Feliciana Ortiz y Bustamante ~ Will 1815

I, Doña Feliciana Paula Ortiz y Bustamante, a resident of this villa of Santa Fe, finding myself sick in bed…

I was married and veiled to Don Josef Campo Redondo, from which marriage we had and raised 13 children, in the following order:  Maria Josefa, deceased, who left a lawful heir; Domingo; three baby boys who died but were baptized; Ana Maria; Josef; Francisco; Juan de Jesus; Maria Dolores; Maria de Jesus; and two who were born ill, but who lived long enough to receive the water.

I declare that I received the following items as inheritance from her paternal side:  my dwelling house, which is composed of nine useful rooms, its patio, corral and garden plot; half of the ranch that formerly belonged to Ygnacio Duran as shown by corresponding deed; also another piece of land that I purchased from Pedro Nieto, who has not drawn up the corresponding deed for me.  And I order that his be demanded.

I declare that I own 900 ewes in the possession of Pedro Miguel Gutierres, who has them on shares.

Also the following I declare as my property:  2 kettles, one small and one large; 1 axe, 1 hoe, 1 adze; 1 spit, one griddle; 2 metates; 1 brass mortar; all of the holy pictures and the rest of the household goods – five mattresses, 6 pillows, 2 bed sheets, 4 blankets, 2 bedspreads, 2 Michoacán chests, 2 small trunks, 3 settees, 4 chairs, 1 table.

I declare as my property 2 horses, 1 male mule and 1 burro.  I gave one of the horses to my son Josef.

I declare as my property all of that which I will inherit on the maternal side, on that the Señor Judge may see fit to order that they be equally divided.  I do not know at this date how much it may amount to, and for that reason I do not make a detailed statement of the same, submitting myself to the testament of my deceased mother, and the legal schedule which may be given to me.

I declare as my property what I have received during the life of my deceased mother, first $1500 pesos in cash as shown by receipt.

I declare as my property, 1600 ewes, 1000 are in the possession of Geronimo Chaves, and the other 600 are in the possession of Miguel Baca.

I declare 27 head of cattle.

I declare 3 female burros, which died, and I only mention them in evidence of having received them.

I declare 3 mares, 2 with colts, and 1 without.

I declare that I owe my brothers, Don Antonio and Don Francisco, certain amounts of money which they have furnished me with.  I do not know how much they would amount to, but from this time on I will conform to whatever they may say, which will be just.

I declare that I borrowed from Don Manuel Delgado, 200 pesos in reales, which he loaned me at 6% interest, on which I have not paid the interest for this year.

I declare that I owe Don Juan Pino 10 sheep.

I declare that I owe the confraternity of Our Lady of Light the sum of 100 pesos in silver, which my deceased husband had on interest, and which I continued, which interest at 5% for the year will accrue next July.  I order that both the principal and interest due be paid.

I declare that it is my wish to leave my three daughters, Ana Maria, Maria Dolores, and Maria de Jesus considering they are women and that they have served me and been in my company without causing me any grief, my dwelling house as it is at the present time, with all the household goods and jewelry recognized as mine and which are mentioned in this my testament.

I declare that my sons and grandsons:  Josef Maria, Josef and Francisco be given the land that I have in the half ranch of Ygnacio Duran and the land which I purchased from Pedro Nieto, so that all may be divided equally.

I declare that the Pojoaque ranch be divided by my two sons Domingo and Juan.

All properties which are mine, paternal and maternal inheritance and which is recognized as mine, be divided among all my children, both men and women, equally and honesty and without any dispute or strife, in order that they may have and enjoy it with God’s blessing and mine.

I declare that I leave 60 sheep to pay for masses to be said for the repose of my soul.

I declare that I have not executed any other testament.  I appoint as my executor, my uncle, Don Gaspar Ortiz, as first and second my son Domingo, and my son Josef, third.  I order for my son Josef to sign for me.  Signed by order of my Mother, Jose Campo Redondo on this March 4, 1815. Witnesses:  Miguel Ortiz and Cristobal Larrañaga.

Reference:  Spanish Archives of New Mexico, Series I, Twitchell 666, Reel 4, Frames 413-434.

©Henrietta M. Christmas

Francisco Ortega ~ Will 1782

Let all that see this letter know, that I, Francisco de Ortega, a soldier of the garrison of Santa Fe am sick in bed but of full mind and understanding and order this my last will.

I declare that I was married to Clara de Herrera for the term of nine years from which marriage we had eleven children: Juan Domingo, Jose Joachin, Juan Bautista, Manuel de Jesus and Cristobal (these died without being married); Ana Maria, Miguel Antonio, Andres Antonio, Juan Domingo, Geronimo and Maria Sebastiana, whom I declare as my heirs.

I declare as my chattels, the leather jacket, rifle, pistols, lance and spade, five horses and one mule.

I declare the house of my residence with lands and orchard that I possess.

I declare a tract of land, 70 varas square, which I bought and paid for from Jesus Lucero.

I declare as my chattels, a tract of land I bought from Joseph Romero from Cuyamungue, containing 27 varas.

I declare a room which I bought from my mother-in-law at La Cañada.

I declare a yoke of oxen and eight goats.

I declare the clothes of my use, uniform and cape.

I declare the furniture of my house.

I declare that I owe Gallegos, two pesos in reales, which I order be paid him.

I declare that Antonio Armijo owes me for a horse, which I order be collected.

I declare as my administrators, my wife, Clara de Herrera so that at the proper time, she may partition them in equal parts to my children who are entitled to them.  Signed September 11, 1782 at Santa Fe.  The testator did not know how to sign and was signed by Manuel de la Azuela, rubric; witnesses – Salvador Tenorio, rubric; Manuel Baca, rubric.

References:  Spanish Archives of New Mexico, Series I, Twitchell 660, Reel 4, Frames 398-401.

©Henrietta M. Christmas

Antonio Ortega ~ 2nd Will 1785

Know all who may see this, that I, Antonio Ortega, Corporal of this royal garrison of Santa Fe, retired find myself ill and hereby make this final testament.

I declare that I was married to Rosa Baca, for 29 years and during this time we had four children who are:  two males, Domingo, deceased Alexandro, Petrona deceased, and Catharina, also deceased.

I have likewise been married in a second nuptial to Maria Antonia Romero and we had three children:  two males and one female – Jose Maria and Jose Francisco.  The marriage lasted 17 years.

I declare that my first wife brought at the time of the marriage 50 sheep and one parcel of land, which I sold at Los Palacios for 150 pesos.

I declare that my second wife brought at the time of marriage, two house lots; I live on one and the other one adjoins it.

I declare as my property some lands which are called La Hacienda.  The documents of the same will show what they are; these lands belong to my two sons, Domingo and Alexandro.

Another parcel of land with three trees belongs to the above mentioned and the trees shall be partitioned to the three.  I have given Juan Domingo one ranch which is situated at the Tesuque river; that contains all of his inheritance of lands.

I declare as my property three parcels of land which adjoins the house where I live.

I declare that I have one parcel of land at Buena Vista; it is my will that the same be given to the orphans which I have, also two cows, one for each.

I declare that the property inside of my house belongs to my wife; also the house.

I declare that I have my weapons consisting of one fire-lock gun, one pistol, one lance, one cartridge box, one saddle pad, one saddle and one bridle.  It is my will that the same be given to my eldest son from my second marriage.

I declare that I have 52 head of cattle of all ages.

I declare that I have 40 goats.

I declare that I have one ‘he’ mule and three horses.

I declare that I have three asses.

I declare that I had given my first children everything I had, as it will appear by entry; but for the peace of my conscience, I leave everything to the discretionary power and will of the tribunals of justice so that they may decide whatever might be more expedient.

I declare that it is my will that the remained of one-fifth of my property, after paying for my funeral, shall belong to my wife; with the clothes acquired during our married life, she should have enough.  I request that it shall be so arranged by the tribunals of Justice; this refers to the clothes of my said wife.

I declare that I owe Domingo Romero one ewe, I order that it be paid.

I declare that Christobal, the Apache, owes me one buffalo hide, I order that it be collected.

I declare that Jose Vigil, the soldier, owes me one fanegas of corn, I order that it be so collected.

I declare that Miguel Tenorio, the soldier, owes me two fanegas of corn and two pesos in currency of the country; I order that the same be collected.

I declare that Jose Antonio Gallegos, the soldier, owes me five pesos in currency of the country; I order that the same be collected. 

I declare that Domingo Carrillo owes me one half fanegas of corn, and the drummer Prado, owes me two pesos; I order that the same be collected.

I declare that the soldier, Bartolome Fernandez, owes me one piece of linen; I order that I be collected.

So that this final will be complied with, I name as my executor, first my son Alexandro, and second my wife.  Signed on this October 20, 1785.  Jose Maldonado, rubric.  Witnesses:  Cleto Miera, rubric; Jose Miguel Maldonado, rubric.

The estate then goes to the tribunal on November 28, 1785 where the wife and all the children must make their claims and show original deeds.

The following people appear in the audit and division of estate:

The widow, Antonia Romero;

Manuel Garcia Pareja is named as guardian of the minor children;

The widow then lists all the belongings, which don’t match either wills inventory.    The items are then valued by the appraisers for a total of 7,947.7 pesos.

Alexandro Ortega appears.

Francisco Garcia, son-in-law of the widow of the deceased;

Juan Dominguez, a son-in-law of the deceased Sergeant Antonio Ortega;

Miguel Ortiz as a witness and neighbor testifying what he knew that Ortega owned;

Soldier, Juan Ortiz, as a witness in reference to the property;

Corporal Jose Mares, testified that they had gone for Calvary horses abroad, Ortega had gotten sick, he knew of the two marriages and the division of property to his children of the first marriage.

Antonio Rivera, retired soldier, knew that the goods from the first marriage had been divided amongst those children.

Jose Maria Montoya replied similar to Rivera and Mares.

The widow then testifies and says that she has one house lot, one piece of silk serge with which her father helped to buy the house.  She was poorly dressed and declares that her husband had brought to her, ten varas of sackcloth, which we made one mattress; two head of cattle, one being a cow and one an ox, both large, which were distributed among the children of the first wife.  He also brought his weapons and horses.  She did not see any other property upon marriage.

The Division is then done and the names of the heirs are noted each receiving parts of the estate either before the second marriage or after:  Jose Maria, Jose Francisco, Maria (three minor children).

Alexandro Ortega testifies, Maria Loreto Armijo widow of the deceased Domingo Ortega; Juan Domingues (son and brother of Alexandro).

Signatures of Anza and Maldonado.

References:  Spanish Archives of New Mexico, Series I, Twitchell 661, Reel 8, Frames 1218-1255.

©Henrietta M. Christmas

Antonio Ortega ~ Will 1781

Know all who may see this, that I, Antonio Ortega, Corporal of this royal garrison of Santa Fe, retired due to disability, find myself ill and hereby make this final will.

I declare that I was married to Rosa Baca, for 29 years and during this time we had five children who are:  Petra, Juan Domingo, Alexandro, Geronimo deceased and Catharina, also deceased.

I have likewise been married in a second nuptial to Maria Antonia Romero for a period of 12 years and we had one son, Jose Francisco.

I declare as my goods, 52 head of cattle, including small and large, from which I assign to my second wife, ten large cows, without issue and two, two-year old heifers and two bulls.

To my son, Jose Francisco, of my second marriage, it is my will that there be given ten cows without issue and two yoke of oxen, which is the same as I apportioned to the first children, as is evident from an annotation which I have made, although not authorized by a Judge.

I order that the rest of the cattle which remain from the 52 and the 28, shall be distributed among my first children and my wife in equal numbers, deducting that pertaining to the two novenas which I order be said for my soul.

I declare I have a mule and four horses, and from these shall be given one horse to each one of my children and the mule to my wife.

I declare I have 26 goats which are for my wife.

I declare I have a gun, pistols, sword, lance, cartridge box and sheath, a shield, it is my will that all of this be for my son, Jose Francisco, with a length of plush besides and the cloak.

I declare I am leaving a scarf of double cloth, for my son, Juan Dominguez, my son-in-law.

I declare I have another of the same of plush; this is for my son, Alexandro.

I declare five used spades, three lances, four bridles, two saws, two axes, one adze and two chisels.

Of the spades, two are for my wife, one for Alexandro, another for Petra, another for the small son and two bridles to the widow of my son, Juan Domingo.

And of the rest above mentioned, my children and my wife shall distribute them in equal parts.

I declare that I have a lot of lands in La Cienega, which I bought with my money and from my two sons, Juan Domingo and Alexandro, and the part which I bought I gave up and divided in equal parts between both, although the deed is in my name.  I order that the deed be delivered to the said Alexandro in order that it is known it belongs equally to the two brothers throughout all time.

I declare that I have in the villa in the place with they call the Hacienda, another lot of lands, by whose deed may be seen the number of varas, which it is my wish shall be divided between the two sons, Alexandro and Juan Domingo.

I declare another piece of land on the bank of the river of this villa; this is for my two sons, Alexandro and Juan Domingo.

I declare that I have in said villa, a piece of ground with plum trees.  It is my will that this be divided between the three children of my first marriage.

I declare that I have a ranch on the Rio Tesuque.  It is my will to leave wholly to my daughter, Petra for herself and in order that not one of my sons may interfere in it, I leave it separate; it does not enter in the other arts above distributed.

I declare a house and lands in this villa, which is my home and which it is my will shall be for my wife, both the part I purchased and the that which I had by inheritance from her father, including another piece of land and an amount of money in order to buy it.

I declare that I have a little house with a piece of land, as is evident by its deed, which I leave to my son, little Francisco, and said house is in the villa.

I declare that I owe Manuel Urguidi, 44 pesos in silver.  I order that they be paid; the said gentleman is from a store in Chihughua.

I declare that I owe Tomas Fresquis of Chimayo, two cows and calves, I order them be paid.

I owe to the Father, Juan Bermejo, one cow and calf; I order that they be paid.

I declare that Francisco Sandoval, citizen of this villa, owes me one horse, I order that it be collected.

I owe one horse to Phelipe Sandoval, likewise, resident of this villa; I order that it be paid.

I declare as my executors and guardians of my goods, my son, Alexandro and my son Juan Dominguez. The grantor did not sign as he did not know how; I signed it on May 6, 1781 and let it be valid.

Jose Maldonado, rubric; Juan de Abrego, rubric; Pavlo Sandoval, rubric.

[there is a second will dated 1785 and his burial record is dated November 2, 1785]

References:  Spanish Archives of New Mexico, Series I, Twitchell 659, Reel 4, Frames 394-397.

©Henrietta M. Christmas