Juan de Ayala y Escobar facts for kids

Juan Francisco Buenaventura de Ayala y Escobar (born 1635 – died May 28, 1727) was an important Spanish soldier and leader. He was the governor of Spanish Florida from October 30, 1716, to August 3, 1718. The next governor, Antonio de Benavides, accused Ayala of illegal trading. Ayala was arrested and held for a short time in the Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine. He was later sent away to Cuba. He died there in 1727. In 1731, he was cleared of all accusations.

About Juan de Ayala y Escobar

Early Life and Career

Most historians writing in English say Ayala was born in Havana, Cuba, in 1635. However, a Cuban historian named Francisco Xavier de Santa Cruz says he was baptized in the Cathedral of Córdoba (Spain) in 1650.

When he was young, Ayala sailed on Spanish trading ships for 20 years. He traveled around the Caribbean Sea. During this time, he learned about trade routes and how to sail ships through different channels and harbors.

He later settled in Cuba. There, he married the daughter of an assistant to a high-ranking officer in Havana. He decided to join the Royal Spanish Army. In 1677, he became a captain of infantry. By 1683, he was made the warden of the fort in St. Augustine. He also served as the lieutenant of the Castillo, holding an honorary rank of captain.

Life in Florida

Military Role and Business

In September 1686, Ayala sailed to Spain. He went to ask for more soldiers for the fort in St. Augustine. The Board of War promised him 100 infantry soldiers. However, he returned to Florida with only 80 men.

Ayala used his official trips to get supplies for the fort. He would buy food and other goods in Havana. Then, he would sell these items in his own shop in St. Augustine. He also sold goods from his home. Sometimes, the royal money (called situado) was late or did not arrive at all. When this happened, the people of the city were close to starving. Ayala would then get food from English traders in South Carolina. He sold this food in his store at very high prices. Even the soldiers had to buy food from him. They paid with what little credit they had against their future wages.

In 1702, some Creek chiefs killed three members of a group from the Apalachee tribe. This group had been sent to talk about peace. Because of this, José de Zúñiga y la Cerda, the governor of Florida, made Ayala the inspector general of Apalachee Province. His job was to check on peace agreements the Apalachee had made with other tribes. Ayala was promoted to sergeant major of the fort in St. Augustine. This made him second-in-command to the governor. In the years that followed, he continued to rise in military rank.

Becoming Governor and Native American Relations

Ayala worked hard to become the governor of Florida. On October 30, 1716, he was appointed acting governor.

On April 4, 1717, a chief named Chipacasi came to St. Augustine. He was a leader of the Lower Creeks. He brought 157 Native Americans from different areas to talk with Ayala. They wanted to discuss the wish of Emperor Brim, another Creek chief, for the Spanish to build a fort and trading post in Apalachee.

According to historian Steven C. Hahn, Chipacasi and three other chiefs wore Spanish clothes when they met the governor. Chipacasi gave a long speech. He promised loyalty to the Spanish king. He also said the Creeks would fight for the Spanish. When he finished, Governor Ayala hugged him and offered drinks. They drank to the Spanish king's health. Then, Ayala proposed a toast to the chief of Coweta, and everyone joined in.

The Native Americans then performed a special ceremony. They placed a feathered headdress on Ayala's head. This headdress was a symbol of a chief's power. By doing this, they symbolically made Ayala an Indian chief. They believed this meant the Spanish governor had to protect their interests. However, historical records show that the Native Americans did not see themselves as subjects of the Spanish king.

The Creeks asked Ayala to rebuild the fort at San Marcos de Apalachee. The Spanish had burned and left this fort in 1704. They did this to stop the British and their Native American allies from taking it. Spanish ships from Havana used to visit this port. They traded goods with the Mission San Luis de Apalachee. They exchanged goods for farm products from the mission. This mission was also emptied and destroyed in 1704. The Creeks wanted this trade to start again for their own benefit.

Before leaving St. Augustine, the four Creek leaders asked for weapons and ammunition. They said they needed them to defend themselves against the Cherokees. To show Spain's good intentions, Ayala gave them 154 muskets. He also gave them two pounds of powder and three pounds of musket balls for each warrior.

Later Life

Ayala was replaced as governor on August 3, 1718. The new governor was Antonio Benavides. Benavides was a strong reformer. He officially accused Ayala of illegal trading. Ayala was arrested and held for a short time in the Castillo. He was later sent away to Cuba. He died in Havana in 1727. He was finally cleared of all accusations in 1731.

Family Life

Juan de Ayala y Escobar was married two times. His first marriage was to Magdalena Diaz-Mexia y Sánchez. She was from Florida. Her father was Lieutenant Juan Diaz-Mexia, a sergeant major in St. Augustine. Her mother was Elvira Sánchez y Uriza. They married in the Cathedral of Havana on January 7, 1669.

His second marriage was to Agustina Perez de Villarreal y Florencia. She was also from Florida. Her father was Captain Agustin Perez de Villarreal, a Sergeant Major. Her mother was María de Florencia y de la Rocha. They married in the Parish of St. Augustine, Florida, on February 10, 1711.