Montes Vigil
New Mexico, Zacatecas and Asturias
MONTES VIGIL
Capitán Francisco Montes Vigil (ONMF: 311) died 11 September 1730 and was buried at Santa Cruz de la Cañada. His burial record, recorded in 1731, gives his age at death as eighty (born circa 1650). His wife died fourteen years late on 19 November 1745 and was also buried at Santa Cruz. Her name was recorded as María de Enciso y Giménez, and she was described as being over age fifty.
Researcher: José Antonio Esquibel
Source: Archives of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, Roll 39, Santa Cruz Church, Burials: 1726-1859.
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Marilyn Herrera Britton made a valuable and important contribution to the Montes Vigil family genealogy. She uncovered baptismal records for two children of Francisco Montes Vigil and María Jiménez de Enciso and shared her findings on the Facebook page of the New Mexico Genealogical Society.
María Montes Vigil received the sacrament of Baptism on September 3, 1685, Catedral de Aguascalientes, Nueva Galicia, daughter of “Francisco Montes” and “María Ximénez.” María’s godmother was María de Santillán (LDS microfilm #9942, México, Aguascalientes, Sagrario Metropolitano, Bautismos 1684-1701, f.32v-33r).
Juan Montes Vigil, son of “Francisco Montes, mulato” and “María Ximénez, española” was baptized on March 20, 1689, as recorded in the book of baptisms of the church of Inmaculada Concepción in Cienega de Mata in the jurisdiction of Ojuelos, Nueva Galicia. His godparents were Mateo Gerónimo and María Rodríguez (LDS microfilm #640149, México, Cienega de Mata, Inmaculada Concepción Church, Bautismos 1670-1723, f.176v).
It is curious that Francisco Montes Vigil and his son are given a caste designation of mulato, indicating that they were consider to be part African. We know that the name of Francisco’s mother is not known and that he was acknowledged as the son of a man named Juan Montes Vigil, who owned several black slaves and servants. Could Francisco have been an offspring by a black woman in the household of Juan Monte Vigil? Curiously, there does not appear to be any later records from New Mexico that indicate Francisco Montes Vigil was mulato, instead is was described as mestizo, as being part Indian. More research is needed to help answer these questions.
This newly uncovered baptismal record of Juan is for an elder son of Francisco Montes Vigil and María Jiménez de Anciso and not the same person as a younger son of this couple named Juan Montes Vigil, born circa 1709, who first married Ines López in 1733 and then Antonia Nicolasa Luján (Chávez, Origins of New Mexico Families, 312; and Chávez, “New Mexico Roots, Ltd.,” 2097, DM 1733, no. 1, Santa Fe.)
Both of the baptismal records uncovered and extracted by Marilyn Herrera Britton are revealing. The first record places the Montes Vigil-Jiménez de Enciso (Anciso) couple in the town of Aguascalientes in 1685. Three years later, in 1688, María Jimenez, wife of Francisco Montes Vigil, then residents of Zacatecas, sold an iron brand to Nicolás Miguel, resident of the jurisdiction of Aguascalientes (see the transcription of this record below dated September 17, 1688.
Researcher: Marilyn Herrera Britton
Montes Vigil Wills and Record of Passage
In 1997, John B. Colligan presented information gathered from his research efforts in collaboration with those of Dr. Rick Hendricks of the University of New Mexico's Vargas Project concerning genealogical information about the ancestry of Francisco Montes Vigil.
While conducting archival research in Zacatecas, Mexico, Colligan located two wills of Juan Montes Vigil, a native of Mexico City and a resident of Zacatecas. The wills are dated 2 October 1682 and 25 April 1683. In his second will, Juan Montes Vigil identified Francisco Montes Vigil, husband of María Jiménez, as his natural (illegitimate) son. According to the wills, Juan Montes Vigil was a son of Juan Montes Vigil and Catalina de Herrera Cantillana, both deceased and natives of the kingdom of Castilla. See the section below for additional details and transcriptiions of tehtwo will can be read at the following links:
In addition, it was discovered that Juan Montes Vigil, the husband of Catalina Herrera Cantillana, was a native of the Parish of San Martino de Siera, Spain, who had sought passage to the New World as an aide to don Jacinto Olmos. Colligan extracted the record of passage while doing research in Sevilla. A summary of the record of passage was first published in Herencia (Quarterly Journal of the Hispanic Genealogical Research Center of New Mexico, April 1997: 1-2). The Spanish transcription of this record of passage with the most pertinent information concerning the lineage of the Montes Vigil family of the San Martino de Siero area can be read at this link:
Juan Montes Vigil Record of Passage, 1611
The first page (folio 1) of the record of passage carries the date of 22 June 1611 and refers to Juan Montes Vigil as a native of the Parish of San Martino de Siero who was seeking to go to Nueva España via Peru as an aide of don Jacinto de Olmos, and a certified statement was made and signed by Olmos on 3 June 1611.
The critical document begins on folio 4. This valuable document was prepared on behalf of Juan Montes Vigil by his uncle, Bartolomé de Vigil, Regidor (Councilman) of the "Villa del Consejo de Siero." Juan presented the document to the officials of the Casa de la Contratación de las Indias in Sevilla. Bartolomé de Vigil identified his nephew, Juan Montes Vigil, as a native of the Parish of San Martino de Siero and declared that this nephew was single and was not committed to anyone in the form of marriage nor religious order. He continued to provide information about the nobility of the Vigil family, declaring they were hidalgos (hijos dalgo) and verifying that Juan Montes Vigil was a descendant of the ancient "casa y solar" (house and manor) of Vigil, one of the oldest and most prominent families of the San Martino de Siero area.
Furthermore, Bartolome de Vigil named the parents of Juan Montes Vigil as Juan Montes Vigil and María de Vigil. Next he named the paternal grandparents as Lucas Montes de Vigil and Isabel de Vigil. The maternal grandparents he named as Francisco de Vigil de San Martino and Catalina de Argüelles.
The last document that is transcribed (folio 5v-6v) is the statement of Martín García, age sixty more or less, a native of the Consejo de Siero and a resident of Vega de Poxo in the Parish of San Martino de Siero. García was an intimate friend of the Montes Vigil family and provided testimony in regard to their nobility. In addition, he identified the same parents and grandparents as mentioned by Bartolomé de Vigil.
Two additional witnesses provided the same testimony. These witnesses were: Juan de Careses, el Martil, resident of Carese, age sixty; Juan González, resident of Tabladillo of the Consejo de Siero, age sixty-four; and Juan Fernández del Camino, resident of the Villa de Siero, age seventy more or less.
Researcher: John B. Colligan
Source: Archivo General de Indias (AGI), Sevilla, Contratación, leg. 5323.N.29, Imagen 1-5 1611.
Montes Vigil in Zacatecas
Below are some data recovered from research conducted in Zacatecas, Mexico for the Sephardic Legacy Project of New Mexico regareding the Montes Vigil family. These bits and pieces of extractions, while not providing any new genealogical information about the Montes Vigil family, nevertheless are very interesting for the family social history they contain. They were extracted from the Archivo Histórico de Zacatecas (hereafter referred to as AHEZ) and the Archivo Parroquial de Zacatecas, Iglesia de Santo Domingo.
This first document concerns Juan Montes Vigil and his testimony concerning what he saw or knew about a robbery that occurred at the archive and office of Felipe de Espinosa.
28 Agosto 1661; 31 Agosto 1661, seis fojas
Averiguacion contra Juan Montes Vegil sobre el robo al oficio de Felipe de Espinosa escribano publico y de cabildo de esta ciudad. declaracion de Juan Montes vexill En la ciudad de Nuestra Señora de los Çacatecas a veinte y ocho dias del mes de Agosto de mill y seiscientos y sesenta y un años el señor alcalde para averiguacion desta (^ciudad) Causa hico Pareser Ante si a Juan Montes de vegil vecino de esta ciudad A quien su merced tiene mandado de tener en la ley es publica desta ciudad del qual tomo y Recibio Juramento ell qual hijo de dios y a una cruz que hico con su mano derecha so cargo del cual Prometio decir verdad Y preguntado Lo que save Y vio Aserca del robo que han hecho en el archivo de phelipe de espinosa escrivano de su magestad Y de la Real hacienda y Caxa de su magestad desta ciudad
SOURCE: AHEZ, Serie VIII: Cargos y Oficios, 1574-1930, Gremios, siglo XVII, AHEZ; Poder Judicial, criminal
In 1664, a Juan de Montes is compelled by the law to give a slave to the Royal Treasurer of the Holy Office of the Inquisition of New Spain for seventy-nine pesos, and also owes a house under an arrangement he entered into with Cristóbal Zaldivar.
Obligacion, 21 enero 1664, Zacatecas
Juan de Montes, se obliga a dar una esclava al Real Fisco de la Inquisicion de la Nueva España por 79 pesos en reales; debe una casa baja en arrendamiento de las de Cristobal Zaldivar.
SOURCE: AHEZ, Notarías, Notario: Felipe de Espinosa, Caja: 2 , Libro: 4, 1664, no. 14
Juan Montes had a daughter buried at Zacatecas in 1667. The fact that no mother was named is consistent with Juan’s testimony that he was single, and also that he was responsible in one way or another, for the children he fathered.
26 diciembre 1667
Murio: una niña de Juan Montes
Expense: 5 pesos
SOURCE: Archivo Parrochial de Zacatecas, Iglesia de Santo Domingo, Area: Sacramental, Seccion: Defunciones, Serie: Partidos y certificaciones, Caja No. 121, Lib. o Carp. 1/12, Exped. 1, Fojas: 61, Fechas: Sept. 7, 1664 ‑ April 4, 1674, pg. 190v
In the following document, we find Juan Montes Vigil purchasing a mulatta slave named Tomasa de la Cruz from Diego de Vallesteros, a resident of Guadalajara.
Venta fecha, Diego de Vallesteros, vecino de la ciudad de Guadalaxara y residente en Zacatecas, bendo a Juan Montes Vigil, vecino de esta ciudad, una mulata mi esclava llamada Thomasa de la Cruz.
SOURCE: AHEZ Notarías, Notario: Laguna, José de la - libro 6 – 1682 Vol I, Pg. 8
The two wills of Juan Montes Vigil are already well known, but are included here for continuity of what was located at the Archivo Histórico de Zacatecas.
2 octubre 1682, Zacatecas
Testamento de Juan Montes Vigil, natural de la ciudad de Mexico y vezino de esta ciudad de nuestra Senora de los Zacatecas hijo lexitimo de Juan Montes Vigil y de Cattalina de Herrera Cantillana su legitima muger ya difuntos naturales de los Reynos de Castilla y vecinos que fueron de esta dicha ciudad.
Y dexo y nombro por mis herederos universsales de todos mis bienes acciones y derechos que en qualquier manera me portengcan o puedan pertenezer a Francisco Montes Vigil que declaro por mi hijo natural que es de hedad de dies y seis años poco mas o menos y a la dicha Maria de Herrera Cantillana mi hermana.
SOURCE: AHEZ, Notarías, Notario: Laguna, José de la - libro 6 – 1682 Vol II, Pg. 178
Therefore, from this document we learn that Francisco Montes Vigil, settler of New Mexico and son of Juan Montes Vigil, was born out of wedlock to an unnamed woman, and was born in the year 1666, more or less. We also learn the name of Juan Montes Vigil’s sister, María de Herrera Cantillana. Below is this woman’s will from the year 1656. It provides valuable information concerning the surnames of the Montes Vigil family.
Testamento
27 junio 1656, Zacatecas
Maria de Herrera Castilla, vecina de esta ciudad, hija legitima de Juan Montes Quiñones y Arguello y de Catalina Herrera, difuntos vecinos fueron de esta ciudad y ella originaria. Pide ser sepultada en la iglesia parroquial de esta ciudad en la parte y lugar que le pareciere a su albacea y que la acompanen en su entierro la grey, cura y sacristan de la parroquia y llendola a celebrar al dia siguiente se le diga una misa de cuerpo presente cantada ofrendada de pan y vino y sera y se pague la limosna de sus bienes o las mandas forzosas ya acostumbradas. Mando 2 reales de plata y 4 reales a la casa de Jerusalen. No deja a ninguna persona dinero ya que no tiene ya bienes propios mas los que su hermano Juan Montes Argüello le ha dado. Nombro como albacea y heredero a su hermano.
SOURCE: AHEZ, Fondo: Notarías, Notario: Felipe de Espinosa, Caja: 3, Libro: 8, Año: 1678, no. 96
It is interesting to note that in this document, Juan Montes Vigil I is called Juan Montes Quiñones y Argüello, and his son, Juan Montes Vigil II, is referred to as Juan Montes Argüello. Therefore, these names reveal the fact the Montes Vigil family has Quiñones (his maternal grandmother’s surname) and Argüello ancestors. Perhaps Juan’s maternal grandmother’s surname was Argüello.
Next, Juan Montes Vigil is selling a twenty-nine year old mulatta slave named Nicolasa to Tomas Hernandez, resident of Zacatecas.
Venta fecho, Juan Montes Vigil, vecino de Zacatecas, otorgo y vendo a Thomas Hernandez vecino de Zacatecas una mulatta mi esclava llamada Nicolasa de hedad de veinte y nueve años, mas o menos.
SOURCE: AHEZ, Notarías, Notario: Laguna, José de la - libro 6 – 1682 Vol II, Pg. 181v
Juan filed another will less than a year later, no doubt falling ill in the spring of 1683. It should be noted that Francisco Montes Vigil is named again, but this time as a married man. His wife is named, María Jimenes. Thus, Francisco was probably married in late 1682 or early 1683.
23 abril 1683, Zacatecas
Testamento de Juan Montes Vigil, natural de la ciudad de Mexico vecino y mercader en Zacatecas hijo legitimo de Juan Montes Vigil y de Catalina de Cantillana naturales que fueron de los Reynos de Castilla y vecinos de esta ciudad.
Declaro por mi hijo natural havido con muger soltera como yo lo soy y he sido a Francisco Montes Vigil que hoy sera de hedad de diez y siete años poco mas esta cassado y velado con Maria Ximenes.
SOURCE: AHEZ, Notarías, Notario: Laguna, José de la - libro 7 – 1683, Pg. 172v
In 1688, María Jimenes, wife of Francisco Montes Vigil, sold an iron piece to Nicolás Miguel, resident of the jurisdiction of Aguascalientes.
Benta, 17 septiembre 1688, Zacatecas
Sepan quantos esta carta vieren como yo Maria Ximenes, mujer legitima de Francisco Montes Vigil, vecino de esta ciudad de Nuestra Senora de los Zacatecas y con lisencia y expreso consentimiento que primero y antes todas cosas pido y mando al dicho mi marido que esta presente para hacer otorgar y jurar esta escritura y en lo que en ella ira declarando, y yo el dicho Francisco Montes Vigil doy y concedo la dicha lisencia a la dicha mi mujer ... otorgo que vendo en venta real desde ahora para siempre jamas a Nicolas Miguel vecino de la jurisdiccion de Aguas Calientes ... un hierro que es de la forma del que ba senalada al marjen ...
SOURCE: AHEZ, Fondo: Notarías, Notario: Ignacio Gonzales Vergara, Caja: 4 , Libro: 4, Fechas: 1 January 1688 – 12 December 1688 , no. 6
In 1690, Juan Montes Vigil ran into trouble and was jailed for not paying a debt he owed to the convent of San Francisco in the city of San Luis Potosi. It is interesting to note that the scribe was Francisco Gabriel de la Peña, whose son Baltasar Francisco, was a soldier in Santa Fe, New Mexico in 1694 (ONMF, pg. 256).
Fianza carzelera, 23 diciembre 1690, Zacatecas
...ante mi el escrivano y testigos Francisco Graviel de la Peña notario publico del jusgado eclesiastico de esta ciudad y vezino de ella aquien doy fee conosco y dixo que por quanto esta preso en la real carsel de esta ciudad Juan Montes Bigil vezino de ella por cinquenta y cuatro pesos un tomino y seis granos de oro comun en reales que el suso dicho esta deviendo al convento del Senor San Francisco de la ciudad de San Luis Potosi y en su nombre a su sindico de que por escritura de un acasso que el suso dicho tiene a zenso de dicho conbento y aviendose presentado la dicha escritura ante las justicias de dicha ciudad se despacho carta de justicia para las de esta ciudad y aviendola presentada ante el Senor Correxidor de ella Ygnacio Saenz de Laris, Sindico General se le despacho mandamiento de execusion contra la persona y bienes del dicho Juan Montes y aviendose travado en su persona ayer beinte y dos del corriente y aviendo oy dia de la fecha presentado petizion en la visita general de carsel pidiendo que en orra de las de S. Pascual de la Natividad de Nuestro Jesu Christo fuese suelto della por el termino de la ley Real y se mando asi en ya virtud a ofresido al otorgante por su fiador y poniendolo en efecto y asiendo como hase de deuda y negosio axeno suio propio resibe preso y encarselado como alguacil combento arienseal dicho Juan Montes Bigil por el termino de los treinta dias de la ley Real y pasados que sean o luego que se a requerido el otorgante bolbera ala prision en que lo resibe sin escusa ni omision alguna y ala firmesa y cumplimiento de lo referido obligo su persona y bienes anidos y por haver dado poder cumplido alas justicias y jueses de Su Majestad de qualesquier partes aque sean y en especial al Corregidor desta ciudad y al quelo fuere competente de la causa renuncia su fuero, domisilio y besindad y la ley san simus de liberomo y las demas de su favor, defensa con la general del derecho para que a ello leis apelan y apremien por todo rigor de derecho y mas executiba y como si fuese por sentencia difinatiba de jues competente dada y pasada en cosa jusgada y lo otorgo y firmo siendo testigo Juan de Figueroa, Nicolas Portillo y Juan Bautista de Arce ya presentes vecinos desta ciudad.
Francisco Gabriel de la Peña [rubric]
SOURCE: AHEZ, Fondo: Notarías, Notario: Ignacio Gonzales Vergara, Caja: 5, Libro: 6, Fechas: 2 January 1690 – 29 December 1690, no. 19
What these documents reveal are the real life problems and issues that Juan Montes Vigil II, his sister María de Herrera, Francisco Montes Vigil, María Jimenes dealt with, such as Juan II losing a daughter at a very young age, spending time in prison for not complying with the law, buying and selling his fellow human beings as slaves, and writing out a will when facing death. Whether Francisco ever knew his mother or not we may never know, but he and his wife María went forth into the northern country of New Mexico to start a new life.
Researchers: Dr. Stanley M. Hordes, Richard Salazar, and Robert D. Martínez
Sources: Cited in the above text.
Additional genealogical information concerning the ancestors of Francisco Montes Vigil (ONMF: 311) appears in the July 2005 issue of Herencia, the quarterly journal of the Hispanic Genealogical Research Center of New Mexico. While traveling through Asturias, Spain, Marietta Gonzales Vigil came into contact with local historians who were knowledgeable about the Vigil family of the Consejo de Siero and their ancestral relatives. Asturian historian Juan Díaz Álvarez uncovered a will of don Lope de Argüelles and doña María de Estrada, the third great-grandparents of Francisco Montes Vigil. A copy of this will was sent to Marietta and she in turn sent the copy to José Antonio Esquibel for translation. The will contains the names of three additional generations of the Argüelles and Estrada families.
The thirty-page article in the July 2005 issue of Herencia is titled “Los Argüelles, A.D. 1350 - A.D. 1600: Ancestors of the Montes Vigil Family of New Mexico” and contains a synopsis of the contents of the will as well as a Spanish transcription and an English translation of the will. Additional genealogical information from Asturias, Spain, traces the Argüelles branch of the Vigil family to the middle of the 1300s. Descendants of Francisco Montes Vigil will find this article a must for understanding their Asturian roots and for conducting further research with Spanish records