The manor was built by the Benoliel, a Jewish Moroccan family of Sephardic origins, and belonged to them for many years.
In 1860, Abraham and Esther Benoliel, who came from Rabat, migrated to the island of Boa Vista; at the time the small town of Sal Rei was considered the best commercial port for traffic to and from South America and South Africa.
In a few years' time the family attained considerable economic and social influence on the island. Abraham and Esther are buried in the small Jewish cemetery of Sal Rei, near the Church of Fatima, which they had built as a votive offering; the Church still exists, although it is in ruins.