Pedro Cortés

Brief Biography

Pedro Cortés was born sometime before 1516 in Tendilla (Guadalajara province, Spain) to Alonso Cortés and Mari López, which would place Pedro within the Mendoza clan's sphere. He was more than twenty-four years old when he went on the Coronado Expedition. He came to New Spain in the entourage of Viceroy Mendoza and received a salary because of his connection. Pedro was not present at the 1540 muster. Upon his return from the Expedition he married Olalla Sánchez and they had at least one son, Pedro. When Mendoza was sent to Peru to assume his duties as viceroy there, Cortés accompanied him. He apparently died around 1555 in Trujillo, Peru.

Gender
Male
Title (Y/N)
No
Date of Birth
before 1516
AGE-1540
24
Age Set
15-25
Country of Origin
Spain
Place of Birth (City/Town)
Tendilla
Date of Death
about 1555
Place of Birth (modern province/state/region)
Guadalajara
View Birthplace on Map
Click to View on Map
Died on the Expedition?
No
Last Known Location
Trujillo, Peru
European Social Status
Commoner
Position on Expedition
Horseman
Within Viceroy Mendoza's Sphere
Yes
Residence After Expedition
Michoacán, Mexico and Trujillo, Peru
Married
Yes
Name of Spouse
Olalla Sánchez
Name of Children
Pedro Cortés
Ability to sign name
Yes
Relatives
father: Alonso Cortes; mother: Mari Lopez
References-Documentary

1530-1540:

AGI, Pasajeros, L.2, E.1266 [June 26, 1535, son of Alonso Cortés and Mari López, Tondilla [sic], to Nueva España] [came w/Mendoza]

AGI, Justicia, 258, pieza 1, “Relacion de los salarios” [fol.799v:Nov. 1539, a pero Cortés...Lx pesos; fol. 822v:a pedro Cortés...May 23, 1545...cxxx pesos];

AGI, Justicia, 269, Pieza 6, “Residencia a Hernán Pérez de Bocanegra, 1545” [witness in 1537 in Ciudad de México is a Pedro Cortés, can sign his name];

1540-1550:

AGI, Justicia, 263, Pieza 3 [1546:de parte witness is Pedro Cortés, native of the village of Tendilla, estante in Michoacán, more than 30 years old, signed his name (same as scanned AGI, Justicia, 269, Pieza 6)] [al este testigo le ha hecho socorro con los demas antes que fuese a la jornada de cibola] [vido este testigo por vista de ojos como persona que fue en la dicha jornada]

1550-1560:

AGI, Contratación, 198, N.13 ["los bienes que se registraron en el ano de 57 en Trujillo son de las personas siguientes: bienes de Pedro Cortés, 4261 pesos, 3 tomines, 3 granos, una barra de oro de 18 quilates y 3 granos con marcas del rey que vale de buen oro 717 pesos, 4 tomines, 42 pesos, 5 tomines, 3 granos in plata corriente; 7 July 1557, Alonso Esteban is paid 6 pesos; 3 July 1557, Trujillo, matter of the bienes de difuntos, witness: Baltasar de Zamora, merchant, vecino, signed-no signature; Pedro owed lots of money; died in 1555 (image 57)]

AGI, Pasajeros, L.3, E.1548 [1540-04-16, Olalla Sánchez, vecina de Sigüenza, criada de los dichos Juan de la Peña y hermanos. Con ellos, a Nueva España];

AGI, Lima, 567, L.8 [fol.261r-262r: 1557-05-20, Valladolid, Real Cédula del rey a la Audiencia de Lima para que se manden a la Casa de la Contratación de Sevilla lo que reclama Olalla Sánchez, viuda y madre de Pedro Cortés que murió en el puerto de la ciudad de Trujillo de camino a España en el navío San Jerónimo, cuyo maestre era Juan Rodríguez Paniagua y que a su muerte dejó en poder de los oficiales de Trujillo oro, plata y otras cosas que le pertenecen como heredera]