Rancho Juristac facts for kids
Rancho Juristac was a large piece of land in what is now Santa Clara County, California. It was about 4,540-acre (18.4 km2) big. In 1835, the Mexican Governor José Castro gave this land as a "land grant" to two brothers, Antonio and Faustino German. This area was also called "La Brea" because it had natural oil (petroleum) deposits. Rancho Juristac was located about five miles south of Gilroy and included the area known today as Sargent. It was the southernmost rancho in Santa Clara County.
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History of Rancho Juristac
The Original Land Grant
In 1835, Antonio and Faustino German were given the Rancho Juristac land grant. This grant was for one square league of land. Antonio German was also known as Cristobal Antonio German. He was born around 1790 and was a soldier in the Presidio of Santa Barbara. He got married in Santa Barbara in 1814. His brother, Faustino Jose German, born around 1795, got married in 1816.
The Sargent Family Takes Over
Later, a man named James P. Sargent (1823–1890) came to California. He was from New Hampshire and arrived in 1849 with his three brothers: Jacob L., Roswell C., and Bradley V. In 1856, James P. Sargent bought Rancho Juristac. He lived there, and the rancho became known as the Sargent Ranch. The Sargent brothers also owned other large land areas in Monterey County.
Changes After the Mexican-American War
After the Mexican-American War, California became part of the United States. This happened with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848. This treaty said that the United States would respect the land grants given by Mexico.
Because of a new law called the Land Act of 1851, Antonio and Faustino German had to file a claim for Rancho Juristac. They did this in 1852 with the Public Land Commission. Finally, in 1871, the land grant was officially given, or "patented," to Robert S. Carlisle and the Sargent brothers: Bradley V., Jacob L., and Roswell C.
