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Mother to Daughter Inheritance in Colonial Cochabamba in 1693

A very early manuscript document from colonial South America, being the 1693 last will and testament of Maria Masias (or Macias), a widow of Villa de Oropesa, Cochabamba. The text of the will is an interesting example of a 17th-century colonial South American woman leaving her estate to her daughter, as well as to her sons. In the document Maria Masias describes herself as being very ill, presumably on her deathbed. She extends power of attorney to a priest named Bernabe Quintero and a Captain Francisco Tercero. The document is signed by numerous witnesses.

At the time of the present document the area that is now Villa de Oropesa, Cochabamba was part of the Viceroyalty of Peru, an important mining center of the Spanish Empire. This region included the great mine at Potosí, the richest place in all of Spain's global empire in the late 1500s and 1600s, which supplied vast quantities of silver for Spain, by some accounts 60% of the world's silver at that time. In 1824, it was the last Spanish-controlled territory liberated by Simon Bolivar, from whom Bolivia takes its modern name.

While the text is dated Nov. 23, 1693, the sealed paper bifolium covering wrapper (with matching watermark) is dated 1710, with an additional Potosi counter stamp dated 1713-1714, suggesting the manuscript is likely a circa 1710 copy.

A transcription of the text here follows:

En el nombre de Dios ... Amen. Se [dirige] esta carta como yo Doña Maria Masias natural y vesina de la Villa de Oropesa Valle de Cochabamva [Valle de Cochabamba, Bolivia] hija legitima de [Francisco?] Sanches Masias y de doña Catalina [derolas?] buida mujer que [fui?] de [--abido?]... estando como estos enferma en cama de la enfermedad que Dios nuestro señor se aserrdo dar mi teserenmentero [Jusco?] y memoria creyendo como firmemente creo el misterio de la santissima trinidad Padre hijo y espirtu santo tres personas ... que creo en ... nuestra santa madre Iglesia Catolica romana ... como catolica .... de los angeles madre de Dios ... y a  ....

....Primeramente encomiendo mi alma a Dios Nuestro Señor y mando sea enterrado en la iglesia del convento de nuestra Señora de las mersedes de esta Villa en la santa lugar de [par am albaseas y le acompañen el cura y S tan?] de la Iglesia... con cruz alta y doble de companas. ....

Ydem nombro por mi albaseas testamentarios al [Padre presbeterio] Fr. Bernave Quintero de la orden de nuestra señora de las mersedes y al Capitan Fra Piscorro ... con igual facultades y por tenedores destines.

Ydem nombro por mis herederos a Doña Maria ...mi hija legitima y del dicho matrimonio y por mis hijos naturales - a Don Jose de la Guardra. D. Bernardo - Juan de Dios - Doño Melchoramaras de la Guarda de  ....de la guarda de claro ...

y por que la grabedad de mi enfermedad no me da lugar a proseguir con dicha memoria otorgo y conosco por el tenor de la presente que doi mi poder cumplido bastante el que de derecho ... y debe valer a los dichos que [--duador?] Fr. Bernabe Quintero y Captain Francisco Tercero para que hagan mi testamento y las clausulas que les tengo comunicado en el descargo de mi consemiento que para les doi este derecho que les con ... y administra  .... y el que ... voluntad que  que no tros quales quiera que pare.. hecho ... de palabras  y lo otorgo en esta Villa de Oropressa en vuestras del mes de nobiembre de mil y seisientos y nobenta y tres años siendo testigos llamados... D. Francisco de los Rios, ... de la Plaza, Don Jose... Fr. Diego Ovalle de dicha...de los otros tesitgos lo firme ... en este papel ... embiado a traer lo sellado y no [pareser] el estrangero. 

An English translation of the text:

In the name of God... Amen. This letter is addressed by me, Doña Maria Masias, native and resident of the town of Oropesa, in the valley of Cochabamba, Bolivia, legitimate daughter of Francisco Sanches Masias and Doña Catalina [Derolas?], widow, and former wife of [?-abido]... being now sick in bed with the illness that God our Lord has seen fit to give me, with a sound mind and memory, firmly believing in the mystery of the Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three persons... that I believe in... our holy mother the Roman Catholic Church... as a Catholic... of the angels, Mother of God... and to...

...First, I commend my soul to God our Lord and command that I be buried in the church of the convent of Our Lady of Mercy in this town, in the holy place... of the Church... with a high cross and a double bell ringing...

And I appoint as my executors the presbyter Father Fr. Bernabe Quintero of the order of Our Lady of Mercy, and Captain Francisco Tercero... with equal faculties and as trustees of my estates.

And I name as my heirs Doña Maria, my legitimate daughter from the said marriage, and my natural sons - Don Jose de la Guarda, Don Bernardo, Juan de Dios, Don Melchor Amaras de la Guarda ...

And because the severity of my illness does not allow me to continue with this memorial, I grant and acknowledge by the tenor of this present document that I give my complete and sufficient power, which by law... and should be valid for the said Fr. Bernabe Quintero and Captain Francisco Tercero, to make my will and the clauses that I have communicated to them in the discharge of my conscience, for which I give them this right to... and administer... and that... my will that... that no other than those mentioned... done... of words... and I grant this in the town of Oropesa on the 23rd of November of the year sixteen hundred and ninety-three, being the witnesses called...

Colonial Valle de Cochabamba, Bolivia

In the early 18th century, Villa de Oropesa, located in the Valle de Cochabamba in Bolivia, was a crucial agricultural hub for the Spanish colonial empire. Founded in the 16th century, the region was known for its fertile lands, which produced significant quantities of maize, wheat, and coca, vital for sustaining mining operations in Potosí. The social milieu was characterized by a mix of Spanish settlers, indigenous people, and mestizos. The Spanish elite dominated land ownership and local governance, while indigenous communities were often subjected to labor in encomiendas. The region's prosperity contributed to its strategic importance, reinforcing Spanish economic interests in South America. The city was renamed Cochabamba by Charles III in 1786.

Rarity

Such early colonial documents from the area that is now Bolivia are rare in the market.