Gabriela Barriga Brito de Villavicencio

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

Biographical details

She was baptised on 22 March 1778, Bogotá, a member of the González Manrique, Alvarez, Ricaurte, París, Pardo, Nariño clan. (Monsalve, 139)

An aristocratic woman who participated in the independence activities of 20 July 1810. (Knaster, 482.)

She was among a group of women who marched to the Viceroy's palace, Bogotá, on 20 July 1810. She was the daughter of Dr. Miguel Barriga and Agustina Brito. She was from one of the most notable and richest families in Bogotá, and was the second wife of Juan Esteban Ricaurte (after Villavicencio's death?). The Barriga Brito family was a strong social centre. Gabriela was tall, elegant, with black hair and brilliant eyes, she may have had smallpox scars. She hosted a banquet for the royal Comisario, Antonio Villavicencio (related?). (Monsalve, 84-86)

She was the daughter of Miguel Sánchez Barrida and Agustina Brito y Ricaurte. Her paternal grandparents were José Sánchez Barriga and Isabel de Osorio and her maternal grandparents were Pedro Brito and Gregoria Ricaurte. Her husband, Antonio Villavicencio, was executed by the royalists on 6 June 1816. She was forced to leave Bogotá in 1816, and made to walk to Anolaima where she was kept under the vigilance of the Alcade. (Monsalve, 136-137)

She was probably held in the Cárcel Chiquito before being exiled to Anolaima. (Monsalve, 159)

She was awarded an annual pension of 200 pesos by Bolívar after independence. (Monsalve, 264)

Life Events

Born	1778	She was baptised on 22 March 1778, in Bogotá.
Other	1810	She marched to the Viceroy's palace, Bogotá, on 20 July 1810.
Other	1816	Her husband was executed by the royalists on 6 June 1816 and she was exiled.