Plaque dedication ceremony meaningful to family, community
Print- •
-
Share
- Share this item
-
Grab the link
Copy and paste the link:
- Blog about it
- Close
- •
-
2 Comments
- •
Favorite- •
-
Report error
-
Thank you for your submission.Error report or correction
- Close
-
- •
what does the monument say?
Placido Benavides, Alcalde of Guadalupe VictoriaThe City of Victoria, Texas evolved from Villa de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe de Jesus Victoria, founded by Martin de Leon in 1824 and laid out according to centuries-old ...
- SHOW ALL »
what does the monument say?
Placido Benavides, Alcalde of Guadalupe Victoria
The City of Victoria, Texas evolved from Villa de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe de Jesus Victoria, founded by Martin de Leon in 1824 and laid out according to centuries-old Spanish colonial law. There were only two successful empresario colonies in Mexican Texas, those of Martin de Leon and Stephen F. Austin.
The principal officer in Spanish and Mexican villas was the alcalde whose duties included those of present-day mayor, sheriff, and local judge. These responsibilities were exercised first by Don Martin de Leon, followed by Placido Benavides whose home, known as the Round Top House, served as a fort, school, and refuge during the Indian raids.
During Benavides' leadership, a serious confrontation with Centralist troops attempting to arrest his brother-in-law, Jose Maria de Jesus Caravajal, was peacefully avoided. This event occurred on the Plaza de Mercado where this monument is displayed. Benavides responded to the June 1835 arrest order with the statement that he was "a constitutional officer" and not at all amenable to the (centralist) military of Santa Anna. Benavides' service during the struggle to restore the Constitution of 1824 was extraordinary. Ironically, however, he died during exile in Opelousas, Louisiana in 1837.
For members of the De León family, the dedication of the Monument to Placido Benavides on Friday afternoon at City Hall was just another step in the family's quest to reclaim their rightful recognition as the founders of Victoria.
"Much focus has been put on the history after the revolution and not on the colonial history," said Blanche De León, the family spokeswoman. "The De León constitute the colonial history."
The plaque dedication was the first of many events scheduled during this weekend's first De León family reunion.
The descendents of Don Martin De León and Dona Patricia, who settled in Texas in the late 18th century and founded what is now known as Victoria, gathered to have a homecoming celebration Friday through Sunday to have fun and remind the community of the family's rich history in Texas.
"Events like this do that," said Dennis Riedesel, chairman of the Victoria County Historical Commission. "Everyone becomes more aware."
The De Leóns' presence in Texas dates back as early as the 17th century with Gen. Alonso De León-Gonzalez, who was born in 1639 or 1640 and died in 1691 in Cadereyta, Nuevo León.
However, the heavily federalist family was forced to flee Texas for Opelousas, La., during the Texas Revolution, said Riedesel.
"If you were Hispanic, then you were for Mexico," he said. "This developed a lot of mistrust and angst among the Tejano settlers and the new breed of settlers that didn't know what this was all about."
Benavides, who spearheaded the Federalist movement and fought in several battles of the Texas Revolution, took a leave of absence from the Texas Army to come to Victoria to "help secure his family," said Riedesel.
"He was a hero long before the "Come and take it event" at Goliad, Blanche De León said about Benavides, who was the first elected alcalde, head official, of Victoria.
It was not until the mid-1800s, said Riedesel, that the De Leóns made their way back to Texas and Victoria as well as heavy taxes that had been placed on their immense land.
By then, however, the family's legacy had dissipated in the area.
"I think due to the circumstances of what the family had to do in the Texas Revolution, that we did get overlooked," said Dana De León, 63, of Houston. "But we don't have any hard feelings."
During the plaque dedication ceremony, proclamations from the state, the city of Victoria and the county of Victoria were presented.
"There's not a person here that can say they founded a town. Almost, but not quite," said Victoria Mayor Will Armstrong. "But Martin De León and his friends the Benavides, and many others did. This is truly a celebration as we share it with the family members here."
The De Leóns were happy to connect with the approximately 362 family members expected to attend the weekend's events, some of whom they have never met before.
"When we thought of the De León to begin with, we only thought about our little cluster, but Martin and Patricia had four boys and six girls and most of them had extremely large families themselves," said Dana De León. " It's just overwhelming."
"I felt this reunion was long overdue," said 57-year-old Albuquerque, N.M., resident Rose Marie De León. "I've met quit a few more people of the lineage."
In addition to meeting family members, Rose Marie said she also learned new information about her historically-rich family.
Rose Marie was intrigued by her great-grandfather, Martin's, political activities. "He was very much involved in the political aspect," she said.
From this point on, the family hopes their family's historical ties to the area will continue through future generations.
"We are the only ones to blame at this point if our history is not told," said Blanche De León.
-
Print
- •
-
Share
- Share this item
-
Grab the link
Copy and paste the link:
- Blog about it
- Close
- •
-
2 Comments
- •
- Favorite
- •
-
Report error
-
Thank you for your submission.Error report or correction
- Close
-
- •
Comments
the mexicans that fought besides their gringo 'friends' for independence would have been better served shoving a knife in the back in the middle of the knight.
someone remind me how the local large land owning families came across all that land, the same land that belonged to mexican families pre revolution ?
April 9, 2011 at 4:18 p.m.Don Martín de León was a man of great vision, and at the time of the Texas revolution, his family was one of the wealthiest families in South Texas. The De León family also became one of the most influential backers of the Texas Revolution against Mexico. The De León family bought $35,000.00 worth of supplies and ammunitions to fight the war. They also supplied many of the men to fight in the war, including all the De León men and all the husbands of the De León women. After the war for Texas Independence the De León family was subjected to horrible injustices. As one historian put it "They became the victims of the most unjust discrimination ever known in Texas". The family had been robbed of their dignity and all of their lands. They did not even have monies to pay for tombstones for their dead. The De León family suffered one tragedy after another at the hands of the Texans, who had fought Santa Anna and his cruel form of government. So ask yourself this question, was this new government any different than the old government or could it be that now the new government was in control. Mabry "Mustang" Gray, a known outlaw, who was called a cowboy, murdered Agapito. This Bandit was never brought to justice. Why? Silvestre was ambushed and robbed on a return trip to New Orleans to sell stock. The outlaws were not brought to justice either. Could it have been the same so-called "cowboys" ambushed Silvestre and his two companions? Fernando who had been appointed Aide-de-Camp during the revolution, served with honor and distinction. He would be wounded by one of the "cowboys", a man named Brantley. He too was subjected to great unjust discriminations. He died a poor man. Félix and his famity had to leave Victoria and move to Louisiana to survive from all the hatred and killings that were launched against them.
April 9, 2011 at 2:29 p.m.http://www.tamu.edu/faculty/ccbn/dewi...