Laureano de Torres y Ayala facts for kids

Laureano de Torres y Ayala (1645–1722) was an important Spanish soldier and leader. He was known as the Marquis of Casa Torres and a Knight of Santiago. He served as the royal governor of La Florida from 1693 to 1699. Later, he became the governor of Cuba from 1708 to 1711 and again from 1713 to 1716. During his time as governor in Florida, he finished building the famous Castillo de San Marcos fortress in St. Augustine. This city was the capital of the province back then.

Laureano de Torres y Ayala's Early Life

Laureano José de Torres Ayala a Duadros Castellanos was born in 1645 in Seville, Spain. His family moved to Madrid when he was very young, and he grew up there. His family was noble, meaning they had a high social rank. His father, Tomás de Torres y Ayala, was a judge in Seville and also a governor and military leader in parts of Venezuela. Laureano had three brothers. When he was young, he joined the Spanish army.

Governor of Spanish Florida

In June 1693, Ayala joined a Spanish trip to La Florida. They traveled through what is now Okaloosa County. On September 21, 1693, Torres y Ayala was chosen to be the Governor of Spanish Florida. He took over from the previous governor, Diego de Quiroga y Losada.

Building the Castillo de San Marcos

Like other governors before him, Torres y Ayala was in charge of building the Castillo de San Marcos. This large stone fort had been under construction since 1672. It was finally finished in 1695 during his time as governor.

Challenges and New Settlements

While he was governor, the San Carlos de los Chacatos mission was attacked in 1696 by Alibamu Native American warriors. In 1698, the first European settlement in the area, called Presidio Santa Maria de Galve, was started. The first fort, Fort San Carlos de Austria, was also built there. This place is now known as Pensacola. Torres y Ayala remained governor of Florida until 1699. After that, he went back to Spain, and José de Zúñiga y la Cerda became the new governor.

Governor of Cuba

Between 1704 and 1707, Ayala fought in the War of the Spanish Succession in Europe. On January 18, 1708, Ayala was appointed the main governor of Cuba. He mostly worked in Havana. His main focus was to fix the island's money problems and improve its defenses.

Tobacco Trade and Challenges

A Spanish official named Orri suggested a plan for the Cuban government to sell tobacco. Ayala thought this was a good idea for Spain and supported it fully. However, he faced opposition from people who were illegally avoiding taxes on tobacco. The government's plan to control tobacco sales was very successful. Because of this, Ayala was given the special title of Marquis de Casa-Torre. This happened even though he had disagreements with a judge named Jose Fernandez de Córdoba.

Return to Governorship

On February 18, 1711, a judge named Pablo Cavera temporarily removed Ayala from his position while an issue was investigated. Ayala sailed to Spain to explain his side of the story. He was then put back as governor of Cuba on February 14, 1713. His second time as governor was a time of relative peace for Cuba.

New Projects in Cuba

On June 9, 1714, he ordered a hospital to be built in Havana for people with leprosy. He collected many donations and began building the Hospital de San Lazaro and its church near Havana. Ayala also founded the city of Santiago del Bejucal. The tobacco business grew a lot during his time as governor. Tobacco plants started to be widely grown in the Vuelta Abajo area.

Ayala passed away in 1722 in Havana, Cuba.

Laureano de Torres y Ayala's Family Life

Laureano de Torres y Ayala married Catalina Gertrudis Bayona y Chacón in Havana on August 5, 1687. They had three children: Tomasa María, Laureano Antonio José, and Sor Manuela de San Laureano.

Images for kids

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  Spanish plan for Fort San Carlos de Austria, the first fort built (1698) at the site of Pensacola, Florida.

See also

In Spanish: Laureano de Torres y Ayala para niños