Born in Ferrol, Spain, don Tomas Possee de Rioboo (1772-1832) moved to Florida sometime prior to 1800. In 1800, Rioboo married Eugenia Josefa Bonifay, and the newlyweds were given a plot of land on the western side of Pensacola by Mariana Bonifay, Eugenia's mother.

The Rioboos had six children: Thomas Jr, Bicente, Dematcho, Maximo, Maria Josephine, and Vincent. Maximo was the only one to pass on the Rioboo name, which died out a generation later.

Don Tomas Possee de Rioboo died on November 27, 1832, and was buried in the oldest part of St. Michael's cemetery.

A recent survey of the land revealed unmarked graves around the Rioboo plot. It is possible these graves could contain some of his family members, however there is little evidence to confirm that.

Edited by Cynthia Catellier, University of West Florida, Department of Public History