Juan & Pedro Domingues, Rio de Tesuque, 1802 - 1842

On October 3, 1802, Juan Dominguez, ordered his last will and testament. A resident or vecino from Rio de Tesuque, County of Santa Fe. He was married to Petrona Ortega for a time of 24 years and they had the following eight children: Ysidro, Antonio, Pedro, Bernavel, Jose Miguel, Theodora, Rosa and Micaela, who are his heirs.

He continues on that he owns a five room house located in the city on the camino real. A vast amount of farm equipment, animals, weapons and more land. He names as executors, first Vicente Ximenes and second, Francisco Casados; dates and signs the will with witnesses: Pedro Bautisto Peña, Juan Esteban Peña and Jose and Miguel Tafoya. Filed and recorded on September 21, 1872.

On April 26, 1840, Pedro Dominguez, makes his final will. A resident of Rio de Tesuque, finding himself gravely ill, he commands this be done. He was married and veiled to Ana Maria Sandoval, for 40 years and we had nine children he states. They are: Juana, Joaquin, Guadalupe, Rafael, Pablo, Ysidora, Jose Miguel, Salome and Dionicio, who he claims are his legitimate heirs.

He lists all his belongs which start with a burro that should be used to pay for his burial. A five room house with a portal and a ranch at which he cultivates many things. The ranch he inherited along with his siblings from his parents. Pedro does have many carpentry tools which he leaves to his son Jose Miguel. He names as un hermano politico Vicente Jimenes. His executors are his son, Pablo. He signs and dates the document with the following witnesses: Joaquin Domingues, Probate Judge assisting and Jose Antonio Garcia, Jose de la Natividad Romero. Filed and recorded September 21, 1872 by Paul Ellison.

References: Santa Fe County Probate & Will Book "D", pgs. 16-56-161

© Henrietta M. Christmas

Anastacio Borrego, Santa Fe June 27, 1872

On June 27, 1872, Anastacio Borrego, son of Rafael Borrego and Refugio Gonzales, finds himself sick and dying. He was married and veiled in the church for a period of two years to Maria de Loreto Dominguez, and they had no children.

He owns half a ranch in the canyon near the Santa Fe River at La Cienega; then he goes on to list more than 14 people he owes money to. He leaves as his executor, his wife and Pablo Antonio Borrego, then he signed and dated it.

References: Santa Fe County Probate and Will Book "E", pgs. 153-155.

© Henrietta M. Christmas

Sister Augustine David - Will dated June 6, 1870

In the Territory of Colorado in Arapahoe County, Teresa Chavez, but in religion called Sister Augustine David, late of said county, died in or about the 10th of June 1870. She did leave property and Jose L. Perea has been appointed executor in and by said will and testament. Signed Probate Jude, Henry A. Clough with seal on January 31, 1871. The will follows.

I, Teresa Chaves, aka Sister Augustine David, formerly of the Territory of New Mexico, but residing in Denver, am of sound mind and judgement and declare this my will. I bequeath to Mother Magadalene Hayden, Superior of the Convent of Our lady of Light in Santa Fe, NM, an mount of money sufficient to pay and discharge all of the debts and primary liabilities all of the debts and liabilities of the said Convent of Our Lady of Light at Santa Fe, which I calculate and presume at this time to be $2,000.

Second, I give and bequeath to the Mother House of the Sisters of the Society of Loretto, which said institution is situated in Marien County in the State of Kentucky the sum of $2,000. Third, I give to the saint Mary's Academy in Denver, the sum of $2,500. Fourth, I give to each of the branch houses - Taos, Mora, Las Vegas and Las Cruces, all in NM, $1,000 each. Lastly, I give all the rest of my estate goods and chattels to the Convent of Our Lady of Light at Santa Fe, NM.

I hereby appoint, my uncle, don Jose Perea, of New Mexico my sole executor of this my last will and testament, signed this day, 6 June 1870, Teresa Chavez, with L.S. initials circled, Hermana Augustina David. Further filed and recorded in Santa Fe, on 20 February 1871, by Trinidad Alarid, Scribe for the Probate Court.

*Her wealth likely came from her parents and she disposed of it how she wished. More information needs to be reviewed, like her uncle, which might leave a clue as to her parents, who she does not name in the will.

Reference: Santa Fe County Probate and Will Book "D", pgs. 32-35

Homesteaders Descendants - National Park Service

The below mini-announcement is interesting. New Mexico has many families throughout the state that live or descend from people who homesteaded their lands. These were farmers and ranchers for the most part. My family is one of those and the area around Trementina is full of homesteaders. I am looking into this, so I can send them a long list of Homesteaders I descend from.

Are You a Homesteader or Descendant?

The Homestead Act of 1862 transferred more than 270 million acres of land from Federal to private ownership. We are seeking your help in locating people who filed claims under the Homestead Act. The goal is to locate and record the experiences of remaining homesteaders before the opportunity is lost. Homestead National Monument of America is developing a database of homesteaders and descendants. If you are a homesteader or a descendant, please help us by sending your name, address, telephone number and e-mail to:

Friends of Homestead
Homestead National Monument of America
8523 W. State Highway 4
Beatrice NE 68310

Reference: http://www.nps.gov/home/index.htm

Chaperito Cemetery in 2009

Chaperito was a thriving town in San Miguel County from about 1840-1959. The land has been in private hands for some time after everyone there sold off what they had and moved to town or other states. The cemetery itself, is still there, the church was torn down decades ago and some of the buildings still partially stand.

The cemetery has a variety of headstones, some aren't legible some are beautiful and others are gone. I wrote a book on Chaperito, Land Grant and Parish a few years ago and cited all the headstones that I found in 2009 when I last visited.

The land is private, and you need permission to enter. Don't try going on your own, more than likely you could get lost or never find it. But I can share pieces of the area with you, such as this cemetery picture.

Juana Maria Ribera, Will - Santa Fe - September 1853

I, Juana Maria Ribera, legitimate daughter of don Baltasar Ribera and doña Maria Antonia Oritz and who was married to the deceased don Antonio Jose Montoya, orders her final will. She was married to Antonio Jose Montoya for about 30 years more or less, and from that marriage they did not have any children.

She mentions that she did bring a dowry into her marriage that she received from her parents. She also adamantly states that her husband did not make a will when he died and lands were not titled over to her properly.

To her brothers, Jose Francisco Ortiz, who paid for my husbands burial, I do recognize that. The house in which I live, a room and two porches, a corral and a fenced area with a coach house as part of her property. All the furnishings of her house, saints, retablos, be given to Antonio and Jesus Maria. She declares a mattress, a cover be given to Maria Trinidad Sena, three chests, roasting pits and other items be given to Filomena and her two small daughters for having raised them.

The house where I live, be given as follows: One half to Filomena with land and the other half I leave to my hijitas chiquitas (small girls) and under the tutelage of don Vicente Sena, until they become of age. Some lands and a mill at Pojoaque, but doesn't state who gets them.

She owes Manuel Chavez, Ramon Quintana, Juana Sandoval monies and they should all be paid. Juana Maria names as her executors don Domingo Fernandez and don Jose Francisco Sena. Witnesses were, Juan Miguel Ortega, Vicente Lopez, J. Anastacio Borrego and Antonio Ortiz, and she does sign her name.

Reference: Santa Fe County Probate & Will Book "D", pgs. 106-109. Cathedral Basilica in Santa Fe, courtesy of H. M. Christmas.

Pojaoque Marriages - Archuleta, Trujillo, Garcia, Roybal

On October 12, 1783, at Pojoaque, I married and veiled Juan Ynocencio Archuleta, español and son of Santiago Archuleta and Pasquala Gonzales, both deceased with Maria Manuela Truxillo, daughter of Jose Truxillo, deceased and Maria de Avila, residents all of Rio de Tesuque; witnesses: Juan Angel Gonzales and Juachina Benavides.

October 30, 1783, I married and veiled Bartolome Garzia, español and resident of the jurisdiction of Santa Clara, legitimate son of Gregorio Garzia and Maria Vejil, with Maria Marta Roibal, española and resident of this jurisdiction, legitimate daughter of Matheo Roibal and Gregoria Baca, padrinos were Jose Bicente Quintana and Maria de la Luz Silba.

No marriages were recorded from October 1783 to April 28, 1784?

On April 29, 1784, Francisco, widowed of Maria, from the Pueblo of San Juan, with Antonia, single, an Indian from Nambe, legitimate daughter of Juan Jose and Theresa; witnesses: Lorenzo Garzia and his wife, the Governor of the Pueblo and others.

FHL Film #16870

Bentura Moya - Santa Fe - Will, 1869

On September 4, 1869, Bentura Moya ordered his final will. He states he is a resident of the County of Santa Fe, Territory of New Mexico. He is of sane mind and is near death.

He orders that Cesaria Seberina (no surname), be given two rooms in a house of his residence. (This is not uncommon in early New Mexico, that rooms be given out to different people). The land that is north of his house be also given to her. [Who is she?]

His one and only heir is a nephew, Jose Gutierres, and that all his personal and real property be given to him.

He names as his executor: Antonio Ortiz y Salazar and witnesses sign who are, Jesus Leyba, Luis Tafoya and Benino Ortega. Ortiz y Salazar is also the Probate Judge at the time.

Reference: Santa Fe County Will & Probate Book "D", pgs. 78-79

Pojoaque Marriages - Gonzales

On May 8, 1783, Here at this church of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe at Pojoaque, I married and veiled Blas Gonzales, son of Franicsco Gonzales and Manuela Ynojos with Luisa Bacheque (Archibeque), españoles and resident of this place of Pojoaque; witnesses, Jose Miguel Truxillo and Bartolome Truxillo.

September 14, 1783, I married and veiled, Juachin, son of Juan Antonio and Josefa, Indians from Nambe, with Gertrudis, an Indian from Pojoaque, daughter of Juachin and Lorenza; witnesses, the fiscal mayor and the majority of the Pueblo present.

September 21, 1783, I married and veiled, Francisco, an Indian from Tesuque, son of Tomas and Maria, both deceased with Maria, an Indian from said Pueblo, daughter of Migel and Rosa, both deceased; witnesses, fiscal mayor and Juan Domingo with the majority of the Pueblo present.

Reference: FHL Film #16870

Desideria Otero - Final Will, 1870 Santa Fe

On December 22, 1870, Desideria Otero, orders her last will and testament. She states she is dying from an illness that God has bestowed on her, and she's a resident of Santa Fe. She declares, she was married to Pablo Quintana for 30 years and they had three children, who she leaves as her heirs. She has a burro, mattress, two blankets, a large rug, a sarape, some saints, 11 mirrors, seven pillows, and additional house and kitchen furnishings. Her most interesting item is a salt shaker made of crystal "un salero de cristal." She names her executors as Ygnacio Ribera, Jose Antonio Brito and the document does not appear to be signed by her, but another witness Juan de Jesus Ribera does sign.

Since she doesn't name her children formally, we can assume some of the items for the kitchen were given to Lupita Quintana, a likely daughter. The other two, we will need to use additional resources to figure out who they are.

Wills are a useful took for genealogists. We can not only learn how our ancestors lived, but their families names, friends, debts and so on. Check your county clerks office to see if your family members left a will. You might find some new information to add to your family group sheets.

Reference: Santa Fe County Will and Probate Book "D", pgs. 30-31

Juan Pedro Garcia & Felicita Tenorio

Over the years, I've been trying to keep track of the early families of Trementina, this being around 1875 to 1930. With the 1940 census coming out in April, I've been tracking who I need to follow up on first and if that census data will give me any new information. This particular family is one I've had some problems taking back further into the mid 1800's. If anyone has more information on them, I'd love to visit with you.

Juan Pedro Garcia, son of Juan Jose Garcia and Ana Maria, was born about October 1871 in somewhere in New Mexico (per census). They do appear in three censuses at Trementina.

• He appeared on the census in 1900 in Trementina, New Mexico.¹ Juan Pedro Garcia, 28, B. Oct 1871, married 8; Felicita 23, b. Jan 1877; Juaquin, 7, b. Nov 1893; Juan Nepomuceno, 6, b. Nov 1893; Juan Antonio, 3, b. Nov 1896; Josefita, 1, b. Nov 1898; all born in New Mexico.

• He appeared in the census in 1910 at Trementina, New Mexico.³ Juan P. Garcia, 40, married 18, farmer; Felicita 33, 7 kids living at home, had 11; Juan Nepomueno, 16; Antonio, 15; Josefa 12; illegible age 11; Juan, 6; Rosalia, 1 1/2; Nicanor Baca, servant 70; Dionicio Baca, servant, 22.

• He appeared in the census in 1930 at Trementina, New Mexico.⁴ Juan P. Garcia, 56, farmer; Felicita, 53; Benedicto G. 19; Jose H. 17; Ernesto E. 14; Juan P. Jr., 12; Rubel M. 8.

Juan married Felicita Tenorio about 1892. Felicita was born in January 1877 in New Mexico.

Children from this marriage were:

M i. Juaquin Garcia was born in August 1892.

M ii. Juan Nepmuceno Garcia was born in November 1893.

M iii. Juan Antonio Garcia was born in November 1896.

F iv. Josefita Garcia was born in November 1898.

M v. Juan Jose Garcia was born between 1904 and 1906 in New Mexico. Juan married Juliana Madrid on May 30, 1927 in Las Vegas, New Mexico. They appeared in the census in 1930 at Trementina, New Mexico.⁵ Juan J. Garcia, 24, aborer odd jobs; Julia M. 22; Valentin, 2 1/2; Carlos, 11/12.

F vi. Rosalia Garcia was born about 1909.

M vii. Benedicto G. Garcia was born about 1911.

M viii. Jose H. Garcia was born about 1913.

M ix. Ernesto Esmel Garcia was born on August 4, 1915 in Conchas, New Mexico and died on April 2, 1999 in New Mexico at age 83. Ernesto married Teodorita Maes, daughter of Daniel Maes and Maria Eliza Sanchez, on July 21, 1937 in Las Vegas, New Mexico. Teodorita was born on January 19, 1918 in San Rafael (Trementina), New Mexico and died on October 21, 1981 in Las Vegas, New Mexico at age 63.

M x. Juan P. Garcia Jr. was born about 1918.

M xi. Rubel M. Garcia was born about 1922.

Source Citations

1. National Archives micropublication, 1900 U. S. San Miguel County, Territory of New Mexico Census, Dwelling/Family 158, ED 112, Sheet 8, Line 61-66.

2. National Archives micropublication, 1900 U. S. San Miguel County, Territory of New Mexico Census, Dwelling/Family 158, Line 61.

3. National Archives micro publication, 1910 U. S. San Miguel County, Territory of New Mexico Census, ED 213, SD 81, Pg. 60B, Lines 51-61, Dwelling/Family 163.

4. National Archives micro publication, 1930 San Miguel County, State of New Mexico, ED 24-52, SD 2, Pg. 2A and B, Lines 48-51.

5. National Archives micro publication, 1930 San Miguel County, State of New Mexico, ED 24-52, SD 2, Lines 52-55.

Rafael Sanchez - Headstone

My ggrandfather, Rafael Sanchez, is buried in a tiny little place called San Rafael. He was one of the first settlers in this area near Trementina. He donated the land for the church to be built and his wife Apolonia Ramirez was instrumental in getting that done - could be why they call this area San Rafael.

Rafael was born in 1845 at Peña Blanca, NM and from there his family moved to the Rociada area. When he and Aplonia married in 1873, what was to come were 14 children and a move to the Trementina area. The homesteaded the land, along with their children and had a sheep ranch in those early days. The church was completed around 1913 or so with donations and help from all the surrounding families. Mass is still held once a year at the annual funcion the first weekend in October.

The Leon Name in Embudo

Recently, I co-wrote an article on Embudo (now Dixon), NM, which had a land record for the Apodaca family and it noted a Jul. Leon. Many of the Leon's are sometimes using the name Brito and they seem to interchange, without giving us, the researchers, any type of clues as to why. For the most part, most of these named individuals are in the Santa Fe area, here are a few more stragglers and I'm not sure how they might be related.

A record dated, Jan 23, 1803 for a Jose Maria, a Ute Indian in the care of Julian Lucero and Barbara Cisneros with a godparent of Jose Antonio Leon from Abiquiu.

Another record for a Maria Ynes Leon, who is getting baptized at San Juan de los Caballeros church on July 12, 1812, age 7 days and the daughter of Jose Antonio Leon and Maria Manuela Aragon, godparents: Juan de Jesus Romero and Maria Encarnacion Romero. They are from Joya.

On April 7, 1825, a five day old Maria Ricarda Martin was baptized, the daughter of Felipe Martin and Juana Maria Leon, godparents: Jose Antonio Borrego and Paula Sanchez.

In the Picuris records, there is one lady named Josefa Ponce de Leon, which makes me wonder if she has something to do with these area Leon people. As early as April 1787, she is a godmother to a Romero child being baptized.

Another record at Picuris is for Miguel Antonio Leon, baptized on June 5, 1810, son of Jose Antonio Leon and Manuela Aragon.

More research is needed to see if there is any type of connection or if this is a new family in New Mexico and we keep trying to make them part of one larger family.

References: San Juan de los Caballeros, Baptisms; Picuris Baptisms; HGRC Journal "Herencia" 20:1, Jan 2012, with Jose Nestor Salazar (Embudo-Some Loose Ends)