03/27/2025
As Women’s History Month draws to a close, I must recognize the remarkable Indigenous woman named Espiritu Chijulla. She was a Chumash/Gabrielino-Tonga Native American, born in 1836, raised in San Fernando, and baptized in the San Fernando Mission. A courageous woman, a head of her time, a Spanish-speaking Native American, she became the common law wife of a basque farmer named Miguel Leonis, also known as “The King of Calabasas” later in life due to his extensive land ownership and influence in the area. She lived as Miguel Leonis’ common-law wife for almost 30 years until his untimely death in 1889. He left the bulk of his estate and landholdings, estimated to be $300,000, to French relatives. He left Espiritu $10,000, half in cash and half in investments to be distributed over time, which she would only receive if she did not contest his will. Well, she did, and after sixteen years, in 1905, in a landmark decision, she won her case and spent the remainder of her life comfortably living on her property. Her pioneering victory was a groundbreaking feat for the period. Unfortunately, she passed away seven months later, on May 10, 1906. She is buried on the Mission San Fernando Rey de España grounds. Espiritu, we honor you 💗
To learn more about this amazing woman’s life visit the Leonis Adobe Museum in Calabasas.
