The next main event in the Bear Flag Rebellion was on June 14, 1846, in Sonoma, the taking of the Mexican administrative capital.

For his actions and bravery Frémont promoted Ezekial Merritt to Captain of the California Battalion, a job he manager poorly.

Martin Murphy Jr founded what is today called city of Sunnyvale after buying Rancho Ojo del Agua de la Coche anstartined a wheat farm and ranch, named Bay View.

Their determination, optimism and close family bonds helped them cross rugged terrain and become founders of early Santa Clara Valley.

For $1500 he purchased the 9000-acre Rancho Ojo del Agua de la Coche, named for its many springs.

Later the town of San Martin would grow up around the ranch and be named in honor of Murphy’s patron saint.

Murphy’s sons, John and Daniel, struck gold in the Sierras in 1849, but made their fortunes selling dry goods to the miners.

John became a prominent San Jose citizen, as treasurer, coroner, and sheriff for the newly formed County of Santa Clara.

At the time of his death in 1881, Dan’s landholdings in California, Nevada, New Mexico and Arizona made him perhaps the largest landowner on the Pacific Coast.

The former Ojo del Agua Rancho lands have been added to Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch County Park.