Rancho Ausaymas y San Felipe facts for kids
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Rancho Ausaymas y San Felipe was a very large piece of land, about 35,504 acres, located in what is now San Benito County and Santa Clara County in California. This land was given out as a "Mexican land grant" during the time when California was part of Mexico. The grant was split into two main parts: San Felipe, given in 1833, and Ausaymas, given in 1836. Both parts, plus an extra section, were given to a man named Francisco Pérez Pacheco. The ranch was located near Pacheco Pass, east of the modern-day city of Gilroy.
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The Story of Francisco Pérez Pacheco
Francisco Pérez Pacheco (1793–1860) was born in Mexico. He arrived in Monterey, California, in 1819 with his wife, Feliciana González. Francisco was a skilled carpenter and wagon maker. He worked for the Spanish army for a time. Later, he took on many important jobs in Monterey, both in the military and as a civilian.
How the Land Became Part of the United States
After the Mexican–American War, California became part of the United States. This happened in 1848 with a special agreement called the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. This treaty said that the land grants given by Mexico would still be honored by the United States.
To make sure these land grants were official, a new law called the Land Act of 1851 was passed. This law required people to prove they owned their land. So, in 1852, Francisco Pérez Pacheco filed a claim for his Rancho Ausaymas y San Felipe with the Public Land Commission. This commission was set up to check all the land claims. In 1859, the ownership of the ranch was officially confirmed to Francisco Pérez Pacheco.
Growing the Pacheco Family Lands
Francisco Pérez Pacheco kept adding to his land over the years. In 1840, he was given another ranch next door called Rancho Bolsa de San Felipe. He also bought Rancho San Justo in 1850.
His son, Juan Carlos Pacheco (1823–1855), also received a land grant in 1843. This was for Rancho San Luis Gonzaga, which was right next to Rancho Ausaymas y San Felipe on the east side. When Juan Carlos died in 1855, his property went to his father, Francisco Pérez Pacheco.
Francisco's daughter, María Jacinta Pacheco, married Sebastián Nuñez in 1840. Sebastián was the owner of another ranch called Rancho Orestimba y Las Garzas.
Passing Down the Land
When Francisco Pérez Pacheco passed away in 1860, his daughter, María Isidora Pacheco (1829–1892), was his only surviving child. She inherited most of the large Pacheco land holdings. María Isidora had married Mariano Malarin (1827–1895) in 1850. Mariano was the son of the owner of Rancho Chualar.
When María Isidora Pacheco died in 1892, her estate still included Rancho San Luis Gonzaga and half of the original Rancho Ausaymas y San Felipe.
