Hugo Oconór: Difference between revisions

Hugo Oconór
Hugo Oconór
23rd Governor of the Spanish Colony of Texas
	In office; 1767–1770
Preceded by	Ángel de Martos y Navarrete
Succeeded by	Juan María Vicencio
Governor of Yucatan
	In office; 1777–1779
Personal details
Born	Hugh O'Conor; 1732; Dublin, Kingdom of Ireland
Died	March 8, 1779; Mérida, Captaincy General of Yucatán, New Spain, Spanish Empire
Military service
Allegiance	Spain
Branch/service	Spanish Army
Rank	Brigadier General

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Hugh O'Conor (1732 — March 8, 1779), better known by his Spanish name Hugo Oconór, was a military governor of northern Mexico. He was appointed governor of Texas by the Spanish viceroy of New Spain in 1767. It is recorded that O'Conor rode well over 10,000 miles (16,000 km) on horseback in the course of conducting his duties. O'Conor was called "The Red Captain" by the Apache, both for the color of his hair and his formidable military leadership.

O'Conor was the founding father of the city of Tucson, Arizona, having authorized the construction of a military fort in that location in 1775.^[2] In 1777, O'Conor requested, due to his failing health, to be transferred to the Yucatan Peninsula, whereupon he was promoted to brigadier general and appointed Governor of Yucatan Peninsula. He served there until his death in 1779.

Biography

Hugh O'Conor was born in 1732 in Dublin, Kingdom of Ireland,^[3] into the Gaelic-Irish aristocratic O'Conor Don Family.^[4] He was a descendant of Toirdhealbhach Mór Ua Conchobhair, King of Connacht and High King of Ireland. Because of the Penal Laws which restricted the political, religious and commercial rights of Irish Catholics, O'Conor left his homeland and moved to Spain where his cousins Alexander (Alejandro) and Dominic O'Reilly, were serving as officers in the Spanish Royal Army. He was established in Aragon.

In his youth he joined the regiment of Volunteers of Aragon, eventually acquiring the title of major.^[4] During his years in the military, he was sent to Cuba and Mexico City. There^[where?] he distinguished himself by his ability as a military strategist and was appointed captain for the Northern Territory to exercise dominion in the region.^[2]^[4]

He went to Texas to investigate a dispute around San Agustín de Ahumada Presidio between Governor Ángel de Martos y Navarrete and Rafael Martínez Pacheco (future governor of Texas). It was at this time that he obtained the title of inspector general of the Provincias Internas (general inspector of the Interior Provinces). Later, in 1767, he was appointed governor of Texas, in replacement of Martos y Navarrete. When he took office, he found that one of its major cities, San Antonio, was shattered by frequent attacks of several Indian tribes. Therefore, the new governor set up a garrison at Los Adaes to protect the city.

In 1771 he became commander of the Chihuahua frontier and on January 20, 1773, he was appointed commandant inspector of presidios under the office of Coronel. He and Governor Juan María Vicencio de Ripperdá rejected the petition of Antonio Gil Y'Barbo that the settlers could return to their original homes. To strengthen the protection of Nueva Vizcaya, Coahuila, Sonora, Mexico he decided to expel the Apaches in the region, making war against these peoples in 1775 and 1776. Many Apaches died in the war. The Apaches who survived fled to more western areas. In 1777, he suffered a serious illness and was sent to the Yucatan Peninsula, with the title of governor and brigadier general of the Mexican province, which was a lesser charge to that which he usually occupied. He died on March 8, 1779, at Quinta de Miraflores, in Mérida, Yucatán.^[4]

Legacy

In modern English translation, the order that founded the fort at what is now Tucson read as follows.

San Xavier del Bac.
August 20, 1775
"I, Hugo Oconor, knight of the order of Calatrava, colonel of infantry in His Majesty's armies and commandant inspector of the frontier posts of New Spain
Certify that having conducted the exploration prescribed in Article three of the New Royal Regulation of Presidios issued by His Majesty on the tenth of September 1772 for the moving of the company of San Ignacio de Tubac in the Province of Sonora, I selected and marked out in the presence of Father Francisco Garces and Lieutenant Juan de Carmona a place known as San Agustin del Tucson as the new site of the Presidio. It is situated at a distance of eighteen leagues from Tubac, fulfills the requirements of water, pasture, and wood and effectively closes the Apache frontier. The designation of the New Presidio becomes official with the signatures of myself, Father Francisco Garces, and Lieutenant Juan de Carmona, at this mission of San Xavier del Bac, on this twentieth day of August of the year 1775."
Hugo Oconor
Fray Francisco Garces
Juan Fernandez Carmona^[5]^[6]

Footnotes

^ Léoutre, Marie. "O'Conor, Hugh". Dictionary of Irish Biography. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
^ ^a ^b Casares G. Cantón, Raúl; Duch Colell, Juan; Antochiw Kolpa, Michel; Zavala Vallado, Silvio. Yucatán en el Tiempo (English transliteration: Yucatan in the Times). 1998. ISBN 970-9071-04-1. Mérida, Yucatán
^ https://www.dib.ie/biography/oconor-hugh-a10344 ^{[bare URL]}
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Robert Bruce Blake (November 26, 2008). "Handbook of Texas Online:Hugo Oconór". Handbook of Texas Online. Retrieved January 2, 2012.
^ The original document is located in the Archivo General de la Nación in Mexico City
^ The English translation is the version by Kieran McCarthy, Desert Documentary: The Spanish Years, 1767-1821, Tucson: Arizona Historical Society, 1976

External links

Irish Migration Studies in Latin America document containing information about Hugo Oconór

[dnb-1] Léoutre, Marie. "O'Conor, Hugh". Dictionary of Irish Biography. Retrieved March 31, 2024.

[Yucatán_en_el_tiempo-2] Casares G. Cantón, Raúl; Duch Colell, Juan; Antochiw Kolpa, Michel; Zavala Vallado, Silvio. Yucatán en el Tiempo (English transliteration: Yucatan in the Times). 1998. ISBN 970-9071-04-1. Mérida, Yucatán

[3] ttps://www.dib.ie/biography/oconor-hugh-a10344 ^{[bare URL]}

[JYL-4] Robert Bruce Blake (November 26, 2008). "Handbook of Texas Online:Hugo Oconór". Handbook of Texas Online. Retrieved January 2, 2012.

[5] The original document is located in the Archivo General de la Nación in Mexico City

[6] The English translation is the version by Kieran McCarthy, Desert Documentary: The Spanish Years, 1767-1821, Tucson: Arizona Historical Society, 1976

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{short description|Military governor of northern Mexico}}
-{{Infobox Governor
+{{Infobox officeholder
-|name                 = Hugo O'Conor
-|image=Hugo O'Conor.jpg
+|image=
-|caption=''Hugh O'Conor
+|caption=
 |order                = [[List of Texas Governors and Presidents|23rd Governor of the Spanish Colony of Texas]]
 |office               =
@@ Line 15: / Line 15: @@
 |predecessor2     =
 |successor2       =
+|birth_name = Hugh O'Conor<ref name=dnb>{{cite web|url=https://www.dib.ie/biography/oconor-hugh-a10344|title= O'Conor, Hugh |last=Léoutre|first=Marie|work=Dictionary of Irish Biography|accessdate=March 31, 2024}}</ref>
 |birth_date= 1732
 |death_date= March 8, 1779
-|birth_place= [[Dublin]], [[Ireland]]
+|birth_place= [[Dublin]], [[Kingdom of Ireland]]
-|death_place=[[Mérida, Yucatán|Mérida]], [[Captaincy General of Yucatán]], [[New Spain]]
+|death_place=[[Mérida, Yucatán|Mérida]], [[Captaincy General of Yucatán]], [[New Spain]], [[History of Spain (1700-1808)|Spanish Empire]]
 |placeofburial=
 |allegiance= {{flagicon|Spain|civil}} [[Spain]]
@@ Line 28: / Line 29: @@
 |notes=Founder of [[Tucson, Arizona]]
 }}
-'''Hugh O'Conor''' by birth or '''Hugo Oconór''' in [[Spanish language|Spanish]], was a military governor of northern [[Mexico]].  He was appointed governor of Texas by the Spanish viceroy of [[New Spain]] in 1767. It is recorded that O'Conor rode well over {{convert|10000|mi}} on horseback in the course of conducting his duties. O'Conor was called "The Red Captain" by the [[Apache]], both for the color of his hair and his formidable military leadership.
+'''Hugh O'Conor''' (1732 — March 8, 1779), better known by his [[Spanish language|Spanish]] name '''Hugo Oconór''', was a [[military]] [[governor]] of northern Mexico.  He was appointed governor of Texas by the Spanish viceroy of [[New Spain]] in 1767. It is recorded that O'Conor rode well over {{convert|10000|mi}} on horseback in the course of conducting his duties. O'Conor was called "The Red Captain" by the [[Apache]], both for the color of his hair and his formidable military leadership.
 O'Conor was the founding father of the city of [[Tucson, Arizona]], having authorized the construction of a military [[Fort Tucson|fort]] in that location in 1775.<ref name="Yucatán en el tiempo"/> In 1777, O'Conor requested, due to his failing health, to be transferred to the [[Yucatan Peninsula]], whereupon he was promoted to [[brigadier general]] and appointed Governor of Yucatan Peninsula. He served there until his death in 1779.
 == Biography ==
-O'Connor was born in 1732 in [[Dublin]], [[Ireland]], into the Gaelic-Irish aristocratic [[O'Conor Don]] Family.<ref name="JYL">{{cite news|author=Robert Bruce Blake |date=November 26, 2008|url=http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/foc04|title=Handbook of Texas Online:Hugo Oconór |publisher= Handbook of Texas Online|accessdate= January 2, 2012 <!-- to 14:58 pm. --> }}</ref> He was a descendant of [[Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair|Turlough Mór O'Conor]], [[Kings of Connacht|King of Connacht]] and [[High King of Ireland]]. For political and religious reasons, when he was 18 years old—like many other Irish aristocrats—O'Conor left his homeland and moved to [[Spain]] where his cousins [[Alejandro O'Reilly, 1st Count of O'Reilly|Alexander (Alejandro)]] and Dominic O'Reilly, were serving as officers in the Spanish Royal Army. He was established in [[Aragon]].
+Hugh O'Conor was born in 1732 in [[Dublin]], [[Kingdom of Ireland]],<ref>https://www.dib.ie/biography/oconor-hugh-a10344 {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}</ref> into the Gaelic-Irish aristocratic [[O'Conor Don]] Family.<ref name="JYL">{{Cite news |last=Robert Bruce Blake |date=November 26, 2008 |title=Handbook of Texas Online:Hugo Oconór |publisher=Handbook of Texas Online |url=http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/foc04 |access-date=January 2, 2012 <!-- to 14:58 pm. -->}}</ref> He was a descendant of [[Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair|Toirdhealbhach Mór Ua Conchobhair]], [[Kings of Connacht|King of Connacht]] and [[High King of Ireland]]. Because of the [[Penal Laws against Irish Catholics|Penal Laws]] which restricted the political, religious and commercial rights of Irish Catholics, O'Conor left his homeland and moved to [[Spain]] where his cousins [[Alejandro O'Reilly, 1st Count of O'Reilly|Alexander (Alejandro)]] and Dominic O'Reilly, were serving as officers in the Spanish Royal Army. He was established in [[Aragon]].
-In his youth he joined the regiment of Volunteers of Aragon, eventually acquiring the title of major.<ref name="JYL"/> During his years in the military, he was sent to [[Cuba]] and [[Mexico City]]. There he distinguished himself by his ability as a military strategist and was appointed captain for the Northern Territory to exercise dominion in the region.<ref name="Yucatán en el tiempo">Casares G. Cantón, Raúl; Duch Colell, Juan; Antochiw Kolpa, Michel; Zavala Vallado, Silvio. Yucatán en el Tiempo (English transliteration: Yucatan in the Times). 1998. {{ISBN|970-9071-04-1}}. Mérida, Yucatán</ref><ref name="JYL"/>
+In his youth he joined the regiment of Volunteers of Aragon, eventually acquiring the title of major.<ref name="JYL"/> During his years in the military, he was sent to [[Cuba]] and [[Mexico City]]. There{{where?|date=September 2021}} he distinguished himself by his ability as a military strategist and was appointed captain for the Northern Territory to exercise dominion in the region.<ref name="Yucatán en el tiempo">Casares G. Cantón, Raúl; Duch Colell, Juan; Antochiw Kolpa, Michel; Zavala Vallado, Silvio. Yucatán en el Tiempo (English transliteration: Yucatan in the Times). 1998. {{ISBN|970-9071-04-1}}. Mérida, Yucatán</ref><ref name="JYL"/>
-He went to Texas to investigate a dispute around San Agustín de Ahumada [[Presidio]] between Governor Ángel de Martos y Navarrete and Rafael Martínez Pacheco (future governor of Texas). It was at this time that he obtained the title of inspector general of the Provincias Internas (general inspector of the Interior Provinces). Later, in 1767, he was appointed governor of Texas, in replacement of Martos and Navarrete. When he took office, he found that one of its major cities, San Antonio, was shattered by frequent attacks of several Indian tribes. Therefore, the new governor set up a garrison at [[Los Adaes]] to protect the city.
+He went to Texas to investigate a dispute around San Agustín de Ahumada [[Presidio]] between Governor Ángel de Martos y Navarrete and Rafael Martínez Pacheco (future governor of Texas). It was at this time that he obtained the title of inspector general of the Provincias Internas (general inspector of the Interior Provinces). Later, in 1767, he was appointed governor of Texas, in replacement of Martos y Navarrete. When he took office, he found that one of its major cities, San Antonio, was shattered by frequent attacks of several Indian tribes. Therefore, the new governor set up a garrison at [[Los Adaes]] to protect the city.
-In 1771 he became commander of the [[Chihuahua (state)|Chihuahua]] frontier and in January 20, 1773 he was appointed commandant inspector of presidios under the office of [[Coronel (rank)|Coronel]].
+In 1771 he became commander of the [[Chihuahua (state)|Chihuahua]] frontier and on January 20, 1773, he was appointed commandant inspector of presidios under the office of [[Coronel (rank)|Coronel]].
-He and Governor [[Juan María Vicencio de Ripperdá]] rejected the petition of [[Antonio Gil Y'Barbo]] that the settlers could return to their original homes. To strengthen the protection of [[Nueva Vizcaya, New Spain|Nueva Vizcaya]], [[Coahuila]], [[Sonora, Mexico]] he decided to expel the Apaches in the region, making war against these peoples in 1775 and 1776, killing a large number. The Apaches who survived fled to more western areas. in 1777, he suffered a serious illness and was sent to [[Yucatan Peninsula]], with the title of governor and [[brigadier general]] of the Mexican province, which was a lesser charge to that which he usually occupied. He died on March 8, 1779 at Quinta de Miraflores, east of [[Merida, Yucatan]].<ref name="JYL"/>
+He and Governor [[Juan María Vicencio de Ripperdá]] rejected the petition of [[Antonio Gil Y'Barbo]] that the settlers could return to their original homes. To strengthen the protection of [[Nueva Vizcaya, New Spain|Nueva Vizcaya]], [[Coahuila]], [[Sonora, Mexico]] he decided to expel the Apaches in the region, making war against these peoples in 1775 and 1776. Many Apaches died in the war. The Apaches who survived fled to more western areas. In 1777, he suffered a serious illness and was sent to the [[Yucatan Peninsula]], with the title of governor and [[brigadier general]] of the Mexican province, which was a lesser charge to that which he usually occupied. He died on March 8, 1779, at Quinta de Miraflores, in [[Mérida, Yucatán]].<ref name="JYL"/>
+== Legacy ==
-The order that founded the fort at what is now Tucson read:
+In modern English translation, the order that founded the fort at what is now Tucson read as follows.
-{{quote|align=center|San Xavier del Bac.
+{{quote|San Xavier del Bac.
 August 20, 1775
-"''I, Hugo Oconor, knight of the order of Calatrava, colonel of infantry in His Majesty's armies and commandant inspector of the frontier posts of New Spain
+"''I, Hugo Oconor, knight of the order of Calatrava, colonel of infantry in His Majesty's armies and commandant inspector of the frontier posts of New Spain''
-Certify that having conducted the exploration prescribed in Article three of the New Royal Regulation of Presidios issued by His Majesty on the tenth of September 1772 for the moving of the company of San Ignacio de Tubac in the Province of Sonora, I selected and marked out in the presence of Father Francisco Garces and Lieutenant Juan de Carmona a place known as San Agustin del Tucson as the new site of the Presidio.  It is situated at a distance of eighteen leagues from Tubac, fulfills the requirements of water, pasture, and wood and effectively closes the Apache frontier. The designation of the New Presidio becomes official with the signatures of myself, Father Francisco Garces, and Lieutenant Juan de Carmona, at this mission of San Xavier del Bac, on this twentieth day of August of the year 1775.''"
+''Certify that having conducted the exploration prescribed in Article three of the New Royal Regulation of Presidios issued by His Majesty on the tenth of September 1772 for the moving of the company of [[San Ignacio de Tubac]] in the Province of Sonora, I selected and marked out in the presence of Father Francisco Garces and Lieutenant Juan de Carmona a place known as San Agustin del Tucson as the new site of the Presidio.  It is situated at a distance of eighteen leagues from Tubac, fulfills the requirements of water, pasture, and wood and effectively closes the Apache frontier. The designation of the New Presidio becomes official with the signatures of myself, Father Francisco Garces, and Lieutenant Juan de Carmona, at this mission of San Xavier del Bac, on this twentieth day of August of the year 1775.''"
 Hugo Oconor<br>
@@ Line 72: / Line 75: @@
 [[Category:Governors of Spanish Texas]]
 [[Category:Governors of Yucatán (state)]]
-[[Category:Spanish colonial governors and administrators]]
 [[Category:1779 deaths]]
 [[Category:1732 births]]
-[[Category:American people of Irish descent]]
+[[Category:O'Conor dynasty|Hugh]]
-[[Category:Mexican people of Irish descent]]
+[[Category:Irish emigrants to Spain]]
-[[Category:Irish-American history and culture in Texas]]
-[[Category:1760s in Texas]]
-[[Category:1760s in Mexico]]
-[[Category:1770s in Mexico]]

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Latest revision as of 18:08, 26 September 2024

Biography

Legacy

See also

Footnotes

External links