Taming the Wild Horse Desert - Database
Jose Matias Ramirez Peña
He was born circa 1756. His father was Jose Miguel Ramirez, and his mother was Maria Tadea Peña. His father owned land in Porción 50, Mier. In 1782, he lived in Mier in household number 68. The church census recorded that he was married, español, and 26 years old. His household included 4 people. He died on 12 Apr 1813 in Rancho de Agua Fria. Cause of death: killed by Indians. He was 57 years old. He was killed by Indians and his body was left behind by the others due to the danger. When they returned a month later they found the body guarded by a dog who protected it from wild animals. Though he was the OG of the grant "Palo Blanco", the death record states that he died "on his ranch of Agua Fria, more than 70 leagues distant from here". This is farther than the Palo Blanco grant. The location referred to is possibly the same or near one settled by his brother Antonio on the Frio or possibly Nueces River. Source: link.
Marriage
He married Maria Juliana Gonzalez, daughter of Ildefonso Gonzalez and Maria Luisa Saldivar on 15 Apr 1777 in Mier. He was 21 years old, and the bride was 14 years old.
Children
Luisa Ramirez. She married Jose Ysidoro Guerra, son of Juan Manuel Guerra Cañamar and Maria Isabel Treviño in 1803. He owned land in Palo Blanco grant, Brooks County.
Jose Antonio Ramirez. He married Maria Petra Guerra, daughter of Juan Manuel Guerra Cañamar and Maria Isabel Treviño.
Maria Antonia Ramirez, born 1775.
Maria Ursula Ramirez, born 1778. She married Jose Manuel de la Garza Falcon, son of Juan Jose de la Garza Falcon and Candida Francisca Guerra on 26 May 1800. He owned land in San Francisco grant, Duval County.
Land Ownership
In 1809, he settled at Palo Blanco. The land was originally surveyed for Ramirez in 1809. He occupied it until his death but title was awarded to his heirs.
