Santa Fe NM census 1680

Re-entry Census
“Some of the original refugees aren’t here with us because as far back as 1682 many received permission to leave the refugee colony and move south. Others left without permission.” Padre Farfán explained, placing quills, ink and precious paper on the wooden table brought from his wagon just for the census. Paper was brought all the way from Spain by ship, then through the desert in wagons. Brent examined the ink horn as he took it from Padre’s hand. It was part of a deer antler hollowed out, and the plug was whittled from a piece of wood. He recognized it from those strapped over men’s shoulders in other times, but had not realized what it was.
“As you begin to run low on ink, you must add water to make it stretch; we won’t have more until the next wagon train comes in next year.”
“But that makes it harder to read than ever,” Lynae complained.
“Yes, but it is better to write down the information in some form, than run out of ink and have no record at all. Brent, sprinkle this sand over each page as it is filled, to dry the ink. Then put the pages into this book. I will be back to get them, and the books will all be stored in safe vaults in the church archives.”

“Why is it so important to keep such records, Padre?”
“I don’t know, but I feel strongly that it is important somehow to keep detailed records, not just of the births and deaths, but the names and families of the colonists. The legal records have been kept just as carefully in the courts. So much information was lost when the records were burned during the revolt. There is a scripture in the book of “Malachi” in the Old Testament mandating the hearts of the children must be turned to the fathers, lest the earth be smitten with a curse. We’ve had all the curses this old man can stand. This is the only way I have of following that directive.”


fOR THE REST OF THE STORY see "Turn the Hearts of the Children I", an historical Novel about the founding, settling and return of the New Mexico settlers before and 12 years after the Indian raids. It is fun fantasy travel through tiem and space with my children discovering the true facts as recorded in history of their ancient ancestors who settled the west long before the Eastern shores were even thought of, except by Vikings and that is "a whole nother story". Join us wont you indiscovering New Mexico history, genealogy and social, cultural and political customs of our ancestors, our cousins and grandparents. Maybe we'll meet up along the way?