I just found a Refugio Acosta listed in the 1860 census of Santa Fe, NM. She is listed as b. in Mexico in 1843. There is also a Francisca Acosta b. Mexico 1845. They were pupils at the Female Academy in Santa Fe. Try googling "Female Academy" and "Santa Fe, NM" to see if there is anything on the web about that institution. If not, try the NM Historical Society. It is highly unlikely that there are stilll records,but you might find out a little about what sort of education young ladies received back then. Have you ever tried the Acosta family message boards or the Chihuahua boards?