Tomás Sánchez (captain) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tomás Sánchez
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Sánchez monument in Nuevo Laredo
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| Born |
Tomás Sánchez de la Barrera
June 4, 1709 |
| Died | January 21, 1796 (aged 86) Villa de San Agustín de Laredo, New Santander, Viceroyalty of New Spain
(now Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico) |
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Occupation | Captain |
Tomás Sánchez de la Barrera (June 4, 1709 - January 21, 1796) was a Spanish captain. He is famous for founding two important cities: Laredo, Texas, in the United States, and Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, in Mexico. At the time, these were the only cities established in the Nuevo Santander region.
Tomás Sánchez's Family History
Tomás Sánchez came from important families in northern Mexico. His father's family had roots in Andalucia, Spain, going back to old noble families. His mother's family, the Oñate-Zaldivar and De La Garza families, were also very powerful. They were among the first Spanish explorers and settlers in New Mexico and Nuevo León, Mexico. These families owned large areas of land, from Saltillo all the way to the Rio Grande river.
Founding the City of Laredo
In 1749, Tomás Sánchez first arrived in Texas. He found a good spot near the Rio Grande, which he called "El Paso de Jacinto." Today, this area is west of Downtown Laredo. He then asked a powerful leader, Colonel José de Escandón, 1st Count of Sierra Gorda, for permission to start a town there.
His request was approved on May 15, 1755. He named the new town Villa de San Agustin de Laredo. This name honored Saint Augustine and Colonel Escandón's hometown, Laredo, Cantabria, Spain. Don Tomás Sánchez first settled three families in this new town. The exact spot he chose is now in the San Agustine Historical District in Downtown Laredo, close to the San Agustin Cathedral.
Pictures of Old Laredo
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A typical Hacienda (large estate) in Laredo in the late 1700s. This building is now the La Posada Hotel.
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Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church
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A typical home from the late 1700s. This building later became the capitol of the Republic of the Rio Grande and is now a museum.
See also
In Spanish: Tomás Sánchez de la Barrera para niños
