Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Angela Leyba ~ Will 1727



I, Angela de Leyba, finding myself sick in bed with a serious illness declare that this is my last will and testament.

I declare that I was married to Ensign, Xptoval Torres, deceased; from this marriage we had and raised as our children, Diego de Torres, Francisca, Maria, Josefa and Margarita, whom I recognize as my legitimate children and heirs.

I declare that it is my will that my son, Diego de Torres, be my administrator and holder of my property, when I ask for the love of God to be interred in the church of the villa of Santa Cruz, under the altar of our father, St. Francis.

I declare that I do not owe anyone and no one owes me.

I declare that I own ten cows and three two-year old heifers; also, five one-year old; and five calves of the same age, making a total of 23.

I declare that I have one used saddle and one bridle.

I declare that I have two yoke of oxen; one old cart with yokes, straps and chains.

I declare that I have 110 head of sheep and goats.

I declare that I have one horse and one mare.

I declare that I have two plowshares, one adze, one sickle, one chisel and one broken sickle.

I further declare that I have four more plowshares and one small ole hoe.

I declare that I have a ranch in La Cañada and my administrator knows it belong to me.

I declare that I have in the settlement of the Joseph de Grasia de Chama one house composed of one hall, a room and storeroom.

I declare that I have with said house, five pieces of land which my administrator knows of.

I declare that I have 18 varas of sackcloth.

I declare that I have one bed, composed of one mattress, one old sheet, one new blanket, one new spread, two pillows, one of Rouen and one of Campeche cloth.

I declare that I have a new cloak, a new petticoat, one new shawl.

Some coral bracelets.

One new chemise and one old; two pairs of skirts, one new and one used; and some old skirts from Montenegro.

I declare I have a large kettle, one large griddle, one coffee chocolate jar, one copper cup, one copper tumbler, five Puebla plates, six cups, two candlesticks, one iron spit, one iron spoon and silver spoon.

I declare that I have three adzes, two coaling axes and one carpenter’s axe.

I declare that I have two sieves, one white and one black; one old painted chamois skin, and three old chamois sacks.

I declare that I have two large chests with their locks and keys; two small ones, one with key the other without.

I declare that I have two mattocks, one large and one small, and four spades.

I declare that I have one large table and two old benches.

I declare that I have five pairs of knitting needles; one padlock, with staples, nails and key.

I declare that I have one bronze crucifix, one statue of Our Lady of Remedios, nine pictures of different kinds.

I declare that I have two varas of Rouen linen; one vara of Brittany linen.

I declare that Joseph Truxillo owes me eight varas of sackcloth for the wool which I gave him to weave on shares.

I declare that I have one sow.

I declare that there are owing to my husband a number of pesos at Palacios; my administrator shall dispose of them.

I declare that Bartolo Truxillo owes me one sheet, I order it collected.

I declare that I have a cupping glass.

I declare that I have three Brittany linen handkerchiefs. 

At the request of Angela de Leyba.

Signed Cayetano de Atencio, rubric. [not dated but about April 1, 1727]

Spanish Archives of New Mexico, Series I, Twitchell 943, Reel 9, Frames 169-209
©Henrietta M. Christmas  

Monday, July 28, 2014

Cristobal Torrez ~ Will 1726



I, Xptoval Tores, being sick in bed with an illness make this last will and testament.

First, I declare that I am married to Angela de Leiva, and from this marriage we had and raised out our legitimate children, Diego de Tores, Francisca, Maria, Josefa and Margarita de Tores, whom I recognize as my legitimate children and heirs.

I declare that is my will that my dear wife be the administratrix when I ask, as well as my children, for the love of God, to bury my body in the church of la villa Nueva de Santa Cruz, if God wills to take me from this life to the eternal and that it be in the place they may decide.

I declare that out of my estate there be given to each of the forcible bequests two pesos, then they are to be paid from my property.

I declare that of the other part of my estate there be set aside the expenses of the funeral and internment.

I declare that I do not owe anyone that I can remember; but in case there should be any demands regarding this particular, I order that paid.

I declare that I loaned Francisco Ribera, now deceased, one mule, so he could freight for me; and I told him to take the mule without interest, but to be aware that I valued the said mule at 100 pesos, that in case it was lost he would have to pay me for the said amount.

I declare that if it is not possible for me to continue as my conscience demands in the discharge of my duties as a Christian; I ask and request that Juan Atienza, for the love of God, may discharge the duties with full authority from me.  Juan Atienza, after the grantor had lost his speech, started to comply with all the duties imposed upon him, as also with the knowledge of the life and children of the grantor, taking an inventory of all the property which is as follows:

First:  A grant of land to be cultivated, also sheep and cattle in the settlement of Chama, it is the will of the said Testator that they be divided into equal parts to those who are now settled there, as well as others they may want to settle in the future.

Item:  Another land grant, situated in La Canada, he has set aside for its children and apportioned each one his share and it is understood that the house is left to his wife, as well as the said house built on the ranch, consisting of one room, hall and storeroom.

He leaves 21 cows, large and small.

Four yoke of oxen; and 223 ewes. Three mules, two males and one female; six horses and three mares, and three hogs.

One new cart with its yoke, chains and straps.

Two ploughshares, four tips, one small hoe, two axes, one carpenter’s axe and one coaling axe; one adze, two scythes, one chisel, one iron griddle, one large kettle, one chocolate jar, one spit and one iron spoon.

One saddle, one horse bridle, one mule bridle, one harquebus, spurs, sword, saddle bags, one shield, powder bars, one leather jacket, one sword belt, one should belt.  All of the above he declared it was his will to give to Marcial de Tores, his grandson, except the horse bridle and saddle.

Another saddle, which is wife uses, without stirrups.

One suit that consists of a coat of fine material lined with calamanco and trimmed with galloon; one pair of trousers of the same material and one vest trimmed with scarlet cloth.

One used cape of Brittany linen.

One pair of used trousers.

Two used hats.

One statue of Saint Joseph is dedicated for this place of Chama.

One small bronze crucifix, one picture of Our Lady of the Rosary and one of Our Lady of Los Remedios.

Three benches; two tables.

One large box in which his wife kept her Sunday clothes; and one where she kept her working clothes.

One barber’s case, with five razors and stone.

One branding iron.

All of the above was shown in good conscience and he has declared that his wife, Angela de Leiva, is to his administrator; all to be divided equally among his legitimate children after her death.  And I, Diego de Tores, acting as a competent judge and exercising the duties of my office, without considering that I am one of the interested parties, but acting as the Justice and Lt Alcalde Mayor and Captain of War, certify that I know my father, who gave all authority and power to the said Juan de Atienza to act as he would for himself.  The instrumental witnesses were Luis Lopes, Juan Luxan and Nicolas Jorge and I, said Lt Alcalde Mayor, signed with two assisting witnesses in the absence of a public or royal notary in this villa of San Joseph de Grasia de Chama, on the 6th day of December 1726.  Signed Diego Tores, rubric; witnesses:  Mateo Truxillo, rubric and Joseph Madrid, rubric.

Spanish Archives of New Mexico, Series I, Twitchell 943, Reel 9, Frames 169-209
©Henrietta M. Christmas

Friday, July 25, 2014

Manuel Sanchez Will ~ 1839 Santa Fe



In the city of Santa Fe, on the 15th of May 1839 at about five o’clock in the evening. I was advised that don Manuel Sanches had died intestate; that his wife was seriously ill and in great danger that their children were very small; therefore, don Ygnacio Ortiz required me to go to the house of mourning to receive the keys and consequently the rest of the goods or chattels contained therein.  In order to proceed to take an inventory so that the estate may not suffer losses or deteriorate, thus damaging the interested parties.

Santa Fe, May 22, 1839

In virtue of the foregoing proceedings, don Jose de Jesus Sanchez and don Ygnacio Ortiz being present for himself and for his brother, don Jose Francisco Ortiz, I ordered that the chattels which are known to belong to the deceased Manuel Sanchez be placed before them so that they can proceed with the inventory.  The inventory consists of the following:

1.      A warrant of payment against the Treasury of this department, dated September 23, 1838, signed by don Jose Caballero and don Jose Francisco Baca y Terrus.
2.     A note of don Vicente Sanchez Vergara, for 50 pesos dated February 11, 1828, and a letter from the same Sanches requesting a loan of 50 or 50 pesos, dated March 20, 1838.
3.     A note of don Teodocio Quintana in which he acknowledges owing 16 pesos and corresponding interest.
4.     A note for 12 pesos, 6 reales, signed by don Jose Abreu in favor of don Jose de la Lus Jacques.
5.     A note of don Ramon Baca for 16 pesos and its interest every 8 days.
6.     A receipt from don Jose Xacques for a mule.
7.     A note of don Jose Maria Melendres for 15 pesos, with interest of one real for every eight days.
8.     A note of Manuel Chaves for 15 pesos, with interest every eight days.
9.     A note of Sergeant Pablo Domingues, for 12 pesos and interest.
10.  A note of Jose Ribera for a wardrobe due don Jose Maria Miera.
11.  A note of don Blas Hinojos, deceased for 172 pesos which belong to the don Antonio Maria Sanches.
12.  A receipt from Ramon Velarde for 13 pesos.
13.  A note of Manuel Tafoya for 100 serapes.
14.  A note of don Mariano Chaves for 61 ewes.
15.  A receipt from don Eliseo Stanley for 13 pesos.
16.  A document from don Antonio Jose Chaves, in which it is recorded that he sold to don Manuel Sanches the portion of the house belonging to his sister, Tereza.
17.  A note from don Nicolas Quintana for 100 pesos which he owes the deceased and other letters.
18.  A note of Miguel Seledon for 40 vigas at two reales each.
19.  A note of don Ygnacio Miera for 100 ewes.
20.  A note of the Reverend Father Mariano Sanches Vergara for 100 pesos.
21.  A deed for the house at Santa Fe.
22.  A note of don Diego Sisneros for 50 pesos.
23.  A note of don Juan de Dios Maese for 100 ewes on shares.
24.  A deed to La Majada in two pieces.
25.  One instrument for 100 ewes which Julian Martin had on shares; but the balance which he owes is not known.  One book containing the accounts of his servants.
26.  A bundle of anonymous lists and doubtful letters of payment with 25 pieces rubricated by the present justice.

The wooden furniture follows:

Two small desks with locks, two trunks lined with leather, in good condition; three trunks lined with coarse cloth, in poor condition; one small one; one made here, without lining; one liquor case with its corresponding equipment; of these two flasks and a cup are broken; two small boxes with locks; on big box with lock; two chairs and a small table; one bench; two barrels at the house, two at Jemez and one at Placer, making a total of five barrels.

27.   A note from don Francisco Archiveque for 10 reales being twelve o’clock this was suspended, to be continued as soon as we may return, which was commenced at seven o’clock in the morning and continued until half-past one in the afternoon of the same day.  Gaspar Ortiz, rubric; Domingo Fernandes, rubric and Santiago Sandoval, rubric.

Ten cartridges with bullets, and 65 loose bullets; 14 reales in cash in one of the drawers of the desk; 52 pesos and 1 ½ reales in cash in one of the drawers of the same desk; on package of ink; one pair of spectacles, on meridian; one package of vermillion, all in said drawer; 56 pesos and 3 ½ reales in a drawer in the said desk; one gold cross with a solid gold button of the same in a smoking case of fine beads, with a rosary from Jerusalem; a number of caps, two steel wedges; 4 ¼ ounces of grain gold in another small drawer of the same desk; one fine smoking pipe with two bowls and two old pipes for the same purpose; one small bottle half filled with cologne water; three bullet molds and one iron spoon, all found in the other writing desk; a child’s small box, fire tongs and some candle snuffers in the same desk.

In one trunk one new silk vest and another old vest; one blue cloth military jacket, first grade, with the epaulets of an ensign; two new jackets of the same; one pair of brown trousers; one first-grade cloth cloak in good condition; two books of on folio and three of ¼ folio; one parchment book, entitled “Cronica de Queretarano”; one silk shawl, one new silk dress; one old scarlet scarf; one Canton crepe shawl; one cardboard box containing remnants of Dutch linen and one gun-case; one man’s frill with its’ gold breast pin; one cardboard box containing two small bottles with a small amount of camphor; ¼ vara of flannel; one white handkerchief and an old cravat; one small brush and a tin snuff box; one cartridge belt, wick and steel and 14 cartridges; four remnants of double width cloth wainscoting containing 17 ½ varas, which makes 35 varas.

Of those mentioned in one trunk a child’s satin dress; one large high comb with brilliants; two high combs trimmed with gold; one pair of a child’s gilded shoes; one new mantilla with its silk lace; one silk American muffler; three old hose; one silver tumbler three forks and one spoon all of silver; one metal form and one candlestick of the same; one pair large scissors; one plastering trowel, three clothes brushes; one lead faucet; one steel rod with six wedges; two small gimlets; one chisel; one padlock without key; one tin cup; tree smoothing irons; two slates; one old bridle and one pair of spurs; another hammer without a handle; another small gimlet; two muslin pillowcases; another clothes brush; 30 etched crystal water glasses; five crystal bottles, two of them broken; one large crystal tumbler with a broken handle; one small crystal bottle; one horn back comb; two inkstands, one of porcelain and one of wood; six cheap mugs; two large cups and four small ones; two small crystal plates and another one, one black child’s homespun dress; one child’s dress of black Brittany cloth; one child’s dress of tarlatan with silk waist and one jacket belt; one child’s dress of white jean; a white tarlatan shawl, embroidered and one old tarlatan shawl; two horn back combs and one old Canton crepe shawl; 13 varas of fringe for table covers; one small box with mirror and a silver medal of Our Lady of Guadalupe, four sheets of white paper.

In another of the trunks a small tin box; a silver needle case; a small box containing one serving set of fine mother-of-pearl shell; one gold necklace with its cross; one reliquary and two gold pins; three heavy rings and 10 rings, all of them in gold; one large gold reliquary and one small with a gold chain; one metal belt buckle; one gold string with 14 beads and locket; six strings of fine pearls; one pair of damaged gold earrings and one pair of pendants; 11 small bottles containing gold and a small vermillion; one small silver star; one box of detonator caps and one small empty bottle; about ½ arroba of sugar; one tangled skein of scarlet thread; one pound of chocolate; one hammer; on razor hone; one small Latin book.

In another of the trunks three men’s shirts; four pairs of used white drawers; two pairs of old outing flannel drawers; one pair of embossed boots; one pair of first-grade black cloth trousers; another pair of embossed boots; one calico bed quilt; one used red jacket; one old dress of bombazine; one old child’s silk dress; one old pair of men’s cordovan shoes; one old buckskin bag containing an old iron; two pillowcases and one napkin; two pairs of women’s stockings used; one small book “Derecho de Gentes” a pair of garters and a beaded stock; one jacket of prairie dog skin; one fine old serge vest.

In another of the trunks already mentioned one unmade dress of yellow tarlatan; some worn out flannel drawers; one small gold rosary cross; one paper containing glass beads; one imitation pearl bead; one small bottle containing medicine; one brush; three old shirts; eight novenas and small books; one fire bellow; four lances without handles; two branding irons; one old pocket pistol; one broken pistol; two new iron spoons; ten old sickles; one old adze; one file of cast iron; one millstone spindle bushing and the rest belonging to the same; two cases each containing one raze; four more sickles, one unbleached muslin sheet; five large porcelain plates; one more; four small plates for a child; eight small dishes; one tin plate, one tin can; one tin funnel; one candle mold; one small earthen jug; one crystal lantern; 1 ½ hides of sole leather; one curry comb; one statue of Christ; 24 hold pictures on cowhide and one statue of the Infant; two high silk hats; six tin sconces; one black chamois skin; one old canvas jacket; five white chamois skins and one old strip; one multi-colored horsehair halter; one broken telescope; one old cartridge belt with seven cartridges; two pairs of pouches with their girdles and 45 candles; one small powder bottle; one container with 13 cartridges; one broken saw; one double-barreled shotgun with detonator; another single-barrel shotgun; another broken double-barrel shotgun without lock; another one of the same without a lock; one carbine; two shotguns in good condition and two broken; one sword and one sabre; one horse girdle; one scale with 6 ¾ pound weights and balances; one yellow plate; one new oil cloth hat with band; 10 mattresses, seven of them good and three in bad condition; 100 pesos cash for don Luis Rubidu at 6% interest; don Donaciano Vigil, 5; don Ygnacio Ortiz y Baca, 43 pesos, five modern blankets; one Saltillero serape; blankets bed quilts in use; one Navajo blanket; one can containing four ounces powder; 15 leather packsaddles, 13 ½ loads of salt; one camp tent of buckskin; two complete saddles; one large box; one box and one bucket of salt; one brass mortar; two small metal buckets and one large; one spit; one broken brass bucket; two old used kettles; one leather-covered chest; one iron frying pan; one copper kettle; one wooden bid; two iron griddles; one almud; one barrel without bottom; one copper boiler; one large crowbar; four axes, an extra one; and an extra barrel; one saddle trimmed with silver; two pairs of old hair trigger arms; two saddle trees, equipped; another of the same in poor quality; one pair of pistils; one pair of saddlebags and knapsack; three harness cinches; one hand axe; some pouches; one old tin kettle; one barrel without bottom.

May 23, 1839 resumed inventory.

One small iron bar; 54 ½ pints of liquor; 10 barrel hoops, one barrel and one lance; 26 goats with 21 kids; three burros; four horses; one female mule; 23 mules and male mules; one more that don Tomas Baca owes; 13 tame oxen; 11 cows and calves, from branding age up; 1,200 ewes held by Jose Ortiz; one house and lands in the Alamo ranch.  Two shares of the house and land of his deceased father; one piece of land in Cile (Sile), in the suburbs of San Francisco; 12 varas of land and a tumble-down room; 14 jugs belonging to him and others; of these nine are loaned to him by doña Rafaela Sanches; one broken bridle trimmed with silver; one saddle, complete with bride and spurs belong to Domingo, his son; two buckskin bags and one of canvas; 197 pints of aguardiente and 144 pints of wine.   The liquor and wine, according to the documents belong to the Senor Curate, don Ramon Ortiz, and in order that the said estate of the deceased may not be responsible, it was delivered to don Jose de Jesus Sanches, who has made himself responsible, and the corresponding receipt has been obtained and is herein attached to the inventory. 

The ranch at La Majada-

Of four horses, 23 mules and male mules, one mare, one mule that don Tomas Baca owes, 13 oxen, 11 head of cattle of branding age up, 1,200 ewes which are in the possession of don Jose Ortiz, a piece of land located in Cile and nine jugs.

In the house and in charge was don Anselmo Gonsales.  10 old packsaddles, 7 old packsaddles, incomplete; two old cupboards; one bedstead; two old boxes without covers; two benches; one small table; two broken footstools; on broken taboret; one almud; six old plowshares, on new; nine pair yoke straps and six yokes; two baps and one jacket, all of buckskin.

Dona Maria de la Luz Ortis, wife of the deceased don Manuel Sanchez, personally appeared before me at the home of don Ygnacio Ortiz and said that she was satisfied.  Signed Gaspar Ortiz, rubric; Maria de la Lus Ortiz (mark); Jose Ygnacio Ortiz, rubric with witnesses Domingo Fernandez, rubric and Santiago Sandoval, rubric.

Spanish Archives of New Mexico, Series I, Twitchell 912, Reel 5, Frame 381-403
©Henrietta M. Christmas