*Prominent among the first arrivals to California was William Hartnell, who came on the John Begg in 1822 as a member of the firm of McCulloch and Company, agents of the John Begg Company of Lima. Hartnell was an Englishman born in Lancashire in 1798, but educated in Germany. Although he passed most of his life in positions connected with business, he was a scholar rather than a money-maker, and was a man of unusual accomplishments. In 1824 he was baptized at San Carlos, and in the following year married María Teresa de la Guerra. After hearing that the couple had twenty sons and five daughters, one is not surprised to read that the poor man had some difficulty in supporting his family, especially as it is said that the sons spent all their time riding horseback and playing the guitar.

During this time education was at the same low ebb as in other parts of California. Instruction was limited to reading and writing and the catechism, except in the case of a few who had the advantage of association with William Hartnell, who generously gave his time to improving the education of the children of his friends; and as he was a man of liberal culture, more than one young Californian acquired a fair classical education in this way.

*Parents - George Hartnell & Hannah Petty.

*Wife - María Teresa Ysidora de la Guerra y Carrillo (baptized San Diego Presidio Chapel on May 18, 1809, SD Baptism 03628). Married at Santa Bárbara Presidio Chapel on April 30, 1825 (BP Marriage 00134).

*Children - Guillermo Antonio, Alvano, Juan Eadberto, Adelberto Alberto, Teresa, Jose Gonzalo, Maria Matilde, Urbano Ubaldo, Ysabel Ana, Magdalena, Natanael Finiano, Pablo Eduardo, Uldarico, Francisco Gumesindo, Silvestre Albano, Amelia, Benjamin, and Maria.