Women and Independence in Latin America An exploration of women's involvement in the Latin American Wars of Independence |
Gender:Female
Ethnic origen: White
Events:
1814? | - | Bogotá | - | Unknown | - | She hosted tertulias at her mansion at various times of the day and night. |
1817 | - | Bogotá | - | Unknown | - | In September 1817 she wrote a note to her daughter, Bárbara Girardot. |
Connections:
Almeyda familyTexts:
1817 - Fragments of letters found in the Archivo Nacional, Fondo Historia anexo
Biography:
She was the mother of the Almeyda family from Bogotá. She and her four daughters were friends with several upper class families that were in favour of independence. They hosted tertulias at their mansion at various times of the day and night. They became closely connected to La Pola's network. (Díaz y Díaz, 29, 39)
In September 1817 part of her family stayed in Bogotá and part was transferred to la Cantera. A note she scribbled at the time has survived. (Díaz y Díaz, 55)
She was interrogated and she and her four daughters were imprisoned for two weeks in September 1817 after being found at the house of Ambrosio and Vicente Almeyda. Officials confiscated the keys to the house. On her release, Sumalave claimed good confiscated from the house were hers and did not belong to her sons. Officials had to return 39 keys to Sumalave. Thus she saved the house. (Díaz y Díaz, 71-73)