Floridanos facts for kids
|
|
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| unknown | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 United States ( Florida) |
|
| Languages | |
| Spanish, English | |
| Religion | |
| Predominantly Roman Catholic | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Spaniards, Cubans |
Floridanos is a special name for people who lived in Spanish Florida a long time ago. It also refers to the modern families who are descendants of the first Spanish settlers. These settlers lived in St. Augustine between 1565 and 1763.
The name also includes people of Spanish background who lived in East and West Florida after 1781. This was when Bernardo de Gálvez helped Spain take back Mobile and Pensacola from the British. Some Floridano families can trace their history in Florida back more than twelve generations! Today, you can find descendants of the original Floridanos all over Florida, especially in St. Augustine.
Contents
The Story of the Floridanos
Early Spanish Settlements
St. Augustine was started on September 8, 1565. It is the oldest European settlement in what is now the United States that has been lived in continuously.
After Spain lost a big war called the Seven Years' War, they gave Florida to Great Britain in 1763. Many Spanish settlers from St. Augustine decided to leave Florida during the time the British ruled East Florida. A lot of them moved to Cuba. About 3,000 Floridanos left Florida for Havana, Cuba, between 1763 and early 1764. Spanish Floridians in West Florida mostly went to Veracruz, Mexico. About 620 people sailed from Pensacola. The Spanish government used the word "Floridano" to describe these Spanish people who moved to Cuba.
Florida Returns to Spain
Spain got East Florida back and took control of West Florida in 1783. This happened because of a peace agreement called the Peace of Paris of 1783. The leaders of East and West Florida encouraged more Spanish people to move there.
However, Florida was later given to the United States in 1819. This was part of a deal called the Adams–Onís Treaty. Just like in 1763, many Floridanos moved to Cuba again.
In 2010, a special historical marker was put up in St. Augustine. It is called "Los Floridanos" and helps remember the history of these important people.
Floridano Families Today
We don't know exactly how many descendants of Spanish settlers live in Florida today. But we do know that two of the very first settlers, Francisco Sanchez and Manuel Solana, have many descendants. They are believed to have between 500 and 1,000 descendants living in Florida. Manuel Solana's family line goes back to Alonso Solana, who came to Florida in 1613 as a Spanish soldier.
These settlers were some of the few Spanish people who stayed in Florida when it was given to Great Britain in 1763. Their descendants created a group called the Los Floridanos Society in St. Augustine. This group's main goal is to teach people about the history and legacy of the first settlers from 1565 to 1765. Some people of Cuban background living in Florida also have ancestors who lived in Colonial Florida.
Important Floridanos
Here are some notable Floridanos who made a difference:
- Joseph Marion Hernández (1788 - 1857): He was a Floridano who became the first person to represent the Florida Territory in the United States Congress. He was also the first Hispanic American to serve in the U.S. Congress.
- Eligio de la Puente (1724–1781): This Floridano held many important jobs in St. Augustine, Florida, and in Havana, Cuba, during the 1700s.
- Agustín V. Zamorano (1798–1842): He was a Floridano who served as a governor of Alta California (which is now part of California) from 1832 to 1833.
