Getrudis Armijo ~ 1776 Estate

Manuel Vigil makes an inventory of his wife, Getrudis Armijo’s, chattels.

I, Manuel Vigil, state that my wife, Getrudis Armijo (daughter of Antonio Duran y Armijo and Barbara Montoya), has died in the month of September last past and surviving this marriage are eight children, five females and three males.  I have determined that an inventory be made in order to deliver to the two that are married and of age – Maria Josefa and Barbara, what may be their maternal share.  And, that a corresponding share is made to the others for when they are married or become of age.

I state that when we contracted marriage, we both brought chattels into it – inherited from our respective parents.  But that all there were was destroyed by the enemies and the shares given on herds were lost; there being nothing left but the debts.

I declare that all the chattels that are present, I own and have acquired since the year of ’54 to present.  March 26, 1776, Signed Manuel Vigil

I, Manuel Vigil, Alcalde Mayor of the Pueblo of San Geronimo de Taos, in compliance, I made a list of chattels that I remember brought into this marriage of my deceased wife, dated May 12, 1776.   (Shown to appraisers with value)

• 300 pesos in silver.  (Shown to the appraisers)
• 400 ewes.
• Blacksmith shop, an anvil, a male screw, hammer and two pairs of tongues. (50 silver pesos)

The following is what I received from my deceased father (Vigil) into this marriage:

•  400 ewes.
• 12 horses, a mule and a he mule.
• 12 canvas paintings plus 12 more.
• A plain silk under petticoat.
• Another of fancy spotted silk.
• Some very good cotton goods.
• A fine scarf and head covering.
• One dozen silver spoons.
• Half a dozen china cups for chocolate.
• Half a dozen china coffee cups.
• Two Michoacán boxes and trimmings.  (old, 5 pesos)
• Two other of wood also trimmed. (two pesos)
• A suit of Castilian cloth, cloak, jacket and trousers, besides the one for everyday use.
• Kitchen equipment, pot, comal and spoon.

·     A house in the village of Santa Fe, with a tract of land in front also from my deceased father. (100 pesos) Also, a share in another tract of land, which I’m not sure of the size, it has not been divided, later identified as Buena Vista.

And this from one or the other:

• 300 chamois skins. (290 at 14 reales and the other two at 9 reales)
• 320 pesos.
• 33 ½ due several soldiers of the garrison of Santa Fe.
• 16 cow skins from Tupaya. (6 pesos)
• 16 cattle with an upper brand.
• 15 horses. (9 pesos)
• 13 mules and 40 he mules with carrying saddles. (mules at 20 pesos and he mules at 14 pesos)
• 222 pesos that we invested in Chihuahua that are part of Royal Investments and existing.
• A ranch that I acquired at Royal sale and located at Piedra Negra, of Taos, 570 varas and it cost me 350 pesos. (350 pesos of hard money) *Manuel Vigil declares that this is valued at 175 pesos in silver.
• I have 552 one-year old ewes on shares with Marcos Baca, resident of the Rio Abajo.  I did receive a note that the ewes had been lost to the Navajos and 77 are all I received.  I ask that this be investigated and my share be allotted accordingly.

There are chattels also existing of ordinary items and use of my deceased wife:

•  A pair of very fine cotton under petticoats with silver fringes and edgings. (20 pesos)
• Two kimonos. (13 pesos each)
•  A fancy cloth towel.
•  One fine velvet scarf.  (black velvet at 14 pesos)

And that is all I have to declare and signed on May 12, 1777.  Manuel Vigil (rubric)

·       I also declare a piece of land brought by my deceased wife into the marriage which is at Las Trampas, the varas I do not know as the partition has not been made. (Vigil declares this is valued at 175 pesos in silver)

The appraisers, Antonio Dominguez and Nicolas Leal review the property. Items declared value in parenthesis, unless otherwise not noted such as:

• 50 cattle of all ages at 10 pesos and 13 others at nine pesos.
• Three oxen at ten pesos.
• 15 one-year old cattle at three pesos.
• Eight old canvas paintings at one peso each.
• Petticoat of fine cotton trimmed with silver edgings and mixed fringe, 20 pesos.
• A fine cloth towel, at 15 pesos.
• From the chattels brought into the marriage of Getrudis Armijo – 200 head of cattle at four ½ pesos in silver.
• The 400 ewes at three reales in silver each, equals 300 pesos in coin.  The blacksmith shop with anvil, male screw, hammer and two pair on tongues at 50 pesos in silver.  Signed August 2, 1776.  Antonio Dominguez and Nicolas Leal.

We also value the effects that don Manuel brought into the marriage in the following manner:

• 500 ewes at 3 reales each.
• One mule at 15 pesos silver.
• 24 canvas paintings at two pesos silver each.
• An under petticoat of very fine cotton at 20 pesos.
• An old coral brooch at 30 pesos.
• Some fine chintz at 20 pesos silver.
• A silk veil and short petticoat at 20 pesos silver.
• One dozen silver spoons at 12 reales each.
• Six white pewter plates at one peso each.
• One dozen chocolate china cups at six reales.
• One half dozen china coffee cups at four reales.
• Michoacán boxes with trimming at 5 pesos.
• One suit of clothes of Castilian cloth composed of cloak, jacket and trousers at 70 pesos.
• Two kitchen utensils, port, comal and spoon at 10 pesos.
• The house at the villa of Santa Fe with the land, 120 pesos in silver.
• The piece of land which is at Buena Vista at 40 pesos.

We also valued a ranch that lies between Santo Domingo and Cochiti, at 200 pesos silver, which said ranch was brought in the marriage by the said Vigil.  Signed Antonio Dominguez and Nicolas Leal.

At Santa Fe, on August 2, 1776, the following value and partitions of the chattels are:

Value of what Getrudis Armijo brought into the marriage,       1,150 pesos

That the husband, Manuel Vigil, brought into the marriage,        922 pesos

Total is,                                                                                                 2,072 pesos

The existing chattels with deductions by the appraisers,           2,222 pesos

The resulting gain of both,                                                            150 pesos

And to each one,                                                                              75 pesos.

The share that Getrudis Armijo brought 1,225 pesos and one real to be divided amongst the eight children, being 153 pesos and two reales each.  Manuel Vigil is to keep the minor children’s portions until they become of age.

Diego de Borrica, Manuel Vigil, Diego Antonio de la Peña, Juan de Dios de la Peña (rubrics) and signed.  August 2, 1776.

References:  Spanish Archives of New Mexico, Series I, Twitchell #48, Frames 372-381
Henrietta M. Christmas