From Martin to Martinez and from Santa Fe to Raton. Hilario Martin(ez)

Hilario Martinez was born on the 14 of January in 1871 in Santa Fe, New Mexico, his parents were Jose Santiago Martín and Maria Ynes de Escuipula Rodriguez. His  baptismal padrinos were Ginovevo Sandoval and Rosalia Martinez. Hilario probably used his mother's maiden name as his middle initial, hence the Hilario R. Martinez in later documents. The shift from using the last name of Martín to Martinez happened a lot in New Mexico in that period of time. Probably 95% of Martinez used to be Martín before the American occupation of New Mexico in 1846. My father was one of the few who stuck with the name and spelled it Martín. Even then, my brother and I were born Martín and my older sister was born Martinez, all to the same parents.

Hilario Martinez 1st married Teresa Sacoman in Las Vegas on June 15, 1902 and was enumerated in the 1910 U.S. Federal Census at Las Vegas Ward 3, San Miguel, New Mexico; Roll: T624_917; Page: 1B; Enumeration District: 0197; FHL microfilm: 1374930. Living with his wife and inlaws. Hilario R. Martinez and his wifeTeresa had been married 8 years and there were no children listed for the couple. It appears that Teresa passed away as she does not show up in any of the later census.

Hilario's age is consistent as we have followed him via the documents we have identified. It varies a few years on the census records but we are still very comfortable we are talking about the very same man. Census records are not very accurate when documenting age. Hilario had a younger brother by the name of Juan who is listed as living with him in 1920 in Raton. His brother was born in Santa Fe on the 5th of May in 1875, so he was a few years younger than Hilario.

Source Citation: Year: 1920; Census Place: Raton Ward 4, Colfax, New Mexico; Roll: T625_1075; Page: 7B; Enumeration District: 38; Image: 193. Hilario is living with his brother Juan, and others, one named Martha, another name Zella Barnum and Zellas brother Albert Barnum. Living on Lopez Street in Raton, New Mexico. Lopez Street in Raton is 1 block east of Martinez Street.

Source Citation: Year: 1930; Census Place: Raton, Colfax, New Mexico; Roll: 1393; Page: 4A; Enumeration District: 0011; Image: 740.0; FHL microfilm: 2341128. Living on Martinez Street in Raton, New Mexico. Hilario (Dario) Martinez is living with his family consisting of his wife, now identified as Felicitas Martinez, and sons Santiago, Adolfo, Luis and a daughter Rosarita. He was employed as a deliveryman working for a "mine".

Hilario's 2nd wife Felicitas was born Felicitad Gonzales on February 21, 1893 in La Tablason, San Miguel County, New Mexico to Nicolas Gonzales and Victoriana Aragon. Her baptismal padrinos were Leandro Aragon y Chavez and Gregoria Cordova.

When Hilario R. Martinez and Felicitas Gonzales Martinez died has not been determined to date.

NOTE: Source material can be elaborated on if someone needs to know.

Who Killed My Great Uncle And His Friend?

On 26 Sep 1894, Hilario Martinez and Juan Dimas were both assassinated (killed) at the Ojito de Las Conchas in Eastern New Mexico. Both were living in Manuelitas, New Mexico at the time of their deaths. They were both buried in Chaperito, New Mexico. I do not know why they were buried there, perhaps they had family there.

We also do not know how they were killed nor who killed them. 

Hilario Martinez was the son of Teodoro Martin(ez) and Maria Virginia Apodaca. He was born on the 18th of January in 1850, making him 44 years old when he was killed. It is not known if he was married or not, but he probably was.