Francisco Domingo Zerpa

Name: Francisco Domingo Zerpa

Ship: El Sagrado Corazon de Jesus

Birth: January 28, 1729 - Agüimes, Gran Canaria

Father: Gaspar De Los Reyes Zerpas

Mother: Ana Suarez

Death: August 21, 1814 - St. Bernard, Louisiana

Brother: Gaspar Zerpa

VID: CZN59

History

Francisco Domingo Zerpa was the son of Gaspar Los Reyes Zerpas and Ana Suarez of Agüimes, Gran Canaria.  His father is listed as Gaspar Zerpa Castro and his mother is listed as Ana Suarez Gonzalez in the AGI archives.3  Ana was the daughter of Gaspar Gonzalez and Francisca Jeronina Aguiar.  Gaspar and Ana were married in 1756 and Gaspar died before 1779.3,4

Francisco left Santa Cruz, Tenerife in June 5, 1779 sailing on El Sagrado Corazón de Jesús and landed in Havana, Cuba on July 25, 1779.1,2   He arrived in Havana, Cuba with his mother and brother.

The family stayed in Havana and nearby Regla until 1783, waiting for permission to continue the journey to Louisiana due to the war.2 After the war, he left Havana for New Orleans with his mother Ana and brother Gaspar on the packet boat Santisima Trinidad on Aug 7, 1783 and landed in New Orleans.  They resided in the St. Bernard settlement and is listed on the St. Bernard "libro meastro".  .

Francisco married Francisca De La Cruz Gonzales Ximenez on July 7, 1784 at the St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans.  In the records, he is listed as "Francisco Domingo Betancur", named after his grandfather Antonio Zerpa Betancourt.7  He is listed in the 1810 and 1820 US census with all of this children next to his son Antonio.5  

NOTE: In Villere's book, his name can be found spelled "Francisco Domingo Zupa".1   In the original ship list for El Sagrado Corazón de Jesús, it also lists his brother Gaspar.   In the ship list for Santisima Trinidad, it lists all three family members.

NOTE: Catalina Serpas, married to Antonio Flores, has not been confirmed as a relative of Francisco.

 

Children

1. (Juana)
2. Antonio Manuel (b.May 26, 1785)
3. (Ramon)
4. Joseph (b.1791)
5. Matheo (b.1795)
6. (Francisca)
7. (Francisco)
8. Juan (b.1800)
9. Maria Candelaria (b.March 13, 1802)

Son Antonio was born at the Terre-Aux-Boeuf settlement on May 26, 1785 and baptized at St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans on April 21, 1785.6   He married Marie Guttierez.  He is listed in the 1810 US census with his father Francisco.5  

Son Ramon married Rosa Esteves.

Son Joseph was born in 1791 at the Terre-Aux-Boeuf settlement.9  

Son Matheo was born about 1795.  He died August 21, 1814 and was buried September 1, 1814 at the St. Bernard church in St. Bernard.11  

Daughter Maria Candelaria was born March 13, 1802 and baptized March 21, 1802 at the St. Bernard church in St. Bernard.8   

NOTE: Juanna, Ramon, Francisca, and Juan are listed in various baptisms of Francisco's grandchildren and/or listed in various US census records. 

References

1. Sidney Louis Villere, The Canary Islands Migration to Louisiana, 1778-1783. the History and Passenger Lists of the Islenos Volunteer Recruits and Their Families. 
2. Gilbert C. Din, The Canary Islanders of Louisiana, Louisiana State University Press.
3. Sale document.  Dated 21 May 1779.   Archivo General de Indias. Seville, Spain. Albert Serpas. 
4. Archivo General de Indias. Seville, Spain.  Libro 4, Folio 216.
5. 1810 and 1820 US Census
6. Sacramental Records of the Roman Catholic Church of the Archdiocese of New Orleans.  Vol 4, p322.
7. Sacramental Records of the Roman Catholic Church of the Archdiocese of New Orleans.  Vol 4, p29
8. Sacramental Records of the Roman Catholic Church of the Archdiocese of New Orleans.  Vol 7, p67
9. Claudel, Calvin A. "Tombs of Historical Interest in the Saint Bernard Cemetery".  Printed in The Louisiana Historical Quarterly. Volume 38, 1969. p357
10. Sacramental Records of the Roman Catholic Church of the Archdiocese of New Orleans.  Vol 8, p239
11. Sacramental Records of the Roman Catholic Church of the Archdiocese of New Orleans.  Vol 11, p399

See also: Research by Faneque Hernández Bautista and Juan Ramón.  Provided by Albert Serpas.