Francisco Javier Errázuriz Larraín facts for kids

Francisco Javier Errázuriz Larraín was an important person in Chile during the time it was a Spanish colony. He was born in Arantza, Navarra, Spain, on February 3, 1711, and passed away in Santiago, Chile, on September 8, 1767. He worked as a merchant (a person who trades goods), a farmer, and a politician. He even served as a Mayor and an alderman (a local government official). He is known as the founder of one of Chile's most important families, who helped bring about many political and social changes.

Early Life

Francisco Javier Errázuriz Larraín was born in Arantza, Navarra, Spain, on February 3, 1711. His parents were Lorenzo de Errázuriz y Vergara and Micaela de Larraín y Córdova. Both of his parents were from Navarra.

Moving to Chile

The Errázuriz family's story in Chile began when people from Spain moved to the Americas in the 1700s. Francisco Javier Errázuriz Larraín arrived in America in 1733. He then reached the Kingdom of Chile in 1735.

He was interested in joining the business of his uncle, Santiago Larraín. With help from his many uncles and cousins from the Larraín family, he started his own trading business. He became a successful merchant and settled in Santiago de Chile. By 1738, Errázuriz was fully involved in his work in Chile. He earned important positions of trust from the Spanish government. He became a Mayor and a permanent alderman in Santiago.

His Family

In 1739, Francisco Javier Errázuriz Larraín married María Loreto de Madariaga. They were married in the cathedral church. María Loreto's father, Francisco de Madariaga y Aris Arrieta, was the Official Treasurer of the Royal Cajas (the royal treasury) of the Kingdom of Chile.

Francisco Javier and María Loreto had ten children together:

• Francisco Javier (born 1744)
• María del Carmen (born 1745)
• José Antonio (born 1747)
• Francisca (born 1748)
• María (born 1749)
• María Dolores (born 1750)
• Domingo (born 1754)
• Santiago (born 1755)
• Rosa (born 1756)
• María Loreto (born 1760)

Sadly, two of their daughters, María Dolores and María Loreto, passed away when they were young girls. Two other daughters, Francisca and Rosa, became nuns. Only María del Carmen got married. She married Luis Manuel Zañartu, and they had two daughters.

María Loreto de Madariaga's brother was Cardinal Madariaga. He played a very important role in the early days of Venezuela as a new republic. History tells us that when Governor Vicente Emparan asked people for their support for the King of Spain, Cardinal Madariaga was the first to call for freedom. This event helped Venezuela gain its independence.

Descendants

Among Francisco Javier's sons, José Antonio and Domingo became priests. Santiago got married but did not have children. Only the oldest son, Francisco Javier de Errázuriz Madariaga, continued the family line. Like his father, he was a merchant and a landowner. He married Rosa Martínez de Aldunate, who came from an important family in Santiago de Chile. This marriage led to the Erráuriz Aldunate family.

Presidents from His Family

Francisco Javier Errázuriz Larraín's family became very influential in Chile. Four of his descendants later became presidents of Chile:

• Fernando Errázuriz Aldunate, president in 1831
• Federico Errázuriz Zañartu, president from 1871 to 1876
• Federico Errázuriz Echaurren, president from 1896 to 1901
• Germán Riesco Errázuriz, president from 1901 to 1906

See also

• History of Chile