Rancho Pastoria de las Borregas facts for kids
Rancho Pastoría de las Borregas was a huge piece of land, about 9,066 acres (36.69 km2), given out by the Mexican government in 1842. This land grant was located in what is now Santa Clara County, California, United States. Governor Juan Bautista Alvarado gave this land to Francisco Estrada.
The name "Pastoría de las Borregas" comes from the Spanish language and means "Ranch of the Ewe/Lamb Pasture." This historic rancho covered the areas where the cities of Sunnyvale and Mountain View are located today.
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History of the Rancho
Early Owners and Transfers
Francisco M. Estrada first received this large land grant in 1842. Sadly, his wife, Inez Castro Estrada, passed away in 1844, and Francisco himself died in 1845.
After Francisco's death, his father, Jose Mariano Estrada, inherited the land. However, Jose Mariano Estrada soon transferred the rancho to Inez Castro Estrada's father, Mariano Castro (1784–1857). Mariano Castro was born in San Francisco and had served in the Spanish army. He also held an important position as the Alcalde (which was like a mayor and judge) of the San Jose Pueblo.
In 1849, Mariano Castro sold half of the rancho to Martin Murphy, Jr. (1807–1884). Martin Murphy, Jr. was the son of Martin Murphy Sr., who had brought his family to California in 1844 as part of the Stephens-Townsend-Murphy Party.
Land Claims After U.S. Control
After the Mexican–American War, California became part of the United States. The 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo stated that the land grants given by the Mexican government would still be honored.
To make sure their land was officially recognized by the U.S. government, owners had to file a claim. This was required by the Land Act of 1851. Mariano Castro filed a claim for his part of Rancho Pastoría de las Borregas with the Public Land Commission in 1852. His claim was officially approved, or "patented," for 4,172 acres (16.88 km2) in 1881.
Martin Murphy, Jr. also filed his claim with the Land Commission in 1852. His part of the rancho was patented for 4,894 acres (19.81 km2) in 1865.
Martin Murphy, Jr. passed away in 1884, and his wife, Mary Bolger Murphy, died in 1892. Their rancho was then divided among their children and grandchildren. Each of them received about 820 acres (3.3 km2) of the land.
Historic Sites Today
