Patriot Ancestor - Joaquin de Ortega y Prieto

on February 17, 2018

Joaquin de Ortega y Prieto was born August 2, 1755 in Tordesillas (Valladoliad), Spain.1 He died in 1826 in Opelousas, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana2.  After a career in service to his country he settled in Opelousas with his family and raised cattle. Ortega entered military life and became 'Comisione Artillery' or 'Guardian Royal Military' in Fort Pensacola living inside the compound on the 1784 census with his wife and oldest child. His revolutionary service was Guardian of the Royal Artillery at Ft. Pensacola3.  Through letters between Ortega and various Spanish officials, we know Ortega was involved in traveling to present day Texas to arrange for cattle to be purchased and delivered in Natchitoches to feed the trooops of Bernardo de Galvez.