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HISTORY |
Establishing the Rancho 1838 - 1841
She built the adobe farther up Santa Rosa creek. Before the house could be built they had to make the bricks. These were made from mud dug from the creek banks. They were formed in wood frames about 22 by 11 inches and 3 to 4 inches thick. All the boys and Salvador Vallejo helped, plus the Indians. The finished adobe was "L" shaped measuring 32x18 on the short section and 142x18 on the long section. The overhanging roof formed an inner courtyard. The tile for the roof was molded over the thighs of the Indians who would then lie in the sun until the clay was dry. Maria was unusual because she supervised the whole rancho herself. At one time, she had 1500 horses, 3000 head of cattle and a few sheep. With the help of several hundred Indians, they raised wheat, corn, oats, barley, peas and beans. There were all kinds of vegetables for the household and the Indians. Horses were an absolute necessity on the rancho. Each member of the family had his or her own horse. The Indians would brush and saddle them each morning and tie them to the hitching post. A Spaniard never walked any distance and always rode his or her own horse. Maria’s own horse had been broken and trained for her by her sons and was for her special use. In 1838, Maria was granted permission to occupy the land and on Sept. 30, 1841, Maria was given a Mexican land grant signed by Governor Manuel Jimeno, of over 8000 acres (this is almost all of greater Santa Rosa). It was very unusual for a single woman to be given a land grant. All her relatives and neighbors for miles around were invited for a "Ceremony of Possession". They rode all around the boundaries and then had a big fiesta. Maria supervised everything that went on the rancho. Her second son, Jose Ramon, was in charge of all the livestock. All the children, both boys and girls, were known for their skills on a horse and in using a rope. Unfortunately these skills were prized over education since none of the children plus Maria could read or write. Both Maria and Jose Ramon spoke Spanish, English and several Indian dialects. |