Juan Bautista Vitón

Juan Bautista Vitón (1780 – 1868) was a Spanish politician, merchant and soldier who served in Buenos Aires as lieutenant in the Cuerpo de Voluntarios Artilleros de la Unión, a military unit created during the English Invasions of the Río de la Plata.[1]

Juan Bautista Vitón
portrait of Juan Bautista Vitón by Prilidiano Pueyrredón
Personal details
Born	Juan Bautista Vitón y Santibáñez 1780 Cádiz, Spain
Died	1868 Tigre, Argentina
Occupation	politician merchant military man
Signature
Military service
Allegiance	Spanish Empire
Branch/service	Milicias de Buenos Aires
Years of service	1806-1807
Rank	Lieutenant
Unit	Cuerpo de Voluntarios Artilleros de la Unión
Battles/wars	British invasions of the River Plate

He was born in Cádiz, Spain, the son of Ramón Vitón and María Isabel Santibañez, belonging to a distinguished family.[2] He had arrived around the year 1800 to Buenos Aires,[3] where he married to Margarita López de Barrios y Chiclana, daughter of Nicolás López de Barrios and María Victoria Chiclana, the sister of Feliciano Antonio de Chiclana.[4]

He had an active military participation during the British invasions of the River Plate, serving as Lieutenant of artillery in the Cuerpo de Voluntarios Artilleros de la Unión, take part in the main skirmishes against English troops.[5] Due to his opposition to the cause of May Revolution, he was confined to La Rioja Province.[6]