Los Angeles Pobladores facts for kids

Los pobladores del pueblo de los Ángeles (which means The townspeople of Los Angeles in English) were the 44 first settlers and 4 soldiers who founded the Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles in 1781. This place is now known as the city of Los Angeles, California.

The Governor of Las Californias, Felipe de Neve, wanted to create new towns in what is now California. This was happening after more than ten years of missionary work with the native people. He asked for maps and plans to be drawn up for the new town. But finding people to actually build and live in the city was a hard job.

Governor Neve finally found people willing to move from Sonora and Sinaloa, Mexico. The first group of new townspeople included eleven families. This meant 11 men, 11 women, and 22 children. They came from different ethnic groups (or castes) in Spanish society.

The ethnic backgrounds of the 22 adult settlers, according to the 1781 census, were:

• 1 Peninsular (a Spaniard born in Spain)
• 1 Criollo (a Spaniard born in New Spain, which was Mexico then)
• 1 Mestizo (someone with mixed Spanish and Native American background)
• 2 Negros (people of full African background)
• 8 Mulattos (people with mixed Spanish and Black background)
• 9 Indios (Native Americans)

Finding Out About the Pobladores

William M. Mason, a historian who studied Los Angeles and early California, discovered the many different backgrounds of the people who founded the Pueblo de la Reina de los Angeles. He did this through a lot of research. Mason was one of the three people who started the Los Angeles Historical Society. He wrote many books and articles about the early history and cultures of Southern California. He is known for helping to uncover the facts about the original families of Los Angeles.

The official founding date of Los Angeles is September 4, 1781. On this day, the 44 settlers gathered at San Gabriel Mission. Two priests from the Mission joined them. They set out with four soldiers to the spot that Father Juan Crespí had chosen more than ten years before. The full, original name of the town founded by the Pobladores is El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles. In Spanish, this means "The Town of Our Lady the Queen of the Angels."

The first Hispanic settlers in all of California, not just Los Angeles, mostly came from New Spain. This is what Mexico was called back then. They came from the areas that are now the Mexican states of Sinaloa and Sonora. Dr. Antonio Ríos-Bustamante, an author and historian, wrote that "the original settlers of Los Angeles were people of mixed backgrounds. They had Indian, African, and Spanish roots." This mix was common for settlers in California and for most people in the northwest parts of Mexico where they were recruited. Dr. Ríos-Bustamante explains that in the 100 years before the founding trip in 1781, many Native Americans in this part of Mexico had blended into the Spanish-speaking, mixed society. Other settlers from Mexico, Central and South America, Asia, Europe, and the United States would arrive in the years that followed.

New Chances in a New Place

How People's Backgrounds Changed Over Time

Out of the 44 original settlers who founded Los Angeles, only two were white. Of the other 42, 26 had some African background. And 16 were Native Americans or Mestizos (people with mixed Spanish and Native American blood). — William M. Mason, 1975

Alta California, as the area was called then, was the northern edge of the Spanish empire in the New World. California's African heritage began in 1781. That's when the 44 settlers founded El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles. More than half of these first settlers had African ancestors. This was common in the northern parts of New Spain. These settlers included Antonio Mesa, Manuel Camero, Luis Quintero, José Moreno, their wives, and the wives of José Antonio Navarro and Basilio Rosas.

The children and grandchildren of these early settlers created their own culture and sense of belonging. They became known as the Californios. Some of them became owners of large land areas, which the Spanish government gave them. Others became government leaders.

Some historians and people often talk about "Spaniard" and "Mexican" as different races. For example, "colonial Mexicans" are seen as "people of mixed blood." But in Spain, before the New World was discovered, there was a lot of mixing of cultures and people over 700 years. Also, at one time in Mexico's history, there were more African slaves in Mexico than in the colonial United States. "Mestizos" who were born to married parents were often accepted as "Criollos." This meant they were seen as "American Spaniards." So, the idea of "Mexican" often mixes up race with nationality today, and with social groups during the colonial period. Also, by this idea of "Mexican," a Native American, a Criollo, or a Black person would not be considered Mexican. This is because they were seen as having "unmixed blood."

Like the first settlers in other parts of California and the American Southwest, the Pobladores came from many different backgrounds. They included Peninsular (born in Spain), Criollo (born in the Americas with Spanish ancestors), Indian, Black, Mestizo (mixed Spanish and Native American), Mulatto (mixed Spanish and African), and Zambo (mixed Native American and African). Most of the settlers had mixed backgrounds. This mixing of races, called mestizaje, continued in California. It also included mixing with the different Native American groups in California.

Many Mestizos and Mulattos tried to be seen as pure-blooded Spaniards. Sometimes they succeeded. Many Native Americans and Black people became Mestizos and Mulattos. This was because a person's race affected their ability to move up in society and earn more. At least seven of the 22 original adult settlers managed to do this by the 1790 census of Los Angeles. In general, this meant that the children and grandchildren of the first settlers started to identify themselves as either Mestizo or, for those who were more important in society, as Spaniards.

From Settlers to Leaders

The children and grandchildren of the settlers and soldiers played a big part in developing the Los Angeles area. When colonial soldiers retired, the government gave them huge "ranchos" (large farms) as payment or thanks for their service. Other settlers also got ranches. These land grants were much bigger than the town itself. They were also as big as the land owned by the missions.

These ranches were key to building a local economy based on raising cattle. The owners of these ranches, later called "rancho dons," became the most important people in Southern California's society. Among those who had a lot of power in government and business were Andrés Pico, and Alcaldes (mayors) Francisco Reyes and Tiburcio Tapia. Pío Pico, the last governor of California under Mexican rule and the builder of the Pico House, owned a lot of land and was a successful businessman.

The grandchildren of Luis Quintero included Eugene Biscailuz, who was the sheriff of Los Angeles. Another was María Rita Valdes Villa, whose land grant from 1838 is now Beverly Hills. Throughout the 1800s, the "rancho dons" and their families would marry each other. They also married immigrant, Anglo-American merchants from New England who came to trade in animal hides. This created strong family connections.

Remembering the Pobladores Today

Historic Walk of Los Pobladores

The "Los Pobladores Historic Walk to Los Angeles" happens every year on Labor Day Weekend. This is around September 4, the anniversary of the city's founding. It is organized by Los Pobladores 200. This group is made up of the descendants of the original 44 settlers and the soldiers who came with them. The cities of San Gabriel and Los Angeles celebrate Los Pobladores' last nine-mile journey to the city center. Claremont writer and administrator T. Willard Hunter and the descendants of the city's original founders started this walk tradition in 1981.

Olvera Street Monument

For many years, the first plaque at Olvera Street that remembered Los Pobladores did not mention their African heritage. Later, scholars from the Los Angeles area, including professors from the University of Southern California and California State University at Dominguez Hills, formed a group. This group was part of a city-wide effort to celebrate Los Angeles' 200th anniversary. They helped to put up the current plaque, which correctly shows the many different backgrounds of the founders.

Los Pobladores plaque

Sharing the history of the original families, known as Los Pobladores (the settlers), turned out to be "a tricky topic," said Doyce Nunis. He was a USC history professor who asked his former student Hata to lead the group.

"The descendants of Los Pobladores were worried about people finding out they had African roots," Nunis says. "But history is history, you can't change it. And the group found the proof."

Also in the group with Hata was Miriam Matthews. She was the first African American to get a degree in library science at USC. She had a very successful career as a librarian and archivist of African American history in Los Angeles. The group also included David Almada, a Los Angeles Unified School District administrator. At that time, few Latinos held such positions. Another member was Leonard Pitt, a retired history professor from California State University, Northridge. He wrote the book Decline of the Californios: A Social History of the Spanish-Speaking Californians, 1846–1890.

The mixed backgrounds of Los Pobladores had been seen as just rumors by main historians. This was until clear census records were found in an archive in Seville. Documents confirmed that 11 families were recruited by Felipe de Neve, the first Spanish governor of California. They came from the Mexican areas of Sinaloa and Sonora.

Grand Marian Procession and Mass

2012 Grand Marian Procession through Downtown Los Angeles

Since 2011, a tradition that had stopped was brought back. This was holding a procession and mass to honor Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles. This event remembers the founding of the City of Los Angeles in 1781. The Queen of Angels Foundation brought it back with the support of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and several city leaders. The purpose of the procession and Mass is to ask for help from Our Lady of the Angels. She is who the Archdiocese, City, and County of Los Angeles are named after and who protects them. This recently brought-back tradition continues the original processions and Masses. These started on the first anniversary of Los Angeles' founding in 1782 and continued for almost 100 years.

Founding Families of El Pueblo de la Reina de los Ángeles

From the original census (Padrón) of the Pueblo, dated November 19, 1781:

The Four Escort Soldiers

These four soldiers (escoltas), along with their families, went with the Pobladores to El Pueblo de Los Angeles.

1. Corporal José Vicente Feliz, born around 1741, in Álamos, New Navarre, New Spain. He married Maria Ygnacia Manuela Pinuelas in 1758, and their six children were born there. He came to Alta California with the Anza Expedition in 1775. On the way to California, near El Presidio Real de San Ignacio de Túbac, his wife, Maria Ygnacia, died during childbirth. She was buried in November 1775 at La Misión San Xavier del Bac. The baby, Jose Antonio, arrived safely with his brothers and sisters at the San Gabriel Mission on January 4, 1776, but he died nine months later. Another son, Jose de Jesus Feliz, born around 1764, married Maria Celia Bonifacia de Cota (daughter of Roque Jacinto de Cota and Juana Maria Verdugo). She was born around 1759, at the Royal Presidio of Loreto, Baja California.

1. Private Roque Jacinto de Cota, born around 1724, in El Fuerte del Marqués de Montesclaros, New Navarre, New Spain. He was the oldest son of Andres de Cota and Angela de Leon. He married Juana Maria Verdugo, born around 1740, at the Loreto Mission, a small fishing port in Baja California. He died on September 29, 1798, in San Fernando, Alta California. She died on May 13, 1835, in Los Angeles, California. Roque Jacinto de Cota was one of the soldiers who went with the Pobladores from the San Gabriel Mission to El Pueblo de La Reina de los Angeles on September 4, 1781. He is the founder of the older Cota family in Alta California.

1. Private Antonio de Cota, brother of Roque and Pablo Antonio Cota. Antonio married Maria Bernarda Chigila (Native American) on August 30, 1778, at Mission San Juan Capistrano. They had two children: Maria Antonia Marcela, born June 1, 1780, at Mission San Juan Capistrano, and Matilde. In the 1790 census, they were living in the Presidio of San Diego. Later, they lived in Los Angeles. Antonio died on June 12, 1815, and was buried at Mission San Gabriel. Maria Bernarda died on August 23, 1821, and was buried in the Plaza church.

1. Private Francisco Salvador de Lugo, born around 1740, in San Felipe y Santiago de Sinaloa, New Navarre, New Spain. He married Juana Maria Rita Martinez, born around 1745, in San Felipe y Santiago de Sinaloa. She was the daughter of Jose Maria Martínez and Maria Josefa Vianazul. He died on May 16, 1805, in Santa Barbara. She died on March 23, 1790, in Santa Barbara. His daughter, Rosa Maria de Lugo, born around 1760, married Pablo Antonio de Cota on November 30, 1776, at the Mission San Luis Obispo, Alta California. He was recruited by Captain Rivera in 1774 and arrived at the San Gabriel Mission in 1775. He was stationed in San Luis Obispo and the Royal Presidio of Santa Barbara until 1781. Then, he served as an escort from the San Gabriel Mission to El Pueblo de Los Angeles on September 4, 1781.

The Los Angeles Census of 1790

This census was done as part of the Revillagigedo Census of 1793.

Sources

• Alarcón, Raúl. Los Californios:California's Spanish, Native American, and African Heritage. California Cultures Lesson Plan. Calisphere-University of California.
• Jensen, Marilyn. "Los Pobladores Celebrate Their 200-Year California Heritage." Whittier Daily News. (March 24, 1982) at A. Anthony Leon V: Descendant of a Los Angeles Settler.
• Mason, William M. Los Angeles Under the Spanish Flag: Spain's New World. Burbank: Southern California Genealogical Society, 2004. ISBN: 0-9617773-3-8
• Metcalfe, Howard H. "Probable Location of the Original Pueblo de la Reina de los Ángeles on the River Porciúncula" 1998.
• Mitchell, John L. "Diversity Gave Birth to L.A." Los Angeles Times. (August 22, 2007), Sec. A-1.
• Nunis, Doyce B., Harry Kelsey, Theodore E Treutlein, and Thomas Workman Temple. The Founding Documents of Los Angeles: A Bilingual Edition. Los Angeles: Historical Society of Southern California; Pasadena: Zamorano Club of Los Angeles, 2004. ISBN: 978-0-914421-31-3
• Pitti, José; Antonia Castaneda and Carlos Cortes (1988). "A History of Mexican Americans in California," in Five Views: An Ethnic Historic Site Survey for California. California Department of Parks and Recreation, Office of Historic Preservation.
• Rios-Bustamante, Antonio. Mexican Los Ángeles: A Narrative and Pictorial History. Nuestra Historia Series, Monograph No. 1. Encino, California: Floricanto Press, 1992. ISBN: 978-0-917451-94-2
• Taylor, Beverly Mateer. "Black in L. A.—The Vital Link." Burbank: Southern California Genealogical Society, 2006.
• Vigil, Ralph H. "The Hispanic Heritage and the Borderlands". Journal of San Diego History. Vol. 19, No. 3 (Summer 1973).

See also

In Spanish: Anexo:Pobladores de Los Ángeles para niños