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.

Diego Padilla ~ 1833 Will

Know all ye that see this testament that I, Diego Padilla, native of this city of Santa Fe, legitimate son of Ysidro Padilla and Ana Maria Marquez, both deceased and residents of this town, am sick and order this my final testament.

I declare that I was married to Maria Rita Avila for the period of fifty years during which marriage we had and raised thirteen children:  Maria Josefa, Jose Maria, Jose Victorino, Maria Salome, Teodoro Bernardo, Maria Feliciana, Maria del Refugio, Maria Juana, Maria Francisca, Maria Antonia, Jose de la Cruz, Maria Guadalupe and Maria Juana, who are my heirs and successors.

I declare that when I married my wife, she brought to my possession a portion of land which number of varas I do not know and is situated at Tesuque River and has been planted by her brother, Jesus, with her consent and mine and the same appears in the document.

I declare a house of residence with contains six rooms, and a portion of agricultural land.

I declare that from the six rooms in the above house, I have sold two rooms to my daughter, Salome, with ingress and egress, but no land.

I declare, on ox, three bulls, and two three-year-old heifers, and 1-2 years old bull, twelve goats and a pig.

I declare to have a second hand copper kettle, two brass kettles and two of copper, one big copper kettle which I bequeath to my master to be delivered to him after my days by the steward.  Six china large dishes, and four small ones; three cups; four chocolate cups; one coffee tin pot; four tin cups; on broken pitcher; one tumbler; one hoe, and one ax; one adze; one chisel; six sickles; on spit and one iron spoon.

I declare as mine, a small amount of blacksmith tools, containing the following tools:  three files, one anvil, one vise, one pair of shears, one big copper spike for repairing tin cups, the three files and small hammer, and anvil are loaned to Noland and one gun which he took to repair.  I order to gather them from the said Noland.

I declare as my property, one large barrel; one small one; three jugs; one gun without a handle; one goat iron mark; two wooden boxes, one with hinges and lock; one cupboard with its lock; one ready cart; two loom combs and a pair of loom ___. 

I also declare to have at Analco one hall in the house which was compadre, Santiago’s with its corresponding land on the south side and house frontage.

I also declare to have sold to my son Jose Maria the house of my mother, for the price of 50 pesos in cash and has paid 25 and owes 25, for which he will pay so many masses for the same, for the soul of my father and mother, whose instrument has not yet been executed, I order to be made.

I declare for my property in this town, from the boundary of the Garcia’s to the peak of the Spring (cerro del ojito), a portion of land which is contained in its instrument is the house of Uncle Lorenzo Marquez, at El Bado, I order my sons to get it.

I declare to have purchased at Rio Tesuque, a ranch and four room house, as will appear by its documents (one outfitted to make molasses with), two canoes, tree pistons, one plank with its cubes and a large rafter press, one timber yard and a tower at the top of the hill, all this outfit I order my sons to collect from the sons of Juan Ynocencio.

I declare a portion of land which I bought from Juan Ysidro Jimenez, continuous to the first one, and contains 23 ½ varas as it appears in the documents.

I declare to have purchased form Juan Isidro Jimenez another portion of land for which he has made no instrument, amount paid on account of his marriage.

I declare to have purchased from Manuel Antonio Jimenez a portion of land, which I have not received nor have made the instrument, but his sons know about it, and have the instrument, I order to claim it.

I declare as my property at the Pecos River, a possession of land which don Francisco Trujillo, don Bartolome Marques and myself got by grant the instrument of which is my possession and in don Francisco Trujillo’s the partition which we had between the three in the same contains the agreement which we made and will bind us forever.

I also declare as my property at the Cañoncito de Pecos which empties in the land of the natives of Pecos, a portion of land containing 300 varas as appears in the schedule in my favor.

I declare that there is due to me a church warden for back salaries and as assistant which I have been for 50 years to the present date and appears by my accounts placed in the Corporation and Church book, and when adjusted I order it to be collected.

I declare the group of this garrison in this City, it indebted to me as assistant which I have been since the year 1817 to the present date at the rate of three reales per year for each soldier, and have only paid me the board wages, I order that when the accounts be adjusted by the qualified officers to collect what may be due to me.

I declare that the Priest, don Fernando Ortiz loaned to don Antonio Narbona, St. Anthony and took it to Sonora, it belongs to the society of Our Lady of Light, this is declared because I do not want it to be charged to my children, and that it may be claimed for where it is.

I declare that I have donated a bell, and an image of Christ one vara in height, for which there will be no charge, furthermore, that the consecrated stone of the altar of the said Chapel is in possession of the heirs of don Jose Ortiz, I order to get them.

I declare that there is a missal at Jemez by order of Father Gonzales and a silver cruet at Tome in possession of Father Maradiaga; I order to collect both of them.

I declare, as I have stated to have been assistant of the church and all the wax lights are in existence, except those which have been used by order of the parish priest, as the inventories in which every article was contained has been lost, this I declare for the relief of my conscience, and not to be charged to my heirs.

Also I declare, that from my property be paid to San Miguel a small ring which was stolen from me.

I order and charge my heirs, that my the instrument made by Crespin in favor of my grandfather, Bartolome Marquez, and is in my possession, I claim the portion of land which has been sold, although my grandfather donated it to San Miguel and had been so held, nor the bishops had permitted to be sold, but to preserve it for the purpose for which had been granted by the grantor and the instrument of the land of San Miguel exists in the archive I believe, for when don Manuel Delgado was judge the land was measured, the rope being held by me and Felix Sanchez, and new instruments were made and delivered to Lt. don Ygnacio Sotelo.

I declare that the sacred stones of the church are in my possession of the father minister.

I declare that my daughter, Josefa, bought the house of my compadre Santiago Padilla when he died, for the payment of the full amount she was lacking one yoke of oxen, which I paid out of my property, and at the time of dividing my property the twenty-four pesos may be deducted from her inheritance, to be equal with the others.

I declare that I owe nothing, and if there should appear any account and proven, I order it to be paid.

I declare that Vicente Apodaca, owes me 100 pesos of the land for a house which I sold and he has paid me two measures of pine nuts, for 24 pesos and 12 varas of woolen cloth for 18 pesos, the balance I order to be collected.

Nicanor Olguin owes me 20 pesos in cash according to the note which he has signed, I order to be collected by my heirs, and also Rev. Pedro Martin owes me 24 goats.

I appoint as my executors, Rev. don Fernando Ortiz as the first, don Ygnacio Ortiz as the second and don Antonio Sena and the third one, jointly, giving to each one free power and general management and third part, one half to my wife and from the other half, deducting from the fifth and third part, which I leave for the benefit of my daughter which is in my possession unmarried and for boy, Eugenio, whom I have raised, to whom I bequeath it.  What remains will be divided amongst my said children.

Made at his house and natural understanding on February 25, 1833, I signed for he was blind, Antonio Sena, rubric.  Witnesses:  Domingo Fernandez, rubric; Nestor Armijo, rubric; Cristino Tapia, rubric; Jose Francisco Ortiz, rubric; Jose Francisco Sena, rubric.

References:  Spanish Archives of New Mexico, Series I, Twitchell 712, Reel 4, Frames 743-751.

©Henrietta M. Christmas

Soldier, Jose Lucero ~ Will 1827 Santa Fe

Let it be known by this public testamentary document, my last and final will that I, Juan Lucero, retired soldier of this company of Santa Fe am ill in bed and I order this my testament in the following manner.

I order my funeral to be military, in accordance with ordinances.

I declare that I was married according to the rights of our holy church to Maria Petra Baca, for 38 years, in which matrimony we had and raised one son was named Ignacio, whom I acknowledge as my legitimate son heir and successors. 

I declare as my property one house, which is my home, in El Bado de Pecos, with its furniture which belongs to my wife.

I declare to have two ranches which consist of 400 varas, one in the plaza of San Jose del Bado and the other in La Cuesta. 

I declare and it is my wish that from the upper house that it be divided amongst the three ranches known as Ranchos de los Ynditos.

I declare as my property 13 mules, 10 horses, 40 pesos in money, and 500 breeding ewes.

I declare as my property 300 serapes, about 650 varas of course cloak, 24 Buffalo hides, 12 bedspreads, and nine white buckskin.

I declare that when I married my wife she brought to my possession 28 varas of land in her paternal home and 50 in Los Palacios which I order be restored to her from my ranches.

I declare that I have 60 pesos in money at interest from Miguel Flores, which is at my house, which I took the third day of the present month, besides 50 ewes from said Miguel Flores, for five years, which I received in the year 1822.

In the year 1823 I took from the same Flores, 34 ewes which I order shall be delivered.

I declare that various individuals owe me what is evident in the list in my possession; I order they be collected.

I declare not to owe any person, but if any justified it appears, I order it paid.

I declare that after the payment of my funeral testamentary bequests and debts, the residue be apportioned equally between my wife and son, that they may enjoy it with God’s blessing and my own.

I name as executors jointly and severally, my wife and second my son and third don Santiago Ruibali.

I testify that the grantor is in his entire insane mind and that he did not sign it as he did not know how, I, said Alcalde, signed with those who assisted me with and whom I act, for want of a national notary, not found in this territory.

Executed on 17 August 1827, which I certify; by the said Jose Maria Martinez, witness Domingo Fernandes, and Jose Viterbo Ortiz (rubrics)

** Received fees of six pesos in silver.

References:  Spanish Archives of New Mexico, Series I, Twitchell #470, Reel #3, Frames 489-491

©Henrietta M. Christmas

San Miguel del Bado in the 18th Century

In the latest New Mexico Historical Review, there is a wonderful article on San Miguel and San Jose del Vado, written by Thomas C. Windes. One item is a good map showing some of the small towns that no longer exist, such as Garanbulo. Mr. Windes also gives a great overview of the history, photos of the church, mapping of the plaza at San Miguel and San Jose; and what the archeological findings. Some tree rings date back to the late 1780's and might have come from Pecos. [Fall 2011 86:4, pgs. 461-489]

He goes on to explain the migration, trade and how the people lived. Their interactions with Indians and population changes. I will be rereading this over several times, just to see how my family fits into this story.

The article itself fits in nicely with what John Kessell wrote in his Kiva, Cross and Crown. Taking the text from here, it seems that there might be some additional data about these two villages that could be useful to genealogists. I hightly recommend reading this article if you have any ancestry that passed or lived in this area.