Description
Typescript memoirs of Edward Walter Rodriguez regarding the Rodriguez family history in Alta California.
Background
Typescript memoirs of Edward Walter Rodriguez on Alta California and the Rodriquez family California dating from 1754. The
family is descended of Spanish colonists who settled in California during Mexican ruling. The manuscript provides a brief
history of Mexican, Spanish, and US rule of California followed by a narrative of the author’s family history beginning with
Don Jose Antonio Rodriguez, a Spanish soldier.
Don Jose Antonio Rodriguez, originally from Compostela, Nayarit, Mexico (Nuevo España), first stationed at Port San Blas in
Nayarit in 1774, was later stationed at the San Diego Presidio and then ordered to report to the Presidio of Monterey, Alta
California. His future wife, Maria Trinidad Vicenta de Leon (Juarez), originally from Real de Cosala a village located in
what is now the State of Sinaloa, was first married to Don Francisco Juarez, also of Cosala, a Spanish soldier who served
at San Gabriel Mission. She was widowed with two children in 1782 and later married Jose Antonio Rodriguez.
Their first child was born while stationed at Mission San Luis Obispo. Eight births followed at various missions and presidios
throughout California. The family held a semi-permanent home on a ranch near Monterey and descendants later owned ranches
throughout the central coast. Members of the Rodriguez family were beneficiaries of Mexican land grants including what is
known as the Corral de Piedra Land Grant near Arroyo Grande and the Rancho Bolsa del Pajaro near Watsonville in Santa Cruz
County.
Extent
1 folder; 44 pages
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Availability
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