The origin of the Bolívar family dates back to the 10th century. The surname comes from Vizcaya, the Basque Country, and it has been documented that the first Bolívar to arrive in Venezuela was Simón Bolívar (ancestor of the Liberator) in the year 1589, designated by the King Felipe II of Spain Attorney General at the Court in Venezuela. He also worked during the reign of Felipe III of Spain in important positions, representing the Crown in Santo Domingo.
The Bolívar Family reached the highest levels within the colonial society of Venezuela. They were united in marriage with the most distinguished families of that time. They owned assets in the Valles de Aragua and the Minas de Aroa. They worked in the highest positions of the public administration.
Simon Bolivar
By the paternal branch, the Liberator originates from the nobility, warriors and saints. They avoided making use of the noble distinctions to which they were entitled.
Simón Bolívar served the Kingdom of Spain in the Flanders region and in Italy. He was a skillful governor in Caracas and Santo Domingo, having a work plan to pave their streets, founding schools and providing roads.
The Bolivar dynasty
Simón Bolívar, the waiter, is the son of the previous one. He married in Caracas with Beatriz Díaz, daughter of Alonso Díaz Moreno, founder of the city of Valencia - Venezuela.
It can be observed that the ascending line of the Liberator is framed by people who have left their mark in the places where they have exercised power.
Antonio Bolívar, son of Simón Bolívar, the young man, lived most of his life in the Valleys of Aragua and performed his military duties in the area.
His son Luis Bolívar was Mayor of Caracas in the second half of the 17th century. His son Juan Bolívar, grandfather of the Liberator, had a trajectory of constant ascent, reaching the position of governor of the Province of Venezuela.
His father, Juan Vicente Bolívar, developed a military career and reached the rank of colonel. He married María Concepción Palacios y Blanco in 1773, from whom 5 children were born: María Antonia (1777-1842), Juana Nepomucena (1779-1847), Juan Vicente (1781-1811), Simón José Antonio de la Santísima Trinidad (1783-1830) and María del Carmen (1785) who died at birth.
Ecclesiastical documents have been found in which Colonel Bolívar's licentious life has been evidenced, prior to his marriage, in which it is presumed that he could have left offspring and due to the social conditions of the time, this has not been documented.
Colonel Bolívar in 1781 sent a letter to Francisco de Miranda, expressing his disagreement with the situation of Venezuela before the metropolis and putting himself at the command at the time that a plan for an insurrection was finalized, which took shape 20 years later. of his death.
On the maternal side, Feliciano Palacios and Sojo Gedler, great-grandfather of the Liberator, had a military career up to the rank of captain and was mayor of Caracas 4 times.
His son, Feliciano Palacios y Sojo y Gil de Arratia, grandfather of the Liberator, had a privileged position in colonial society. The Palacios Family was known for having extensive libraries and being participants in the cultural activities of Caracas. They were descendants of ancient families from Spain.
At the time of the death of Colonel Juan Vicente Bolívar, his widow María Concepción Palacios took charge of the family and the family heritage, until his death in 1792.
María Antonia and Juana Nepomucena were married and Don Feliciano Palacios y Sojo and Gil de Arratia, father of María Concepción, was the tutor of their grandchildren Juan Vicente and Simón, until his death in 1793. Don Carlos Palacios assumed the guardianship of the minors.
Despite the fragile health of Doña María Concepción, she did everything she could to support her family during her 6 years of widowhood, resolving issues related to her children's assets. Despite her financial solvency, she had to go through many inconveniences.
Characteristics of the Bolívar Family
The nobility, the sense of duty, the opportunities to expand the heritage and the influence on the life of the Mantuan society, are the important elements to understand why the ancestors of the Liberator have set the standard in the different times that they had to live.
The Liberator disposed of his patrimony for the cause of independence, a fact that brought him great concerns but satisfaction for seeing Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia freed from the Spanish empire. The sacrifice and constant work with his officers made this success possible.
Serving the State in the military, administrative and judicial way shows a comprehensive formation of the ancestors by maternal and paternal lines of the Liberator.
Likewise, they were very involved in cultural and religious work. All this shows the intelligence to draw up the objectives.
One of the most notorious properties of the Bolívar Family has been the house located in San Jacinto, owned by Juan de Bolívar -grandfather of the Liberator- since 1711.
It shows the taste of the Mantuan society for houses with wide corridors, rooms for various uses, including an oratory in which they could express their faith inside the house.
This property was vacant on several occasions. The family formed by don Juan Vicente and María Concepción resided there from 1773 until the death of the lady in 1792.
The education of the male ancestors of the Liberator went through having private teachers in Sciences, Art, Latin, Modern Languages and Philosophy prior to their entry to the military academy, coming from distinguished families within the Mantuan society.
The ladies had occupations of their own time, such as learning to play a musical instrument, being devout Catholics, and everything related to running the home.
The paternal and maternal branches of the Liberator enjoyed a privileged lifestyle, which has made documentary research interesting, allowing us to understand the values and principles with which they were formed and provided contributions in their respective times.
References
- De Mosquera, T. (1954). Memory on the Life of General Simón Bolívar. Bogotá, National Printing Office.
- Morales, J. University of Carabobo: The Maracaibera Family of the Liberator.. Recovered from: servicio.bc.uc.edu.ve
- Casanova, E. Literanova: El Paraíso Burlado. Recovered from: literanova.eduardocasanova.com
- Polanco, T. Simón Bolívar: Essay of a Biographical Interpretation through its Documents. Mérida, University of Los Andes.
- Masur, G. (2008). Simon Bolivar. Bogotá, Foundation for Research and Culture.
- Sucre, L. (1930). Genealogical History of the Liberator. Caracas, Editorial Elite.
- Molina, L. (2010). Archeology of the Birthplace of Simón Bolívar. Mérida, University of Los Andes
- Pérez, Manuel. Simon Bolivar. Recovered from: embavenez-us.org.