Vuida a los Quince Anos

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Ana Maria Lopez, the daughter of Manuel Lopez and Maria Gertrudis Rael was born circa 1818 somewhere in New Mexico, probably San Miguel del Vado or maybe Santa Fe. She married Jose Francisco Griego, the son of Jesus Maria Griego and Maria Guadalupe Garduno, at San Miguel del Vado on September 4, 1831 when she was 13. A little on the young side, but not uncommon in those times, especially when you consider that her father is listed as deceased at the time of this marriage.

One (1) year, seven (7) months, three (3) weeks and three (3) days later on April 28 1833 she was remarrying. This time to Pedro Antonio Gallegos the son of Domingo Gallego and Juana Romero, age 27 born circa 1806 somewhere in New Mexico. The second marriage was performed again at San Miguel del Vado.

A little over a year later on May 18, 1834 she was baptizing her son Jose Felis Gallegos who was born 2 days previous in San Miguel del Bado.

She had better luck with her second husband as she was living at the Plaza de los Garcias in what today is San Miguel County, New Mexico in 1845.

Listed in the 1850 U.S. Federal Census with her husband and 3 children in Tecolote, New Mexico,

Assuming that she observed the traditional one year of mourning (luto) of the passing of her first husband, Jose Francisco Griego,  before remarrying it would appear that Jose Francisco must have died sometime prior to April of 1832. She was actually only married 7 or 8 months before her first husband died.

My guess is that she would have observed the mourning period, or close to it and then remarried as soon as possible. A 14 year old widow would have a hard time on her own and maybe her mother or in laws were not able to provide for the young widow.

The mystery of the death of her first husband remains.