Fernández de Pedrera

Teresa Fernández de la Pedrera (ONMF: 175, 283 & 291) made her last will and testament in Santa Fe on 11 May 1785, while ill and bed-ridden. She began her will by professing her faith in the Catholic Church and entrusting her soul to God. She declared she had been married twice. Her first husband was Felipe de Sandoval by whom she had four children: Antonio José Sandoval, deceased; María Ygnacia Sandoval, deceased; Pablo de Jesús Sandoval, deceased; and Felipe Sandoval, living. Through her marriage with Felipe Sandoval, she had acquired the house that she owned in Santa Fe. She declared that her son Felipe Sandoval was her only heir of this marriage.

Teresa further stated she was married with don Felipe Tafoya by whom she had these six children: José Miguel Tafoya; María Felipa Tafoya, deceased; María Manuela Tafoya, deceased; María Josefa Tafoya; María Francisca Tafoya, and Antonio José Tafoya, deceased.

Her second husband preceded her in death and had given to their son Antonio José the mill that Felipe Tafoya had operated in his lifetime. Teresa claimed one tract of land in Santa Fe as her property. She gave her clothes to her daughter María Francisca, and the house she owned to her daughter María Josefa. She also left one cow to Juan Domingo, el negro, and one cow to Felipe, el indio, presumably servants of hers.

In concluding her will, she asked that Masses be said for her soul and that of her son, Antonio José. She named as executors of her estate: Felipe Sandoval, don Juaquín Layn [Joaquín Laín], and Diego Montoya. The will was witnessed and signed by Antonio José Ortiz, José Miguel Ortiz and Pedro Nolasco Ortiz

Researcher: José Antonio Esquibel

Source: New Mexico Records Center and Archives, Hinojos Family Papers, Box 1, Folder 1, Will of Teresa Fernández de la Pedrera, 11 May 1785.