| Excerpts from
the introduction:
"Tomé was originally an estancia (homestead)
owned by the 17th Century New Mexican, Tomé Dominguez
de Mendoza, before the Pueblo Revolt of 1680. After the
Spanish Reconquest, the land continued to be identified
as the "Post of Tomé Dominguez," even
though none of the man's family returned to New Mexico."
. . . "In 1743 the villagers began construction of
a church. Finished by 1750 and consecrated three years
later, the parish building became the spiritual center
of the communities on the east side of the Rio Grande."
. .. "The Valencia Valley, which includes old towns
such as Los Lunas, Peralta, and Los Chavez, developed
into an extended farming community. Many of New Mexico's
elite began to make their homes in the area, in haciendas
(estates) and estancias (homesteads) located on
either side of the Rio Grande. This was evidenced in the
increased number of Españoles in the region's parish
registers, along with the earlier Genízaros and
other Native Americans." . . . "Tomé
in particular developed a strong affiliation with the
Holy Brotherhood (Los Penitentes) and became well
known, at least throughout the province, for its Holy
Week observances. The area suffered from Plains Native
American attacks as the outpost towns of Belen and Tomé
were particularly susceptible to Comanche and Apache raids.
. .. [The introduction continues, describing
the deep roots in this historic valley.]
Included are lists of abbreviations and phrases
used in the publication, and a name index.
Extraction and Introduction by Raymond Salas. Compiled
by Margaret Leonard Windham with the assistance of Virginia
Langham Olmsted, Lila Armijo Pfeufer, Evelyn Baca, Eloise
Arellanes, Andres Segura, Marie Roybal, and Luis Padilla.
Map by Ernie Jaskolski. A publication of the New Mexico
Genealogical Society. |
