Ancestry of Juan Ponce de León

Juan Ponce de Leon y Ayala was born in Villagarcía de la Torre, Spain. He died in 1469. He was the second count of Arcos. The title was conceded by the King, Juan II after Juan Ponce de Leon y Ayala's father, Pedro Fernandez Ponce de Leon y Haro died during the year of February 5, 1448. Juan Ponce de Leon y Ayala's mother was Maria Perez de Ayala y Guzman.

Historical and ancestral origin

The surname 'Ponce de León' dates from the 11th century. They were descended from Ponce Vélaz, a nobleman from León, who was the son of Vela Gutiérrez, member of the Vela Family, of Alavese origin, and Sancha de Cabrera. His family branch that originated in León, goes as follows:

• Vela Ximenez (Count of Álava in 882)
  • Nuño Vela (lived around 918)
    • Vermudo Nuñez (921-955)
      • Vela Vermúdez (lived around 976, settled in León)
        • Vermudo Vélaz (976-1027)
          • Oveco Vermúdez (1034–1042)
            • Vermudo Ovéquiz (1053–1092)
              • Gutierre Vermúdez (1092–1130)
                • Pedro Ponce de Minerva (1123 Catalunia - 30 July 1176, married, Estefania Ramirez de Trava.According to a charter dated 13 Mar 1207, Ponce de Minerva arrived at the court of Leon being as part of the entourage of Berenguela de Aragon during the year, Nov 1127. Source: Research - Historian John Browne Ayes via Ministry of Culture, Spain.ES.41168.SNAHN/1.1.2.7.10//OSUNA,C.141,D.29-62

Título:Documentos referentes al patronato del monasterio de Santa Maria de Sandobal, de la orden de San Bernardo, y su fundacion por el conde Ponce de Minerva, mayordomo y alferez mayor del rey Alfonso VII de Leon. Fecha Creacion:Aproximada, - ES.41168.SNAHN/1.1.2.7.10//OSUNA,C.141,D.29-62 Documento 47: Privilegio otorgado por el rey Alfonso VII al conde Ponce de Minerva y su mujer Estefania por el que les hace merced del lugar de Sandoval. (dada el 3 de diciembre de 1142). Copia simple, sin fecha. Documento 48: Carta de donacion otorgada por el conde Ponce de Minerva y su mujer e hijos a favor de la orden cistericense del lugar de Sandoval (dada el 15 de febrero de 1167). A continuacion se encuentra un testimonio de la procedencia del conde Ponce de Minerva y de su mujer Estefania Ramirez, condesa de Armagnac. Copia simple. - Donacion del emperador Alfonso a favor del conde Ponce de Minerva y su mujer Estefania Ramirez de una heredad en Villamoros (dada en febrero de 1146). Copia simple, sin fecha. Documento 50: Testimonio de los personajes ilustres que estuvieron enterrados en la caplla de San Pedro del monasterio de Sandoval, y lo que donaron a dicho monasterio. Copia simple

• • Sancha Ponce de Cabrera married, Vela Ponce Gutiérrez (1131-1160Ministry of Culture Spain, ES.41168.SNAHN/1.1.2.7.10//OSUNA,C.141,D.29-62

ES.41168.SNAHN/1.1.2.7.10//OSUNA,C.141,D.29-62 Documento 39: Copia de la tabla de fundacion del monasterio de Santa Maria de Nogales [en San Esteban de Nogales (Leon)], por Sancha Ponce de Cabrera, mujer del conde Vela Ponce Gutierrez; copia de la tabla de la lapida de Aldonza Alfonso de Leon, hija del rey Alfonso IX y mujer de Pedro Ponce de Cabrera; copia de la tabla de la lapida de los condes Vela Ponce y Sancha Ponce de Cabrera; (Sic Aldonza Alfonso de Leon Martins de Silva).

• • Ponce Vélaz (1161–1202)
    • • Pedro Pérez Ponce de León
        • Juan Ponce de Cabrera

The Senorial of Arcos belongs to the Ponce de Leon whose lineage has its origin in the branches of the Cabrera, one of its primo genitives, Pedro Ponce de Cabrera married, Aldonza Alfonso de Leon, the illegitimate daughter of King Alfonso IX and Aldonza Martinez de Silva lady of honor of Mansilla. Fernan Ponce de Leon founded one of the most ancient Andalusian mayorazgos in the city of Marchena. King Fernando granted the senorio by way of donation in 1309. Later in 1340 the mayorazgo of Mairena is conjoined by the mercy of King Alfonso IX. The title of Bailen was added in 1349 by purchase from the crown. The title of Count Arcos was conceded by King Juan II during the year of 1440 in exchange for the title Count of Medelin.

Rodrigo Ponce de Leon III Count of Arcos, II Marques and II Duke of Cadiz, Rodrigo acquired the palaces in 1471 and Pruña in 1442 by purchase. The Catholic Monarchs conceded the villa and title of Marquis of Zahara, which was later inherited by the firstborn of the House.

It is a known historical fact that Juan Ponce de Leon y Ayala was the grandfather of Juan Ponce de Leon, the discoverer and governor of Florida. Juan Ponce de Leon y Ayala had many wives, but only one woman was his legitimate wife, his former concubine, Leonor Nunez de Prado. These illegitimate liaisons produced many children and sorting them out has been a difficult task for historians and genealogists. Many theories have arisen around these marriages and the children that came out of them, but they have only served to add to the confusion and that confusion has muddled whom Juan Ponce de Leon the explorer's ancestors were. The genealogy presented here has been derived from documents within the Ministry of Culture, Spain and they have been used to map out and verify the family tree of Juan Ponce de Leon, discoverer and governor of Florida.

In addition to Juan Ponce de Leon y Ayala's many lands and titles the Ponce de Leon family owned and operated a soap factory in Seville, Spain. This fact was discovered within a document in the archives of Spain. It was authored in the year of 1448 by Francisco de Torres in a letter of ownership rights that was inserted by his father, Juan de Torres, A certain amount of rents that had been accruing from the soap factory in Seville were owed to the III count of Arcos, marques of Cadiz, Rodrigo Ponce de Leon. Rodrigo had ceded the soap factory to Juan de Torres in a dowery contract agreement.

Marriages

First

Juan Ponce de Leon y Ayala's first wife was Leonor de Guzman y Silva. What wasn't known by Juan Ponce de Leon y Ayala when he had married Leonor de Guzman that he was her second husband and she was still married. Her first husband was Juan de Paraiso. Leonor Nunez, who was the illegitimate mistress of Juan Ponce de Leon y Ayala, had been trying to find a way to become his legitimate wife. When she finally discovered that Leonor de Guzman had had a prior marriage before marrying Juan Ponce de Leon y Ayala, Leonor Nunez set the process in motion that ended in Juan Ponce de Leon y Ayala seeking a legal recourse for dissolving his marriage to Leonor de Guzman. This annulment caused the children of Leonor to fall into illegitimate status. This set off a long and dragged out civil litigation in the courts of Spain by Manuel Ponce de Leon, "El Valiente" and his brother, Pedro Ponce de Leon y Guzman.

They had the following children together:

• Pedro Ponce de Leon y GuzmanArchivo: Sección Nobleza del Archivo Histórico Nacional

Signatura: OSUNA,C.117,D.155-156 ES.41168.SNAHN/1.1.2.2.5//OSUNA,C.117,D.155-156 Cédulas reales de Juan II por las que confirma la donación que hizo el II conde de Arcos, Juan Ponce de León, a su hijo Pedro Ponce de León, de las villas de Arcos, Marchena, Rota y Bailén, y de los demás bienes que componían su mayorazgo para que los gozase tras su muerte. Fecha Creación: 1450-04-15 (Arévalo (Ávila)) - (Arévalo (Ávila)) Signatura Histórico: OSUNA,LEG.117,D.27;OSUNA,LEG.117,D.7 Translation: Royal decree of King Juan II confirming the donation that the II count of Arcos, Juan Ponce de Leon, gave to his son, Pedro Ponce de Leon of the Villas of Arcos, Marchena, Rota and Bailen, and any other inheritance that comprises his mayorazgo so he can enjoy them until his death.

Lost the primo genitive rights of becoming the III count of Arcos and all its inheritances by way of the conspiracy that Leonor Nunez de Prado initiated against the first wife of Juan Ponce de Leon y Ayala. Pedro Ponce de Leon y Guzman was the father in law of Juan Ponce de Leon, Adelantado and governor of la Florida.

• Manuel Ponce de Leon y Guzman, also known as "El Valiente."Archivo: Sección Nobleza del Archivo Histórico Nacional Signatura: OSUNA,C.176,D.18 ES.41168.SNAHN/1.1.2.24.5.1//OSUNA,C.176,D.18

Toma de posesión por parte de Manuel Ponce de León, llamado "el Valiente", hijo de Juan Ponce de León y Leonor de Guzmán, [II] condes de Arcos, de los lugares de Los Palacios y Guadajoz (Sevilla), con sus propiedades, fortalezas, rentas, pechos y derechos, vasallos, jurisdicción civil y criminal, y algunas propiedades en Carmona (Sevilla). Fecha Creación: 1466-03-06, (Los Palacios y Villafranca (Sevilla)) - En Carmona toma posesión del lugar llamado "Torralba", con su casa, tierras de pan, viñas, dehesas, montes, prados, pastos y aguas, por donación de su padre.

Second (illegitimate for ten years)

Juan Ponce de Leon y Ayala's second wife was Leonor Nunez de Prado, the daughter of Juan Nunez de Prado and his wife, Urraca Fernandez. Over the course of many years Leonor Nunez de Prado bore twelve children to Juan Ponce de Leon y Ayala. During the year of 11 23,1438 Juan Ponce de Leon y Ayala had five of his daughters from this illegitimate marriage formally legitimized.

Leonor Nunez de Prado was Juan Ponce de Leon y Ayala's concubine and did not get legally married until 3 November 1448. A total of eight children had been born illegitimately during the time before their marriage. The formal marriage date of their wedding contract is contained within four documents in the Section of Nobility within the National Historical Archives of Spain. Testimony of the marriage between Juan Ponce de Leon, II count of Arcos and Leonor Nunez de Prado, his second wife was given before the clerks Alfonso Gomez and Fernan Gonzalez and the Prior of the monastery of San Geronimo de Buena Vista, friar Juan de Medina along with other witnesses were present.

They had the following children together:

• Rodrigo Ponce de Leon y Nunez. Born 1443, died, 27 August 1492. Rodrigo's first burial place was within the convent of San Agustin. Then his body and that of his wife, Beatriz were moved to the church of the Anunciation in Seville, Spain during the year 1840 by his descendant, Pedro Tellez Giron. The actual date of death of Rodrigo has its source from the actual plaque that adorns Rodrigo and Beatriz's final resting place.

Rodrigo Ponce de Leon y Nunez became the III count of Arcos after his mother conspired against the legitimate wife of Juan Ponce de Leon y Ayala, Leonor de Guzman. Leonor Nunez de Prado won the senorio and mayorazgo of Arcos for her elder son Rodrigo Ponce de Leon. Rodrigo also gained the title, First Duke of Arcos. Rodrigo was the heroic figure in the last phase of the reconquest, the defeat and expulsion of the Moors from Spain. Rodrigo was called the second Cid. Captured the city of Alhama and Malaga from the Moors on behalf of the Catholic Monarchs. He fought in the Moorish wars from 1465 to 1469. Rodrigo was granted the title, Marques of Zahara in the year of 1484. King Enrique IV granted him the title, Marques of Cadiz in the year of January 1471. Queen Isabella granted Rodrigo the title of Duke of Cadiz during the year of 1484. A royal decree was issued in 1466 by Queen Juana de Portugal ratifying a donation that King Enrique IV made to Rodrigo of the Villa of Tarita and the tenancy of Alcazar of Carmona in exchange for the submission of Sevilla that Rodrigo had gained during his service to the King.

Rodrigo Ponce de Leon y Nunez married Juana Tellez Giron who became the First Countess of Arcos and then he married as his second wife, her sister, Maria Tellez Giron, daughters of Juan Tellez Giron II count of Urena. Rodrigo had made a marriage contract to marry Beatriz the daughter of Pedro Fernandez de Marmolejo, 24 of Sevilla, against the wishes of his father in 1459. The contract was eventually annulled in 1465. In the year of 1460 Rodrigo married Beatriz de Pacheco the daughter of Juan de Pacheco, Marques of Villena.

• Catalina Ponce de Leon y Nunez married to Diego de Cardenas, She married a second husband, Juan de la Torre.ES.41168.SNAHN/1.1.2.3.1//OSUNA,C.141,D.71-116

Escrituras de compraventa, donaciones y otros documentos referentes a diferentes bienes de Utrera (Sevilla) pertenecientes a la casa de Arcos. Fecha Creacion:Fecha reducida, 1426-01-01, (Utrera (Sevilla)) - Fecha reducida, 1693-08-06, (Utrera (Sevilla)) Documento 73: Carta de aceptacion por parte de Diego Fernandez, Constanza Garcia y su hijo Alfonso de la Torre, de la entrega de la mitad del donadío de Valcargado (Utrera) y de varias casas en la colacion de San Martín en Sevilla, que Juan de la Torre cedio en concepto de dote a su mujer Catalina Ponce de Leon, hija de Juan Ponce de Leon [II Conde de Arcos]. Original. Sevilla, 1440, octubre, 15. PASA A OSUNA,CP.72,D.14 Partial translation: Juan de la Torre concedes in concept the dowry to his wife, Catalina Ponce de Leon, daughter of Juan Ponce de Leon II count of Arcos.

• Juana Ponce de Leon y Nunez married, Juan Ramirez de GuzmanArchiv. Gen. de Simancas

Sig: RGS,149103,254 Ref. Code: ES.47161,AGS/1.31.1.914//RGS,149103,254 1491-03-18 (Sevilla) Dote a Juana Ponce de Leon, Viuda de Juan de Guzman, Senor de Teba. Translation: Money to Juana Ponce de leon, widow of Juan de Guzman, Senor de Teba.

• Mayor Ayala Ponce de Leon married, Arnao Segarra
• Ines Ponce de Leon y Nunez married, Luis de Guzman
• Isabel Ponce de Leon married, Pedro de Guzman, "El Bayo"
• Florentina Ponce de Leon married, Fernando de Zorita.
• Manuel Ponce de Leon married, Guiomar de Castro.
• Maria Ponce de Leon married, Martin Fernandez de Cordova
• Beatriz Ponce de Leon married, Pedro de Pineda.
• Luis Cristobal Ponce de Leon
• Eugenio Ponce de Leon
• Juan Ponce de Leon married Isabel de Portocarrero.ES.41168.SNAHN/1.1.2.5.1//OSUNA,C.121,D.51-81

Título:Partidas bautismales de diferentes miembros de la Casa de Arcos, comenzando por los hijos de Juan Ponce de León [hijo del II conde de Arcos] e Isabel Portocarrero, y acabando con los hijos de Francisco Ponce de León y María del Rosario Fernández de Córdoba, [X] duques de Arcos. Fecha Creación:Aproximada, 1585-07-24, (Madrid (Madrid)) - Aproximada, 1756-11-18, (Madrid (Madrid)) Partial Translation: Juan Ponce de Leon son of the II count of Arcos, and his wife, Isabel de Portocarrero.

This Juan Ponce de Leon is often mistaken as the Adelantado of la Florida, the discoverer of Florida.

Third (illegitimate)

Juan Ponce de Leon y Ayala's third wife was Catalina Gonzalez de Oviedo. Catalina Gonzalez de Oviedo was the great grandmother of Juan Ponce de Leon, Adelantado de la Florida. It is within this marriage that we find the family of Juan Ponce de Leon, the Adelantado of la Florida.

They had the following children together:

• Elvira Ponce de Leon y Gonzalez married Alonso Fernandez de Montemayor.Archiv. Seccion Noblez del Archivo Historico Nacional Sig: Ocuna,C.117,D.13

"Renuncia de los hereditos a favor de Juan Ponce de Leon II, Conde de los Arcos de todo derecho que pudieron tener a la casa y mayorazgo de Arcos. Escritura de renuncia de: Alavar Perez de Guzman, hijo de Alfonso de Guzman y Sancha Ponce de Leon, hija de Pedro Ponce de Leon y Maria de Ayala. (Alcala de Guadaira 12 Agosto 1461 "Juan Ponce de Leon hace cesion del Mayorazgo a su hijo, mayor, (iligimo) Pedro Ponce, Sevilla 22 March 1450. "Luis Ponce de Leon, hermano, 29 Oct 1460." "Lope Ponce de Leon, su hermano, 29 Oct 1460" "Elvira Ponce de Leon, su hermana, mujer de Montemayor Senor de la Villa de Alcaudete, Mairena, 3, Aug 1459." Translation: Renunciation of the beneficiaries in favor of Juan Ponce de Leon II Count of Arcos of all rights of the house and mayorazgo of Arcos. Writ lf renunciation of, Alvar Perez de Guzman, son of Alfonso de Guzman and Sancha Ponce de Leon, daughter of Pedro Ponce de Leon and Maria de Ayala. Juan Ponce de Leon makes a concession of the mayorazgo to his oldest son, (illegitimate) Pedro Ponce. Luis Ponce de Leon, brother, Lope Ponce de Leon, his brother, Elvira Ponce de leon, his sister.

• Enrique Ponce de Leon married to Francisca de SaavedraArchivo: Sección Nobleza del Archivo Histórico Nacional Signatura: OSUNA,C.137,D.82

Código de Referencia: ES.41168.SNAHN/1.1.2.5.11//OSUNA,C.137,D.82 Información sobre aquellas fincas situadas en Carmona (Sevilla) que aparecen en el testamento que otorgó Juan Ponce de León, [II] conde de Arcos, y que fueron heredadas por diferentes hijos y nietos suyos. Fecha Creación: 1469-09-10 (Marchena (Sevilla)) - (Marchena (Sevilla)) Signatura Histórico: OSUNA,C.137,D.5;OSUNA,LEG.137,N.5 Incluye los hijos ilegítimos tenidos con Catalina González: Enrique, Lope, Histropo, Beltrán, Constanza y Sancha. Y los nietos tenidos por parte de su hijo Pedro, tenido con su legítima mujer Leonor Núñez: Luis y Juan. También inlcuye la herencia dejada a su concubina, Mencía de Forera. Translation: Includes the illegitimate children with Catalina Gonzalez, Enrique, Lope, Histropo, Beltran, Constanza and Sancha.

• Lope Ponce de Leon, married Catalina de Perea Carrizosa (His story and genealogy continued below)
• Histropo Ponce de Leon, married Catalina de Vera y Zorita
• Sancha Ponce de Leon, married Juan Muniz de Godoy y Alvarez
• Beltran Ponce de Leon
• Constanza Ponce de Leon

Fourth (illegitimate)

Mencia de Forera, no issue. In a document dated 1489, Mencia de Forera has been mentioned as Juan Ponce de Leon y Ayala's concubine who was left part of an inheritance of lands in Carmona.

Parents of Juan Ponce de Leon, Adelantado and Governor of la Florida

Lope Ponce de Leon married Catalina de Perea Carrizosa. These are the parents of Juan Ponce de Leon, Adelantado de la Florida.

Children of Lope Ponce de Leon and Catalina de Perea Carrizosa

Juan Ponce de Leon Gonzalez de Perea. Born 1450, Santeveras de Campos, obispado de Leon. Died 1521, San Cristobal de la Havana. Buried in the Cathedral of the Isla de San Juan de Puerto Rico.

Juan Ponce de Leon Gonzalez de Perea accompanied Pedro Nunez de Guzman during the famous battle to reconquer Granada from the Moors as his page and Squire. This is the place where Juan Ponce encountered his first series of battles and he learned his military logistics at Granada.

In the early part of the 1500s he traveled with Christopher Columbus on his second voyage to Isla Hispanola. It was during this time he decided to return to the Caribbean islands.He did battle with the indigenous people there who were in constant rebellion. Juan Ponce de Leon overcame the Taino and the Guanajatabey tribes. He was rewarded with a governorship of Higuey.

Juan Ponce de Leon's political ambition and career took him to Puerto Rico and in 1509 he created a settlement there using his own funds and began the monumental task of building a fortress on the island of San Juan also at his own expense. He became governor of Puerto Rico by royal decree.

The contract and license to explore and discover la Florida was issued to Juan Ponce de Leon after he was relieved of his title of governor of Isla de San Juan de Puerto Rico.. Juan Ponce lost some of his extensive land holdings in the legal processes that were brought forth by Diego Colon, the son of Christopher Columbus. Despite Juan Ponce de Leon's loss of the office of governor, he still retained the office of Captain General. He also retained the wealth from several large plantations, slaves and other valuable holdings in ships and houses.. Apparently, he was disappointed with his condition on Isla de San Juan. In combination with the proverbial wanderlust and restlessness of conquistadors to obtain more wealth and prestige might have been the motivating factor that spurred Juan Ponce de Leon.

In the year of February 23, 1512 His contract to explore and discover la Florida had been signed and sealed by the King of Spain. These are the terms of the contract as dictated by the King to Lope Conchillos:

Special note: Juan Ponce de Leon had been contracted to discover the island of Bimini which he accomplished. He then sailed from that island to discover what he thought was another island. He named it, Pascua Florida. The indigenous people he had encountered there were hostile and fought with him. The Indians had probably encountered Portuguese slavers in the past after they weighed anchor to replenish their water and food supplies. Those encounters might have not been favorable and set the stage for hostile and aggressive attitude towards strangers invading their lands. There is a legend that Taíno people rowed their way to la Florida to warn the indigenous people there that Juan Ponce de Leon and his soldiers were coming. The reason why the Calusa were hostile has been lost to time. During Juan Ponce de Leon's voyage the Gulf Stream was discovered as well as the islands that comprise the Florida Keys.

Land was sighted, off the Florida coast during March of 1513. On March 27, 1513 Juan Ponce de leon and his party came ashore and claimed la Florida on behalf of King Ferdinand. Historically, Juan Ponce de Leon and his ships landed 125 miles south of Saint Augustine, near what is now Melbourne Beach. After a time the explorer set sail, Juan Ponce de Leon and his crew sailed around the coasts of la Florida for several weeks looking for gold and silver and other precious materials. He found none and must have been disappointed. Juan Ponce de Leon returned to Puerto Rico. Much later in 1521 he realized the value of the settlement he was supposed to have established in Florida after witnessing ships transporting precious ores, jewels and produce from Peru and Mexico. .

On February 10, 1521 Juan Ponce de Leon wrote the new king of Spain informing him of his intent to continue the job he had left undone of exploring and settling la Florida:

The exact date of Juan Ponce de Leon's departure can be determined from a letter that de Gama penned off to the king on February 15, 1521 from Puerto Rico:

"The Adelantado Juan Ponce de Leon starts his journey from this island on the twentieth of this month with another expedition to settle la Florida and to make discoveries in the adjoining country."

Juan Ponce de Leon and his party landed in the area around Caloosa Hatchee river.While the members of the party were busy building what was to be the new settlement they were attacked by members of the Calusa tribe. During the battle Juan Ponce took an arrow that had been laced with poison. One can imagine that he died slowly and painfully of his wounds in Havana. His grandson, Juan Troche-Ponce de Leon transferred his remains to Puerto Rico and interred him in the Cathedral of San Juan de Puerto Rico.

Historically Juan Ponce de Leon Gonzalez de Perea was said to be an "illegitimate son and of a humble but noble family," but historians and genealogists had gotten the story reversed because it was his father, Lope Ponce de Leon who was in fact the illegitimate son instead. Legends and myths tend to distort the historical reality especially when the important task of looking for documentation within archives has been neglected by historians and authors. There are two other individuals within the Ponce de Leon family tree that share the same first name and surname. Juan Ponce de Leon who was married to a Portocarrero and the other Juan Ponce de Leon called, "El Bermejo", (the red head). We can eliminate Juan Ponce de Leon "el Bermejo" because archival records reveal that he would have been far too old to have made the grueling trip that led to the discovery of la Florida. Juan Ponce de Leon, El Bermejo was the son of Pedro Ponce de Leon de Guzman and Maria de Luna y Rojas. He was born ca. 1424. There is an archival record that provide dates that give us an idea how old he may have been.The record is a Judicial Emancipation that was authored by the II count of Arcos during the year of 1466 regarding his grand children, the children of his son, Pedro Ponce de Leon and Maria de Luna, Juan, Luis, and Leonor Ponce de Leon.

The second document from the archives informs the reader that Juan Ponce de Leon, El Bermejo, was involved in a litigation against Rodrigo Ponce de Leon, the III count of Arcos, I duke of Arcos, from the year of 1449 through 1528 He is in court with Maria Ponce de Leon, daughter of Luis Ponce de Leon and his descendants, fighting over the rights of the house and mayorazgo of Arcos. This litigation was a very long and protracted court case. Juan Ponce de Leon, the governor and discoverer of la Florida had died during the year of 1521. he couldn't be in Spain litigating a case against the house of Arcos.

Juan Ponce de Leon, the Adelantado was closely related to Rodrigo Ponce de Leon the III Count of Arcos, He was his nephew.

The next source document talks to us about Juan Ponce de Leon and his brother Pedro Ponce de Leon, the sons of Lope Ponce de Leon, bringing a law suit against their cousin, Rodrigo Ponce de Leon, Third Count of Arcos over one quarter part of a property and its rents. Pedro took responsibility of the holding on behalf of his brother Juan Ponce de Leon during the time Juan Ponce de Leon was a minor. This document also incorporates a letter of sale and purchase authored by Rodrigo Ponce de Leon in favor of his cousins, Juan and Pedro Ponce de Leon of half of a property situated in Carmona.

Historical sources and genealogists often site a woman named Leonor Ponce de Leon as being the wife of Juan Ponce de Leon. Without any historical documentation it has been suggested that she was the daughter of an inn keeper. One has to take into consideration that Spanish society was a stratified one. Individuals, especially men of high rank and status only married women who possessed the same. Furthermore there are no official records of her to be found within the various archives in Puerto Rico, la Isla Hispanola, Spain or anywhere else in the New World. According to the strict conventions put forth by historians and genealogists if no record can be found within any archive or civil registry for a specific marriage, then that marriage has to be listed as an undocumented and theorietical one,

In order to find who was the legitimate wife and mother of the children of Juan Ponce de Leon one has to search the archives for a written record that supports the marriage. The legitimate wife of Juan Ponce de Leon, the Adelantado and discoverer of Florida has been found within the document listing the merits and services of the son of Juan Ponce de Leon, Juan Gonzalez Ponce de Leon.

Son of Juan Ponce de Leon

Juan Gonzalez Ponce de Leon de Luna. Born, ca, 1471 Reynos de Castilla. Died, Guatemala, Mexico.

Like his father, Juan Ponce de Leon, Juan Gonzalez Ponce de Leon was surrounded with mystery and legend as well as many errors that have been made regarding his origin. To site one error as an example within an important history book, it was within a short list of passengers sited within the book as "First European Contacts" it gives a very short list of passengers, "Anton de Alaminos, pilot of the Brigantine, Beatriz and Juana Jimenez, two African freemen, Juan Garido and Juan Gonzalez Ponce de Leon and two unnamed Taino seafarer guides from Puerto Rico." But a document was found within the General Archives of the Indies entitled, Informaciones Juan Gonzalez Ponce de Leon, dated 1532 strips away the myth and legend to tell us who Juan Gonzalez Ponce de Leon really was.

The beginning pages of the document relates the merits and services of Juan Gonzalez Ponce de Leon. It is written in his own hand. He informs the reader that he was living in Mexico during the time the documents were being written, that he had begun his service to his Majesty the King during the year of 1505. In his youth he had traveled from Castilla, Spain to la Isla Espanola during the year of 1508 with his father, Juan Ponce de Leon, the governor of Isla de San Juan Puerto Rico. During his service to the king Juan Gonzalez Ponce de Leon held the position of captain. He also informs the reader that he was employed as a spy gathering information on behalf of the king. While living on la Espanola he had been given some indigenous slaves in a small repartamiento. It was during this time that he served as an interpreter of the Taino language. During his military career in Mexico he was again employed as a spy and interpreter translating Aztec to Spanish. Juan Gonzalez Ponce de Leon relates that was part of what has been called La Noche Triste during the year of 1520 in Tenochitlan, Mexico. He writes about how he had suffered many wounds during the battle in which conquistadors had to fight to save their lives while escaping from hundreds of Aztec warriors. The battle was intense as many conquistadors had been brutally killed.

On document page number 0000SX03 Juan Gonzalez Ponce de Leon informs the reader that his mother was Beatriz de Luna y Ponce de Leon and that his father was Juan Ponce de Leon, the Adelantado of la Florida. Beatriz de Luna y Ponce de Leon was the daughter of Pedro Ponce de Leon y Guzman and his wife, Maria de Luna y Rojas. Pedro Ponce de Leon y Guzman was the illegitimate son of Juan Ponce de Leon y Ayala and his first wife, Leonor de Guzman.

Juan Gonzalez Ponce de Leon's grand parents were Lope Ponce de Leon y Gonzalez and his wife, Catalina de Perea y Carrizosa.

Juan Gozalez Ponce de Leon was married to, Francisca de Ordas. The source for this information was found within the General Archive of the Indies within a license to travel to Mexico issued to Diego de Ordaz de Leon on 03 07, 1559; who was a resident of Mexico, son of Juan Gonzalez de Leon and Francisca de Ordaz.

Siblings of Juan Gonzalez Ponce de Leon

• Juana Ponce de Leon married, Garci Troche de Olmedo on Oct 1519.
• Maria Ponce de Leon married Gaspar Troche de Olmedo on 9 October 1521.
• Isabel Ponce de Leon married, Antonio de la Gama on 16 June 1520.
• Luis Ponce de Leon, without issue. Died 1526, New Spain, Mexico.

Juan Ponce de Leon's Achievement

Despite Juan Ponce de Leon's failure to successfully found a colony in la Florida his main contribution lies within creating, founding, defending and populating a successful settlement and fortification on the island of San Juan de Puerto Rico and in Higuey, and Isla Espanola where Columbus failed during his second voyage. Juan Ponce discovered la Florida and technically was the first European to set foot upon what is now the Continental United States and he was the first Governor in title of it. Other conquistadors came after him, Pedro Menendez de Aviles who created, fortified defended and founded at his own expense, the town of Saint Augustine, Florida many years before the Pilgrims landed upon Plymouth Rock.

Juan Ponce de Leon's descendants are still living and thriving in the Caribbean, Mexico, and even in the United States. His legacy continues to be a monumental one.

Bibliography

• Simon Barton: The Aristocracy in Twelfth-Century León and Castile. Cambridge University Press, 2002.
• Primary Source: The Ancestors of Juan Ponce de Leon, Juan Ponce de Leon His New and Revised Genealogy by John J, Browne AyesSource for the Ancestors Of Juan Ponce de Leon:

Juan Ponce de Leon His New And Revised Genealogy, Author, John J. Browne Ayes. ISBN 978: 9557466535

• Secondary Source: Who Was Juan Ponce de Leon? by Charles W. Arnade.