07/12/2026
What a privilege it was for your Historical Commission to be invited to the festivities of the Esparza Family Reunion. The descendants of Gregorio and Ana Esparza gather every 3 years and they number between 400-500. This event attracts several heritage groups from the area as the Esparza Family’s lineage is traced further than the 1836 timeline of Texas History.
Gregorio Esparza and his family were in the Alamo during the siege. On March 6, 1836 he perished with the other defenders as his family hid for cover in the mission church. His sons Enrique, Manuel and Francisco later received land grants in Atascosa County where they developed what would be known as The San Augustine Community. This area is labeled with a historical marker near the approximate location of the old community. This is north of Crain Road, west of IH-37 and south of Casarez Road in northern Atascosa County.
On Friday, the family celebrated another recognition. Melchora Leal Esparza, wife of Manuel Esparza received the Canary Islander Descendant plaque on her grave. This ceremony was followed by a presentation at the Longhorn Museum by Julia Lopez, President of the Canary Islanders Descendants Association (CIDA).
This commission counts 4 Esparza Descendants within our ranks; Jose Antonio “Tony” Garcia, Benny Garza, Guadalupe Donato and Erlinda Huizar.
Altogether, this was a memorable weekend for the Esparza Descendants. We would like to commend them on another great reunion !
Martin Gonzales
ACHC Chair
