flfiANfiE COUNTY GENEflLOGICAl N0i/M»%S' ^ LL .-♦T: ■' ■?%i^'2'^ji ■ r. m by Mary Stewart From San Diego Magazine July, 1969 Pictures: San Diego Historical Society and Dr. Ben Grant. by Mary Stewart f / ' . -/W ^ 'I H'\ • * • -i ^ BANCROFT LIBRARY She was born at San Diego on De rillo patiently explained, "The name is "The Elopement." above, is an oil by cember 29, 1810. Her baptismal pronounced 'Cay-reei-yo,' with a liquid Charles Nahl (I8l'^-I878l; the picture is name was Dona Maria Antonia Castilian double 'I.' It is not pronounced believed to depict Josefa's impulsive dash Natalia Elijia Carrillo. But at the font 'Care-reeyo,' with the 'y' for double T with her cousin Pio Pico to the shore where her madrina (godmother), the Senora as in Mexico. The Mexican adaptation of her betrothed, Captain Henry Fitch, Dona Josefa Sal del Mercado, in what Spanish is a beautiful variation in itself, eafierly waited. Since Josefa Fitch did probably was a premeditated lapse of but we of the Castilian lineage prefer the not pass away until 1893. we know that memory, conferred her own first name original liquid sound for the double '1.' the paintinfi was executed during her upon the baby. And it is as Josefa that her It is a part of our heritage." lifetime. It hanfts in the Bancroft Library name has been carried down to us by her Josefa grew to be tall. She had brilliant at the University of California, Berkeley. descendants, although some have deep- hazel eyes, black hair and incredibly while frozen it to Josephine. skin. When Don Juan Bandini presented The parents of Josefa Carrillo were Don his guest. Governor Jose Maria Echean- Joaquin Carrillo and Dona Maria Ignacio dia, to the radiant girl, her gleaming hair del Candelaria Lopez, daughter of Don was banded with Loreto pearls. The visit Juan Francisco Lopez and Maria Felici- ing dignitary became smitten with both ana Arballa de Gutierrez. The family Josefa and the delightful San Diego cli traced to the Carrillos of Albornoz, back mate. Echeandfa immediately determined to 1260 A.D. As actor/rancher Leo Car to change the capital from Monterey to i!«iB :-.ISUjisi .'iS' t^ "> ** lV -■ ■ \>^- J•/%. f f V J ms^ m tm :M.fM San Diego, and to marry the Carrillos' According to one source, even before Above: Josefa Carrillo de Fitch is seated in most beautiful daughter. the Bandini tertulia in the Governor's the front row of this group portrait, at Leo Carrillo claimed that the Gover honor, Josefa already had met Captain extreme right. It is unfortunate that all nor was runty and pompous, an object of Henry Delano Fitch, who by this time surviving photographs ofJosefa show her heavy with late middle age and obviously ridicule because of his lisping Castilian was in the process of making a record marked by alt the cares of widowhood accent—an affectation which had escaped round trip to Boston and was waxing im complicated by a large family. The child at the early Hispanic settlers of the New patient for the sight of her when the fiery left is John D. Grant, Jr., on the lap ofJohn World. (It is to this late actor-rancher and Echeandia first hove into San Diego Bay. D. Grant. The little boy standing next to them to Mrs. Fremont Older that we owe most As Don Leo and Mrs. Older told it, Josefa's is Ben E. Grant and the little girl is Effa of the details of Josefa's courtship.) All father sent her to buy new finery so she Grant De Gues. The centralfigure, seated, agreed that Echeandia and his administra might appear even more irresistible in the is the lovely Anita Filch de Grant, mother of tion eventually endeared themselves to Governor's sight, and it was at that time the brood. In the back row stand Charles no one. But the Governor visited San she met the prepossessing Yankee mer Grant; an unidentified young girl; Henry Diego soon after his appointment, and his chant captain. Grant, stepson of Anita and son ofJohn D. Grant and Anita's deceased sister, Ysabella; new constituents were hopeful Most hope Josefa was accompanied by her cousin the last boy is unidentified. ful of all were the parents of Josefa, who Pio Pico, who although a decade older had noticed the swaggering little official was the eighteen-year-old girl's good yearning after their proud young beauty. fiiend and companion. The two put out They fancied the prospect of so distin to the Maria Esther (most Califomians, guished a son-in-law. who depended on such vessels for all luxuries and many necessities, referred to with orange blossoms. Lustrous Loreto such craft as the Boston Ships, no matter pearls were about her throat. An altar how they were rigged). Josefa had climbed had been prepared at the Carrillo home; *he ship's ladder and had bent to wipe the clad in his vestments. Father Antonio salt spray from her silver-buckled slippers Menendez began the ceremony, with when she looked up into the compelling Captain Richard Barry of the Vulture blue-grey-violet eyes of Fitch. She was serving as best man. Abruptly, Josefa's accustomed to the usually not over-tall uncle* stepped between, stating that an Spaniards of the nineteenth century. order from the Governor prohibited for Towering above her was a well-favored, eigners from marrying in California with six-foot, two-inches tall seafarer who en out a special license. hanced his height with a broad-brimmed Fitch was not to be put off. "Tell the California-style hat shoved toward the Governor we shall be married in spile back of his head, and a serape hanging of him, for Josefa's parents have given vertically from one shoulder. consent!" It was the era when Yankee merchant Josefa wept for her disgrace before all ships ruled the seas, and Fitch was every her relatives and friends. But through inch the master of such a ship. With court her tears she murmured. "Enrique, why ly manners and great aplomb he took much don't you dairy me off?" time to display for Josefa's benefit his ar While appearing to bless the couple. ray of splendid wares. This was not the Padre Menendez said between closed usual fawning attention of a mere Yankee teeth, as men in prison speak, "There are trader. She was aware of his apparent other countries where you can be married Left: This portrait of Cap!. Beriah Fitch personal interest in her, and becoming with fewer restrictions." But now we {1771-1825} which hung in the "Maria Ester", color began to rise in her flawless ivory ship of his son, Capt. Henry Delano Filch, was presented to San Diego Historical Society skin. Flustered in her pleasure and em by Woodley Filch, who descendsfrom barrassment, Josefa scarcely saw the Carlos, eighth child (b.I842) of H.D.F. and gowns and laces, the shawls that the young Josefa Carrilio, his wife. Among the Fitch captain theatrically unfurled, the dainty ancestors were: James Fitch, a founder shoes he brought forth to suit her tiny feet. of Yale; John Howland and John Alden who But at last he produced a hair comb so gor came on the Mayflower. Beriah Fitch geous that she quite forgot his presence. married Sara Delano 22 Aug. 1793. She lived She was caught up in the fascinating per to 1847 and descended from Jonathan fection of the object itself. Josefa took the Delano,from whom descended Presidents tortoise comb in both hands, held it up so U.S. Grant and F.D. Roosevelt. Above: Anita, youngest child of Enrique that the rich gold banding glittered in the and Josefa Fitch, was said most to resemble summer sun,and then secured the exquisite her mother. She became Anita Fitch de Grant, piece of hair jewelry in her own dark, lus San Diego's first opera singer. trous tresses. The young Captain thought her more captivating than ever.Josefa knew flee with him at once on his magnificent full well how the hair ornament flattered horse. Some say that before leaving the her. When he told her the price—six hun house she disguised herself as Pio's valet. dred hides—her mood grew wistful as By her own account the eloping Josefa she returned the comb. Fitch urged her took with her only a small case carrying to take it home, to let her parents see how petticoats and other necessities. Then fully it complemented her ripe Spanish Don Pio helped her onto his horse and beauty. galloped away. They dashed at full speed Josefa showed the comb toDonJoaquin, to the rendezvous on the beach where who exploded. He regarded it as a ploy by know that later in the day a Spanish- Fitch was waiting in readiness with a sail an over-shrewd merchant to force a sale. California version of Romeo and Juliet, boat manned by six of his crew. A ploy it was indeed: to give Captain Fitch Act II Scene V, was played. The coura Pio Pico said, "Goodbye, cousin. May opportunity to call at the Carrillo home. geous priest, but newly arrived in San God bless you —and you, Cousin Enrique. Josefa's father surmised Fitch's intent Diego, wed the couple in a secret cere Be careful that you give Josefa no reason when the commanding figure of the young mony.** to regret having cast her lot with you." sea captain was ushered before him.