Petra's Legacy: A biography of the mother of a South Texas ranching empire

Historical author Jane Clements Monday has profiled Petra Vela de Vidal-Kenedy's life as the matriarch of one of the most important families in Texas's history in her latest book, and will autograph copies at book signings on Nov. 11th in Sarita, and on Nov. 17th in Raymondville.

Clements and co-author Francis Vannen Vick researched and wrote about Petra's early marriage to Mexican Army officer Luis Vidal, and her later marraige to steamboat captain Miflin Kenedy.

Chronicled in the biography are Petra's community and social contributions, along with the events that led up to the establishment of a ranching empire that she and Miflin built together.

The Nov. 11th book signing in Sarita will be held at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Hall from 2 to 4 p.m., and the Nov. 17th signing will be held at the Raymondville Historical Museum and Convention Center at 3:30 p.m.

Petra's early life in the landed ranchero society of Northern Mexico is profiled along with her alliance with Vidal. Petra had eight children with Vidal, and after his death she moved to Texas, where she met and married Kenedy, according to information from the Kenedy ranch Museum.

The story of her life with Kenedy encompasses war, the taming of a frontier, the blending of two cultures, and the origin of their ranching empire. The Kenedy's started a foundation, which still gives millions today to Texas through charitable gifts.

The authors wrote their book about Petra from a woman's perspective. E-mail comments on this story to; robert@raymondvillechroniclenews.com