Miguel Antonio de Merlos (1669-c.1744) was a Spanish military man and politician,[1] who served during the colonial period of Buenos Aires.[2] He held various positions, including Sargento Mayor of the Compañía of Guardias Españolas and Governor of the province of Porco.[3]
Biography
Miguel Antonio de Merlos was baptized on January 20, 1669 in the Parish of Santa Eulalia,[4] the son of Diego de Merlos y Calvo and Estefanía Jiménez de los Ríos, belonging to Spanish noble families from Murcia.[5] He did his studies in Spain and arrived at the Río de la Plata as a passenger of Capt. Francisco de Retama in 1691.[6]
Installed in Buenos Aires, Merlos held various military and political positions, including as commander of the Fuerte de Buenos Aires.[7] He also served as notary of the Real Asiento de Inglaterra,[8] and held the position of Mayordomo of Buenos Aires in 1705 and 1740 (hierarchical position, concerning to managing the finances of the city).[9]
Miguel Antonio de Merlos was married in the Buenos Aires Cathedral to Rosa Martinez de Figueroa,[11] daughter of Juan Martínez Guerrero and Leonor Ramírez de Arellano, belonging to an illustrious family of the Kingdom of Chile.[12] He and his wife were the parents of Miguel Antonio de Merlos y Martínez, caballero of the Real Orden de Santiago,[13] who served as alcalde of 2nd vote (vice-mayor) of Buenos Aires in 1735.[14]
