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'''José Ramon Fernández''' "Marqués de La Esperanza" (1808–1883), was the wealthiest sugar baron in Puerto Rico in the 19th century. He was also one of the most powerful men of the entire Spanish Caribbean.<ref name="HLE"></ref> His wealth and political connections gave him the power to convince the Spanish Colonial government in the island to split the municipality of ] in two, thus the creation of the municipality of ]. '''José Ramon Fernández''' "Marqués de La Esperanza" (1808–1883), was the wealthiest sugar baron in Puerto Rico in the 19th century. He was also one of the most powerful men of the entire Spanish Caribbean.<ref name="HLE"></ref> His wealth and political connections gave him the power to convince the Spanish Colonial government in the island to split the municipality of ] in two, and thus found the municipality of ].


==Early years== ==Early years==


Fernández (birth name: José Ramon Fernández y Martínez) was one of three siblings born to Fernando Fernández and Francisca Martínez in ]. Fernández's father was a naval captain who fought against ] and ] merchant ships. In 1797, the Spanish Royal Crown granted him land in the towns of ] and Manati in recognition of his service to ]. In Bayamon he planted ]s and raised cattle.<ref></ref> His father named the property the "Santa Ana Plantation". In 1804, the elder Fernández used a mixture of sugar and honey to process and distill rum. He aged his product in special barrels which were imported from ]. The rum he produced was only for his own personal use and that of his family. In 1827, he ordered his 127 slaves to build an enormous ] shaped like a ]. The windmill helped to extract the juice from the sugar canes. He would still resort to the use of ], whenever the wind wasn't strong enough for to operate the windmill.<ref name="SJH"></ref> The Elder Fernández did the same with his other plantation in Manati, which he named "Hacienda La Esperanza".<ref name="HLE"/><ref name="JRF"></ref> Fernández (birth name: José Ramon Fernández y Martínez) was one of three siblings born to Fernando Fernández and Francisca Martínez in ]. Fernández's father was a naval captain who fought against ] and ] merchant ships. In 1797, the Spanish Royal Crown granted him land in the towns of ] and Manati in recognition of his service to ]. In Bayamon he planted ] and raised cattle.<ref></ref> His father named the property the "Santa Ana Plantation". In 1804, the elder Fernández used a mixture of sugar and honey to process and distill rum. He aged his product in special barrels which were imported from ]. The rum he produced was only for his own personal use and that of his family.


In 1827, he ordered his 127 slaves to build an enormous ] shaped like a ]. The windmill helped to extract the juice from the sugar canes. He still resorted to the use of ], whenever the wind wasn't strong enough for to operate the windmill.<ref name="SJH"></ref> The elder Fernández did the same with his other plantation in Manati, which he named "Hacienda La Esperanza".<ref name="HLE"/><ref name="JRF"></ref>
⚫ Fernández received his primary education in Puerto Rico. In 1819, when he was eleven years old his father sent him to ] to study business administration. When he was seventeen he continued his education in ] where he became fluent in the ]. He went to the ] in his early twenties and continued his education in ]. There he befriended various businessmen who in the future will help him in his commercial endeavors.<ref name="HLE"/><ref name="JRF"/>

⚫ José Fernández received his primary education in Puerto Rico. In 1819 when he was eleven years old, his father sent him to ] to study business administration. When he was seventeen, he continued his education in ] where he became fluent in the ]. He went to the ] in his early twenties and continued his education in ]. There he befriended various businessmen who in the future would help him in his commercial endeavors.<ref name="HLE"/><ref name="JRF"/>


==Return to Puerto Rico== ==Return to Puerto Rico==
Fernández returned to Puerto Rico in 1826 and helped his father in the administration of the La Esperanza sugar plantation. He met and befriended George C. Lattimer, the United States consulate in San Juan. Together with Lattimer who was also a sugar broker, he founded Lattimer & Fernández Co. The company, which was located in San Juan, was a distributor of sugar, molasses and rum and also dealt with other commodities such as food and textiles. Fernández married Clemencia Dorado y Serrano and in 1834, decided to dedicate himself to his commercial interests instead of the agricultural ones. He established a warehouse in the town of ] where he moved with his family.<ref name="HLE"/><ref name="JRF"/> Fernández returned to Puerto Rico in 1826 and helped his father to administer La Esperanza sugar plantation. He met and befriended George C. Lattimer, the United States consul in San Juan. Together with Lattimer, who was also a sugar broker, he founded Lattimer & Fernández Co. The company, which was located in San Juan, was a distributor of sugar, molasses and rum, and also dealt with other commodities such as food and textiles.<ref name="HLE"/><ref name="JRF"/>
Fernández married Clemencia Dorado y Serrano. They had several children together.<ref name="HLE"/><ref name="JRF"/>
In 1834, he decided to dedicate himself to his commercial interests instead of the agricultural ones. He established a warehouse in the town of ] where he moved with his family.<ref name="HLE"/><ref name="JRF"/>


==Political life==
Fernández was the president of the "Partido Incondicional Español" (Unconditional Spanish Party), a conservative political party in Puerto Rico. He was appointed to several political positions. He was in good political standing with Queen ] and the Spanish appointed Government of the island because of his political views which favored the monarchy and the Spanish colonization of the island. He became involved in with various businesses and in 1850, used his political influence to lobby for the establishment of a railroad line between San Juan and ] with the financial backing of Augusto de Cottes and Cornelio Kortwright.<ref name="HLE"/><ref name="JRF"/> Fernández became president of the "Partido Incondicional Español" (Unconditional Spanish Party), a conservative political party in Puerto Rico. He was appointed to several political positions. He was in good political standing with Queen ] and the Spanish-appointed government of the island because of his political views; he favored the monarchy and the Spanish colonial government. He became involved with various businesses and in 1850, used his political influence to lobby for the establishment of a ] line between San Juan and ], with the financial backing of Augusto de Cottes and Cornelio Kortwright.<ref name="HLE"/><ref name="JRF"/>


==Marqués de La Esperanza== ==Marqués de La Esperanza==
] ]
An uprising against the monarchs of Spain forced Queen Isabella II to go into exile on September 1868. This revolt, which deposed Isabella, is known as the ], and ushered the ] into power. The new government replaced Isabella with ], son of ], after much deliberation.<ref></ref> The new provisional government allowed its colonies to send representatives to the Spanish Courts. Fernández was among those who represented Puerto Rico. On February 5, 1869, the Spanish government bestowed the title of "Marqués de La Esperanza" (Marquis of Hope) upon Fernández.<ref name="HLE"/><ref name="JRF"/> An uprising against the monarchs of Spain forced Queen Isabella II to go into exile on September 1868. This revolt, which deposed the queen, is known as the ]. It ushered the ] into power. The new government replaced Isabella with ], son of ], after much deliberation.<ref></ref> The new provisional government allowed its colonies to send representatives to the Spanish Court. Fernández was among those who represented Puerto Rico. On February 5, 1869, the Spanish government bestowed the title of "Marqués de La Esperanza" (Marquis of Hope) upon Fernández.<ref name="HLE"/><ref name="JRF"/>


When his father died he inherited "La Esperanza", which at the time was one of the largest and the most technically advanced sugar plantations in Puerto Rico. The 2,265 acres of land, where "La Esperanza" was situated, were rich in alluvial deposits an important element for the cultivation of the sugar cane. Fernández owes his prosperity to the slaves who provided the manpower to run the plantation and to the factory equipment which included a steam engine with its two-flue boiler purchased from the West Point Foundry of New York, elaboration (Jamaican) train, a conveyor belt and four evaporators.<ref name="HLE"/><ref name="JRF"/> When his father died, he inherited "La Esperanza", which at the time was one of the largest and the most technically advanced sugar plantations in Puerto Rico. The 2,265 acres of land, where "La Esperanza" was situated, were rich in alluvial deposits, an important element for the cultivation of the sugar cane. Fernández built the wealth of his plantation on the labor of African slaves <!--how many slaves did he own?--> who provided the manpower to run the plantation and its factory. He also depended on his factory equipment: including a steam engine with two-flue boiler purchased from the West Point Foundry of New York, elaboration (Jamaican) train, conveyor belt, and four evaporators for processing.<ref name="HLE"/><ref name="JRF"/>


Fernández convinced the government to allow the establishment of the municipality of Barceloneta which required that the municipality of Manati be divided in two. His motives were for his own economic benefit and not for the political benefits of the residents of both municipalities. Fernández was well aware that he would have to pay taxes from the movement of goods and slaves if he used the ports of Manati. The establishment of the mew municipality, allowed Fernández to build his own port, thus obtaining movement for his merchandise free of taxes.<ref name="HLE"/><ref name="JRF"/> Fernández convinced the government to divide the municipality of Manati in two and found the new municipality of Barceloneta. This was clearly for his own economic benefit and not for the political benefits of the residents of either jurisdiction. If he used the port of Manati, Fernández would have to pay taxes for the movement of goods and slaves. In Barceloneta, he built his own port and was able to ship his commodities and products free of taxes.<ref name="HLE"/><ref name="JRF"/>


==Legacy== ==Legacy==
Fernández incurred in many debts because of the money which he barrowed to mechanize his plantation. He was unable to pay his debts and when he died his family became involved in a family feud as to who was the rightful inheritor of the plantation. However it was the Colonial Company Ltd, who Fernandez owed the most money to, that had the final say in the matter. The Colonial Company Ltd. claimed ownership of the land.<ref name="HLE"/><ref name="JRF"/> Fernández incurred many debts because of the money which he borrowed to mechanize his plantation. He was unable to pay his debts; when he died, his family became involved in a feud as to who was the rightful inheritor of the plantation. As Fernandez' major creditor, the Colonial Company Ltd. claimed ownership of the land.<ref name="HLE"/><ref name="JRF"/>


In 1975, the Puerto Rico Conservation Trust acquired the Hacienda La Esperanza. La Esperanza is one of the most valuable assets of the Puerto Rico conservation trust. In 1984 the conservation trust began work on the restoration of the structures of the area.<ref></ref> In 1975, the ] acquired the Hacienda La Esperanza. La Esperanza is one of the most valuable assets of the Trust. In 1984 the conservation trust began work on the restoration of its structures.<ref></ref>


==See also== ==See also==

Revision as of 02:35, 5 November 2013

José Ramon Fernández
José Ramon Fernández
"Marqués de La Esperanza"
Born1808
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Died1883
Manati, Puerto Rico
NationalityPuerto Rican
OccupationSugar baron
Notes
The Spanish Crown bestowed upon him the title of "Marqués de La Esperanza"

José Ramon Fernández "Marqués de La Esperanza" (1808–1883), was the wealthiest sugar baron in Puerto Rico in the 19th century. He was also one of the most powerful men of the entire Spanish Caribbean. His wealth and political connections gave him the power to convince the Spanish Colonial government in the island to split the municipality of Manati in two, and thus found the municipality of Barceloneta.

Early years

Fernández (birth name: José Ramon Fernández y Martínez) was one of three siblings born to Fernando Fernández and Francisca Martínez in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Fernández's father was a naval captain who fought against pirates and English merchant ships. In 1797, the Spanish Royal Crown granted him land in the towns of Bayamon and Manati in recognition of his service to Spain. In Bayamon he planted sugar cane and raised cattle. His father named the property the "Santa Ana Plantation". In 1804, the elder Fernández used a mixture of sugar and honey to process and distill rum. He aged his product in special barrels which were imported from Europe. The rum he produced was only for his own personal use and that of his family.

In 1827, he ordered his 127 slaves to build an enormous windmill shaped like a tower. The windmill helped to extract the juice from the sugar canes. He still resorted to the use of manpower, whenever the wind wasn't strong enough for to operate the windmill. The elder Fernández did the same with his other plantation in Manati, which he named "Hacienda La Esperanza".

José Fernández received his primary education in Puerto Rico. In 1819 when he was eleven years old, his father sent him to Spain to study business administration. When he was seventeen, he continued his education in England where he became fluent in the English language. He went to the United States in his early twenties and continued his education in New York City. There he befriended various businessmen who in the future would help him in his commercial endeavors.

Return to Puerto Rico

Fernández returned to Puerto Rico in 1826 and helped his father to administer La Esperanza sugar plantation. He met and befriended George C. Lattimer, the United States consul in San Juan. Together with Lattimer, who was also a sugar broker, he founded Lattimer & Fernández Co. The company, which was located in San Juan, was a distributor of sugar, molasses and rum, and also dealt with other commodities such as food and textiles.

Fernández married Clemencia Dorado y Serrano. They had several children together.

In 1834, he decided to dedicate himself to his commercial interests instead of the agricultural ones. He established a warehouse in the town of Mayaguez where he moved with his family.

Political life

Fernández became president of the "Partido Incondicional Español" (Unconditional Spanish Party), a conservative political party in Puerto Rico. He was appointed to several political positions. He was in good political standing with Queen Isabella II of Spain and the Spanish-appointed government of the island because of his political views; he favored the monarchy and the Spanish colonial government. He became involved with various businesses and in 1850, used his political influence to lobby for the establishment of a railroad line between San Juan and Arecibo, with the financial backing of Augusto de Cottes and Cornelio Kortwright.

Marqués de La Esperanza

Hacienda La Esperanza's steam engine and mill. It was designated a National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers in 1979.

An uprising against the monarchs of Spain forced Queen Isabella II to go into exile on September 1868. This revolt, which deposed the queen, is known as the Glorious Revolution. It ushered the First Spanish Republic into power. The new government replaced Isabella with Amadeo I, son of the Italian king, after much deliberation. The new provisional government allowed its colonies to send representatives to the Spanish Court. Fernández was among those who represented Puerto Rico. On February 5, 1869, the Spanish government bestowed the title of "Marqués de La Esperanza" (Marquis of Hope) upon Fernández.

When his father died, he inherited "La Esperanza", which at the time was one of the largest and the most technically advanced sugar plantations in Puerto Rico. The 2,265 acres of land, where "La Esperanza" was situated, were rich in alluvial deposits, an important element for the cultivation of the sugar cane. Fernández built the wealth of his plantation on the labor of African slaves who provided the manpower to run the plantation and its factory. He also depended on his factory equipment: including a steam engine with two-flue boiler purchased from the West Point Foundry of New York, elaboration (Jamaican) train, conveyor belt, and four evaporators for processing.

Fernández convinced the government to divide the municipality of Manati in two and found the new municipality of Barceloneta. This was clearly for his own economic benefit and not for the political benefits of the residents of either jurisdiction. If he used the port of Manati, Fernández would have to pay taxes for the movement of goods and slaves. In Barceloneta, he built his own port and was able to ship his commodities and products free of taxes.

Legacy

Fernández incurred many debts because of the money which he borrowed to mechanize his plantation. He was unable to pay his debts; when he died, his family became involved in a feud as to who was the rightful inheritor of the plantation. As Fernandez' major creditor, the Colonial Company Ltd. claimed ownership of the land.

In 1975, the Puerto Rico Conservation Trust acquired the Hacienda La Esperanza. La Esperanza is one of the most valuable assets of the Trust. In 1984 the conservation trust began work on the restoration of its structures.

See also

References

  1. ^ José R. Fernández y Martínez "Marqués de La Esperanza"
  2. Traveler
  3. Puerto Rico Herald
  4. ^ HACIENDA LA ESPERANZA
  5. "Library of Congress". Retrieved 1 December 2011.
  6. Women history
  7. Hacienda La Esperanza

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