Notable New Orleanians: A Tricentennial Tribute

José Salazar y Mendoza (ca. 1750-1802), Andrès Almonester y Roxas (1796).
José Salazar, commissioned by the New Orleans Cabildo to render a portrait of the “insufferably pompous” Andres Almonester, depicted its oversized benefactor in all of his social glory,
his heraldic insignia and cross of Carlos III displayed proudly. On behalf of the Cabildo, Almonester had funded the construction of the Cabildo and Presbytere buildings as they stood before
the addition of Mansarde roofs as seen today. After a great fire in 1792, Almonester also funded the rebuilding of the damaged New Orleans cathedral, which stood until 1850 when the
current more French style church replaced it. Between 1782 and his death in 1798 Almonester also donated a new charity hospital, the old having been destroyed by hurricanes; along with
an orphanage, a lepers’ hospital, a chapel for the Ursuline Nuns, and a replacement public school.
While in Spain as a young man Almonester had seized the opportunity to become the Royal Notary in the soon to be subdued colony of Louisiana. As Royal notary he was a necessary
participant in official contracts. He practiced for thirteen years before retiring to the Cabildo and commencing a career investing in New Orleans real estate, which built his fortune. His wife
Louise de la Ronde helped him through his final ten years and gave him his surviving child.
In the next generation, their famous daughter Micaela Almonester de Pontalba (q.v) planned, funded, and supervised the construction of the Pontalba buildings along the two sides of
Jackson Square, completing the civic package underwritten by her father.
COURTESY OF THE OFFICE OF ARCHIVES AND RECORDS, ARCHDIOCESE OF NEW ORLEANS.
NOTABLE NEW ORLEANIANS: A Tricentennial Tribute
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