Enrique White
| Enrique White | |
|---|---|
| 3ª Governor of West Florida | |
| In office August 1794 [or 1793, when Howard left] – November 1796 | |
| Preceded by | Carlos Howard |
| Succeeded by | Francisco de Paula Gelabert |
| 4ª Governor of East Florida | |
| In office June 1796 – March 1811 | |
| Preceded by | Bartolomé Morales |
| Succeeded by | Juan José de Estrada |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1741 Dublin, Ireland |
| Died | April 13, 1811 St. Augustine, Florida |
| Profession | Military officer and Governor of Florida |
Enrique White (1741 - April 13, 1811) was a Irish-born Spanish soldier who served as Governor of West Florida (August 1793/4 – November 1796) and of East Florida (June 1796 - March 1811).
Biography
Enrique (Henry) White was born in Dublin, Ireland. He emigrated to Spain, where, from the age of 22 until his death, he served the Spanish Crown.[1] White joined the Spanish Royal Army, where he obtained Colonel´s grade.[2] In addition, several times White was an officer in the Louisiana Regiment.[1]
In August 1793/4, White was appointed Governor of West Florida, remaining in the position until November 1796.[3]
In June of that year, he was appointed Governor of East Florida, arriving in Saint Augustine shortly afterward.[4] Between 1797 and 1798, a year after his arrival in Saint Augustine, the construction of the cathedral was completed.[5]
During his rule there, other constructions were also favored. New houses were built and military readiness and morality of the garrison were improved and strengthened.[4] White was very strict in the concession of lands, thus overcoming the laws regarding land grants in the public domain.[6]
White fell ill in 1800. He was replaced by Lt. Col. Bartolomé Morales (who had governed East Florida in 1796), and royal auditor Zamorano, in some East Florida leadership positions during this time. In 1801, he recovered from his illness and regained control.[1]
He remained in charge for another decade (until March 1811), dying on April 13, 1811, in St. Augustine.[1]
Personal life
Governor White never married.
He owned several slaves, who gained their freedom when he died.[1]
Legacy
- In 1811, White officially gave the name Fernandina to a town on Amelia Island, in honor of the Catholic monarch Ferdinand VII of Spain.[7]
- The street running east and west in St. Augustine called White Street was named after Enrique White.[8]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Dr. Bronson's St. Augustine History. 2nd Spanish Period (1784 - 1821). Retrieved in July 11, 2014, to 16:48pm.
- ↑ Notre Dame Archives: ANO 1801/04/09. Retrieved in July 11, 2014, to 17:35pm.
- ↑ U.S. States F-K.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 St. Augustine changes from Spanish to English rule. Retrieved in July 11, 2014, to 16:40pm.
- ↑ A short history time line of St.Augustine. Retrieved in July 11, 2014, to 17:40pm.
- ↑ The Impact of Spanish Land Grants on the Development of Florida and the South Eastern United States. Posted by Dr. Joe KNETSCH, USA. Page 6.
- ↑ Plan of Fernandina - Old Florida Maps. Retrieved in July 11, 2014, to 17:30pm.
- ↑ leaflet - Old Town Fernandina. Retrieved in July 11, 2014, to 17:20pm.