Jose Roig (pronounced Rio-ch)was born in 1727 in Paratrugal (Palafrugell) in the province of Catalonia, Spain and his tomb marks the oldest extant dated grave in the cemetery. Roig likely was the patriarch of the Roche family who, by the early 19th century had modified the spelling of their name.

The family was well to do and engaged in shopkeeping in Pensacola. Two other members of the family lie in box tombs adjacent to Roig. All three tombs are constructed with local brick and topped with marble ledgers. As is typical of box tombs in Pensacola, Roig's body is not inside the superstructure, but is buried below it.

The Spanish inscription on Roig's ledger is severely eroded. The transcription reads: Here lies Jose Roig born in the village of Paratrugal in the province of Catalonia, Spain who died on July 18, 1812 at the age of 85.

Podcast written by University of West Florida Public History Student, Ricky Gomez. Narrated by Mr. Chaz Mena.