Don Juan Bautista de Zengotita Bengoa (1735-1802), Mercedario Vizcaíno, Obispo de Puerto Rico, y el inventario de los bienes que llevó a su Diócesis en 1795

Abstract

Born in the Biscaian village of Berriz in 1735, Don Juan Bautista de
Zengotita entered very young the mercedarien convent of Burceña, later to
Toledo and Alcalá de Henares to complete his studies of philosophy and
theology. Talented man soon reached positions of responsibility within the
mercedarian order which culminated in 1795 when he was anointed bishop
of Puerto Rico. But before taking possession of his diocese, don Juan Bautista
de Zengotita made a list of the goods he was carrying to his new destination,
which included a few silver objects, two painting with Marian dedications,
clothes, tobacco, chocolate and small library with interesting works, among
them several of the mercedarian from Huesca fray Francisco Miguel de
Echeverz. Don Juan Bautista de Zengotita died in Puerto Rico on november 1,
1802.