Francisco López de Osornio Merlo


Francisco López de Osornio Merlo was a Spanish military leader and landowner, who served during the Viceroyalty of Peru as Captain of the provincial militias of Buenos Aires.

Biography

Francisco was born on September 7, 1681 in Buenos Aires, he was the son of Francisco López Osornio, an officer of the Spanish army, and Tomasa Merlo de la Mota, born in the city and belonging to a well-known family of Spanish and Creole roots. He was married on September 11, 1701 in Metropolitan Cathedral to María Gamiz de las Cuevas, daughter of Pedro Gamiz de las Cuevas and Tomasa Álvarez de Lasarte, a Spanish family from Madrid. Francisco and his wife were parents of numerous children including the famous Clemente López de Osornio.
López de Osornio held the honorific post of Alférez Real of the city, being the one in charge to carry the Estandarte Real in the day of Saint Martin of Tours. In 1726 he had served as commander of the Fort of Barragán, place where had ordered the construction of the first chapel.
Francisco López de Osornio was one of the commanders of the provincial militias in charge of the defense against the indigenous incursions. He served in the city and in suburban areas, taking care of the protection of the inhabitants established in the remote areas of the city. He, along with his brothers, inherited large acres of land, and they were one of the most powerful families of Buenos Aires in the 18th century.
The provincial militias had their base of operations in the Fuerte de Buenos Aires, a fortification built for the defense of the city.