My 2nd great grandmother, Juanita, was one of 4 children born to Jose Mariano Ortiz & Maria Teresa deJesus Silva in Santa Fe, NM in 1819. Her family was wealthy, having owned a large land grant in northern NM. At this time, New Mexico was under Spain's control, but the area was becoming increasingly dangerous.
Ensign Bryant Smith happened to be in New Mexico in Sept 1835. He was trading with the Zuni tribe. He met & married Juanita Feb. 4, 1836. She was only 17 & would never have guessed the thrilling journey ahead of her. She changed her name to Jane Smith & traveled all over the country with her famous husband.
The Smith's had 8 children together as they moved around. They ended in Golden, CO in 1859 and had one of the first homes there. She did many acts of kindness in her life. She gave part of her money to building the Baptist church.
She was one of Golden's oldest residents at 91. Her son, Manuel, lived with her in 1900. She died at the home of her granddaughter, Mrs. Illa (Herman) Rankin.
Ensign Bryant Smith happened to be in New Mexico in Sept 1835. He was trading with the Zuni tribe. He met & married Juanita Feb. 4, 1836. She was only 17 & would never have guessed the thrilling journey ahead of her. She changed her name to Jane Smith & traveled all over the country with her famous husband.
The Smith's had 8 children together as they moved around. They ended in Golden, CO in 1859 and had one of the first homes there. She did many acts of kindness in her life. She gave part of her money to building the Baptist church.
She was one of Golden's oldest residents at 91. Her son, Manuel, lived with her in 1900. She died at the home of her granddaughter, Mrs. Illa (Herman) Rankin.
My 2nd great grandmother, Juanita, was one of 4 children born to Jose Mariano Ortiz & Maria Teresa deJesus Silva in Santa Fe, NM in 1819. Her family was wealthy, having owned a large land grant in northern NM. At this time, New Mexico was under Spain's control, but the area was becoming increasingly dangerous.
Ensign Bryant Smith happened to be in New Mexico in Sept 1835. He was trading with the Zuni tribe. He met & married Juanita Feb. 4, 1836. She was only 17 & would never have guessed the thrilling journey ahead of her. She changed her name to Jane Smith & traveled all over the country with her famous husband.
The Smith's had 8 children together as they moved around. They ended in Golden, CO in 1859 and had one of the first homes there. She did many acts of kindness in her life. She gave part of her money to building the Baptist church.
She was one of Golden's oldest residents at 91. Her son, Manuel, lived with her in 1900. She died at the home of her granddaughter, Mrs. Illa (Herman) Rankin.
Ensign Bryant Smith happened to be in New Mexico in Sept 1835. He was trading with the Zuni tribe. He met & married Juanita Feb. 4, 1836. She was only 17 & would never have guessed the thrilling journey ahead of her. She changed her name to Jane Smith & traveled all over the country with her famous husband.
The Smith's had 8 children together as they moved around. They ended in Golden, CO in 1859 and had one of the first homes there. She did many acts of kindness in her life. She gave part of her money to building the Baptist church.
She was one of Golden's oldest residents at 91. Her son, Manuel, lived with her in 1900. She died at the home of her granddaughter, Mrs. Illa (Herman) Rankin.
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