USA > California > Santa Barbara County > History of Santa Barbara county, California, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 11
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"On the fourth the American was permitted to see the prisoners. They had been scrubbing them- selves at the great tank, and were allowed, at his suggestion, to take their dinner in the open air. They had evidently been suffering exceedingly since they left Monterey, for their countenances had lost the little color which the dungeons of that place had left them. Their hands looked skeletonwise; their eyes were deeply sunken in their sockets. They
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DAYS OF THE SHEPHERD KINGS.
tottered when they walked. Poor men! For no other fault than their Anglo-Saxon blood, they fared like felons. They had a long voyage and slavery in the mines of Mexico before them, and were sad. They asked the American if he would lead them in an attack against the guard. He pointed out the hopelessness of such an attempt in their enfeebled condition, and comforted them with the reiterated assurance that he would meet them at San Blas."
The Englishman before spoken of, died with his last wants administered by some of the hospitable and kind ladies of the town. Farnham speaks of spending the evening at the house of Mrs. J. A. Jones y Carrillo, the wife of the former American Consul at the Sandwich Islands, and her sisters.
" A stroll a tete-a-tete and the sweet guitar. The air was balmy; the smiles were fascinating: the laugh savored of the deepest impulses of the soul; the music was the warm breath of the best affections. All be- yond was barbarism and wilderness! The vast pam- pas, the unexplored streams, the unpruned forests, the howling hosts of beasts that war with life and gnaw each others bones, the roaring seas, the wild men, woman, and children; uneducated, homeless,- the untamed fields of earth, and the deserts of the human heart lay outside. They tell of heroic deeds, of martyrdom and glorious conquests. They bring back the events of buried years; the deeds of those who acted and died here, and as the scene moves on, this land with its countless beauties and charms, its gray wastes and soft landscapes pass as in a panorama to the mind."
The successful termination of this affair caused great rejoicing among Alvarado's friends. It was considered of so much importance that a general thanksgiving was ordered in May, 1840. Two months later a French ship and the American ship-of-war St. Louis entered the harbor of Monterey to inquire into the circumstances. Alvarado left immediately to attend to some Indian disturbances in the interior, and as Castro was in Mexico with the prisoners, there was no military man or person in authority to hold responsible for the affair, and after a few days the ships sailed away, and Alvarado returned to his post.
In the July following, the prisoners were returned to Monterey on a Mexican ship. They were much improved in personal appearance, and had been re- munerated for their loss of time, and were also sent back at the expense of the Government. The change in their condition was brought about by the inter- vention of the British Consul at Mexico, who had sufficient influence to have the prisoners liberated and the guard imprisoned. After this things resumed their old ways.
CHAPTER X. DAYS OF THE SHEPHERD KINGS.
Eminent Families-De la Guerra Family -- The Carrillo Family- The Ortega Family-The Arrellanes Family-The Cota Fam- ily-The Olivas Family-Other Prominent Families-Promi- nent Persons not of Spanish Descent.
THE secularization of the missions seemed much like an act of destruction. The authorities of the church have never ceased to denounce it as one of vandalism and impiety; on the contrary the act was, and is, defended by statesmen as necessary and right. The Spanish families and citizens who had migrated to the country under promise of lands and a chance to become the founders of a line of wealthy families, felt themselves overshadowed by the church, which virtually owned all the property and controlled the country. The colonists could see no equity in keep- ing the Castilians in an inferior position to confer a doubtful benefit on the savages, who, even by the fathers themselves, were considered as " men without reason." a literal translation of the term "gente sin razon," usually applied to the natives. To add force to this complaint, it was found that the natives learned the vices of civilization much more rapidly than its virtues; that they were, in spite of all the care for them. slowly becoming exterminated. The habits taught and enforced by the fathers, of sleeping in close quarters, subjected the Indian, who was a growth of open air and sunshine, to numbers of new diseases. The contact with the whites introduced diseases which tor want of proper treatment soon permeated the whole Indian population, and acceler- ated the decay of the race. It was found that in- stead of raising three children, the number necessary to keep up a population, Indian parents did not aver- age even two. Though waste and destruction followed the secularization, the ultimate result was the growth of a better form of humanity. The succeeding decade gave growth to. perhaps, the most fascinating and felicitous rural life that ever existed on this conti- nent, the Arcadia of Longfellow to the contrary notwithstanding. Any history of Santa Barbara County which failed to fully treat of this matter would be fearfully deficient.
It was in this period that the virtues of hospitality to strangers, liberality and fair dealing with each other, kindness and sympathy for those in distress, and general domestic fidelity, became such promi- nent traits as to win the admiration of all who came to these shores. It was in this period that the art of horsemanship was cultivated with such success that all the Californians became models for imitation, reaching a perfection in the art that has never been equalled since. It was in this period that dignity and gentleness with the men, grace and beauty among the women, reached their highest perfection ; when, in the daily intercourse with each other and with strangers, the"gentle politeness which is never
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HISTORY OF SANTA BARBARA COUNTY.
oppressive or annoying, the deference to age, char- acter, wealth, beauty, and virtue which all cultivated people admire, were taught and practiced in every adobe hut. It was for these people who had no furniture nor costly dresses, no palaces nor elegant dwellings, who had no intercourse with the outer world except through the occasional vessel which came to carry away hides and tallow, whose daily avocations were the most common and simple, whose mental cultivation was a mere nothing, for not one in a hundred ever looked into a book or knew how to read, it was for these people who were developed out of their own innate strength to become models in social life for the rude though energetic Americans who afterwards conquered and possessed the country; and when in after years the student, in the search for the sources of civilization, shall read of the won- derful virtues of the shepherds of the far-off coast of California, he will not compare the story unfavorably with that of the development of poetry, painting, sculpture, and architecture among the Greeks, civil and military law among the Romans, or even the wonderful development of all these among the rude Anglo-Saxons. We must attribute much to the tra- ditions and memories of Spanish grandeur; much to the teachings and influence of the padres, who were men of learning and devotion; much to the easy circumstances of the people who were not compelled to practice that pinching economy so destructive to the virtues of hospitality; and much to the climate, which, especially in Santa Barbara, was so conducive to the growth of physical perfection and a calm and cheerful disposition.
Though a revolution occurred in the Government during the period of which we are about to write, it scarcely ruffled the surface of the society of the time, and he who looks for exciting narratives of war or insurrection will be sadly disappointed. The historian's task will be rather to give a picture of the people in their every-day life, believing that it is worthy of being preserved for the future people of this country to read.
EMINENT FAMILIES.
As the Government of the country was principally patriarchal, notwithstanding the fact of a Governor and Departmental Assembly, some account of the families who gave tone to and shaped public opinion will help the reader to understand the narratives which are to follow. In giving the names of the families to the present generation, we have antici- pated time . in some respects, but have considered that it will lead to less confusion than any other method.
DE LA GUERRA FAMILY.
By general consent this family stands at the head ot the Spanish families of Santa Barbara County. The founder was Don Jose de la Guerra y Noriega who was born in Novales, in the Province of Santan-
der, in Spain, in 1776. He was of an ancient and honorable family, dating back to the time of the Moorish wars, as is shown by the coat of arms cher- ished by the family. The old Noriega residence (where the founder of the California branch of the family was born) is still an imposing edifice, though erected some hundred years since, and covers a block of land in the principal town of the province. Two large gateways on opposite sides of the block have the family arms, carved in stone, surmounting them.
The parents of the young Noriega desired him to become a merchant, and placed him at an early age under the instruction of Don Pedro Noriega, a wealthy merchant residing in Mexico, but finding the duties irksome, and wishing a more active life, in 1798 he obtained, through family influenee, the appointment of cadet in the royal army. In 1800 he obtained the position of Ensign in the company of troops then sta- tioned at Monterey, in California, joining his company in 1801. In 1806 he was made Lieutenant of the company stationed at Santa Barbara. In 1804 he married Doña Maria Antonia Carrillo, the daughter of Don Raymundo Carrillo, then Commandante of the Presidio of Santa Barbara. In 1810 he was named Hibitado General of both Californias to the Vice- Royal Government of Mexico, and took his departure with his family by way of San Blas. Here he was taken prisoner by the Curate Mercallo, a partisan of Hidalgo, and carried with many others to Istlan, where all his fellow prisoners were assassinated, he by good fortune escaping the fate of the others. This revolution having deprived him of the position to which he was appointed, he commenced his return to California. At Tepic he performed military service which gave him a better footing with the- Govern- meni, and prepared the way for future honors. In 1811 he returned and was appointed to the command of the troops stationed at San Diego, where he re- sided with his family for several years. In 1817 he was appointed Captain and Commandante of the troops stationed at Santa Barbara, which place he after- wards made his permanent home.
In 1819 he again went to Mexico as Habitado General, taking his family with him. After a short service, a revolution caused him to return to Califor- nia. The Government had now become so unstable that he resolved to resign his position as general del- egate for the department of California, but it was not accepted. He was continued in the office of Captain and Commandante of the troops of Santa Barbara by the Mexican authorities. In 1828 he was named Deputado to the Mexican Congress, but on arriving at the capital, his position was contested by Don Gervasio Arguello, who obtained the seat. From this time he gave up politics and engaged in ranching and stock-raising on a large scale, which now became possible by the secularization of the missions, and in a few years we find him in possession of eight of the principal ranches of the country, among which were Las Posas, Simi, Conejo, San Julian, and others.
INDEPENDENT OFFICE
DOB PRINTING
F.A.MOORE
-
VIEW OF BLOCK ON STATE STREET, SANTA BARBARA, CAL.
PHOTOGRAPHERS
BANK
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY NATIONAL BANK, CORN. OF STATE & DE LA GUERRA STR'S, SANTA BARBARA, CAL.
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DAYS OF THE SHEPHERD KINGS.
His integrity, ability, and kindness, enabled him to become the Pericles of the community in which he lived, and to act almost as an hereditary umpire be- tween his neighbors, and between his people and the foreign residents, who soon filled up the country.
José de la Guerra y Noriega married Maria Antonia Carrillo .*
Eldest son, José Antonio de la Guerra,t married Concepcion Ortega. Sons. José Antonio, José Ramont Guillermo, and Alexandro; daughters, Dolores, Catharina, Sola, Christina, and Juana.
2d son, Jnan de la Guerra, was never married; was educated in England, and a graduate of three colleges; was considered the ablest in the family, but died early.
3d, Francisco de la Guerra, was married first to Ascencion Sepulveda, and had children by her: Francisco, Jr., and Maria Antonia. His second wife was Concepcion Sepulveda, sister to the first. They had: sons, Juan, Osboldo, José, Hercules, Pablo, and Anival: daughters, Anita (Mrs. F. W. Thompson), Erlinda, Rosa, and Diana.
4th son, Pablo de la Guerra, married Josefa Moreno, and had children: daughters, Francisca (Mrs. Dibblee), Delfina, (one of twins), Ernina, and Panlina.
5th son, Miguel de la Guerra, married Trinidad Ortega, had children: sons, Gaspar, Ulpiano, and Leon; daughters, Maria (Mrs. Taylor), Josefa, Olympia, Joaquina, and Paulina.
6th, Joaquin de la Guerra, was never married; was for a time Sheriff of Santa Barbara County.
7th, Antonio Maria de la Guerra was never mar- ried. Died in October, 1881. Was several times Mayor of the city of Santa Barbara, also State Sena- tor, and was Captain of the company of native cavalry raised in Santa Barbara in the war for the Union.
The eldest daughter of Jose de la Guerra y Noriega, Theresa de la Guerra, married Wm. E. P. Hartnell of England, and had twenty-two children; names remembered, Guillermo, Juan, Adelbert, Uldario, Pablo, José, Alvano, Natanieles, George, Franco,, Benjamin, Teresa, Matilda, Anita, Magdalena, and Amelia.
2d daughter, Maria de las Angustias de la Guerra, was married to Manuel Jimeno of Mexico, who was sub- sequently Secretary to Governor Alvarado, and others, and intimately connected with the land system after the secularization of the missions. By this marriage she had children: Manuela, Maria Antonia, Angus- tias, Carolina, José Antonio, Porfiro, Santiago, Enrique, Belisario, Juan, and Altredo; and by a second marriage to Doctor Ord, of the United States Army, Rebecca Ord.
3d daughter, Anna Maria Antonia de la Guerra, married to Alfred Robinson of Boston, Massachusetts.
They had children: sons, James,* Alfredo, Miguel, and James 2d. daughters Elena, Maria. Antonia and Panlina.
4th and youngest daughter. Antonia Maria de la Guerra, married Cesario Lataillade, of Spain, and had children by that marriage: Cesario, Jr., and Maria Antonia. By a second marriage to Gaspar Oreña of Spain, she had: sons. Leopoldo, Dario, Orestes, and Arthur; daughters, Anita, Cerena, Rosa, Acasia, and Teresa.
The youngest daughter of the family, Mrs. Oreña, was considered by many as the greatest beanty of the family, and even of the coast.
THE CARRILLO FAMILY.
Don Raymundo Carrillo, one of the first commanders of the post of San Diego and Santa Barbara, was the founder of the extensive family in this State, now numbering hundreds. He married Tomasa Lugo, a daughter of one of the oldest soldiers stationed at Santa Barbara. His eldest son was Carlos Antonio, who married Maria Castro, a sister of Governor Castro. They had: sons, Jose, who married Catarina Ortega; Pedro, who married Joseta Bandini; José Jesus, who married Tomasa Gutierrez; daughters, Maria Josefa, who married William Dana; Encarna- cion, who married Thomas Robbins; Francisea, who married Alpheus Thompson; Manuela, who married John C. Jones; Maria Antonia who married Luis Burton, and two daughters who died young.
The second son, Anastacio, married Concepcion Gar- eia, and had: sons, Raymundo, who married Dolores Ortega; Francisco, dead; Luis, who married Refugio Ortega; Guillermo, who married Manuela Ortega; daughters, Micaela, dead; Manuela, who married Joa- quin Carrillo; Soledad, dead.
Domingo Carrillo,t third son, married Concepcion Pico. They had : sons, Joaquin, who married Manuela Carrillo; José Antonio, who married Felecitas Gutier- rez; Francisco, who married Dorotea Lugo; Alejando, dead; Felipe, dead; daughters, Maria, who married J. M. Covarrubias; Angela, who married Ignacio del Valle; Maria Antonia, dead.
José Antonio, fourth son, married Estefana Pico. His daughter was Luis Burton's second wife, mother of Ben Burton.
The only daughter of Don Raymundo Carrillo, married Captain Jose de la Guerra y Noriega.
THE ORTEGA FAMILY.
This family was quite renowned a hundred years ago. The founder of the branch which resided in Santa Barbara, was Capt. José Maria Ortega, who was Commandante of a company of cavalry at Loreto, Baja, Lower California. His wife's name was An- tonia Carrillo, and they had seven children: Ignacio
"She is universally spoken of as one of the most charitable and benevolent woman of the age.
tSeveral times Sheriff of San Luis Obispo Co.
¿Graduated in Georgetown, D. C.
Died at West Point, at seventeen years of age. Alfred Robinson came from Boston in 1829, on the ship Brooklyn, owned by Bryant, Sturgis, and others. He was many years engaged in mercantile business, and was the first agent of the Pacific Steamship Company in 1849.
¡Other authorities say that Pio Pico's wife was of this family.
7
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HISTORY OF SANTA BARBARA COUNTY.
José Maria, José Vicente, Francisco, Juan, Maria Lonisa, and Maria Antonia. These children were all born at Loreto. They were of the Sangre Azul, or pure Castilian descent. Their ancestors came from Spain, tarrying a while at Guadalajara, in Mexico.
The second son was the founder of the Refugio Ranch, about the year 1790, which remains with the family to the present day.
Ignacio José Maria Ortega married Francisca Lopez, and had: sons, Martin Ortega, who married Incencia Moraga; José Vicente, who married Maria Estefana Olivera, also Antonio Maria, José Dolores, José Jesus, and Joaquin, who did not marry ; daughters, Pilar, who married Santiago Arguello; Soledad, who married Luis Arguello; Maria de Jesus, who married José Ramirez; Concepcion, who married José Antonio de la Guerra: Catarina, who married José Carrillo.
This family were renowned for their beauty. They were tall, well formed, and active, with brown hair and eyes. It is related that when General Ramirez, of the city of Mexico, saw the wife of one of the Arguellos, who was residing at San Jose, he expressed great astonishment that the far-off province of Cali- fornia should have beanties that should eclipse those of the Capital. He was told that the younger sister, Maria de Jesus, then living on the Refugio Ranch, was, if possible, a greater beauty than her elder sister. He asked for a letter of introduction to the family, which announced General Ramirez as seeking the acquaintance with a view of marriage, if the parties should be mutually pleased with each other. They met, and her beauty and accomplishments being all that one woman could well possess, he carried her in triumph to the Capital. The descendants are still remarkable for their physical perfection.
Juan Ortega married Rafaela Arrellanes; had chil- dren: Emigdio Ortega, who married Concepcion Dom- inguez; daughters, Maria, who married Guadalupe Hernandez; Buenaventura, who married Joaquin Co- ta; Maria Antonia, who married Pedro Dejeme; Maria de Jesus, who married Fernando Tico.
Ignacio Olivera married Maria Antonia Feliz, of Los Angeles; died September 28, 1868. He had children-Lucas, Anna Maria, Diego, (born November 12, 1786,) and Maria Estefana, who married José Vicente Ortega.
Diego Olivera furnished much of the information from which the history of the family is made up. The notes were taken by Alexander S. Taylor shortly before the death of the old gentleman. He was a type of the old Castilian stock. with a high sense of honor and politeness. He dressed in the old style, with jewelled buckles on his shoes, silk stockings, etc. His sword, which he had a right to carry, had the following motto engraved on it: No me sagnes sin razon, no me embaines sin honor, which may be trans- lated, Do not draw me without just cause, nor sheathe me without honor. Maria Estefana Olivera, sister to
Don Diego Olivera, married José Vicente Ortega. It was to this family that Daniel Hill allied himself in 1826.
José Vicente Ortega married Maria Estefana Oli- vera and had children: Louis, who died young; Louis, second, who also died young, Manuel, who died some years since; Pedro, living, born May 16, 1815: Rafaela Louisa, who married Daniel Hill. He had children : Rosa A., married to N. A. Den; Josefa G., married to Alexander S. Taylor; Susanna, mar- ried to T. Wallace More; Maria Antonia, married to H. O'Neill: Lucretia, died young; Adelaide, Helena, Vicente, José Maria, Juan, Thomas, Ramon, Hen- rique, Daniel.
DANIEL HILL.
Was born in Billerica, Massachusetts, in 1799, and came to California in 1822 in command of a vessel called the Rebecca, engaged in trade with the Sand- wich Islands. His father's name was Job Hill; his mother's maiden name was Susan Blanchard. They were of Presbyterian antecedents.
He was a man of varied accomplishments-carpen- ter, stone-mason, soap-maker, and farmer, as occa- sion required. He first engaged in merchandising, his place of business being near the old mission. He also acted as a superintendent for the padres in some of their farming and building operations, his varied mechanical ability being in demand with them. He built several houses in the vicinity of the Clock-House, some of which have been removed to make way for State Street. A portion of one, the house in which the Carrillo family lives, is a sample of his work done fifty years since. These were the first houses built in Santa Barbara that had a wooden floor.
NICHOLAS A. DEN
Was born in Waterford, Ireland, in 1812. The family was known as the Dens of Grenman. The name was given from some connection with an affair in a den of lions, the arms of the family being a lion rampant and guardant, holding a cross. The motto is "EX FIDE FORTES." The family claim to be of Norman descent, coming to England with William the Con- queror. The wife of the present Marquis of Water- ford is a sister of Dr. Den. Another sister is moving in the higher circles in Paris. He was engaged in the study of medicine at Dublin, when a financial affair swept away his father's property and compelled him to abandon the design. His attention was directed, like many others in like circumstances, to the New World, and, taking letters of introduction from several distinguished men in Ireland to influen- tial people in the United States, he started on life's voyage. The following, in his diary, not intended for any eye but his own, will show his sense of honor :
" It may be useless for me to insist here that I left my native country with an unblemished character, which I trust I shall ever uphold, no matter to what lands or casualties the Almighty may consign me."
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DAYS OF THE SHEPHERD KINGS.
Having relatives at Nova Scotia, he made that conn- try his first landing-place in the New World. A cousin, who was engaged in mercantile business, promised to assist him by giving him employment. The following day, when he was being inducted into the business, he found that much of the work he was expected to do was as waiter and valet to his cousin. His blood boiled some at the low rank to which he was assigned, but his wrath burst all bonnds when a pair of shoes was given him to clean and polish. He took the shoes and gave his cousin a severe thrashing over the head with them, and left the house in disgust. A vessel happened to be in the harbor bound for the North- west, a country which was as little known as the north pole is now. It was much like bidding adieu to the world to go in that direction, but that was precisely what he felt like doing. As he was no sailor he shipped as a green hand, but when his education became known he was set to keeping the ship's papers, and excused from some of the heavier work.
Dr. Den reached Santa Barbara by way of Mon- terey, Friday, July 8, 1836, having been out from Boston, the vessel's starting-place, 157 days. The ship Europea, spoken of in Dana's "Two Years Before the Mast," was at anchor in Monterey when he arrived. At Monterey he experienced some of the kindness so characteristic of the Spanish people of this time. One of them inquired into the state of his finances, judging that a man before the mast was not likely to have a surplus of funds. Den replied that he had enough for immediate wants but not much more, upon which his new friend went to another room and returned with a double handful of silver coin, saying that he should have more when he needed it. On his arrival at Santa Barbara he was entertained at the honse of Daniel Hill, whose daughter he afterwards married. He was about the first educated man speaking English that resided in Santa Barbara, and the respect paid to his supposed knowledge was most profound.
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