Fernando Durán y Chávez

On August 17, 1644, Don Fernando declared that he had been born in New Mexico and was thirty-five years old, while his younger brother Pedro was thirty-three. This would place their births around 1609 and 1611. In 1660, he gave his age as forty-three.

By April 1, 1669, Don Fernando was referred to as dead in a letter by Fray Juan Bernal. In 1668, the year before, Don Fernando had led an expedition against the Indians of the plains, so he might have died during that campaign.

Fernando married Maria Carvajal, daughter of Juan De Vitoria Carvajal and Isabel Olguin.

He testified against Governor Rosas in favor of the friars and attend the execution of the eight conspirators to get in good graces with the new Governor, Pacheco. But then, the Governor condemned him along with thirteen others to be executed for sedition for his support of the friars. He escaped with his brother-in-law Agustín Carvajal and the others. He later returned to New Mexico and died about 1668.

Don Fernando Duran y Chávez, I

Conquistador of New Mexico.

December 22, 1692 - January 2, 1693. He and his family are listed on Don Diego de Vargas census of El Paso district.

He signed his last will and testament on February 11, 1707.

Sources

Conquistadors and Pueblos, by Olga Hall-Quest.

Origins of New Mexico Familes, by Fray Angelico Chavez, Revised Edition. Page 160.

To The Royal Crown Restored, The Journals of Don Diego de Vargas, New Mexico, 1692-1694. John L. Kessell, Rick Hendricks, a Meredith Dodge, Editors.

With the Makers of San Antonio, by Frederick C. Chabot.