The story lives on because many of the men who were to die at the Goliad Massacre and their descendants owe their very lives to this strong-willed compassionate Hispanic heroine. Her name was believed to be Francita Alvarez but her first name has also been given as Francisca, Panchita, or Pancheta, and her surname as Alvareaz, Alavez, or Alevesco. She was the wife and perhaps maybe just the mistress of Captain Telesforo Alvarez, who served under the command of Gen. José de Urrea. Whatever her name and relationship to Captain Alvarez, there is no dispute that she will forever be known in Texas history as the “Angel of Goliad”.
Her date and place of birth remain unknown but what is known is that she arrived in El Cópano port at Copano Bay, Texas in 1836 from Matamoros, Mexico. From the very beginning, she used her position and influence to persuade important Mexican officials to humanely treat Texian prisoners. Major William Parsons Miller along with 80 of his men from the Nashville Battalion had been captured as they landed at Copano Bay March 20th 1836. While in captivity, she influenced her husband, who had captured these would be Texas patriots coming from Tennessee to untie their hands and feed them. Miller and his men were taken to Goliad but their lives spared because they had given up without fighting. They were taken to and imprisoned in Matamoros but released following the Treaties of Velasco.
Francita's kindness, however, did not end there. She along with efforts by Colonel Francisco Garay succesfully argued for the lives of 20 more men who were doctors, interpreters, and workers. captured at the Battle of Coleto Creek. She even entered the presidio at Goliad the night before the massacre and snuck several men out with her. She continued hiding them until after the Goliad Massacre took place. No doubt that had she been caught, she too would have been executed despite her relationship to Captain Alvarez.
While in Victoria, where Captain Alvarez was left in charge, Francita Alvarez continued to lobby for the safety of the Texians. She convinced her husband to spare the lives of 26 Texian boat builders to aid the Mexican army with the transport of their heavy artillery.
After the defeat of Santa Anna at San Jacinto, Francita returned with Captain Alavez to Matamoros. While there she continued to aide imprisoned Texians there. When Captain Alavez returned to Mexico City, Francita was there by his side. Unfortunately, their relationship ended there. Francita became penniless and down on her luck. She returned to Matamoros where she was recognized and received by Texians who knew of her kindness and efforts to help them.
She returned to Texas and was taken in by the King family, where she spent the remainder of her days. The “Angel of Goliad” died on the King Ranch and is buried there in an unmarked grave.
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