Changes

[[Eugenio Antonio Sierra]] was a native of Spain who arrived in born to Emanuel Sierra and Theresa Parez. Little is known about his origins, but he was said to have enrolled at the University of Cadiz and is credited with writing a book on Medical Techniques and Prescriptions. He purportedly came to Pensacola with Bernardo de Galvez from New Orleans during the American Revolution. Sierra was a captain and surgeon with the Spanish fleet when they captured Pensacola . Sierra in [[1785]] to work worked in the Spanish royal hospitalshospital as a surgeon. Sierra; however, clashed with his superior, the surgeon-major (Doctor Juan Ruby), and Sierra had to leave and Pensacola to work at Fort San Marcos in St. Augustine from 1790 – 1794. Sierra later 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 held 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 ill 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 later 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 and a disagreeable man as evidenced by his relationship with Dr. Ryby, his first wife, and his first daughter Gertrudis. He was known to use the law to gain their seize his debtors' property. Dr. Sierra helped provide for supported his family by purchasing parcels of property at tax sales, buying and treating slaves, and with his by operating a 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, required renovation before he renovated it for and his home and family moved in. Sierra also used it for operated his family practiceout of this location. He additionally Additionally, he purchased lot 22 for more expansion.In 1812 [[1811]] he brought the former Intendent's housewas a prominent professor of surgery. He is known to have purchased a guillotine in New Orleans and had it installed in his house home practice for amputations. This was the only one erected in the United States. In [[1811]] 1812, he was a prominent professor of surgerybought the former intendent's house.

Sierra witnessed Andrew Jackson's capture of Pensacola in 1814. At this time one of Sierra's house slaves, Abraham, again who spoke at least three languages was either taken by the British who fled Pensacola or simply fled himself. Sierra once more witnessed Pensacola captured by Jackson in 1818. Sierra had cannons buried under one of his house from Ft. San Marcos, houses which have remained there until recently during one capturefor almost two centuries. 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.