João de Sousa, 3rd Marquis of Minas


João de Sousa, 3rd Marquis of Minas was a Portuguese nobleman. He was also the 6th Count of Prado.

Life

João de Sousa was born in Viana do Castelo on December 29, 1666 to António Luís de Sousa, 2nd Marquis of Minas, and Maria Madalena de Noronha.
In 1694, together with Pedro Manuel de Ataíde, he had a conflict with the Corregedor of Bairro Alto, which resulted in the death of the Corregedor. Both young men fled to France, where they came under the protection of François de Neufville, duc de Villeroi and fought in his army.
After being pardoned by the King of Portugal in 1704, he returned to his home country and served under his father during the War of Spanish Succession and eventually reached the rank of Lieutenant General of Cavalry.
On January 14, 1714 he was made a gentleman of the chambers King John V of Portugal.
He was made a member of the Royal Council of War on October 26, 1714.
He was a commander in the Order of Christ.