Rafael Iriarte, early insurgent commander during the Mexican War of Independence (c. 1768 - 1811)

AI Generated image of Cabo Leyton - Rafael Iriarte based on the descriptions / time period

Rafael Iriarte, also appearing as Pedro Rafael Iriarte, was an early insurgent commander during the Mexican War of Independence. He was likely born circa 1768–1770. His place of birth remains unresolved: one historical account identifies him as a creole born in San Luis Potosi, while parish evidence from Durango identifies Pedro Rafael Iriarte as a free mulatto and native of that city. Because of this discrepancy, his birthplace should be recorded as “San Luis Potosi or Durango, New Spain, pending confirmation.”

Before joining the insurgency, Iriarte studied at the Seminary of Guadalajara but did not complete his studies. He later worked at the Hacienda de Bledos and served as a corporal in the Royal Brigade of San Luis Potosi under General Felix Maria Calleja. During this period of military service, he became known by the nickname “Cabo Leyton.”

At the beginning of the Mexican War of Independence, Iriarte became one of the first insurgent leaders to receive a commission from Father Miguel Hidalgo. His assigned mission was to take Aguascalientes, which he accomplished in late October 1810. From November 1810 through January 1811, he became one of the most influential insurgent commanders in the intendancy of Zacatecas and San Luis Potosi. He suffered a serious defeat near Fresnillo in late December 1810 and later came into conflict with other insurgent leaders, including Ignacio Allende and Ignacio Lopez Rayon. After the Acatita de Bajan crisis in March 1811, Iriarte escaped capture but was suspected of treason. He later presented himself to Lopez Rayon’s camp, where he was arrested and executed in 1811.

Family and Vital Details

Name: Rafael Iriarte, also Pedro Rafael Iriarte (marriage record), also Jose Pedro Iriarte (baptismal record of son Jose Lorenzo Romano Iriarte)

Estimated birth: circa 1768–1770

Birthplace: unresolved; San Luis Potosi or Durango, New Spain

Death: 1811, executed after arrest at Ignacio Lopez Rayon's insurgent camp (location unknown)

Military service: Royal Brigade of San Luis Potosi; later insurgent forces under Miguel Hidalgo

Rank: corporal in royalist service; later insurgent commander

Nickname: Corporal (Cabo) Leyton

Parents: Ventura Iriarte and Maria Magdalena Xara

Spouse: Maria Antonia Xara

Marriage: August 16, 1795, Durango parish/cathedral jurisdiction

In-laws: Francisco Xara and Maria Gertrudis Perez

Known children: Jose Lorenzo Romano Iriarte, born August 9, 1796 and baptized August 12, 1796 in Durango; Maria Antonieta Iriarte, identified as Rafael Iriarte’s daughter and the romantic partner or intended spouse of Joaquin Cardenas. (Joaquin Cardenas was executed on April 19, 1811 by a firing squad in San Luis Potosi after being tried as an insurgent aide and suspected spy for Rafael Iriarte. The charges included confiscating Spaniards’ property in Jerez and acting as Iriarte’s spy.)

Research Note

The identity of Rafael Iriarte requires careful reconciliation. The published article identifies him as a creole from San Luis Potosi, while the Durango parish evidence identifies Pedro Rafael Iriarte as a free mulatto, native of the city, married to Maria Antonia Xara, and father of Jose Lorenzo Romano Iriarte. The alignment of name, spouse, time period, and family context makes the Durango records highly relevant, but the conflict in birthplace and caste/status should remain flagged until additional records confirm whether both sources refer to the same man.

"México matrimonios, 1570-1950", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JHBZ-49S : 17 February 2020), Pedro Rafael Yriarte, 1795.

"México, Durango, registros parroquiales y diocesanos, 1604-1985", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:DGSB-S1MM : Fri Jan 17 13:20:56 UTC 2025), Entry for Jose Lorenzo Romano Iriarte Harza and Jose Rafael Iriarte, 12 Aug 1796.

Héctor Sánchez Tagle, “¿Héroes desconocidos?: ‘Cabecillas’ insurgentes en Zacatecas, 1810–1813,” in Memoria XVIII Encuentro Nacional de Investigadores del Pensamiento Novohispano, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, 2005, 452–458.