THE ANZA EXPEDITION��In October 1775 Juan Bautista de Anza departed from the Northern Mexican town of Tubac with an expedition of 240 settlers, heading to the San Francisco Bay in Alta California. Among the first families were Spaniards, Mexicans, Indigenous natives; carpenters, sailors, soldiers, muleteers, unskilled workmen, surgeons, physicians, servants, skilled workers and blacksmiths; volunteers and veteran servicemen. The expedition's goal was to settle Alta California and build their missions. After 10 years of military service, the Spanish Crown promised land grants to those who served.��Joaquín Ysidro de Castro, age 43, a recruit, was born in the city of Sinaloa in 1732. He accompanied Anza as a soldier on the expedition to Alta California. He brought with him his wife Maria Martina Bottiler, 40, and their children: Ygnacio Clemente, 20; Anna María Josefa, 18; José Mariano, 9; María Encarnación, 8; José Joachin, 6; María Martina, 10; Francisco María, 3; and Carlos Antonio, 6 months. ��In 1834, the Mexican government took possession of the land owned by the missions. After applying to the government, Californios received grants for large areas of land--from 10,000 to over 100,000 acres. Soon the Californios established sprawling ranchos, or cattle ranches, along the coast. Most of the ranchers sold cattle hides and tallow, animal fat used to make candles and soap. Some made wine and grew citrus fruits, which were exported.��
Original petition of San Pablo Rancho (Cuchiyunes), in Spanish, by Don Francisco María Castro on 15 April 1823 from the Pueblo de San José.
Translation:
To the Most Excellent Deputation.
I, Francisco Castro, a member of the Provisional Deputation of Alta California, neighbor and resident of the Pueblo of San José, in the same Province, most respectfully present to Your Excellency; that being the owner of a considerable number of cattle and horses, and desiring to secure and promote the increase of the same, as well as such I may hereafter acquire, and to provide for the subsistence of my numerous family, I find myself under the necessity of soliciting a place or tract of land on which to make my establishment; wherefore I apply to Your Excellency, to the end: that in the exercise of your ample authority, you may be pleased to concede me the possession of the place named Cuchiyunes (alias) San Pablo; which heretofore was occupied by the Mission of San Francisco, and is situated opposite the same and the Port of the same name on the margins of the Bay, which place or tract of land has been abandoned and with the knowledge of the Reverend Father has been petitioned for from the present Governor who will bear witness to the fact if it should be necessary; wherefore, hoping as I do, in the goodness of Your Excellency, if I am considered worthy of this favor, I pray, that the corresponding possession and ownership may be given me of this land for the ends set forth and for the security of myself and my successors. Wherefore, I earnestly pray Your Excellency, to look with favor upon my petition, providing in justice, as you may deem meet. Monterey, 15 April 1823. Francisco Castro.
Response.
Monterey, 15 April 1823.
The place petitioned for by the interested party, of the extent of three leagues, is conceded to him by the Most Excellent Deputation, he being considered worthy of this favor, in consideration of his meritorious services, his honorable character, and the amount of property that he possesses, wherefore, the Commandant of the Presidio of San Francisco is ordered by the Government to measure the lands petitioned for, and to place the said Castro in possession thereof. ~Argüello. José Joaquin de la Torre, Secretary.
The Hacienda was indeed a colorful place, and the center of social life in west Contra Costa. It was here that people would gather from miles around for barbeques, dances and other grand events. Almost out-doing the women, clad in their finest laces and mantillas, were the caballeros attending these affairs. They wore knee-length breeches, often of red velvet, and ornamented with gold or silver lace at the bottom. Even their short coats and vests were adorned with costly gold and silver filagree buttons.
The fall rodeos or round-ups were followed by the great social event of the year — the Spanish fandango. In all these festivities San Pablo was the rallying point for all the grandees, with their families and attendants, throughout this entire section. For a week these gatherings were devoted solely to sports, dancing and unlimited hilarity, only to move on — a great cavalcade of horsemen, horsewomen, wagons, bedding and camp outfits — to Pinole, there to repeat the performances and then again to move on to other ranchos.
In 1837, Don Ygnacio's daughter, María Luisa Antonia Martinez married Victor Ramón Castro, son of Rancho San Pablo grantee, Don Francisco Castro. Victor lived at the southern portion of the family land and there he developed his rancho and built his beautiful hacienda in the area that bordered Cerrito Creek, in the area of today's city of El Cerrito. María Luisa’s father, Don Ygnacio Martinez, grantee of Rancho el Pinole became the fourth alcalde (mayor) of Yerba Buena (or Chief Administrator of San Francisco while under Mexican rule serving until 1838), the year she and Victor were married. Martinez remained at his rancho in the Pinole Valley while serving as alcalde, commuting to his city job by boat. The city of Martinez, California is named in his honor.