An exploration of women's involvement in the Latin American Wars of Independence

Paula Jara Quemada (Jaraquemada)

Gender:Female

Ethnic origen: White

Events:

Connections:

Biography:
After he had been defeated at the Battle of Cancha Rayada in 1818, San Martín was met by a strange group of horsemen led by Jara mounted on an energetic horse. She had heard of the patriots' defeat and rounded up all the tenants and neighbours of her Hacienda del Paine and, with her children beside her, led them to meet the defeated troops. She gave them food and lodging at her hacienda, and provided them with horses. They regrouped to form a new army.

Years later, a persecuted patriot, one of her oldest and most estimated friends, arrived at her house seeking refuge. With him was a 6 year old boy (Manuel Montt). She let them in without considering the danger to herself. The next morning a group of Spanish soldiers arrived seeking provisions. She refused to allow them in. The commander then ordered his troops to fire. She stood firm, with their bayonets almost touching her, and the troops refused to shoot her. The commander then ordered them to set fire to her house. Seeing the flames in the brazier, she said, there, the flames are ready for you. The commander and his troops retired. After the war Jara was dedicated exclusively to charitable works, trying to liberate the oppressed from misery. (Weeks, 178-179; Grez, 85-87.)

In 1826, Adriana Montt wrote to her son reminding him of this story. (Vergara Quiroz, 161)

A Chilean aristocrat who was an active participant in the Independence struggles and took part in "philanthropic activities" after Independence was achieved. (Knaster, 18, 503)

A street in Temuco bears her name.

References:

Grez, Vicente (1966) Las mujeres de la independencia
Knaster, Meri (1977) Women in Spanish America: An Annotated Bibliography from Pre-Conquest to Contemporary Times
Vergara Quiroz, Sergio (1987) Cartas de mujeres en Chile, 1630-1885
Weeks, Elsie (1940) Great Chilean Women