Many of us do not realize the contributions that our ancestors provided to the success of the American Revolutionary War. 

During the war, Spain provided above and beyond what the American Rebels requested of King Carlos III.

Mexico was still a Spanish Colony. 

Spanish and Mexican men throughout the Spanish colonies fought in the conflict. 

Significant funds for the war were collected and contributed from the Mexican states of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California.

The war is often thought as one fought between the British and American Rebels.

However, It could be considered a world war between the superpowers of the age. 

Each country aligned themselves with one side or the other. 

Portugal aligned itself with the British. 

On the side of the American Rebels you find support from France, and Spain. 

I am sure that there were many more countries that were involved one way or another.

So this Fourth of July, include in your celebration the contribution that our ancestors had on the  birth of the USA.

Celebrates !
Like Never Before!

Credit for information in this article goes to : “Spain’s support vital to U.S Independence” By Dr. Thomas E Chavez

On September 15, 1810 late at night, Fray Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla distributed the “Grito De Dolores”. 

This was a written statement that called for Independence from Spain and Freedom for all Mexicans.

By the morning of September 16, a mob had grown to thousands and overwhelmed the Royal Army in Guanajuato. 

This was the beginning of Mexico’s war against Spain to gain independence and freedom. 

Hidalgo was assassinated on March 21, 1811. 

However the war continued without him. 

On August 24, 1821, Spain signed the Treaty of Córdoba that formally recognized Mexican Independence.

Melitón Trujillo was born about 1834 and Maria Buenaventura Duron was born about 1839.

We do not have their baptism records.

However we know their ages from their marriage record.

They were married on November 26, 1856.

Melitón was from the Hacienda de la Tinaja.

Maria Buenaventura Duron was originally from the jurisdiction of Ojo Calientes del Bastilla and lived at  the Rancho de Animas.

After their marriage they are known to have lived at the Hacienda de la Tinaja. 

They had at least 6 children, Rafael, Julia, Jose Miguel, Luisa, Exequiel, and Mateo. 

Through Julia we are related to the Muñoz family of Hatch, NM.

The city of Trujillo has its origins in pre-history.  It has been known by many names because many cultures have made it their home.  These include the Celts, Romans, Moors and Christians.

It is known as the “Cradle of the Conquistadores” as many men who were born there sought fortune in the new world including Francisco Pizarro, conqueror of Peru.

The town is over shadowed by the castle that stands at the top of the hill named the Cabeza de Zorro (Fox’s Head).

It has a population of about 10,000 residents with festivals in May and September. The largest is in September. The Virgin of Victory is known as the town’s patron saint. It even has a bullring. I want to visit.

Imagine a European world of the 15^th century.  Before Columbus and our European ancestors discovered the land of our pre-Columbian ancestors. Europe was a place of rather plain foods made with imported expensive spices.  Now imagine that world without chocolate, chile rellenos, and tamales.  Our Mexican and “Indian” ancestors contributed these wonderful foods made with chocolate, chile, and corn to the European culture.

This year the Trujillo Family Reunion will be hosted by Josef, Lena and family.  It will be held in the beautifully mountains of southern Colorado near the town of Antonito at the Mogote campground.

Hello Everyone:

Como Estan?  We hope everyone is doing well and that you’ve made your travel arrangements and are ready for you trip. Here, all is well and we are realizing that time sure flies when you’re having fun. Time seems unreal that the reunion is right around the corner.  We’re getting closed and we can’t wait.

We hope that you have your family t-shirts and please don’t forget four family picture collage. We will wear the t-shirts at Saturday’s mountain activities and the pictures will be displayed at the hall on Saturday evening. Please place your pictures in a poster frame or in a protective plastic cover and place your name on them.

If you are driving, pack your favorite camping chair, your insect repellent , and a pair of sweats and a jacket for Friday evening. It is warm during the day , but in the mountains it gets chilly at night. If you don’t believe us just ask Auntie Becca!!

We have heard from some of you and new we need to hear from all of you!!  Please let us know if you are attending. We are having the Saturday evening meal catered and we will need a count for the caterer. Please let us know how many adults and children are attending. We need your names and the ages of the children. Please get this information to us by June 1, 2008. You and drop us a note—mail it to PO Box 1551, Alamosa, CO, 81101 or call us at 719-589-6254.  But please let us know.

We hope we didn’t miss anyone when we mailed out the information. We ask you to share the information, please pass it along or have them contact us and we will get it to them. If you have any suggestions, questions or concerns..Call Us!

Enjoy your travels!!  Be Safe!!  Enjoy the wide open spaces and we look forward to seeing all of you.

Don’t forget

· Camping Chair

· Insect Repellent

· Sweats or Jacket

· Your camera

· A small flashlight ( You will need this one for the history presentation)

· Your dancing shoes and

· Your Smiles!!

Josef, Lena and Family

Friday, July 11, 2008 at the Mogote Campground

· 4:30 PM Meet and Greet

· 5:00 PM Cook Out

Saturday, July 12, 2008 at the Mogote Campground

· 10:00 AM Continental Breakfast, games and activities

· 12:00 PM Family Group Pictures

· 12:00 PM - 2:30 PM Enjoy the mountains

· 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM Get ready for evening events

· 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM “Who we are and where we came from” A family history presentation by Louie Albidrez

· 6:00 PM Dinner at the Rusty Spur

· 9:00 PM Dance

Sunday, July 13, 2008

· 10:00 AM Brunch

 

 

 Alvaro Trujillo was born on February 19 1886 in Gomez Palacio, Mexico and Maria Lina Gallegos was born on October 1899 in New Mexico.  They met in Garfield, NM and were married on January 6, 1919 in Rodey, NM.  They are known to have had 10 children, Amalia, Bruno, Vicente, Felicitas, Hijinia, Marcelina, Gabriel, Luis, Francisca, and Rafael. Alvaro died on October 19, 1937 in Garfield, NM and Lina died on May 15, 1995 in Las Cruces, NM.

In the October issue of the news letter we will be covering the lives Ygnacio Trujillo and Hilaria Rivera

Significant events occurred during the lives of Melitón Trujillo and Maria Buenaventura Duron.  In 1835, Texans fight the Mexican army in the battle of the Alamo.  In 1836, Texas becomes independent.  In 1837, Queen Victoria takes power in England.  In 1845, the USA annexes Texas.  In 1846, the Mexican-American War begins.  In 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ends the Mexican-American War with the USA purchasing New Mexico through California from Mexico.  Also in 1848, Gold was discovered in California.  In 1850, New Mexico was established as a Territory of the USA.  In 1854, the Gadsden Purchase establishes the current USA-Mexico border.  In 1857, the Mexican state of Aguascalientes was established.  In 1861, the US Civil War begins and Confederates invade New Mexico from Texas.  In 1862, the battles of Velarde and Glorieta Pass end confederate occupation of New Mexico.  Additionally, in 1862 on the 5th of May (Cinco de Mayo), Mexicans defeated French forces in the Battle of Puebla.  In 1863, the Territory of Arizona was created from New Mexico.  In 1864, Maximilion was named Emperor of Mexico.