Land Grant ~ Nuestra Señora del Rosario, Truchas

Grant of Lands to Juan de Dios Romero and associates
in the locality of Nuestra Señora del Rosario,
San Fernando y Santiago del Rio de la Truchas.

Juan de Dios Romero, Nicolas Romero, Bernardo Romero, Julian Romero, Salvador de Espinosa, Miguel de Espinosa, Tadeo Espinosa, Ventura de Espinosa, Domingo Romero, Javiel Romero, Francisco vernal and Cristobal Martin, residents of Chimayo appear before you in the best possible form according to the law.  That as your Excellency has promised to make us a grant of the tract of El Rio de las Truchas as soon as the boundary of the new settlement of Santo Tomas del Rio de las Trampas is established, and as on that promise we have paid the cost of the acequia and have planted it for the period of two years, we ask that Your Excellency deign to grant us the said site I the name of his Majesty.  The formal boundaries are:  on the north the ridge that serves as a boundary on the south side for the said settlers; on the west the public road that leads to Picuris; on the south side boundaries of Pueblo Quemado and of Jose Manuel Gonzales; on the east the Sierra del Oso, which we promise to settle within the time prescribed by law. 

At this villa of Santa Fe on March 5, 1754, don Juan Jph Lovato, the Alcalde Mayor of the villa of la Cañada, will report concerning the contents of the petition.

He recommends to the Governor that they should go forth and grant them the land; although the public lands are extensive they will serve as a public good of the group.  One of their entrances is obstructed by the Pueblo of Picuris, but not prejudice to any party.

In the villa of Sana Fe, on the 18^th day of March 1754, I the Governor, on this day grant in full force and effect…  Also with the condition that they must be assigned sufficient land to build houses, which shall be united and adjoining, forming a square plaza, enclosed and with only on gateway just large enough for wagons to go through, in a manner that the inhabitants and families may be able to defend themselves from invasions and assaults.  In order that said settlement may be finished in the shortest time possible, they shall all work there together, each giving help to the other and with digging the acequia for the fields.

I order the said Alcalde Mayor, Juan Jose Lovato to place in possession, with royal protection the said Juan de Dios Romero, Nicolas Romero, Bernardo Romero, Julian Romero, Salvador de Espinosa, Miguel de Espinosa, Thadeo Espinosa, Ventura de Espinosa, Domingo Romero, Xavier Romero, Francisco Bernal and Xptobal Martin.

Each one cannot sell, donate, transfer, exchange, or in any other way encumber the said lands within the four years prescribed by royal decree.  Signed Thomas Velez Cachupin, rubric; Diego Antonio Marques, rubric; Thomas de Alvear y Tollado, rubric.

At Rio de las Trampas, on the 224^th of April 1754, I, Juan Jose Lovato, Alcalde Mayor proceeded to measure the land which contained 4,200 varas in length, within which I settled two more families who heads are Jose Manuel Gonzales and Juan Luis Romero and also had been granted at the upper part of the river of the Pueblo Quemado, as shown by decree.  Taking the hands of the settlers, I took them over the tract, they pulled up grass, threw rocks and should “Long Live the King” jointly and individually remaining in quiet and peaceable possession. 

Witnesses were:  Francisco Montes Vigil and Xptobal Vigil.  Then the individual division of the land for farming in the following manner.  First for the garden purposes at the front side of the said plaza I measured 150 varas of land from the road to the south and giving the following:

Salvador de Espinosa, 20 varas, I gave to each of the others 10 varas for a garden each.  Then assigned to Salvador de Espinosa 150 varas towards the river; each on receiving 150 varas of land.  Signed Juan Jose Lovato, rubric.

References:  Spanish Archives of New Mexico, Series I, Twitchell 771, Reel 4, Frames 1079-1105.

©Henrietta M. Christmas

Juan Rodriguez ~ Estate 1738 con't

In the said town of Santa Fe, January 23, I ordered doña Maria Francisca Fernandez the guardian of the said property to manifest all the property which may have been left and she answered was it the property her husband had, and did not have any other but those already manifested.  To the best of my knowledge the property amounted to 650 pesos and so that it might appear and I certified.  Henrique de Olavide y Michelana, rubric.

On March 3, additional belongings were assessed and are as follows: 

One house situated in town, of adobe, well roofed and containing six rooms, one porch and valued at 100 pesos.  Two portions of land contiguous to said house with five measures of corn, 800 pesos.  One cart in good use at 25 pesos.  Two corrals is said land at 20 pesos.

The above real estate is valued at 1,245 pesos and is added to the inventories.  Witnesses:  Nicolas Ortiz, rubric; Juan Lucero and Juan Manuel Chirinos.

On march 4 at El Alamo an appraisement of the sheep and other property as follows:

14 bulls, 210 pesos; 12 oxen, 300 pesos; 4 broken bulls, 88 pesos; 17 yearlings, 204 pesos; 10 sucking calves, 50 pesos; 42 gentle cows, 840 pesos.  One good broken horse, 30 pesos; another one not so good, 20 pesos; 13 horses not very good, 195 pesos; four pack mules, 160 pesos; two saddle mules, 80 pesos; ten pack horse mules, 300 pesos; another horse, 20 pesos.  144 2-3 year old wethers, 288 pesos; 353 breeding ewes, 706 pesos; 63 gelded he goats, 126 pesos. 

The adobe house of four rooms, 300 pesos; one gun, 20 pesos; one small copper kettle, 8 pesos; old cart, 12 pesos; four ploughshares second hand, 48 pesos; five old dibbles, 5 pesos; one second hand axe, 4 pesos; eleven pack saddles complete with ropes and halters plus blankets, 44 pesos; six new woolen carpet blankets, 48 pesos; one old copper kettle, 6 pesos; three corrals of sabino posts at the ranch containing ten carts of posts, 50 pesos.  For a grant total of 4,204 pesos.

I requested that Jose Antonio Rodriguez the executor of said estate since he’s acting foreman if anything is missing from the inventory; he said that was all the property his deceased brother had, signed by ball.

The nephew, Juan Antonio Rodriguez and Captain Juan Fernandez were sent to Chihuahua with money and that was to be inventoried and divided amongst the heirs.  50 pounds of fine chocolate, 100 pesos; 50 pounds of sugar, 37.50 pesos; 2 ½ varas of blue Castile cloth, 25 pesos; 2 ½ varas of scarlet woolen cloth, 15 pesos; one piece of Chinese silk, 10 pesos; two matches of buttons and silver thread, 14 pesos; two skeins of silver thread, 2.50 pesos; one piece of 58 varas of red leaf brass ribbon, 21.75 pesos; three pieces of find wide linen, 26 ¾ varas, 66.75 pesos; 13 varas of serge, 52 pesos; two pounds of loose silk and two ounces of twisted, 64 pesos; six varas of cloth from Queretaro, 30 pesos.  Total of 451 pesos from the goods of Captain Juan Fernandez.

From Juan Antonio Rodriguez, first the one box of soap, 100 pesos; one barrel of wine, 90 pesos; one small barrel containing nine flasks, 45 pesos; 12 small hoes, 72 pesos; 111 of old iron, 100 pesos; one bundle of good tobacco, 160 pesos; 20 varas of Rouen linen, 40 pesos; two pieces of narrow linen, 32 pesos; six blankets, 48 pesos; one ream of paper, 6 pesos; one hat, 5 pesos; maple sugar, 5 pesos; one jug of whiskey 20 pesos; ten varas of satin, 3.75 pesos; four varas of lining, 6 pesos; two dozen pairs of shoes, 48 pesos.  For a value of 803.75 pesos.  Singed by witnesses:  Pedro Jose de Leon, rubric and Baltazar Montoya, rubric.

Then debts were listed and amounted to 135.25 pesos and then amounts to the estate as 50 pesos. And again signed by all.

Total amount of the estate valued at 7,375.75 pesos. He leaves his wife the original 500 dower monies and then added 1,141.75 pesos. 

Closed the proceedings on April 16, 1738 by the signed Henrique de Olavide y Michelana, rubric; witnesses, Pedro Jose Leon and Baltazar Montoya.

References:  Spanish Archives of New Mexico, Series I, Twitchell 756, Reel 8, Frames 1384-1441.

©Henrietta M. Christmas

Juan Rodriguez ~ Estate 1738

Proceedings of Inventory and appraisement of the property left by the death of Captain Juan Rodrigues, had by his Excellency the Governor and Captain General of this Kingdom, as judge for the same, Signed don Henrique de Clavido y Michelena (rubric)

I declare that I am married with doña Maria Francisca Fernandez, according to the rites of our mother Church and have been married for four4 years and during said marriage we have no issue.

I declare that when I was married to said doña Francisca she brought as dower thirty ewes, the ranch called at el Alamo, and her wearing apparel.

I declare that before I was married I had two natural sons, whose names are Francisco Javier and Marcos.

I declare for the discharge of my conscience the said natural sons to be the heirs of the capital which I had when I was married, which amounted to $2,940, from which has to be deducted the third part which amounts to $960, said amount I order my executor to deliver to them after my death, in the goods more convenient to said executors.

I order for the forced legacies ten dollars.

I order that my funeral, masses and novenas be paid out of the best standing of my property.

I appoint for my executors, and guardian of my property, Captain Juan Fernandes, the said doña Maria Francisca, my wife, and Jose Antonio Rodrigues my brother.  That in union may dispose and distribute my property and to be delivered to the doña Maria Francisca.

I declare that it is my will, that for the services, good care and good assistance given to me by my said wife, I assign to her besides the property acquired during our marriage and her dower the sum of $500 in dower, which amount will be taken out of the best standing of my property.

I declare and is my will, that for the many services, and the good care which they have taken of my person, as well as my property, my two siblings, Gertrudis and Jose to be the heirs of the remainder of my property, which will divided in equal parts, that they may enjoy with the blessing of God and mine.

I institute and appoint, as my only and universal heirs of the one half on my property, my said wife Maria Francisca, the same being property acquired during marriage with the understanding that the other half which remains, with the title of remainder shall be inherited by the above mentioned sister and brother as I have stated, taking out first, the aforesaid 1,960 dollars, which  I have applied to my said natural sons, this amount not be counted in the amount of capital, and not divisible between my wife and brothers.

Juan Rodrigues (rubric)

In this Town of Santa Fe, Capital of this Kingdom of New Mexico, on the first day of the month of January, in the year 1738, before me don Henrique de Clavido Michelena, Governor and Captain General of this Kingdom and its Provinces by his Majesty, the foregoing testament and executed, and was not ended with the other clauses, for being thus demands by the necessity, the signature of the testator, being the same which he has usually made, and I acting as ex-officio with attending witnesses for the lack of notary public or Royal, that here are none in this Kingdom, and I acknowledge it in the manner allowed by law, for knowing the testator and having been executed before me, I sign it as I have stated on said day, month and year, to which I certify and in the present paper for not having of the sealed in this places.  Before me, ex-officio, Henrieque Clavido y Michelena (rubric), wit/ Pedro Jose de Leon and Baltasar Montoya

Year 1738

Testament executed by Captain Juan Rodrigues, who was the Chief Alcalde and War Captain of this Town.

To his Excellency, the Governor and Captain General.

Doña Maria Francisca Fernandez, and Jose Antonio Rodrigues, residents of this town, and executors, with the will annexed, executed by Captain Juan Rodrigues, who was the Chief Alcalde of this town, and under which disposition he died, in the best form of law, and convenient to our right, appear before your Excellency, and say, that whereas it is necessary to make an inventory of the property left by the death of said Captain, that at no time may be argued by the strange heirs, the concealment, malice or fraud of the same, the justification of your Excellency will be pleased to interpose your judicial decree and authority for the execution of the same, for which protesting not to violate confuse or renounce the law, or any of the rights contending to us undamaged and unhurt, and presenting with the solemnity, the testament and necessary oath.

To your Excellency, we ask and request, that having presented the said testament in two unusual leafs, be pleased to do and determine what we have prayed for, by which we will receive your favor and benefit with justice and the necessary, etc. Maria Francisca Fernandez (rubric), Jose Antonio Rodrigues (rubric)

Writ

In the town of Santa Fe, on the 20th day of the month of January in the year 1738, the foregoing petition was presented to my by doña Maria Francisca Fernandes and Jose Antonio Rodrigues, executors and guardians of the property remaining by the death of Captain Juan Rodrigues, a resident of this town, asking the making of an inventory and appraisement of the said property, and having been seen by me don Henrique de Vlavido y Michelena, Governor and Captain General of this Kingdom and Captain Juan Rodrigues, deceased I ordered in the presence of the appraisers appointed by his Executors, to take out and manifest all the household goods known to belong to said deceased, which having done by the said executors there was existing the following:

Clothing:

One cloak of Castile Cloth, cinnamon with a small cord of Gold, 60

One Jacket of scarlet fine cloth with gold button holes and gold buttons, 45

One small jacket, of blue Castilian cloth, with silver button holes and buttons, 35

One pair of flesh colored woolen cloth pants, second hand, 18

One bracelet of blue satin from Valencia, 15

One lapel of scarlet cloth, 14

One coat of scarlet, 9

Two and a half varas of blue woolen cloth for pants, 15

One cloak of cloth from Queretaro second hand, 18

Arms:

One large sword, with its silver handle, cape and hook, 40

One fire gun garnished with stopper and cover, 50

One pistol, 18

One small sword wide, 20

One pair of spurs with silver buckles, 30

One new saddle with buttress and all its irons, 60

One second hand one, without stirrups and irons 25

One bridle, 5

One pair of old saddle cushions, 3

One halter with all its irons, 15

One old shield, 3

One new Mexican saddle tree, 6

Household goods:

Eight pieces of different pictures at 6 each, 48

One image of Christ with its canopy, 10

Four images drawn in dressed buffalo, 12

Tow common boxes without locks, 7

Two common chairs, 3

Seven pewter plates, 21

One pewter basin, 4

One large copper kettle, 25

One small copper kettle, 13

Total, 652 pesos.

Continued on April 28, 2014 blogpost.

References:  Spanish Archives of New Mexico, Series I, Twitchell 756, Reel 8, Frames 1384-1441.

©Henrietta M. Christmas

Jose Reano ~ estate proceedings 1744

At the villa of Santa Fe, on April 17, 1744, I, the Sergeant Major don Joachin Codallos y Rabal, Governor and Captain of this kingdom state – I have been informed by reliable sources that don Jose Reano, husband of Maria Roibal and legitimate father of Jose Reano of minor age has died and that all the property left by the deceased has been administered by the said doña Maria, with the assistance and under the management of don Juan Gabaldon; because the time allotted by law has passed and they have not proceeded to the settlement of the estate, neither have they attempted to collect the open accounts of the said deceased, nor have they appointed a guardian for the said minor in order to institute his defense – frauds will be examined, the rights of the minor will be guaranteed, I order that don Antonio de Ulibarri, Alcalde mayor of this villa, should advise the said widow and the aforesaid Gabaldon that on the 21^st of this current month, they should give the reason and to answer to the charges that may be preferred against them in due form. Signed Rabal, rubric; don Francisco de Roa y Carrillo, rubric; Antonio Arambura, rubric.

At San Jose del Alamo, on the 20^th of April 1744, I, Captain Antonio de Ulibarri, Alcalde mayor of the villa of Santa Fe state:  I went to the place of San Jose del Alamo, and to the residential home of the doña Maria Roibal, where I found don Juan Gabaldon and the aforesaid doña Maria, and personally advised them what the decree expressed.  Done in the presence of two witnesses, Pedro Antonio Truxillo and Sebastian Maese, Signed, etc.

doña Maria Roibal stated that gives as power of attorney to Gabaldon to answer all the questions per the decree.  The place of residence is five leagues from the villa and she is said keeper of the property.

Don Gabaldon stated he would present the books and the rest of the documents pertaining to the property that has been in his possession.  Signed by all.

At Santa Fe on April 25^th, appeared don Alonso Real de Aguilar, a resident who said he would accept charge of the minor as guardian, to which he has been appointed and signed by Alonso Real de Aguilar, rubric with witnesses.

On May 6, 1744 an inventory was done:

First there are some main buildings which are the dwelling of said widow and minor.  The belonged to the mentioned deceased with its lowers and uppers.  Sebastian Apodaca and Lorenzo Alari were named as appraisers. 

The main buildings, 450 pesos.

242 varas in the same place, 322 pesos.

Crossbeams, 32 at 32 pesos.

12 drawers, 120 pesos.

22 posts made of lumber, 72 pesos.

Split wood for roof, 140 pesos.

The house has 12 single doors and 3 double doors, 7 latches and one lock, four windows, 58 pesos.

48 canales, 68 pesos.

Total value of said structure, 1,200 pesos.

A small house which is 17 varas long and 8 varas wide, 1500 adobes, 22 pesos, 4 reales.

Morillas valued at 10 pesos 4 reales.

4 canales, 1 peso.

Two doors without keys, 4 pesos.

Total value, 38 pesos,

Another house located on the street which leads from the church to the west and it has a front with 40 varas and the north as many as 40 varas, 14,000 adobes in the entire house, 280 pesos.

Said house has eight rooms, a barn, a hallway and patio, 115 pesos.

Split lumber, 50 pesos.

This house has 12 doors, three with locks and four windows, 40 pesos.

22 canales, 5 pesos, 2 reales.

I huerta (garden) with 55 varas in length and 27 varas wide, it is fenced by cedar posts, 75 pesos.

Total value of this house in the villa, 565 pesos, 2 reales.

Value of the three houses-

Large house, 1200 pesos, 2 reales

Small house, 39 pesos

Villa house, 565 pesos, 2 reales.

Grand Total, 1,803 pesos 4 reales.

On May 6, 1744 the valuations continue at San Jose del Alamo.

20 tame oxen, 575 pesos

5 steers, 80 pesos

53 bulls, 795 pesos.

Total, 1,450 pesos

207 cows, 58 of them with claves and the balance barren, 4,430 pesos.

111 calves, 666 pesos.

62 tame mules, 2,480 pesos.

14 colts, 140 pesos.

4 breeding mares, 40 pesos.

6 two-year old breeding mares, 60 pesos.

5 yearling colts, 30 pesos.

4 buck mules, 100 pesos.

1 burro, 100 pesos.

20 packsaddles, 200 pesos.

Three cow bells, 6 pesos.

Two small bells, 4 pesos.

3 female burros, 45 pesos.

4 breeding mares, 48 pesos.

24 bulls, 360 pesos.

One branding iron registered, 18 pesos.

64 ewes, 1,666 pesos.

101 breeding goats, 202 pesos.

5 male goats, 10 pesos.

Two leather shields, 4 pesos.

Two common horse bridles with reins, 10 pesos.

One small sword with silver handle, 18 pesos.

1 sword, 6 pesos.

1 rapier with silver scabbard, 25 pesos.

1 shotgun, with scabbard, 36 pesos.

1 colored buckskin, 2 pesos.

2 rapiers without scabbard, 25 pesos.

One large urn, 1 peso.

One pair of embroidered silk stockings, 6 pesos.

One wine-colored jacket, 30 pesos.

One Castilian cloth cape, 30 pesos.

10 capes made of serge, 18 pesos.

Three very old carts 20 pesos.

3 old ploughshares, 27 pesos.

3 wood axes, 8 pesos.

One carpenter’s hatchet, 6 pesos.

Six used hoes, 6 pesos.

Three used pickaxes, 10 pesos.

One couplet, one scythe, and one jack plane, 6 pesos.

One nine-pound bar, 9 pesos.

24 canvas bags, 18 pesos.

2 barrels, 12 pesos.

On small barrel, 4 pesos.

22 bucks and two billy goats, 44 pesos.

One inkstand and sandbox made of copper, 4 pesos.

19 billy goats, 38 pesos.

One two-wheeled vehicle with equipment, 140 pesos.

One small bell, 20 pesos.

One stirrup, 25 pesos.

One pair of used scarlet cloth trousers, 20 pesos.

8 pieces of farm implements, odds and ends, 10 pesos.

55 cartloads of posts, 330 pesos.

408 pesos in reales, 408 pesos.

One carpenter’s tool, 2 pesos.

Two silver cups, 16 pesos.

7 little Indian herders, 350 pesos.

Two iron urns, 4 pesos.

Two old kettles, one large and one small, 6 pesos.

Six different pictures framed 36 pesos.

Four benches, 8 pesos.

Three small mirrors, 2 pesos.

Two pairs of silver brooches and two pair of buckles, 14 pesos.

One set of scales with frames, 20 pesos.

One small scale with frame, 4 pesos.

Two boxes with keys, 10 pesos.

One mulato slave named Pedro, 418 pesos.

Four copper candlesticks, 6 pesos.

10 old metal spoons, 5 pesos.

One ___, 60 pesos.

Total thus far, 15,462 pesos.

Set of lands, 1,000 pesos.

New total, 16,462 pesos.

Signed by Governor and witnesses.

Another 5,000 pesos in silver left at the city of Chihuahua with don Joseph de la Barrera, and another 1,000 were added by don Juan Gabaldon.

doña Maria came forth and stated since she had been ill she had full confidence of her son-in-law, Juan Gabaldon for the power of attorney.

The document goes on to deal with loans, interest and payments to the widow.  Promissory notes are reviewed; bonds and partido contracts and Gabaldon will hold them in possession as they are paid. Forty-three in total valued at 2,222 pesos and fifteen other debts in animals, for a new total of 2,745 pesos.

Juan Gabaldon was sent to Chihuahua by Maria Roibal to sell and settle accounts of which was valued at 909 pesos, 7 reales in goods, animals and slaves.  Then he purchased goods in the name of Maria Roibal cloth, household items, soaps, silver items, value of 40,158 pesos.

Too many items to document here, but definitely worth looking at the trade goods.

Signed Joachin Codallos y Rabal, rubric; don Francisco de Roa y Carrillo, rubric; Jose Romo de Vera, rubric; Sebastian de Apodaca, rubric on this October 9^th, 1745.

References:  Spanish Archives of New Mexico, Series I, Twitchell 762, Reel 8, Frames 1499-.

©Henrietta M. Christmas