Hi Chris. Here are some writings before the 1857 quake. As you can see there is some interpretation going on here as to the actually dates of the quakes.

1857

Jan 8-9

Historical Writings, by Edwin M. Sheridan. Vol. 5 pp. 113.
SAN FRANCISCO TO FORT YUMA. Severe at San Gabriel, San Diego and San Bernardino; large fissure made in western part of latter town. San Buenaventura Mission roof torn down.

1857

Jan 8
BSSA, Vol. 29, no. 1, p. 34.

6 am, 9 am, 10 am. Santa Barbara. In the afternoon two slight shocks and one severe one; 8:30 am, Los Angeles; 8:15 am, San Francisco; 7 am, Monterey; 7:30, Sacramento. -Perrey.

The only shock recorded by Tennent for Jan. 1857 was the great shock at 8 am on Jan. 9, and not Jan. 8, as stated by Holden. Ed.

11:20 pm; also Jan. 9. VIII? IX? California. Heavy earthquakes. All the houses in Santa Barbara were damaged. -Perrey.

All the remarks in the two citations above refer without doubt to the great earthquake of Jan. 9, so one is left wondering where the shock of 11:20 pm, Jan.8 was felt. It is stated in "Report of the State Earthquake Investigation Commission," 1, 450, on the authority of Perrey and Holden, that this shock of Jan. 8 was felt in Santa Barbara and all the houses were damaged by it. We think that such an interpretation of HoldenŐs entries is not warranted. So far as we know, there is no evidence that any damage was done by a series of shocks, except the one that came at about 8:14 am, Jan. 9. Ed.

1857

Jan 9
Fort Tejon, California, earthquake of January 9, 1857 (M 8+)

• Fort Tejon Quake