San Mateo-San Francisco-Santa Barbara County CA Archives Biographies.....Hayne, Robert Young 1853 - 1901 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ca/cafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com July 24, 2006, 5:30 pm Author: S. J. Clarke (1928) ROBERT YOUNG HAYNE The bench and bar of the state of California were dignified by the life and labors of the late Robert Young Hayne, who as lawyer and jurist attained an exalted place in the legal history of this state. In the practice of law he gained a wide reputation for his learning, sagacity and integrity; as a judge of the superior court his decisions and opinions were noted for their soundness and logic; and in the sphere of private citizenship he was a stalwart and consistent supporter of those things which contributed to the individual and general welfare. Mr. Hayne was born in Charleston, South Carolina, on the 18th of December, 1853, and was a son of Col. William Alston Hayne, who also was a native of Charleston, and was an officer in the Civil war. In 1867 he brought his wife and seven sons to California, making the voyage on the steamer "Sacramento," and arrived in San Francisco on July 3d. After a month in Oakland, he moved to Montecito, where he established his permanent home, and his death occurred there March 28, 1901. He was successful in his business affairs and some of the property he acquired there is still in the possession of the family. Robert Young Hayne was about fourteen years of age when the family came to California, and he here secured his education in the public and high schools of San Francisco, after which he took up the study of law in the office of a cousin, Edward J. Pringle. At Sacramento, when twenty-one years of age, he was admitted to the bar upon examination and immediately engaged in the practice of his profession, in which his ability and industry gained quick recognition. In 1880 he was elected superior judge, in which position he rendered conspicuous service, and on his retirement from the bench he made a trip to Europe, where he spent several months. On his return he resumed his law practice, to which he devoted his efforts to the time of his death, which occurred April 10,1903. For many years he was a member of the supreme court commission, serving with ability and distinction. While conducting a general practice, Judge Hayne specialized in appellate law, on which he was regarded as an authority, and he was identified as counsel with many of the most important cases taken to the higher courts. A man of unusual mental ability, of the highest sense of honor, of keen understanding of the service which he should render to his fellowmen, he brought to the discharge of every duty a determination to give his very best efforts. His counsel was wise, his judgment sound, and his integrity above reproach. Into the calling which he chose as his life work he carried a rectitude of purpose that gave it both dignity and respect. His profession would seek in vain for higher standards than he exemplified in his work and he commanded the sincere respect of all who came in contact with him. On April 19, 1881, in San Francisco, Mr. Hayne was united in marriage to Miss Grace Parrott, a daughter of John Parrott, an honored pioneer of San Mateo county, to whom reference is made in following paragraphs. To Mr. and Mrs. Hayne were born two sons, Robert Y., Jr., who lives in southern California, and John Parrott, who died in 1907. Mrs. Hayne is still living in San Mateo, secure in the love and esteem of her myriad of friends, who appreciate her kindly and gracious qualities. John Parrott was born at Fairfax Courthouse, Virginia, on April 16, 1810, and was reared and educated in that locality. Eventually he came to the Pacific coast, where he was to play a conspicuous part in commercial and civic affairs, and his record during the following years was one of great activity in various lines, his efforts being crowned with weir merited success. For a number of years he was engaged in trade on the Mexican coast and during 1845-6 served as United States consul at Mazatlan, where he rendered valuable aid to the navy in matters concerning the occupation of California. Owing to the lack of definite information as to political conditions, the Americans in Mexico were naturally in an embarrassing position, as is clearly shown in the following letter from Mr. Parrott to T. 0. Larkin, and which is now preserved among the Larkin documents in the Bancroft Library: Mazatlan, Feby. 25, 1846. Thomas O. Larkin, Monterey. Dear Sir: We are without a line from you to reply to. The present is merely to state that the tallow sent Mr. Thompson for Fisher's vessel was sold on board at 12Rs. We send you enclosed a letter for Mr. Thompson, with the account sales of Tallow, showing net proceeds $975, which we have credited to him in account, although we have not received a single dollar as yet of the money, Fisher having imprudently left this place for Cape St. Lucas without settling with us, and now informs us he will sail for California about the first from that place. We send this over to the Cape by a small schooner to go up by him, also a lot of letters and newspapers for you. Our relations with this country are not yet settled. The Minister who arrived out for the purpose of settling matters was not received. He consequently left Mexico for Vera Cruz, where he is waiting for further orders. They will have ere this been received, and the contents known. Meantime the Commodore, with the whole of the squadron, is still here. It is impossible to say what will be the decision of our government after it shall have been informed of the non-reception of Mr. Slidell. We send you enclosed a letter for Mr. A. B. Thompson, which after reading seal and send it to him. We remain your obt. friends, Parrott & Co. Soon afterwards Mr. Parrott and Dr. Wood, fleet surgeon of the United States Pacific squadron, obtained leave of absence, the former to regain his health and the latter for business reasons, and together they started overland for Vera Cruz, traveling by horseback by way of the city of Mexico, expecting to take ship at the first named place for the United States. In Mr. Parrott's absence, Mr. Bolton remained at Mazatlan as acting United States consul. Starting on May 4, 1846, Messrs. Parrott and Wood reached Guadalajara six days later, and there they overheard a conversation among some Mexican officers which conveyed to them their first information that war existed between Mexico and the United States, and which was the news Commodore Sloat so eagerly awaited. With Mr. Parrott's aid, Dr. Wood was able to send a courier with the news to Bolton at Mazatlan, and thus get it through to Sloat. On their arrival at Mexico City, Mr. Parrott found awaiting him a letter from a friend in San Luis Patosi in which details were given of the battles of May 9th and General Taylor's decisive victories over the Mexicans. This information Mr. Parrott dispatched to Bolton from Mexico City on May 23d, the letter containing the closing words: "You can tell the Commodore, if he be with you, that I do not write to him because there is too much risk, that he has a field open to signalize himself, and I wish him a crown of laurels." Messrs. Parrott and Wood literally took their lives in their own hands by their actions, for had their courier and dispatch been captured they would undoubtedly have been executed as spies, but their courage and resourcefulness stood them in good stead and they made their trip through to Vera Cruz without trouble, and after a short period in the United States, Mr. Parrott returned to his station at Mazatlan. Mr. Parrott's first trip to California was in connection with an English schooner, "Star of the West," which he owned, and which was bringing a valuable cargo from Liverpool. Though the ship was apparently bringing the cargo to the United States, the goods were really intended for Mexico. The California authorities agreed to accept duties on a nominal valuation, which was a clear profit for them, and then the goods would be introduced free of duty at Mexican ports and thus realize a still larger profit for the owners than they would have realized in California. It is believed that the plan was to pay the duty in merchandise in California, whereas cash would have been required in Mexico. However, on July 27,1845, the "Star of the West" was wrecked at Point Lobos, near Monterey, and as much of the cargo as was saved was sold to Belden and others for three thousand dollars. Besides, a large amount of stuff was salvaged by the residents of that locality, though three were drowned in the effort. In 1853 Mr. Parrott was united in marriage to Miss Abbey Eastman Maher, at Mobile, Alabama, and after the discovery of gold in California he brought his bride to this state, by way of the isthmus of Panama. She was a native of Gardiner, Maine, though they became acquainted in Baltimore, Maryland. Mr. Parrott remained identified with shipping interests and mercantile affairs until 1859, being the head of the firm of Parrott & Company, which he had established in 1855, and he later became a banker and capitalist, with many interests. He gained a wide reputation in his erection of the first fireproof building in San Francisco, known as Parrott's Granite block, at Montgomery and California streets, which cost, including the land, one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. The construction of this building was commenced in August, 1852, and it was completed by December 4th. The interesting story of its building as described in a publication of the Society of California Pioneers, is as follows: "It was built entirely by Chinese labor, of granite blocks from China, all carefully cut and dressed and labeled with Chinese characters, each ready to be fitted into its place. The Chinamen came to the States on the bark 'Dragon,' and were to stay in the capacity of stonemasons or common laborers for the full term of ninety working days. In return for their free passage, daily rations of rice, fish, or meat, and one dollar for each working day, they were to labor from sunrise to sunset with the exception of one hour at noon. Their wages were to be received at the end of three months, provided they had complied strictly with the rules of the agreement. Otherwise they were forfeited. When finished it was regarded as one of the handsomest buildings in the city and it may be said as a tribute to its builders that they built well, for not only did it survive the several early fires, but even the great fire of 1906, only to be torn down in 1926 to make room for greater growth and progress." Though long active in business affairs, Mr. Parrott's chief interest was in his home and family, consisting of his wife, one son and six daughters. Their home was for many years at 620 Folsom street, San Francisco, adjoining the home of General Folsom, while at San Mateo he established also a comfortable and attractive country home. When he built the latter San Mateo consisted of about a dozen houses and in the selection of this location he exercised the same foresight and keen discrimination that characterized his entire career. The place was at that time called Baywood and after coming here, in January, 1860, Mr. Parrott showed an active interest in the progress and upbuilding of the community and county. He engaged in raising pure-bred horses, for which he always had a fondness, having in his younger days loved horseracing. He also engaged in wheat farming, owning a splendid ranch near Chico, in the operation of which he took a great interest as long as his health permitted. During the latter years of his life he spent practically all of his time at San Mateo, and his death occurred at his home in San Francisco in 1884, at the age of seventy-four years. Mr. Parrott possessed in the highest degree the elements that make men successful, having the ability to grasp facts and infer their practical significance with almost unerring certainty. Few men were more sought for counsel than he and the correctness of his opinions in practical matters was almost proverbial. He was recognized as a splendid citizen, of lofty character and sturdy integrity. Heart and hand and purse were always open to the necessities of those less fortunate than he and he always stood ready to cooperate with others in any beneficent enterprise. His life might be summed up in the simple statement that the world was better for his having lived and that his community suffered a distinct loss in his death. Additional Comments: Extracted from: HISTORY OF SAN MATEO COUNTY CALIFORNIA VOLUME II ILLUSTRATED CHICAGO, ILL. THE S. J. 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