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LOS
FLORIDANOS ANCESTORS
(General
info)
Los
Floridanos Society traces its origins back to those early Spanish
soldiers/ settlers of St. Augustine who arrived during the "First
Spanish Period'.
The
City of St. Augustine was established by Pedro Menendez de Aviles,
in 1565.
Menendez
hoped by establishing a settlement of Spanish subjects in St.
Augustine, he would force the French out of Ft. Caroline in
North Florida and secure Florida for the Spanish Crown.
First Spanish Period 1565-1763
During St. Augustine's early years, our ancestors were part
of the original contingency of Spanish Soldiers/settlers brought
to the City. Family members included the Deputy Governor of
Apalachee and a brigantine Captain, an early cartographer of
Florida, a parish priest , an Indian interpreter, two who served
as Escribanos (adjutants) to Spanish Governors and members of
the King's Mounted Dragoons.
British
Period 1763-1784
During the British Period our direct descendants, Manuel Solana
and Francisco Xavier Sanchez served as property agents for the
Spanish monarchy during St. Augustine's transition to the British
Government.
Most
Spanish residents left St. Augustine during this exchange of
power. These men are the links responsible for establishing
us as possibly the "Oldest European Families in the Nation".
While
remaining in St. Augustine they accumulated extensive holdings
in North Florida and expanded their farms and plantations. They
were Florida's original cattlemen, farmers, and citrus growers.
Admiral
Jose de Solana (1780) commanded the largest Spanish military
force ever sent to America.
Second
Spanish Period 1784-1821
Manual Solana and F.X. Sanchez again watched Florida change
governments. They helped reclaimed property for the returning
Spanish, from the exiting British Government.
The
inter-marriage of the Solana and Sanchez families with the Menorcan
families began at this time and created the vast network of
close family relations that exist in St. Augustine to this day.
Territorial
Period 1821-1845
As a territory of the US, Florida faced the Seminole Indian
Wars. Many family descendants were members of the Florida Rangers
(Militia). Our ancestors also served as Justice of the Peace,
Marshall of East Florida, Territorial Surveyors and even Tax
Collector.
Though
our family members' opinions were split on the issues surrounding
the push for statehood, we can claim several signers of the
"Petition For Statehood", a delegate to the Constitutional
Convention, and a representative to the Legislative Council.
Statehood
Period 1845
After statehood our family continued playing major roles in
Florida's history by supplying St. Augustine with several Mayors,
the first Sheriff of St. Johns County, and several Representatives
to the Secessionist Assembly before the Civil War.
Female
ancestors served as spies for Confederate Troops which resulted
in a
Confederate Ship being named, "The Three Sisters".
This
article demonstrates the many accomplishments of our descendants.
We as Los Floridanos' can reflect on our history with pride.
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