Patricia de la Garza De León facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Patricia de la Garza De León
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Painting on display at Victoria Preservation
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| Born |
Patricia de la Garza
1775 |
| Died | 1849 (aged 74) |
| Resting place | Evergreen Cemetery Victoria, Texas |
| Known for | Co-founder of De León's Colony |
| Spouse(s) | Martín De León |
| Children | Fernando (1798) Candelaria (1800) Silvestre (1802) Guadalupe (1804) Félix (1806) Agapito (1808) María (1810) Refugio (1812) Agustina (1814) Francisca (1818) |
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Patricia de la Garza De León (1775–1849) was an important leader of one of the first families to settle in early Texas. She raised ten children. Some of her children helped shape the history of Texas. In 1824, when she was 49, Patricia moved her life to help her husband, Martín De León. Together, they started De León's Colony, which was mostly Mexican.
Patricia used her family's money and belongings to help fund the colony. She also helped create a school and a church there. From the very beginning, she worked to share Mexican and Spanish culture with the community.
After her husband passed away, Patricia became the head of her family. Her important contributions to Texas are remembered by two Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks. One is at Evergreen Cemetery (placed in 1972). The other marks the home she shared with Martín De León in Victoria (placed in 1936).
Contents
A Pioneer for Texas: Patricia de la Garza De León
Early Life and Family
Patricia de la Garza De León was born in 1775 in Soto la Marina, Tamaulipas, Mexico. She came from a wealthy family. Her father was Felipe de la Garza.
In 1795, Patricia married Martín De León. They lived on his ranch in Cruillas. Martín earned money by selling wild horses, mules, and cattle in New Orleans. Their first child, Fernando, was born at this ranch in 1798.
The family moved their ranching business in 1799 to San Patricio County, Texas. Three more children were born there: Candelaria (1800), Silvestre (1802), and Guadalupe (1804).
In 1805, the Spanish government gave the family land near the Aransas River. Two more sons, Félix (1806) and Agapito (1808), were born there. In 1807, Martín De León registered the family's cattle brand. This was the first cattle brand ever registered in the area that would become Texas.
The family moved again in 1810, settling south of the Nueces River. Their daughter María de Jesús (María) was born that year. As Spanish soldiers left the area, there were more conflicts with Native American groups. The family then moved north, near San Antonio. Three more daughters were born there: María del Refugio (Refugio) in 1812, Agustina in 1814, and Francisca in 1818.
Founding Victoria: A New Home
On April 13, 1824, the Mexican government gave Martín De León a special agreement. This agreement, called an empresario contract, allowed him to bring 41 Mexican families to settle along the lower Guadalupe and Lavaca rivers. Patricia, at 49 years old, moved her entire family to help her husband start De León's Colony. She used her own money and animals, worth a lot, to help get the new settlement going.
In Victoria, Patricia brought many cultural traditions from Mexico and Spain to the new community. The De León family lived in a simple log home with a dirt floor. However, Patricia made it comfortable with furniture brought from her family in Mexico. The family also had people who helped them around the house. Their home became a popular place for community gatherings. Patricia did not want her children to use guns, so they would not be mistaken for outlaws. She sent her children and grandchildren to schools in Mexico and Spain. When José María Jesús Carbajal designed the town, Patricia made sure that land was saved for a school and a church. She even gave $500 in gold to help build and furnish the church.
Challenges and Changes in Texas
In 1833, Martín De León passed away from cholera. He left behind a large amount of money and property. His son Fernando took over the responsibilities of the colony. Patricia managed the family's wealth and continued her work in the community.
The De León family, like many Mexicans, disagreed with the government of Antonio López de Santa Anna. The question of Texas becoming independent was a separate and complex issue. This situation caused disagreements within the De León family, as it did for many Mexicans living in Texas. Because some Mexicans had different ideas about who to support, the new Republic of Texas government sometimes didn't trust them.
Patricia's family members played different roles during these changing times. Her son-in-law, José Miguel Aldrete, joined groups fighting against Santa Anna. Another son-in-law, José María Jesús Carbajal, initially helped trade for supplies to support Stephen F. Austin. However, Carbajal later felt his loyalty was with the Mexican people. He moved to Mexico and fought against Santa Anna's government. Patricia even loaned him $6,000 to help his cause. Her son Fernando became an assistant to the Texas governor.
Sadly, Patricia's youngest son, Agapito, was killed in 1836. A Recorded Texas Historic Landmark was placed in 1972 to honor Agapito De León.
In July 1836, General Thomas Jefferson Rusk ordered Mexican families in the Victoria area to leave. This was to prevent anyone from helping Santa Anna. The Carbajal, Benavides, and De León families had to leave for New Orleans. They were forced to leave behind their money and belongings. In Louisiana, they faced hard times. Later, they moved back to Soto la Marina to live with Patricia's family. In 1837, Patricia was able to sell a large piece of land for $10,000.
In 1842, Silvestre De León returned to Victoria to try and get the family's property back. Sadly, he was killed by unknown people.
Patricia returned to Texas in 1844. She found that her property had been given to new settlers. In this new situation, she was no longer as respected in the community. She spent the rest of her life helping the local Catholic church.
Patricia's Legacy
Patricia de la Garza De León passed away in 1849. She is buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Victoria, Texas. Before her death, she had given the original De León family home to the Catholic Church. She also donated special items for the church altar. Saint Mary's Catholic Church now stands on the site of the De León homestead.
Two Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks honor Patricia de la Garza De León. Landmark number 6539, placed in 1972 at Evergreen Cemetery, recognizes her contributions to Texas. Landmark number 6543, placed in 1936 at Church and Bridge Streets, marks the home of Patricia and Martín De León in Victoria.
