Juan Ponce de Leon
Juan Ponce de Leon, known most commonly as simply Ponce de Leon, was a great explorer who little is know about. Columbus has been credited with discovering the Americas, but what do we really know about Ponce de Leon?
In 1474, Ponce de Leon was born in San Terva de Campos, Spain. There is no known record of his birth, his parents, or even his adolescence. He was a descendant of an ancient and noble family. The name Leon was obtained through the marriage of one of the Ponces to Dona Aldonza de Leon, a daughter of Alfonso IX. As a teen, Juan was a squire and a page to Pedro Nunuz de Guzman. Later he became a tutor to the brother of Charles V, the Infante Don Fernando.
In 1493, Ponce de Leon joined Columbus on his second voyage to the Americas. After that exploration, the settled in Hispaniola (possibly Espanola) and helped defeat Indian revolts on this Caribbean island. In 1502 Ponce de Leon was appointed Ovando's lieutenant. This honor was bestowed upon him because he was invaluable to Governor Nicolas Ovando due to his help in settling the war with the natives.
In 1508 he obtained permission to visit the neighboring island of Buriquien (Puerto Rico). He did so because the Indians had told him of the great wealth to be found on that island. Ponce de Leon accumulated a considerable fortune while on this island.
At the same time, Ponce de Leon had heard of amazing spring waters on the island on Bimini (north of Hispaniola) which when drank, held powers of restoring youth and vigor. In 1512, Juan obtained a patent allowing him to explore the island of Bimini and gave him jurisdiction over the island for life.
On March 3, 1513 Ponce de Leon set sail for an exploration with three ships, outfitted at his own expense. It was during this trip, on Easter Sunday (Pascua de Flores), that he discovered Florida. Ponce de Leon explored the western coast of Florida and then returned to Puerto Rico. In 1514, he returned to Florida, which was though to be an island, with orders to colonize the people that inhabited it. This was cause for much fighting between the natives and the forces of Ponce de Leon.
During his last expedition in search of Bimini and the fountain of youth, his ships were met with an attack by the natives. Ponce de Leon was wounded and later died in Havana, Cuba in July 1521.
Juan Ponce de Leon was buried in San Juan Puerto Rico.
Just a thought...
Why is there so little history of Ponce de Leon? We know much more about Columbus, and they were both great explorers. Why are there so few pictures of him? If he was a descendent of a noble family, why is there no record of his birth or his parents? Did he have family of his own, or was his life dedicated to exploration?
www.newadvent.org/cathen/12228a.htm
www.enchantedlearning.com/explorers/page/d/deleon.shtml
www.oocities.org/Athens/Rhodes/4462/deleon.html
Component B
This is my fictional account of the last moments of Ponce de Leon.
My name is Juan Ponce de Leon. I have spent the majority of my 61 years as a soldier to my country and an explorer of unknown territories.
I have served Christopher Columbus, Governor Nicolas Ovando, and the King of Spain loyally. I have fought many battles and seen much bloodshed in search of riches and the illusive fountain of youth. Now, in turn, I lay here shedding my own blood, reflecting on the many accomplishments that I have made in my life.
I came from a noble background, yet worked as a squire and a tutor to other men. I trained myself in the art of survival and war in order to prepare myself for the amazing adventures that I dreamt of as a young man. Little did I know then that I would experience such conquests.
I have sailed ships, gathered a force of 200 men to stand beside me at war, colonized natives, acquired riches and claimed a new land, Florida.
I have indeed left my mark on the New World. I have risen from my lower socioeconomic standing to become a man that many men will speak of and admire for years to come. I have conquered.
May Gods speed carry me to my next adventure in the land above.
