Juan Fermín de San Martín facts for kids
Juan Fermín Rafael de San Martín y Matorras (born February 5, 1774, in what is now Argentina/Uruguay; died July 17, 1822, in Manila, Philippines) was a Spanish soldier. He was the brother of José de San Martín, a famous leader in the Argentine War of Independence. Juan Fermín spent most of his life serving in the Philippines.
Biography
Juan Fermín was the third child of Juan de San Martín and Gregoria Matorras. He was born on a ranch in the Río de la Plata Governorate. This area is now part of Argentina and Uruguay. His younger brother was José de San Martín, a famous general.
In 1788, when he was 14, Juan Fermín joined the Spanish army. He became a cadet in the Soria Infantry Regiment. He served in this regiment for 14 years. After that, he spent three years in the Prince Fernando Veteran Battalion.
Juan Fermín fought in a war against France starting in 1793. He was part of the Roussillon War in 1794. He fought on land and then joined the Royal Navy in 1797. On February 14, 1797, he took part in the Battle of Cape San Vicente. In this battle, the Spanish fleet fought against the English fleet. Spain was allied with France at the time. He stayed in Brest until 1801.
After returning to Spain, he was sent to Luzon in the Captaincy General of the Philippines. He was made a sergeant in the Hussar Squadron. Years later, he became a colonel. By 1815, he reached the rank of Commander of Hussars for the Luzon Regiment.
In 1821, he was moved to Mindanao. There, he was in charge of Fort Zamboanga for one year. He commanded an artillery company and four infantry companies. He had to stop a rebellion by some Muslim groups. These groups were in conflict with the local people and the Spanish government.
Juan Fermín died in Manila on July 17, 1822. He was 48 years old.
In 1950, the government of Juan Domingo Perón sent a statue of José de San Martín to Manila. This was a tribute to José de San Martín. They learned that his brother, Juan Fermín, had lived and died there.
Family Life
In 1813, Juan Fermín married Josefa Manuela Español de Alburu. Her father was a Spanish soldier and her mother was an indigenous woman. Juan Fermín and Josefa had three children together. He was the only one of his brothers who had sons.
See also
In Spanish: Juan Fermín de San Martín para niños
