Juan de Ayala y Escobar

Juan Francisco Buenaventura de Ayala Escobar (1637 – May 28, 1727) was a prominent Spanish soldier and administrator who governed Florida between 1716 and 1718. His government finished when he was accused of contraband and forced to leave the government in Florida, leaving it on 3 August, in this year. A few years later he was arrested and imprisoned, after which he was sent to Cuba by the new governor, Antonio de Benavides, although he died before his trial was established, in 1727.

Biography

Early years

According to some historians, Ayala y Escovar was born in Cuba in 1637, while others historians state he was born in Cordoba (Spain)^[1][2] in 1650. Ayala spent his early adult life serving aboard merchand vessels in the Caribbean, and he familiarized himself with its trade routes, harbors, and channels.^[2]

Eventually, he settled in Cuba. At the age of forty Ayala married the daughter of the adjutant to the sergeant major of the La Habana presidio and decided served in the military.^[2]

In 1677, he was named captain of infantry and, later, in 1683 he was assigned to the presidio of Saint Augustine, Florida where he served as lieutenant of the Castillo de San Marcos with the corresponding rank of "reformado" captain (an honorary rank without command of troops).^[2]

Residence in Florida

Early years in Florida and Corruption cases

In September 1686, Ayala traveled to Spain to ask for assistance to build up a garrison in Florida, and the Junta de Guerra (Board of War) promised him 100 men of infantry.^[3]

In the early eighteenth century, he was promoted to sergeant of the presidio of Saint Augustine and in the following years, Ayala continued to rise his charges in the military.^[2] Still as the second-in-command of the Florida presidio Don Juan de Ayala y Escobar established its own grocery store in Florida. However, he obtained illegally several English ships food in South Carolina, selling these foods in their shop in San Augustine, where the population was hungry. In addition, the food he was selling was very expensive compared to the minimum wage of the population. Hungry, the soldiers bought meat and flour in the Ayala store, paying the products with the little remained them of credit against their future wages.

To curb corruption and high food price that sold Ayala for a population that was hungry, the Governor Francisco de Córcoles y Martínez tried to imprison Ayala, but the whole garrison threatened him to mutiny.^[4]

Relations to the Amerindians

So, in 1701, he was collaborating to the governor of Florida José de Zúñiga y la Cerda, who appointment him as "visitador general" (overall visitor) of Apalachee Province to investigate the peace treaty that the natives of there have done with other pagan peoples, such as Apalachicolo.^[5] In addition, Escobar became friend of chief of the Creek, Chipacasi, who promised him to accept to Spanish king and that the Creeks would fight for the Spaniards.

At a party with Chipacasi and some of their warriors (in which Escobar and the Amerindians drank, did a toast to the Spanish king and celebrated a musical ceremony, and two warriors danced for him), a Creek men placed a crown of feathers on the head of Escobar, which was interpreted for Ayala as a sign of submitted to him, although the Historian Steve C. Hahn believes that the Creeks actually replaced his chief for Ayala of symbolic way, which would mean that Escobar should defend the Creek rights and welfare. In addition, the Creeks asked to Escobar the establish of a fort in the Apalachee Province, to two leagues from the port of San Marcos de Apalachee, place where, until 1704, were realized the trade relations with vessels from Habana (these vessels frequented the port of San Marcos de Apalachee, and also the ships of this port traded with the Habana). There, the Creeks could trade with the Spanish. In addition, a day, before of departing, four Creeks required to Escobar weapons and munitions to defended themselves of the Cherokees, their enemies. Escobar gave them the weapons (154 muskets, more of hundred pounds of powder and other thee pounds of ball to each men).^[6]

Government in Florida and last years

After continuously trying to get the government of Florida,^[2] on 30 October 1716 he was appointed acting governor of that place.^[7] However, from this moment on, his luck begins to drop. In 1718 he was accused of contraband which forced him to leave the government in Florida,^[2] leaving it on 3 August this year.^[7] A few years later he was arrested and imprisoned, after which he was sent to Cuba by the new governor Antonio de Benavides (which was due, at least, because Cuba was ruled for Florida at this time). However, he died before he began his trip to Cuba, when still was in Florida.^[2] So, he died on May 28, 1727, in San Juan, Florida. He is buried in the Parish of Saint Augustine, Florida.^[1]

Personal life

Ayala y Escobar was married twice: the first them was with the Floridian Magdalena Diaz-Mexia y Sánchez (daughter of Lieutenant Juan Diaz-Mexia and Ruiz de Lara, Sergeant Major of the square of St. Augustine, Florida, and Elvira Sánchez y Uriza), in the Cathedral of Havana on January 7, 1669. He married a second time, with the also Floridian Agustina Perez de Villarreal y Florencia (daughter of Captain Agustin Perez de Villarreal, Sergeant Major, and María de Florencia y de la Rocha), in the Parish of St. Augustine, Florida, the February 10, 1711.^[1]

References

External links

• Linaje Ayala (Lineage Ayala)