Ponce de Leon

Ponce de Leon

Introduction

Amongst many Spanish explorers who lived in the 15th century, was Juan Ponce de Leon. He is mostly known because he was the first European to explore Florida. This was due to his drive to search for the Fountain of Youth, which is believed to be in Florida. He was born in the year 1474 in Spain in a place known as Tierra de Campos Palencia and died in 1521[1]. However, there is a dispute among the historians as to when he was born as there are those who believe that he was in 1460. His origin is not as clear as there is no clear evidence as to who his parents were. However, there is some evidence that lead to him being a member of a distinguished family. Among many other activities, he served as a pageboy to Pedro Nunuz de Guzman and served as a soldier in the Spanish campaigns. His many discoveries greatly effected the development of the Americans although he did not know it. He is known to have married Leonora, an innkeeper’s daughter and there after got three daughters and one son named Juans, Isabel, Maria and Luis[2].

Discoveries

Leon first landed on Borriquen, which is currently known as Puerto Rico in the year 1508, got gold and conquered the island for Spain. He had joined up Christopher Columbus in his second voyage to “the new world” since his service, as a soldier was no longer needed. He was among the 1200 men who volunteered to go with Columbus. This made him the Island’s first governor in 1509. However, after a while, he was put of office by his competitors and therefore set out for new discoveries[3].

In 1513, he went out in search of the Fountain of Youth for his king Ferdinand II. This fountain is so called because it was believed that if one drank from that fountain, he would never grow old. The king had heard a lot about the undiscovered islands and he wanted to know more about them. He also wanted to reward Ponce for his services. If Ponce discovered these islands, he would the other three neighboring islands in the next three years. He would also become a governor his entire life to one of the islands if he wished so. However, he was asked to cater for his own expenses, which he agreed to. He set out to go in 3 ships and 200 men on board, in search for the new islands and the fountain. The three ships were known as San Cristobal, Santiago and Santa Maria de la Consolacion[4].

The fountain was mostly known to exist in an island known as Bimini. However, he did not find Bimini or the Fountain of Youth, but he did make a few discoveries. On his search for the fountain, he came to North America although he did not know it. He thought that it was an island and therefore named Florida. This is because it was after Easter, which is known as Pascua Florida (Flowers Festival). It not clear as to where they first landed. Some historians believe they landed at St. Augustine while others feel that they landed in Ponce de Leon inlet (a harbor). There are even those who believe he landed around Melbourne Beach area[5].

As they were sailing further coast, they met a strong current, which made them seek for anchorage. The small ship San Critobal was lost in the process but later found after a couple of days. This was when they first encountered the Gulf Stream. To avoid the strong currents, they sailed along the shores for a couple of days. After sailing for a couple days and overcoming a number of challenges, they reached the main land. In the land, they were approached by some native Americans who were moistly interested in trading. However, things turned hostile and Ponce’s team took some eight natives as captives[6].

They further went on to look for more islands that had been identified by the natives they had captured. They came to the Dry Tortugas where they took giant sea turtles, thousands of sea bieds and Caribbean Monk Seals. After this point, they further went southwest in order to find out whether they could circle Cuba and end up in Puerto Rico. Ponce finally reached home on October 19 without having found the fountain. Ponce’s search for the fountain became popular among the people after his death. There are those who believe that he had gone to Florida to search for the waters in order to cure his aging while there are those who believe that he did not discover Florida as he searched for the fountain to begin with[7].

In 1521, Ponce decided to go back to Florida. He put together two ships with 200 men on board. The men included farmers, priests, artisans, including 50 horses and other domestic animals. They came to the southwest coast of Florida where they met the natives readily awaiting for them. They attacked them by shooting arrows where they were Ponce was injured by one of the poisonous arrows. They were forced to go away as Ponce searched for the nearest medical care in Cuba. Unfortunately, Ponce succumbed to the wounds and died. He was buried in Puerto Rico in San Jose Church then later his remains were transferred to the San Juan Bautista Cathedral. His huge house is still present even today[8].

Conclusion

            Ponce de Leon was a man who achieved quite a lot in the short period he lived. Although there are a couple of historians who disagree with him being the first to discover Florida, he is credited for having discovered the Gulf Stream. He also gained favor in the eyes of his king and Nicolas de Ovado, his governor. He is also one of the first Europeans to have landed in North America. He was also very wealthy, having been given land an Indian servants by Ovado. Amongst his many achievements, he is basically known for his quest for the Fountain of youth. He died at the age of 47 and left behind his family who continued managing his assets.               

 

 

References

Davenport, John. Juan Ponce de Leon and his Lands of Discovery. New York, NY: Chelsea House publishing, 2006.

Greenberger, Robert. Juan Ponce de León: the exploration of Florida and the search for the fountain of Youth. New York, NY: Rosen Publishing Group, 2003.

Nobleman, Marc Tyler. Juan Ponce de Leon. Mankato, Min: Capstone Press, 2004.



[1], John Davenport, Juan Ponce de Leon and his Lands of Discovery (New York, NY: Chelsea House publishing, 2006).

[2] Robert Greenberger, Juan Ponce de León: the exploration of Florida and the search for the fountain of Youth (New York, NY: Rosen Publishing Group, 2003).

[3] Marc Tyler Nobleman, Juan Ponce de Leon (Mankato, Min: Capstone Press, 2004).

[4] Robert Greenberger, Juan Ponce de León: the exploration of Florida and the search for the fountain of Youth (New York, NY: Rosen Publishing Group, 2003).

[5] John Davenport, Juan Ponce de Leon and his Lands of Discovery (New York, NY: Chelsea House publishing, 2006)

[6] Marc Tyler Nobleman, Juan Ponce de Leon (Mankato, Min: Capstone Press, 2004).

[7], Robert Greenberger, Juan Ponce de León: the exploration of Florida and the search for the fountain of Youth, (New York, NY: Rosen Publishing Group, 2003).

[8] John Davenport, Juan Ponce de Leon and his Lands of Discover (New York, NY: Chelsea House publishing, 2006)

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