Francisco de Córcoles y Martínez
| Francisco de Córcoles y Martínez | |
|---|---|
| 32º Governor of La Florida | |
|
In office April 9, 1706 – July 13, 1716 |
|
| Preceded by | José de Zúñiga y la Cerda |
| Succeeded by | Pedro de Olivera y Fullana |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Unknown |
| Died | Unknown |
| Profession | Soldier and Administrator |
Francisco de Córcoles y Martínez (fl. early 18th century) was a Spanish soldier who served as Governor of Spanish Florida, a post he occupied between 1706 and 1716.
In his youth Córcoles y Martínez joined to the Spanish Royal Army. He had a leading role in the military, which allowed him to rise from Cadet to Sergeant-Major and, later, Captain.
In 1685, Córcoles y Martínez move to Golf Coast, where he excelled - having an important role - in the Spanish search of Cavelier de La Salle´s colony.
So, he participated for more than twelve years in the military campaigns of Catalonia, Ceuta, Palermos, Gibraltar and Milan and he was a prisoner of war in France.
As a reward for his services, Córcoles y Martínez was appointed governor and Captain General of Spanish Florida in April 9, 1706.
In 1707, while Córcoles y Martinez governed Florida, much of Pensacola, Florida was burned when Fort San Carlos de Austria was besieged by a large Amerindian force.
As governor of Florida he fought against several troops of the Province of Carolina in defense to the Spanish province, leading volunteers and some boats to a Franco-Spanish expedition in September 1706. So, in 7th in this months, he leaded six smaller ships, 30 soldiers of infantry and 50 Christians Amerindian volunteers from the Timucua, Apalachee, and Tequassa tribes.
During his administration, attacks of Greeks (and some Englishmen who accompanied them) against the population of Florida were developed. Córcoles and Martinez, worried about the safety of the people of Florida, ordered send a small rear guard to San Diego de Salamototo to protect the population there, but when the Greeks begun to attack this place, he ordened the population to retire to Saint Augustine, because its fortress could defend the entire population.
...
Wikipedia