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Description
Maria Antonia Garcia and Secundino Robles, of Branciforte, Santa Cruz, were married in 1835 at the Mission Santa Clara by Father Picos. Secundino, along with his younger brother, Teodoro, owned shares in the quicksilver mine in Alamitos Creek, New Almaden. The brothers, who figured prominently in the history of New Almaden mining, sold their interests and purchased the Rancho Rincon de Franciquito from Jose Pena. The Rancho (8,418.21 acres) had an adobe house and other buildings that Maria Antonia Robles made into a home for her husband, four children and brother-in-law. They continued to enlarge the adobe to accommodate their growing family, which is recorded to have grown to 28 children. Robles hospitality was well known. The Rancho Rincon, located along the El Camino Real, became one of the most frequented stopping places for travelers between San Jose and San Francisco. Maria Antonia Robles was responsible for the comfort of the many visitors and of her own large family. She supervised the preparation of all meals, and all other household duties. Hers was a busy life. Robles is pictured in a dress from the early 1870s, though her hairstyle is from an earlier decade. Her dress is striped with a front fastening bodice, and trimmed with what appears to be pleated fringe. She wears white lace at the neck with a bow and brooch for extra accent. The skirt was a separate piece and probably worn with crinolines rather than a bustle. (Description taken from "Pioneer Women of Santa Clara County: Selections from The Permanent Collection," by Helen Kuesel and Milita Rios-Samaniego, San Jose Historical Museum, 1991)
Type
image
Format
Acrylic
Identifier
CF313DCF-5B4D-45C0-B66D-809433402558 1980-102
Subject
Portrait paintings Nineteenth century (LCSH) Women Hispanic American women (LCSH) Robles, Maria Antonia Espinosa y Martinez
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