Martín de Argüelles facts for kids

Martín de Argüelles Jr. was a very important person from early American history. He was born in 1566 and lived until 1630. Martín is known as the first European child born in what we now call the United States. His hometown, St. Augustine, Florida, is the oldest city in the U.S. that Europeans started and people still live in today.

Early Life and Birthplace

Martín de Argüelles Jr. was born in 1566. His birthplace was San Agustín, a Spanish settlement in Spanish Florida. This area is now part of the state of Florida in the United States.

Martín's Parents

Martín's parents were Martín de Argüelles Sr. and Leonor Morales. His father, Martín Argüelles Sr., was a Spanish nobleman. He was called an hidalgo, which meant he came from a respected family.

Father's Role in New Spain

Martín Sr. was part of an important journey to the New World in 1565. He traveled with Captain General Pedro Menéndez de Avilés. This expedition helped establish new Spanish areas. Martín Sr. became the first Alcalde (Mayor) of San Agustín. He was also in charge of weapons for several Spanish forts in Florida. These forts included Santa María, San Agustín, and Santa Elena.

Serving the Spanish Crown

Martín Argüelles Jr. grew up and served the Spanish government. He worked for the Spanish Crown in different places. He was a sailor and soldier.

Military Service

Martín Jr. served in Portugal and on several military ships. He was part of the Spanish Armada. This famous fleet of ships went to find the English pirate Francis Drake.

Later Career

In 1594, Martín Jr. moved from Havana, Cuba, to Mérida, Mexico. In Mérida, he became an important officer. He was put in charge of the Mérida fortress and the coast nearby. Martín Argüelles Jr. also got married while living in Mérida.

Family Legacy

Martín Argüelles Jr. had many descendants. His family continued to play a role in the history of New Spain.

Descendants in New Santander

One of his descendants was José Argüelles. José helped settle a new area called the Province of New Santander in 1749. This province was in New Spain, which is now the Mexican state of Tamaulipas.

See also

• In Spanish: Martín de Argüelles para niños
• Hélène Desportes – often called the first European child born in Canada.
• Virginia Dare – the first English child born in what is now the U.S.

Images for kids

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  Coat of Arms for the Argüelles family.