The founding of San Joaquin Village, and old photos from the village
San Joaquin was populated first by Mestizos and later Maya people of Chan Santa Cruz also reach like the Aban family. Don Ramon Aban descend from those warriors of Chan Santa Cruz (Cruzo'ob). Other Maya families are the are the Tzul, Cowo, Aban, Cob, Colli, Ak, Puck. This story behind San Joaquin and the saint is awesome.
This Historical Event Was Written By Joaquín Magaña, who personally had the opportunity of interviewing Mrs, Dominga Magaña de Oliva, daughter of Andres Magaña the founder of San Joaquin, and Mr. John Hassock one of the first settlers of the village and a member of the committee that named the village.
During the “Guerra de Castas” in Yucatan, the prosperous jewel of Bacalar was defeated by the Mayas. On February 21st in the year 1858 the gem fell to the Mayas of Chan Santa Cruz. Many inhabitants were killed, a large number fled, however, many were captured by the invaders. Among those captured was Mr. Andrés Magaña originating from Campeche, his wife a native from Mérida, Felipa García de Magaña, and their young son Vicente. Andrés Magaña was a Mestizo, while his wife was mixed Mestizo but had the advantage of speaking the Maya language very well. This was a decisive factor for them to be released. Felipa, was a very beautiful woman. Using her beauty she tried to persuade the guard in charge of the prisoners who were in the Fort of Bacalar.
Her argument was based on that she was Maya. The proof to this was that she spoke the Maya language very well and therefore they should not be imprisoned in the fort. However it was not until after several attempts that she could convince the guard. It is believed that due to her beauty she captivated the guard to let them go. The Fort guard told them that their chief had counted the number of prisoners and this hindered him to help them escape. Anyway, he agreed and made them know his plan to assist them. He told them that beside the lagoon they would find a canoe that would be used to flee. The plan to escape would be at dusk and he would have to give the alarm that some prisoners had escaped; so they had to flee very quickly. At night fall everything went as was planned, the Magaña family fled in a hurry to the canoe that was by the lagoon. In the distance they could hear the guard shouting the alarm. They also heard the cries of the other guards who were hastily rushing towards the lagoon. By then the prisoners were already far from the shore, while the guards fired in vain their weapons, threw insults and curses, as the prisoners were by then beyond the reach of them and their weapons.
Meanwhile Andrés was rowing frantically while Felipa sought to remove the water from the canoe because it had a hole. When they were beyond the reach of the Mayas, Andres also joined his wife in getting the water out from the canoe so that it would not sink. He had to remove his shirt to plug the hole where the water was coming in. So with great difficulty, desperation and effort they managed to cross the Bacalar Lagoon and remain safe. Great was their joy because they knew the fury of the Mayas and dreaded being massacred in the Fort. Without any doubt as feared, all of those captured with the exception of six children who randomly were selected by the Mayan leaders were allowed to live. The massacre of the others was cruel and bloody.
It is said that only women were about 244, as well as men and children. The experienced trauma was horrible. The family managed to cross Chetumal Bay to Consejo, Corozal, British Honduras. Belize was then British Honduras. Andrés preferred not to stay there due to its proximity to Bacalar despite being on British territory. Then they moved to Shipstern, but considered it close and dangerous and also feared another attack to any village or settlement. They followed up via New River by a lagoon, and then to a creek at a small ranch called San Maximo. Even in San Maximo they feared an attack. So then they left to another ranch called San José, located in the southern part of what today is San Joaquín; that part was later called America.
America later became part of San Joaquin. Both Andres and Felipa preferred to go more to the north where it was jungle. They felt more secure in the jungle outside of settlements or villages. In 1858 they settled there in the midst of the jungle founding the village which was later named San Joaquín. Shortly after, other refugees arrived to colonize the settlement. They were the families of: Crecencia Ak, Victoriano Trejo, Feliciano Arceo, John Hassock, José Trunfon, Cecilia Cob and Susana Coye. The small population grew gradually in peace and tranquility. Everything passed by all quiet; they lived always in willingness helping each other.
The year 1904 was an important year for the village. A Committee consisting of four persons: Fermín Magaña, son of Vicente Magaña, (Vicente was the child they had brought when they had the narrow escape), and grandson of Andrés Magaña; Marcelino Tzul and Julian Oliva both sons-in-law of Andrés Magaña and John Hassock gave the village the name of San Joaquin. Fermín suggested the name San Joaquin and all unanimously agreed, due to his grandfather Andres, who had told him his miraculous escape from Bacalar. San Joaquín was and is the patron saint of Bacalar and they had great fervor to the saint, for that reason Fermin chose the name of San Joaquin. San Joaquín primary school was established on the same year.
The first teachers were: Mr. Thompson, Mrs. Juanita Alcoser and Bernaldina Monima later Mr. Ignacio Martinez came. San Joaquin has developed greatly in all aspects; most of the houses are made of concrete while others are wooden. Villagers enjoy postal services, phone, cable, a clinic, pre-school and primary school, potable water and 24 hour electricity, its two main streets are paved and has many stores. San Joaquin also proudly celebrates in August, its annual fiesta which is one of the biggest and brightest in the country. It is not possible to talk about the history of San Joaquin and not mention San Joaquin’s glory in Football (soccer) who has been four times national football champions and so many times district champions as well.
images courtesy of Mrs. Angelita Magana
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