Historical California Stone Carvers, Stone Cutters, & Monument Dealers
Devine Stone Carvers
Leeanna Rossi’s research notes regarding
Patrick (P.J.) J. Devine’s personal and work life.
The following research notes were made by Leeanna Rossi, author of “ Headstones of The Gold Rush Era: Sculpting Masterpieces in Marble,” available through the Old Sacramento City Cemetery. (I have only modified them by completing abbreviated words). These notes were generously contributed by Leeanna so others could benefit from all of her research. Visit “Citation List of Leeanna Rossi’s Research Notes,” to look up the corresponding numbers inside the parentheses listed in this document.
Patrick (P.J.) James DEVINE, Sacramento, Sacramento County, California.
Place of birth: Galway, (55) Ireland - (1)
Date of birth: 32
Date of death: 1/1/1870 - (45, 53, 55, 56)
EMPLOYMENT:
1854 - Sacramento as stonecutter - (53)
1855 - Came to United States ? - (44)
8/1/1855 - P. J. Marble & Stone Yard, 2 L/M (2nd marble works est. in Sacrament - (46) - (28)
1856 - California from New York - (45)
1856 - P. J. Marble Cutter, 2 L/M - (29)
1856 - “REVIEW OF SACRAMENTO: STONE AND MARBLE.” quarry location - (29)
1856 - Advertisement: “MARBLE WORKS. P. J. DEVINE. SECOND AND M STREETS, SACRAMENTO. Marble Mantels and Grates, Monuments, Tomb and Grave Stones, Table and Counter Tops, Marble and Freestone Tile, Granite and Freestone Sills and Lintels, etc. etc. constantly on hand and made to order, on reasonable terms. All kinds of ORNAMENTAL WORK done with dispatch. Also CALCINED PLASTER for sale.” - (29)
1856 - Commission headstone to Capt. Houston at City Cemetery with tomb by Andrew Aitken - (54)
6/22/1857 - Advertisement “PREMIUM MARBLE WORKS. P. J. DEVINE & BROTHER, cor of K and 6th Streets, MARBLE MANTELS AND GRATES, Monuments, Tomb and Grave Stones, Table and Counter Tops, Marble and Freestone Tiles constantly on hand and made to order, on reasonable terms. All kinds of ornamental work done, with dispatch.” - (108)
1857-1858 - P. J. Devine & Bro. and Devine & Bro. Marble Works, K/6 (with Thomas F. Devine), residence same - (30)
1857-1858 - I.O.O.F. Eureka Lodge #4, “V.G.” - (30)
1857 - Advertisement “MARBLE WORKS, K STREET, NEAR CORNER OF 6TH, P. J. DEVINE & BRO. Marble Mantels and Grates, Monuments, Tomb and Grave Stones, Table and Counter Tops, Marble and Freestone, Tile, etc., constantly on hand and made to order on reasonable terms. ALL KINDS OF ORNAMENTAL WORK done with dispatch.” - (30)
9/21/1857 - “FOR THE FAIR. Mr. P. J. Devine has at his establishment on K Street near sixth, an Italian marble mantle just completed, which is pronounced by good judges to be the finest piece of workmanship ever executed in this State or imported here from the East. It is the intention of Mr. Devine to send this piece of workmanship on Thursday next to the State Agricultural Fair at Stockton.” - (101, 106)
1857 - State Fair won best mantle - (106)
05/06/1858 - “HISTORICAL REVIEW: ODD FELLOWS - SACRAMENTO MUTUAL BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION. P. J. Devine Trustee. The association was organized on the 27th of May, 1856, and incorporated on the 10th of March, 1857. It now numbers fifty members, and, since its organization, besides administering to the wants of its members in sickness, etc., its fund has increased a already to the sum of $1,000. Considerable discrimination has hereto fore been made in the proposing of candidates, and the admission of parties to membership. The fees of the association are five dollars for initiation; monthly dues, one dollar. Each member in good standing is entitled to receive the sum of eight dollars per week during sickness, and in case of the decease of a member, he is decently interred at the expense of the Society.” - (126)
1858 - “FIRE DEPARTMENT, SACRAMENTO ENGINE CO. NO. 3, house on Second street, bet K/L. Engine built by Hunneman & Co. of Boston. “Officers: P. J. Devine, Trustee. (Tigers) Motto - “Always ready.” Company organized March 27th, 1851. Engine made by Hunneman & Co., of Boston, in ’54; has 6 3/4 inch cylinders, 15 inch stoke. The engine formerly used by this company, is now in use by Young America, 6. Elections, twice a year, September and March.” - (126, 30)
1858 - Advertisement: “PREMIUM MARBLE WORKS, K STREET, CORNER OF SIXTH, SACRAMENTO. P. J. DEVINE & BROTHER, Manufacturers and Dealers in Marble Mantels, Grates, Monuments, Tomb and Grave Stones, Table and Counter Tops, Tile, Freestone Sills and Lintels, etc. Sculpture, Hebrew, German Text and English lettering, on Tombstones, etc, executed in the best manner at the lowest prices. Order from the Interior promptly attended to. N.B. P. J. DEVINE & BRO received the Diploma and First Premium at the late State Fair and Mechanics Institute, S.F., for Sculpture and Ornamental Designs.” - (126)
1859 - Advertisement: P. J. Devine & Bro, 165 K - (74)
1859 - Commission bust of Governor John B. Weller - (45, 53, 176)
1859 - Commission of bust of Senator Broderick (Union 9/22/1859), presented to New York - (107) (or San Francisco - (45, 53, 103); bust found in Sacramento junk shop in 1925 and given by Albert Dressler to the State Library - (59, 60); other bust is in Sacramento Bee office given to James McClatchy - (60)
6/18/1859 - Commission medallion of Senator W. R. Ferguson - (45, 48, 53, 99, 102, 105, 109, 111)
10/18/1859 - State Fair displayed 1 statuary monument, 3 statuary mantles, 3 medallions, bust of Weller, 1 sleeping child; won 1st mantles, 1st plaster work, 2nd monuments; premium $80.00 - (176)
1859-1860 - Manager of Society, State Agricultural Society of California - (190)
2/1/1860 - “ACKNOWLEDGMENT.” by Mayor of New York City for Broderick bust - (107)
2/17/1860 - Married Ellen V. Lyons of Ireland in San Francisco - (1, 24, 50); 3 children: James Broderick Devine (later Judge), Winefred Devine, and Edwin Lyons Devine - (3)
1860 - Marble yard, residence with Thomas F. Devine - (1)
1860 - I.O.O.F. Eureka Lodge #4, Treasurer, established 1/7/1852, 85 members. Israel Luce voted “VG” same lodge - (92, 18)
1860 - Devine & Brother Marble Works (with Thomas F. Devine), 167 K - (92, 18)
5/11/1860 - Commission medallion of Senator W. R. Ferguson - See 6/18/1859
5/11/1860 - “LOCAL NEWS. THE MONUMENTS.” Senator Ferguson monument costing $500. - (111)
8/13/1860 - “CALIFORNIA MARBLE.” received six tons of marble quarried from Indian Gulch, in Amador County (for Ferguson and children of Wilson Flint) - (105)
11/16/1861 - Full description of FERGUSON ’S MONUMENT- (109)
1861-1862 - “P. J. Devine & Bro., Premium Marble Works, K Street (between 6th and 7th) Sacramento. Sculpture, Busts, Statues, Monuments, Tombs, and Grave Stones, Mantle-Pieces, Table and Counter Tops etc., constantly on hand, or made to Order and the Shortest Notice. Order from the country promptly attended to. N.B.: P. J. D. & Bro., have received Diplomas, and Gold Medals at the several State Fairs and from the Mechanic’s Institute.” - (85, 31)
1861-1862 - P. J. Marble Works, 163 K (with Thomas F. Devine), residence 7 M/L with Thomas F. Devine - (31, 85)
3/14/1862 - “Premium Marble Works, P. J. Devine, corner of F and 6th streets, Sacramento. Marble mantles, grates, monuments, tomb and grave stones, table and counter tops, marble and freestone tiles constantly on hand and made to order, on reasonable terms. All kinds of ornamental work done with neatness and dispatch.” - (104)
10/29/1862 - Improving State Burial Ground $500.00 - (145); monument for FERGUSON (11/31/61) - (165, 171)
1862 - (Patrick J. Devine) move to San Francisco - (46) (with Thomas F. Devine) - (48))
1863 - Patrick J. Devine (Grant & Devine Marble Yard, 12 Sutter, San Francisco, dwelling Ns Townsend bet 2/3 - (77)
? Commission medallion of Senator McDougall - (53)
1864 - Grant and Devine Marble Yard, San Francisco, California (John Grant & P. J. Devine). (This information was taken from Leeanna Rossi’s research notes. You can view her notes at this link: “Citation List of Leeanna Rossi’s Research Notes.”)
San Francisco Alta, Vol. XVI, 4/2/1864, #5144, 1:2, P.J. Devine, Bust of Rev. Thomas Starr King on view at Grant & Devine Marble Yard, Sutter Street between Montgomery and Sansome in San Francisco. “Entitled to rank high as art work....”
San Francisco Evening Bulletin, Vol. XVIII, #53, 6/8/1864, 3:4, P.J. Devine, “THE NEVINS MONUMENT. Grant & Devine, marble-cutters of this city, have nearly completed the monument to the memory of the late Col. T.J. Nevins, the first Superintendent of Public Schools in San Francisco. It will be remembered that his remains were brought hither from Nevada Territory, where he was drowned in 1861. The Legislature authorized the Board of Education to appropriate $650 towards defraying the cost of the monument to his memory, the remainder of the amount needed being contributed by citizens. The monument is to be erected in Lone Mountain, and will be ready to set up some time next week. It is cut from Tuolumne county marble, and will be seventeen feel high, above the plinth, which is of Angel Island sandstone. The marble base, resting on this plinth, is 2 feet 10 inches square, and 1 foot 6 inches high. On this will rest the die, above that a cap or c rulce (?), supporting a tapering shaft, the whole surmounted by an elegant capital and urn. One side of the shaft bears a medallion bust of the deceased, which was modeled and cut by Mr. Devine. On one side of the die appears this inscription: ‘Thomas J. Nevins; Born in Hanover, H.H., June 5, 1795; died in Silver City, N.T., January 14, 1861.’ Another side bears this inscription: ‘The first Agent of the American Tract Society on this coast; a Pioneer in the interests of Religion, Temperance, Charity and good Morals; and a promoter of the organization and labors of many leading associations for the advancement of the Public Welfare.’ A third side bears the following: ‘The Board of Education and Citizens of San Francisco unite in erecting this Monument to his memory as the Founder of Common Schools in this city and State, and as the First Superintendent of Common Schools in San Francisco.’ The monument is designed with much taste, and the California marble of which it is formed is a hard and handsome stone.”
The California Farmer and Journal of Useful Sciences, Vol. XXII, 9/23/1864, #9, 67:2, P.J. Devine: “Life size busts of Thomas Starr King” “Copies of the bust of the late Rev. Thomas Starr King by P.J. Devine, are soon to be issued to subscribers. The bust and subscription list may be seen at Mead & Van Tassel’s store, Montgomery Street or at Grant & Devine’s Marble Yard, Sutter Street, between Montgomery and Sansome Streets. The public are invited to see the autograph subscription list which comprises many of Mr. King’s personal friends.” “opinions of the press, The following criticisms are from the leading papers of the city: After the many attempts at busts of the late Thomas Starr King which have been made, it is gratifying at last to have one we can praise. It is a work of art, for expression is that as well as outline.” San Francisco Bulletin.
1864 - GRANT & DEVINE, dwelling 28 Stanford. GRANT (John) & DEVINE (Patrick J.) marble yard, 12 Sutter, dwelling 141 Townsend; JOHN, marble yard, Es Cemetery Avenue, bet Post and Sutter, Lone Mountain (and GRANT & DEVINE). Marble Yard: Grant & Devine, 12 Sutter - (78)
1864 - Grant and Devine Marble Yard, Sutter Street Montgomery /Sansome Streets - (51)
1864 - Exhibited life-size bust of child’s head in California white marble at 1864 State Fair - (49)
1864 - Commission life-size bust of Rev. Thomas Starr King - (45, 51, 57, 97)
1864 - Commission bust J. P. Buckley, Esq. - (52)
6/8/1864 - Completed monument and medallion for Col. Thomas J. Nevins, Superintendent of Public Schools in San Francisco by Grant & Devine marble cutters of California marble - (58)
3/30/1865 - Notice of Bid: Cutting granite - (207); proposal by Patrick J. Devine - (208)
1865 - Marble cutter, dwelling 28 Stanford bet Townsend/Brannan; Grant, John, Columbia Marble Yard, Es Cemetery Avenue bet Post/Sutter - (79)
1867 - State Fair premiums paid $25.00 - (179)
1867 - Marble cutter, dwelling Ws Stanford near Townsend. Grant: John, Columbia Marble Yard, Es Cemetery Avenue bet Post/Sutter - (80)
1868 - Marble cutter, dwelling Ns Bush bet Scott/Devisadero - (81)
1868 - State Fair displayed bust of young boy (child’s head); won 1st sculpture; premium paid $10.00 - (180); won gold medal - (53); “NOTEWORTHY EXHIBITIONS” - (180)
12/1868 - Notice of Bid: 55 mantels - (61) ; contract to Patrick J. Devine - (62); proposal by Patrick J. Devine - (210)
1/18/1869 - Notice of Bid: 55 mantels (2nd) - (61); contract - (62); proposal - (211); specifications - (216)
1869 - State Fair displayed bust of “California” and “A Lady”; won best sculpture; premium paid $10.00 - (181, 53); “NOTEWORTHY EXHIBITIONS” - (181)
? - Commission bust of Samuel H. Parker - (53)
? - Erected massive granite vault of the Hensleys in the Catholic Cemetery in San Francisco ? - (53)
1868 - Advertisement for State Capitol mantles - (61)
1/28/1869 - Contract for State Capitol project #1 (8) $455.00, #2 (20) $180.00, #3 (27) $73.50, to be completed by 10/1869, signed only by Patrick J. Devine - (61, 62). (Patrick J. Devine) Sick for 6 weeks and died on 1/1/1870 - (53)
6/5/1869 - Construction at the State Capitol $1000.00 - (147) (mantles - (235) )
7/1/1869 - State Capitol $1,200 - (235)
8/6/1869 - Construction at the State Capitol $1500.00; 10/5/1869 Construction at the State Capitol $2500.00; 11/5/1869 Construction at the State Capitol $1500.00; 1/22/1870 Construction at the State Capitol $3853.18; 4/8/70 Furniture New Capitol $15.50. Total $9402.68 - (150) (mantle contract - 235)
12/1869 - Patrick J. Devine, stone cutter, dwelling Ns Bush Scott/Devisadero - (82)
1869 (presented in 1870) - State Fair premiums paid $10.00 - (183)
1/01/1870 - PATRICK JAMES DEVINE DIES IN SAN FRANCISCO, age 38 - (53, 55, 56)
Ages: 60/28 (26?) - (1)
Other Information: Value of personal estate in 1860: $1800 - (1); died of pulmonary consumption suffered for 4-5 years - (53); funeral at home in San Francisco, Bush/Scott St. - (56)
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