Francisco Esteban Gómez
| General Francisco Esteban Gómez | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born |
Francisco Esteban Gómez December 26, 1783 Santa Ana, Margarita Island, Venezuela |
| Died | August 6, 1853 (aged 70) |
Cause of death | old age |
| Parent(s) | Maria Concepcion Gomez |
Francisco Esteban Gómez (Santa Ana, December 26, 1783 - La Asunción, August 6, 1853 ) was a Venezuelan military officer who was known as the island’s “patriot commander.”[1][2] He was noted for his participation in the defense of the Margarita Island against invading Spanish forces. He started his career as a military officer and achieved the ranks of colonel, then general, major general of the army, and commanded the arms of the province of Cumaná. He represented Margarita as a member of the parliament and was Governor of the Margarita Island (1817-1820).[2] He is honored today as a hero of the Battle of Matasiete.
Early life
Gomez was born on December 26, 1783 in Villa Norte (Santa Ana) in the Province of Margarita to Maria Concepcion Gomez. He was baptized at the place of his birth by Father Garcia Migi Fco. He got married in the church of Santa Ana.[2]
Career
Gomez joined the independence movement on May 4, 1810 and this participation invited his persecution by the government which resulted in his staying incognito on the island, in 1812. He accompanied General Juan Bautista Arismendi in the second insurrection of Margarita Island. This resulted in his arrest in 1815. He was associated with the peace treaty of April 15, 1815 and sided with Arismendi, on November 16, 1815 in the revolt.[2]
On May 8, 1816, Simón Bolívar promoted him to colonel. During the July 31, 1817 Battle of Matasiete, he fought against General Pablo Morillo. He published the manifesto titled "Great Nations and Generous World" on June 23, 1817. On June 31, 1817 He was promoted as Brigadier General for the successful war campaign of the Battle of Matasiete.[2]
In 1830, José Antonio Páez made Gomez commander-in weapons of Maracaibo. In 1835, the constitutional president of Venezuela, José María Vargas, entrusted Gomez with the Command of Arms of the province of Cumaná. In 1837, he served as Chief Operating Officer of Cumaná, Margarita and Barcelona. In 1847, he for health reasons, he sought and obtained a certificate as an invalid.
Later life
He died in August 6, 1853 when he was the Governor of the Margarita Province in the building that was Franciscan Convent of Assumption. As directed by the President of Venezuela, on February 11, 1876 his mortal remains were transferred to a funerary urn in the Catedral Nuestra Señora de La Asunción. On July 18, 1880, the urn containing his mortal remains was shifted to Caracas. It was then interred in the National Pantheon of Venezuela on August 20, 1880. The Plaza Francisco Esteban Gomez in Santa Ana honors him with his statue as the hero of the Battle of Matasiere in 1817, while his home, located close by, is conserved as a museum.[2][3]
References
- ↑ David Marley (2008). Wars of the Americas: A Chronology of Armed Conflict in the Western Hemisphere, 1492 to the Present. ABC-CLIO. pp. 619–. ISBN 978-1-59884-100-8. Retrieved 18 May 2013.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 "The General Francisco Esteban Gomez:In Memory" (PDF) (in Spanish). Cheguaco.org. Retrieved 19 May 2013.
- ↑ Maddicks, Russell (1 February 2011). Bradt Travel Guide Venezuela. Bradt Travel Guides. pp. 179–. ISBN 978-1-84162-299-6. Retrieved 17 May 2013.