Secundino Robles and María Antonia García

Secundino Robles and María Antonia García. . , Secundino Robles , c. 1811-1890, María Antonia García , c. 1816-1896, Here lie a Don and Doña. Proud Californios who shaped this region under Spanish, Mexican, and United States governance. In 1824, at age thirteen, Secundino discovered an ancient Ohlone cinnabar mine in present-day New Almaden. For centuries, the Ohlone people pulverized the area's cinnabar into a red pigment to be used as body paint. The New Almaden Quicksilver Mine eventually became the region's most profitable workings, producing more wealth than any other California mine, including those from the Gold Rush era., In the 1830s, Secundino married Maria Antonia Garcia, his guiding light. Their fruitful marriage of more than fifty years yielded twenty-nine children. During the 1840s, Secundino served as mayordomo (superintendent) of Mission Santa Clara. In 1847, he played a leadership role in the Battle of Santa Clara. The "battle was the only skirmish waged in northern California during the Mexican American War (1846-1848). Although Secundino was not opposed to California becoming part of the United States, he and his neighbors fought against American forces in order to protest the overall mistreatment of Californios and the blatant theft of personal property by invading U.S. troops., In September 1847, Secundino and his brother, Teodoro, purchased Rancho Rincon de San Francisquito in present-day Palo Alto, renaming it Rancho Santa Rita. It is here the Robles fame graciously hosted many fiestas. fandangos, bullfights, and bearbaitings., Ultimately, the Robles Family lost their wealth and title to their land, a common outcome for Californios during this litigious transition to American rule. At the time of their deaths, the Robleses were left with insufficient assets to pay for a headstone. This plaque attempts remedy that injustice. , Dedicated 2021 by California Pioneers of Santa Clara County , Mountain Charlie Chapter No. 1850 E Clampus Vitus , "Right wrongs Nobody"