Eugenio Antonio Sierra

Eugenio Antonio Sierra
Sierra's burial place in St. Michael's Cemetery
Born	3 Feb 1750 or 1760 Nation of Valero, Bishopric of La Mancha, Province of Old Castille, (Castilla la Viega)Spain
Died	March 12, 1849 Pensacola
Occupation	doctor, professor
Spouse	Maria Josepha Calder, later Francisca Dauphin
Parents	Emanuel Sierra, Theresa Parez
Children	Isabella Brosnaham, Eulaliea Sierra, Irine Sierra, Joseph Sierra, Estaban Sierra

Eugenio Antonio Sierra was a native of Spain who arrived in Pensacola in 1785 to work in the Spanish royal hospitals. Sierra; however, clashed with the surgeon-major (Doctor Juan Ruby), and Sierra had to leave and work at Fort San Marcos in St. Augustine from 1790 – 1794. Sierra moved back to Pensacola when the position of head practitioner at the hospital became vacant. Dr. Ruby objected to this promotion, but Sierra nevertheless took the position with the salary of $800.00 a year. He was head practitioner between 1794 and 1795. Sierra a position there until 1 January 1799, when he was sent back to Fort San Marcos purportedly for striking Ruby in a fit of anger after Ruby provided medical care to Sierra’s wife who was ill. Sierra and his wife (Maria Josefa Calder) separated and she died shortly after the separation. They had one child, Gertrudis Sierra.

Sierra met and married Francisca Dauphin around 1797. For a wedding dowry they received the deed for lot 45, which cost around $150.00. They had five children--Eulalie Sierra (1797),Isabella Eugenia (1799 – 1889), Irine Sierra (1802), Joseph Sierra (1804), and Estaban Sierra. Sierra's daughter, Isabella, married Dr. John Brosnaham. Sierra took offense at his daughter Gertrudis, so much so that disowned her. Her step-brother, Joseph, helped to support her.

Dr. Sierra was renowned as a shrewd businessman--if someone owed him money he would just use the law to gain their property. Dr. Sierra helped provide for his family by purchasing parcels of property at tax sales, buying and treating slaves, and with his medical practice.

Dr. Sierra, in 1811, petitioned as “professor of surgery” to have a house and lot on the corner of Zaragossa and Florida Blanca evaluated. This lot was purchased in 1802 but, since it was run down, he renovated it for his home and also used it for his family practice. He additionally purchased lot 22 for more expansion.In 1812 he brought the former Intendent's house. He purchased a guillotine in New Orleans and had it installed in his house for amputations. This was the only one erected in the United States. In 1811 he was a prominent professor of surgery.

Sierra witnessed Andrew Jackson's capture of Pensacola in 1814, again in 1818. Sierra had cannons buried under his house from Ft. San Marcos, which remained there until recently during one capture. Sierra also lived to see the final transfer of Florida to American forces in 1821. At this time one of Sierra's house slaves, Abraham, who spoke at least three languages was either taken by the British or fled. One source reports that he was a leader of the Seminoles and was to become known as the “Prophet”. Another claims that he moved to the Apalachicola River with the British, married Hagar, the widow of Billy Bowlegs, and fought in the Seminole Wars until 1837 when he hears a promise of freedom for “native born Floridians”. He is said to have gone to Oklahoma in 1839.

Sierra's final will reads: “I am eighty seven years, less five months and six days”. He signed the will on the 9th day of July 1847. His marker reads: Died in 1849 at the age of 99 years. His final resting place in Saint Michael’s Cemetery, along the south eastern side of the cemetery