Los Sobrevivientes de La Florida


 4. Occupation

 The known occupations of the survivors are shown in
Appendix II. These can be divided into two groups; those with a
commanding military rank such as captain, or an administrative
post; and those with a known profession or trade. Of the first group
it is notable that all three royal officials, the treasurer, the contador
and the factor, survived. They did not seem to have strenuous
duties during the expedition since they were charged with
managing the treasure collected from the natives, which was
insignificant except, perhaps, for some poor quality pearls which
were later lost. Moscoso and Gallegos, each, at one time or
another, served as field marshal of the army. They as well as eight
captains, were able to reach Mexico. In addition, de Soto's page,
his secretary, and his aide, plus Don Carlos' maidservant and two
notaries survived. It appears then that the royal officers and the
military leaders fared well in the Florida expedition.

 The other groups of survivors consist of those individuals who
practiced a private trade. Among them were three shoemakers,
seven tailors, one stocking-maker (who would now be considered
as a combination of tailor and shoemaker), one carpenter, two
ironsmiths, one sword smith and one caulker. Seven priests, friars,
or clerics, one foot-soldier, one sailor, and one trumpeter also
survived the expedition. In addition, the subsequent occupations of
two other persons are known; Espindola became an alguacil of the
Inquisition in Mexico and Gonzalo Mendez became a trader.

 5. Marital Status

 It is documented that twenty-one of the survivors were or
 became married men, some with sons and daughters. Except for
 the clerics and friars, none is known to be a bachelor because data
 is lacking. Those known to be married are listed below, indicating,
 where possible, the names of their wives.

 Lope de Acufia Elvira de Hermosilla.
 Juan de Afiasco Isabel de Afiasco.


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