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Taraval (Father Sigismundo) Journal, transcription by Charles F. Lummis
MS.854
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Contributing Institution:
Library and Archives at the Autry
Title: Transcription of Father Sigismundo Taraval Journal recounting Indian uprisings in Baja California of 1734-1737, prepared by
Charles F. Lummis.
Creator:
Lummis, Charles Fletcher
Creator:
Taraval, Sigismundo, Father
Identifier/Call Number: MS.854
Physical Description:
1 folder
(302 typed carbon copied pages)
Date: circa 1909
Abstract: A transciption of the journal of Father Sigismundo Taraval, a Milanese Jesuit of Spanish ancestry, who recounts his first
hand experiences of clashes with the indigenous people of Baja California. Taraval's account was written beginning in 1734
and continued through 1737. The transcription was created circa 1909 and included editorial notes from Charles Lummis.
Language of Material: The majority of this transcription is in Spanish with some Latin. Notes and corrections are in Spanish and English.
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https://theautry.org/research-collections/library-and-archives and fill out the Researcher Application Form.
Charles Fletcher Lummis Papers, 1888-1928, Braun Research Library Collection, Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles; MS.1, MS.1.1.158A, Ayer, Edward
E. 1902-1925.
Processing of collection and publication of finding aid made possible by a grant from the National Historical Publications
and Records Commission (NHPRC).
A translation of the Taraval Journal was written by Marguerite Eyer Wilbur and published by the Quivera Society in 1931. See
Autry Library catalog : Part of the Braun Research Library Collection, call # 972.2 T72i, 1931.
Wilbur's translation is complete and the volume also includes a timeline of events, an index, and footnotes thoroughly explaining
Taraval's account.
Existence and Location of Orginals
Taraval's original handwritten manuscript is held at the Newberry Library in Chicago as part of the Ayer collection. Call
# VAULT Ayer MS 1240.
The Jesuits were active in Baja, California from 1697 through 1768, a period of 71 years. Taraval's account was written beginning
in 1734 and continued through 1737. In this period, Jesuit activity in Baja is described in three phases, the second, which
ranged from 1730-1740, is referred to as "the age of storm and stress" (Wilbur, 1931, page 18), and was marked by Indian attacks,
plundering, raids, and rebellions. This period is the one in which the Taraval journal was written and it records these events
by Father Sigismundo Taraval as an eyewitness describing them first hand.
Taraval was a Milanese Jesuit of Spanish ancestry. His record describes many conflicts occurring with the native Baja population
over attempts to convert them to Catholicism. In particular, there were clashes about the long-held practice of polygamy and
the strong influence of the medicine man whom the Fathers believed was "the Devil in disguise" (Wilbur, 1931, p. 11).
Reference:
Wilbur, M. E. (1931).
The Indian uprising in lower California 1734-1737 as described by Father Sigismundo Taraval. Los Angeles, CA: The Quivera Society.
Bequest from Charles Fletcher Lummis to the Southwest Museum, 1910 February 28.
This transcription was created by Lummis while he was City Librarian for the Los Angeles Public Library. It was most likely
part of the Charles Fletcher Lummis Papers and Library he bequeathed to the Southwest Museum in 1910 February 28.
This is the carbon of the copy Charles F. Lummis had made for the Los Angeles Public Library during his time as City Librarian.
Lummis made the transcription from the original journal which he borrowed from Edward E. Ayer and is now housed in the Ayer
Collection of Western Americana in the Newberry Library, Chicago. The original is missing the first four pages and several
pages at the end of the document.
The journal begins in July of 1734 and describes how a San Joseph mission in Baja is reported to have been "sacked." A soldier
stationed at that mission was murdered; Fathers Lorenzo and Nicolás Tamaral were also murdered. Father Taraval, along with
three guards, and 50 of the loyal Callejues Indians, crossed through enemy territory to the port at La Paz where they traveled
by boat to the Island of Espíritu Santo. A series of attacks on the missions of Baja continued through 1737 when the rebel
leaders were ultimately captured and sent to Loreto and then banished to Mexico.
Wilbur notes that the Taraval Journal was historically misattributed to Father William Gordon, a Scottish Jesuit, who was
stationed at La Paz in the same period as Taraval. The journal was therefore previously known as the Gordon Journal. However,
Wilbur asserts that "internal evidence" and handwriting analysis prove Taraval's authorship indubitably.
The transcription's pages are numbered (1) 4 through (324, 325) 302. The number in parenthesis refers to the original manuscript's
numbering. The second non-parenthetical number refers to the transcriber's numbering system. I.e.: (324, 325) indicates that
two manuscript pages have been included on page 302 of the transcript.
Corrections in pencil and red ink appear throughout the manuscript in Charles F. Lummis' handwriting. It is assumed that the
typing of the transcription was most likely done by Lummis' second wife, Eve Lummis.
Father Sigismundo Taraval journal transcription by Charles F. Lummis, circa 1909, Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles; MS. 854.
Copyright has not been assigned to the Autry Museum of the American West. All requests for permission to publish or quote
from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Research Services and Archives. Permission for publication is
given on behalf of the Autry Museum of the American West as the custodian of the physical items and is not intended to include
or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Indians of Mexico -- History -- 18th century -- Sources
Jesuits -- Mexico -- Baja California (Peninsula)
Baja California (Mexico : Peninsula)
Missions -- Mexico -- Baja California (Peninsula)
Indians of Mexico
Missionaries -- Mexico -- Baja California (Peninsula)
Catholic Church -- Mexico -- Baja California (Peninsula)
Manuscripts, Spanish
Evangelistic work -- Mexico -- Baja California (Peninsula) -- History -- 18th century -- Sources
Indians of Mexico -- Religion