Francisco Gomes
| Francisco Gomes | |
|---|---|
| 12th Spanish governor of New Mexico | |
| In office 1641–1642 | |
| Preceded by | Juan Flores de Sierra y Valdés |
| Succeeded by | Alonso de Pacheco de Herédia |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1576 Coima, Portugal |
| Died | 1656–1657 Santa Fe, New Mexico |
| Profession | military and political |
Francisco Gomes (born in 1576 - died in 1656 or 1657) was a Portuguese prominent military of New Mexico that held the charge of acting governor of this place between 1641 and 1642. He was a of the first settlers of Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Biography
Francisco Gomes was born in 1576, in Villa de Coima, Portugal. He was the son of Manuel Gómes and Ana Vicente, but both died when he was a child. Thus, he was raised by his only and older brother, the Franciscan Alvaro (o Alonso) Gomes, High Sheriff of the Holy Office of the Inquisition,[1] in Lisbon. His family was probably of nobleman origin.[2] Gomes lived for a time in the house of Juan de Oñate, in the court of King Philip II of Spain, in Madrid, when the king was already sick. Gomes, probably lived there until the death of king in 1598. Later, in 1604, Juan de Oñate took him to Mexico City for him to settle in this city and to contribute to form the young colony that Oñate was creating. From there, he moved to New Mexico in some moment in 1605, and served during long time in military service, becoming the most prominent military officer in New Mexico. In 1610, while he served as military, he was one of the original founders of the town of Santa Fe, where he and his family resided.[1] He also was rancher and farmer.[2]
In 1641, the governor of New Mexico, Juan Flores de Sierra, appointed him (on his deathbed) interim substitute in that political office, although he was rejected by the board of New Mexico and he just ruled New Mexico until 1642. Gomes fell out with some friars who were in power, criticizing to them, and causing a political faction. Gómes was accused of be of Jew origin, because was believed he secretly he practiced that religion.[1] Thus, he was escorted by a cell of the Franciscan friary and he was imprisoned, prompting the usurpation of their property, belongings and parcel taxes. In the end he was found not guilty and was released from prison in January 1665. He died in Santa Fe, around 1656–1657.[2]
Still even after his death, he followed being accused of being Jew.[1]
Personal life and legacy
In order to obtain a suitable dowry to increase family status, Gomes married Ana Robledo Romero in 1626, in San Gabriel, Santa Fe, New Mexico and they had 7 children, between them to Sargento Mayor Francisco and Francisca Gómes Robledo.[1]
Gomes was a wealthy landowner who got land in four areas. For one, he got two grants of land in San Juan Pueblo, other land grant in the area of Taos Pueblo, a third grant of land he get it near Tesuque Pueblo, and the fourth grant of land was located to south of Isleta Pueblo, near Sevilleta, in San Nicolas de las Barrancas. In addition, in his role as encomendero, Gomes was honored in at least eight Village communities, among which were Pecos (current Texas), Tesuque, Taos and Watermelon. In return for tribute, Gomes subsidized military campaigns, delivering horses, supplies and food for Spanish soldiers and their Pueblo amerinds allies.
The complaint made by the Franciscans against Francisco Gómes led to reduction of economic and policy power of his family. However, they soon regained its social and commercial importance until all his files were lost with the Pueblo Indian uprising in August 1680.[2]