Brito
The following data were found in the Archivo Histórico de Zacatecas (hereafter referred to as AHEZ) and present valuable genealogical data about families from Zacatecas that settled in New Mexico in the late seventeenth century.
Juan de León Brito (ONMF: 149) was identified as a son of Juan Brito and Antonia Úrsula Durán. This information is from two prenuptial investigation records. The first is dated January 19, 1692, El Paso del Norte for Juan de León, age 20 and a native of the Villa de Santa Fe, and Sebastiana Madrid (Archives of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, Roll 59, Diligencias Matrimoniales, January 19, 1692, El Paso del Norte; see also Fray Angélico Chávez, "New Mexico Roots, Inc.," 238-239). She was deceased within two years.
The second prenuptial investigation record is dated January 2, 1694, Villa de Santa Fe, for Juan de León Brito, native of New Mexico, in which his parents, Juan Brito and Antonia Ursula Durán were identified as natives of New Mexico (AASF, Roll 59, DM January 19, 1692, El Paso del Norte; see also Fray Angélico Chávez, "New Mexico Roots, Inc.," 239. He married María Granillo in the Villa de Santa Fe on January 2, 1694
Information extracted from the municipal archives offers information about Juan de León’s parents and his sister that goes beyond what was published in Origins of New Mexico Families. The information indicates that the elder Juan de León and his wife, Ursula Durán, were residents of Zacatecas.
There is an inventory dated May 3, 1679, Zacatecas, concerning José de León whose wife, Úrsula Durán, was deceased at this time. León was a vecino of Zacatecas and a retail merchant who desired to leave the amount of 1,200 pesos to his grandchildren, the amount of the dowry he received when he married Úrsula Durán. He also intended to marry a second time.
Inventario
3 Mayo 1679, Zacatecas
José de Leon, vecino y mercader de menudencias otorga que habiendo otorgado la cantidad de 1,200 pesos en reales a sus nietos y a Ursula Duran su mujer difunta por los que el dicho recibio de su esposa como dote, y quieriendo contraer matrimonio por segunda ves hace relacion de sus bieness en 200 pesos en diversos generos de menudencias, una mulata esclava llamada Elena, 30 pesos en una cruz de oro, 12 pesos en un plato de plata, 1,000 en dos casas bajas que tiene en la plaza de Cruz Moya y otra en la plazuela del maestro del campo.
SOURCE: AHEZ, Fondo: Notarías, Notario: Felipe de Espinosa, Caja: 3, Libro: 9, Año: 1679, no. 87
On 31 May 31, 1679, José de León declared he was married with Úrsula Durán, the legitimate daughter of Juan Juárez, deceased, and Polonia Durán. León mentioned the 1,200 pesos he received as the dowry and which he wanted to give to his four children by Úrsula Durán.
Carta de dote
31 May 1679, Zacatecas
[Incomplete]... José de Leon, vecino y mercader de menudencias, declara que fue casado con Ursula Duran, hija legitima de Juan Juarez, difunto, y Polonia Duran, y al tiempo que contrajo matrimonio se le otorgo dote de 1,200 pesos, tratando de casarse nuevamente, su suegra Polonia Duran le ha pedido que otorgue recaudo de la herencia que su hija le dejo a los 4 hijos procreados durante el matrimonio.
SOURCE: AHEZ, Fondo: Notarías, Notario: Felipe de Espinosa, Caja: 3, Libro: 9, Año: 1679, no. 89
In 1684, a daughter of José de León and Úrsula Durán had her last will and testament drawn up.
Testamento de Sebastiana de Leon vecina de esta ciudad de Zacatecas hija lexitima de Joseph de Leon y de Ursula Duran difunta mis padres vecinos de esta ciudad como soi.
SOURCE: AHEZ, Fondo: Notarías, Notario: Laguna, José de la - libro 8 – 1684, pg. 433v
Researchers: Dr. Stanley M. Hordes, Richard Salazar, and Robert D. Martínez