hispanic history – Texas History Notebook

Don Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla

Don Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, called the Father of Mexico, was born in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico on May 8, 1752. He died when he was executed on July 30, 1811. He is considered a national hero of Mexico. Father Hidalgo was born in Penjamo, Guanajuato. He studied at the College of San Francisco, a Jesuit school, in the town now known as Morelia. After the Jesuits were expelled from Mexico, he received further education there at the College of San Nicolas Obispo. Hidalgo was considered a good student. He was ordained as a Catholic priest in 1778 after which he taught in the school and held numerous positions in the church. Various articles note that as he was receiving his education and later serving as a priest, he came to be influenced by injustices experienced by Mexican citizens under Spanish rule. He was assigned to the position of parish priest at Dolores, Guanajuato in 1808, after which he became involved in Mexico’s independence movement.

Ignacio Zaragoza

Probably most people who are familiar with Texas have heard of the annual celebration called “El Cinco de Mayo” or just “Cinco de Mayo,” but fewer may know the actual event that it celebrates and memorializes.

Manuel Fernández Castrillón

Manuel Fernández Castrillón is believed to have been born in Havana, Cuba although his date of birth and the exact details of his ancestry, marital status, descendants (if any) are currently unknown. He served the Mexican Army under Gen. Antonio López de Santa Anna for many years, at least since around 1820. He is remembered as having been a loyal soldier and combatant on behalf of the Mexican Army during the Texas Revolution. Castrillón is also mentioned as having recommended clemency on behalf of prisoners of the Mexican Army, specifically after the battles of the Alamo and Goliad. In both cases, Castrillón was overruled by Santa Anna and the prisoners were executed.

José Francisco Ruiz

José Francisco Ruiz was one of the Signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence. He was one of three Mexicans to do so, with the others being José Antonio Navarro, his uncle, and Lorenzo de Zavala. A total of seven were invited but only these three were able to attend. Navarro and Ruiz were born in what is now Texas whereas de Zavala was born in Mexico. His date of birth is sometime said to be September 1,1780. However, his actual date of birth is not known but he other accounts hold that he was likely born in San Antonio de Bejar around the middle of January, 1783 because he was baptized shortly thereafter. His parents were Juan Manuel Ruiz and María Manuela de la Peña. His family was engaged in ranching. This was during the period in which that area was governed by Spain and José was sent to Spain for his education. Upon his return to the area shortly after 1800, he served as a school teacher. The school was organized in the family home.

Juan Nepomuceno Almonte

Juan N. Almonte was born in 1803 in Nocupéntaro, in the district of Carácuaro, in the state of Michoacán to Father José María Morelos y Pavón and Brigida Almonte, who is believed to be of Indian heritage. Nocupéntaro is located west southwest of Mexico City about halfway between it and the Pacific coast of Mexico. Because he was illegitimate, Juan took the name of his mother. Father Morelos is thought to have been the father of at least two other male children by other women and perhaps a sister by Brigida.