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Who was Josefa Jaramillo?
Josefa Jaramillo was the third and last wife of the famous American frontiersman and scout, Kit Carson. She was born on March 19, 1828, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, to a wealthy and influential family. She met Carson in Taos in 1842, when he was on an expedition with Colonel John Charles Fremont. They were married on February 6, 1843, after Carson converted to Catholicism to win her father’s approval. She was 15 years old and he was 33.
How did Josefa Jaramillo die?
Josefa Jaramillo died on April 23, 1868, at the age of 40, in Boggsville, Colorado. She died from complications of childbirth, after delivering her eighth child, a daughter named Josefita. According to the Rio Rancho Observer, she suffered from “a severe hemorrhage of the womb” and “bled to death in a few hours”. Her husband, Kit Carson, was devastated by her loss and never recovered from his grief.
What happened to Kit Carson after Josefa Jaramillo’s death?
Kit Carson was already in poor health when Josefa Jaramillo died. He had been wounded several times in his military and scouting career, and suffered from rheumatism, asthma, and a failing eyesight. He also had a ruptured abdominal aneurysm, which caused him constant pain and discomfort. He was unable to attend Josefa’s funeral, as he was bedridden at Fort Lyon, Colorado. He died a month later, on May 23, 1868, at the age of 58. His last words were reportedly, “Adios, compadres” (Goodbye, friends).
What legacy did Josefa Jaramillo and Kit Carson leave behind?
Josefa Jaramillo and Kit Carson left behind a large family of ten children, seven of their own and three adopted from the Native American tribes they lived among. Their children were: Charles Bent Carson, William Carson, Christopher Carson Jr., Rebecca Carson, Josephine Carson, Lillian Carson, Adaline Carson, Sterling Price Carson, Andres Carson, and Josefita Carson. Some of their descendants still live in New Mexico and Colorado today.
Josefa Jaramillo and Kit Carson also left behind a rich history of their involvement in the American West. Josefa Jaramillo was a cultured and educated woman, who spoke several languages and hosted many guests at her home. She was also a devout Catholic, who raised her children in her faith and supported the church in Taos. Kit Carson was a legendary figure, who explored, mapped, fought, and negotiated in the vast territories of the West. He was a friend and ally of many Native American tribes, and a respected officer in the U.S. Army. He was also a humble and modest man, who did not seek fame or fortune for his deeds.
Their lives and deaths were chronicled by many biographers, historians, and journalists, who often exaggerated or romanticized their stories. They were also the subject of many books, movies, and TV shows, which portrayed them as heroes or villains, depending on the perspective. They remain controversial and fascinating characters in the American folklore, and their names are still remembered in many places, such as Carson City, Nevada, and the Kit Carson National Forest in New Mexico.
