Don Ignacio de Roybal y Torrado (ONMF: 273-75) dictated his last will in testament in Santa Fe on 14 February 1757. Five months later, being over eighty years of age, don Ignacio died, and he was buried on 14 July 1757 (not 1756 as noted in Origins of New Mexico Families (275). The original copy of his last will and testament has remained in one branch of his family for the past forty-two and a half years. The original copy has been in the possession of the Gallegos family of Pojoaque, descendants of don Ignacio.
A reading of the will makes it apparent that don Ignacio dictated his statements. It is evident that don Ignacio was a well-educated person. This can be seen in the use of particular words and phrases that are not commonly found in other New Mexico wills or any other civil or ecclesiastical records of the era. In fact, a few words can not even be found in modern dictionaries of the Spanish language, words such as alajas (referring to household possessions), and a medias (a reference to the practice in which livestock are given to a "partner" to care for in return for a certain number of the increase in stock). Phrases such as "es mi voluntad adjudicasselo, como se lo adjudico a mi Nieta Maria Martin excluyendola con dha adjudicacion," and "se lo tengo adjudicado a mi hijo el Pe Dn Santiago," are possible indications of his familiarity with legal language and processes.
In February 1757, don Ignacio was ill in bed in Santa Fe when he had this last will and testament drawn and authorized. He was blind and did not have the strength to sign his will. Instead, he requested that fray Tomás Murciano de la Cruz, the Vice Custodian of New Mexico, sign for him in the presence of these witnesses: Francisco Guerrero, Alcalde Mayor; Felipe Tafoya; Pedro Tafoya; Lucas Moya; and Juan Antonio Alarí.
Don Ignacio began his will by identifying himself as a resident of Santa Fe in the kingdom of New Mexico, a native of the kingdoms of Castilla, and a son of don Pedro Roybal and doña Elena de Santa Cruz. He continued by proclaiming his belief in the Roman Catholic faith and petitioning the saints of his devotion for their intercession on behalf of his soul. He requested to be buried in the habit of San Francisco, indicating he was a member of the Third Order of St. Francis, and asked to be buried in the parish church of Santa Fe "next to the altar of the souls." In addition, he asked for Masses to be said for the good of his soul.
From the will, it is clear don Ignacio was proud of his son, Vicar don Santiago de Roybal, whom he held in high esteem and referred to consistently as "my son the priest, don Santiago." He gave don Santiago "a small Holy Christ of bronze" that he kept at the head of his bed, two arms of the Holy Office of the Inquisition and one two-handled silver cup and six silver plates (most likely his own personal drinking and eating utensils). He named don Santiago as his chief executor of his estate in conjunction with his wife, doña Francisca Gómez Robledo.
Don Ignacio continued his will by affirming his legitimate marriage with doña Francisca Gómez Robledo and named his children in this order (very likely in the order of their birth): Manuela, María, Pedro, Santiago, Juana, Elena, Ygnacio, Bernardo, and Mateo Roybal.
Don Ignacio owned land and houses in the areas of Santa Fe, Pojoaque, Jacona, and Santa Cruz. He mentioned having property below the Villa de Santa Fe next to the Torreón. In his will, he gave this tract of land as a donation to two servants, Juan Miñón and Telmo, and to his sister-in-law, Lucía Gómez. His other grant of lands in Santa Fe bordered the marsh, most likely the marsh that was located northeast of the Casas Reales (Palace of the Governors) in the colonial era. The land and house in the Jacona area he bequeathed to his son Mateo, whom he also held in high regard because "of the special love he has always had for me." Another tract of land in the Pojoaque area, most likely also connected to his Jacona property, ran along the Cuyamungue River and had a house. He bequeathed this land and house to his son Bernardo. This house consisted of seventeen rooms. One of the rooms had a loom for weaving coarse wool. He is an indication of an active weaving operation in the Roybal household. He raised and maintained sheep from which he most likely obtained the wool for weaving.
In addition to sheep, don Ignacio had 135 head of cattle that he equally divided among his heirs, except for his son Pedro who accepted 300 pesos (an equivalent of about $9,000.00 in modern terms).
Don Ignacio only made mention of a few personal items, such as his riding saddles, his leather jacket, his gun, sword and case, a large French gun, a broad sword, spurs and branding irons. He requested that no list of all his possessions be made. Instead, he asked that his executors simply distribute his possessions, such as his clothing, according to their discretion to his heirs and his servants.
The will is clearly dated "catorce dias del mes de Febrero, de mil seticientos, y cinqta y siete años." Also, his burial records is clearly dated "catorce dias de el mes de Julio de mil setesientos y cincuenta y siete años." Previously, it had been noted in Origins of New Mexico Families that don Ignacio died in 1756.
Researcher: José Antonio Esquibel
Transcription by Charles Martínez y Vigil, August 1999.
Engilsh Translation by José Antonio Esquibel, September 1999;
Source: Original in possession of Anthony Gallegos, Pojoaque, NM; Copy available at the New Mexico Records Center and Archives, Santa Fe, NM.