Lopez

José López (ONMF: 208) is the same José López who was the son of José López and María Espinosa (OMNF: 208, paragraph 7). José López came to New Mexico with the group of settlers recruited by Capitán Juan Páez Hurtado. He enlisted with his wife María de Osuna, but she died on 9 February 1695. A widower, José López then married Sebastiana Rodríguez, a native of Zacatecas and the widow of Matías de Contreras. Sebastiana also came to New Mexico with the Páez Hurtado group. She was identified as a mestiza and a daughter of Pascual Rodríguez and Juana de la Cruz, natives of Zacatecas (AASF, DM 4-28-1696 #9). John B. Colligan identifies Sebastiana Rodríguez as a "free mulatta" on page 29 of his book, The Juan Páez Hurtado Expedition of 1695. However she is identified as "mestiza" in her prenuptial investigation record. Perhaps the original muster roll identifies her as a "free mulatta," but Colligan does not reference this identification of Sebastiana. The witnesses listed in the diligencia matrimonial for José López and Sebastiana Rodríguez were also members of the Páez Hurtado group: Bartolomé Lovato, José Antonio Romero, and Juan Guido.

Researcher: Yolanda Romero Chávez

Sources: AASF, DM, April 28, 1696, no. 9.