Thomas Wrightington facts for kids
Thomas Wrightington (born around 1797 – died July 8, 1853) was an important early settler in San Diego, California. He helped build the community during a time when California was changing from Mexican rule to American rule.
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Thomas Wrightington: An Early San Diego Settler
Thomas Wrightington was born in Massachusetts. He worked as a shoemaker in Fall River, Massachusetts. In 1833, he decided to move to San Diego. He traveled with a man named Abel Stearns on a ship called the Ayucucho. While Stearns continued north to Los Angeles, Wrightington stayed in San Diego. He was likely the second American settler to live there, after Henry D. Fitch.
Becoming a Mexican Citizen
In 1838, Thomas Wrightington became a Mexican citizen. This was important because California was part of Mexico at that time. Later, he volunteered to serve in the Mexican–American War.
Family Life in San Diego
Thomas Wrightington married Juana Machado Alipas. Juana was a widow with three children. Her father, José Manuel Machado, was one of the first soldiers at the Presidio of San Diego. Juana was born in June 1814. Together, Thomas and Juana had three sons and one daughter.
Juana Machado Alipas de Wrightington was a very caring person. People in Old Town San Diego called her the "Florence Nightingale of Old Town." This was because she often rode with Father Ubach to visit Native American villages in the countryside. She would check on their health and living conditions.
Public Service and Home
Thomas Wrightington held several important jobs in the government, both under Mexican and American rule. From 1844, and again from 1847 to March 1848, he served as a "Suplente" in San Diego. This role was like a Substitute Justice of the Peace or a Mayor for the town.
The home where Wrightington lived was an adobe house. It was first built around 1830 by Juana's first husband, Damasio Alipas. In 1852, Thomas Wrightington added a new section to the house. This historic adobe house still stands today in Old Town State Historical Park. It is located in the west corner of the town square and is open to visitors as a retail store.
A Visitor's Description
A famous writer named Richard Henry Dana Jr. wrote about San Diego in his book Two Years Before the Mast. When he first arrived in San Diego, he described a small building. He said it was a "small mud building, of only one room." Inside, it sold many different things like drinks, goods, shoes, bread, and fruits. Dana noted that the store was run by a "Yankee" (an American) who was one-eyed. This person was Thomas Wrightington. Dana mentioned that Wrightington was from Fall River, came to the Pacific on a whale-ship, and then settled in California after leaving his ship in Hawaii.
Later Years and Legacy
Thomas Wrightington died in 1853 after he fell from his horse.
His wife, Juana Wrightington, continued to live in their adobe house for many years, until the late 1890s. For over 30 years, she rented a room in her house to Dr. George McKinstry, who used it as his doctor's office. Juana also worked as a nurse alongside him.
Juana spent her final days with her daughter, Serafina Israel, in Coronado, California. She passed away on December 24, 1901. Juana is buried in Calvary Cemetery, which is now called Pioneer Park, in Mission Hills, San Diego. Her headstone reads "JUANITA WRIGHTINGTON 1814–1901."
