The Chief Solano Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) will unveil its “America 250! Patriot Marker” at the Peña Adobe, Vacaville, on Sunday, Aug. 16 to celebrate the Spanish patriots in California who contributed to the success of the American Revolution. Photo courtesy of Kathy Keatley Garvey

VACAVILLE, CA (MPG) - The Chief Solano Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) will unveil its “America 250! Patriot Marker” at the Peña Adobe, Vacaville, on Sunday, Aug. 16 to celebrate the Spanish patriots in California who contributed to the success of the American Revolution.

The event, set from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., is free and open to the public, but reservations are requested. A reception and fiesta will follow the unveiling of the bronze plaque.

Several DAR members will speak, including outgoing California State Regent Christina Ramos of San Francisco, a former Vacaville resident and the descendant of a Revolutionary War surgeon, Silas Allen. 

The celebration will include mariachi music by Serenatas Directo of San Jose; dancers from the Vacaville Ballet Company; and a horse demonstration led by Marco Del Campo of Cherry Glen Winery and Horses. Members of the Sacramento Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) will serve as color guards. 

A number of DAR members trace their lineage to the Spanish patriots residing in California who donated money in support of the American Revolution. Two members of the Chief Solano chapter—Kim Kloppenburg Clary and her cousin, Anna Peña Bandettini, both of Vacaville--trace their lineage to Juan Felipe Peña, who with Manuel Cabeza Vaca, co-founded the city of Vacaville

“The Spanish patriots played a unique role,” said Clary, event coordinator. “From 1775 to 1783, they aided the American Revolution with monetary contributions to the cause of liberty. Once Spain formally entered the war against Great Britain as an ally of France and the American colonies, the Crown (King Carlos III) called for a ‘donativo’ from soldiers and natives.  This garnishee--actually an involuntary donation or mandatory war tax-- was used to help defray the costs of the war in the colonies.”

Juan Bautista de Anza of Spain “held expeditions in the area of Alta California twice, 1774 and 1775-1776,” Clary explained. “The soldiers on the Anza Expedition, who ultimately settled in Alta California, paid this ‘donativo’ as a tax on residents of New Spain and Alta California. While many of these Spanish patriots didn’t fight in battles of the American Revolution, they were contributors and are being honored and recognized as such.”

The Peña Adobe, a California historical landmark and the home of the pioneer Peña family, is the oldest structure in Solano County. It was erected in 1842, the site of the 10-square-league Rancho Los Putos that Governor Pío Pico granted to Juan Felipe Peña and Manuel Cabeza Vaca.

The families of Juan Manual Vaca and Juan Felipe Peña were among the first settlers to arrive in Solano County. The Vaca and Peña families followed the Old Spanish Trail from the New Mexico region to California. Gen. Mariano Vallejo, headquartered in Sonoma following Mexico’s Independence from Spain, granted the two families the land that would later became the Vaca Valley.

Reservations for the dedication can be made at https://tinyurl.com/mjxjknh2, or by scanning the QR code on the website. Light refreshments will be served at the reception. The Peña Adobe Park is located at 339 Peña Adobe Road, Vacaville. For more information, contact Clary at [email protected].