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ALZINA Francisco. Born at Port Majon in the island of Minorca on Nov. 31, 1821. His boyhood was spent on this island and on the adjacent coast of Spain near the port of Barcelona. When he was 18 years old Spain was torn by insurrectionary wars and conscription was general. He was one of the victims of constription [sic], compelled to enter the army and fight without pay.
At that time there lay in the harbor of Barcelona the old United States frigate “Constitution” under command of Commodore Elliott, bound for Norfolk, Va. To young Alzina it seemed to offer an escape from a hated bondage and he stole away one night and boarded the vessel and was soon out to sea. The voyage was uneventful, the Constitution only touching at Madeira until they reached Norfolk, where they landed. Here Alzina cecame[sic] acquainted with Commodore Chauncey, who was president of the naval board of officers for the marine hospital and had a handsome residence in Washington. He kept Alzina constantly with him with great consideration and affection.
After the death of Commodore Chauncey, Commodore Morris, another officer of the board, took Alzina under his charge. Morris was soon ordered to Naples, with frigate ‘Delaware” to bring out the bronze statue of Christopher Columbus designed for the city of Washington and cast in Italy. Alzina accompanied him in this trip and leaving the vessel at Gibraltar went to visit his mother at his old home near Barcelona.
He remained at home a short time and then rejoined the Delaware which soon started to the United States with the statue as her cargo. They had a very rough voyage and finally arrived at Norfolk minus the sails and masts.
Soon after this Commodore C.C. Turner, an old friend, was ordered to Mazatlan and the California coast in command of the sloop-of-war Ada as rumore[sic] of trouble with Mexico began to fill the air. Alzina accompanied him on this trip and they arrived at Monterey in 1846.
Alzina soon went to Santa Cruz where accepted a position as clerk for Judge Blackburn. On May 29, 1848, he was married to Mary Charlotte Gonzales. The marriage service was performed by Father Anza and Carmen Doacy suported the bride while Thomas Fallon was best man.
Alzina was first Sheriff of Santa Cruz County. Holding office 04 April 1850 to 03 October 1853. He was in office at a time when its history was full of adventure.
He died at Santa Cruz April 29, 1887, after a long and severe illness of abcess on the liver. [1]
"Eleven children were born to Sheriff Alzina and his wife, of whom nine are living: Francisca, Abe, Carrie, Frank, John, Pauline, Enoch, Albert and Thomas...." [2][3] According to Santa Cruz Sheriff's Office History, the Alzina's had 14 children.
“Don” is an honorific title, Spanish, probably derived from dominus, the Latin for “lord,” was loosely applied during the period of Mexican rule to any gentleman in California, particularly a ranchero or landowner. (Source: James D. Hart’s A Companion to California) -Ed.]
Birthdate variations: November 22, 1822[9], November 30, 1821[10], November 31, 1821[11].
Thank you to Jeff Alzina for contributing to our shared family history.
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A > Alzina > Francisco L Alzina
Categories: Old Holy Cross Cemetery, Santa Cruz, California