Tomasa de la Quintana Aoiz de Escalada

Other names/titles:
Gender: F
Ethnic origin: White

Biographical details

Born in Buenos Aires in 1766, she was the daughter of Petrona Aoiz y Larrazábal and Ignacio de la Quintana. She married Antonio José de Escalada on 14 June 1788. Their home was a centre of cultural activity and their patriotic tertulias were famous. The decree of 19 May 1812 was decided at one of them. She collected money to buy arms for the patriot troops. San Martín called at her home shortly after arriving in Argentina and met and later married her youngest daughter, Remedios. After Remedios's early death, she looked after her granddaughter until San Martín took her to Europe. She saw her again when she returned in 1833 when she became madrina to Remedios's eldest daughter. She died on 29 July 1841. (Carranza, 90-91, Sosa de Newton, 519)

In 1812 she was among a group of women who sewed uniforms for the patriot army. Several of these offered to buy weapons and they asked that their names be inscribed on them. Their accompanying note (below) was reproduced in the Gaceta Minist in June 1812. (Mitre, Obras completas, VII, 16-17)

This was sent to the Gaceta on 26 June 1812 by Herrera to be published with the extreme thanks of Feliciano Antonio Chiclana, Juan Martín de Pueyrredon and Bernardino Rivadavia. (Carranza, 24)

She was recognised for her renowned beauty and supreme distinction. Her sons Manuel and Mariano Escalada served in the Granaderos á Caballo regiment. (Carranza, 80-81)

Life Events

Born	1766	She was born in Buenos Aires.
Married	1788	She married Antonio José de Escalada on 14 June 1788.
Other	1812	The decree of 19 May 1812 was established at her tertulia.
Other	1812	She offered to buy arms for the patriot troops.
Other	1833	She became madrina to her granddaughter's eldest daughter.
Died	1841	She died on 29 July 1841.