List of colonial governors of Florida
Encyclopedia
The colonial governors of Florida governed over Florida
during its colonial period
. The first European to arrive there was Juan Ponce de León
, in 1513, but the governorship did not begin until 1565, when Pedro Menéndez de Avilés
founded St. Augustine
. This district was subordinated to the Viceroyalty of New Spain. In 1763, following the transfer of Florida to Britain, the territory was divided into West Florida
and East Florida
, with separate governors. This division was maintained when Spain resumed control of Florida in 1783, and continued as provincial divisions with the Spanish Constitution of 1812. The Spanish transferred control of Florida to the United States
in 1821, and the organized, incorporated Florida Territory
was established on March 30, 1822. This became the modern State of Florida
on March 3, 1845. For governors of Florida since 1845, see List of Governors of Florida.
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Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
during its colonial period
History of Florida
The history of Florida can be traced back to when the first Native Americans began to inhabit the peninsula as early as 14,000 years ago. Recorded history begins with the arrival of Europeans to Florida, beginning with the Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León, who explored the area in 1513...
. The first European to arrive there was Juan Ponce de León
Juan Ponce de León
Juan Ponce de León was a Spanish explorer. He became the first Governor of Puerto Rico by appointment of the Spanish crown. He led the first European expedition to Florida, which he named...
, in 1513, but the governorship did not begin until 1565, when Pedro Menéndez de Avilés
Pedro Menéndez de Avilés
Pedro Menéndez de Avilés was a Spanish admiral and explorer, best remembered for founding St. Augustine, Florida in 1565. This was the first successful Spanish foothold in La Florida and remained the most significant city in the region for several hundred years. St...
founded St. Augustine
St. Augustine, Florida
St. Augustine is a city in the northeast section of Florida and the county seat of St. Johns County, Florida, United States. Founded in 1565 by Spanish explorer and admiral Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, it is the oldest continuously occupied European-established city and port in the continental United...
. This district was subordinated to the Viceroyalty of New Spain. In 1763, following the transfer of Florida to Britain, the territory was divided into West Florida
West Florida
West Florida was a region on the north shore of the Gulf of Mexico, which underwent several boundary and sovereignty changes during its history. West Florida was first established in 1763 by the British government; as its name suggests it largely consisted of the western portion of the region...
and East Florida
East Florida
East Florida was a colony of Great Britain from 1763–1783 and of Spain from 1783–1822. East Florida was established by the British colonial government in 1763; as its name implies it consisted of the eastern part of the region of Florida, with West Florida comprising the western parts. Its capital...
, with separate governors. This division was maintained when Spain resumed control of Florida in 1783, and continued as provincial divisions with the Spanish Constitution of 1812. The Spanish transferred control of Florida to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1821, and the organized, incorporated Florida Territory
Florida Territory
The Territory of Florida was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from March 30, 1822, until March 3, 1845, when it was admitted to the Union as the State of Florida...
was established on March 30, 1822. This became the modern State of Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
on March 3, 1845. For governors of Florida since 1845, see List of Governors of Florida.
First Spanish period, 1565-1763
| Name | Term | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pedro Menéndez de Avilés Pedro Menéndez de Avilés Pedro Menéndez de Avilés was a Spanish admiral and explorer, best remembered for founding St. Augustine, Florida in 1565. This was the first successful Spanish foothold in La Florida and remained the most significant city in the region for several hundred years. St... |
8 Sep 1565 - 17 Sep 1574 | Founder of St. Augustine St. Augustine, Florida St. Augustine is a city in the northeast section of Florida and the county seat of St. Johns County, Florida, United States. Founded in 1565 by Spanish explorer and admiral Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, it is the oldest continuously occupied European-established city and port in the continental United... and the Florida colonial government |
| Hernando de Miranda | 1575 - 1577 | |
| Pedro Menéndez de Márquez Pedro Menéndez de Márquez Pedro Menendez Márquez , Marqués de Avilés, was an explorer, Spanish conquistador and governor of Florida. He was a nephew of Pedro Menéndez de Avilés.- Biography :... |
1577 - 1589 (acting to 1578) | Beginning of the Timucua Timucua The Timucua were a Native American people who lived in Northeast and North Central Florida and southeast Georgia. They were the largest indigenous group in that area and consisted of about 35 chiefdoms, many leading thousands of people. The various groups of Timucua spoke several dialects of the... missionizations Spanish missions in Florida Beginning in the second half of the 16th century, the Kingdom of Spain established a number of missions throughout la Florida in order to convert the Indians to Christianity, to facilitate control of the area, and to prevent its colonization by other countries, in particular, England and France... |
| Gutierre de Miranda Gutierre de Miranda Gutierre de Miranda was the captain and governor of Castillo de San Marcos and governor of Florida .- Biography :... |
1589 - 1592 | |
| Rodrigo del Junco Rodrigo del Junco Rodrigo del Junco was the governor of Spanish Florida in 1592.Rodrigo Junco was baptized into the Roman church of Santa Maria de Junco, in the council of Ribadesella. He had one brother: Juan del Junco. In a moment previous to 1550, he served to Philip II, of Spain, as an agent of the Kingdom of... |
1592 | |
| Domingo Martínez de Avendaño | 1594 - 1596 | |
| Gonzalo Méndez de Cancio y Donlebún Gonzalo Méndez de Canço Gonzalo Méndez de Canço was a Spanish Admiral and the seventh Governor of Florida , but he was best known for having introduced the cultivation of corn from Florida to Asturias, which turned out to be very important to that province.-Early life:Gonzalo Méndez de Canço y Donlebún was born in 1554... |
1596 - 1603 | |
| Pedro de Ibarra Pedro de Ibarra (governor of La Florida) - Governor of La Florida :Originally from the Basque Country, in 1549 he explored the region in Zamora. In 1603 he was appointed governor of Florida... |
1603 - 1609 | |
| Juan Fernández de Olivera | 1609 - 1613 | |
| Juan Treviño de Guillamas Juan Treviño de Guillamas Juan Treviño de Guillamas Was a Spanish governor of Florida and Venezuela .- Biography :Juan Treviño de Guillamas was born in Avilés, Asturias, Spain. He was the son of Francisco de Treviño and Ana Guillamas y Barriobueno. He was appointed Captain General and governor of Florida in 1613, based... |
1613 - 1618 | |
| Juan de Salinas | 1618 - 1624 | |
| Luis de Rojas y Borja | 1624 - 1630 | |
| Andrés Rodríguez de Villegas Andrés Rodríguez de Villegas Andrés Rodríguez Villegas was the Spanish governor and captain-general of the Province of isla Margarita, Venezuela and governor of Florida .- Biography :... |
1630 - 1633 | |
| Luis de Horruytiner Luis de Horruytiner Don Luis Benedit y Horruitiner was born in Saragossa, Spain. In 1625, he was governor of the Presidio of Cartagena, Colombia, and the July 29, 1633, he was appointed governor of Florida. Luis Benedit left office on November 26, 1638... |
1633 - 1639 | Apalachee Apalachee The Apalachee are a Native American people who historically lived in the Florida Panhandle, and now live primarily in the U.S. state of Louisiana. Their historical territory was known to the Spanish colonists as the Apalachee Province... missions Spanish missions in Florida Beginning in the second half of the 16th century, the Kingdom of Spain established a number of missions throughout la Florida in order to convert the Indians to Christianity, to facilitate control of the area, and to prevent its colonization by other countries, in particular, England and France... established |
| Damián de Vega Castro y Pardo | 1639 - 1645 | |
| Benito Ruíz de Salazar Vallecilla Benito Ruíz de Salazar Vallecilla Benito Ruiz de Salazar was a governor of Spanish Florida twice: from 1645 to 1646 and from 1647 to 1650.Benito Ruiz de Salazar Vallecilla was chosen as royal governor of Florida on April 10, 1645... |
1645 - 1646 | |
| Pedro Horruytiner Benedit Pedro Horruytiner Benedit Pedro Benedit Horruytiner born in Zaragoza, Spain in 1613. He was the son of Gilberto Benedit Horruytiner and Inés Catalán. He was nephew of former Florida Gov. Luis Benedit and Horruitiner. He was acting governor of Florida between 1646 and 1647, regaining office in 1654. He left office the... |
1646 - 1647 | acting |
| Benito Ruíz de Salazar Vallecilla Benito Ruíz de Salazar Vallecilla Benito Ruiz de Salazar was a governor of Spanish Florida twice: from 1645 to 1646 and from 1647 to 1650.Benito Ruiz de Salazar Vallecilla was chosen as royal governor of Florida on April 10, 1645... |
1647 - 1650 | |
| Nicolás Ponce de León Nicolás Ponce de León Nicolas Ponce de Leon Was an accountant of the Royal Treasury of St. Augustine, Florida and Royal Governor of that state between 1650 and 1654.- Biography :... |
1650 - 1654 | |
| Pedro Horruytiner Benedit Pedro Horruytiner Benedit Pedro Benedit Horruytiner born in Zaragoza, Spain in 1613. He was the son of Gilberto Benedit Horruytiner and Inés Catalán. He was nephew of former Florida Gov. Luis Benedit and Horruitiner. He was acting governor of Florida between 1646 and 1647, regaining office in 1654. He left office the... |
1654 - 1655 | |
| Diego de Rebolledo | 1655 - 1659 | |
| Alonso de Aranguiz y Cortés | 1659 - 1664 | |
| Francisco de la Guerra y de la Vega | 1664 - 1670 | |
| Manuel de Çendoya Manuel de Cendoya Manuel de Cendoya was a Soldier and the governor of Florida between 1670 and 1675. His rule was based on the reconstruction of the Castillo de San Marcos, as Fortress to try to prevent British invasion in Florida.- Biography :... |
1670 - 1673 | |
| Nicolás Ponce de León II Nicolás Ponce de León II Nicolas Ponce de León II was the acting governor of Florida between 1673 and 1674. He served as acting governor after the death of Manuel de Cendoya, continuing on the fort of Castillo de San Marcos, to "lock" the British attacks in Florida.- Biography :... |
1673 - 1674 | |
| Pablo de Hita y Salazar Pablo de Hita y Salazar Pablo de Hita y Salazar was a Spanish soldier and governor of Florida , who was best known for his many mistakes made in the re - construction of the Castillo de San Marcos, St... |
1674 - 1680 | |
| Juan Márquez Cabrera Juan Márquez Cabrera Juan Marquez Cabrera was the governor of Florida between 1680 and 1687.Juan Márquez Cabrera was appointed governor in 1680, replacing Pablo de Hita y Salazar. He arrived to province November 30 of that year. On his arrived, Hita y Salazar gave him a report that included a detailed outline of the... |
1680 - 1687 | |
| Diego de Quiroga y Losado | 1687 - 1693 | |
| Laureano José de Torres Ayala a Duadros Castellanos | 1693 - 1699 | |
| José de Zúñiga y la Cerda | 1699 - 1706 | |
| Francisco de Córcoles y Martínez Francisco de Córcoles y Martínez Francisco de Córcoles y Martínez was a Spanish soldier and politician. He participated for more than twelve years in the campaigns of Catalonia, Ceuta and Milan. As a reward for his services he was appointed governor and Captain General of Spanish Florida, a post he occupied from 1706 to 1716... |
1706 - 1716 | |
| Pedro de Olivera y Fullana | 1716 | |
| Juan de Ayala y Escobar Juan de Ayala y Escobar Juan de Ayala Escobar was a prominent Spanish soldier and politician who ruled Florida between 1716 and 1718. Juan de Ayala Escobar was born in Cuba in 1637... |
1716 - 1718 | acting |
| Antonio de Benavides Antonio de Benavides Antonio de Benavides was a important Lieutenant General of Spanish Army, he held a leading position in the Americas as governor and captain general of Florida , Yucatan and Veracruz .- Early year :... |
1718 - 1734 | |
| Francisco del Moral y Sánchez | 1734 - 1737 | |
| Manuel de Montiano Manuel de Montiano Manuel de Montiano y Luyando was a Spanish General and colonial administrator who served as Royal Governor of La Florida and Royal Governor of Panama... |
1737 - 1749 | |
| Melchor de Navarrete Melchor de Navarrete Melchor de Navarrete was a Spanish soldier and governor of Cartagena de Indias , Spanish Florida and the Yucatan .- Biography :... |
1749 - 1752 | |
| Fulgencio García de Solís | 1752 - 1755 | acting |
| Alonso Fernández de Heredia Alonso Fernández de Heredia Alonso Fernández de Heredia was a Spanish captain general and politician who belonged to theCaptaincy General of Guatemala and ruled Florida , Yucatan , Nicaragua and Honduras .- Biography :... |
1755 - 1758 | |
| Lucas Fernando de Palacio y Valenzuela Lucas Fernando Palacios Don Lucas Fernando Palacios y Valenzuela was a soldier and politician also named Knight of the Order of Alcantara, Commander of the Order of Calatrava and Field Marshal of the Royal Army. He served in the Spanish Guards Regiment, obtaining securities ever higher. He got pass from Cadet to Captain... |
1758 - 1761 | |
| Alonso de Cárdenas | 1761 - 1762 | |
| Melchor Feliú Melchor Feliú Melchor Feliú was appointed governor of Florida in 1762. During his rule was made the relayed of Florida to Great Britain by the Treaty of Paris on July 21, 1763.. At Castillo de San Marcos, Governor Melchor de Feliu delivered the keys to Major John Hedges, at the moment the ranking representative... |
1762 - 1763 | Oversaw migration of many Spanish Floridians to Cuba. |
East Florida
| Name | Term | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| James Grant James Grant (general) James Grant, Laird of Ballindalloch was a major general in the British Army during the American War of Independence. He served as Governor of East Florida from 1763 to 1771.-Early career:... |
1763 - 1771 | Capital at St. Augustine, Florida St. Augustine, Florida St. Augustine is a city in the northeast section of Florida and the county seat of St. Johns County, Florida, United States. Founded in 1565 by Spanish explorer and admiral Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, it is the oldest continuously occupied European-established city and port in the continental United... |
| John Moultrie John Moultrie (politician) John Moultrie was a deputy governor of East Florida in the years before the American Revolutionary War. He became acting governor when his predecessor, James Grant, was invalided home in 1771... |
1771 - 1774 | |
| Patrick Tonyn Patrick Tonyn Patrick Tonyn was a British General who served as the second colonial governor of East Florida from 1775 to 1783.Tonyn was from a military background. His father, Charles Tonyn, was a Colonel in the 6th Inniskillen Dragoons... |
1774 - 1784 | Last British Governor of Florida |
West Florida
| Name | Term | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Commodore Commodore (Royal Navy) Commodore is a rank of the Royal Navy above Captain and below Rear Admiral. It has a NATO ranking code of OF-6. The rank is equivalent to Brigadier in the British Army and Royal Marines and to Air Commodore in the Royal Air Force.-Insignia:... George Johnstone |
1763 - 1767 | Capital at Pensacola, Florida Pensacola, Florida Pensacola is the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle and the county seat of Escambia County, Florida, United States of America. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 56,255 and as of 2009, the estimated population was 53,752... |
| Brigadier General Brigadier General Brigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000... Montfort Browne Montfort Browne Montfort Browne was a British Army officer and Tory, and a major landowner and developer of British West Florida in the 1760s and 1770s. He commanded the Prince of Wales' American Regiment, a Loyalist regiment, in the American Revolutionary War... |
1767 - 1769 | |
| Captain Captain (naval) Captain is the name most often given in English-speaking navies to the rank corresponding to command of the largest ships. The NATO rank code is OF-5, equivalent to an army full colonel.... John Eliot John Eliot (Royal Navy officer) John Eliot was a Royal Navy captain. He was appointed Governor of West Florida in 1767, and committed suicide shortly after his arrival in Pensacola in 1769.-Life:... |
1769 - 1769 | |
| Captain-Lieutenant Elias Durnford Elias Durnford Elias Durnford was a British army officer and civil engineer who is best known for surveying the town of Pensacola and laying out a city plan based on two public places .... |
1769 - 1770 | |
| Peter Chester | 1770 - 9 May 1781 |
Second Spanish period, 1784-1821
East Florida
| Name | Term | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vicente Manuel de Céspedes y Velasco Vicente Manuel de Céspedes y Velasco Don Vicente de Cespedes y Velasco was a Spanish governor of Santiago de Cuba and, especially, of West Florida .-Biography:... |
12 July 1784 - July 1790 | Capital at St. Augustine, Florida St. Augustine, Florida St. Augustine is a city in the northeast section of Florida and the county seat of St. Johns County, Florida, United States. Founded in 1565 by Spanish explorer and admiral Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, it is the oldest continuously occupied European-established city and port in the continental United... |
| Juan Nepomuceno de Quesada y Barnuevo | July 1790 - March 1796 | |
| Bartolomé Morales Bartolomé Morales Bartolome Morales was a lieutenant colonel of the Spanish infantry that reached the post of lieutenant governor in several cities of Cuba and influenced politically in Bayamo, Santiago del Prado Real de Minas de Cobre and Holguín... |
March 1796 - June 1796 | acting governor |
| Enrique White | June 1796 - March 1811 | |
| Juan José de Estrada | March 1811 - June 1812 | |
| Sebastián Kindelán y Oregón | June 1812 - June 1815 | Patriot War with Georgia |
| Juan José de Estrada | June 1815 - January 1816 | |
| José María Coppinger José María Coppinger José Coppinger was a prominent Cuban soldier and governor who served the Royal Army's Infantry and ruled the Plaza de St Augustine, Florida and Spanish East Florida between 1816 and 1821... |
January 1816 - 10 July 1821 |
West Florida
| Name | Term | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Colonel Arturo O’Neill y Tyrone | 9 May 1781 - 1794 | Capital at Pensacola, Florida Pensacola, Florida Pensacola is the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle and the county seat of Escambia County, Florida, United States of America. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 56,255 and as of 2009, the estimated population was 53,752... |
| Enrique White | 1794 - 1796 | |
| Francisco de Paula Gelabert Francisco de Paula Gelabert Francisco de Paula Gelabert was born in Madrid, Spain sometime in the 18th century. He was the son of Antonio de Paula Gelabert and Rosa Estrani. His father was descended from an ancient and noble lineage Catalan, while his mother was of Italian origin. In 1796, he was appointed Royal Governor of... |
1796 | |
| Colonel Vincente Folch y Juan | 1796 - 1811 | |
| Francisco San Maxent | 1811 - 1812 | |
| Mauricio de Zúñiga Mauricio de Zúñiga Mauricio de Zuñiga was the governor of Florida in 1812-13, and 1816. He participated in theFort Gadsden, trying for recovered to slaves in Florida.- Early years :... |
1812 - 1813 | |
| Mateo González Manrique | 1813 - 1815 | |
| José de Soto | 1815 - 1816 | |
| Mauricio de Zúñiga Mauricio de Zúñiga Mauricio de Zuñiga was the governor of Florida in 1812-13, and 1816. He participated in theFort Gadsden, trying for recovered to slaves in Florida.- Early years :... |
1816 | |
| Francisco San Maxent | 1816 | |
| José Fascot | 1816 - 26 May 1818 | |
| Colonel William King | 26 May 1818 - 4 February 1819 | United States military governor during the First Seminole War |
| Colonel José María Callava | Feb 1819 - 17 July 1821 |
See also
- List of Governors of Florida, for a list of United States territorial and state governors of Florida since 1821.