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Sexton family papers, 1844-2013

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Sexton family
Title
Sexton family papers
Dates
1844-2013 (inclusive)
Quantity
64.56 cubic ft. (80 boxes)
Collection Number
09671
Summary
Documents the history of the Murdock Land Company and Stone Valley ranch as well as the owners, the Sexton family.
Repository
American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
American Heritage Center
University of Wyoming
1000 E. University Ave.
Dept. 3924
Laramie, WY
82071
Telephone: 3077663756
ahcref@uwyo.edu
Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public.

Languages
English
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Historical Note

The Sexton family ran one of the most important livestock ranches in the West. William Murdock (1820-1894), his sister, Mary Murdock Compton (d. 1915) and her husband, Henry C. Compton Sr. (d. 1888) founded the Murdock Land Company in 1853 in Colusi (later Glenn) County, California. The Murdock Land Company consisted of several ranches including Stone Valley, Adobe, and Nye Ranches. The Murdock Land Company was incorporated in 1900 and managed by Henry C. Compton Jr. (1864-1930) until his death, then by his widow, Henria Packer Compton (1871-1959) until 1941. It was then leased to Robert Renaud and John Kenneth Sexton (1900-1975) until 1945 and then run by J.K. (Ken) Sexton who had married Henry and Henria’s daughter, Anna Belle Compton Sexton, from 1945-1952, and by J.K. Sexton and Sons from 1953-1958. Murdock Land Company was liquidated in 1958. J.K. and Anna Belle Sexton ran Stone Valley and Koyo Ranches with their sons. After J.K. Sexton’s death on February 3, 1975, the family continued to operate the Stone Valley ranches until selling Stone Valley in 1998.

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Content Description

The Sexton family collection pertains to their multi-generational family business in the sheep industry and the management of their livestock ranch. Materials including land deeds, correspondence, historical accounts, and subject files document the general history of the family and Stone Valley. There is also a Babylonian tablet from 2350 B.C.E., one of the earliest records of sheep ranching. Financial files documenting Stone Valley ranch after 1941 include general ledgers and inventories. There are also files documenting livestock and these include breeding records, shearing records, and other information about sheep and cattle. Also included in this collection is information about the Murdock Land Company. This series contains agreements, leases, correspondence, and material documenting the financial and administrative history of the ranches owned by the Murdock Land Company. There is also material documenting the Sexton and Compton families. This includes 19th century correspondence between family members, diaries of Anna Belle Sexton, H.C. Compton and Robert Sexton, estate files, vacation photos, family photo albums, and items owned by the family.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Copyright Information

The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.

Restrictions on Use

Statement on Potentially Harmful Language and Images Found in Collections

The American Heritage Center aspires to approach all areas of our work in ways that are respectful to those who create, use, and are represented in our collections. For a variety of reasons, however, users may encounter offensive or harmful language or images in some of our finding aids, catalogs, and collection materials.

Note that the AHC does not censor or alter contents of the collections as they provide context and evidence of a time, people, place, or event. Therefore, we encourage users to bring questions and concerns about descriptions in our finding aids to our attention via email or anonymous web-form. For more information, read our full statement.

Preferred Citation

Item Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Collection Name, Collection Number, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

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Administrative Information

Related Materials

There are no known other archival collections created by the Sexton family at the date of processing.

Acquisition Information

This material was received from Anna Belle Sexton, Robert Sexton, Arleigh Simmons, and Janice Sexton in multiple accretions from 1960-2022.

Processing Note

The collection was processed by Laura Uglean Jackson, July 2012 and updated by Jamie Greene in June 2017, February 2021, and May 2024.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Container List

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Livestock ranches -- United States -- 19th century.
  • Livestock ranches -- United States -- 20th century.
  • Sheep industry -- United States -- 19th century.
  • Sheep industry -- United States -- 20th century.

Personal Names

  • Sexton, Anna Belle.
  • Sexton, John Kenneth.
  • Sexton, Robert C.

Corporate Names

  • Murdock Land Company.

Geographical Names

  • Glenn County (Calif.)

Processed by Laura Uglean Jackson
2012

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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