José Vicente Feliz facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jose Vicente Feliz
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| Born | ca. 1741 |
| Died | 1822 |
| Nationality |  Spain (1741–1821).svg){kind=small} Mexico (1821–1822) |
| Occupation | Soldier, settler |
| Spouse(s) | Maria Ygnacia Manuela Pinuelas |
Jose Vicente Feliz (born around 1741, died 1822) was an important soldier and settler in early California. He was part of the Anza expedition, which brought some of the first Spanish families to California. Later, he helped found the city of Los Angeles and became its first leader, like a mayor. For his hard work, he received a large piece of land, which is now known as Los Feliz.
Early Life and Journey to California
Jose Vicente Feliz was born in Álamos, Sonora, Mexico, around 1741. In 1775, he decided to join a big journey led by Juan Bautista de Anza. This expedition aimed to bring new settlers from Mexico to California.
Feliz began the long trip in October 1775 from Tubac, Arizona. He traveled with his wife, Maria Ygnacia Manuela Pinuelas, who was expecting a baby, and their eight children. During the journey, Maria gave birth near what is now Tucson, Arizona. Sadly, she passed away during childbirth and was buried at the Mission San Xavier del Bac.
The group continued their journey and arrived at the Mission San Gabriel Arcángel in January 1776.
Founding Los Angeles
By 1781, Feliz was still stationed at the San Gabriel mission. That year, a group of 44 settlers arrived. They were on their way to start a new city further south, which would later be known as Los Angeles.
Some of these settlers had smallpox, so they had to stay separate for a short time. During this period, another group of settlers arrived. Feliz was chosen as one of four soldiers to go with these 44 settlers, known as the pobladores, to their new town.
On September 4, 1781, Feliz led the pobladores about eight miles from San Gabriel. They went to a spot on the bank of the Rio Porciuncula. Here, they founded the city of Los Angeles. The site was chosen by Felipe de Neve, who was the governor of California at the time.
The exact original name of the settlement is still debated by historians. Some say it was "El Pueblo de la Reyna de los Angeles" (The Town of the Queen of the Angels). Others believe it was "El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora de los Angeles de Porciuncula" (The Town of Our Lady of the Angels of Porciuncula).
Feliz was appointed the settlement's first commisionado. This role was like being the first mayor of the new town.
Rancho Los Feliz
Between 1796 and 1802, Jose Vicente Feliz received a special reward for his service. He was given a large piece of land east of the Pueblo de Los Angeles. This was one of the very first land grants in California.
The land was about 6,647 acres (26.9 square kilometers). It was bordered on the east by the Los Angeles River. This area was known as El Rancho de Nuestra Señora de Refugio de Los Feliz (Ranch of Our Lady of Refuge of the Feliz Family). It was granted to him by the Spanish King Carlos III.
Today, this land includes areas like Los Feliz, Griffith Park, East Hollywood, and Silver Lake. The rancho stayed with the Feliz family until 1863. Its boundaries were the Los Angeles River to the north and east, and the Santa Monica Mountains to the west.
