Francisco Antonio Valdés y Bustos

From Beyond Origins of NM Families

https://sites.google.com/site/beyondoriginsofnmfamilies/nm-families...

Chávez identified Francisco Valdés y Bustos (ONMF: 301-302) as having first married Lugarda Martín and then Tomasa Benavides. A more detailed study of Francisco Valdés y Bustos and Lugarda Martín through baptismal records of Santa Cruz reveals that this Francisco Valdés was not the same person of this name married with Tomasa Benavides.

Francisco Valdés y Bustos, born circa 1708, was a natural son of José de Valdés (ONMF: 301) and Josefa de Ontiveros (also known as Pas Bustillos and Bustos). He was married at Santa Cruz on 11 October 1723 with Lugarda Martín, born circa 1708 and was buried 17 September 1780, Santa Cruz, daughter of Cristóbal Martín Serrano and María Montoya Paredes. Francisco and Lugarda remained as long-time residents of the Santa Cruz area and had at least seven known children:

• 1. Francisca Valdés, baptized 12 December 1726, Nambé.
• 2. Juan Domingo (I) Valdés y Bustos, baptized 25 February 1733, Santa Cruz,- died 26 February 1733, Santa Cruz.
• 3. María Valdés y Bustos, baptized 5 September 1734, Santa Cruz.
• 4. Juan Estevan Valdés y Bustos, baptized 15 January 1736, Santa Cruz.
• 5. Matilda Rita Valdés y Bustos, baptized 1 June 1738, Santa Cruz.
• 6. Juan Domingo (II) Valdés y Bustos, baptized 2 February 1744, Santa Cruz.
• 7. María Gertrudis Valdés y Bustos, baptized 20 January 1750, Santa Cruz.

Francisco Valdés y Bustos and Lugarda Martín were still married and living in 1766 when they were padrinos for a child baptized at Santa Cruz on 4 March.

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Tomasa Benavides died at Santa Fe on 29 April 1762. A record pertaining to her death and inventory of estate (SANM I: 104) identifies her as the widow of Francisco Valdés. Tomasa Benavides appears in the 1750 census of Santa Fe as the head of her household and is listed with Alexandro Valdés, Manuela Ramos, María Antonia, Lucía, and two other unnamed children. From this record it appears that Tomasa Benavides was already a widow by 1750. As such, her husband was definitely not the same person as Francisco Valdés married with Lugarda Martín. This man's identity and origins have not been ascertained at this time. Was he a member of the Valdés family that came from Mexico City to New Mexico in 1694?