Five Views: An Ethnic Historic Site Survey for California

Contents

Introduction
A.M.E. Church
Education
Industry
Farming
Business
Associations
Noted Individuals

Historic Sites
Selected References

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Lower Presidio Hill
Presidio of Monterey, Monterey County

Alex Nino, a free single man, was reportedly the first Black to be buried in Alta California under Spanish rule. He was buried in an unmarked grave at the Presidio of Monterey, somewhere on lower Presidio Hill at the approximate site of Father Junipero Serra's first mass. Presidio Hill is located on a grassy knoll above Monterey Bay, and was the early site of El Castillo, a Spanish fortification.

Nino's death, recorded by Father Serra in the beginning of the First Book of Deaths, Partida No. 1, occurred June 2, 1770, "aboard a packet-boat of His Majesty, the San Antonio, alias 'El Principe' when at the shore of this port" (San Carlos de Monterey). Nino, a boat caulker, received the Holy Sacraments of Penance and Extreme Unction before being buried June 3 on a hill overlooking Monterey Bay. The unmarked grave is in the vicinity of Father Serra's monument.

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Last Modified: Wed, Nov 17 2004 10:00:00 pm PDT
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