From Guide to the Josiah Belden Papers 1832-1903, Univ California Berkeley Bancroft Library: "Josiah Belden, born in Connecticut of 17th century colonist stock, was a member of the first planned emigrant party to cross the plains to California. A member of the Bartleson Party, Belden left Missouri early in May and arrived in California, after considerable hardship, in November, 1841. Settling first in the Santa Cruz area, where he managed a store for Thomas O. Larkin, Belden also operated a small store in Monterey. Upon acquiring Mexican citizenship he received a grant of land, the Barranca Colorado, on the upper Sacramento River, which he later sold to William B. Ide. In about 1846 Belden managed a store in Yerba Buena for Captain John Paty, later was associated with William Heath Davis, and in 1847 established a store in San Jose in silent partnership with Henry Mellus and William D. M. Howard. With the gold excitement this enterprise first languished as the inhabitants left for the mines, but prospered greatly as they returned with gold to spend, and new residents also came to the town. Belden retired from this operation in 1849, about the time he married Sarah Margaret, daughter of Zachariah Jones, an 1846 arrival in California. They continued to live in San Jose where Belden took an active part in civic affairs and property development until 1881, when they moved to New York City where Belden died in 1892. By astute investment, including San Francisco real estate, Belden became a wealthy man for his times. The papers reflect his merchandising operations, particularly his association with Mellus and Howard, and some of his investments, including the San Francisco property. He was interested in quicksilver mines, particularly the New Almaden and the Guadalupe, and in mining property in Mexico." He was the first mayor of San Jose.
In 1860 Josiah Belden 45 b. CT, retired merchant, lived in San Jose Twp, Santa Clara, CA with Sarah M 28 b. OH, Charles A 9, Mary E 8, Leo F 6, Laura J 3, Louisa 1, servants, and Leo P Jones 21 b. OH, student of law.103

From Guide to the Josiah Belden Papers 1832-1903, Univ California Berkeley Bancroft Library: "Josiah Belden, born in Connecticut of 17th century colonist stock, was a member of the first planned emigrant party to cross the plains to California. A member of the Bartleson Party, Belden left Missouri early in May and arrived in California, after considerable hardship, in November, 1841. Settling first in the Santa Cruz area, where he managed a store for Thomas O. Larkin, Belden also operated a small store in Monterey. Upon acquiring Mexican citizenship he received a grant of land, the Barranca Colorado, on the upper Sacramento River, which he later sold to William B. Ide. In about 1846 Belden managed a store in Yerba Buena for Captain John Paty, later was associated with William Heath Davis, and in 1847 established a store in San Jose in silent partnership with Henry Mellus and William D. M. Howard. With the gold excitement this enterprise first languished as the inhabitants left for the mines, but prospered greatly as they returned with gold to spend, and new residents also came to the town. Belden retired from this operation in 1849, about the time he married Sarah Margaret, daughter of Zachariah Jones, an 1846 arrival in California. They continued to live in San Jose where Belden took an active part in civic affairs and property development until 1881, when they moved to New York City where Belden died in 1892. By astute investment, including San Francisco real estate, Belden became a wealthy man for his times. The papers reflect his merchandising operations, particularly his association with Mellus and Howard, and some of his investments, including the San Francisco property. He was interested in quicksilver mines, particularly the New Almaden and the Guadalupe, and in mining property in Mexico." He was the first mayor of San Jose.
In 1860 Josiah Belden 45 b. CT, retired merchant, lived in San Jose Twp, Santa Clara, CA with Sarah M 28 b. OH, Charles A 9, Mary E 8, Leo F 6, Laura J 3, Louisa 1, servants, and Leo P Jones 21 b. OH, student of law.

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