Maria Manuela ~ widow of Juan Lozano 1765

I, Maria Manuela (no surname noted), widow of Juan Lozano, deceased, native of this kingdom and resident of this villa of Santa Fe, find myself ill in bed, I order and make this my will in the following form and manner.

I declare that I was married according to the holy church to the aforesaid deceased, from which marriage we had and reared five children: Juana, Jose, Antonia, Juan Alfonso, and Ysidro died wife while still a boy. I declare those who are still living as my legitimate children and of the aforesaid deceased, my husband, whom I leave and name is my heirs.

I declare that I have as my property, a house in this place of Analco, with four rooms for habitation.

I declare as my property, a piece of ground which is in the back of my house. Another piece of farmland which is there above, and my children already know which it is.

Another piece of farmland which my children, likewise, know which it is.

I leave as my property, a house with lock of ordinary wood.

I declare as my goods 15 small pictures and large pictures of different Saints.

I declare that independent of my goods I leave one room which is adjoining my house. I have given it to my grandson Manuel Antonio, with a piece of land, which I separated shall be delivered to him, and is my last will that the rest of my goods, of land and house, shall be divided in equal parts among my son, and his sisters, whom I declare as my legitimate heirs.

I and all and revoke whatever other testament, memorandum or codicil may be found authorized before this. The Honorable Alcalde Mayor of this capital was present in and its authorization will whom I entreated to invest it with this authority and judicial sanction.

I, said Alcalde Mayor, know the grantor and I was that her house and that her authorization she is in her sound and natural judgment. In order to complete this, my testament, it is my wish to name is my executor my son, José Lozano, and the grantor did not sign, because she said she did not know how, and that her request, José Miguel Garduño signed it with me and the undersigned witnesses.

Dated in this villa of Santa Fe on the 13^th day of the month of January the year 1765.

At the request of the grantor, José Miguel Garduño

Francisco Guerrero (rubric)

Joseph Mares (rubric)

**In the 1750 Santa Fe census they are enumerated as:  Juan Lozano, Maria Manuela, Juana Maria, Ygnacio Antonio, Juana, Miguel Cruz, Pedro Milian and two children. [some of these people could be grandchildren and other spouses of her children]

References:  Spanish Archives of New Mexico, Series I, Twitchell 452, Reel 3, Frames 319-322

©Henrietta M. Christmas

Luis Lopez ~ 1728 Will

I, Luis Lopez, resident of la Cañada, legitimate son of Nicolas Lopez and Anna Lujan, already deceased, born in the kingdom of New Mexico find myself sick in bed of an illness and hereby make my last will and testament in the following form manner.

I declare to have been married according to the rights of our holy church to Maria de la Concencion (Bernal Griego) for the time of 30 years and during our marriage we had one daughter called Antonia Lopez de la Concencion.

I declare as my property the following: a house I have in Chimayo, containing a hall, bedroom and kitchen with its portal and a walled orchard, containing fruit trees and a portion of cultivated and uncultivated land holding about two fanegas of planting corn, a little more for less, with the advice that the portion of land I loaned Francisco Torres is not sold, only a portion I sold to Bernadino de Sena of which said land I have not made him a document; and if God designs to take me to himself I charge my wife to make the document for the said Bernardino de Sena.

I declare that I raised a child called, Maria de la Encarnacion, to whom I leave a piece of land for a cornfield, with the consent and pleasure of my said daughter, Antonia Lopez and my said wife, with house lot and orchard.

I declare that I have 136 head of small cattle.

I declare to have a saddle, and harquebus, bridle, spurs, saddlebags, and a shield.

I declare to three horses in la tierra afuera and it is my will their equivalents be paid in masses for the blessed souls in purgatory.

I declare Juan Garcia, a resident of Rio Abajo, owes me 10 horses, those being six fillies and four mares broken for trading purposes.

I declare not to owe anything to any person whatsoever; and it is my will to give my grandchild Juan Mascareñas all my fire arms, mentioned above, that he may enjoy them.

It is my will to leave as administrators, and the first place the said don Bernardino de Sena and in the second place my said wife as holder of my property.

And for its greater enforcement and validity I requested Capt. don Diego Arias de Quiros, Alcalde  Mayor and Capt. of the war of the Villa of Santa Fe, to interpose his authority and judicial decree. Said grantor did not sign, not knowing how, I, said Alcalde Mayor and Capt. of War, signed, acting as receiver with the undersigned witnesses who assisted me for the lack of a public or Royal notary. On this 27^th day of October 1728. Before me Diego Arias de Quiros (rubric), witnesses: Juan Manuel Chirinos (rubric), Juan José Lobato (rubric).

References:  Spanish Archives of New Mexico, Series, I, Reel 3, Frames 288-291, Twitchell #442

©Henrietta M. Christmas

Antonia Barela de Losada ~ 1712 Will

I, Antonia Barela de Losada, a resident of this Villa of Santa Fe, and widow of Capt. Antonio Lucero de Godoy, being as I am, sick in bed of an illness, do make my last will and testament in the manner and form that follows.

I declare that Ramon Medina owes me 10 pesos which I order it collected.

I will order and wish that there be said for me 50 low masses in the alms for which I asked my children to pay.

I declare that I was married under the rights of our holy mother church to Capt. Antonio Lucero de Godoy, deceased, and during that time we were married we had and raised of their legitimate children, Rosa Lucero de Godoy, now married to Bentura the Esquibel; also Antonio Lucero de Godoy and Juan Diego Lucero de Godoy, and has been said, I declare as my own legitimate children, born and raised during that marriage.

At the time my said husband died he made his will before Capt. Juan Garcia de la Riva and he provided strictly for the execution of everything contained therein as well as for the partition of the few chattels left at the time of his death, which are: this house in which I live at present with the land that belong to it; 40 goats and two yoke of oxen which I declare belong to my daughter Rosa; a yoke to Juan Lucero; the other to Rosa and Diego Lucero, for one ox to each; as well as one plow, one axe and one chisel which I leave to my son Diego Lucero; and in all and for all I order that the last will my husband be observed, complied with and executed.

I also leave a copper kettle and the griddle to my daughter Rosa Lucero.  For the compliance and execution of this will, I appoint my sons Juan and Antonio Lucero as executors. I declare I have no other will or codicil and that I have no prior will to this and I want only this one to have force, which is made before Capt. don Alphonso Rael de Aguilar, Alcalde of said villa.

At this Villa of Santa Fe on the 13^th day of June 1712. Assisting witnesses Juan de la Mora Pineda (rubric), Eusebio Rael de Aguilar (rubric) and before me, Alphonso Real de Aguilar (rubric).

References:  Spanish Archives of New Mexico, Series I, Twitchell #432, Reel 3, Frames 252-255.

©Henrietta M. Christmas

Catalina Jurado ~ 1767 Will

Know ye all who may see this last and final will that I, Catalina Jurado, a resident of the locality of our Lady of Guadalupe, legitimate daughter of Juan Jurado and Rosa Misquia, deceased; being as I am sick in bed and of an illness I make my last will and testament.

I declare to have been married according to the rights of the holy church to Bentura Mestas, in which matrimony we had a reared two children, Antonia already deceased and Juan Ygnacio whom I declare as my legitimate children.

I declare that when I married Bentura, I did not bring anything to his possession.

I declare as my property a pair of coral bracelets which I bequeath to a little girl I have reared, called Catalina, in the same way a thin green silk petticoat, a green skirt with silver trimmings; a shell necklace, a reliquary set in silver, red scarf, two half silk handkerchiefs, a red taffeta belt, a white rosary, with small medals and eight cows which my husband will give her as executor for it is my will they be given to her.

I declare that to my grandchild Maria Rosa be given my red veil, my pearl drop earrings, a free reliquary set in silver and a red scarf.

I declare that to my other grandchild, called Antonia, I leave the mantilla and the black skirts with it silver garnishing and a reliquary set in silver.

I declare that all the rest of my property such as clothing and jewels which I have for my use, I leave to my husband Bentura so that he may dispose of them at his will.

I declare that all the property known as field property or ranches of land, herds, mares and horses and some mules, cows and burros, belong to my grandchildren; and have been given to them for breeding purposes. Do not take them away from them and of the residual half is mine and there are no other heir except my husband and son Juan Ignacio.

I declare Juan Martin two hunting knives I order them collected.

I declare Paulin Abeyta owes me for one pound of chocolate, I order it collected.

I declare that Jose Antonio Naranjo owes me for one pound of chocolate, I order it collected.

I declare to have given don Joaquin del Pino, eight pairs of woolen socks and a pair of gloves.

I declare not to owe anybody anything.

I declare leaving to our Lady of Carmen, a vara of cloth ribbon and one vara of red ribbon, it is my wish that they be given to her.

I name as my executors in the first place my husband, Bentura de Mestas, who is the only executor I leave, in order that after my death he will receive and collect within the term prescribed by law the most needed.

On the 31^st day of the month of January the year 1767 the said Alcalde Mayor and Capt. of War of this jurisdiction, don Manuel Garcia Paraje and I, said Alcalde Mayor say I am in the presence of grantor as executor of this instrument I interpose my authority as much as I can and am permitted in law and I attest that I know the grantor and in the same way that she is of sound and complete judgment. Not knowing how to sign I said Alcalde Mayor signed with my assisting witness for want of two notaries within the distance prescribed by law, executed on said day, month and year. Signed Manuel Garcia Paraje, rubric

Witnesses: Pedro Antonio Martin, (rubric)

Juan José Bustos, (rubric)

Note: I send my grandchild Antonia, a pair of coral bracelets mixed with pearls and a little rosette in silver, I order they be given to her.

References:  Spanish Archives of New Mexico, Series I, Twitchell #419, Reel 3, Frame 205-208

©Henrietta M. Christmas

Luis Jaramillo ~ Will 1764

I, Luis Xaramillo, legitimate son of Cristobal Xaramillo, now deceased and of Leonor Dominguez, both born here and citizens of this kingdom and a corporal of this Royal Garrison; being ill and suffering in bed make my last will and testament.

I declare that I have been veiled and married according to the rights of our holy mother Church to doña Maria Antonia Lucero de Godoy for 33 years, in which time we had and begot three children, two girls and one boy, all of whom God saw fit to take to himself at an early age.

I declare as my goods the house where I reside, which is composed of 17 rooms, six above and the rest below, the patio and the furniture, all of which is inside the house, which it is my will that my wife enjoy.

I declare that I have a piece of land adjoining said house, half of which is made into a garden.

I declare that I have two other pieces of land, the one at the upper part of the River of this Villa, and the other on the south side of said river at Buena Vista, which is my will; this my said wife shall enjoy.

I declare that I have given 30 breeding cows on shares for a period of eight years to Francisco Duran, resident of Ojo Caliente, with the obligations of getting seven head each year from the increase, five heifers and two little bulls and when the period has been completed in the month of August of the year 1765, he shall be obligated to deliver 82 cattle that is the principal and the increase in their respective ages.

I declare as my goods 600 head of sheep which are separated into two blocks the 300 each. What Jose Martin, resident of Abiquiu, there are 300 giving of their increased 70 sheep which he has in his possession for this present year up to the time of August, for which time I have paid him for the care of said sheep. The other 300 are in possession of my brother Salvador Xaramillo, on the same shares.

I declare a cart fully equipped with two yoke of oxen.  I declare as my good nine horses and two mules.

I declare as my goods, my weapons of war, a lands, gun, pistols, powder bags and cartridge box, which is the total of my weapons with which I served the King.

I declare that Antonio Garcia, resident of told me, owes me one horse and 15 pesos which he has to bring me.

I declare that the widow of Antonio Valverde owes me four pesos, Salvador Torres being her bondsman.

I declare that my brother-in-law, Pedro Lucero, owes me a mule, 26 hides and 4 horses, with 54 silver pesos, which I paid to Francisco Padilla, resident of this Villa as will be evident by his note.

I order that from the fifth part of my goods be given to a little nephew of mine whom I have raised, eight head of cattle and 60 ewes and that my executor shall deliver these to him whenever he may be given each to manage them.

My name is my executors and the guardians of my estate in the first place my wife doña Maria Antonia Lucero de Godoy and in the second don Felipe Tafoya who I am entirely satisfied will execute and fulfill this last will. My last wish being that my wife enjoy all of the goods declared by me, as my lawful heiress with God’s blessing in mind, trusting as I do trust that my executors will comply with that which is ordered by me. For its greater validity I requested my Lieut. and Ensign to sign it and I said Lieut., signed it with my Ensign for the grantor, because he did not know how to sign, it being evident to me that all that is contained in this testament is that he has said. And I find it with two witnesses who were present on the 27^th day of the month of December of the year 1764.

Thomas Madrid rubric, Francisco Esquibel (rubric)

Witnesses: Diego Antonio Marques (rubric), José Maldonado (rubric)

References:  Spanish Archives of New Mexico, Series I, Twitchell #418, Reel 3, Frame 201-204

©Henrietta M. Christmas

Juan Esteban Canjuebe ~ Will 1764

Know all who may see this testamentary letter and last and final will that I, Juan Estevan Canjuebe, resident of San Antonio (Santa Clara jurisdiction), legitimate son of Roque Canjuebe and Juana Cheome, being sick in bed make my last will and testament.

I declare that I was married to Quiteria Telles from which marriage we had and reared Joseph, Juan Antonio, Juan Alfonso, Lorenzo and Maria Manuela, whom I declare my legitimate children

I declare that my wife brought to my possession 60 ewes.

I declare that I owe Cayetano Atencio a bull, a heifer of two years going on three and two chamois skins.

I declare owing the son of an Indian from the Taos called Felipe Capullo a filly.

I declare owing an Indian from Santa Clara called Juan Manuel Bala, a horse.

I declare owing Alejandro Mora and awl.

I declare owing Julian Bejil a remnant.

I declare owing Alonso, Indian from the Pueblo of Jemez, an axe worth 15 pesos.

I declare Juan Manuel Padilla owes me adobes for a room and the building of it until it is completed, for horse which I chartered this him to go to hell Rio Abajo.

I declare as my estate the ranch of land which I obtained from inheritance from my parents with the dwelling house which consists of two rooms as per judicial instrument which is executed for this purpose.

I declare that my wife had the portion of land which consists of a cornfield in San Juan.

I declare as my possession eight breeding cows.

I declare as my property to have three heifers and one-year-old bull.

I declare as my property four oxen.

I declare as my property four tamed horses.

I declare as my property two unbroken mares, a filly and eight breeding burro.

I declare as my possession to guns in good condition.

I declare as my property a leather coat, a small sword and shield.

I declare as my property a saddle which I use, bridle and spurs.

I declare as my property some leather saddlebags and a shoulder belt.

I declare, a statue of St. Anthony, over one-half vara high, and a paper ratable.

I declare as my property of coal axe.

I declare as my property a small hoe, a wooden plow point and two plows, all complete.

I declare as my property a cart fully equipped.

I declare and adze and two chisels, a javelin, and a spit.

I declare an iron griddle, and iron skillet, the branding iron.

I declare to have in my service a young Indian boy 12 years old, more or less.

I remember owing Pedro Sanchez large buckskin.

I declare that I owe don Clemente buckskin.

I leave two pesos for a mass to be offered to the souls in purgatory for my intention.

I name is my executors my brother, Juan Canjuebe, and as holder of my estate my wife, so that after my death she will receive my property and recover and collect during the term of one complete year as disposed by law or whatever more might be necessary. After the fulfillment in payment of this my will, I Institute and name as my heirs Joseph, Juan Antonio, Juan Alfonso, Lorenzo and Maria Manuela, with my said wife so that they may inherit the residual of my estate and enjoy it was God’s blessing at the locality of San Antonio on the second day of the month of April, your 1764.

Witnessed by: Francisco Sanchez and Cayetano Atencio. In testimony thereof: Manuel Garcia rubric, Francisco Sanchez rubric, Cayetano Atencio rubric.

References:  Spanish Archives of New Mexico, Series I, Twitchell #417, Reel 3, Frames 197-200

©Henrietta M. Christmas