Jose Maldonado ~ Will 1789

On 9^th June 1789, I the first ensign of this royal garrison, went to the dwelling house of the pay master, 2^nd Lt. Don Jose Maldonado, by order of the Lt. Col. and Governor, Don Fernando de la Concha, together with the 2^nd Sgt., and one Corporal, so that the said Lt. could make his last will and testament, who of his own free will stated he would do it.

I declare that I married doña Luisa Tenorio, from which marriage we raised and have seven children:  Jose Miguel, Gaspar, Teodora, Francisca, Jose Miguel, Baltasar, and Antonio, tow of which died in childhood.

I declare as my chattels, my dwelling house, which it is my wish that it be left to my wife together with all the furniture.

I declare that I have another house and lands on the other side of the river, which I leave to my wife.

I declare an allotment of land at Buenavista and a cornfield, where they call the wagon road; it is my wish, that it be divided amongst my four sons, giving Antonio the better part, he not having received anything during my life.

I declare that I have at the settlement of Tome, a small house and land, as it appears from this and the above stated writings, and which it is my wish that it be divided amongst my sons.

I declare that to my three married sons, I have given them what I could, I order that to the other two, be given enough to equal the amount of the first ones. 

I declare eleven horses, three mules, and everything pertaining to them. With two saddles, one embroidered, a rifle, a pair of pistols, a saber, my clothes, two oxen, thirty five goats, four cows with calves and two burros one female.

I declare the house and lands on the other side of the river, be my wife’s; but only during her life and that after her death, it be given to my sons.

I declare a partido of ewes, the number which appears in an obligation from Manuel Aragon and that he owes me an additional 15.

I declare another partido of ewes with Marcos Martin, which I have a note for.

I declare that I do not owe anything.

I declare having in the treasury the salary expended services rendered during the whole of last year and this one to this date, as it appears in the books, and I order to be collected.

I declare $350 pesos, from the synod of Fr. Ambrocio Guerra, also $175 from Fr. Diego Sajado and $100 from Fr. Santiago Fernandes de Sierra, which I order to be collected.

I declare that the governor, don Fernando de la Concha, owes me $591 pesos, 6 reales and six grains that were withheld from me at the Royal Treasury in Chihuahua, as it appears in the book at pages fourteen and after.

I declare that Capt. Manuel de la Azuela owes me $173 pesos, three reales and one grain, which I order collected.

Name as my administrators and legitimate attorney, don Rafael Sarracino that in company with my wife doña Luisa Tenorio, as second; and my son Gaspar as third. 

I ask that I be buried at the church door and my funeral humble and that my body be shrouded with the habit of Father St. Francis in the name of God.

I ask that 300 masses be said for my soul.

I order that from the residue of my chattels, that half be divided between my five sons, in equal parts, it being understood that my said wife did not bring anything, a dowry, into the matrimony, neither did I bring anything worth while and the good recognized as mine were acquired by our work.  Signed Jose Nicolas Corat de Maldonado, rubric.

Witnesses: don Antonio Guerrero, Sgt. don Cleto Miera, Corp. Jose Sandoval

References:  Spanish Archives of New Mexico, Series I, Twitchell 598, Reel 3, Frames 1298-1356.

©Henrietta M. Christmas