Sebastian Martin sells land to Manuel Ramos ~ 1750

In this place of San Francisco Javier, del Pueblo Quemado on February 17, 1750, before me, Juan Jose Sandobal, Lt. Alcalde Mayor of said locality appeared Sebastian Martin, who I attest to know and he said that he was giving and gave in royal and public sale a portion of land which contains 409 varas in length from east to west and on the east side, it is bound by lands of Manuel Martin; on the west side bound by lands of the widow of Antonio Montoya; on the northern part by the river with the exception of a small portion which runs below the acequia which belongs to the said Manuel Martin; also the east and on the south the ingress and egress as far as the river in the center with the understanding that twelve varas are left for exits and entrances on this west side. He sells the lands to said Manuel Ramos Varela for the price and consideration of 106 pesos, for which he declared himself content, satisfied, and paid with said amount.

At his request I signed with my one of my assistants, the instrument, Javeil Taphoya and Antonio Sandobal, at the request of Sebastian Martin, Joseph Gomes, rubric. 

Witnesses:  Joseph Gomes, rubric; Alonso Sandobal, rubric; Juan Jph Sandoval, rubric, judge.

References:  Spanish Archives of New Mexico, Series I, Twitchell #767, Reel 4, Frames 1055-1057.

©Henrietta M. Christmas

Heirs of Alfonso Rael de Aguilar and the Cerrillos Grant ~ 1750

The heirs of Sergeant Major, don Alfonso Rael de Aguilar who are:  Eusebio Real de Aguilar, Juan Rael de Aguilar, Antonia Teresa Rael de Aguilar, Francisca Real de Aguilar, and the children of the deceased, Alfonso Rael de Aguilar and the children of Feliciana Rael de Aguilar, now deceased and all in their own name, the four brothers and sisters who are living do say:

That at the death of our deceased father, there was left to us a grant of land, which had through a grant with the honorable Marquez don Diego de Bargas, who was the Governor of the Kingdom, gave him our deceased father on of the conquistadores, who were in this kingdom at the time of the conquest.   The grant which is at the place of Los Cerrillos, with its pastures, waters, woods and watering places, just as the deceased our father, had settled them as part of the kingdom, but because of the rebellion the year of ’96, our father withdrew at the order of the Governor from the said Cerrillos, where he had lived four years, built houses as it is evident to his very day, because its ruins remain; and it is an obvious fact that he did not leave us any other piece of lands, besides the said Cerrillos, and in the past years, they have come to be the pastures of the royal horse herd of the presidio. 

We are the legitimate children of don Alfonso Real de Aguilar, one of his conquerors, and that Juan Rael de Aguilar, one of his heirs, now finds himself in this villa and he has his family in Chihuahua, because he does not have a piece of land in this kingdom.  He is ready to bring his family to this kingdom.  We request that you be well pleased to grant us this that we have asked.  Signed Juan Rael de Aguilar, rubric, wit/ Phelipe Tafoya, rubric.

At Santa Fe on April 25, 1750.  Presented the following grant:

I, the ensign, don Alphonso Rael de Aguilar, soldier and Secretary of Government and War of this Kingdom; do ask for a tract of land, which is 4-5 leagues from Santa Fe, which they call Los Cerrillos.  That the grant me made as I am a poor man, married and with some children and I hope that your Excellency will grant me that which I have asked. 

Alphonso Rael de Aguilar in this presidio of Santa Fe on September 18, 1692, before me, Don Diego de Vargas Zapata Luxan Ponse de Leon, Governor and Captain General, in consideration of his services and loyalty with which he has served and the love of his Majesty, I give him a grant of the lands with their pastures, waters, woods and watering places, uses and customs so that he may enjoy it for himself and his heirs at his pleasure.  And in order for it to be valid we have two witnesses who signed, Sargento Mayor, don Fernando de Chavez and the Captain, Antonio Jorge.  Also signing Roque Madrid, Juan de Dios Lucero de Godoy.   Signed Juan Paez Hurtado, rubric.

On April 27, 1750, the petition of these parties having been seen and the instrument of the grant.  I don Thomas Velez Cachupin, Governor and Captain General of this kingdom, in consideration, is evident that neither the possession nor the settlement of the place of Los Cerrillos is evident, nor the authority for don Juan Paez Hurtado to give an instrument of the grant, that these localities be settled nor possessed by any residents, because they are commons for pastures and sustenance of the very large herd of horses of this presidio. And the nearest place to it for the shortest expedition that occurs in the royal service and defense of these dominions.   I the Governor, say that it is not possible to permit that which these parties request. Signed, etc…

References:  Spanish Archives of New Mexico, Series I, Twitchell #769, Reel 4, Frames 1062-1074.

©Henrietta M. Christmas

Alfonso Rael de Aguilar ~ Will 1745

I, Alfonso Aguilar, being sick but of sound mind, order this my last will and testament. 

I declare having been married to doña Tomasa Montoya, my legitimate wife for eighteen years and we had seven legitimate children who are:  Alfonso Real de Aguilar, Josefa, Francisca, Manuela, Feliciana, Margarita, who died when she was five years old and Julian Lorenzo, whom I declare as children from my first marriage; and on the death of doña Tomasa Montoya, I contracted in second nuptials with doña Melchora Sandobal Martinez, and we have lived together for eighteen years and from this union we had two children: Tomas Rael de Aguilar and Joseph, whom I declare as my legitimate children.  As Melchora Sandobal de Martinez is my legitimate wife, whom I appoint as my administratrix and in second place, I appoint, Captain Antonio de Ulibarri. In third place I appoint, Gregorio Garduño, all settlers of this villa.

I declare as my property the house where we reside composed of one hall and seven rooms and the furniture contained therein, to go to my wife.

I declare as my property the lands I purchased from Juliana Sais; these lands do belong to my wife and the other lands I leave to all of my children, to be divided equally.

I declare as my property a house that is near the church, composed of five rooms, with a hallway and a piece of farming land, I order it to be divided amongst all.

I declare as my chattels 350 head of sheep; 300 breeding ewes and 50 breeding goats.  I want it to be understood that 200 head of breeding ewes belong to my wife and the balance are to be divided among all of my children in equal parts.

I declare as my chattels 68 wethers, which I leave for house expenses.

I declare as my property eight bucks and three he-goats.

I declare that I have 250 ewes and 20 goats, which belong to Captain Juan Vigil and also four bucks.

I declare as my property seven oxen and one bull; four bulls of these I leave my wife two yoke of oxen; and the others all of my children to divide into equal parts, oxen as well as bulls.

I declare as my chattels five cows, but of these I owe two head.

I declare as my chattels two he-mules, five horses and one mare.

I declare as my chattels one cowboy saddle, one arquebus, with case, one small sword, spurs with silver buckles, bridle, saddle cushions and saddle bags; and of this I leave my son, Joseph, the spurs with silver buckles and the silver sword handle; and the balance of these chattels I leave to my son, Julian for having treated me so well.  The saddle and arquebus which my son Julian has, I leave to my son, Alfonso and to my son, Joseph; I leave one arquebus, less the case.

I declare that I have 22 buffalo hides and eight deer skins.

I declare that I have ten fanegas of piñones; these to be sold and the proceeds to be given to my family who are at home.

I declare I have one cloak, coat, trousers and a braided hat, which I bequeath to my son, Julian, as , also, I leave to my said son the cloak, the coat and trousers and to my son, Alfonso, I leave a pair of serge trousers already worn.

I have already assigned to all of my children the cattle in good shape, which they all know; and I request them not to ask now or at any time for anything else.

I declare that Marcial Gonzales owes me a piece of narrow Brittany cloth; also a piece of satin sleeves, with lining and buttons, and one pair of men’s shoes, which I order collected.

I declare that Jose Romero, son of Baltazar Romero, owes me ten head of breeding ewes, I order them collected.

I declare that Salbador Manuel Marquez owes me eight lambs, I order them collected.

I declare that Gregorio Jaramillo owes me five ewes, I order them collected.

I declare that Juan Miguel Alvano del Castillo owes me 11 head of ewes and one bed sheet; and that I owe him one old and decrepit horse, which I order to be collected and to pay him.

I declare that Gregorio Garduño owes me three varas of satin, one veil and its trimmings, I order they be collected.

I declare that Felix Sanchez owes me one gently he-mule, I order it collected.

I declare that Juan de Arguello owes me one fanegas of wheat, I order it collected.

I declare that Lazaro Trujillo owes me 60 pesos, I order it collected.

I declare that Diego Basquez Borrego owes me 80 pesos and two mules; also, the rental of same for seven years, I order this to be collected.

I declare that Juan Francisco Munoz owes me one mule, I order it collected.

I declare that Salvador Laureno owes me eleven pesos, I order this collected.

I declare that Juan Trujillo the soldier, owes me one cow with calf or about to have a calf, I order it collected.

I declare that Leonardo Gonzales owes me one cow with calf or about to have a calf, I order it collected.

I declare that I owe Maria Roybal, one steer and one yearling heifer and one horse; I order these to be paid.

I declare that I owe the Pecos Indian, known to Antonio Sandoval, one lame mule; I order it to be paid.

I declare that I owe Juan Bejil two buffalo hides; I order them to be paid.

I declare that I owe don Jose Reano 17 wethers and one peso; and he owes me the work of taking the dirt off the roof of the storeroom, I order it to be collected and to pay the same.

I declare that I owe Pablo Trujillo one two-year old heifer, I order it to be paid.

I declare that Juan Jose Torres owes me two hides, I order they be collected.

I declare that Marcos de Apodaca owes me two pesos, I order them collected.

Executed in this villa on May 12, 1745, to which I certify, Antonio de Ulibarri, rubric.

Alfonso Rael de Aguilar, rubric; with witnesses: Jose Miguel de la Peña, rubric; Miguel de Alire, rubric.

**Another will exists as is referenced as Twitchell #31, blogged on March 29, 2013.  

References:  Spanish Archives of New Mexico, Series I, Twitchell 765, Reel 4, Frames 1045-1051.

©Henrietta M. Christmas

Land Grant ~ Nuestra Señora del Rosario, Truchas

Grant of Lands to Juan de Dios Romero and associates
in the locality of Nuestra Señora del Rosario,
San Fernando y Santiago del Rio de la Truchas.

Juan de Dios Romero, Nicolas Romero, Bernardo Romero, Julian Romero, Salvador de Espinosa, Miguel de Espinosa, Tadeo Espinosa, Ventura de Espinosa, Domingo Romero, Javiel Romero, Francisco vernal and Cristobal Martin, residents of Chimayo appear before you in the best possible form according to the law.  That as your Excellency has promised to make us a grant of the tract of El Rio de las Truchas as soon as the boundary of the new settlement of Santo Tomas del Rio de las Trampas is established, and as on that promise we have paid the cost of the acequia and have planted it for the period of two years, we ask that Your Excellency deign to grant us the said site I the name of his Majesty.  The formal boundaries are:  on the north the ridge that serves as a boundary on the south side for the said settlers; on the west the public road that leads to Picuris; on the south side boundaries of Pueblo Quemado and of Jose Manuel Gonzales; on the east the Sierra del Oso, which we promise to settle within the time prescribed by law. 

At this villa of Santa Fe on March 5, 1754, don Juan Jph Lovato, the Alcalde Mayor of the villa of la Cañada, will report concerning the contents of the petition.

He recommends to the Governor that they should go forth and grant them the land; although the public lands are extensive they will serve as a public good of the group.  One of their entrances is obstructed by the Pueblo of Picuris, but not prejudice to any party.

In the villa of Sana Fe, on the 18^th day of March 1754, I the Governor, on this day grant in full force and effect…  Also with the condition that they must be assigned sufficient land to build houses, which shall be united and adjoining, forming a square plaza, enclosed and with only on gateway just large enough for wagons to go through, in a manner that the inhabitants and families may be able to defend themselves from invasions and assaults.  In order that said settlement may be finished in the shortest time possible, they shall all work there together, each giving help to the other and with digging the acequia for the fields.

I order the said Alcalde Mayor, Juan Jose Lovato to place in possession, with royal protection the said Juan de Dios Romero, Nicolas Romero, Bernardo Romero, Julian Romero, Salvador de Espinosa, Miguel de Espinosa, Thadeo Espinosa, Ventura de Espinosa, Domingo Romero, Xavier Romero, Francisco Bernal and Xptobal Martin.

Each one cannot sell, donate, transfer, exchange, or in any other way encumber the said lands within the four years prescribed by royal decree.  Signed Thomas Velez Cachupin, rubric; Diego Antonio Marques, rubric; Thomas de Alvear y Tollado, rubric.

At Rio de las Trampas, on the 224^th of April 1754, I, Juan Jose Lovato, Alcalde Mayor proceeded to measure the land which contained 4,200 varas in length, within which I settled two more families who heads are Jose Manuel Gonzales and Juan Luis Romero and also had been granted at the upper part of the river of the Pueblo Quemado, as shown by decree.  Taking the hands of the settlers, I took them over the tract, they pulled up grass, threw rocks and should “Long Live the King” jointly and individually remaining in quiet and peaceable possession. 

Witnesses were:  Francisco Montes Vigil and Xptobal Vigil.  Then the individual division of the land for farming in the following manner.  First for the garden purposes at the front side of the said plaza I measured 150 varas of land from the road to the south and giving the following:

Salvador de Espinosa, 20 varas, I gave to each of the others 10 varas for a garden each.  Then assigned to Salvador de Espinosa 150 varas towards the river; each on receiving 150 varas of land.  Signed Juan Jose Lovato, rubric.

References:  Spanish Archives of New Mexico, Series I, Twitchell 771, Reel 4, Frames 1079-1105.

©Henrietta M. Christmas

Juan Rodriguez ~ Estate 1738 con't

In the said town of Santa Fe, January 23, I ordered doña Maria Francisca Fernandez the guardian of the said property to manifest all the property which may have been left and she answered was it the property her husband had, and did not have any other but those already manifested.  To the best of my knowledge the property amounted to 650 pesos and so that it might appear and I certified.  Henrique de Olavide y Michelana, rubric.

On March 3, additional belongings were assessed and are as follows: 

One house situated in town, of adobe, well roofed and containing six rooms, one porch and valued at 100 pesos.  Two portions of land contiguous to said house with five measures of corn, 800 pesos.  One cart in good use at 25 pesos.  Two corrals is said land at 20 pesos.

The above real estate is valued at 1,245 pesos and is added to the inventories.  Witnesses:  Nicolas Ortiz, rubric; Juan Lucero and Juan Manuel Chirinos.

On march 4 at El Alamo an appraisement of the sheep and other property as follows:

14 bulls, 210 pesos; 12 oxen, 300 pesos; 4 broken bulls, 88 pesos; 17 yearlings, 204 pesos; 10 sucking calves, 50 pesos; 42 gentle cows, 840 pesos.  One good broken horse, 30 pesos; another one not so good, 20 pesos; 13 horses not very good, 195 pesos; four pack mules, 160 pesos; two saddle mules, 80 pesos; ten pack horse mules, 300 pesos; another horse, 20 pesos.  144 2-3 year old wethers, 288 pesos; 353 breeding ewes, 706 pesos; 63 gelded he goats, 126 pesos. 

The adobe house of four rooms, 300 pesos; one gun, 20 pesos; one small copper kettle, 8 pesos; old cart, 12 pesos; four ploughshares second hand, 48 pesos; five old dibbles, 5 pesos; one second hand axe, 4 pesos; eleven pack saddles complete with ropes and halters plus blankets, 44 pesos; six new woolen carpet blankets, 48 pesos; one old copper kettle, 6 pesos; three corrals of sabino posts at the ranch containing ten carts of posts, 50 pesos.  For a grant total of 4,204 pesos.

I requested that Jose Antonio Rodriguez the executor of said estate since he’s acting foreman if anything is missing from the inventory; he said that was all the property his deceased brother had, signed by ball.

The nephew, Juan Antonio Rodriguez and Captain Juan Fernandez were sent to Chihuahua with money and that was to be inventoried and divided amongst the heirs.  50 pounds of fine chocolate, 100 pesos; 50 pounds of sugar, 37.50 pesos; 2 ½ varas of blue Castile cloth, 25 pesos; 2 ½ varas of scarlet woolen cloth, 15 pesos; one piece of Chinese silk, 10 pesos; two matches of buttons and silver thread, 14 pesos; two skeins of silver thread, 2.50 pesos; one piece of 58 varas of red leaf brass ribbon, 21.75 pesos; three pieces of find wide linen, 26 ¾ varas, 66.75 pesos; 13 varas of serge, 52 pesos; two pounds of loose silk and two ounces of twisted, 64 pesos; six varas of cloth from Queretaro, 30 pesos.  Total of 451 pesos from the goods of Captain Juan Fernandez.

From Juan Antonio Rodriguez, first the one box of soap, 100 pesos; one barrel of wine, 90 pesos; one small barrel containing nine flasks, 45 pesos; 12 small hoes, 72 pesos; 111 of old iron, 100 pesos; one bundle of good tobacco, 160 pesos; 20 varas of Rouen linen, 40 pesos; two pieces of narrow linen, 32 pesos; six blankets, 48 pesos; one ream of paper, 6 pesos; one hat, 5 pesos; maple sugar, 5 pesos; one jug of whiskey 20 pesos; ten varas of satin, 3.75 pesos; four varas of lining, 6 pesos; two dozen pairs of shoes, 48 pesos.  For a value of 803.75 pesos.  Singed by witnesses:  Pedro Jose de Leon, rubric and Baltazar Montoya, rubric.

Then debts were listed and amounted to 135.25 pesos and then amounts to the estate as 50 pesos. And again signed by all.

Total amount of the estate valued at 7,375.75 pesos. He leaves his wife the original 500 dower monies and then added 1,141.75 pesos. 

Closed the proceedings on April 16, 1738 by the signed Henrique de Olavide y Michelana, rubric; witnesses, Pedro Jose Leon and Baltazar Montoya.

References:  Spanish Archives of New Mexico, Series I, Twitchell 756, Reel 8, Frames 1384-1441.

©Henrietta M. Christmas