The Marcondes family had a tradition in public and military service. Among the most outstanding people in that family was colonel Manuel Marcondes de Oliveira Melo, the 1st Baron of Pindamonhangaba and commander of the Guard of Honour of Prince Pedro on the occasion of the Grito do Ipiranga (Cry of Ipiranga) that culminated in the independence of Brazil. Another highlight in the Marcondes family was the counselor Francisco Inácio Marcondes Homem de Melo, the first and only Baron of Homem de Melo, who figured in the Imperial era as a minister, president of several provinces and historian.
