Cosmopolitan Chronicle
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politan Chro Cosmo nicle VOL. IV, No. 9 San Diego, Alta California, November 6, 2009 Price: Free Andalucía, Spain, about 1771--his his friend Eustace Barron, British A Father’s Hand family originally coming from vice-consul at Tepic, describing life Italy. As a young man, he went to in California. This long, detailed Cynthia Hernandez South America, making Peru his letter provided information about Archaeological Project Leader/ Interpreter home. There he married twice- the land, people, towns, trade, -Ysidora Blancas in 1796 and etc. Unfortunately the letter Ellen L. Sweet Manuela Morrelos [or Mazuelos] contained no information about Local Historian in 1802. Juan Bandini was born the construction of the new uan Bandini is credited in 1800, his mother dying soon Bandini family home. with building his San Diego afterwards. As a Spanish officer In the following years, José home, the Casa de Bandini, and mariner, José traveled undoubtedly helped with the J extensively. Juan traveled with family, especially when Dolores 1827-1829. The complexity of the building and the huge amount him some of the time and studied died in 1833 leaving six small of work involved meant that in Europe. There were other children. Juan married Refugio Mission Indians were the work children from these marriages. Argüello in 1835 and the family force behind the building. The One son apparently became the continued to expand. In 1837, José neighboring Casa de Estudillo Archbishop of Lima. Another was chosen as baby Margarita’s was built about the same time. son was listed as the godparent godfather. Perhaps the Estudillos and for one of Juan’s sons. The following year, Juan the Bandinis compared notes As captain of the Spanish was appointed administrator on planning and construction. ship Reina de los Ángeles, José of Mission San Gabriel and Building materials were probably made several trips to California. the family moved to that area. taken from the presidio for use in Suffering from gout, the senior Sadly, by early 1841 José became both homes. Bandini retired with the rank very ill. Juan’s correspondence However, there is another of captain of militia, an honor to Los Angeles merchant and member of the family who bestowed by Gen. Iturbide for future son-in-law Abel Stearns should be given recognition for his help in Mexico’s bid for illustrated his concern and care building the Casa de Bandini, independence. for his father. Juan requested that and that is Juan’s father, José José and Juan Bandini settled Stearns send him various foods Bandini. Both historian Hubert in San Diego by 1822, about to tempt the old man’s appetite— Howe Bancroft and family the time that a few citizens and rice, chocolate, coffee, a little member Ralph Bandini credited retired soldiers were starting to bread. In one letter Juan Bandini José Bandini with building the build adobe homes below the told Stearns that he cannot leave house. Considering the closeness presidio. Juan married Dolores his dying father to come to Los of father and son, it seems logical Estudillo on November 20, 1822, Angeles on business, not even that they worked together on the in a marriage uniting two families for overnight. By April 23, Juan project as descendant and owner with ties from Andalucía. Later, wrote that he was losing his best Cave J. Couts, Jr. stated in 1931. José served as godfather at the friend. José Bandini passed away Not a lot is known about baptisms of three of Juan and on April 28, 1841 and was buried José Bandini. He was born in Dolores’ children. inside Mission San Gabriel. In 1828, José Bandini wrote www.parks.ca.gov/oldtownsandiego.