Pedro Martin Serrano and Piedra Lumbre Grant

Reading through the Catron Papers which have some genealogy, one of the people being questioned is Jose Maria Chavez.  He states he lives in Abiquiu, he was born in Santa Clara and he knows the children of the Land Grantee Pedro Martin Serrano.  He stated that Pedro married Maria Manuela Sisernos.  He also states that Pedro was a brother to Mariano Martin Serrano.

Jose Maria Chavez goes on to say that the children are:  

1. Juan Manuel, who had a daughter Rafaela and she married a Quintana.
2. Santiago and he went to California.
3. Juan Cristobal Martin.
4. Maria Viviana Martin. Her children are Jose Maria Baca and Manuel Baca. 

A second testimony is given by Juan Madril, he basically states the same except that Juan Manuel Martin's daughter, Rafaela had two children Nicanor Quintana and Josefa Quintana (Dionisio Ortega). 

He further states that Santiago did go to California in '43 and his children are named, Juan, Ruperta, Leonor, and Demetrio.

Descendants of Militia Lt., Pedro Martin & Maria Manuela Sisneros

First Generation

1.  Militia Lt., Pedro Martin,¹ son of Santiago Martin and Antonia Gertrudis Vallejos, was born circa 1763 in New Mexico and died before February 1806 in New Mexico.

Noted events in his life were:

•  He appeared on the census in 1790 in Abiquiu, New Mexico.² Pedro Martin, S, 27; Maria Manuela Sisneros, 18; two sons ages 2, 1; female servant, 9.

•  Estate: 1806, Abiquiu, New Mexico.³ Estate of Pedro Martin, who married Maria Manuela Sisneros, names his four heirs, Juan Manuel, Viviana, Santiago and Juan Cristobal.

Pedro married Maria Manuela Sisneros, daughter of Militia Alferez, Antonio Nerio Sisneros and Juana Bibiana Salazar,  about 1785. Maria was born circa 1772 in New Mexico.⁴

Children from this marriage were:

          2  M     i.      Juan Manuel Martin was born 28 January 1786 in Abiquiu, New Mexico^1,5 and was baptized 30 January 1786.

Juan married Juana Catarina Valdez, daughter of Jose Ysidro Valdez and Maria del Loreto Gomez, 23 April 1807 in Abiquiu, New Mexico.⁶ Juana was born 5 December 1788 in Abiquiu, New Mexico.⁷

          3  M    ii.      Francisco Antonio Martin was born 26 March 1787 in Abiquiu, New Mexico⁸ and was baptized 30 March 1787.

          4  M   iii.      Francisco Antonio Martin was born 23 August 1789 in Abiquiu, New Mexico⁸ and was baptized 28 August 1789.

          5  F     iv.      Maria Viviana Martin⁹ was born 10 May 1791 in Abiquiu, New Mexico¹⁰ and was baptized 14 May 1791.

Maria married ? Baca.

          6  M    v.      Juan Antonio Martin was born 17 January 1793 in Abiquiu, New Mexico⁸ and was baptized 24 January 1793.

          7  M   vi.      Santiago Martin was born 30 March 1794 in Abiquiu, New Mexico,¹¹ was baptized 3 April 1794, and died in California.

Santiago married Maria Manuela Martin, daughter of Manuel Martin and Ana Maria del Rosario Larranaga.

          8  M  vii.      Juan Cristobal Martin was born 7 February 1797 in Abiquiu, New Mexico¹² and was baptized 14 February 1797.

          9  M viii.      Antonio Nerio Martin was born 5 November 1798 in Abiquiu, New Mexico¹³ and was baptized 20 November 1798.

        10  M   ix.      Jose Bernardino Martin was born 22 January 1800 in Abiquiu, New Mexico¹⁴ and was baptized 26 January 1800.

Source Citations

     1.  Rick Hendricks and John Colligan, New Mexico Prenuptial Investigations 1800-1893, Pg. 49.

     2.  Olmsted, Virginia Langham, Spanish and Mexican Census 1750-1830 (NMGS), Pg. 114, Plaza de San Miguel, HH 4.

     3.  New Mexico State Records Center and Archives, Santa Fe, NM, Spanish Archives of New Mexico, TW 612.

     4.  New Mexico State Records Center and Archives, Santa Fe, NM, Spanish Archives of New Mexico, TW 612.  In this archive, she states her father's name, that of her husbands and her children.

     5.  Thomas D. Martinez, Abiquiu Baptisms 1754-1866 (Self-Published), Pg. 228.  Bap Jan 30 1786, b. Jan 28, s/ Pedro Martin and Maria Manuela Sisneros, pad/ Geraldo Sisneros and Francisca Martin.

     6.  Complied by Margaret Leonard Windham and Evelyn Lujan Baca, New Mexico Marriages Church of Santo Thomas de Abiquiu 1756-1826 (New Mexico Genealogical Society), Pg. 36.  Juan Manuel Martin, single, s/ Pedro Martin, dec., and Maria Manuela Sisneros, with Juana Catalina Valdes, single, d/ Jose Ysidro Valdes and Maria Loreta Gomez, dispensed of 4th degree, pad/ Deigo Martin and Bibian Martin.

     7.  Thomas D. Martinez, Abiquiu Baptisms 1754-1866 (Self-Published), Pg. 397.  Bap Dec 8 1788, d/ Jose Valdez and Maria del Loreto Gomez, from Plaza Colorado, pad/ Antonio Faustin Martin and Maria Manuela Valdez.

     8.  Thomas D. Martinez, Abiquiu Baptisms 1754-1866 (Self-Published), Pg. 228.

     9.  Catron, Catron Papers (UNM), Reel 3, Frames 300796-300863.

     10.  Thomas D. Martinez, Abiquiu Baptisms 1754-1866 (Self-Published), Pg. 228.  Bap May 14 1791, age 4 days, d/ Pedro Antonio Martin and Maria Manuela Sisneros, pad/ Antonio Severiano Martin and Maria del Carmen Santistevan.

     11.  Thomas D. Martinez, Abiquiu Baptisms 1754-1866 (Self-Published), Pg. 229.  bap Apr 3 1794, 4 days old, s/ Pedro Antonio Martin and Maria Manuela Sisernos, pad/ Hermeregildo Sisneros and Maria Rita Juliana Lucero.

     12.  Thomas D. Martinez, Abiquiu Baptisms 1754-1866 (Self-Published), Pg. 229.  Bap Feb 14 1797, age 7 days, s/ Pedro Antonio Martin and Maria Manuela Sisneros, pad/ Alcalde don Manuel Garcia and Maria Antonia Trujillo.

     13.  Thomas D. Martinez, Abiquiu Baptisms 1754-1866 (Self-Published), Pg. 229.

     14.  Thomas D. Martinez, Abiquiu Baptisms 1754-1866 (Self-Published), Pg. 229.  Bap Jan 26 1800, b. Jan 22, pad/ Cayetano Hipolito Serrano and Maria Concepcion Duran.

Reference:  Catron Papers, UNM, Reel 3, frames 300796-300863; H. M. Christmas Database, compiled genealogy Pedro Martin Serrano.
©Henrietta M. Christmas

Geronimo Gonzales, Probate of Will - 1860

Another will shared with me to post on the blog.  

Final Will and Testament of Geronimo Gonzales

Territory of New Mexico

County of San Miguel

In the name of God, all powerful, the Virgin Mary, Amen.

Know all ye that this testament that I, Geronimo Gonzales, a resident of Puerticito, jurisdiction of San Miguel del Vado.  I am of sound mind and judgment and I hereby order this my final testament voluntarily and in the following manner.

I declare that my body be buried at la cuesta and that the funeral be paid for.

I declare that my third wife and I have given her guardianship over the natural children of hers and mine.

I declare to have 138 varas of land.

I declare to have a working mill and part is with Antonio Gonzales.

I declare to have two room in a house with half a Sala and half a portal.

I declare to have nine mattresses, four blankets, one bed cover, three pillows, one small chest and one large chest, a pair of oxen, three large cows, a she-calf of three years more or less and one younger one and one small bull of Nacencia, five large goats and one small, one he-goat.

I declare to have seven benches.

I declare to have been married to Juana Maria Estefana Gurule for 15 years and between us we had four children who are:  Juan Cristobal, Jose Antonio, Justo and Tomas and two girls whom she brought under my power, these are my legitimate heirs and said guardianship and that my other children do not have a say in this.

I declare to have been married to Maria Loreto Baldonado for ten years and in this marriage we had three children who are:  Tomas, Refugio and Juan whom I recognize as my heirs.

I declare having married a second time to Maria Bibiana Cordova, 30 years and we had six children who are: Maria Gertrudes, Antonio, Jose Encarnacion, Florencio and Benito whom I recognize as my heirs.

I declare and order that one room of my house in which I live, with half the Sala and half the portal and part of the lands which are 15 varas which are located below should not be confused as this is my wish and the wish of my children.  In addition, a pair of she burros I give voluntarily to my mother, Rosita Gonzales for having given assistance to my small children until this day and this said land is borders to the south with lands of Jose Encarnacion and to the north lands that belong to me the testator.

I declare to had in property 169 varas of land of which can be used to pay for my funeral and what is left to be divided equally amongst my children the first, second and third.

I declare to have an iron shovel, two good axes, an old shovel, an iron bar, a large hoe, a chisel, a hacksaw, two hoes and that is all I have in property.  I have as my executors first Antonio Gonzales and second Julian Baca and with due form I sing this before the two witnesses on 6 November 1859 AD. 

Geronimo Gonzales, testator

Juan Ygnacio Muñis, witness

Gaspar Lovato, witness

Territory of New Mexico

County of San Miguel

The following will has been sent to probate on this day 24 September 1860 AD, signed Probate Clerk, Prudencio Lopes.

Territory of New Mexico

County of San Miguel

These declarants and request and credential – Antonio Gonsales and Julian Baca, having been sworn in to conform to the law, declare and say, That the heirs of the deceased Geronimo Gonsales, who are as follows: Tomas Gonsales, Maria Refugio, Juan, Maria Gertrudes, Antonio, Jose Encarnacion, Florencio, Benito, Juan Cristobal, Jose Antonio, Justo and Thomas, who live in this county of San Miguel and territory of New Mexico, that the deceased will has been probated by the Hon. Prudencio Lopes, Probate Clerk of this said county.  But they in effect will make an entire inventory and will administer to all the goods which belonged to the deceased and they will pay any debts of which they are notified and will follow the law. Sworn in before me, Antonio Nieto, scribe to the Probate County on this 24^th of September 1860 AD.  Signed Antonio Nieto, scribe

Antonio Gonsales and Juliana Baca y Duran.

Territory of New Mexico

County of San Miguel

Know ye all that these proceeding that we Antonio Gonsales and Julian Baca (illegible), Jose Guadalupe Gallegos, Candelario Ulibarri, guarantors we have had and are firmly obliged in this territory of New Mexico, for the amount of 50 pesos for the following truths that we have paid and oblige to do so.  We are also heirs execute and administrate firmly for these proceedings. Signed and sealed on this 24^th of September 1860 AD.

The condition of the obligation is that like Antonio Gonsales and Julian Baca have been named as executors of the goods of the deceased Geronimo Gonzales and voluntarily through his testament and probate by the Hon. Prudencio Lopes, in the said county.  The two executors complied with all the debts and voluntary appointments of the testator and followed the law; and the above obligation noted above is null and void and otherwise remains in full force and valid.

Probate – Prudencio Lopes, Probate Judge

Antonio Gonsales

Julian B. y Duran

JG Gallegos

Candelario Ulibarri

In the county of San Miguel, Territory of New Mexico, that in regards to the will and testament of the deceased Geronimo Gonsales, has been done in the due form having been probated y registered in the office of the Prefect of the referenced county and territory; leaving some property in this county that could be destroyed or donated without it being secured.  Quickly, for the purpose of this and the said property be given with ___ and arranged for those who have the right or an interest following the law to foresee that the authorization of Antonio Gonsales and Julian Baca, executors of the goods of the deceased, Geronimo Gonsales, at the time of his death were given full power and the ability to secure  and dispose of the possessions of the deceased’s property, paying all the bills that were presented against the said deceased and to those that view this ___ and they did all the acts and things that they were directed to in complying with the law.

In this testimony, I hereby sign my name and seal in this office at San Jose on the 24^th of September 1860 AD.  Signed Prudencio Lopes, Probate Judge.

Reference:  San Miguel County Probate Records, Serial #16796, Pages 46-50.  Transcribed by ©Benny Bernal.