Diego de Vargas will
Reverse Color copy of the Will of Diego de Vargas, written in Spanish
Collection area: Arizona and Southwest
Collection dates: 1704
Photostat of the holographic last will and testament of Diego de Vargas, composed at his death-bed in Bernalillo, New Mexico, and dated April 7, 1704. It updates a will made the previous year in Mexico City. In this detailed document, he arranges to repay the treasury in Mexico City for salary advances; acknowledges his illegitimate children, leaving them money and fine clothing; instructs his executor to sell silver tableware and jewelry to settle debts; discusses the fate of his slaves, makes other bequests, and plans his funeral. The will was authorized by Alfonso Rael de Aguilar, the Secretary of Government and War. Witnesses were Juan de Ulibarri, Antonio Macario Maldonado Zapata, Felix Martinez, Fernando Duran y Chaves, Thomas Olguin, and Bernardo de Chaves.
Governor and Captain General of New Mexico from 1692-1696 and 1703-1704.
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