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                   Manuel Gonzalez
                   Escambia county
                        near Pensacola

                               contributed by

                                       Bill Lynch
                          Ron MacKendrick


Manuel Gonzalez born in Spain in 1770 Yes they did
settle in Florida there is a town named after them about 4 - miles north of Pensacola (Gonzalez). My grandmother was born about 30 miles from Pensacola 140 years after her great great grandmother was born there. Manuel Gonzalez received a land grant from the King of Spain and had a large cattle ranch near Pensacola.

I also found a book on the early history of Escambia county that detailed an encounter between General Andrew Jackson and Manual Gonzalez.

It happened sometime in the late 1810's when the USA was once again taking control of Florida. It seems that Jackson was pursuing the Spanish army and came upon Manual at his ranch.

He demanded that Manual or his oldest son lead his army to where the Spanish army was camped. He threatened bodily harm to them if necessary. Manual replied " Sir my life and property are in your hands and are yours to take as you see fit, but my honor is my own.

As to my son, I would rather plunge a sword into his bosom than see him a traitor to his King." This was all conducted through an interpreter, as :Manual did not speak English.

Manual's defiant speech so impressed General Jackson that he not only let them go without harm, but actually became friends with Manual and visited his ranch on subsequent trips through the area.

That same history related the fact that M.F. Gonzalez went on to found one of the most successful livestock feed etc. businesses in Escambia county.

It also said that the Gonzalez' were influential citizens of Pensacola, holding numerous public offices.