Josefa

by Barbara Schultz

The Lifetime of Maria Josefa Jaramillo Carson, 1828-1868 is an in-depth look into the life and times of Kit Carson’s third and most beloved wife, Maria Josefa Jaramillo Carson. The book examines the frontier conditions of women living in the territories of the American Southwest in the mid-19th century. Kit Carson was one of the most famous frontiersman of the American West even before he met Maria Josefa Jaramillo in Taos, New Mexico in 1842. Josefa was born to a prominent and well-known Taos family. She and Kit lived in Taos from 1843 to 1867. Theirs was a close marriage with seven of their nine children born in the small, three room home which now houses the Kit Carson Home and Museum. Josefa spent much of their time in Taos on her own, as Kit was often away on orders from the military. She was a strong and equal match to Kit. Her life story is one of adventure and confrontation with adversaries and hostile conditions – she was a true pioneer in her own right. Barbara Schultz, a retired educator and author of The Couse Collection of Santos, has generously written this important historic account solely for the benefit of the Kit Carson Museum. All proceeds from the sale of this book will go to the preservation of the Kit and Josefa Carson home in Taos.

Paperback

Published January 1, 2017

Reviews

[JAYNA Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

One thing I really liked about this book is that the author puts this real person’s life in context of what was going on in the world around her. For instance, when she talks about her ninth birth of a child. The author gives the context of who would have attended the birth, what in the traditions and practices around the birth of a new child in that time period and place would’ve been. Adds interest and understanding for me.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating book about the life of Kit Carson's third wife, Josefa. I became interested after touring the community of Boggsville near La Junta, Colorado. Quite an amazing story and so enlightening when hearing about how she and others like her lived. Full of pictures and many interesting elements.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

While not much is known about Josefa's life specifically, this book gives a great overview of life in Taos in the early to mid 19th century. I enjoyed learning a bit more of how my great-great grandmother, Josefa Jaramillo Carson lived. It was a hard life.