Juan Leal Goraz, called Juan Leal Gonzal, was a Spanish settler and politician who served as the first alcalde of La Villa de San Fernando, which later would become the city of San Antonio, Texas.
15 Facts About Juan Leal
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Juan Leal served as alcade of San Antonio between 1731 and 1732, and again in 1735.
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Juan Leal was born in 1676 in the city of Teguise, in Lanzarote.
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Juan Leal was the son of Antonio Goraz and Maria Perez and became a councilor of the municipality of Teguise.
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Juan Leal lived in the village of San Bartolome, on the same island.
6.
Juan Leal went to Mexico City for an audience with the viceroy to request better transportation and tools.
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The fact that Juan Leal led the four Canarians in handcuffs back to the caravan and did not respond to them while they were incarcerated at San Luis was the source of many problems that divided the Canarian families once they were established in San Antonio.
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Many days after this, Juan Leal gave a loan to the fugitives, who were not returned until later, when Juan Leal forced them.
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Once the Canarian people established themselves in the city, Juan Leal found they had problems, including frequent clashes with the Franciscan missionaries of San Antonio and the soldiers stationed at the presidio.
10.
Juan Leal requested necessary instructions on how to administer the council.
11.
Juan Leal succeeded in establishing the new colony and the city was populated with new families.
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In 1735, Juan Leal was appointed as town councilman, and soon after was appointed to a life term as alcalde.
13.
Juan Leal was not considered either tolerant or judicious by many among the military, the clergy, and the settlers themselves, and soon gained their general contempt.
14.
Juan Leal had made a loan to Travieso in San Luis Potosi, and Travieso had not repaid him by the deadline.
15.
Juan Leal was buried in the Campo Santo of the Cathedral of San Fernando.