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.

Soldier, Francisco Antonio Torres ~ 1826 Will

Know ye all who shall this testament that I, Francisco Antonio Torres, a retired soldier of the National Company of Santa Fe, New Mexico, find myself sick and make this testament in the following manner.

I declare that I was married in first nuptials to Mariana Moya, for nine years, during which time we had two sons.  The first died at the age of two years, five months; the second died at the age of one year and three days.

I declare that I was married a second time to Maria Rosa Lopez, for thirty-three years, more or less.  During this time we had and reared three children who are:  Maria Soledad, who died at the age of one year; the second, Maria Soledad and the third Manuel.

I declare as my property my dwelling house which is composed of four rooms and twenty varas of land contiguous to the house; also one fruit tree, and the patio of the house, in the form of a placita, which belongs to both my children.  Of this said house and land, my daughter, Soledad, cannot acquire her share while her other lives; she has already received her paternal share; and at my wife’s demise, or when my son decides to marry, he will be given the equivalent of what she has received.

I declare as my property a yoke of oxen, a pair of straps, one quirt, one yoke, three reatas.

I declare one axe, one hoe.

I declare as my house furniture one copper kettle; two mattresses; two blankets, two zarapas, one wooden bowl; one chest; another larger chest; a chair; a bridle; one branding iron; five pictures, including of Nuestro Señor de Esquipula in glass.

I declare that I owe don Bartolome Baca eleven pesos and four reales, which must be paid in woven woolen goods, or other effects, as it was so arranged – I order them paid.

I declare that I owe Juan Barranca thirty-pesos in products of the land, which I order paid.

I declare that I owe don Agustin Duran fourteen pesos in coin, or its equivalent, in whatever there may be.  I order he be paid.

I declare that I owe don Juan Garcia three pesos – I order it paid.

Besides, I owe don Pedro Ortiz two pesos – I order they be paid.

Moreover, I owe don Francisco Baca one pesos, I order that these be paid in October a month from this date.

Moreover, I owe Diego Padilla, resident of El Vado, three yards of mauling – I order it paid.

I declare that the deceased soldier, Dionisio Valdez, owes me a fine silk rebozo as shown in the testament of said Valdez – I order that this be collected.

I declare as my property the assets resulting from the respective accounts of my salary.  I order that they be delivered to my wife and heirs.  After my funeral it is my desire that my estate and the salary due me be divided in two equal parts, one for my wife and the other for my children.

I declare as my lawful administrators, first, the Sergeant Jose Salaices from my company and second, my compadre don Ygnacio Lopez and third, don Juan Gallegos, whom I charge for the love of God. To comply and see the fulfillment of this my last will and testament.

Singed at Santa Fe on September 2, 1826.  Francisco Antonio Torres, rubric; Jose Tapia, rubric; wit/ Juan Benabides, rubric and Jose Gallegos, rubric.

Reference:  Spanish Archives of New Mexico, Series I, Twitchell 1204, Reel 6, Frames 651-654.

©Henrietta M. Christmas