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| Panama 2023 photo by author |
Notwithstanding my having encountered many surprises during my quarter century of family history research, the word "surprise" occurs just once in my extensive genealogy database.
My 11X great grandfather Captain John Marchante was from Yeovil, Somerset, England. He became a privateer (essentially a pirate authorized by Queen Elizabeth I) serving under Sir Francis Drake for the decade from 1585-1595. Their numerous campaigns against the Spanish included the 1587 Cadiz expedition, a pre-emptive strike on the Spanish Armada.
Marchante accompanied Drake on his ill-fated 1595 voyage to challenge Spain in the area that would become Panama. Both men lost their lives, Drake from disease and Captain John from the "surprise" that awaited the English in Panama.
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| Panama Canal area Photo by author 2023 |
After failing to seize a Spanish treasure ship in Puerto Rico, Drake and his entourage moved on to Panama where they took the town of Nombre de Dios (near the location of the Panama Canal today). They had been hoping to intercept Spanish gold being brought over the isthmus, but when Drake's forces marched up the hill, they were surprised to discover a Spanish fort on top. About 20 Englishmen were killed, including Captain John who died there 2 January 1596.
A longer story with more details about the life of John Marchante can be found through this link.
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