Quick Facts
Biography
Juan María Vicencio, Baron de Ripperdá (Madrid, 1 September 1725 - Honduras, 21 October 1780) was the Spanish governor of Texas and Honduras.
Early life
He was the son of Dutch political adventurer John William, Baron Ripperda and Francisca de Xarava del Castillo. His father was a scion of the ancient Dutch noble house of Ripperda. He became Duke of Ripperda and Prime Minister of Spain but was forced to flee the country following a scandal. Juan María Vicencio was subsequently raised in Madrid by his mother and her relatives, a devoutly Catholic, aristocratic Spanish family.
Career
He started his military career in 1743 and rose to become a colonel in 1761. In 1769, he was appointed governor of Texas by the King of Spain and set sail for Mexico. During his stay in Mexico City he met and married (22 October) Mariana Gómez de Parada Gallo y Villavicencio. From February 1770, he lived in San Antonio with his wife and six children. Although he was appointed Governor of Honduras in 1776 they remained in Texas until 1778. He was much respected and became known as one of the most popular Spanish Governors. On 28 June 1779, the King promoted him to the rank of brigadier.