José de la Guerra y Noriega
Encyclopedia
José Antonio de la Guerra y Noriega (March 6, 1779 – February 18, 1858) was a soldier and early settler of California
.
, Spain
. As a boy he wished to be a friar. When he was 13 De La Guerra went to Mexico City
in Colonial Mexico, New Spain
, to live with his maternal uncle Pedro Gonzales de Noriega, a wealthy merchant.
De La Guerra joined the frontier army in 1793, working for the paymaster general. He was appointed a cadet in 1798 at the Presidio of San Diego
in Alta California
. He was promoted to alférez (ensign) at the Presidio of Monterey in 1800, and was its acting Commandant in 1804. In 1806 he was made lieutenant at the Presidio of Santa Barbara
. From 1807 to 1815 he was lieutenant at the Presidio of San Diego
, and was, for a short time during 1806–1807 the commandant.
From 1815, De La Guerra served at Santa Barbara, becoming captain in 1817. He became Commandant in 1827, succeeding José Darío Argüello
, who was promoted to Governor of Alta California
. De La Guerra also became a Deputy (diputado) to the Mexican National Congress in 1827. De La Guerra served as Commandant until 1842, when he retired after 52 years of service in the army. De La Guerra was a Californio
popularly known as El Capitán.
From land grants and purchases, De La Guerra became owner of over 1/2 million acres (2000 km²) in present Santa Barbara
, Ventura
, Marin
, and Sacramento
counties, California. These include Rancho Simi
, Rancho Las Posas
, Rancho San Julian
, Rancho Los Alamos
and Rancho El Conejo
.
De La Guerra married María Antonia Carrillo (January 8, 1786 - December 26, 1843), daughter of José Raimundo Carrillo
, on May 16, 1804. They had seven sons (Jose Antonio, Juan, Francisco, Pablo
, Joaquin, Miguel, and Antonio Maria
) and four daughters (Teresa, Augustias, Anita, and María Antonia).
De La Guerra died in 1858 and is buried in the church crypt at Mission Santa Barbara
with his wife. His house, called the Casa de la Guerra
, still stands and is a historic landmark of downtown Santa Barbara
.
. The Spanish fortress in Granada was commanded by a commander whose name was "De La Vega". Don Juan De La Vega led a battle that led to the annihilation of the Moors and a complete reunification of Spain. Upon learning of this, King Ferdinand I
summonded De La Vega to his court. De La Vega was at first reprimanded severely for starting his battle against the Moors on a Sunday, which was forbidden by Spanish law, and then the King had him kneel and knighted him. Thereupon, changing his name from "De La Vega" to "De La Guerra" ("Of The War").
In his adventure-travelog "Two Years Before the Mast," Richard Henry Dana Jr. met the De La Guerra family in Santa Barbara, and had this to say about their name: "The descendants of Noriego had taken the ancestral name of De la Guerra, as they were nobles of Old Spain by birth; and the boy Pablo, who used to make passages in the Alert, was now Don Pablo de la Guerra, a Senator in the State Legislature for Santa Barbara County."
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
Biography
José de la Guerra was born 1779 at Novales, CantabriaCantabria
Cantabria is a Spanish historical region and autonomous community with Santander as its capital city. It is bordered on the east by the Basque Autonomous Community , on the south by Castile and León , on the west by the Principality of Asturias, and on the north by the Cantabrian Sea.Cantabria...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. As a boy he wished to be a friar. When he was 13 De La Guerra went to Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
in Colonial Mexico, New Spain
New Spain
New Spain, formally called the Viceroyalty of New Spain , was a viceroyalty of the Spanish colonial empire, comprising primarily territories in what was known then as 'América Septentrional' or North America. Its capital was Mexico City, formerly Tenochtitlan, capital of the Aztec Empire...
, to live with his maternal uncle Pedro Gonzales de Noriega, a wealthy merchant.
De La Guerra joined the frontier army in 1793, working for the paymaster general. He was appointed a cadet in 1798 at the Presidio of San Diego
Presidio of San Diego
El Presidio Reál de San Diego is an historical fort established on May 14, 1769, by Commandant Pedro Fages for Spain. It was the first permanent European settlement on the Pacific Coast of the United States. As the first of the presidios and Spanish missions in California, it was the base of...
in 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,...
. He was promoted to alférez (ensign) at the Presidio of Monterey in 1800, and was its acting Commandant in 1804. In 1806 he was made lieutenant at the Presidio of Santa Barbara
Presidio of Santa Barbara
The El Presidio Real de Santa Bárbara, also known as the Royal Presidio of Santa Barbara, was a military installation in Santa Barbara, California. It was built by Spain in 1782, with the mission of defending the Second Military District in California...
. From 1807 to 1815 he was lieutenant at the Presidio of San Diego
Presidio of San Diego
El Presidio Reál de San Diego is an historical fort established on May 14, 1769, by Commandant Pedro Fages for Spain. It was the first permanent European settlement on the Pacific Coast of the United States. As the first of the presidios and Spanish missions in California, it was the base of...
, and was, for a short time during 1806–1807 the commandant.
From 1815, De La Guerra served at Santa Barbara, becoming captain in 1817. He became Commandant in 1827, succeeding José Darío Argüello
José Darío Argüello
José Darío Argüello was a Spanish soldier and California pioneer, and twice governor of California.-Biography:José Darío Argüello was born in Santiago de Querétaro, New Spain ....
, who was promoted to Governor 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,...
. De La Guerra also became a Deputy (diputado) to the Mexican National Congress in 1827. De La Guerra served as Commandant until 1842, when he retired after 52 years of service in the army. De La Guerra was a Californio
Californio
Californio is a term used to identify a Spanish-speaking Catholic people, regardless of race, born in California before 1848...
popularly known as El Capitán.
From land grants and purchases, De La Guerra became owner of over 1/2 million acres (2000 km²) in present Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara County, California
Santa Barbara County is a county located in the southern portion of the U.S. state of California, on the Pacific coast. As of 2010 the county had a population of 423,895. The county seat is Santa Barbara and the largest city is Santa Maria.-History:...
, Ventura
Ventura County, California
Ventura County is a county in the southern part of the U.S. state of California. It is located on California's Pacific coast. It is often referred to as the Gold Coast, and has a reputation of being one of the safest populated places and one of the most affluent places in the country...
, Marin
Marin County, California
Marin County is a county located in the North San Francisco Bay Area of the U.S. state of California, across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco. As of 2010, the population was 252,409. The county seat is San Rafael and the largest employer is the county government. Marin County is well...
, and Sacramento
Sacramento County, California
Sacramento County is a county in the U.S. state of California. Its county seat is Sacramento, which is also the state capital. As of 2010 the county had a population of 1,418,788....
counties, California. These include Rancho Simi
Rancho Simi
Rancho Simi, also known as Rancho San José de Nuestra Senora de Altagarcia y Simi, was a Spanish land grant in eastern Ventura and western Los Angeles counties given in 1795 to Francisco Javier Pico and his two brothers, Patricio Pico and Miguel Pico by Governor Diego de Borica...
, Rancho Las Posas
Rancho Las Posas
Rancho Las Posas was a Mexican land grant in present day Ventura County, California given in 1834 by Governor José Figueroa to José Antonio Carrillo. The grant extends along the Simi Valley from near present day Moorpark to Camarillo...
, Rancho San Julian
Rancho San Julian
Rancho San Julian was a Mexican land grant in present day Santa Barbara County, California given in 1837 by Governor Juan B. Alvarado to José de la Guerra y Noriega. The grant name probably refers to José Antonio Julian de la Guerra...
, Rancho Los Alamos
Rancho Los Alamos
Rancho Los Alamos was a Mexican land grant in present day Santa Barbara County, California given in 1839 by Governor Juan Alvarado to José Antonio de la Guerra, a son of José de la Guerra y Noriega...
and Rancho El Conejo
Rancho El Conejo
Rancho El Conejo was a Spanish land grant in California given in 1803 to Jose Polanco and Ygnacio Rodriguez that encompassed the area now known as the Conejo Valley in southeastern Ventura and northwestern Los Angeles Counties. El Conejo means "The Rabbit" in Spanish, and refers to the many...
.
De La Guerra married María Antonia Carrillo (January 8, 1786 - December 26, 1843), daughter of José Raimundo Carrillo
José Raimundo Carrillo
Captain José Raimundo Carrillo was an early Spanish settler of San Diego, California and founder of the Carrillo family in Spanish California.-Biography:Carrillo was born in 1749 in New Spain at Loreto, Baja California...
, on May 16, 1804. They had seven sons (Jose Antonio, Juan, Francisco, Pablo
Pablo de la Guerra
Pablo de la Guerra , from the de la Guerra family of Santa Barbara, California, was the Acting Lieutenant Governor of California, 1861-1862...
, Joaquin, Miguel, and Antonio Maria
Antonio Maria de la Guerra
Antonio Maria de la Guerra, , Mayor of Santa Barbara, California, several times a member of the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors, California State Senator and Captain of California Volunteers in the American Civil War....
) and four daughters (Teresa, Augustias, Anita, and María Antonia).
De La Guerra died in 1858 and is buried in the church crypt at Mission Santa Barbara
Mission Santa Barbara
In 1840, Alta California and Baja California were removed from the Diocese of Sonora to form the Diocese of Both Californias. Bishop Francisco Garcia Diego y Moreno, OFM, established his cathedra at Mission Santa Barbara, making the chapel the pro-cathedral of the diocese until 1849...
with his wife. His house, called the Casa de la Guerra
Casa de la Guerra
The Casa de la Guerra was the residence of the fifth commandant of the Presidio de Santa Barbara, José de la Guerra y Noriega from 1828 until his death in 1858. Descendants of José lived in the home until 1943. The site is currently owned and operated by the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic...
, still stands and is a historic landmark of downtown Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, California
Santa Barbara is the county seat of Santa Barbara County, California, United States. Situated on an east-west trending section of coastline, the longest such section on the West Coast of the United States, the city lies between the steeply-rising Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean...
.
History of the De La Guerra Name
In the late 16th century during the time of the Moorish Wars in Spain, the last stronghold held by the Moors was GranadaGranada
Granada is a city and the capital of the province of Granada, in the autonomous community of Andalusia, Spain. Granada is located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains, at the confluence of three rivers, the Beiro, the Darro and the Genil. It sits at an elevation of 738 metres above sea...
. The Spanish fortress in Granada was commanded by a commander whose name was "De La Vega". Don Juan De La Vega led a battle that led to the annihilation of the Moors and a complete reunification of Spain. Upon learning of this, King Ferdinand I
Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor
Ferdinand I was Holy Roman Emperor from 1558 and king of Bohemia and Hungary from 1526 until his death. Before his accession, he ruled the Austrian hereditary lands of the Habsburgs in the name of his elder brother, Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor.The key events during his reign were the contest...
summonded De La Vega to his court. De La Vega was at first reprimanded severely for starting his battle against the Moors on a Sunday, which was forbidden by Spanish law, and then the King had him kneel and knighted him. Thereupon, changing his name from "De La Vega" to "De La Guerra" ("Of The War").
In his adventure-travelog "Two Years Before the Mast," Richard Henry Dana Jr. met the De La Guerra family in Santa Barbara, and had this to say about their name: "The descendants of Noriego had taken the ancestral name of De la Guerra, as they were nobles of Old Spain by birth; and the boy Pablo, who used to make passages in the Alert, was now Don Pablo de la Guerra, a Senator in the State Legislature for Santa Barbara County."
See also
- Casa de la GuerraCasa de la GuerraThe Casa de la Guerra was the residence of the fifth commandant of the Presidio de Santa Barbara, José de la Guerra y Noriega from 1828 until his death in 1858. Descendants of José lived in the home until 1943. The site is currently owned and operated by the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic...
- Pablo de la GuerraPablo de la GuerraPablo de la Guerra , from the de la Guerra family of Santa Barbara, California, was the Acting Lieutenant Governor of California, 1861-1862...
- Antonio Maria de la GuerraAntonio Maria de la GuerraAntonio Maria de la Guerra, , Mayor of Santa Barbara, California, several times a member of the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors, California State Senator and Captain of California Volunteers in the American Civil War....
- Alfred RobinsonAlfred RobinsonAlfred Robinson was an American businessman and author in 19th century Alta California of Mexico and California of the United States...
- Anita de la Guerra de Noriega y Carrillo
- Pablo de la Guerra
- Ranchos of CaliforniaRanchos of CaliforniaThe Spanish, and later the Méxican government encouraged settlement of territory now known as California by the establishment of large land grants called ranchos, from which the English ranch is derived. Devoted to raising cattle and sheep, the owners of the ranchos attempted to pattern themselves...
Further reading
- Fr. Joseph A. Thompson. El Gran Capitan, José De la Guerra, (Franciscan Fathers of California, Cabrera & Sons, Los Angeles, 1961)
- De La Guerra Family Papers, Huntington Library, San Marino, California
- Narriative of daughter Teresa de La Guerra de Hartnell, 1875
- Dana, Richard Henry, Jr. "Two Years Before the Mast"