A fragment of the will of Matías López del Castillo (ONMF: 55) was uncovered by Robert D. Martínez in the collection of the Archivo Histórico del Parral. The fragment contains information about the place of birth of López del Castillo and the names of his parents. Chávez identified López del Castillo as having been born circa 1591. In his will, dated 1632, Matías declared he was a native of Cabra, in the province of Córdoba and located about 35 miles southeast of the City of Córdoba. Cabra lies between the Sierra de la Cabra and the Sierra de Montilla in the region of Andalucía.
Matías López del Castillo named his parents as Juan del Castillo and María Días (Díaz) de Cuéllar. Information about the wife and children of Matías were not located in the fragment, but the available information makes clear reference to the fact that he was in New Mexico prior to making his will. If he died soon after making the will, he was about forty-one years of age at the time of his death. Chávez indicated that one of his daughters was apparently Ana López del Castillo, the wife of Juan de Herrera.
Researcher: Robert D. Martínez. Summary: José Antonio Esquibel
Source: Archivo Histórico del Parral, Reel 1632, Frame 180.