Juan Leal
Encyclopedia
Juan Leal Goraz was the founder and first Mayor of San Antonio. His family settled by order of the Spanish crown in San Antonio in 1731, together with other families. He had become the most important member of the community in his early years in San Antonio, since he became the leader and spokesman of the new settlers. Juan Leal ruled San Antonio between 1731 and 1732, and regained power in 1735.
, in Lanzarote
(Canary Islands
, Spain
). He was the son of Antonio Goraz and Maria Peres. Juan Leal Goraz was councilor of the municipality of Teguise, Lanzarote
. He was the first Canarian
councilor in responding the Spanish crown, who was decided export to ten or eleven families from the Canary Islands to Villa de San Fernando, San Antonio, due to the alleged threat by the French Louisiana
. He decided to enlist seven families of the ten who would participate on the journey. On March 27, 1730, Juan Leal and the other families went from Santa Cruz de Tenerife
, where a colonial judge appointed the oldest male, among them Leal Goraz as their leader, on the boat "Santísima Trinidad y Nuestra Señora del Rosario" and headed for Veracruz
, via Havana
. The first impression that these Canarian were unaccustomed to travel was that the ship in relation to the distance they would go was very small. When the group of Canary Islanders who were in the boat suffered confusion and panic time beat Juan Leal's serenity group which was the first sign of leadership that would last until San Antonio. Also, he made decisions that were not always accepted by all who sailed with him to Texas, but finally accepted by them as the only solution to problems. They arrived in Havana on May 10 and were greeted by Governor of Havana that he was aware of his arrival by a firm that had sent the Mayor of Commerce Don Bartolomé de Casabuena. Here they remained some time. On July 9, the "Santísima Trinidad y Nuestra Señora del Rosario" forged their way to Veracruz where they were for thirteen days. From this city, across a few cities, they turned first to Cuautitlán Izcalli
, a town northwest of Mexico City
, where they received food, shelter, clothes, etc., but Juan Leal requested to give more and better transportation and tools, for which the people moved to the City of Mexico to talk with the Viceroy, who was committed to providing more resources for the trip. Juan Leal is appointed and the guide Duval heads the group responsible for solving the problems that arise. In november 14, 1730, Juan Leal told the mayor of San Luis de Potosí, city in which they were now that four men who that accompanied them to San Antonio had fled and stole money, clothes and horses, making the mayor sent soldiers in pursuit. However, days later, after the arrest of men, the Mayor of San Luis de Potosi, spoke to Juan Leal and told him that if he was responsible for them, he would him release for that they to accompany them to the caravan. He accepted. The fact that Juan Leal lead to the four canaries handcuffed back to the caravan and did not respond to them in the Municipality of San Luis was the source of many problems that arose between the Canarian families, once established in San Antonio. So days after this, Juan Leal gave them a loan to the fugitives, who were not returned until later when Juan Leal forced him. After passing through of others many towns and cities, they finally reached the Presidio
of San Antonio on the morning of March 9, 1731, after eight months of caravan and almost a year since they left the port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife
to Texas
.
and mayor of the city. Since they left Tenerife
, he had become the group leader. Once the Canarian people settled in the city, Leal found it had problems due to clashes with the Franciscan
mission of San Antonio and the military who questioned the prison and were opposed to the Canarian founded the city in the mediations of the area where they had incluence, and the intention of the missionaries to distribute to the Canarian people for all missions in that territory. Because of these problems and his decision to find a city in Texas, (since this was the reason that the Canaries were established in this location), he traveled from San Antonio to Mexico
to talk to Juan de Acuña, marqués de Casafuerte
to give appropriate orders to the Captain Almazan and thereby ensure the recognition of the council who had constituted the new settlers in Texas as the greatest power of it, achieving success in their mission. In addition, to give him the necessary instructions for how to run the council. The Viceroy, again assisted by Brigadier Rivera, sent clear orders to the captain of the presidio to recognize and respect the will of the Cabildo. Therefore, Leal succeeded in establishing, and finally, the city had all new families. Under Leal's leadership, the colonists twice petitioned the Viceroy to conscript the mission for Indians to work their lands. They further insisted that the missionaries keep to their ecclesiastical duties and be prohibited from trade or agricultural expansion because the latter was not their calling and was prejudicial to the colonists. The Viceroy declined both petitions. The following year, he took over as mayor Antonio de los Santos, but in 1735, Juan Leal returned to power.
In that year, Leal was also appointed regidor de cano, or councilman, to the villa. From the council he was later appointed for life as first Mayor. His leadership was seldom tempered with wisdom or tolerance, however, a fact that quickly won him enemies among the military, the clergy, and even his fellow colonists. The following year, he was replaced as mayor by Antonio de los Santos again.
Although his government was positive in Texas, he had some clashes with other Islanders Texas. He first of canaries with whom he had problems was Vicente Álvarez Travieso
, to which a loan he was to reclaim in the court when they arrived to Coahuila, because previously he had given him a loan in San Luis Potosi and Alvarez Travieso not returned him in deadline. This fact and the distribution of land lots, and that was where John Leal chose the last one and therefore the worst, was a trigger for a series of lawsuits and claims with other families like the Travieso, the curvelo it, the Padrón, the Santos, etc ... (opposition) that developed between 1732 and 1735.
Juan Leal Goraz died in the Villa de San Fernando in March 1742 or 1743 in San Antonio, Texas. The remains of this first mayor of San Antonio rests in the Catholic Cathedral of San Fernando
. Currently, some of their descendants still live in San Antonio, as the case of John O. Leal, president of the Canary Islands Descendants Association of San Antonio, Texas.
According to the University of Our Lady of the Lake (Universidad de Nuestra Señora del Lago), he married Lucía (Catarina) Hernández in Lanzarote
, and they had four children: Juan "El Mozo" Leal (born 1700), José Leal (born 1708), Vicente Leal, Catarina Leal (1714–1794) y Bernardo Leal (1717–1751), but Lucia Hernández, weakened by the rigors of travel to San Antonio ill and died, along with other canaries, so then he married María Melano, who bore him three children: Juan Leal Goraz, Jr., Bernardo Leal y Leal Catrina.
Early life and first actions as leader
Juan Leal Goraz (or Gonzal) was born in 1676 in the city of TeguiseTeguise, Las Palmas
Teguise is a Canarian municipality and town in the north-central and the eastern portion of the island of Lanzarote in the Las Palmas province in the Canary Islands The population is 14,214 , its density is 53.84/km² and the area is 263.98 km². The town population is around 3,000...
, in Lanzarote
Lanzarote
Lanzarote , a Spanish island, is the easternmost of the autonomous Canary Islands, in the Atlantic Ocean, approximately 125 km off the coast of Africa and 1,000 km from the Iberian Peninsula. Covering 845.9 km2, it stands as the fourth largest of the islands...
(Canary Islands
Canary Islands
The Canary Islands , also known as the Canaries , is a Spanish archipelago located just off the northwest coast of mainland Africa, 100 km west of the border between Morocco and the Western Sahara. The Canaries are a Spanish autonomous community and an outermost region of the European Union...
, Spain
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...
). He was the son of Antonio Goraz and Maria Peres. Juan Leal Goraz was councilor of the municipality of Teguise, Lanzarote
Lanzarote
Lanzarote , a Spanish island, is the easternmost of the autonomous Canary Islands, in the Atlantic Ocean, approximately 125 km off the coast of Africa and 1,000 km from the Iberian Peninsula. Covering 845.9 km2, it stands as the fourth largest of the islands...
. He was the first Canarian
Canarian people
The Canarians are an ethnic group living in the archipelago of the Canary Islands , near the coast of Western Africa...
councilor in responding the Spanish crown, who was decided export to ten or eleven families from the Canary Islands to Villa de San Fernando, San Antonio, due to the alleged threat by the French Louisiana
French Louisiana
The term French Louisiana refers to two distinct regions:* first, to colonial French Louisiana, comprising the massive, middle section of North America claimed by France; and,...
. He decided to enlist seven families of the ten who would participate on the journey. On March 27, 1730, Juan Leal and the other families went from Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the capital , second-most populous city of the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands and the 21st largest city in Spain, with a population of 222,417 in 2009...
, where a colonial judge appointed the oldest male, among them Leal Goraz as their leader, on the boat "Santísima Trinidad y Nuestra Señora del Rosario" and headed for Veracruz
Veracruz
Veracruz, formally Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave , is one of the 31 states that, along with the Federal District, comprise the 32 federative entities of Mexico. It is divided in 212 municipalities and its capital city is...
, via Havana
Havana
Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous...
. The first impression that these Canarian were unaccustomed to travel was that the ship in relation to the distance they would go was very small. When the group of Canary Islanders who were in the boat suffered confusion and panic time beat Juan Leal's serenity group which was the first sign of leadership that would last until San Antonio. Also, he made decisions that were not always accepted by all who sailed with him to Texas, but finally accepted by them as the only solution to problems. They arrived in Havana on May 10 and were greeted by Governor of Havana that he was aware of his arrival by a firm that had sent the Mayor of Commerce Don Bartolomé de Casabuena. Here they remained some time. On July 9, the "Santísima Trinidad y Nuestra Señora del Rosario" forged their way to Veracruz where they were for thirteen days. From this city, across a few cities, they turned first to Cuautitlán Izcalli
Cuautitlán Izcalli
Cuautitlán Izcalli is a city and municipality in Mexico State, Mexico. The name comes from Náhuatl and means 'your house between the trees.' -City and municipal seat:...
, a town northwest of Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
, where they received food, shelter, clothes, etc., but Juan Leal requested to give more and better transportation and tools, for which the people moved to the City of Mexico to talk with the Viceroy, who was committed to providing more resources for the trip. Juan Leal is appointed and the guide Duval heads the group responsible for solving the problems that arise. In november 14, 1730, Juan Leal told the mayor of San Luis de Potosí, city in which they were now that four men who that accompanied them to San Antonio had fled and stole money, clothes and horses, making the mayor sent soldiers in pursuit. However, days later, after the arrest of men, the Mayor of San Luis de Potosi, spoke to Juan Leal and told him that if he was responsible for them, he would him release for that they to accompany them to the caravan. He accepted. The fact that Juan Leal lead to the four canaries handcuffed back to the caravan and did not respond to them in the Municipality of San Luis was the source of many problems that arose between the Canarian families, once established in San Antonio. So days after this, Juan Leal gave them a loan to the fugitives, who were not returned until later when Juan Leal forced him. After passing through of others many towns and cities, they finally reached the Presidio
Presidio
A presidio is a fortified base established by the Spanish in North America between the sixteenth and nineteenth centuries. The fortresses were built to protect against pirates, hostile native Americans and enemy colonists. Other presidios were held by Spain in the sixteenth and seventeenth...
of San Antonio on the morning of March 9, 1731, after eight months of caravan and almost a year since they left the port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the capital , second-most populous city of the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands and the 21st largest city in Spain, with a population of 222,417 in 2009...
to Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
.
Texas Life
On August 31, 1731, Leal was elected RegidorRegidor
A Regidor is a member of a council of municipalities in Spain and Latin America. Portugal also used to have the same office of Regedor.-Mexico:...
and mayor of the city. Since they left Tenerife
Tenerife
Tenerife is the largest and most populous island of the seven Canary Islands, it is also the most populated island of Spain, with a land area of 2,034.38 km² and 906,854 inhabitants, 43% of the total population of the Canary Islands. About five million tourists visit Tenerife each year, the...
, he had become the group leader. Once the Canarian people settled in the city, Leal found it had problems due to clashes with the Franciscan
Franciscan
Most Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
mission of San Antonio and the military who questioned the prison and were opposed to the Canarian founded the city in the mediations of the area where they had incluence, and the intention of the missionaries to distribute to the Canarian people for all missions in that territory. Because of these problems and his decision to find a city in Texas, (since this was the reason that the Canaries were established in this location), he traveled from San Antonio to Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
to talk to Juan de Acuña, marqués de Casafuerte
Juan de Acuña, marqués de Casafuerte
Juan de Acuña y Bejarano, 2nd Marquis of Casa Fuerte was a Spanish military officer and viceroy of New Spain.-Background:...
to give appropriate orders to the Captain Almazan and thereby ensure the recognition of the council who had constituted the new settlers in Texas as the greatest power of it, achieving success in their mission. In addition, to give him the necessary instructions for how to run the council. The Viceroy, again assisted by Brigadier Rivera, sent clear orders to the captain of the presidio to recognize and respect the will of the Cabildo. Therefore, Leal succeeded in establishing, and finally, the city had all new families. Under Leal's leadership, the colonists twice petitioned the Viceroy to conscript the mission for Indians to work their lands. They further insisted that the missionaries keep to their ecclesiastical duties and be prohibited from trade or agricultural expansion because the latter was not their calling and was prejudicial to the colonists. The Viceroy declined both petitions. The following year, he took over as mayor Antonio de los Santos, but in 1735, Juan Leal returned to power.
In that year, Leal was also appointed regidor de cano, or councilman, to the villa. From the council he was later appointed for life as first Mayor. His leadership was seldom tempered with wisdom or tolerance, however, a fact that quickly won him enemies among the military, the clergy, and even his fellow colonists. The following year, he was replaced as mayor by Antonio de los Santos again.
Although his government was positive in Texas, he had some clashes with other Islanders Texas. He first of canaries with whom he had problems was Vicente Álvarez Travieso
Vicente Álvarez Travieso
Vicente Álvarez Travieso was the first alguacil mayor of San Antonio, Texas, whose office was held until his death. He was one of the people who contributed most to the community of the isleños of San Antonio because, through of their demands to the leaders of New Spain was able to improve the...
, to which a loan he was to reclaim in the court when they arrived to Coahuila, because previously he had given him a loan in San Luis Potosi and Alvarez Travieso not returned him in deadline. This fact and the distribution of land lots, and that was where John Leal chose the last one and therefore the worst, was a trigger for a series of lawsuits and claims with other families like the Travieso, the curvelo it, the Padrón, the Santos, etc ... (opposition) that developed between 1732 and 1735.
Juan Leal Goraz died in the Villa de San Fernando in March 1742 or 1743 in San Antonio, Texas. The remains of this first mayor of San Antonio rests in the Catholic Cathedral of San Fernando
Cathedral of San Fernando
The Cathedral of San Fernando is a cathedral of the Roman Catholic Church located in San Antonio, Texas, in the United States. It is the mother church of the Archdiocese of San Antonio and the seat of its archbishop. The cathedral is also known as the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria y...
. Currently, some of their descendants still live in San Antonio, as the case of John O. Leal, president of the Canary Islands Descendants Association of San Antonio, Texas.
Personal life
Records of the arriving settlers described Leal as "tall, long faced, blind in the left eye, with thick black beard and hair, dark complexion, sharp nose, and light gray eyes." Though reasonably intelligent and moderately literate, he was plagued with nearsightedness in his remaining eye, which restricted him greatly in his public duties. He boastfully referred to himself as "Spaniard," "principal settler," "regidor for his majesty," and various other titles accorded to him. Still, most looked upon Leal as a small farmer and petty justice of a minor settlement. His inflated sense of pride was shared by his fellow colonists, as demonstrated in their childish, continual, and often impertinent demands to the viceroy.According to the University of Our Lady of the Lake (Universidad de Nuestra Señora del Lago), he married Lucía (Catarina) Hernández in Lanzarote
Lanzarote
Lanzarote , a Spanish island, is the easternmost of the autonomous Canary Islands, in the Atlantic Ocean, approximately 125 km off the coast of Africa and 1,000 km from the Iberian Peninsula. Covering 845.9 km2, it stands as the fourth largest of the islands...
, and they had four children: Juan "El Mozo" Leal (born 1700), José Leal (born 1708), Vicente Leal, Catarina Leal (1714–1794) y Bernardo Leal (1717–1751), but Lucia Hernández, weakened by the rigors of travel to San Antonio ill and died, along with other canaries, so then he married María Melano, who bore him three children: Juan Leal Goraz, Jr., Bernardo Leal y Leal Catrina.
External links
- Sixteen Families of the Canary Islands
- http://bexargenealogy.com/islanders/leal.html. The Leal family.
- http://www.corporationwiki.com/Texas/San-Antonio/canary-islands-descendants-association-of-san-antonio-texas/31408099.aspx. Canary Islands Descendants Association of San Antonio, Texas.