the voyage.
One year after the eventful trip on the Panther the young Macondray was assigned in charge of a vessel, and received the title of Captain, by which he was known for about forty years. He was not yet twenty-one when he assumed the charge of a brig with a mutinous crew, and this, for a young officer as his first trust, was a responsibility well calculated to test the mettle that was in him. Other experienced shipmasters had refused to take charge of the riotous crew, but the plucky sailor, when applied to, without hesitation accepted the dangerous position. The sequel showed him to be a man organized to lead and to control men. He had learned to govern himself, and with the white armor of self conquest, a soul attuned to goodness, and a noble firmness that knew every attitude of generosity, he soon found himself not only master of the situation, but the honored kind among men. From that time forward he was always noted for his success in managing a rebellious crew, and his services were often called into requisition for that rpose. Just after he had attained his majority, Captain Macondray was called to the command of a vessel which plied between South America and China.
At the age of 28, on September 22, 1831, in Taunton, Mass. he married Lavinia Capen Smith. She was born August 1, 1803 and died Sept. 26, 1882 at the age of 79. She was a daughter of Jesse Smith (1777-1840) and Sarah Capen (born June 1, 1774). They were married May 17, 1801.
Soon after their marriage they set sail for China on the sailing vessel "The Hamilton". They lived in Macao (a Portuguese colony, in Southern China) for 8 years. He was the manager of a receiving storeship, loading tea etc. on to ships at the mouth of the Pearl River. Macao is 35 miles west of Hong Kong (which was founded in 1844, 14 years later). His receiving storeships was DeCourcey, Forbes & Co.
The health and education of his growing family made it necessary for Captain Macondray to take his family back to Massachusetts. One can picture the exhausting and heroic return journey, with three small children, on that sailing ship, traveling across the Pacific, around the tempestuous Horn, and up the coast of South America for a journey of more than 2 months. The children were then: Lucy aged 7, William, 6, and Lavinia, 5. Once settled in Massachusetts two more children were born, Frederick and Martha.
Captain Macondray purchased a lovely home in Dorchester, a suburb of Boston. Their new home was called "Rosemont". "This magnificent example of Colonial Architecture was built about 1800 and became the property of Captain Macondray. Back of the house, on the crown of the hill (commanding a noble view of the harbor) of Wollaston Heights, Quincy, the long chain of hills around by Canton, Roxbury, Cambridge, the Tri Mountain, the beautiful islands in the bay, and so completing the circle back to the starting point, was built a Chinese Pagoda, which was the wonder of all, and to see which, many pilgrimages were made. It was many feet high, and made a magnificent observatory. A summer house, the remains of which are still standing, was built farther down the hill. We must not forget to mention a large stone ice house built in the side of the hill. About 1849 Captain Macondray sold the house and large estate to Mr. Edward King of Boston and went at once to California for his health, he being a great sufferer from asthma. The place at that time, as now, was known as "Rosemont".
Mr. Folson who lived on the adjoining estate spoke of some of the curiosities: a wonderful convex mirror - one of two owned by Captain Macondray - which transferred full grown men and women into Lilliputians, beautifully inlaid and lacquered Chinese cabinet and table also inlaid, with swinging top, which were brought from abroad by Captain Macondray.
This mansion remarkably well preserved deserves more than a passing notice. It is built in the most substantial manner, the great sill and girders are of oak - hewn of course - 14 by 16 inches, with floor joists 4 by 6 inches. Perhaps it is needless to say that such floor timbers need no bridging. The cellar would hold an army and keep them warm and dry - rooms, vegetable closets, preserve closets, little arched alcoves and bins, all of which were made of brick laid in cement brick partitions with either arched brick or iron doorways, a solid smooth floor under all with not a brick in it in all these years out of place. Entirely separate from the main cellar in one corner was a small supplementary cellar which could only be entered through a narrow door in the large China closet under the stairs. The lord of the Manor or some trusted servant were all that were allowed in this store of tawny old wine, mellow port, sound New England or Santa Cruz rum, brandy, smooth as oil, but fragrant with the imprisoned odors of 'they cornfields green and sunny vines, O! pleasant land of France!'
The great pantry was entered as pantries usually are, through a door or through a slide used for dishes. A scion of the family, now an elderly woman, told when visiting the place a year or two ago, how being small and slim as a child, she was often pushed through the slide in search of goodies one might expect in such a pantry. There, on this floor, are two great parlors - each more than 29 feet square - with long windows and old fashioned paralleled shutters - the wide colonial hall with the stairs so broad, low and gracefully curved, and with such landings that one seems hardly to be ascending. A great dining room, a kitchen with brick oven, ranges, copper boilers, etc. And back of that a big green house. Upstairs are the light breezy cheerful rooms (some of them as large as the parlors below) and from the roof is a view hard to surpass.
From the tenor of this article it might seem that the place was going to ruin. True the noble old mansion is doomed, and must come down. The grounds, those beautiful grounds, are to be cut up, but through them will run wide, well-kept streets. Farewell to 'Rosemont' of the past!
The foregoing description is from an article that went the rounds of the papers entitled "Another Old Land Mark Gone". The land mark referred to was "Rosemont" - passed into other hands these many years are most of the broad acres of this magnificent estate that stretched from Dorchester Ave. to Neponset Ave. and from a line 15 or 20 rods south of the mansion to Mill St.
Capt. Macondray and his family lived in Rosemont for five years. Capt. Macondray was well known for his beautiful gardens. He was as a practical horticulturist and for years the exhibition of his fruit and flowers at the Massachusetts Horticultural Society were highly honored. With his taste and skill he was placed in the forefront of that pleasant department of industry.
On November 5, 1839 he was admitted as a member of the Boston Marine Society, and also became a founding member of the Mattapan Library Association in Dorchester, Massachusetts. "At the close of the year 1844 Captain Macondray suffered severely from an acute attack of asthma. For relief he again sought the sea. The following year, by invitation, he took passage in the first propeller ship that ever crossed the Atlantic. He assisted in exhibiting the noble ship (the Massachusetts); and showing the British public what the superb genius of Ericsson had produced; and it should be remembered that only a few years before, that same British public, through the chief constructor of their navy, had declared that it would be absolutely impossible to steer any vessel with power so applied. That merchant propeller ship proved that the naval constructor of England was not infallible in his opinions. During the ensuing year Captain Macondray took that same propeller ship down to Washington and exhibited her on the Potomac. The government appreciated her value and purchased her for national use in the war with Mexico.
In 1847, when Ireland was staggering under the terrible effects of the potato famine the news reached the Atlantic shores of our own continent, Captain Macondray was one of the first to respond to the call. Captain Robert Bennett Forbes headed the list of merchants petitioning the United States Congress to provide a ship to carry relief goods to Ireland. Two ships of the United States Navy were lent. U.S.S. Macedonian was sent from New York and the U.S.S. Jamestown from Boston. On March 28, 1847 the Jamestown sailed from Boston laden with goods donated by the people of the city. Captain Forbes came out of retirement to volunteer his services as did Captain Macondray who served as Chief Mate, both members of the Marine Society of Boston, then called "The Fellowship Club". Macondray, though in poor health and surrounded by all the comforts of a happy home, counted it a privilege to go on that mission of mercy. The passage was rough and tempestuous, but he heeded not the hardships of the voyage. As has been eloquently asked: "Who that knew him doubts that his full-hearted sympathy was added, to make more precious the results of that blessed mission of mercy and love?
In 1848, being again assailed by asthma, Captain Macondray visited Paris. While there be purchased many beautiful pieces for his home among which was a large Doll House for his three daughters, that is still enjoyed by the members of his family today, 150 years later. The ocean air and change of climate proved helpful, but his return home invariably invited a return of his illness.
The following year, 1849, brought the news of the gold excitement in California. This revived delightful memories and awakened a strong desire in him to return to the scene of his early adventures. Desire speedily crystallized into determination, and that same year found him a pioneer in San Francisco. The climatic influences of the coast proved beneficial to him, and he at once entered actively into business pursuits. He founded the house of Macondray & Co., of which he at once entered actively into business pursuits. He founded the house of Macondray & Co., of which a leading newspaper, at the time of his death, thus speaks: "He (Captain Macondray) gave it financial credit by his capital, public confidence by his character, and success by his coolness, prudence, and discretion. Daring to trust his own judgment, yet restraining it ever by the wise suggestions of his large experience, he gradually built up a business that has escaped the vicissitude of California mercantile life, and that yet remains to prove, by its continued importance and success, that even right principles in business, firmly carried out by the right men, will command their own results." Another paper said the firm: "The mercantile house of Macondray & Co. was among the first established here. The extensive warehouses of the firm escaped the devastating fires of the early days; and sound judgment, ample capital, and unlimited credit, with an unimpeachable name, have carried the house safely and triumphantly through all the vicissitude to which Californians were subject.'"
Captain Macondray wrote a journal about his Voyage to California via Chagres, written from June 30 to August 18, 1849. He traveled with James Otis and R.S. Watson across the Isthmus of Panama to start the business of Macondray & Co. in San Francisco. Within one month of arrival, with James Otis and Mr. Cary he established F W Macondray & Co. It began as a commission house receiving the greater part of its merchandise from Boston. It became the largest Commercial house in San Francisco at 54-56 Sansome Street near Pine, and in 1852, after its first shipment of tea, soon became the main importers of fine teas from China. In its infant stage, Macondray & Co also functioned as one of the first banking facilities in San Francisco and served as agents of North China Marine Insurance Co., and Yang Tsze Marine Insurance Association, insuring hulls and cargo.
May 12, 1851, Macondray wrote a letter to W.F. Parrott of Boston, Massachusetts. It concerns the great fire of May 4, 1851, which destroyed three-fourths of the city. Macondray & Co. was saved by a new fireproof warehouse they had recently erected. They were also situated near the water, and were aided by citizens in wetting down the structure. The letter gives an account of trade as a result of the fire, by disclosing what goods were destroyed, and how progress had been affected because of shortages.
By 1852 travel to California became a bit easier. Capt. Macondray brought his family to San Francisco. They took a ship that was run by steam, with emergency sails, (in case the coal ran out). Passage was $200 per person first class and $185 second class. Additional expenses were incurred in crossing the Isthmus, ranging from thirty to sixty dollars per person for transportation, food and accommodations along the way to Panama. Very few large families could afford such a trip. There were nine people in their group, which included two servants. A railroad had just been completed from Aspinwall to within 18 miles of Panama, so except for the last 18 miles over a pass on mules, their trip across the Isthmus was not as treacherous as Captain Macondray's first trip 3 years before. The railroad eliminated most of the dangerous and difficult river and land trip, and was quicker and a bit cheaper. Knowing how difficult it was to bring furniture and all their household possessions across the Isthmus, everything of that sort, (including the Doll House), was sent by sailing ship around the Horn. The children were Lucy, 17, William, 16, Lavinia, 15, Fred, 9, Martha, 8. They arrived on March 14, from Panama on the steamer "Tennessee" and stayed at the Oriental House at $1,000 a day on Joice and Powell Sts. for the first month or two.
Their first home was at 1003 Stockton St., between Jackson and Washington Sts. It was purchased from a French family called La Salle who had brought the house around the Horn. It was called: "The Little Palace". The home was described by Martha Liscomb Macondray, the youngest daughter:
"It was of a brick and stone construction, and had a garden, stable and another small house in the garden which was later Lavinia Davis' home after her marriage. George and his wife (the butler and wife) lived in the small garden house when they first arrived. Martha said they had four servants, those two, plus a maid and a laundress whom they paid $100.00 a month each.
The house had long steps in the front and on the garden side was a carriage entrance. One entered through French windows into the dining room and to an elevator that went to the reception rooms on the second floor. There were three drawing rooms into each other, dark polished floors and three beautiful crystal chandeliers hanging in the rooms. There were five bedrooms and probably one bath.
The drawing rooms were so beautiful when they had a reception, and especially when Lucy the oldest daughter was married to James Otis of Boston. The crystal chandeliers were lit with candles and gleamed brightly against the dark background.
Downstairs the dining room, pantries and servants quarters and the French windows opened into a lovely garden. There was a window over the fireplace, a most unusual and lovely feature of the room, through which one could see the garden. The jasmine and heliotrope were always trying to hide it.
The garden must have been an exquisite place according to Martha's description. It was surrounded on three sides by a tall brick wall and was entered on Washington Street by the carriage entrance and had a short drive about a "ring" in the middle of which was on old fountain paved about with square black and white tiles brought from China.
One can imagine how lovely it must have been to sit in the enclosed garden and hear the dripping of the fountain and smell the fragrant flowers. Speaking of old San Francisco gardens, it is interesting to know what flowers there were in these early days, a supreme sacrifice of time and money when one realizes all the water was brought in barrels once a day or twice a week. There was heliotrope, jasmine (the yellow and white variety) fuschia, Flora Bunda or Natura roses, moss and other large roses, white agapanthus, very fragrant Breath of Heaven, camellias, red and white and various other flowers brought from China."
Captain Macondray also brought his grapes from New England, which became famous in the garden nursery at his other home "Brookside" in San Mateo. He obviously loved his garden.
The furniture in the house was rare and beautiful. Also some French furniture left by the La Salle family. One wooden carved cupboard taken from an old dismantled French church is still in use by his descendents. The silver was equally lovely. Martha told me of the old silver brought from Dorchester, heavy old vegetable dishes and covers. A gorgeous silver tea set made in China from melted dollars, still in the family, also a Georgian silver egg set, a beautiful silver pitcher won by Captain Macondray for his Best of Exhibit Hot-house Pears, a marvelous large silver coffee dispenser, heavy old English spoons and forks with crests also made in China in 1852. All are now divided up and owned by the 6th generations of the family.
Captain Macondray is now remembered as more than a sea captain or a business man but for his genial nature, his social virtue, his Christian integrity, his noble, generous, manly heart, these are cherished in grateful memory. His honored pastor, Reverend Thomas Starr King, in a disclosure to his memory, said: "What man in the community has been associated more steadily and honorably with all the channels in which private bounty befriends public good? For years his name has been familiar in heaven as the patrons of schools, colleges, asylums, libraries, churches of various names, and Associations for generous purposes, such as at the east are supported by endowments, but which, in this new State, have been obliged to depend on the annual, untiring charity of private hearts. And perhaps the name of no man in this community has, during that time, been intertwined more frequently and tenderly with the private prayers of gratitude that have risen to heaven from the hearts of the needy. His public gifts could not be hidden; but there was another stream of bounty from his right hand, of which the left had knew not."
Captain Macondray assisted and became a benefactor in many community affairs in San Francisco. A few were:
1st Moderator of the Unitarian Church on Franklin & Gough St. [Guy Burns wrote in April 2006 that the church's history refers to the first building being at 805 Stockton Street, near Sacramento Street. "I'm not sure where "Franklin and Gough" may have come from. It might be a mistake based on the fact that the current location of the First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco is 1187 Franklin Street at Geary. It's important to note that Franklin and Gough are parallel streets. They do not cross. I just checked a map to confirm this, so unless the streets have changed course at some point in history (which I suppose is possible) then "Franklin and Gough" simply does not exist."]
Owner of Sansome Hook & Ladder Company No 3.
Was a member of the Vigilante Committee Member 1851-'56, to restore social and moral order to San Francisco. "On Sunday a cannon was procured from the store of Macondray & Co. on Sansome Street and orders to have it and the infantry in position before the jail at five minutes before twelve, were issued." - from a manuscript written by Thomas L. Rayner who lived in San Francisco in the days of the Vigilante Committee - California Historical Society Quarterly (CHSQ vol. viii 1929, p. 369, in Corrections and Addenda to the Article on the Vigilante Committee, San Francisco, 1856 by PhPhilip B Bekeart. The quotation concerns the attempt of the Vigilante Committee to take S.F. Supervisor and ex-felon Charles Casey into their custody after he had committed a murder.
He and John Sime saw to the jailing of James P. Casey, a San Francisco Supervisor, charged with the May 14th assassination of James King of William, publisher of the "Evening Bulletin." Macondray and six other prominent citizens started a fund to support King's widow and children.
Elected alderman (supervisor) 1850-1851.
First President of the California State Agriculture Society.
President of the Chamber of Commerce.
Member of the Society of Pioneers.
The San Francisco spokesman for the 1853 Atlantic & Pacific Co., early proponents of a transcontinental railroad. They sponsored exploration of possible routes across the Sierra in the Stanislaus River drainage by Major Ebbets.
Trustee of the S F Protestant Orphan Asylum, now San Francisco
Ladies Protection and Relief Society, which is now a retirement home
known as "The Heritage" (where the author has been a Needlework teacher for many years).
Seven years of unshadowed health followed Captain Macondray's arrival in San Francisco. In 1856 his old enemy, the asthma, again attacked him, and this time it was with unmistakable severity. For relief and recuperation he sought the benign influences of his lovely country home, "Brookside", in San Mateo, (between El Camino Real and Crystal Springs Lake) one of the finest estates in California, where he had indulged his taste and skill in horticulture, until he had made it an Eden of loveliness. He established a company called "Baywood Farms". The estate had 500 acres. The Baywood Tract was on the south side of the San Mateo Creek, where he grew grapes from a large collection of vines that he brought from Massachusetts around the horn in a sailing ship. The grapes were grown under glass and he won many prizes for them, particularly his Zinfandel.
Macondray is credited with bringing Zinfandel vines to California in the period 1852-1857. Source: Zinfandel Advocates & Producers.
Colonel James Warren, a fellow New Englander and founder of the prestigious California Farmer, considered Captain Macondray a giant in the establishment of Califronia's early agriculture. Macondray's most obvious contributions in a practical area were his efforts to propogate foreign grape cuttings in the Bay Area. His grapery at Baywood Farm caused him to win almost every prize offered in the state for foreign grapes grown under glass. He was praised for his pioneer work. But no improvement in health came. And in 1859 he parted with his luxurious rural home and resigned himself to the slowly advancing maladies that were attacking the very citadel of his life. He sold his San Mateo estate to John Parrott, a wealthy San Francisco banker and returned to 1003 Stockton Street. Three years of patient, heroic suffering, in which all the graces of his inner life disclosed themselves, and on August 27, 1862 Captain Macondray passed from earth to his larger life on high. His powerful constitution stoutly resisted the assaults made upon it by disease, and the battle was a fierce one. But under the pressure of almost continual agony for years he expressed only patience, gentleness, sweetness and trust.
Source: Alonzo Phelps, A.M. from Contemporary Biography of California's Representative Men. San Francisco: A.L. Bancroft & Co., Publishers, , 1881, as quoted in text by Elizabeth Grubb Lampen provided to Otis McAllister, Inc. and shown on the website http://www.otismac.com/HISmacPartI.htm
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Created: January 9, 2005 Modified: May 10, 2006
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