Plates of heavy china, 1846. All used in Mexico or California by early Spanish families. From the History Information Station Object: Teacup made in England, and two soup plates made in Spain. History: These dishes were used in California by Peter and Josefa Castro Davidson in the 1840s. Josefa was the granddaughter of Luis María and María Alviso Peralta. The Peraltas had 17 children, of which only nine reached maturity. One of these children was Josefa's mother, María Trinidad Peralta, who married Mariano de la Cruz Castro, the son of another powerful Californio family. Gift of P. A. Davidson