Spanish Colonial Women and the Law: Complaints, Lawsuits and Criminal Behavior. Documents from the Spanish Colonial Archives of New Mexico, 1697-1749
Lecture and Book Signing by Linda Tigges
545 Canyon Road Suite 2,
Thursday, December 7 at 3pm
No admission for current HSFF Members, $5, non-members
RSVP required - 505-983-2567 or info@historicsantafe.org
Women in early eighteenth century Spanish Colonial New Mexico had rights and privileges that were not enjoyed by other women in North America until the late nineteenth century. Under Spanish law women were considered separate entities and valuable members of Spanish society. As such, they could own property, inherit in their own name, and act as court witnesses. In particular they could make accusations and denunciations to the local alcalde mayor and governor, which they frequently did. The thirty-one translated documents in this book show that Spanish Colonial women were aware of their rights and used them to assert themselves in the struggling communities of New Mexico.
This book, the result of over three years of preparation, includes a synopsis of each document, editor’s notes, and biographical sketches of all persons named as well as twenty-one illustrations, four maps, appendix, notes, and an extensive index.
This is an important work from Linda Tigges and Richard Salazar dealing with early eighteenth century women and the law. However their court cases were decided, these Spanish colonial women were successful in the legacy they left for future generations. If you are a twelfth generation New Mexican or a newcomer, you will find this work priceless. -- Henrietta Martinez Christmas
Linda Tigges, is a former land planner with the City of Santa Fe and the principal with Tigges Planning Consultants. She has worked with historic land use documents since the early 1980s and is currently a Spanish Colonial historian in Santa Fe and Albuquerque. Tigges is a Board Director for HSFF. For more information, visit Linda Tigges' website.
RSVP for the Linda Tigges talk by emailing Jacqueline Hill, jacqueline@historicsantafe.org or calling 505-983.2567.