Francisco Xavier Chávez (sometimes spelt as Francisco Xavier Chaves) was a Mexican landowner and merchant who was the second ''jefe político'' (equivalent to governor) of the territory of

Santa Fe de Nuevo México Santa Fe de Nuevo México (; shortened as Nuevo México or Nuevo Méjico, and translated as New Mexico in English) was a province of the Spanish Empire and New Spain, and later a territory of independent Mexico. The first capital was San Juan d ...

after Mexico gained its independence from Spain in 1822.

Early life

Francisco Xavier Chávez (born 1768/1769 Nuevo Mexico,

New Spain New Spain, officially the Viceroyalty of New Spain ( ; Nahuatl: ''Yankwik Kaxtillan Birreiyotl''), originally the Kingdom of New Spain, was an integral territorial entity of the Spanish Empire, established by Habsburg Spain. It was one of several ...

) belonged to an old

Spanish Spanish might refer to: * Items from or related to Spain: **Spaniards are a nation and ethnic group indigenous to Spain **Spanish language, spoken in Spain and many countries in the Americas **Spanish cuisine **Spanish history **Spanish culture ...

family, the son of Tomás Chávez and María Josefa Padilla. They had been prominent in New Mexico since it was created as a province in 1598. The immigrant ancestor is said to be Pedro Durán de Chávez from

Extremadura Extremadura ( ; ; ; ; Fala language, Fala: ''Extremaúra'') is a landlocked autonomous communities in Spain, autonomous community of Spain. Its capital city is Mérida, Spain, Mérida, and its largest city is Badajoz. Located in the central- ...

, Spain. He had large holdings of land and livestock and excellent political connections that he leveraged to become one of the dominant traders in the new republic.

Political career

In January 1822 the Governor under the Spanish regime, Facundo Melgares, lost the title of governor but was called political and military chief until he retired in June, reporting to the commander at Chihuahua on military matters. Melgáres called for the election of electors, and on January 28 the electors chose Francisco Perez Serrano y Aguirre as New Mexico's first deputy to the Congress of Mexico. The next day the electors chose the New Mexican legislative body, with Francisco Xavier Chaves heading the list. When the legislature met for the first time on 14 April 1822, Chaves served as the first presiding officer. Melgáres left office on 5 July 1822, and Francisco Xavier Chaves took his place, holding office for just five months, when he was succeeded by Colonel José Antonio Vizcarra.

Personal life

He married Ana María Álvarez del Castillo on September 14, 1799, and had four sons - Mariano José, José, Antonio José, Tomás and five daughters - Juana, María Francisca, Mercedes, Dolores and Bárbara.Maldonado Journey to the Kingdom of New Mexico
- By Gilbert Maldonado One of his daughters may also be named Josefa, through whom Chavez is a paternal ancestor of singer and actress

Demi Lovato Demetria Devonne "Demi" Lovato ( ; born August 20, 1992) is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. After appearing on the children's television series ''Barney & Friends'' (2002–2004), she starred in the Disney Channel short series ...

. His sons Mariano,

José José is a predominantly Spanish and Portuguese form of the given name Joseph. While spelled alike, this name is pronounced very differently in each of the two languages: Spanish ; Portuguese (or ). In French, the name ''José'', pronounced ...

and Antonio José continued and expanded the family business of carrying freight between Mexico and the United States along the

Santa Fe Trail The Santa Fe Trail was a 19th-century route through central North America that connected Franklin, Missouri, with Santa Fe, New Mexico. Pioneered in 1821 by William Becknell, who departed from the Boonslick region along the Missouri River, the ...

References

;Citations ;Sources * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Chavez, Francisco Xavier Mexican governors of Santa Fe de Nuevo México 1838 deaths 1768 births People from New Spain 18th-century merchants