José de Ayala y Vergara (1761 – August 13, 1816) was a Neogranadine martyr of the independence of Colombia, lawyer, lieutenant colonel and commander of different patriot insurgent battalions who fought against the Spanish rule in the Viceroyalty of New Granada.
He then circulated these translated pamphlets among his politically like-minded friends, José was involved, the Audience accused him for conspiracy against the King Fernando VII.
During the 20 of July 1810 José was designated by the supreme court as Leader of Artillery, later captain of militias commanded by Antonio Baraya and Joaquín Ricaurte.
He became a patriot insurgent, fought and got captured together with Francisco de Paula Santander, in this incident José lost a couple of fingers.
General Pablo Morillo wrote to the Spanish Ministry of War about José's death: ''He was a Lieutenant Colonel and Commander of an Insurgent Battalion, an obstinate revolutionary and enemy of the king.