Juana Roybal ~ Will 1770

Know all who see this memorial and last will that I, Juana Roybal, settler of this villa of Santa Fe, and legitimate daughter of don Ignacio de Roybal and doña Francisca Gomez, both deceased and widow of don Juan Jose Moreno, am sick in bed and make my last will and testament in the following manner.

I declare that I was married to Juan Jose Moreno and we lived together for thirty-five years, in that time we had no children.

I declare as my property, the house where I live, composed of eleven rooms, with an enclosed yard; also, understood with its doors and locks.

I declare I own a statue of St. Joseph.

I declare that I own two pictures, one of Our Lady of Guadalupe and one of Our Lady of Light, with their gilt frames.

I declare I own one statue of Our Lady of Light, with its canopy.

I declare as my property thirty-five small pictures and one bronze statue of Christ, with a wooden cross; and two small pictures with their frames.

I declare as my property seven Michoacán boxes with their locks; and four white ones, also with their locks and keys; and one liquor case, with eight bottles and a key.

I declare two small Michoacán boxes with keys.

I declare as my property, all of my wearing apparel, cloak and petticoat.

I declare four pickaxes, three crow bars, one axe, one adze, one chisel, one cross-cut saw, one sugar, four old handles, one copper kettle, one chocolate pot, one spit, one iron griddle and spoon.

I declare my property two barrels and one jug.

I declare fifteen mules and seven he-mules with harness for nine.

I declare ten horses that my father, Jose Pacheco knows.

I declare forty head of breeding cows that are in the possession of Miguel Antonio Chavez, settler of Atrisco, who will deliver them in the time, specified in the writing that I hold.

I have four hundred head of ewes, which are in the possession of don Mateo Pino, less the ones sold and paid for by Domingo Baca.

I have two yoke of oxen and cart with its accoutrements.

I have three small burros.

I have the cultivated lands surrounding the house and for its boundaries refer to the deed.

I declare eight-five varas of land which I purchased from Felipe Tafoya, as evident in the deed.

I declare that Salvador Garcia owes me whatever is contained in a paper that my brother, the Vicar hold, I order it collected.

I declare that Diego Naranjo owes me eight pesos, I order it collected.

I declare that Pablo Pando owes me whatever is contained in the account of my deceased husband, I order it collected.

I declare that I owe don Bernardo de Bustamante an account, reducing form the account that he has already received, I order it paid.

I declare that I owe Father Garcia one hundred pesos in goods and he has already received one small Indian, which should be deducted, I order that the balance be paid.

I declare that Balentin Martin owes me the sum of, and what my brother the priest, knows of; I order it collected.

I declare that Juan Mirabal owes me one heifer, I order it collected.

I declare that Julian Talache owes me two blankets, I order them collected.

I declare that a Taos Indian, named Miguel, owes me two chamois skins.

I declare that Domingo Vaca owes me whatever don Mateo Pino states, I order it collected.

I declare that I owe the Sodality of the Holy Sacrament of the villa, the handle for the canopy, I order it paid.

I declare, six metal plates, twenty water glasses, more or less, two small vials and some Puebla chinaware.

I declare that I bequeath to the Blessed Souls of Purgatory 100 head of sheep to be taken care of and the yearly proceeds from the sheep shall be used for masses.

I desire that the statue of Our Lady of Light and canopy and the statue of St. Joseph be placed in the Chapel of Our Lady of Light.

It is my will that the house, where I live, and all the lands be divided among the children of my niece, Manuela, as I raised her.

I tis my will that the household furniture of said house, pictures, boxes, glasses and everything else recognized as mine, are to be sold in order to pay my debts, which are evident and after paying for my burial, funeral and masses, if anything be left, to be divided among my comadres, Manuela and Antonia Dominga and the Priest.  The above is only what pertains to the household furniture and my wearing apparel.  And I order that the livestock be divided among all of my brothers and the said nieces in equal parts.  And to the compliance of this my last will and testament, I appoint as administrators, my brother, the Vicar and my compadre Jose Pacheco, to whom I can entrust and exact fulfillment of said charge.

Antonio Garcia de la Mora who was present signed for her and in the presence of the alcalde mayor Felipe Tafoya, on 13^th June 1770.  Felipe Tafoya, rubric; Antonio de Armenta, rubric; Jose Miguel Tafoya, rubric.

References:  Spanish Archives of New Mexico, Series I, Twitchell 790, Reel 4, Frames 1234-1240.

©Henrietta M. Christmas

Vicente Martin ~ 1774

Let it be known that this testament that I, Bizente Martin, resident of Santa Fe, make my last and final will.

I declare that I have been married first to Ysabel Tafoya (1730-1757) from which marriage we had one son called Joseph Antonio; and the second time to Maria Manuela Urioste ( -1802), from which marriage we had no children.

I declare as my property, my house and lands.

I declare eight tame oxen, two horses and a mule which is a tame male mule.

I declare a saddle, a gun, a lance, a leather jacket, spurs, saddle pads, shield and bridle, which it is my will to bequeath to my son, Jose Antonio.

I declare as my property 350 ewes, which I have given on shares to Juan Lorenzo Atencio, for which I have an instrument executed by the said J^u Lorenzo, to wit: that of these 350 ewes, 200 are mine, 50 belong to my son and the remaining 100 belong to my wife which my wife had an brought to my possession before we were married.

I have given Bentura Baldes three cows, in all good faith, from which I do not collect any issue whatever, only the principal.

I declare I do not owe anything to anyone.

I declare I have a tract of land bounded by lands of the deceased Padre Bernardo, and lands of Manuel Ortiz, which it is my will to leave to my wife and son, Joseph Antonio.

I declare I have a house lot with its patio contiguous to my house.  It is my will, also that of my wife and son, Joseph Antonio, that it be left to my natural son, Miguel Martin.

I declare that Prudencia Gomez owes me 30 pesos; I order that they be collected.

I declare that Juan Fuentes, a resident of El Paso, owes me a barrel of wine. I order it collected.

I declare that it is my will that all the property known to be mine be partitioned in equal parts between my wife and my son, Joseph Antonio.

I name as my administrators, first my wife, second my son, Joseph Antonio Martin.  I request that don Manuel Garcia Pareja, Alcalde Mayor of this villa of Santa Fe, who is here present, interpose his authority.  This testament is executed in the grantor’s dwelling house on the 22^nd of  March 1774, because he did not know how to sign, I, said Alcalde Mayor signed it with my witnesses.  Manuel Garzia Pareja, rubric.  Witnesses:  Antonio Armijo, rubric and Francisco Javier Fragoso, rubric.

*He also uses the name Benavides and Baranca.  His burial record is dated March 23, 1774 for a Vicente Baranca spouse of Manuela Urioste.  Other records indicate he is a Benavides, possibly his mother's name. 

References: Spanish Archives of New Mexico, Series I, Twitchell 594, Reel 3, Frames 1267-1270.

©Henrietta M. Christmas

Juan Jose Moreno ~ 1746 Will

I, don Juan Jose Moreno, a native of the city of Seville in the Kingdom of Castile, and legitimate son of don Roque Moreno and doña Ysabel de Abila y Villabuzenzo, residents of the said city and both deceased.  I am sick and order this testament.

I ask to be buried in the church of Our Lady of the Conquest in this town.

I declare having been married to doña Juana Roybal in this villa of Santa Fe, in whose company and marriage I have lived for over 23 years, during which time we have not had any children; I declare that it may so appear.

I order to be celebrated for my soul, 260 masses with three novenas of low masses in the Chapel of Our Lady of the Conquest, and another novena on the first festivity of Our Lady of Light after my death.

I declare to have had accounts with Francisco Gomez, a resident and merchant in the villa of San Felipe de Real de Chihuahua, to whom I am indebted in the amount contained in the bill amongst my papers, which I order to be paid when the same may be adjusted.

I also declare that I owe to Francisco Garcia, resident of the ranch of Carmel about 100 and odd pesos in current prices of the land, for several accounts which I have collected for him contained in a memorandum.  I have not collected what I have stated and I order my executors to pay him, returning the said power that he may collect the rest.

I declare to owe Bentura de Mestas, 100 pesos in cash, with the interest for two years at the rate of five per cent per annum.  I order to pay him.

I declare to owe don Manuel Saenz de Garvisu 90 pesos in silver, the amount drawn in favor of Fray Manuel Bermejo, to whom I am indebted, I order to pay said don Manuel.

I declare to owe Maria Coca, deceased three ladies shirts of linen of Rouen, and the other two of fine linen of Brittany, embroidered with two-inch lace, which I took to the Province of Sonora to sell and not having sold them I trusted them to don Manuel de Sosa, resident of the province of the real de Cacosari, to whom I trusted them in good faith and having learned that said gentleman is dead, and not having sold them; his wife having married a second time, I have settled with the sons of doña Maria Coca. To value the goods by expert ladies and they may value them at, to which account I have given them four horses, not very good ones, and some goods, which will appear by a memorandum; an if any balance should be due, when advised of the value, my executors will pay for them.

I declare to have accounts with don Juan Francisco de Arroniz, to whom I am indebted for several things which I have needed, I order to pay what he may say as I have no memorandum.

I declare to have several salaried servants, as will appear in my book of accounts, the same to be adjusted; and those who may owe me anything, to be collected and to those to whom  may owe, I order to pay them.

I order my executors, that if anybody should demand anything against my property that I owe him any amount, which I may not have mentioned here for lack of memory, when the same may be justified; I order to pay them and for the satisfaction of the debts, which I have mentioned and far those which may be able to occur with justification, I declare the following as my property:

First, my house of resident containing a hall, three rooms, kitchen, corrals, stables and two other rooms, with cultivated lands contiguous to said house, as will appear by deeds in my possession, the said lands running as far as the creek.

I declare 26 or 27 horses at the Pueblo of Taos, also one jack and filly – one year old.

The cattle which may be found with my brand at said Pueblo of Taos.

Also, in the possession of Antonio Sandoval, resident of Golondrinas, 50 mares of all ages and their stallions.

In the horse herd of this royal garrison I have 20 horses.  I also have in said stock of horses, about 30 mules, most them mare mules; nine I have freighting; three of them on my account.

I declare to have in the possession of Geronimo Martin, a resident of Abiquiu 58 breeding cows and ten bulls, as appear by the instrument which he made and which is in my possession, by which my executors can be guided; also 16 heifers and 16 bulls due for the increase which remained in the possession of the said Martin on my account and risk.

Also, eight wethers from 3-4 years old at Taos Pueblo.

Three yoke of oxen in this town.

I declare to have about 500 of all kinds of hides.

I declare to have about thirty and some odd measures of rendered piñon.

I declare to have the goods contained, which will be found in my simple memorandum.

Also declare my wearing apparel.

All my necessary utensils of horse riding, fire arms, blunderbuss, a cutlass and a shield.

I also declare as my property, to have that don Antonio Gutierrez del Castillo owes one load of hides, which appear by a memorandum, that he should send the same goods with the explanation that in case anything should be lacking for the compliance of the order he should furnish it. 

Also declare to have given to Antonio Domingues, alias Benado, one load of buckskins on his account all with its’ own prices; the large ones at one peso and 25 centavos and the small ones at 62 ½ centavos; the buffalo dressed hides at 1 ½ peso; they appear in a paper and its quality.

Also declare to have given to Mateo Roybal some other buckskins which appear in a memorandum how he took them.    -continued-

References:  Spanish Archives of New Mexico, Series I, Twitchell 552, Frames 1042-1056.

©Henrietta M. Christmas

Lorenzo Martin, Land Sale 1749 Chimayo

Know thee all, that I, Lorenzo Martin, a native of New Mexico, and resident of Our Lady of Guadalupe of El Paso del Rio del Norte, sold a piece of land in the locality of San Buenaventura de Chimayo, to – Francisco Martin, a resident of said locality.  The land was my lawful paternal inheritance from my father, Francisco Martin and also from the maternal part of Juana Garcia de los Reyes.  Said lands measures, east to west, 106 varas and east bounded by Ana Petra Martin, west is the land of the purchaser; north lands of Marcial Martin; south lands of Francisco Lorenzo Martin; and another portion of land, not adjoining the said land, above, near the land of La Questa, which is 50 varas; then east to west is the public road, west are the lands of Marcial Martin; on the south is 120 varas bounded by lands of Maria Martin. I sold for the amount of 42 pesos.

Witnesses:  Felipe Romero, Domingo de la Cruz and executed in the locality of Chimayo on 11 November 1749.  Signed Juan Jose Sandoval, Judge; at the request of Lorenzo Martin, Jose Gomez; witnesses:  Jose Gomes and Martin Valerio.

References:  Spanish Archives of New Mexico, Series I, Twitchell #535, Reel 3, Frames 975-978.

©Henrietta M. Christmas

Bartolome Trujillo ~ Will 1764

I, Bartolome Trujillo, son of Capt. Joseph Trujillo and Antonia Lujan, resident of Chama, finding myself in bed on account of an illness.

Declare I was three times, the first to Margarita Torres, from this marriage we had eight children, two of which are deceased, Cristobal and Antonio. The living are:  Felipa, Angela, Manuela, Jetrudes, Jabiela, Juan Esteban.

Declare that I married a second time to doña Teresa de Herrera, we had no children.

Declare that I married a third time to Maria Antonia de Medina, with one child. This child along with the ones from the first marriage I declare as my legitimate heirs.

I declare that when I marred the first time to Margarita Torres, she brought to my possession eight ewes, one cow, one mare and a piece of uncultivated land.

I declare that I brought in the possession of my first wife, 10 cows, one yoke of oxen, 20 ewes, two mares, one tame gentle horse.

I declare having brought in the possession of my wife, 800 varas of land which I acquired as inheritance from my parents, from the first partition and on the second partition I was given 250 varas.

I declare not having received articles of service from my first wife and neither to be bound to be a guardian.

I declare that I have partitioned to my children on the part of their deceased mother, whatever rightly belonged to them on my part and their deceased mother, and who are Pha, Angela, Manuela, Jetrudes, to this I have given at the Cañada.

I declare that I gave to Antonia, deceased and Jabiela at this place, 80 varas in width of land.

I declare that the share of Antonio I purchased from him.

I declare that to my son, Juan Esteban, who has been under my direction I gave the share of land which he is entitled to, from those which I purchased from the deceased Antonio.

I declare that I have at the settlement of Abiquiu a piece of land which may be about 500 varas more or less.

I declare on burro and five wild mares.

I declare that Jose Romero of El Corral de Piedra owes me one male mule which I rented to him so he could go to Tierra Afuera, and he has paid neither the male mule nor the freight; I order this to be collected.

I declare that Joaquin Mestas owes me a small male mule of this year’s crop, I order it collected.

I declare that Jose Martin, the son of Jeronimo Pacheco, owes 120 pesos, I order it collected.

That Antonio Gomes owes me eight varas of sack cloth and four masses, I order to collect it.

I declare that the said Jose Martin owes me eight Masses, I order to collect it.

I declare that Diego Podaca of Ojo Caliente owes me on cow, I order to collect.

I declare that Matias Perea of Albuquerque owes me one horse and one filly, I order it collected.

I declare that Antonio Armijo from the villa of Santa Fe, not from Anton Chico who has already paid, but the other owes me a pair of combing cards.

I declare that I have on male mule of two saddles and nine goats.

I declare that Jose Antonio Martin, who is at Tierra Afuera, owes me ten wild mares and one mule as evidenced by a promissory note which he made to me if he comes back, I order to collect.

I declare that I have a table with a drawer and a lock, two benches and two chairs.

I declare that I have two yoke of oxen.

I declare that I owe Salbador Jaramio 18 pesos, I order to pay.

I declare that I bequeath to a girl and a boy whom I raised a piece of land at Abiquiu, and I give it to them with the consent of my heirs.

I declare that I have one loom with all its appurtenances, which I order to be given to my son, Juan Esteban.

I declare that I have a large griddle that may be worth 25 pesos.

I declare that I have a medicine glass.

I appoint as my executors, first my wife, Maria Antonia Medina and second Bisente Jimenez.

I declare that I was married a second time to doña Teresa de Erera, I did not take possession of anything except my coat on my shoulders, she not having any heirs.

I declare that the house and lands where I reside she granted and donated to me.

I declare that having made a promise to marry a very poor girl, thus, that God gave me that to which I granted and donated the gift which I know my deceased made me of the house and lands, so that she may enjoy for herself and her heirs.

I declare that I leave 80 varas of land in width and the length to be whatever contained in the sitio for the good of my deceased wife, doña Teresa.

I declare that my deceased wife left to Nicolas Martin, because he had raised her, a room in the same house and a cornfield in the same sitio which is called the milpa of Palo Blanco.

On this May 6, 1764, with witnesses signed Joseph Esquibel, Juan Baptista Vigil and Francisco Lujan.

References:  Spanish Archives of New Mexico, Series I, Twitchell #247, Reel 8, Frames 733-810
©Henrietta M. Christmas