Francisco Torralbo
Encyclopedia
Francisco Torralbo y Robles (c. 1740 – May 15, 1795), acting governor of Puerto Rico, brigadier general, King's Lieutenant of Puerto Rico.
He served as Spanish governor of Puerto Rico
on two occasions, 1789 and 1792–1793, both ad interim. The first occasion occurred after governor Juan Dabán y Busterino was recalled to Spain; the second was similarly a consequence of governor Miguel Antonio de Ustariz's return to the Peninsula
following his physical indisposition, a permanent replacement would be, in effect, Field Marshal Ramón de Castro, owing to the sudden death in Mexico of the Crown's original choice, Brigadier General Enrique de Grimarest, which occurred after his appointment but before he could assume the post. During his interimships Torralbo dealt with the consequences of the ongoing French Revolution
, especially through its manifestations on the neighboring French colonies of Saint Domingue and Martinique
. After retiring Torralbo spent the remainder of his life in Puerto Rico and was buried in the Chapel of San Vicente Ferrer
of the Convent of the Predicators in San Juan.
Colonel Francisco Torralbo was born in the Principality of Catalonia
. He was the legitimate son of Alfonso (Alonso) Torralbo, infantry captain in the Regiment of Murcia
, and Apolonia Robles, he entered into marriage with Teresa Valenciano y Pimentel in 1763 and had issue, among whom Juana Josefa de la Luz de Torralbo y Valenciano, who in turn married Colonel Rafael Conti y Flores
, defender of Aguadilla against a British invasion in 1797.
He served as Spanish governor of Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
on two occasions, 1789 and 1792–1793, both ad interim. The first occasion occurred after governor Juan Dabán y Busterino was recalled to Spain; the second was similarly a consequence of governor Miguel Antonio de Ustariz's return to the Peninsula
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
following his physical indisposition, a permanent replacement would be, in effect, Field Marshal Ramón de Castro, owing to the sudden death in Mexico of the Crown's original choice, Brigadier General Enrique de Grimarest, which occurred after his appointment but before he could assume the post. During his interimships Torralbo dealt with the consequences of the ongoing French Revolution
French Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
, especially through its manifestations on the neighboring French colonies of Saint Domingue and Martinique
Martinique
Martinique is an island in the eastern Caribbean Sea, with a land area of . Like Guadeloupe, it is an overseas region of France, consisting of a single overseas department. To the northwest lies Dominica, to the south St Lucia, and to the southeast Barbados...
. After retiring Torralbo spent the remainder of his life in Puerto Rico and was buried in the Chapel of San Vicente Ferrer
Vincent Ferrer
Saint Vincent Ferrer was a Valencian Dominican missionary and logician.-Early life:Vincent was the fourth child of the Anglo-Scottish nobleman William Stewart Ferrer and his Spanish wife, Constantia Miguel. Legends surround his birth...
of the Convent of the Predicators in San Juan.
Colonel Francisco Torralbo was born in the Principality of Catalonia
Principality of Catalonia
The Principality of Catalonia , is a historic territory in the northeastern Iberian Peninsula, mostly in Spain and with an adjoining portion in southern France....
. He was the legitimate son of Alfonso (Alonso) Torralbo, infantry captain in the Regiment of Murcia
Murcia
-History:It is widely believed that Murcia's name is derived from the Latin words of Myrtea or Murtea, meaning land of Myrtle , although it may also be a derivation of the word Murtia, which would mean Murtius Village...
, and Apolonia Robles, he entered into marriage with Teresa Valenciano y Pimentel in 1763 and had issue, among whom Juana Josefa de la Luz de Torralbo y Valenciano, who in turn married Colonel Rafael Conti y Flores
Rafael Conti
Colonel Rafael Conti, also spelled "Conty" was a Puerto Rican who joined the Spanish Army and was placed in charge of the Puerto Rican Militia in the town of Aguadilla. In 1790, he captured 11 enemy ships involved in smuggling stolen goods. In 1797, he helped defeat Sir Ralph Abercromby and defend...
, defender of Aguadilla against a British invasion in 1797.
External links
- Puerto Rico Encyclopedia http://www.enciclopediapr.org/ing/article.cfm?ref=08121102
- Genealogical Study (in Spanish) http://www.preb.com/geneal/contiech.htm
- Familias de Cabo Rojo http://books.google.com/books?id=lhEaAAAAIAAJ&q=%22alfonso+torralbo%22&dq=%22alfonso+torralbo%22&hl=en&ei=tiJ3TI_cHIL68Ablt4DDBw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCUQ6AEwAA