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

Rosalia Canoso

Gender:Female

Ethnic origen: Unknown

Events:

Connections:

Biography:
She was born around 1775, and married Ygnacio Hernández, a Spanish widower, in Caracas in 1815. In 1830 she tried to divorce him on the grounds of adultery and abuse. The case was rejected and the following year she used the courts to make him support her and to seek the right to administer her properties. She claimed that he had married her for her wealth and that their marriage was unconsummated. He had tricked her into signing over all her property shortly after their marriage. In 1819 he had fled to Curaçao following the patriots´ victory but had returned in 1830 to reclaim her money. She stated: "After many years, here comes a sworn enemy of the country, who, calling me his wife, did not waste a step to gain possession of my houses. (Díaz, 156)

In 1833, she was ordered by the courts to live in a house over which Hernández had control. She managed to escape. In May 1837 Hernández died and Canoso went to the courts to regain her properties that had been passed on to his children from a previous marriage. (Díaz, 159-160)

References:

Díaz, Arlene J. (2004) Female Citizens, Patriarchs and the Law in Venezuela, 1796-1904