National Records of Scotland

Preserving the past, Recording the present, Informing the future

David "Monterey" Jack (1822-1909)

David "Monterey" Jack (1822-1909)

Businessman

David Jack emigrated to North America and moved west to California, eventually settling in the town of Monterey in the 1850s. He acquired large areas of land by various means that were legal but controversial and unpopular locally. Dairy farming led to the development of a cheese, popularly known as 'Monterey Jack', which he produced on a commercial scale. David Jack (or Jacks as he was sometimes known) died on 11 January 1909. Several of his children bequeathed their share of the family fortune and lands to educational establishments such as Stanford University, the California Institute of Technology and the University of California.

Birth in 1822

David Jack was baptised on 5 May 1822, the son of William Jack and Janet McEwan. The entry in the Old Parish Register (OPR) for Crieff in the county of Perthshire doesn't give a date of birth.

Baptism entry for David "Monterey" Jackerey"

Baptism entry for David "Monterey" Jack (16 KB jpeg)
National Records of Scotland, OPR 342/2, page 5

1841 Census

In 1841 David Jack was enumerated at Burrel Street in Crieff with his parents and brother, Robert. All ages have been rounded down to the nearest five. His father's occupation is given as sawyer. In the last column 'Y' means that they were all born in the county of Perthshire.

1841 Census record for David "Monterey" Jack

1841 Census record for David "Monterey" Jack (32 KB jpeg)
National Records of Scotland, 1841/342/6, page 11