Comanche Raid on La Cienega, New Mexico, Thursday June 20, 1776, An Update.

NOTE - This post has been updated as questions have been asked about one or more of the individuals. There has been some interest in the post by someone who left a couple of comments. So I went back and added information I could gather.

Less than a month before the United States of America came into being, my 5th Great Grandfather, Cristoval Martin' Serrano, was killed in a Comanche raid just outside of La Cienega by Santa Fe. He, along with at least eight (8) others were killed there on that Thursday, June 20, 1776.

Before I go any further, I need to post here a truly astonishing fact that we just discovered. Cristoval Martin' Serrano's  Great Grandson Jose Andres Martin'  (Andele) would be abducted by the Apaches on or about the 2oth of October 1866,  90 years and 4 months to the day later, and actually become an advocate for the Kiowa and Comanche Nations in dealings with the United States in the late 1800's. But that is another story, see my earlier post here on this web log from March 27th, 2007 .

The people that we have found out were killed were;

1) Cristobal Martin' Serrano, identified as the widower of Josefa Tenorio, from this parish, Espanol from this Villa (Santa Fe) and La Cienega where he died at the hands of the enemy Indian Comanches on Thursday 20th of June without receiving the sacraments. He left eight (8) children, six (6) men and two (2) women. He is buried near the altar of Holy Ground to the side of the Epistle. One of his sons gave five pesos "de la tierra" for the burial. Note; a peso de la tierra was payment in goods.

2) Julian Valenzuela, identified as single, Espanol and the son of Juan Francisco Valenzuela and Felipa Ortega, legitimately married, from Santa Fe died at the hands of the Comanches also without receiving the sacraments. He was buried two Varas in front of the alter of the puesto de la Yglesia. His father gave five pesos de la tierra for his burial.

3) Santiago Mascarenas, identified as single and an Espanol from Las Golondrinas. He is identified as the son of Christoval Mascarenas and Luisa Fajardo both alredy deceased. He is buried near the altar as Antonio Sandoval paid five pesos de la Tierra for the burial.

4) Jose Francisco Escudero, identified as the son of Antonio Escudero, a native of Mexico who is deceased and Gertrudis Paez, his widow, of this villa and both Espanoles. The said mother, Gertrudis Paea who went with her son, Jose Francisco Escudero, to la Cieneguilla where he died at the hands of the Enemy Comanche. His Mother did not pay the required fee because of poverty.

5) Domingo Romero, a single Espanol the son of Domingo Romero and Lugarda Montoya. He did not recieve the sacraments. He is buried near the altar at san Antonio de Pauda, His father gave 17 pesos de la tierra.

6) Domingo Ortega, the husband of Maria Loreto Armijo living at the Baca Ranch. He left three (3) young children. He did not receive the sacraments. He was buried near the pulpit. Nine pesos de la tierra were given for the burial and vigil, his wife also gave an escopeta. An escopeta was a fire arm of the time.

7) Jose Vicente Ortis, identified as Coyote and single and the servant of Don Jose Antonio Ortis and the son of a Christian Comanche Indian woman by the name of Ysabel who was the "criada" of Don Jose Antonio Ortis. He died while watching lleguas (mares) y bacas of his patron Jose Antonio Ortis. Five pesos de la tierra were given for his burial.

8) Manuel Coca, also identified as a Coyote and married to a Coyota Olaya Segura. She was pregnant. Her two (2) children were carried away by the Comanches. So Manuel lost his life and two children. he was buried near the puesto de Bautifezio. No monies were given for burial by anyone.

9) Jose Antonio Sandoval, identified as the son of Antonio Sandoval and Josefa Chavez. It states that "he was taken by the Indians, but because he resisted they killed him". He was 19 years old when thy killed him, why they tried to "take him" will remain a mystery, but at 19 years old he was too old to easily assimilate into the Comanche tribe. He is buried at the church of N.P.S. Domingo de los Queres.

Note: On Jose Antonio Sandoval - He was born Joseph Antonio Sandoval, baptized on Christmas Day (25 December 1757) by don Phelip Tafoya and dona Theresa Fernandez de la Pedrera. His parents are listed on his baptismal record as don Antonio Sandoval and Josefa Chavez.  

It is my guess that none were able to "receive the sacraments". Anyway raids by the "Indios Barbaros" were common. In all fairness, one must also indicate that raids on the Indians by New Mexican's were just as common. Reference the fact that Ysabel, the Christian Comanche Indian was probably a captive Comanche.

Information on these deaths and the fact that they were caused by a Comanche raid comes from the publication "New Mexico Burials, Santa Fe - St. Francis Parish and the Military Chapel of Our Lady of Light (La Castrense) 1726 - 1834", published by the New Mexico Genealogical Society.