wall lights & sconces
juana briones of nineteenth century california
juana briones de miranda lived an unusual life which is wonderfully recounted in this highly accessible biography . she was one of the first residents of what is now san francisco then named yerba buena good herb reportedly after a medicinal tea she concocted . she was among the few women in california of her time to own property in her own name and she proved to be a skilled farmer rancher and businesswoman . in retelling her life story jeanne farr mcdonnell also retells the history of nineteenth century california from the unique perspective of this surprising woman . br juana briones was born in 1802 and spent her early youth in santa cruz a community of retired soldiers who had helped found spanish california native americans and settlers from mexico . in 1820 she married a cavalryman at the san francisco presidio apolinario miranda . she raised her seven surviving sons and daughters and adopted an orphaned native american girl . drawing on knowledge she gained about herbal medicine and other cures from her family and native americans she became a highly respected curandera or healer . br juana set up a second home and dairy at the base of then loma alta now telegraph hill the first house in that area . after gaining a church sanctioned separation from her abusive husband she expanded her farming and cattle business in 1844 by purchasing a 4400 acre ranch where she built her house located in the present city of palo alto . she successfully managed her extensive business interests until her death in 1889 . juana briones witnessed extraordinary changes during her lifetime . in this fascinating book readers will see californias history in a new and revelatory light .