Andres Almonaster y Rojas
Encyclopedia
Don Andres Almonaster y Rojas (sometimes also Almonester and Roxas) (born Mairena del Alcor
, June 19, 1728; died New Orleans
, April 25, 1798) was a Spanish civil servant of New Orleans, today chiefly remembered for his numerous charitable benefactions to the city.
Born of a noble Andalusia
n family, he came to Louisiana in the early days of the Spanish rule there, and was appointed escribano publico or notary public
. As Grace King
puts it, it was "an office rich in salary, perquisites, and business opportunities. He soon acquired wealth in it, or through it." Among his investments was a large tract of land downtown, purchased from Governor O'Reilly on perpetual lease.
He became an alcalde or municipal counsellor, and afterwards bought the office of alferez real or royal standard bearer. He was an old man when he married Louise de la Ronde, a young white French Creole
girl, in the parish church of New Orleans, in 1787, the year before it was destroyed by fire.
He provided the funds for building New Orleans new parish Church, in which he is buried. This Cathedral was dedicated in 1794 and not pulled down as some sources might say. In 1849 the Church was badly damaged due to the removal of supports which led to the collapse of the center tower. This led to the 1850s remodeled structure as we know it today. Don Andres' still lies in the Cathedral, entombed in the floor with one of his daughters. After the fire of 1788, he built at his own expense a public school for the city, as well as the house for the use of the clergy and the charity hospital at the then very considerable cost of $114,000. He rebuilt the town hall and the Cabildo, the buildings on either side of the cathedral, the hospital, the boys' school, a chapel for the Ursulines, and he founded the Leper Hospital.
New Orleans' Almonaster Road
is named in his honor.
Mairena del Alcor
Mairena del Alcor is a city located in the province of Seville, Spain. According to the 2007 census, the city has a population of 18.710 inhabitants.-External links:** - Sistema de Información Multiterritorial de Andalucía...
, June 19, 1728; died New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
, April 25, 1798) was a Spanish civil servant of New Orleans, today chiefly remembered for his numerous charitable benefactions to the city.
Born of a noble Andalusia
Andalusia
Andalusia is the most populous and the second largest in area of the autonomous communities of Spain. The Andalusian autonomous community is officially recognised as a nationality of Spain. The territory is divided into eight provinces: Huelva, Seville, Cádiz, Córdoba, Málaga, Jaén, Granada and...
n family, he came to Louisiana in the early days of the Spanish rule there, and was appointed escribano publico or notary public
Notary public
A notary public in the common law world is a public officer constituted by law to serve the public in non-contentious matters usually concerned with estates, deeds, powers-of-attorney, and foreign and international business...
. As Grace King
Grace King
Grace Elizabeth King was an American author of Louisiana stories, history, and biography, and a leader in historical and literary activities.-Biography:...
puts it, it was "an office rich in salary, perquisites, and business opportunities. He soon acquired wealth in it, or through it." Among his investments was a large tract of land downtown, purchased from Governor O'Reilly on perpetual lease.
He became an alcalde or municipal counsellor, and afterwards bought the office of alferez real or royal standard bearer. He was an old man when he married Louise de la Ronde, a young white French Creole
Louisiana Creole people
Louisiana Creole people refers to those who are descended from the colonial settlers in Louisiana, especially those of French and Spanish descent. The term was first used during colonial times by the settlers to refer to those who were born in the colony, as opposed to those born in the Old World...
girl, in the parish church of New Orleans, in 1787, the year before it was destroyed by fire.
He provided the funds for building New Orleans new parish Church, in which he is buried. This Cathedral was dedicated in 1794 and not pulled down as some sources might say. In 1849 the Church was badly damaged due to the removal of supports which led to the collapse of the center tower. This led to the 1850s remodeled structure as we know it today. Don Andres' still lies in the Cathedral, entombed in the floor with one of his daughters. After the fire of 1788, he built at his own expense a public school for the city, as well as the house for the use of the clergy and the charity hospital at the then very considerable cost of $114,000. He rebuilt the town hall and the Cabildo, the buildings on either side of the cathedral, the hospital, the boys' school, a chapel for the Ursulines, and he founded the Leper Hospital.
New Orleans' Almonaster Road
Almonaster Road
Almonaster is a four-lane divided road in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States, named after Royal Notary Public Andres Almonaster y Rojas. It forms in the residential neighborhoods of the Upper Ninth Ward by branching off at a Y-type intersection with Franklin Avenue...
is named in his honor.
External links
- Biographical sketch on the official site of his birthplace (in Spanish)
- Biographical sketch by Grace King