Nicholás PONCE de LÉON

Submitted by Descendants:  Antonieta Echenique and Frank S. BERNARDINO; Luis ECHENIQUE JR.; Alejandro José, Ana Maria Bernardino, Cecilia Cristina, Laura Antonieta, Maite Carolina, GARCÍA; Susana C Echenique MATOS; Francis A Echenique, Jack Luis, and Olivia A McCLINTOCK; Erik Frank, Paul Alexander and Rosa Bernardino RAMOS; Andrea C., Paola I., and Patricia Echenique VALDÉS-SUEIRAS

Nicholas Ponce De Leon was born in Madrid circa 1590, and in 1612, he traveled with his father to the Indies and helped colonize the territory of Nueva Granada, now known as Colombia.  While there he served with a company under his command in the Provinces of Santa Martha, Valle Upar and Riodeacha in the pacification of Indians and the discovery and farming of pearl oyster beds.  This became one of the most important sources of riches and export for the area.  Nicholas also defended the city of Roideacha against enemy attack and became Infantry Captain.  His father was Captain and Mayor Justice of the city of Almaguer in Neuva Granada and Nicholas’ grandfather was one of the first discoverers and conquistadors in the Indies.

Returning to Seville, Spain circa 1620, Nicholas married Estefania Davila Salvatierra.  On 8 June 1630 Philip IV, King of Spain, appointed him First Accountant of the Royal Treasury for the Province of Florida.  Arriving in Florida in July 1630 with his wife and two young daughters, Estefania and Isabel, he took charge of his responsibilities 28 January 1631 and held this position until 19 October 1651.

The family settled in St. Augustine and raised eight children, their sons all joining the military.  A son, Manuel died in South Carolina, a prisoner of the French.  On 14 May 1651, Nicholas was appointed Captain General and Governor of Florida, a position held until his death later that year.

Nicholás Ponce de Leon was first established as a Florida Pioneer in 2008

Additional Florida Pioneers proven but biography available:

Estefania DÁVILA y SALVATIERRA

Manuel PONCE de LÉON y DÁVILA

Nicholas PONCE de LÉON y RUIZ de ZARTUCHA

Lorenza de los Angeles RUIZ de ZARTUCHA