Tlee Beginning of Formal Colonization
Slowly the little community continued to grow. Early in 1808, Geronimo Hernandez, originally of Havana, moved from Natchitoches with his wife, Isabel de Racal. Jose Quiroz, originally of Illinois, arrived in March with Celeste Ruberson (Robertson), and two children, Jose Angelico and Angelica. Before another year, he had 100 head of cattle and 30 horses. Carlos Trahan came the same month from Opelousas with his wife, Celeste Leesuhene, and four children: Salanxe, Carlos, Celeste, and Celesia. Within a year, they had built a house on their lot, and had 100 head of cattle grazing on public lands. Nacogdoches lost Pedro Patterson, carpenter, and Guillermo Burxer, stone mason, to Trinidad de Salcelo in August. Vicente McLaughlan, of Louisiana, his wife, Martha Thompson, and two daughters, Queta (Katy) and Rebecca, coming in October, seem to have been the last settlers to arrive at Salcedo--soon to be abandoned. The census, taken in October, 1809, revealed nothing about the following except their names: Jose Leal, Juan Macfale, Jaime Mirian, Jose Giru, Luis Grande, Pedro Brase, Jacobo Dast, Joshua Ris (Reese), Genaro Pon, and Francisco Lacomba. 46 The total population at this time was IOI. Pedro Nolasco Carrasco, in charge of both the garrison and the settlers, was, on June 27, made chief supply officer for the 300 men in the advanced posts along the eastern frontier. Of this appointment he immediately notified Valle at Nacogdoches so that he could be replaced at Salcedo by another officer. 67 Almost a month later Cordero reported to Salcedo that Valle, who had been named to take charge of Salcedo, could not obey the order until Simon de Herrera or Francisco Viana had returned to Nacogdoches. In the meantime, Carrasco, like many others at the new settlement, had taken sick, for the climate, floods, and malaria-bearing mosquitoes wrought havoc among the inhabitants of the new villa. Since the relief of Carrasco was urgent, and since the appointment of a capable officer to succeed him was important, the governor ordered Captain Juan Ignacio Arrambide to repair to Salcedo. He had been in charge of the mobile unit assigned to guard river crossings along the road from San Antonio to Nacogdoches. Cordero informed Salcedo in the same com- munication that A lferes Miguel Serrano was assuming Arrambide's duties. 68 66 Census of Villa of Trinidad de Salcedo, October 6, 1809. Bexar Arclliws. 67 Carrasco to Valle, June 27, 1806. Berar Arcllives. 68 Cordero to Salcedo, July 24, 1806. Berar Arcltrves.
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