Teresita Sandoval

Teresita Sandoval as sketched by Alexander Barclay in 1853. Photo Courtesy of Colorado Historical Society

Maria Teresa "Teresita" Sandoval Suazo (1811–1894) was among the first women of European heritage to live in the Arkansas Valley of present-day Colorado. She is one of the founders of El Pueblo in the current city of Pueblo, Colorado. She managed a ranch, the Doyle Settlement, in her later years.

Early life and relationships Sandoval was born in 1811 at Taos, New Mexico to Gervasio Sandoval and Ramona Barela. The family moved to Mora, New Mexico. Juan Andrés, also called Andrew, was born while Sandoval was still living with her husband. When it was known that the baby was the son of Kinkead, Sandoval moved out of the house and lived with Kinkead. Suazo died in 1844. Sandoval and Kinkead followed buffalo herds on the plains and captured newborn calves. They were in danger of attack from the buffalo and Native Americans. Sandoval was known for her courage. Once they were about a year old, they were sold in Missouri for $100 each. He sold 44 buffalo in the spring of 1842. Sandoval and Kinkead were among the founders of El Pueblo trading post, the present Pueblo, Colorado. interacting with Native Americans, trappers, residents, businessmen, and famous American West characters. Goods traded at the fort included buffalo fur and leather, food, jewelry, and tools. The life included hard work and defense against Native Americans who defended their ancestral hunting grounds. Two of Sandoval's daughters were married at a young age. Juana was married before her 15th birthday to George Simpson by November 1842; Cruz married Joseph Doyle.

Alexander Barclay Later, around 1843, Sandoval met Alexander Barclay, a British trader. In 1844, Sandoval, a 33-year-old grandmother, moved with Barkley to Hardscrabble, where Barclay and Sandoval's son-in-laws built the settlement. Sandoval helped establish the settlement at Hardscrabble and Greenhorn. At Hardscrabble, they operated a store, raised horses and cows, and grew crops. Native Americans and wolves depleted their stock, and they had difficulty with most of their crops. Kinkead had moved to California with their son, Juan.

Prior to 1848, when the Mexican–American War ended, Mexican law allowed women to inherit and purchase land and livestock, to share ownership with their husbands, to establish their own businesses, and to begin divorce proceedings. After 1848, the new United States laws deprived women of these rights.

Doyle Settlement

In 1853, or after Barclay's death in 1855, She died in 1894 and is buried at Plaza Cemetery, Pueblo, Colorado.