Draft:Conde de Lagunillas

Zequeira Family

The Zequeira family is a noble lineage originating from Portugal, with significant historical ties to Cuba, particularly in Havana and the region surrounding Cárdenas. Known for their contributions to colonial administration, land development, and the social fabric of 18th and 19th-century Cuba, the Zequeira family held the title Counts of Lagunillas and were prominent figures in Cuban nobility.

Early History and Arrival in Cuba

The Zequeira family first established roots in Cuba in the first half of the 18th century. The family patriarch, Don Juan Francisco de Zequeira y Ramallo, originally from Portugal, arrived in Havana where he served as Chief Accountant of the Royal Court and the Royal Audience of the Island. His integrity and efficiency in public service earned him a distinguished reputation in colonial Cubaan Francisco’s son, Don Felipe José de Zequeira y León, was later granted the title Conde de Lagunillas (Count of Lagunillas) in recognition of his work as Attorney General and his contributions to the administration of Cuba’s rural regions .

Llos Condes de Lagunillas o de la Cruz Verde

The family’s residence in Havana, known as La Casa de los Condes de Lagunillas o de la Cruz Verde (The House of the Counts of Lagunillas or of the Green Cross), remains a symbol of their historical and cultural legacy. The "Green Cross" refers to a cross embedded in the walls of the house, which served as a landmark for the Via Crucis procession during Holy Week, marking the Stations of the Cross. This house became an emblem of the family’s religious and social standing and was integral to community traditions in Havana .

Land and In Cárdenas

In 1709, the Ayuntamiento de La Habana granted land known as San Juan de las Ciegas y Cárdenas to Don Diego de Sotolongo, an early settler and forebear of the Zequeira family. The land, located 28 leagues from Havana, was bound by key landmarks such as Corral Nuevo, San Antón de la Anegada, and the Camarioca hills . The estate would change the years and was eventually acquired by Don Juan Francisco de Zequeira, thus establishing the Zequeira family’s presence in the Cárdenas region .

The title "San Juan" honored Dothe notable mayor of Havana, Don Juan de Sotolongo, while the name "Cárdenas" recognized Don Mateo de Cárdenas, a prominent local figure instrumental in securing the grant .

Development of Lagunillas

Don Felipe Zequeira of Juan Francisco, founded the town of Lagunillas, located near Cárdenas. In recognition of his establishment of Lagunillas and his contributions to regional development, he was granted the title of Count. The Zequeira family oversaw the growth of the area, including the establishment of plantations and infrastructure that supported agricultural expansion. Their influence helped shape Lagunillas and its surrounding communities, particularly as the area grew into an economic hub with an influx of French and Spanish settlers fleeing conflicts in Santo Domingo in the early 19th century .

Contributions and Legacy

By the early 19th century, Ccing rapid economic and social growth, due in part to the influence of families like the Zequeiras. In 1827, records showed that Cárdenas had about 100 estancias (small farms), as well as communities of fishermen and charcoal makers along the coast . The family’s estates played a significant role in the growth of sugarcane, tobother essential crops that bolstered the local economy .

In addition to their contributions to Cuba’s agricultural and economic sectors, the Zeily left a lasting cultural impact. The Cruz Verde cross embedded in their Havana home became a well-known feature of local religious observances, and the family’s patronage and social status helped solidify their role in the cultural traditions of Havana and Cárdenas .

20th Century and Later Generations

In the 20th century, the family continued to hold promequeira, inheriting the title of Count of Lagunillas, passed the family legacy to his son, Joaquín Zequeira (b. 1910). Joaquín’s marriage to Ramona Zequeira symbolized the continuity of the noble lineage and their cultural heritage in Cárdenas and Lagunillas .

Cultural and Historical Significance

The Zequeira family’s legacy as Counts of Lagunillas reflects the nobl society under Spanish rule and the lasting impact of prominent families in regional development. Their contributions in the realms of public service, land management, and community traditions illustrate the integration of nobility into Cuban society. Today, the Zequeira family’s historical residence, La Casa de los Condes de Lagunillas o de la Cruz Verde, and the records of their landholdings in Cárdenas serve as symbols of their long-standing influence on Cuban history.

References

• Records from the Ayuntamiento de La Habana archives, including the Actas Capitulares (City Council Records) of Havana. Accessible at Actas Capitulares del Ayuntamiento de La Habana
• Documents from the Royal Court and Royal Audience archives in Havana. Accessible at The Office of Escribano in Sixteenth-Century
• Historical maps, such as Plano de la Bahía de Siguagua y montes de sus contornos (1759) by Lieutenant General Blas de Barreda. Accessible at Plano de la Bahía de Siguagua
• Family records and titles preserved in Cuban historical and genealogical registries. Accessible at Ancestry Family Tree