Person:Cristobal Falcon (1)

Occupation: listed as "armed personnel" in the Infantry Regiment of Louisiana for the Port of New Orleans on the Spanish Frigate San Ignacia de Loyola

Emigration: Since the late 1600s, Spain had encouraged the Canary Islanders to move to the Caribbean colonies. After Spain acquired Louisiana in 1762, it recognized the need to populate the territory. When the Revolutionary War brought the English in conflict with the American colonies, Spain recognized the danger from possible English hostilities in Louisiana. On August 15, 1777, Spain ordered a second battalion be formed in Louisiana. It looked to the Canary Islands for 700 recruits. It tried to get married recruits so that they could not only defend the area, but also populate it. [Din, p. 15]

    The recruits were required to be from 17 to 36 years old, healthy, without vices, and at least 5' 1/2" tall.  Butchers, gypsies, mulattoes, and executioners were not permited to sign up.  Though it wasn't in a written agreement, they understand that they were going to stay in Louisiana permanently.  The recruits were to receive 45 reales upon signing up and 45 more upon arrival in New Orleans.  They also got 1/2 peso a day while waiting to leave.  People were also paid for finding these recruits; in fact, they were paid according to the height of the recruits.  The payment was: 15 reales if at least 5' 1/2", 30 reales if at least 5' 2", and 45 reales if at least 5' 3". [Din, p. 16] 
    Five of the island sent recruits to Louisiana: Tenerife (about 45%), Gran Canaria (almost 40%), Gomera, La Palma, and Lanzarote. The 700 recruits brought their families, bringing the total number of immigrants to 2,373.  The following ships brought the Islenos to Louisiana  

Emigration: Santisimo Sacramento - 264 passengers - departed July 10, 1778 La Victoria - 292 passengers - departed October 22, 1778 San Ignacio de Loyola - 423 passengers - departed October 29, 1778 San Juan Nepomuceno - 202 passengers - departed December 9, 1778 Santa Faz - 406 passengers - departed February 17, 1779 El Sagrado Corazon de Jesus - 423 passengers - June 5, 1779

Emigration: Another ship with the last group of 100 recruits (and their families) were delayed because of the war between England and Spain. They had to stay over in Cuba for the duration, where a number of them died. They finally arrived in 1783

Emigration: Christobal Falcon arrived 15 January 1779 with his brother Gaspard Falcon at the Port of New Orleans from the Canary Islands, departed Santa Cruz de Tenerife on 29 October 1778. Christobal was granted land of three arpents frontage on the right bank of the Lafourche near Donaldsonville. By January 1, 1789, Christobal had 20 quarts of corn, 12 cattle, 4 horses, and 16 hogs. Cristobal and Gaspar are not brothers to Juan Suarez Falcon, who emigrated on a different ship.

BIOGRAPHY: The Ascension parish records show that Christobal was over 100 years old when he died. This is been proven incorrect. See the records at San Juan Bautista, Telde, Gran Canaria. He had at least 2 slaves.

1. ↑ ^1.0 1.1 San Juan Bautista de Telde Church Records, Libro 21 de Bautismo ( Nov 1749-Dic 1754) nr 189, folio 37 vto., Iglesia de San Juan Bautista de Telde, Plaza de San Juan, Gran Canaria, Spain .

   CHRISTENING: Libro 21 de Bautismo ( Nov 1749-Dic 1754) nr 189, folio 37 vto.
   Cristóbal Falcon hijo de Cristóbal Falcon y de Agustina Mexias.
   Hijo legitimo de Cristóbal Falcon y de Agustina Mexias, vino a la pila a los cinco dias de nacimiento. (Nació el 14 de septiembre)
   Fue su padrino Joseph Mexias.

2. ↑ ^2.0 2.1 ASC Ch, v4 p262.
3. ↑ Gilbert C. Din, The Canary Islanders of Louisiana, Louisiana State University Press, p220, University of Louisiana at Lafayette Edith Garland Dupre Library, PO Box 40199, Lafayette LA 70504.
4. ↑ ^4.0 4.1 Albert J. Robichaux, Jr., compiler, Colonial Settlers along Bayou Lafourche Louisiana Census Records 1770-1798, 532 Manhattan Boulevard, Harvey, Louisiana 70058, v2 p22, Lafayette Public Library, 301 W. Congress St., Lafayette, LA 70501, F 368.R62.
5. ↑ General Census of the Inhabitants of LaFourche 1 Jan 1789, Legajo 202, Archivo General de Indias - Papeles Procedentes de Cuba, Seville, Spain.
6. ↑ First Settlers of the Louisiana Territory, Orleans Territory, Grants From American State Papers Class VIII, Public Lands, Ingmire Publications, v1 p77, Lafayette Public Library, 301 W. Congress St., Lafayette, LA 70501, LA 929.3763 FIR.