Hidalgo’s Youth

Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla (May 8, 1753 – July 30, 1811) was the first child born to Don Cristóbal Hidalgo y Costilla and Doña Ana María Gallaga at the estate of San Diego Corralejo in the Pénjamo jurisdiction.  Hidalgo was born a Creole.  (In Spanish-American history, the term Creole signifies one of pure Spanish blood born, not in Spain, but in one of the Spanish colonies.)  Under the system of the day, Hidalgo's rights as a Creole were far less than those of someone born in Spain but better than a Mestizo, someone with a mixture of Spanish and Native American ancestry.  Both of Hidalgo's parents were descended from well-respected families within the Creole community.  Hidalgo's father was a hacienda manager, which presented Hidalgo with the opportunity to learn at a young age to speak the indigenous languages of the laborers.  Eight days after his birth Hidalgo was baptized into the Roman Catholic faith in the parish church of Cuitzeo de los Naranjos.  Hidalgo's parents would have three other sons; José Joaquín, Manuel Mariano, and José María.

In 1759, when Hidalgo was six, Charles III of Spain ascended the throne; he soon sent out a visitor-general with the power to investigate and reform all parts of colonial government.  Privileges previously withheld from Creoles were granted and some opportunities were accorded them for self-government, at least in the Ayuntamientos or municipal governing boards.  They were for the first time since the Spanish conquest of Mexico admitted to the colleges and universities, and rendered eligible to careers at the bar, in the Church, and in the Government.

With the new opportunities available Don Cristobal was determined that Hidalgo and Joaquin should both enter the priesthood and hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church.  Being of significant means he paid for all of his sons to receive the best education the region had to offer.  After receiving private instruction, likely from the priest of the neighboring parish, Hidalgo was ready for more formal education.