Pascual Bernal (de Molina)

Brief Biography

Pascual Bernal (de Molina) was born circa 1497, making him one of the oldest members of the Expedition at age 43. It is most likely that the "de Molina" refers to his place of origin, Molina in the province of Guadalajara, Spain. Pascual was present at the 1540 muster as an unassigned horseman. Following the Expedition, he became an estanciero and encomendero in Guautengo. He married the widow of fellow expeditionary, Antón Miguel and became the step-parent to Antón's two children.

Gender
Male
Date of Birth
ca. 1497
AGE-1540
43
Age Set
35-45
Country of Origin
Spain
Place of Birth (City/Town)
?Molina
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
Antequera (Oaxaca City), Mexico
Position on Expedition
Horseman
Within Viceroy Mendoza's Sphere
No
Post Expedition Occupation
Farm owner
Encomendero
Residence After Expedition
Antequera and Guatengo, Oaxaca
Married
Yes
Ability to sign name
Yes
References-Documentary

1540-1550:

1540, Feb: Muster in Flint & Flint, Documents, Document 12 [horse, elk hide jacket]

?AGN, Instituciones Coloniales, GD72, Real Audiencia, Mercedes, vol.2, exp.480, 1543 [fol. 197r y v:a Pascual Bernal, vecino of Antequera, has married the widow of Antón Miguel; Miguel had held in encomienda the pueblo of Cacalotepeque (Zapotecas); Miguel had left a son 2 years old (b.1541) and a daughter 4 (b. 1539); Bernal is granted the tribute of one half of Cacalotepeque, October 1543];

1550-1560:

AGN, Instituciones Coloniales, GD72, Real Audiencia, Mercedes, vol.3, exp.256bis, 1550  fols. 104v – 105r:Luis de León Romano is informed that Pascual Bernal de Molina, vecino de la ciudad de Oaxaca, has had an estancia de ganados ovejunos en términos del pueblo de Guautengo for more than 5 years (given to him by the cabildo de Oaxaca); he now asks that the grant be confirmed in the name of the king; León is directed to investigate];

AGN, Instituciones Coloniales, GD72, Real Audiencia, Mercedes, vol.3, 1550 [fol.126vta:estancia to Pascual Bernal, Guantengo; image 214-215; don Antonio hago saver a vos Luis de León Romano juez de comision en la provincía de Guaxaca que Pasqual Bernal de Molina vecino de esa ciudad me hizo relacion que a cinco años y mas tiempo quel tiene asentada una estancia poblada con ganados obejunos en terminos de Guantengo de la qual la fue hecha merced por el cabildo de esa dicha ciudad por estar sin perjuicio ninguno e me pidio que en nombre de sm le confirmase la dicha merced y de nuevo la hiziese merced de ella para la tener y poseer con mejor titulo y porque yo quiero saber y ver ynformado de lo susodicho por la presente; [image 215, first line unreadable] el dicho Pasqual Bernal de Molina e ? del dicho pueblo de Guantengo y primeramente lo hagais e aver al encomendero del dicho pueblo y a las demas personas a quien tocar y presentar y llamadas las yndios en cuyos terminos esta la dicha estancia y los alli comarcanos y les hagais saber y deys ?a entendeis como el susodicho pide la dicha merced del dicho sitio de estancia  ? tener en ella ganados obejunos  ? que digan y declaran sido les vendar algun daño o perjuizio a ellos o a sus labranças y sementeras y lo que declararo juntamente con... Mexico, 19 July 1550];

AGI, Patronato, 60, N.1, R.2 [Antequera, 1552, Probanza of Bartolomé de Camas, vecino and regidor, witness: Pasqual Bernal de Molina, vecino of Antequera, has known Camas here for 8 years, 55 +/-, was present at the uprising in Santilifonso, signed Pasqual Bernal, no signature]

Other Info:

Because Pascual Bernal (de Molina) married the widow of Antón Miguel, it seems too much a coincidence that these 2 are not our men; Pascual may actually be saying he is from Molina, one of the royal properties [lord of Molina].  Molina de Aragón (Guadalajara) was a royal señorío. He signed documents as Pascual Bernal.