Tomás Sánchez (captain)
| Tomás Sánchez | |
|---|---|
 Monumento Fundadores Nuevo Laredo | |
| Born |
Tomás Sánchez June 04, 1709 Cienega de Flores, Nuevo Leon, New Spain |
| Died |
January 21, 1796 Laredo, Tamaulipas, New Spain |
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Occupation | Captain |
Tomás Sánchez was a veteran Spanish captain who founded Laredo, Texas, United States, and Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico, at the time the only town in the Nuevo Santander Province.
Origins
Capitan Tomás Sánchez, was born into northern Mexico's oligarchic families. His father's family roots are traced to the old "hidalgo" families of Andalucia, Spain. His mother descends from the noble Oñate-Zaldivar family, conquistadors of Northern Mexico, and the politically entrenched De La Garza family, who controlled extensive lands from Saltillo to the Rio Grande.
Founding of Laredo
He first arrived in Texas in 1749 to a place he named "El Paso de Jacinto", later called "Indian Ford", which is now west of Downtown Laredo. He then petitioned Colonel José de Escandón, 1st Count of Sierra Gorda for permission to found a town at this location. His petition was granted on May 15, 1755. He named the new townsite, Villa de San Agustin de Laredo, in honor of Saint Augustine and Colonel Escandon's hometown Laredo, Cantabria, Spain. Don Tomás Sánchez first established three families in the new villa. The site selected is located in the San Agustine Historical District in Downtown Laredo near the San Agustine Cathedral.[1]
Gallery of Old Laredo
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Typical Hacienda in the late 1700s in Laredo, now La Posada Hotel
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Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church
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Typical home in the late 1700s, later the Republic of the Rio Grande Capitol building, now a museum
References
External links
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