Juan Albano Pereira Márquez Facts for Kids

"Pereira Márquez" redirects here. For Uruguayan footballer Ruben Fabián Pereira Márquez, see Ruben Pereira.

Quick facts for kids Juan Albano Pereira Márquez
Juan Albano Pereira Márquez 's family house
Born	(1728-12-21)21 December 1728 Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay
Died	15 February 1790(1790-02-15) (aged 61) San Agustín of Talca, Chile
Nationality	Portuguese and Spanish
Education	Merchant
Known for	Godfather and tutor of Bernardo O'Higgins

Juan Albano Pereira Márquez was a Portuguese merchant (a person who buys and sells goods). He was also the godfather and tutor (teacher) of Bernardo O'Higgins, who later became a very important leader in Chile. Juan Albano Pereira Márquez is the ancestor of one of Chile's most important families from the time it was a colony.

Biography
Notable descendants
See also

Biography

Early Life

Juan Albano Pereira Márquez's house, where Bernardo O'Higgins was raised and educated

Juan Albano Pereira Márquez was born in Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay, in 1728. His parents, Luis Pereira Vásquez and Josefa Márquez, were from Porto, Portugal. They lived on La Palma Island in the Canary Islands.

In 1753, Juan Albano Pereira Márquez moved to America. He received special permission from the viceroy of Peru to trade goods. He was known for being honest and trustworthy.

Life in Chile

He settled in the city of San Agustín of Talca, in Chile. There, he became a very successful merchant.

However, on April 8, 1765, he was arrested. He was ordered to leave the Spanish Kingdom because he was a foreigner. But with help from a powerful secretary, he was allowed to return to Chile.

Juan Albano Pereira Márquez married María Mercedes de la Cruz y Bahamonde. Sadly, she passed away in 1768 without having children. Later, he married her younger sister, Bartolina de la Cruz. They had seven children together.

Relationship with Bernardo O'Higgins

The Baptism Act of Bernardo O'Higgins.

Juan Albano Pereira Márquez lived in Talca. He became good friends with Ambrose O'Higgins, an Irish merchant. Ambrose O'Higgins later became a very important governor in Chile.

Ambrose O'Higgins asked Juan Albano to take care of his young son, Bernardo O'Higgins. In November 1782, when Bernardo was four years old, he arrived at Juan Albano's home in Talca. Ambrose O'Higgins sent a letter asking Juan Albano to raise Bernardo and give him a good Christian education.

There was some confusion about whether Bernardo had been baptized. To make sure his legal status was clear, Juan Albano had Bernardo baptized on January 20, 1783. Bernardo was recorded as the son of Ambrose O'Higgins. Juan Albano Pereira and his wife became Bernardo's godparents.

In April 1787, Juan Martínez de Rozas, an old friend of Juan Albano, stayed at his house. Juan Albano, who was getting older, wanted witnesses to Bernardo's identity. He introduced Bernardo to Dr. Rozas and explained that Bernardo was the natural son of Governor Ambrose O'Higgins.

The following year, in April 1788, Ambrose O'Higgins visited Juan Albano's house. He was traveling from Concepción to Santiago to become the Governor of Chile. This was the only time Ambrose O'Higgins met his son, Bernardo.

The mayor of Talca, Juan Antonio de Salcedo y Carrillo, prepared a big welcome for the new Governor. He wanted to show off the city. However, Juan Albano Pereira was not among those who went out to greet the Governor.

The Governor's carriage stopped at Juan Albano's house. The whole family was waiting, including young Bernardo. Ambrose O'Higgins showed little emotion when he saw his son. He then went with Juan Albano to a farm nearby.

At the farm, Juan Albano and Ambrose O'Higgins talked about their memories and about Bernardo. Ambrose O'Higgins asked about Bernardo's education. Bernardo had learned to read, write, and recite. Ambrose O'Higgins wanted Bernardo to move to Chillán and live with his mother's family to continue his education.

The friendship between Juan Albano and Ambrose O'Higgins grew stronger. This friendship lasted many years, even when Ambrose O'Higgins became a viceroy. A few days after Ambrose O'Higgins left Talca, Bernardo was sent to Chillán. He did not return to Talca for 25 years.

Chilean Independence Act

On February 12, 1818, the Chilean Declaration of Independence was signed at Juan Albano Pereira's house. Today, this house is the Talca O'Higgins Museum.