Joseph de Esparza
Joseph de Esparza was an officer of the army and politician, who served as Regidor and General Depository of Buenos Aires towards the beginning of the 18th century.Biography
Esparza was born in Buenos Aires, the son of Alejo de Esparza y Ustarroz, Captain and Merchant, born in Navarra, and Escolástica Rodríguez Martínez, born in the city. He was married to María Verdún de Villayzán, daughter of Mateo Verdún de Villayzán and María Saravia, belonging to a distinguished family. He and his wife had at least two children, María Ignacia Esparza and Francisco Antonio Esparza y Verdún, who served as priest of the Cathedral of Buenos Aires.
Joseph de Esparza held prominent political and military positions in Buenos Aires, including the post of the Alcalde de la Hermandad in the Pago de la Costa, and Depositario General, in charge of the control of public revenues of Buenos Aires. In 1726 he was commissioned by the Governor to supervise the slaughtering campaigns of cimarron cattle made in the Banda Oriental.
Esparza had also served in the inspection of the English galleons of the South Sea Company stranded in the Río de la Plata.
