Generations at the Table
Biographies:
Anna (de Freitas Martins) Trigueiro
Anna (de Freitas Martins) Trigueiro was born in August of 1885 in Flores in the Azores Islands of Portugal.[1]
In 1907, at the age of 22, she married Manuel Trigueiro. Manuel, who was born in the Azores Islands[2] in 1862,[3] immigrated to the United States in 1880 at the age of 18.[4] He first started working on farms on the east coast before making his way to California and then Nevada[2], where he became a naturalized citizen in 1902[4]. In 1907, he travelled back to Portugal to marry Anna. He returned to his sheep farm in Nevada with her, where they resided until he sold it in 1909. They then made their way to the Santa Maria Valley, where Miguel purchased 200 acres from the Union Sugar Company[2] southeast of town.[5] Manuel retired around 1918.[3] Though the couple initially lived on the farm,[6] they moved into the town of Santa Maria to a home on 717 S Broadway[7] the same year.[8]
Manuel died unexpectedly in 1938 at the age of 76[3]. Anna became involved in her community with a strong membership in the Catholic church[9] as well as societies tied to her Portuguese heritage,[10] such as S.P.R.S.I.[11] and U.P.P.E.C.[12] She also benefited from having plenty of family and friends in the area who more than filled her social calendar.[13] [14] [15]
Anna’s loyalty and service to the Catholic church culminated in 1956 when she received a special commendation from Pope Pius XII. In December of 1955, Anna welcomed Bishop Sebastiao Soares de Resenda into her home over the Christmas holiday. The Bishop was taking a break from serving in Mozambique to travel the U.S. in search of donors for a mission to combat the rise of communism in his African diocese. Anna was clearly impressed with his work, and that of the church, and subsequently made a sizable donation to their effort, which was slated in part to purchase a printing press.[16]
Anna passed away in February of 1967 in her home on S Broadway. She had apparently been ill for some time.[1] While she never remarried or had children, she left behind a sizable extended family and an incredible legacy of devoted religious service.
Then vs. Now
Santa Maria CA
Around 1910, Manuel and Anna moved to the Santa Maria area after selling their sheep ranch in Nevada and purchased 200 acres of land from the Union Sugar company southeast of town. This property appears to have been located off of Stowell Rd.[17] In 1913, Manuel purchased an additional 255 acres of land in the Huasna Valley, which is north of Santa Maria,[18] though there is no indication that they would have ever lived on that property.
Santa Maria CA
In 1918, Manuel and Anna moved into a home at 717 S Broadway, which brought them out of the country and into the heart of town. The 700 block of S Broadway is located just north of the Santa Maria Inn and is now all commercial buildings, mainly restaurants and a motel. There is currently no number 717. (Google Maps)
Citations
[1] Anna F. Trigueiro Obituary. Santa Maria Times, 24 February 1967, pg 10
[2] Mrs. Annie L. Morrison & John H. Haydon. “History of San Luis Obispo County and Environs.” Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1917, pg 1023
[3] “Resident Here for 29 Years Dies, Aged 76.” Santa Maria Times, 6 June 1938, pg 2
[4] “U.S., Passport Applications, 1795-1925”, entry for Manuel Jose Trigueiro, 31 October 1912, Ancestry.com, www.ancestry.com (accessed 4 January 2025)
[5] “Daily Notes.” Santa Maria Times, 20 April 1932, pg 2
[6] 1910 U.S. Census, population schedule, Township 7, Santa Barbara County, California, Enumeration District [ED] 183, sheet 26A, dwelling 546, family 584, Manuel J. Trigueiro household; National Archives & Records Administration publication T624, digital image, Ancestry.com, http://www.ancestry.com (accessed 4 January 2025).
[7] 1920 U.S. Census, population schedule, Santa Maria District 4, Santa Barbara County, California, Enumeration District [ED] 113, sheet 2B, dwelling 42, family 45, Manuel J. Trigueiro household; National Archives & Records Administration publication T625, digital image, Ancestry.com, http://www.ancestry.com (accessed 4 January 2025).
[8] “Paragraphs of the Past.” Santa Maria Times, 28 October 1943, pg 4
[9] “Catholics Enjoy Evening Bridge Party.” Santa Maria Times, 22 November 1935, pg 3
[10] “Pentecostal Parade, Observance Sunday.” Santa Maria Times, 18 May 1956, pg 1
[11] “Anna Brass Installed as Lodge President; State Head Visits.” Santa Maria Times, 20 June 1935, pg 3
[12] “Mrs. Trigueiro is New President.” Santa Maria Times, 10 June 1935, pg 3
[13] “Bridal Shower Honors Miss Dorothye Abatti.” Santa Maria Times, 14 December 1949, pg 5
[14] “Guadalupe News.” Santa Maria Times, 29 December 1949, pg 6
[15] “Luncheon Farewell is Given Father Gomes.” Santa Maria Times, 11 September 1956, pg 4
[16] “Medal, Scroll Acknowledges Gift to Church.” Santa Maria Times, 15 July 1956, pg 5
[17] “Tractors in California.” Santa Maria Times, 31 October 1930, pg 8
[18] “25 Years Ago.” Santa Maria Times, 17 October 1938, pg 4
Notes
Illustrations on this site are not actual representations of the individuals written about, their homes, or anything else factual.
Exact addresses are not included for any place that appears to be, or could potentially be, in current use as a personal residence.
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