Family History and New Mexico History

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 This is the Martinez hacienda in Taos. You can tour it today for a few dollars. You cannot beat the experience to get a feel how some of our ancestors lived. Some were the like the hacienda owners and some were like the folks who kept it going.

New Mexico history is family history for Hispanic New Mexicans. Especially the Spanish period (1598 to 1820) and the Mexican period (1820 to 1846). The American period (1846 to now) is also family history, but now there are many families. Before the Americans came and annexed the province we were one huge family.

It appears that thru time, 1598 - 1846, we became primos, tios y tias, either thru blood and/or marriage. Maybe a few generations separating most of us, but that is all it did. Was to separate us. Back then we were a pretty homogeneous people. We all had roots in Spain, we all had roots in Mexico, we were all Catholic. Most of us had Native American blood of some kind. We all spoke the same language, we all ate essentially the same food.

We also faced the same dangers. Starvation, Indios barbaros, los Americanos, the Chihuahua merchants.

250 years of living in isolation in the upper reaches of the Rio Grande and its tributaries had caused this. 250 years is no small span of time. It might not be much for a tree, but for New Mexicans it was a long time. 

Think about the 250 years this way. The Americans have been in New Mexico 163 years. New Mexico has been a state 97 years.  1776 to 2009 is 233 years. 

The Homeland up Close 1598 to 1950 or so.

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Most of my maternal ancestors came from Santa Fe, then to San Miguel del Bado then to El Gusano (South San Isidro) and Las Ruedas on the Los Trigos Land Grant. There were also some at Pajarito, Las Colonias and Las Mulas (North San Isidro). Some in Ilfield, San Juan, San Jose and skipping over to Las Vegas.

My paternal ancestors came from Santa Cruz de la Canada and spread to San Miguel del Bado and north and west from there to Tecolote, Valles de San Geronimo, Sapello and downriver to La Junta (Watrous). Also in the Watrous area to Tiptonville, Cherry Valley and finally seems like they all ended up in Las Vegas.

The Second World War changed everything. During the war a lot were drafted into the service and when they came back they moved away. At first to the Denver and Los Angles area. The "moving away just speeded up and after the Korean war the spread to pretty much most of the country." But the majority are still here, in every walk of life too.

There is an excellent book on the subject. "The Hispano Homeland" by Richard L. Nostrand and published by the University of Oklahoma Press. It tracks Hispano New Mexicans from the get go thru the 1980's. An excellent, excellent book and well worth the price.

Cautivos y Cautivas

The practice of taking captives was common amongst most Indian tribes. Between "los Indios Barbaros" and the Spanish it started as soon as the Indians could do it in New Mexico. That was probably around the time they started using the horse. Los Indios Barbaros were the Apache, Ute, Navajo, Kiowa and later the Comanche. And they all took captives.  

The Apache took  my 2nd great grand uncle Jose Andres Martin captive and later traded him to the Kiowa where he lived out his life. Reference an earlier post of mine here:

 http://nuevomejicano.blogspot.com/2007/03/jose-andres-martn-andele.html

The only reference to the Pueblos taking Spanish captives that I can find is during the 1680 Pueblo Revolt. The Pueblos kept at least a few Spanish women. At least one survived and is documented in the historical record.

Unlike the Europeans on the east coast, who were also being taken captive by the Indians, the Spanish also took captives. It was tit for tat amongst los Indios Barbaros and the Spanish in New Mexico. There were many Indians who were assimilated into New Mexican society as late as the early American Period. Most, if not all, were taken from the ranks of los Indios Barbaros, especially the Navajo. There are references in the historical record to the percentages of Apache and Comanche that were in reality Mexican. This historical record mostly from the traders on the Santa Fe Trail and later the Americans as they took over the province.

The Spanish/Mexicans lived in close proximity to the pueblos and inter marriage was common and frequent. But that is another post.

I think we can all look at our relatives, maybe even ourselves, and recognize Indian features in many.

Founding Spanish Families of New Mexico

The image is of Onate and the New Mexico founding families.

From New Mexico Blue Book 1997-1998

The following is a list of the founding Spanish families of New Mexico in 1598. The research was done by Antonio Gilberto Espinosa for the Coronado Cuarto Centennial Commission, 1939-1940.

Acebo Algecira Alonso Amiura Arechuleta Ayrdi Bañulids Baradna Benehuma Bernal Barrios Brito Bocanegra Bustillo Brondate Cabinillas Cáceres Cadimo Carvajal Castro Castellano Catalán Calvo Carrasco Cèsar Chaves Cogedo Colodro Cortèz Cruz Cordero Díaz Diez

Donis Duran Escalante Escarramad Espinosa Farfán Fernández Flores Francisco García Gomez González Griego Guzmán Guillèn Guevarra Hernández Herrera Heredia Hinojos Holguin Jorge Lara Ledesma León Lizama López Lucas Lucero Manzoneda Márquez Martin Martinez

Medel Melgar Mexia Montesinus Montaño Montoya Monzón Morales Morán Moreno Munuera Naranjo Olague Oñate Ortega Pedraza Peñalosa Pèrez Pineiro Quesada Ramírez Rangel Rascón Requirno Reyes Rio Rivas Rivera Robledo Rodriguez Roja Romero Rua

Rijato Saldivar Sanchez Santillán Sarinana Segura Serrano Simón Sosa Tavora Torres Tordesillas Treviño Trujillo Vaca Valencia Vanda Varela Vargas Vásquez Vayd Vega Velasco Vellido Velman Vido Villagrá Villalba Ximenes Xuarez Xranzo Ysasti Zaldivar

Some Benavidez from Rowe and El Gusano, New Mexico

Modified Register for Juan Cristoval Benavidez

First Generation

1. Juan Cristoval Benavidez  was born in 1803. 

Juan married Maria Dolores Barela  daughter of Juan de Jesus Barela and Maria Antonia Chabes on 20 Jan 1833 in San Miguel del Bado, New Mexico,  New Mexico. Maria was born in 1815. 

They had the following children:

+ 2 M i. Jose Gregorio Benavidez  was born on 6 Apr 1834. 

3 F ii. Maria Leonarda Benavidez  was christened on 14 Aug 1836 in San Miguel del Bado, New Mexico. 

+ 4 F iii. Maria Leonides Benavidez  was born in 1837. 

5 F iv. Maria Alberta Benavidez  was born on 10 May 1838 in El Gusano, New Mexico. She was christened on 19 May 1838 in San Miguel del Bado, New Mexico. 

Maria married Francisco Segura  on 28 Sep 1850 in San Miguel del Bado, New Mexico. 

6 M v. Juan Silvestre Benavidez  was born on 30 Dec 1839 in San Miguel del Bado, New Mexico. He was christened on 31 Dec 1839 in San Miguel del Bado, New Mexico. 

+ 7 M vi. Juan Andres Benavidez  was born on 6 Nov 1840. He died on 16 Mar 1916. 

+ 8 M vii. Juan Bautista Benavidez  was born on 27 Feb 1843. 

+ 9 M viii. Jose Ponsiano Benavidez  was born on 24 Nov 1845. 

+ 10 M ix. Jose Ferminio Benavidez  was born in 1847. 

11 M x. Jose Trinidad Benavidez  was born on 3 Sep 1850. He was christened on 8 Sep 1850 in San Miguel del Bado, New Mexico. 

12 F xi. Maria Cresencia Benavidez  was born on 24 Apr 1854 in El Gusano, New Mexico. She was christened on 1 May 1854 in San Miguel del Bado, New Mexico. 

+ 13 M xii. Natividad Benavidez  was born in 1860. 



Second Generation

2. Jose Gregorio Benavidez  (Juan Cristoval) was born on 6 Apr 1834 in San Jose, New Mexico. He was christened on 9 May 1834 in San Miguel del Bado, New Mexico. 

Jose married (1) Maria Gregoria Sandoval  daughter of Esmeregildo Sandoval and Manuela Gonzales on 17 Feb 1857 in San Miguel del Bado, New Mexico. Maria was born on 16 Nov 1827 in Tesuque, New Mexico. She was christened on 18 Nov 1827 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. 

They had the following children:

14 M i. Jose Exselso Benavidez  was born on 14 Jan 1858 in El Gusano, New Mexico. He was christened on 21 Jan 1858 in San Miguel del Bado, New Mexico. 

15 M ii. Jose Alejandro Benavidez  was born on 27 Apr 1860 in El Gusano, New Mexico. He was christened on 28 Apr 1860 in San Miguel del Bado, New Mexico. 

Jose married Petra Archuleta  daughter of Jesus Archuleta and Maria Leonarda Rivera. Petra was born in 1868. She died in 1955. 

16 M iii. Jose Alvino Benavidez  was born on 15 Dec 1862 in La Cuesta, New Mexico. He was christened on 27 Dec 1862 in San Miguel del Bado, New Mexico. 

17 F iv. Maria Alvina Benavidez  was born on 15 Dec 1862 in La Cuesta, New Mexico. She was christened on 27 Dec 1862 in San Miguel del Bado, New Mexico. 

18 M v. Jose Benigno Benavidez  was born on 12 Feb 1864 in El Gusano, New Mexico. He was christened on 14 Feb 1864 in San Miguel del Bado, New Mexico. 

Jose married (1) Vicenta Padilla . 

Jose married (2) Maria Francisca Aragon  on 7 Jan 1898 in San Miguel Del Vado, New Mexico. 

19 M vi. Francisco Benavidez  was born on 4 Dec 1866 in El Gusano, New Mexico. He was christened on 10 Dec 1866 in San Miguel del Bado, New Mexico. 

Francisco married Maria Amada Ortiz  daughter of Jose Trinidad Ortiz and Maria Catalina Garcia on 9 Jan 1893 in San Miguel del Vado, New Mexico. Maria was born on 13 Sep 1875 in El Gusano, New Mexico. She was christened on 23 Sep 1875 in San Miguel del Vado, New Mexico. 

Jose married (2) Suzana Garcia  daughter of Camilo Garcia and Maria Marcelina Encinas on 20 Aug 1883 in San Miguel Del Vado, New Mexico. Suzana was born in 1863. 

4. Maria Leonides Benavidez  (Juan Cristoval) was born in 1837. 

Maria married Jose Cresencio Garcia  son of Jose Julian Garcia de Alviar and Maria Juana Getrudis Gonzales on 25 Apr 1852 in San Miguel del Bado, New Mexico. Jose was born in 1830. 

They had the following children:

20 M i. Juan Bautista Garcia  was born on 26 Jan 1869 in Las Mulas, New Mexico. He was christened on 31 Jan 1869 in San Miguel del Bado, New Mexico. 

7. Juan Andres Benavidez  (Juan Cristoval) was born on 6 Nov 1840. He was christened on 11 Nov 1840 in San Miguel del Bado, New Mexico. He died on 16 Mar 1916 in Rowe, New Mexico. 

Juan married (1) Maria Nicanora Ortiz  daughter of Juan Ortiz and Maria Cimona Cordova on 28 Nov 1863. Maria was born on 10 Jan 1845 in San Miguel del Bado, New Mexico. She was christened on 12 Jan 1845 in San Miguel del Bado, New Mexico. She died in Apr 1867. 

They had the following children:

21 M i. Jose Acencio Benavidez  was born in 1865 in El Gusano, New Mexico. 

Jose married (1) Maria Eugenia Encinias . 

Jose married (2) Maria Benigna Gonzalez  on 26 Nov 1892 in San Miguel del Vado, New Mexico. Maria was born in 1865. 

22 M ii. Roman Benavidez  was born in Mar 1866 in El Gusano, New Mexico. 

23 M iii. Julio Benavidez  was born on 2 Apr 1867 in El Gusano, New Mexico. He was christened on 13 Apr 1867 in El Gusano, New Mexico. 

Juan married (2) Maria Espiririona Garcia  daughter of Camilo Garcia and Maria Marcelina Encinas on 7 Jan 1868 in San Miguel del Bado, New Mexico. Maria was born on 22 Nov 1847. She was christened on 17 Dec 1847 in San Miguel del Bado, New Mexico. 

They had the following children:

24 M iv. Jose Simon Benavidez  was born on 24 Oct 1868 in El Gusano, New Mexico. He was christened on 28 Oct 1868 in San Miguel del Bado, New Mexico. 

Jose married Rosarita . Rosarita was born in 1906. 

25 F v. Teresa Benavidez  was born on 11 Oct 1870 in El Gusano, New Mexico. She was christened on 15 Oct 1870 in Las Colonias, New Mexico. 

26 F vi. Maria Alberta Benavidez  was born on 4 Dec 1871 in El Gusano, New Mexico. She was christened on 6 Dec 1871 in San Miguel del Bado, New Mexico. 

Maria was not married (1) to Unknown . 

Maria married (2) Antonio Candelario Archuleta  son of Jose Ponciano Archuleta and Maria Salome Martín on 2 Sep 1895 in San Miguel Del Vado, New Mexico. Antonio was born on 2 Feb 1869 in El Rio de la Baca. 

27 M vii. Roman Benavidez  was born on 28 Feb 1874 in El Gusano, New Mexico. He was christened on 4 Mar 1874 in Pecos, New Mexico. He died on 4 Jan 1962 in Rowe, New Mexico. He was buried in Catholic Cemetary Rowe, New Mexico. 

Roman married Ignacia Archuleta  daughter of Juan De Jesus Archuleta and Maria Anna Duran on 2 Oct 1895 in Pecos, New Mexico. Ignacia was born on 31 Jan 1876 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She died on 15 Oct 1971 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. 

28 M viii. Luis Benavidez  was born in El Gusano, New Mexico. He was christened on 22 Aug 1876 in Las Vegas, New Mexico. He died on 15 Dec 1967 in Las Vegas, New Mexico. 

Luis married Antonia Marita Quintana  on 23 Apr 1900. Antonia was born in 1867. 

29 F ix. Maria Nicanora Benavidez  was born on 4 Dec 1878 in El Gusano, New 

Mexico. She was christened on 8 Dec 1878 in San Miguel del Bado, New Mexico. 

30 M x. J. Camilo Benavidez  was born on 1 Feb 1882 in El Gusano, New Mexico. He was christened on 5 Feb 1882 in San Miguel del Bado, New Mexico. 

31 F xi. Maria Valbina Benavidez  was born on 30 Mar 1884 in El Gusano, New Mexico. She was christened on 7 Apr 1884 in San Miguel del Bado, New Mexico. 

Maria married (1) Jose Ines Garcia  on 13 Feb 1899 in San Miguel Del Vado, New Mexico. 

Maria married (2) Amador Garcia . Amador was born in 1884. 

8. Juan Bautista Benavidez  (Juan Cristoval) was born on 27 Feb 1843 in San Miguel del Bado, New Mexico. He was christened on 23 Mar 1843 in San Miguel del Bado, New Mexico. 

Juan married Maria Donaciana Gallegos  on 7 Dec 1883 in San Miguel del Bado. 

They had the following children:

32 F i. Unnamed Benavidez  was born on 5 Dec 1887 in El Gusano, New Mexico. She was christened on 9 Dec 1887 in San Miguel del Bado. 

33 M ii. J. Sebestian Benavidez  was born on 23 Jul 1889 in El Gusano, New Mexico. He was christened on 26 Jul 1889 in San Miguel del Bado. 

34 M iii. J. Hilario Benavidez  was born on 30 Sep 1891 in El Gusano, New Mexico. He was christened on 9 Oct 1891 in San Miguel del Bado. 

35 F iv. Maria Aurora Benavidez  was born on 24 Oct 1893 in El Gusano, New Mexico. She was christened on 27 Oct 1893 in San Miguel del Bado. 

9. Jose Ponsiano Benavidez  (Juan Cristoval) was born on 24 Nov 1845 in San Miguel del Bado, New Mexico. He was christened on 3 Dec 1845 in San Miguel del Bado, New Mexico. 

Jose married Maria Doniciana Ortiz  daughter of Juan Ortiz and Maria Cimona Cordova. Maria was born on 26 Sep 1851. She was christened on 28 Sep 1851 in San Miguel del Bado, New Mexico. 

They had the following children:

36 M i. Jose Emiterio Benavidez  was born on 1 Mar 1868 in El Gusano, New Mexico. He was christened on 5 Mar 1868 in San Miguel del Bado, New Mexico. 

Jose married Francisca Chavez  on 6 Feb 1893 in San Miguel del Vado, New Mexico. Francisca was born in 1876. 

37 M ii. Julio Benavidez  was born on 20 Dec 1869 in El Gusano, New Mexico. He was christened on 24 Dec 1869 in San Miguel del Bado, New Mexico. 

38 M iii. Manuel Benavidez  was born in 1872. 

39 M iv. Jose Marcos Benavidez  was born on 25 Apr 1873 in El Gusano, New Mexico. He was christened on 27 Apr 1873 in San Miguel del Bado, New Mexico. 

40 M v. Marson Benavidez  was born in 1874. 

41 M vi. Jose Basilio Benavidez  was born on 2 Mar 1875 in El Gusano, New Mexico. He was christened on 13 Mar 1875 in San Miguel del Bado, New Mexico. He died on 4 Sep 1953 in El Gusano, New Mexico. 

Jose married Maria Cleofas Quintana  on 23 Apr 1900 in San Miguel Del Vado, New Mexico. Maria was born in 1881. 

42 F vii. Maria Genovava Benavidez  was born on 14 Feb 1877 in El Gusano, New Mexico. She was christened on 18 Feb 1877 in San Miguel del Bado, New Mexico. 

43 F viii. Maria Lucrecia Benavidez  was born on 27 Feb 1879 in El Gusano, New Mexico. She was christened on 28 Feb 1879 in El Gusano, New Mexico. 

44 F ix. Maria Josefa Benavidez  was born on 18 Mar 1881 in El Gusano, New Mexico. She was christened on 20 Mar 1881 in San Miguel del Bado, New Mexico. 

45 M x. Miguel Benavidez  was born on 5 Jul 1883 in El Gusano, New Mexico. He was christened on 12 Jul 1883 in San Miguel del Bado, New Mexico. 

Miguel married Beatriz Valencia . Beatriz was born in 1889. 

46 F xi. Maria Benigna Benavidez  was born on 1 Jul 1885 in El Gusano, New Mexico. She was christened on 7 Jul 1885 in San Miguel del Bado, New Mexico. 

47 M xii. Dionisio Benavidez  was born on 8 Apr 1887 in El Gusano, New Mexico. He was christened on 12 Apr 1887 in San Miguel del Bado, New Mexico. 

Dionisio married Cresostoma Garcia . Cresostoma was born in 1890. 

48 M xiii. Jose Alvino Benavidez  was born on 26 Mar 1889 in El Gusano, New Mexico. He was christened on 31 Mar 1889 in San Miguel del Bado, New Mexico. 

49 F xiv. Maria Corina Benavidez  was born on 28 Sep 1891 in El Gusano, New Mexico. She was christened on 4 Oct 1891 in San Miguel del Bado, New Mexico. 

50 F xv. Maria Faviana Benavidez  was born on 2 Feb 1894 in El Gusano, New Mexico. She was christened on 11 Feb 1894 in San Miguel del Bado, New Mexico. 

Maria married Augustine Aguilar . 

10. Jose Ferminio Benavidez  (Juan Cristoval) was born in 1847. 

Jose married Aniceta Garcia  daughter of Camilo Garcia and Maria Marcelina Encinas on 11 Aug 1873 in San Miguel del Bado, New Mexico. Aniceta was born in 1856. 

They had the following children:

51 F i. Maria Brigida Benavidez  was born on 4 Oct 1873 in El Gusano, New Mexico. She was christened on 12 Oct 1873 in San Miguel del Bado, New Mexico. 

Maria married Luis Garcia  son of Juan Bautista Edudardo Garcia and Maria Felipa Trujillo on 29 Oct 1888 in San Miguel Del Vado, New Mexico. Luis was born on 11 Apr 1867 in El Gusano, New Mexico. He was christened on 20 Apr 1867 in San Miguel del Bado, New Mexico. 

13. Natividad Benavidez  (Juan Cristoval) was born in 1860. 

Natividad married Juana Marquez  on 6 Oct 1879 in Las Vegas, New Mexico. 

They had the following children:

52 F i. Juana Delfina Benavidez  was born on 4 Jan 1881 in Auga Zarca, New Mexico. She was christened on 6 Jan 1881 in Las Vegas, New Mexico. 

53 M ii. Antonio Abad Benavidez  was born on 1 Sep 1883 in El Gusano, New Mexico. He was christened on 4 Sep 1883 in San Miguel del Bado, New Mexico. 

54 M iii. Jose Simon Benavidez  was born on 11 Feb 1885 in Auga Zarca, New Mexico. He was christened on 12 Feb 1885 in Las Vegas, New Mexico. 

55 F iv. Catherina Felipa Benavidez  was born on 13 Feb 1888 in El Gusano, New Mexico. She was christened on 14 Feb 1888 in San Miguel del Bado, New Mexico. 

56 F v. Maria Nicolasa Benavidez  was born on 1 Oct 1891 in Auga Zarca, New Mexico. She was christened on 10 Oct 1891 in Las Vegas, New Mexico. 

Maria married Gregorio Ruiz . 

57 M vi. Isidro Benavidez  was born in 1896. 

Isidro married Cecelia Perea . Cecelia was born in 1900. 

58 F vii. Ricarda Benavidez  was born in Jul 1887. 

Ricarda married Juan Pablo Salmeron  son of Roc(que) Salmeron and Maria Librada Archuleta on 27 Sep 1909 in Pecos, New Mexico. Juan was born in Mar 1889 in Rowe, New Mexico. 

Education for New Mexicans over the Years

There was very little education in New Mexico in the Spanish and Mexican periods. A few folks were sent south into Mexico during the Spanish period. Mostly boys or men who were to go into the priesthood. This was for education in excess of what their parents could provide here.

During the Mexican period the situation changed but little, a few more to the military schools in Mexico.

When the Americans came the religious folk, most notably the Presbyterians and the Catholic churches established schools. The Presbyterians wanted to convert Catholics and the Catholics wanted to keep them Catholic.

The Catholic church actually fought public education in New Mexico. 

Public education is essential for New Mexicans to move forward and any efforts to diminish the public educational system should be fought tooth and nail.

High Grade Violence in Spanish Colonial and Mexican New Mexico

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It was high grade violence, no two ways about it. The non Pueblo Indians were used to this violence and our ancestors adapted to it with ease. It was not bad in the pre revolt period because our ancestors were the only ones with the horse. Yes, the horse, not a gun, the horse. Once los Indios barbaros got the horse my ancestors had to adapt to the raiding that was the norm for the tribes surrounding/sharing New Mexico. The Navajos, Apaches, Kiowa, Ute and later the Comanche.

On horseback they were a formidable enemy. And the Spanish provided the means for their sucesses at raiding, the horse! The Indios barbaros mentioned had grown accustomed to rading as a means of making a living. In New Mexico they would not give it up until faced with extinction at the hands of the Americans. Prior to the coming of the Americans the Indians would kill the men, older women and young boys during these raids. They would keep younger women and kids as servants in their camps. Killing them if they would become uncooperative.

But my ancestors were no slouches at retalating, with raiding back. They did not need horses, but bodies would do, the captured men to the mines of Mexico and the young and women as servants in New Mexican households. Nothing was wasted by New Mexicans. Men were a commodity just like the rest. The Indians might not want Hispano men, but New Mexicans knew how to get rid of Indian men, the mines at Santa Rita in the interior needed labor.

This was the pattern in New Mexico until the Americans arrived. Eventually they put a stop to it. But left to their own devices the Indians would still be at it. Driving them to extinction or near extinction was the solution that the Americans had used in the East. It was a tried and true method.

En la Tierra de los Siegos...... el Tuerto es Rey.

In the land of the blind, the one eyed man is king. And in New Mexico in 1846 on the eve of the American invasion, New Mexicans were the blind and the Americans were the one eyed men.

They had had spies in the country since 1810 or so, all over the place. The Santa Fe Trail was carrying more than money back to the "states". It was carrying information on the situation in New Mexico. They knew that guns and ammunition were scarce if not non existent amongst the common folks. They also knew the population numbers, the numbers of men capable of fighting should the Americans encounter resistance.

They were also aware that there were no reinforcements for New Mexicans should they decide to resist. Mexico had been having problems since their independence from Spain and New Mexico was too far away to be on the Mexican radar screen. They had problems closer to home.

Governor Manuel Armijo knew this too. He knew a lot more than the group of American spies that had infiltrated new Mexico. He decided to avoid a blood bath for the poorly armed New Mexicans who could expect no help from the Mexican nation. If New Mexicans went at it alone, they would lose. Governor Armijo knew this. So he did not fight and allowed the Americans to enter the province without a shot of resistance. He probably saved many thousands of New Mexican lives.

It was probably inevitable. And who knows what New Mexico would be like today if Mexico had retained not only New Mexico, but Arizona, California and parts of Colorado, Nevada, Utah and Idaho. AND DO NOT LET ANYONE TELL YOU THEY KNOW, THEY DON'T.

Territorio de Nuevo Mejico vs Samuel Dean, Ref. Justice of the Peace Roman Benavidez

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The following are notes my grandfather, Roman Benavidez kept when he was a justice of the peace in the late territorial and early statehood period for precinct No. 12, which was in San Miguel County, Rowe, New Mexico. His papers are in the possession of my sister in Albuquerque. She copied the documents from the original and I am using what she transcribed. The translation from Spanish to English is mine.

SPANISH - with associated mispellings.

Territorio de Nuevo Mejico

vs

Samuel Dean

Este dia 13 de Septiembre, AD 1909

Comparecio el Senor Mauricio Archuleta por medio de una reclaracion jurada acusando en ella a Samuel Dean por atropeo a su propiedad y familia. Una orden de aresto fue puesta en manos de Cristoval Padia que dipute. Asi mismo, para el testigo. Y el diputado retornando y precentando el acusado anvas partes convienieron y entraon en un areglo dando una fianza a Samuel Dean de las suma de cien pesos y por el periodo de cies mezes en favor de Maraucio Archuleta y su familia y propiedad la cual fur aprovada por mi este dia 13 de Septiembre A.D. 1909.

Roman Benavidez
Juez de Paz
Prto. No. 12

ENGLISH VERSION.

Territory of New Mexico

vs

Samuel Dean

On this date, 13 September, A.D. 1909

There appeared before me Mr. Mauricio Archuleta with a sworn declaration accusing in it Samuel Dean of abusing his (Mr. Mauricio Archuleta's) property and his family. An order (warrant) of arrest was placed in the hands of Cristoval Padia that I deputized. The same warrant was for the witness. The deputy returned and presented (to the Justice of the Peace, Roman Benavidez) the accused. Both parties agreed and entered into an arrangement which placed a "bond" on Samuel Dean a sum of one hundred dollars ($100.00) and for a period of six months in favor of Mauricio Archuleta and his family and property and which was approved by me this date 13 September A.D. 1909

Roman Benavidez
Justice of the Peace
Prct. No. 12

Some Wanted the Americans to Come

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The image is a painting of Zebulon Pike crossing into the area around the San Luis Valley in then New Spain, later the Department of New Mexico and later yet the present state of Colorado. Pike led an expedition into the area in 1806 and 1807. He was supposed to be exploring, the government in New Mexico thought he was a spy for an later invasion. New Mexico was then a part of New Spain, later it would become part of the republic of Mexico and later yet a part of the United States.

He was captured in the area and taken to Santa Fe and later on into Mexico for trespassing into the area. The group was taken to and arrived in Santa Fe on Tuesday March 3rd of 1807. From there the group was transferred into the interior where he became friends with one of his captors, don Bartolome Fernandez. While escorting the Pike group the guard had too much to drink and don Fernandes and Pike visited like old friends. To quote Pike:

After the old man had taken his quantum sifficit and gone to sleep, my friend (don Bartolome Fernandez) and myself sat up for some hours, he explaining to me their situation, the great desire they (New Mexicans) felt for a change of affairs and an open trade with the United States. I pointed out to him with chalk on the floor, the geographical connection and route from North Mexico and Louisiana and finally gave him a certificate addressed to the citizens of the United States stating his friendly disposition and his being a man of influence. This paper he seemed to estimate as a very valuable acquisition as he was decidedly of opinion we (the United States) would invade that country (New Mexico) the ensuing spring; and not all of my assurances to the contrary could eradicate that idea.


So it seems like some knew the United States were preparing to come and invade New Mexico and some like don Bartolome Fernandez wanted the United States to come. In fact they were encouraging it.

The information quoted here is from a book titled "The Great Plains" by Walter Prescott Webb published by Grosset and Dunlop in New York in 1931.