Camillo Ynitia
Encyclopedia
Camilo Ynitia was born in 1803, probably in the Miwok
village of Olompali
(located just north of present-day Novato, California
) where his father had built an adobe brick home. Camilo was a notable leader of the Coast Miwok
, a Native American
people. Camilo was known as the last Hoipu (headman) of the Miwok community living at Olompali. Camilo was also the only Native American on the northern frontier of Alta California
to secure and keep a large land grant for his tribe: In 1843 Governor Manuel Micheltorena
of Alta, California
deeded him the Rancho Olompali
, a large tract of land that is between present-day Novato and Petaluma, California
. A part of this land now comprises the Olompali State Historic Park
.
, according to his baptismal record. His surname was taken from his father's original native name. His notable father Aurelio Inutia originated from the Caminpuxcui rancheria according to mission records. Aurelio Inutia was a Chief of the Huimen tribe. This is the Coast Miwok tribe located where Sausalito
is now.
In 1775 the Presidio of San Francisco
sent an exploring party into the north bay country and Camilo's father, acting as Chief Olompali at the time made them welcome. Camilo's father also built the very first (adobe
) home north of the San Francisco Bay
at Olompali. The name "Olompali" comes from the Coast Miwok language and likely means "southern village" or "southern people." (It was also spelled "Olompolli" or "Olompoli"). Historians think that the natives that built the house had learned how to make adobe bricks at the Mission San Francisco. Camilo inherited this original home and built another adobe nearby for himself. His birthplace was in "a sheltered valley, with an abundance of game", adjacent to the salt water Bay, with abundant mollusks and fish.
into the Marin and Sonoma Counties, in order to bring military control in the region from the presidio in Sonoma, California
. According to the book Historica de California Vallejo's first day arriving north of the Bay in June 1835 is probably his first meeting with Camilo Ynitia and the people of Olompali: General Vallejo recounts sailing into the North Bay, and first stopping in San Rafael
, to form an alliance with a Coast Miwok tribe there, before moving towards Sonoma County to gather all tribes and arrange as many alliances as possible among all tribes.
In 1836, Camilo and Vallejo signed a peace treaty, aligning the Olompali people with the Mexican-Americans.
In 1843, because of this treaty with Vallejo and the Mexican-Americans, Camilo was one of the two Native Americans to be deeded a large grant from the Mexican-American Government. (The other native to receive a land grant was Vallejo's close friend, the Suisunes
Chief Solano
.) With Vallejo's aid, Camilo petitioned the Mexican Governor for land for his people and received the Rancho Olompali grant, which included Olompali and his birthplace home. This land grant was confirmed by the American government after control of California was transferred to the United States. The land grant was recorded in California state records, as follows:
Camilo built his own home partly with the bricks his father had used earlier. The adobe home as adapted by Camilo had walls 32 inches (812.8 mm) thick, and ceilings 8 feet (2.4 m) high. He owned 600 cattle, and was a notable breeder who owned numerous horses and sheep. He raised wheat and some think sold it to the Russians at Fort Ross.
occurred when a violent skirmish broke out at Camilo's adobe between a troop of American Bear Flaggers from Sonoma and a Mexican force of 50 from Monterey, under the command of Joaquin de la Toree. Several men were wounded and one man was reportedly killed, the only fatality associated with the brief California revolution.
Camilo's daughter Maxima Antonia was married first to Henry Holden Bennett, an American, on 12 Jun. 1854, likely with Camilo's encouragement. Then after Bennett's death in 1856, Maxima married Henry Harper Willard. Henry and Maxima had 13 children. After Henry's death in 1888, Maxima married Armstrong McCabe on 31 Jul. 1891. Maria Antonia married Joseph Knox and had two children. After Camilo's death, Maxima and Maria purchased a part of Rancho Sanel
in the Sanel Valley of Mendocino County
, and moved there with their husbands and helped found the town of Sanel, later named Hopland
. On 26 Nov. 1860, "Being in want of money for a Maintenance," Maxima and Maria sold Apalacocha, to John Knight, their Mendocino attorney, for $3,693. With that transaction, the last of aboriginal Olompali passed into American ownership.
William Heath, a contemporary, said that Camilo was "fine, intelligent and shrewd." Stephen Richardson called him "clean-cut, capable, and all around."
It is said that Camilo buried all his gold from his sale to James Black on a mountainside, because when he died he had very little money on record. One theory is his last wife or family knew where the gold was and unburied it later to assist them in purchasing cattle and part of Rancho Sanel in Mendocino County.
To this day scattered here and there, there are still those who can claim to be a direct descendent of Camilo Ynitia. But Blood Lines thinning out, soon Camilo will simply be a historical cross-over figure, the crossing of the local Native Indian People of Marin County, to Anglo American, European descendent. Camilo Ynitia, the last know Indian Chief Of the Marin County Area. The last known Indian to be shot with a bow and arrow, by his own people. Who was also warned of his death, a few months in advance and spent the next few months passing on as much passion and story and knowledge and legend to his two teen-age young surviving daughters, so that they one keep the memory of the Native People of Marin who once survived the lands for thousands and thousands of years in peaceful times. Never forget the humans before you. They never forgot about you and took care of the land for you."
Coast Miwok
The Coast Miwok were the second largest group of Miwok Native American people. The Coast Miwok inhabited the general area of modern Marin County and southern Sonoma County in Northern California, from the Golden Gate north to Duncans Point and eastward to Sonoma Creek...
village of Olompali
Olompali State Historic Park
Olompali State Historic Park is a park on the Marin Peninsula, north of Novato, California, USA, which overlooks the Petaluma River and San Pablo Bay. In 1977, the State of California purchased Rancho Olompali and made it into a state historical park. The foundations of two prehistoric adobe...
(located just north of present-day Novato, California
Novato, California
Novato is a city located in the North Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area, in northern Marin County. Novato is located about north-northwest of San Rafael, at an elevation of 30 feet above sea level . The 2010 U.S. Census estimated the city population to be about 51,904. Novato is about ...
) where his father had built an adobe brick home. Camilo was a notable leader of the Coast Miwok
Coast Miwok
The Coast Miwok were the second largest group of Miwok Native American people. The Coast Miwok inhabited the general area of modern Marin County and southern Sonoma County in Northern California, from the Golden Gate north to Duncans Point and eastward to Sonoma Creek...
, a Native American
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
people. Camilo was known as the last Hoipu (headman) of the Miwok community living at Olompali. Camilo was also the only Native American on the northern frontier of Alta California
Alta California
Alta California was a province and territory in the Viceroyalty of New Spain and later a territory and department in independent Mexico. The territory was created in 1769 out of the northern part of the former province of Las Californias, and consisted of the modern American states of California,...
to secure and keep a large land grant for his tribe: In 1843 Governor Manuel Micheltorena
Manuel Micheltorena
Manuel Micheltorena was a Brigadier General of the Mexican Army, Adjutant-General of the same, Governor, Commandant-General and Inspector of the Department of the California...
of Alta, California
Alta, California
Alta is a small unincorporated community and census-designated place in Placer County, California, United States, about northeast of Auburn. The village is located off Interstate 80 and along the historical First Transcontinental Railroad. The ZIP code is 95701 and the area code 530...
deeded him the Rancho Olompali
Rancho Olompali
Rancho Olompali was a Mexican land grant in present day Marin County, California given in 1834 by governor Manuel Micheltorena to Camilo Ynitia, son of a Coast Miwok chief. The name Olómpali comes from the Coast Miwok language and likely means southern village or southern people. The land...
, a large tract of land that is between present-day Novato and Petaluma, California
Petaluma, California
Petaluma is a city in Sonoma County, California, in the United States. In the 2010 Census the population was 57,941.Located in Petaluma is the Rancho Petaluma Adobe, a National Historic Landmark. It was built beginning in 1836 by General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, then Commandant of the San...
. A part of this land now comprises the Olompali State Historic Park
Olompali State Historic Park
Olompali State Historic Park is a park on the Marin Peninsula, north of Novato, California, USA, which overlooks the Petaluma River and San Pablo Bay. In 1977, the State of California purchased Rancho Olompali and made it into a state historical park. The foundations of two prehistoric adobe...
.
Parents and Childhood
Camilo was born to Aurelio (Inutia) and Aurelia (Mineru) about 1803 and baptized under the Spanish name Camilo on 9 Jan. 1819 in the chapel at the Mission San Rafael ArcángelMission San Rafael Arcángel
Mission San Rafael Arcángel was founded in 1817 as a medical asistencia of the Mission San Francisco de Asís as a hospital to treat sick Native Americans of the Bay Area, making it Alta California's first sanitarium. The weather was much better in the North Bay than in San Francisco, and helped...
, according to his baptismal record. His surname was taken from his father's original native name. His notable father Aurelio Inutia originated from the Caminpuxcui rancheria according to mission records. Aurelio Inutia was a Chief of the Huimen tribe. This is the Coast Miwok tribe located where Sausalito
Sausalito, California
Sausalito is a San Francisco Bay Area city, in Marin County, California, United States. Sausalito is south-southeast of San Rafael, at an elevation of 13 feet . The population was 7,061 as of the 2010 census. The community is situated near the northern end of the Golden Gate Bridge, and prior to...
is now.
In 1775 the Presidio of San Francisco
Presidio of San Francisco
The Presidio of San Francisco is a park on the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula in San Francisco, California, within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area...
sent an exploring party into the north bay country and Camilo's father, acting as Chief Olompali at the time made them welcome. Camilo's father also built the very first (adobe
Adobe
Adobe is a natural building material made from sand, clay, water, and some kind of fibrous or organic material , which the builders shape into bricks using frames and dry in the sun. Adobe buildings are similar to cob and mudbrick buildings. Adobe structures are extremely durable, and account for...
) home north of the San Francisco Bay
San Francisco Bay
San Francisco Bay is a shallow, productive estuary through which water draining from approximately forty percent of California, flowing in the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers from the Sierra Nevada mountains, enters the Pacific Ocean...
at Olompali. The name "Olompali" comes from the Coast Miwok language and likely means "southern village" or "southern people." (It was also spelled "Olompolli" or "Olompoli"). Historians think that the natives that built the house had learned how to make adobe bricks at the Mission San Francisco. Camilo inherited this original home and built another adobe nearby for himself. His birthplace was in "a sheltered valley, with an abundance of game", adjacent to the salt water Bay, with abundant mollusks and fish.
Adult life
In 1835, the Mexican government sent General Mariano Guadalupe VallejoMariano Guadalupe Vallejo
Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo was a Californian military commander, politician, and rancher. He was born a subject of Spain, performed his military duties as an officer of Mexico, and shaped the transition of California from a Mexican district to an American state...
into the Marin and Sonoma Counties, in order to bring military control in the region from the presidio in Sonoma, California
Sonoma, California
Sonoma is a historically significant city in Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA, surrounding its historic town plaza, a remnant of the town's Mexican colonial past. It was the capital of the short-lived California Republic...
. According to the book Historica de California Vallejo's first day arriving north of the Bay in June 1835 is probably his first meeting with Camilo Ynitia and the people of Olompali: General Vallejo recounts sailing into the North Bay, and first stopping in San Rafael
San Rafael, California
San Rafael is a city and the county seat of Marin County, California, United States. The city is located in the North Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area...
, to form an alliance with a Coast Miwok tribe there, before moving towards Sonoma County to gather all tribes and arrange as many alliances as possible among all tribes.
In 1836, Camilo and Vallejo signed a peace treaty, aligning the Olompali people with the Mexican-Americans.
In 1843, because of this treaty with Vallejo and the Mexican-Americans, Camilo was one of the two Native Americans to be deeded a large grant from the Mexican-American Government. (The other native to receive a land grant was Vallejo's close friend, the Suisunes
Suisunes
The Suisunes were a tribe of Native Americans that lived in Northern California's Suisun Marsh regions of Solano County, California between what is now Suisun City, Vacaville and Putah Creek around 200 years ago. The Suisunes' main village, Yulyul, is believed to be where Rockville, California is...
Chief Solano
Chief Solano
Chief Solano, original native name Sem-Yeto, meaning "brave or fierce hand", and christianed at about age ten with the Spanish name Francisco Solano, was born about 1798-1800 near Suisun Bay, California in California. Sem-Yeto was a famous chief and leader of the Suisunes tribe, a Patwin people of...
.) With Vallejo's aid, Camilo petitioned the Mexican Governor for land for his people and received the Rancho Olompali grant, which included Olompali and his birthplace home. This land grant was confirmed by the American government after control of California was transferred to the United States. The land grant was recorded in California state records, as follows:
Camilo built his own home partly with the bricks his father had used earlier. The adobe home as adapted by Camilo had walls 32 inches (812.8 mm) thick, and ceilings 8 feet (2.4 m) high. He owned 600 cattle, and was a notable breeder who owned numerous horses and sheep. He raised wheat and some think sold it to the Russians at Fort Ross.
Battle of Olompali
At the time of the Californian revolt known as the Bear Flag Revolt, on 24 June 1846 the Battle of OlompaliBattle of Olompali
The Battle of Olómpali was fought on June 24, 1846 in present day Marin County, California. It was the first battle of the Mexican-American War fought in California.-Background:...
occurred when a violent skirmish broke out at Camilo's adobe between a troop of American Bear Flaggers from Sonoma and a Mexican force of 50 from Monterey, under the command of Joaquin de la Toree. Several men were wounded and one man was reportedly killed, the only fatality associated with the brief California revolution.
Final years
Camilo eventually had to sell most of Rancho Olompali to James Black on 13 Aug. 1852 for $5,200, but retained 1480 acres (6 km²) called Apalacocha. He died in 1856, either abruptly or of a short illness.Family
Camilo married four times. He married his first wife Elena 22 Oct 1822; she died in April 1830. He next married Candida on 22 May 1831; she died 13 Mar. 1835. He then married Cayetana on 13 Jul. 1835. By Cayatena he had a son, Juan Pablo, and two daughters, Maxina Antonia and Maria Antonia. Juan Pablo was born in 1839; he died in a boating accident on 28 May 1851 along with the father of the man who would marry Maria Antonia. Maxima Antonia (known as Mary Maxima later in life) was born 18 Nov. 1841, and was baptized on 5 Dec. 1841. Maria Antonia was born in Aug 1845, and was baptized on 31 Oct. 1845. Her godfather was William A. Richardson, the namesake of Richardson Bay. Cayatana died 21 Nov 1850, and Camilo married his fourth wife, Susanna Maria on 5 Jan. 1852. Camilo also adopted another girl, who married John Pingston, a "free man of color". They had a son, Juan Jose Pingston. Camilo conveyed approximately 20 acres (80,937.2 m²) in the extreme southwest corner of Apalacocha to John on 14 Feb. 1853.Camilo's daughter Maxima Antonia was married first to Henry Holden Bennett, an American, on 12 Jun. 1854, likely with Camilo's encouragement. Then after Bennett's death in 1856, Maxima married Henry Harper Willard. Henry and Maxima had 13 children. After Henry's death in 1888, Maxima married Armstrong McCabe on 31 Jul. 1891. Maria Antonia married Joseph Knox and had two children. After Camilo's death, Maxima and Maria purchased a part of Rancho Sanel
Rancho Sanel
Rancho Sanel was a Mexican land grant in present day Mendocino County, California given in 1844 by Governor Manuel Micheltorena to Fernando Feliz . The grant extended along the Russian River and encompassed present day Hopland. It is named after a village of the Pomo people near Hopland; the...
in the Sanel Valley of Mendocino County
Mendocino County, California
Mendocino County is a county located on the north coast of the U.S. state of California, north of the greater San Francisco Bay Area and west of the Central Valley. As of the 2010 census, the population was 87,841, up from 86,265 at the 2000 census...
, and moved there with their husbands and helped found the town of Sanel, later named Hopland
Hopland, California
Hopland is a census-designated place in Mendocino County, California. It is located on the west bank of the Russian River south-southeast of Ukiah, at an elevation of 502 feet . The population was 756 at the 2010 census....
. On 26 Nov. 1860, "Being in want of money for a Maintenance," Maxima and Maria sold Apalacocha, to John Knight, their Mendocino attorney, for $3,693. With that transaction, the last of aboriginal Olompali passed into American ownership.
Recognition and legends
The chief and his adobe house are legendary today. In 1915, Camilo's adobe house was owned by James and Josephine Burdell and they built a 26-room mansion around it. They used to take people on tours and show the home. Much of the original Rancho Olompali, along with the ruins of the original Camilo Ynitia adobe, is now protected within the Olompali State Historic Park.William Heath, a contemporary, said that Camilo was "fine, intelligent and shrewd." Stephen Richardson called him "clean-cut, capable, and all around."
It is said that Camilo buried all his gold from his sale to James Black on a mountainside, because when he died he had very little money on record. One theory is his last wife or family knew where the gold was and unburied it later to assist them in purchasing cattle and part of Rancho Sanel in Mendocino County.
To this day scattered here and there, there are still those who can claim to be a direct descendent of Camilo Ynitia. But Blood Lines thinning out, soon Camilo will simply be a historical cross-over figure, the crossing of the local Native Indian People of Marin County, to Anglo American, European descendent. Camilo Ynitia, the last know Indian Chief Of the Marin County Area. The last known Indian to be shot with a bow and arrow, by his own people. Who was also warned of his death, a few months in advance and spent the next few months passing on as much passion and story and knowledge and legend to his two teen-age young surviving daughters, so that they one keep the memory of the Native People of Marin who once survived the lands for thousands and thousands of years in peaceful times. Never forget the humans before you. They never forgot about you and took care of the land for you."
Sources
- The Huntington Library, Early California Population Project Database, 2006.http://www.huntington.org/Information/ECPPmain.htm
- Lynch, Robert M. The Sonoma Valley Story. Sonoma, CA: Sonoma-Index Tribune, 1997. ISBN 096538570-1 (treaties 1836)
- Mason, Jack. Early Marin. Petaluma, CA: House of Printing, 1971.
- Seif, Dena (2006). University of California Irvine Camillo Ynitia, Coast Miwok (1803-1856) - Catholic, Rancho Grant Owner File retrieved 6 Apr. 2007.
- Shumway, Burgess M., California Ranchos: Patented Private Land Grants Listed by County. San Bernardino, CA: The Borgo Press, 1988. ISBN 0-89370-935-2
- Thomas, Robert C., Drake at Olompali printed by Apala Press 1979. ISBN 0-9602546-0-9