Apolinaria Lorenzana

Apolinaria Lorenzana (1793–1884) was a Californio woman of the 19th century who was brought to the western part of the Mexican Cession in the area of present-day California. She lived at missions in San Diego, Santa Barbara, and San Juan Capistrano, where she was a teacher, matron, religious leader, and nurse. During the 1840s, many residents of those areas died or moved away, and she was given ranch land owned by the missions, but eventually lost the after American people moved into the area. She was one of several girls sent from an orphanage to become a wife of presidio soldiers, but she remained single throughout her life.

Early life Lorenzana was born in Mexico City