Peter Gonzalez
Peter Gonzalez 1810-1881
Born in 1810 to the notable Spanish immigrant Don Manuel Gonzalez, Peter Gonzalez lived in Pensacola where he worked numerous jobs including tax collector, farmer, and merchant. He was active in local politics, signing an 1832 petition supporting James Gadsen for Governor and appearing in the 1845 voter registration lists. By 1860, he owned at least $1800 worth of commercial real estate, indicating a relatively comfortable financial situation.
Early in life, Gonzalez married a woman named Tylar, with whom he produced no children. He married his second wife, Gila Bonifay, on November 3rd, 1833, at St. Michael's Church. Gila helped him to raise at least eleven children, including Eulalie, Marie Louisa, Manuel, Maria Teresa, Mercedes, Blakely, Celestine, Lambert, Samuel, Emily, and Reuben. He and his wife died in 1881 and are buried next to one another. At least one of his children, Manuel, is also buried in the cemetery. Gonzalez's marble marker is decorated with a cross, a symbol of resurrection as well as his Christian faith. His initials are engraved on the footstone that marks the boundary of his plot.
Researched and written by Richard Adams, University of West Florida Public History program.
