Domingo Ramón (explorer) facts for kids

José Domingo Ramón (who died on December 23, 1723) was an important Spanish soldier and explorer. He helped set up many religious missions and a fort, called a presidio, in East Texas. His main goal was to stop France from expanding its territory into this area.

Life and Adventures

Early Life

Domingo Ramón was born in what is now Mexico. His father, Diego Ramón, was also a soldier. Diego was the commander of a fort called Presidio San Juan Bautista in Coahuila.

The Big Expedition to East Texas

In 1715, Ramón was chosen to lead a Spanish journey to East Texas. The plan was to build four religious missions and a presidio. This was very important to keep the French from taking over land from Louisiana.

The expedition started on April 12, 1716. It began in San Juan Bautista, which is now Guerrero, Coahuila. A French-Canadian officer named Louis Juchereau de St. Denis also helped lead the group. There were seventy-five people in total. This included twelve friars (religious brothers) and more than twenty regular people.

Exploring New Lands

Ramón's team reached East Texas by late June. They traveled through many places. They visited Los Adaes and Nacogdoches. They also went to San Antonio.

The group also explored near several rivers and creeks. They named many of these waterways. For example, Ramón named the San Antonio River after himself. He found it on Saint Anthony of Padua's Day. Other rivers like the Brazos and San Gabriel got their names from the expedition. They even discovered the Comal Springs.

Ramón wrote down what he saw in his diary. He described some of the native tribes, like the Nacono. During this journey, the name "New Philippines" was first used for the land they were exploring. This name appeared in a letter written by Antonio Margil in 1716.

Founding Missions

The expedition successfully built the missions they were sent to create.

• The Nuestro Padre San Francisco de los Tejas Mission was set up in San Antonio on July 5, 1716.
• Nuestra Señora de la Purísima Concepción de Acuña was also founded in San Antonio.
• Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe was built in Nacogdoches.
• San José de los Nazonis was established near Cushing.

In early 1717, Ramón and Denis went back to East Texas. They set up two more missions there. These were Nuestra Señora de los Dolores de los Ais in San Augustine and San Miguel de Linares de los Adaes.

Moving to San Antonio

In 1719, a conflict known as the Chicken War began. This was part of a bigger war in Europe. Because of this, Ramón and other Spaniards left East Texas. They moved to San Antonio for safety.

After living in San Antonio for two years, Ramón traveled to Matagorda Bay. He went with about forty men and settled near the bay's shores.

His Death

In December 1723, Ramón was attacked. This happened at La Bahia, where a native tribe called the Karankawa had rebelled against the Spanish. Ramón died from this attack.

Family Life

Ramón was married to Luisa Maldonado de Orandai. They had at least three sons: Diego, Juan Domingo, and Miguel. It is not known if they had more children.