Jun2013 - Los Bexarenos Genealogical Society
Transcription
Jun2013 - Los Bexarenos Genealogical Society
Los Bexareños Genealogical and Historical Society Those born in Béxar and those who migrated to and made their home in Béxar throughout the ages, whether under the influence of Tribal Law, or the laws of Spain, France, the 1st Republic of Texas, the Republic of México, the 2nd Republic of Texas, the Confederate States of América, or the United States of América are known as Los Bexareños. Their families extend to all the lands of the world. Once a Bexareño always a Bexareño. A Newsletter via e-Mail June 2013 LBGHS Monthly Meeting June 1, 2013 San Antonio Main Public Library 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. SPEAKER: María Teresa Cadena de Everett TOPIC: The Guanche Connection to the Canary Islanders María Teresa Cadena de Everett was born in San Diego, Duvall County, Texas. She worked for the Northside Independent School District as a Bilingual/ESL Teacher. She retired in 2000. It was at this time that she started working on Genealogy. We are proud to say that she is a member of Los Bexareños Genealogical and Historical Society. María has three children and one grandchild. Her presentation will be on the Guanches of the Canary Islands. She is also going to speak about Mayor Capitán Bernabé de las Casas and Captain Francisco Baez de Benavides. ✥ Cont ents I n T his I ssu e 14. 15. 16. LBGHS June Monthly Meeting • Facebook Message From The President Correction Corner • LBGHS Committees • San Fernando Cemetery TCARA • 34th THGH Conference • Mimi Lozano’s Retirement Websites That Tell Our Stories • Gloria Cadena Scholarship Los Bexareños 30th Anniversary Luncheon LBGHS May Meeting Our Stories-Our Perspectives — A Broken Armistice LBGHS Directory — Commemorative Edition LBGHS Directory form Presidio Nuestra Señora de Loreto de la Bahía del Espíritu Santo “Go Ahead Guys” vs The Royal Spanish Army; Battle of Medina, Texas, August 18, 1813 (Part 11) LBGHS Resource Center • Book Sales Committee • Web Indexes Calendar of Events Around The State • Message From the Editor • Submit Your Articles LBGHS eMail Newsletter Los Bexareños CONTRIBUTORS Louis J. Benavides Sandra Benavides Anthony Delgado Santiago Escobedo Milo Kearney José López Sylvia Morales Yolanda Patiño Jesse Rodríguez Viola Sadler Sylvia Sutton Jeremy D. Turner Like Us On Facebook ☞ 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. CONTENT D OUBLE -C LICK HERE TO SEE RECENTLY POSTED PHOTOS S CROLL DOWN TO SEE ALL PHOTOS 1 Volume 2 - Issue 6 LOS BEXAREÑOS LBGHS OFFICERS ! Congratulations to the 2013 elected officers of Los Bexareños Genealogical and Historical Society. Your willingness to serve this organization with your time, effort, work ethics, and countless contributions is truly appreciated. 2013 EXECUTIVE BOARD President:! ! Louis J. Benavides Vice President: ! José López Secretary:! ! María Elena Martínez Treasurer:! ! Lillie Johnson BOARD DIRECTORS OF 2012 - 2013:! ! Anthony Delgado 2012 - 2013:! ! Eduardo Hinojosa 2012 - 2013:! ! Yolanda Patiño 2013 - 2014:! ! Eleanor Foreman 2013 - 2014:! ! Sylvia Morales APPOINTED OFFICERS Historian:! ! ! Parliamentarian: ! Norberto Martínez José Hernández LOS BEXAREÑOS PO BOX 1935 SAN ANTONIO TX 78297-1935 GENEALOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY backyard. This was a wonderful event. I got to mount a longhorn! While there, we had a wonderful visit with Chuck and from the Estella Kierce from Castroville, Texas. It was an additional blessing because Chuck shared his last copy of “Nearing the End of the Trail: The Autobiography of Rev. James Tafolla, Sr. A Texas Pioneer.” This is such a great historical reference of the Tafolla ! IT WAS MOTHER’S DAY. After attend- family, who would spend their summers ing Mass, I wished my mother, my grand- up at the J.P. Rodríguez Settlement and mothers, my wife, and my mother-in-law their winters south of San Antonio, at a heavenly day. We give thanks to our their place near Elmendorf, Texas. Mother’s for loving us, nurturing us, and ! We capped off Saturday night at making sacrifices for us—unconditionally. a dinner party celebrating the birthday of To each and every one of you, who has Victor Casiano, M.D., one of my high undoubtedly enriched someone’s life, school friends. This event reminded me “Thank You.” that the greatest wealth we have is not ! Throughout that week, as I met monetary, but our family, friends, and various people, I would publicize our health. organization, Los Bexareños. I discovered ! I invite those of you with family that South San Antonio ISD police officer, and/or connections to the Río Grande Bernard Barcena, and his wife, Debra, Valley to tell your stories for possible were members of Los Bexareños. We had publication to the More Studies in Río a good discussion; maybe they’ll become Grande Valley History, which is published active Bexareños again. At a Friday night by the Texas Center for Border and gathering at the Marriott Plaza San Transnational Studies of the University of Antonio hotel, Congressman Joaquín Texas at Brownsville. Submit your Castro gave the “State of the District proposed topic to Dr. Milo Kearney as Address,” courtesy of the West San soon as you can. Antonio Chamber of Commerce. Lo and Again, I encourage submitting behold, we met members of Los Bexare- ! ños, Sylvia Morales, David A. Benavides family stories on the Mexican Repatriation (my cousin), and Rudi Rodríguez. I felt that occurred during the Hoover like we were with family—HEY we were! Administration. ! Saturday morning, we drove out Vice President, José López, continues to State Highway 16 to Southeast Bandera provide excellent speakers at our monthly County, Texas and enjoyed a prairie meetings. Judge Perkins had us laughing chicken lunch near the historical Polly’s so much that we really needed a break Chapel. I was so impressed with the J.P. after his presentation. Message President’s Desk Rodríguez Settlement, which comes from an early Spanish land grant. This 4,000 acre settlement just southeast of Bandera, Texas (past Pipes Creek) brought together members of the Kendall County Historical Society and the Comfort Historical Society, many of whom did not know of the Hispanic heritage that makes up their ! I PRAY that you stay healthy, and we will see you Saturday, June 1, 2013. ✥ —Louis J. Benavides LBGHS President louis_benavides06@sbcglobal.net www.losbexarenos.org LBGHS eMail Newsletter 2 Volume 2 - Issue 6 LOS BEXAREÑOS GENEALOGICAL CORRECTION CORNER AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY LBGHS Committees FOR THE APRIL ISSUE VOLUME 2 - ISSUE 4 The April Issue, page 7, indicated that the LBGHS 30th Anniversary Luncheon was initially to be held on August, 18, 2013. Due to prior commitments and unforeseen situations, the luncheon has been moved to Sunday, August 25, 2013. Please make note of this change. Thank you, — LBGHS Executive Board EDITOR: The “Correction Corner” is intended to give you, the reader, a forum to correct any mistakes you may come across. ! We are novice genealogists, and we are not historians. When an article is sent to us, we may or may not know that an error has been made. If we catch an error, we will communicate with the author before we send out the newsletter. If we do not catch an error, we hope our readers will. We encourage you to help us correct any errors that may have been inadvertently printed in the LBGHS eMail Newsletter. Any misinformation in this newsletter can be “Googled” and, therefore, cause more damage than we are capable of controlling. Please help us correct mistakes as soon as possible. University of Texas at Brownsville If anyone is interested in clearing and reserving a topic for an article for the twelfth book in the University of Texas series of books on Río Grande Valley history (either in English or Spanish and regarding either or both sides of the river), scheduled for 2014, please contact Milo Kearney at M ILO .K EARNEY @UTB. EDU . The late date for submission of articles is the end of August, although earlier submissions are encouraged. Completed articles should be submitted to M ILO .K EARNEY @UTB. EDU by e-mail attachment in MicrosoftWord, Times New Roman, justified, singlespaced, in 14-font text and 12-font quotes and endnotes. Most articles run between ten and forty pages. ✥ —Milo Kearney Book Sales! Santiago Escobedo! Budget! Lillie Johnson! Conference! TBA Facebook! Fundraising! santiagodebejar@sbcglobal.net ! lillie07@swbell.net Anthony Delgado ! ! 12thfamily@gmail.com Olga Hickey ! ! olhickey@yahoo.com Hospitality! Sandra Benavides! ! sandra_benavides@sbcglobal.net Library! Dennis Moreno! Membership! Sylvia Morales ! Property! Dennis Moreno! Publications! Larry Kirkpatrick! ! elindio2@hotmail.com Register! Raúl Guerra ! ! warcanamar@aol.com Scholarship! Mary Esther Escobedo! ! Website! Dennis Moreno! dennis.moreno@sbcglobal.net ! lousyl@icloud.com dennis.moreno@sbcglobal.net lawhwy@yahoo.com dennis.moreno@sbcglobal.net VOLUNTEERS L OS B EXAREÑOS NEEDS VOLUNTEERS . Would you be willing to contribute to the Society by volunteering for one of the committees listed above. Maybe you are good at fund raising, or you like to do hospitality work. Are you good on the internet? Maybe you can help with Facebook or work with the website. Each one of you has a special talent or skill. Your ideas and your expertise can greatly advance the cause of this wonderful organization. Help us help others in their quest to find their Hispanic ancestors. San Fernando Cemetery II POLICY FOR RESEARCHING NAMES ______________________________________________________ For Genealogy Reseach: • 1 - 5 Names:! ! • 6 - 20 Names:! • More than 20 Names:! ! ! No Charge $50 $50 plus $5 for every additional name after 20. All searches will be completed in a timely manner. Information can be mailed or picked up from the office once completed. Limit 5 per Family per Visit You MUST have the following information for us to complete research. Is there Life after Fiesta? Of course there is! It’s called FOLKLIFE! Click on this link for more information TEXAS FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL Name Date of Death Address TEL:(210) 432-2303! If you would like to volunteer at the Texana/Genealogy booth, please contact Sylvia Reyna at (210) 207-2500 or email her at S YLVIA .R EYNA @ SANANTONIO . GOV —Sylvia Reyna LBGHS eMail Newsletter 3 FAX:(210) 432-3254! ! ! Catholic Cemeteries San Fernando II 746 Castroville Rd. San Antonio, Texas 78237 Volume 2 - Issue 6 LOS BEXAREÑOS GENEALOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY Announcements LOS BEXAREÑOS PO BOX 1935 SAN ANTONIO TX 78297-1935 "TCARA" PRESENTS THE BATTLES OF 1813 AT BEXAR BY LARRY KIRKPATRICK JUNE 5, 2013 We are planning to have the luncheon at the Villa, on Katella in Orange. The Hon. Frederick Aguirre, Judge of the OC Superior Court will be giving the keynote, and Carlos Olvera, Dana Point City Council Member will honor us as the emcee. More details to follow. Make plans to attend. Thanks, 11:30 a.m. Buffet Buffet assortment of excellent food and desserts Including prime rib and much more. —Viola Sadler THE PETROLEUM CLUB VRSADLER@AOL.COM SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS FOR INFORMATION AND RESERVATIONS ROOMMATE $25.00 Per Person YOUR CHECK IS YOUR RESERVATION Anyone wishing to share a room at the 34th Annual Texas Hispanic Genealogical and Historical Conference, please contact: Corinne Staacke 527 Country Lane San Antonio, TX 78209-1608 (210) 824-6019 Lillie Johnson Must RSVP no later than JUNE 3RD to: (361) 537-9730 lillie07@swbell.net 34th Annual Texas Hispanic Genealogical and Historical Conference October 11 - 12 - 13, 2013 eta D re Mo In tur Fu ils es ssu I e Hilton Gardens Inn 123 Huvar Street Victoria, Texas 77901 For more information, please contact Sophia Postel Treviño de Wilson at: W I L S O N S 1010@ G M A I L . C O M LBGHS eMail Newsletter 4 Volume 2 - Issue 6 LOS BEXAREÑOS GENEALOGICAL Websites That Tell Our Stories AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE ! You are cordially invited to join Los Bexareños Genea- logical and Historical Society for the year 2013. Become part of an ever growing family who loves to do ancestral research. Meet ! There is more to genealogy than just gathering names of ancestors. Yes, it is important to do the basics, like pedigree charts, names, dates, places, family work sheets, etc. But, let us not forget that there are stories that go with these names. There are histories in the places and times they lived. Photographs and stories bring our ancestors to life. Here we intend to transport you to websites that tell our stories. ✥ people who have the same interests and people who may be doing research on your family lineages. PLEASE SEND YOUR MEMBERSHIP DUES Álamo’s Tejano Heroes Gain Recognition The names aren’t familiar like Crockett and Bowie, but history is starting to honor these defenders. By: Vianna R. Davila Published: 10:29 p.m., Sunday, February 27, 2011 ! To become a member, fill out the 2013 Membership Application Form and mail it to the address on the form. Better Bexar Archives Online yet, bring the form with you when you attend our next meeting. Bexar County Historical Commission Béxar Genealogy ✥ 2013 MEMBERSHIP FORM ☞ Children of the Revolución Hispanic Heritage Month Click Here And Join Us Somos Primos Tejano Monument GLORIA CADENA Texas Tejano GENEALOGICAL and HISTORICAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND Tell Us Your Stories You are invited and encouraged to make a donation to the Gloria Cadena Genealogical and Historical Scholarship Fund. Los Bexareños will award scholarships to students who are or will be attending an accredited college/university. They will be chosen based on their ability to produce a four generation pedigree chart which is accompanied with an essay of their ancestors. ! Do you have a special, interesting, historical, or just a funny story about your relatives that you would like to share? Un chiste that you would like to share? Email your ancestral stories, and we will try to print them in this newsletter on a first-comefirst-serve basis. ✥ Los Bexareños is trying to get young people involved in genealogy. LBGHS wants to encourage students to embrace their culture and heritage. The sacrifices their parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, etc. must not be forgotten. The younger generations need to be encouraged to retell the stories about their ancestors handed down throughout the ages. ✥ lousyl@icloud.com ~~ ~~ ~~ Experiences that are shared are added to life’s beautiful memory books LBGHS eMail Newsletter Please make your donation to the LBGHS Scholarship Fund and of send your check to: es LOS BEXARENOS PO BOX 1935 SAN ANTONIO TX 78297-1935 5 tiv la re os . eñ ing e bl ar la Bex tand i a av Los od s o ls go A in to Volume 2 - Issue 6 LOS BEXAREÑOS GENEALOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY Los Bexareños Genealogical and Historical Society 30th Anniversary Luncheon DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel 502 W. César E. Chávez Blvd. San Antonio, Texas (210) 224-7155 Sunday August 25, 2013 Social Hour 12:00 p.m. - 12:45 p.m. Little Italy Lunch Buffet Style Lunch 1:00 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. Program 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Los Bexareños Genealogical and Historical Society will celebrate its 30th Anniversary on Sunday, August 25, 2013, at the DOUBLETREE BY HILTON HOTEL. You are cordially invited to attend the 30th Anniversary of Los Bexareños. Parking is complimentary. The buffet style lunch will be $25.00 per person. There will be volunteers to serve those who need assistance. Please be mindful that seats are limited, and they will be filled on a first-comefirst-serve basis. If you are a charter member, or if you know a charter member of Los Bexareños, please contact the ANNIVERSARY COMMITTEE. If Beef Lasagna Chicken Parmesan Grilled Marinated Veggies w/Balsamic Glaze House Salad Garlic Bread Sticks Coffee, Tea, or Water $25.00 per person you have questions or if you wish to volunteer to assist the Hospitality Committee, please contact Sandra Benavides at (210) 735-8717 or at SANDRA _ BENAVIDES @ SBCGLOBAL . NET . ✥ LBGHS eMail Newsletter 6 Volume 2 - Issue 6 LOS BEXAREÑOS GENEALOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY Los Bexareños at the May Meeting Antonio Menchaca - Correcting the Spelling of the Road Named in His Honor The Los Bexareños Genealogical and Historical Society held its monthly membership meeting on May 4, 2013, at the Main Public Library in San Antonio, Texas. The guest speaker was Judge (Retired) Bob Perkins. He is directing an effort to correct the spelling of Manchaca Road in Austin, Texas, which was named in honor of Tejano patriot, José Antonio Menchaca (aka Antonio Menchaca). After giving a brief history of José Antonio, Judge Perkins explained the mispronunciation of the name 'Manchaca' (now pronounced Man-Shack) stemming from hyper-anglicization; the idea of distorting Spanish phonology and morphology. Judge Perkins posed this question, “If your ancestor is honored, shouldn’t their name be spelled the way your ancestor spelled (and pronounced) his or her name?” Judge Perkins collected signatures for this cause. A lot more work needs to be done, including raising funds for the name change. We will try to keep you informed of the progress of this endeavor. Judge Perkins made a wonderful presentation. He talked about his life, family, and upbringing in south Texas. Throughout his presentation, he kept his audience laughing with great jokes, satirical quips, and witty remarks. It was one of our better ✥ Facebook ☞ D OUBLE -C LICK HERE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS Photos courtesy of Luis and Sylvia Morales. presentations. LBGHS eMail Newsletter 7 Volume 2 - Issue 6 LOS BEXAREÑOS GENEALOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY OUR STORIES - OUR PERSPECTIVES OUR FAMILY STORIES AS ONLY WE CAN ARTICULATE THEM THE BROKEN ARMISTICE workload that was suddenly placed on the medical personnel and facilities, including the hospitals. Many more ambulances, drivers, and stretcher bearers were needed to collect the wounded and the dead bodies. The system was overwhelmed, and it ! World War I was greatly touted as “The War That Will End War”— a phrase associated with H.G. Wells, in his written commentaries of the time. It later spread throughout Europe and the United States. It of course did not succeed, but there was required many days to catch up. Additionally, everyone now wanted to come home, and this further exacerbated the problem. Quite naturally you ask, “Who caused the problem?” An investigation came up with various explanations: another very interesting aspect about this war that will be long remembered. This First World War started in 1914, with the assassination of Austria’s Archduke Ferdinand and his wife Sophie, who were visiting the city of Sarajevo. It ended some 4 years later with a broken Armistice and millions of dead and wounded on both sides. ! The United States did not enter World War I until April 1917. Although the U.S. public wanted to keep out of “Europe’s War,” public sentiment favored the German side. What turned this sentiment around was the sinking of ships with U.S. citizens aboard. The British passenger ship, R.M.S. Lusitania, was sunk by a German U-Boat off the coast of Ireland, with a loss of 1,198, including 128 U.S. citizens. Numerous other ships were sunk • Some said the French started it because the war was fought totally on their territory, and they had a known dislike for the German soldier. • Some said that there was a large number on both sides who wanted it known that they had fired the last shot in the war. • Some thought that if the ammunition were not used up, then they would have to load and haul back the unfired ammo. We may never know! following this incident. ! TO ADD A PERSONAL NOTE: My own father, Private James (Santiago) Rodríguez, Company A, 345th Machine Gun Battalion, 90th Army Division, was awarded the Purple Heart with Clasps for ! What really infuriated the United States was the interception of a German coded telegram to México, in which the German St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne Battles for wounds (chest and shoulder shrapnel) received, in the latter battle, at approximately 10:00 a.m. on 11 Nov 1918 (Armistice Day). He was in the hospital Foreign Minister, Arthur Zimmerman, proposed that México should enter the War on Germany’s side; in return, Germany would see to it that México would regain all the territory that it had lost in the U.S.-Mexican War. Although some would question in France when his unit left for home. His departure and return to San Antonio was therefore delayed. ✥ whether the intercepted message was authentic or a product of British Intelligence, Foreign Minister Zimmerman quelled that debate when he openly admitted to the authenticity of the Photo courtesy of Jesse Rodríguez. —Jesse Rodríguez telegram. ! The war was very costly—in money, in damages, and in lives lost—so both sides agreed to an Armistice, with a Treaty to be negotiated and ratified later. This was strictly a gentleman’s agreement, with no occupations or penalties provided. An agreement was reached to cease all fighting on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. The Armistice was to take effect at 11:00 a.m. on November 11, 1918. The time and date were widely distributed so everyone was well aware of the Armistice that was to take place. Unfortunately, on that morning a tremendous barrage of cannon fire opened up on both sides. There were 10,944 casualties of which 2,738 men died on the last day of the war. Even in wartime, and more so with an Armistice about to take place, neither side was prepared for the tremendous LBGHS eMail Newsletter 8 Volume 2 - Issue 6 LOS BEXAREÑOS GENEALOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY LBGHS Directory - Commemorative Edition COMMEMORATIVE EDITION ! Los Bexareños Genealogical [and Historical] Society was founded during the late summer of 1983, by Gloria Villa Cadena and a small circle of friends. Their first meeting was held in September of that year, and by December, the club had signed up 35 members. ! The LBGHS Membership Directory Commemorative Edition will be published to commemorate the founding of Los Bexareños. A 30th Anniversary Luncheon is being held on August 25, 2013; and hopefully, the directory will be ready for purchase at the luncheon. SHARE YOUR RESEARCH ! The founders encouraged everyone to research their Hispanic roots and to tell theirs stories of family long gone. Mrs. Cadena would host small groups (which grew larger over time) at her home on a regular basis. They would undertake small genealogy projects, which were printed in a biweekly newsletter. Eventually, the informative newsletter became the Quarterly Regis- ter, and now it is an Annual Register. The Society published genealogy books. Over the last 30 years, her vision of Los Bexareños has grown dramatically. Her dream was to share the beautiful culture and values, and the love and sacrifices of our Hispanic ancestors. THE DIRECTORY ! Many members have been asking for a membership directory. ! The directory will be designed to help the members with their genealogy research. The primary objective is to identify fellow LBGHS members who are researching the same family lineages, so they can communicate with each other and share their research. ! Members are encouraged to set up an LBGHS Research Group, where a few members get together and research a particular family (see example below). ! If you have paid your 2013 membership dues, PLEASE email your Directory Form with your photo (largest format possible) to: LOUSYL@ICLOUD.COM EXAMPLE of ENTRIES LUIS AND SYLVIA MORALES 3543 BYRON ST SAN ANTONIO TX 78247-3193 (210) 494-7932 lousyl@icloud.com Cantú (Elmendorf, Texas - 1800s) • Casanova (Canary Islands, Spain and Villa de San Fernando de Béxar - 1700s) • María de los Santos Coy (Elmendorf, Texas 1800s) • Galán (south Texas - 1800s) • García (Parras de la Fuente, Coahuila de Zaragoza, México - 1880s) • Griego (Wilson County, Texas - 1800s) • Emeteria Lugo - b. 3 March 1904 (San Carlos, Tamaulipas, México) • Morales (Elmendorf, Texas 1800s) • Morales (Monterrey, Nuevo León, México - 1870s-1940s) • Herculano Rodríguez and María Sánchez (México 1800s) Members Only Only paid members are going to be included in the membership directory. Only paid members are going to be able to purchase the membership directory. Join Now Pay your 2013 membership dues to be included in the commemorative directory. 2013 MEMBERSHIP FORM DIRECTORY FORM LBGHS Genealogy Research Group CANTÚs FROM ELMENDORF, BEXAR COUNTY, TEXAS If you are a descendant of José Miguel Felipe CANTÚ (1821-1874), or if you are researching Miguel CANTÚ’s ancestors, we need you. We are gathering and analyzing all the information we have. We will share this information with this group. We need source information to verify each entry (birth, marriage, death records - photos - etc). Miguel CANTÚ and his wife had the following children: Lisandro (b. 1842), Ángela (b. 1843), Catarina (b. 1844), Alvino (b. 1846), Miguel Santa (b. 1851), Jesús (b. 1853), Faustino (b. 1855), and Ubaldo (b. 1857). They lived near Elmendorf, Texas. If any of these names sound familiar and you are interested, you are a candidate for this research group. (b. 1849) , For more information, please contact Anthony Delgado at: LBGHS eMail Newsletter 12thfamily@gmail.com 9 Volume 2 - Issue 6 LOS BEXAREÑOS GENEALOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY LBGHS Membership Directory Project Please fill in or provide us with the following information. Please PRINT. Full Name ___________________________________________________________ Mailing Address _______________________________________________________ City and State ________________________________________________________ Home Phone or Cell ___________________________________________________ Email _______________________________________________________________ List of the names, surnames, cities, states, country and the years you are researching. Example: ! ! ! Herculano Rodríguez and María Diega Sánchez (Hacienda de la Paz, Coahuila, México), Griego - 1800s (Wilson County, Texas), Alvina Segura !- b. Abt. 1875 (México) _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ Please sign your name giving us permission to print the above information in the LBGHS Membership Directory - Commemorative Edition. You can scan and email to lousyl@icloud.com or snail mail the completed form to 3543 Byron St, San Antonio, TX 78247-3193. Signature ____________________________________________________________ INSTRUCTIONS You can print this page. When the PRINT dropdown menu appears, choose CURRENT PAGE or choose PAGE 10. Fill in the requested information and mail to the address above. If you cannot print this page, just send the requested information to the email address above. We are accepting information from members, friends, and guests of Los Bexareños. However, only currently paid members will be included in the commemorative directory and only members can purchase this directory. If you have questions, please call Sylvia Morales at (210) 291-7702 or email her at L O U S Y L @ I C L O U D . C O M . LBGHS eMail Newsletter 10 Volume 2 - Issue 6 LOS BEXAREÑOS GENEALOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY Presidio Nuestra Señora de Loreto de la Bahía del Espíritu Santo This is a series of articles by Jeremy D. Turner, assistant to the Director of Presidio La Bahía, which were published in the Goliad Advance Guard newspaper. We want to thank Mr. Turner, Presidio La Bahía, and the Goliad Advance Guard newspaper for allowing us to reprint these articles. There is a widespread misconception that the Texas inde- those who did not take up arms used their influence or money (or both) to aid in the rebellion. The illegal sell and trade of weapons was another double-edged sword through the heart of Spanish colonialism. European and U.S. transplants were very successful at trading with Native American tribes in weapons and supplies stolen from the Spanish military. Bit by bit, Spain was losing control of its hold on Texas. Article pendence movement began in 1836 with the fall of the Álamo. Some presume the movement began in October 1835 at the Battle of Gonzáles, so famous for the “Come and Take It” episode, in which Santa Anna’s troops were quickly dispatched by Texian volunteers. Neither of these are accurate assumptions. The earliest documented attempt to create a sovereign and independent Texas dates back as far as 1791. And, suffice it to say, in what has become a running theme in this series of articles, Presidio La Bahía was at the forefront of it all. 11 In 1791 Philip Nolan was among the earliest U.S. adventurers to Spanish Texas. All told, Nolan led four expeditions. In his first three expeditions, Nolan had the permission of Spanish royal officials. His forays were under the premise of coming to capture wild mustangs to return and sell in Louisiana. However, by 1801, royal authorities became highly skeptical of Nolan’s intentions and forbade him to enter Spanish Texas. Ignoring their decision, Nolan struck-out with his men. In the early morning hours of March 22, 1801, Nolan and his party were surrounded by a force of 150 Spanish Royal soldiers and ultimately defeated. Only minutes into the skirmish Nolan was struck in the head by a fatal musket-ball shot. The final Nolan Expedition never reached Presidio La Bahía, though the garrison, aware of their presence in the area, was placed on alert. By the beginning of the 19th century, Spain had well established itself along the Río Grande and throughout the gulf region. This was in large part due to the establishment of the first Spanish port along the Texas gulf coast. Situated some forty miles south of Presidio La Bahía, the port at El Cópano was ground zero for all persons, goods, and supplies intending to go east through the far reaches of New Spain and beyond. There is evidence to suggest that as early as 1722, people bound for Texas, whether traveling from the United States, Europe, or elsewhere, inevitably found themselves de-boarding a vessel at El Cópano. This relationship between El Cópano and La Bahía played a very big role in the social, economical, and political events that would define the community and Presidio La Bahía. Despite their success in stamping out this incursion, Spain knew they had a very real problem. The Nolan Expedition proved that there was a large enough Anglo-European presence to cause political unrest in Texas. Day by day the foreign populace was increasing in number and wealth while the social, economical, and political well being of Spanish Texas, and Presidio La Bahía in particular, was declining. In the years immediately following the Nolan Expedition Presidio La Bahía would be rocked with death, strife, and political upheaval. Due to its connection to the port, it was inevitable that La Bahía would someday soon be the rallying point for independence. ✥ Following the Revolution of the Thirteen Colonies, the relationship between Spain and the newly formed United States deteriorated rather quickly. There was a sudden influx of immigrants, merchants, and goods coming into Texas through the port at El Cópano and ultimately La Bahía. In 1796, the civilian population at La Bahía had climbed to more than 1,100, and by 1806 had swelled to in excess of 1,400. Despite the rise in population, Presidio La Bahía was in economic decline. The traditional colonial hierarchy that Spain had instituted was collapsing. Ranching, an enterprise that the King of Spain was personally vested in, was no longer as profitable as it once was. The herds surrounding La Bahía still numbered in the tens of thousands, but due to unfeasible taxation many owners (and cattle rustlers) sought to sell their cattle, livestock, and goods (hides, tallow, etc) to newly arrived Anglo merchants, thereby shorting the crown its due. Over time this had a dramatic impact on the treasury and led to the Royal decree for secularization of all missions in Spanish Texas on April 24, 1794. For many immigrants, merchants, and adventurers this presented new possibilities. For those who had nothing or perhaps were running from something, it offered an especially unique opportunity. As time passed the resentment of Spanish royal authority intensified throughout México. Acutely aware of these changes, many newcomers took up arms in México’s rebellion against Spain. Some of LBGHS eMail Newsletter The photo is a picture of the ruins from the Port of Cópano (El Cópano). 11 Volume 2 - Issue 6 LOS BEXAREÑOS GENEALOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY “Go Ahead, Guys” vs. The Spanish Royal Army; Battle of Medina, Texas, August 18, 1813 “Be sure you’re right, then go ahead.” —Davy Crocket1 The Horror of La Quinta Aftermath of 1813 ! In history, it is customary to follow an event along a timeline; however in this article, I will jump ahead to the aftermath of the Battle of the Medina. I direct the reader’s attention to the consequences of the battle, and the legacy left by the failure of the Republican Army of the North. General José Joaquín de Arredondo, the victor of the Battle of the Medina, after a rest period along the Medina River for his army, led the triumphant Spanish Royalist Army into San Antonio de Béjar. There, he commenced his infamous rule of terror. General Arredondo was particularly interested in bringing the Tejano traitors to justice, but he also included those who were merely suspected of being turncoats. General Arredondo did not believe that the Spanish citizens of Provincia de Tejas had the right to independence or autonomous government; thus, for those who fought against the King of Spain, their lives as they knew it had come to an end. ! La Villa de San Fernando de Béjar, under Arredondo’s army, was subject to marshal law. A list of traitors, 96 in total, was compiled. Those on the list lost not only their lives but their property as well. The property confiscated included many private solares (plots of land) that had some type of structure on the property. Many of the structures were wooden poled jacals (roughly built huts), but there was the occasional stone building with a thatched roof. Often these structures were viewed by U.S. emigrants as poor, but it should be understood that the Spanish farmers were men and women of the land. The people of San Antonio de Béjar spent very little time under a thatched roof during the day. For the men, work was outside tending livestock or agricultural crops on large farmlands. The women, were in charge of the chickens, turkeys, and guinea hens; they had to tend to the small gardens for market. The jacal or thatched roof hut that served as la casa (home) was used to sleep at night. ! One example of personal confiscation was the property of José Delgado, who lost his “grano de piedra” along with his “hozas de lona con su correspondiente tierra.” A relative, Clemente Delgado, had his “casa de piedra con su solar” along with his “chamacueso con su solar” and “solares y algunas vacas y bueyes,” confiscated. 1 These are two examples of the more prosperous property owners, whose livestock and lands were taken that fateful day. Others, such as Juan Manuel Enríquez lost his “cuadro de piedra y una cocina de zacate.” Arredondo took the man’s kitchen and all its contents. Another Tejano citizen, Nepomencino San Miguel, had his “jacal de tule, cd. sin techo, solar” confiscated. 2 In reading these descriptions, we are left with an inventory list of property, along with descriptions of land and housing. ! From this property list, we can see that many of San Antonio de Béjar citizens were yeoman farmers who dwelled in thatched roof huts, as their entire life was spent outdoors, and the interior was only for sleeping and healing the sick. Most cooking was done outdoors, away from the flammable Part 11 thatched roof and wooden walls. Such was life in San Antonio de Béjar, but the real horror from General Arredondo’s hateful wrath was his treatment of daughters and widows of the dead Tejano Republicans. “In La Quinta, Arrendondo imprisoned the finest ladys of the town—grind tortillas for soldiers. Just south of French building and Dywer Avenue.” ! It was the women of the villa who carried the brunt of General Arredondo’s wrath. General Arredondo corralled and placed the wives and daughters of the dead rebels in a small room called “La Quinta.” In this prison, more 500 women were forced to grind corn and make tortillas for his army. “From the prison windows, they [the confined women] saw their children roaming the streets in search of food and shelter.” 3 The women were confined all day. They continued their task of making tortillas into the night. The work involved was back breaking as women had to kneel on the ground and push and pull a long heavy stone mano back and forth on the broad stone metate. Corn was grounded continuously as others added the soften corn kernels onto the metate for grinding. Tired and muscle sore, the confined mothers in “La Quinta” without doubt may have hid some tortillas to give to Continue on page 13 LBGHS eMail Newsletter 12 Volume 2 - Issue 6 LOS BEXAREÑOS GENEALOGICAL their children. When the women were released, “they went into the streets destitute, as their homes and possessions had been confiscated.” 4 AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY was among the royalist troops]?” 8 The Arocha family was high on Arredondo’s list, and the entire family was targeted for his revenge; everyone was punished. At the end of the list of confiscated property, one can find this statement: “la casa que por la herencia los toca a todos los Arochas con su solas corespondiente.” 9 ! Today, nothing exists of the makeshift prison, except a drawing done by a passing soldier, which shows the ruins of the building as it existed during his visit. ! With the stoke of a pen, the listed families were wiped out. San Antonio de Béjar never recovered from that day. Years later, General Arredondo issued a pardon to all the citizens of San Antonio de Béjar who revolted against the Spanish Crown. But, during the time between General Arredondo’s revenge and the Independence of México from Spain in 1822, San Antonio de Béjar remained weak, ruined, and at the mercy of the elements, both human and natural. Such was the wrath of General José Joaquín de Arredondo and his Spanish Royalist Army. ✥ ! The two pencil drawings presented in this article were done years later by a Civil War soldier named Morgan Wolfe Merrick. They are in the book, “From Desert to Bayou: The Civil War Journal and Sketches of Morgan Wolfe Merrick. The book was published by The University of Texas at El Paso. So, by 1860, San Antonio’s darkest day was still remembered along with the city’s infamous prison, “La Quinta.” I have not checked the Spanish spelling of these words. I am still translating the entire document, and getting use to the squire’s handwriting and shorthand. 1 A copy of Collas 663 from Archivo de la Secartaria de Gobierno, Saltillo. Vol. XII. 1807-13. Catholic Archives of Texas: Austin, Texas. Thank you Susan Eason and Erik for allowing me to view this document. 2 Garret, Julia Kathryn. Green Flag over Texas: The Last Years of Spain in Texas. The story of the first war of independence for Texas.(The Pemberton Press, Jenkins Publishing Company: Austin, Texas and New York, New York, 1969) p. 225. 3 4 Ibid, p. 226. 5 Ibid, p. 225. Brown, John H. History of Texas From 1685 to 1802, (Jenkins Publishing Company: Austin, Texas and New York, New York, 1970). Brown, wrote, “Many principal families of San Antonio left their homes and sought refuge across the Sabine [River],” Vol. 1, p. 63. 6 “The old Quinta Building on Quinta Street now Dywer Avenue. New openings in the old walls give it a different appearance. This is the house where Arredondo confined the ladies of the best Mexican families and made them grind tortillas for his soldiers & was the cause of the Mexican citizens making an attack on the garrison at night. Armed with clubs, rocks, knives anything that would — their purpose. And were successful in driving the soldiers from the town. Capturing unarmed. The attack was made at midnight.” Tomás Arocha served as interim President after the resignation of Gutiérrez. Arocha, along with his family, was on Arredondo’s death list. From, “Forgotten Battlefield of the First Texas Revolution: The Battle of Medina, August 18, 1813,” by Ted Schwarz. (Eakin Press: 1985), p. 61. 7 Schwarz, Ted. Forgotten Battlefield of the First Texas Revolution: The Battle of Medina, August 18, 1813. (Eakin Press: Austin, Texas, 1985), p. 115. 8 9A copy of Collas 663 from Archivo de la Secartaria de Gobierno, Saltillo. Vol. XII. 1807-13. Catholic Archives of Texas: Austin, Texas. ! In her book, Green Flag Over Texas, Julia Kathryn Garret states, “The first fugitives from the battlefield rushed into Béxar shouting that all were fleeing before Arredondo, that very few republicans lived, and that there were none to defend the city.” 5 Alone, San Antonio de Béjar would have to wait to find out its fate. A few citizens did escape from San Antonio de Béjar, especially those who were very active in Texas independence. 6 Some of the rebel families were the Delgado’s, the Arocha’s, and the Leal’s, and several other families, whose forefathers came to San Antonio de Béjar in 1730. 7 The Arocha’s, in particular, were singled out due to a little song about Arredondo and his gonads. Somehow General Arredondo heard of the ditty, and on his day of revenge, he asked the assembled citizens of Béjar for the “whereabouts [of] the woman who said she was going to eat my huevos roasted? They would do her more good raw!” He continued and asked Josefa Arocha, “Who offered five hundred pesos for the head of her husband [Pedro Trevino, an ex-rebel who I was reading Los Bexareños newsletter’s column, Tell us Your Story. I am submitting El Chiste for publication… because EN TODA FAMILIA HAY... ☞ LBGHS eMail Newsletter —Santiago Escobedo D OUBLE -C LICK HERE TO SEE EL CHISTE Atentamente, —Manuel Quiñones, Jr. 13 Volume 2 - Issue 6 LOS BEXAREÑOS GENEALOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY The LBGHS Resource Center & Library THE LBGHS RESOURCE CENTER & LIBRARY is open to the public on Saturdays (except the first Saturday of the month) from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. You will be able to do your family research in a very friendly and casual environment. You will be able to peruse the books and other genealogical information at your leisure. There will be volunteers to help you with any questions you may have. They can help you start your family tree or assist you in your research. It is preferable to set an appointment, so they can dedicate some time just for you. Call or email Yolanda Patiño at (210) 434-3530 /patinogil@sbcglobal.net or Dennis Moreno at (210) 647-5607 / dennis.moreno@sbcglobal.net. The following list of resources is an ongoing project. Be sure to keep checking as the list will be updated as additional indexing is completed. INDEX TO THE LBGHS LIBRARY HELP FOR THE BEGINNING GENEALOGISTS. The Society assists individuals in getting started with genealogical research through beginner's workshops. Beginners also receive one-on-one assistance from the more experienced members of the Society. ✥ LBGHS Resource Center & Library Parking Camino San ta María Library Culebra Ro ad The Library is located on the campus of Holy Rosary Parish. The Church is located at 159 Camino Santa María, just north of Culebra Road. Park in the noted parking lot and walk through the gate to the courtyard and turn to the right passing the first building. ✥ Books and Resources Journals Family Genealogy Facts and Events (as of Feb 2013) (as of Feb 2013) (as of Feb 2013) (as of Feb 2013) INDEX TO THE LBGHS REGISTERS Introduction to the Index Index of Articles sorted by Title Index of Articles sorted by State and Location Index of Wills, Estates and Death Records sorted by Surname Click to see a Larger Map Grace Rosales and José Hernández are just two of the volunteers sifting through boxes of information. WORK DAY OFF THE PRICE OF ANY BOOK OVER double-clicking here PUBLICATIONS FOR SALE. If you have ordered books/publications by mail and you have not received them, please contact Mr. Escobedo at his email address listed below. Resource Center and Library is fully organized. It is open from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. If you are willing to volunteer, please contact Dennis Moreno at dennis.moreno@sbcglobal.net. Dennis will put you on the list for that month. Thank you to all the volunteers who You can contact Mr. Escobedo at this email: santiagodebejar@sbcglobal.net did a fantastic job in March. They had so much fun, they called it a “Work Party.” ✥ $10.00 When you contact Mr. Santiago Escobedo and let him know which book you want to buy, and you pick it up at the LBGHS regular monthly meeting. All requests must be made by 10:00 a.m. the Thursday before the scheduled Saturday meeting. Click Here You can view the LBGHS book titles by It was a busy day LBGHS Resource Center and Library on Wednesday, March 20, 2013. A group of LBGHS volunteers were working hard to organize boxes and boxes of vital genealogical information which had been gathered over the years. There will be a work day every third Wednesday of the month until the LBGHS LBGHS eMail Newsletter $5.00 Discount !!! ☞ Photo courtesy of Yolanda Patiño. Book Sales Committee 14 Volume 2 - Issue 6 LOS BEXAREÑOS GENEALOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY June 2013 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 LBGHS Meeting 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 LBGHS Resource Center 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. LBGHS Resource Center 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Flag Day 16 17 18 19 Father’s Day 23 20 21 22 27 28 29 LBGHS Resource Center WORKDAY LBGHS Resource Center 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 24 25 26 LBGHS Resource Center 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. 30 Do you have a “Save The Date” announcement you want to share with your fellow genealogists? If yes, please email your announcement to lousyl@icloud.com Important Dates to Remember June 1! Los Bexareños membership meeting - San Antonio, TX June 5! TCARA meeting - San Antonio, TX June 7-9! Folklife Festival - San Antonio, TX June 16! Happy Father’s Day June 19! Resource Center & Library WORKDAY - San Antonio, TX October 11-12-13! 34th Annual Texas Hispanic Genealogical and Historical Conference - Victoria, TX LBGHS eMail Newsletter 15 Volume 2 - Issue 6 LOS BEXAREÑOS GENEALOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY From Around The State Austin :!! ! News from Tejano Genealogy Society of Austin Corpus Christi :! ! News from Spanish American Genealogical Association (SAGA) Dallas :! ! ! News from HOGAR de Dallas Harlingen :! ! News from Río Grande Valley Hispanic Genealogical Society Houston :! ! News from Hispanic Genealogy Society of Houston Laredo :! ! ! News from Villa de San Agustín - Laredo Genealogy Society San Elizario :! ! News from San Elizario Genealogy and Historical Society This section is dedicated to our sister Hispanic Genealogy Societies throughout the State. Just click on the blue link and it will take you to their website or their Facebook page. ✥ Message from the Editor ! THIS IS IT! We are starting the second year of the Los Bexareños Genealogical and Historical Society eMail Newsletter. Happy First Anniversary to all our contributors! Your articles are the lifeblood of this newsletter. ! I want to thank both the 2012 and 2013 Executive Board(s) and Board(s) of Directors for your continued support, and your faith that we could do this. I need to thank my First Readers (proofreaders) for your hard, tedious work of going over every article, sentence, and word looking for spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors. Albeit a few missed corrections, you made the newsletters look professional. I want to especially thank my husband, Luis, for his dedicated commitment to assist me in all aspects of putting this newsletter together. Thank you for a wonderful first year. ¡Brindemos por nuestro Primer Aniversario! ! ARTICLES We need articles from the LBGHS committees and the general membership. Please do not worry about writing style, spelling and grammar. Write down your stories just as you would tell them to your family and friends. Send it to the email address below. We have volunteers who will make suggestions and assist you with the writing style, spelling and grammar. We will send it back to you for your approval. We will only print your story after you approve the final version of the article. You will have full control of your article, and you will have a printed family story you can share with your descendants. ✥ ! You can send your comments and suggested articles to the editor (preferably before the 15th of the month). ! We continue to learn and implement new methods and ideas. As always I want to thank our future contributors to the newsletter, and we welcome your comments and suggestions. ! Please consider volunteering on any of the many LBGHS committees. Sylvia Morales 3543 Byron St San Antonio, TX 78247-3193 (210) 494-7932 or (210) 291-7702 ✥ —Sylvia Morales lousyl@icloud.com (preferred method of communication) Happy Father’s Day LBGHS eMail Newsletter 16 Get the latest version of a Free Adobe Reader Needed to read this Newsletter in PDF Volume 2 - Issue 6