José María Pico facts for kids

José Darío María Pico (born in 1764, died in 1819) was an important soldier in early California. He was part of the famous Pico family of California, a well-known family in Southern California. José María Pico served as a soldier for many years, starting in 1782. He rose through the ranks, becoming a corporal and then a sergeant.

His Early Life

José María Pico was born in 1764 in a place called San Xavier Cavazos, in what is now Sonora, Mexico. His mother, María Jacinta de la Bastida, had mixed Black and White ancestry. His father, Santiago Pico, had mixed European and Native American heritage. The Pico family was very well-known in California.

José María had several brothers and sisters. Their names were José Dolores, José María, José Miguel, Francisco Javier, Patricio, María Antonia Tomasa, and Josefa María. When José María was a child, his family moved to California.

A Soldier's Life

José María Pico became a soldier. In 1782, he joined the military company at the Presidio of San Diego. A presidio was like a fort or military base.

Later, in 1798, he became a corporal of the guard at Mission San Luis Rey. A corporal is a military rank, usually above a private. Between 1805 and 1818, he reached the rank of sergeant, also at Mission San Luis Rey. A sergeant is a higher military rank. He retired from the military in 1818. José María Pico passed away in 1819 in San Gabriel, California.

Family Life

In 1789, José María Pico married María Estaquia López. She was from Sonora, just like him.

They had three sons: Andrés, José Antonio Bernardo, and Pío. They also had six daughters: Concepción, Estefanía, Jacinta, Ysadora, Tomasa, and Feliciana. One of his sons, Pío Pico, became very famous later. He was the last Mexican governor of California.

His Famous Sons

• Andrés Pico (1810 – 1876) was a very important son of José María. He was a military leader in California. Andrés Pico commanded Californian forces in battles like the Battle of San Pascual. He also fought in battles in San Gabriel and La Mesa.
  • On January 13, 1847, Andrés Pico signed an agreement called the Cahuenga Capitulation. This agreement helped end a war in California.
  • After his military career, Andrés Pico became involved in politics. He was a member of the assembly in 1851. He also served as a state senator between 1860 and 1861.
  • Andrés and his brothers received large areas of land. These lands included places like Agua Caliente and San José del Gracia de Simi. Andrés never married, but he adopted several children.

• Pío Pico (1801 – 1894) played a huge role in California's history. He served as the Governor of Alta California, which is now the state of California. He was the very last Mexican Governor of this region. Pío Pico married María Ignacia Alvarado.