Maria del Refugio's ancestors came to New Mexico into what was then known as New Spain with the very first colonists who arrived here with don Juan de Onate. They arrived in New Mexico on the 30th of April of 1598. They crossed the Rio del Norte (Rio Grande) at EL Paso. Two, out of several, interesting ancestors that arrived on that day were her 10th great grandparents Juan Lopez Olguin Villasana and his wife Catalina Villanueva as were another set of 10th great grandparents, Pedro Robledo and his wife Catalina Lopez. Both couples had their families with them.
Juan Lopez Olguin Villsana and his wife, Catalina Villanuva, arrived in good health at the future colony north of Santa Fe. Catalina is interesting because in a muster roll she identified her father as an "Indian from the valley of Mexico". Catalina was a Mestiza, 1/2 Mexican Indian and 1/2 Spanish. Catalina, her husband Juan and one daughter (Ana) were members of Onates 1597 expidition and some of the "first colonists".
Don Pedro Robledo was to suffer a tragic accident and died because of it. He was thrown from his horse and died on the May 21, 1598 at a place known as Paraje Robledo near present day Radium Springs, New Mexico. The Robledo family burried him there and continued up into Santa Cruz near Santa Fe where the first Spanish colony was established. Don Pedro was the 1st known settler of european decent to die in what today is the United States of America. Other Europeans had died, but they were soldiers or Catholic priests and not settlers, don Pedro was the very first. The Robledo family was a very famous Spanish family in those early days of the colony.
Most Spanish New Mexicans were expelled from New mexico during the 1680 Pueblo Indian Revolt, some came back during the reconquest of the province with don Diego de Vargas and more came at that time for the very first time. Amongst them were Maria del Refugio's (Ruby) Benavidez 5th great grandparents Juan Esteban Benavidez, known as "El Mozo" and his wife Maria de Diezma who came north from Zacatecas. Juan Eateban was a soldier/settler. Juan Esteban Benavidez and his wife, Maria de Diezma arrived in New Mexico during December of 1695. Both Juan Esteban and Maria de Diezma were dead by 1702. Many, many of their descendants still live in New Mexico and Colorado.
1 comment:
Descansa en paz mama.
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