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Nicolas T. Armijo Family Papers

 Collection
Identifier: MSS-539-BC

Scope and Content

The Nicolas T. Armijo family papers is a somewhat disparate collection of correspondence and documents relating to the Armijo familys personal and business dealings. At one time, this material was compiled in a scrapbook.

The collection provides an interesting glimpse into 19th and early 20th century Mexico (Chihuahua) and New Mexico (Albuquerque), from the business and social perspectives of the upper class. Wedding invitations, funeral announcements, gossipy letters, genealogical data, receipts and statements from business transactions, general and business related correspondence make up the bulk of this collection. The interconnections of prominent local people become apparent with names such as Jose Leandro Perea, Nestor Armijo, George Washington Armijo, Spiegelberg Brothers, Tranquilino Luna, Francisco A. Manzanares, Jesus Maria Perea, Jacobo Yrissari, Felipe Chaves, Bernard Rodey, Harvey Fergusson, Albert Simms, Thomas Catron, and Juan B. Lamy appearing within the contents of this collection. A business relationship between Armijo and Luis Terrazas, soldier, politician, and businessman from Chihuahua, Mexico is also documented in the collection.

Although the collection focuses on Nicholas T. Armijo, it contains materials relating to others in the extended Armijo family. Noteworthy are materials pertaining to John Borradaile. Borradaile came to Albuquerque on one of the first Santa Fe Railroad trains from New York in the early 1880s and married Lola (Dolores) Armijo, a cousin of Nicolas T. Armijo. He was partner with the Armijo Brothers in real estate in Albuquerque, and joined the New Mexico Volunteers as captain when the Spanish American War broke out.

The collection also contains microfilm filmed for John Colligan by the Library of Congress at the Archives of the Secretaria de Relaciones Exteriores (Mexican Secretary of Foreign Relations) in Mexico, December 1949. The contents of the documents, dated from 1828 to 1859, are varied and relate to affairs between Mexico, United States, Spain, France and Cuba.

The collection remains in the order in which it was given to the Center for Southwest Research. Notes, comments, and item descriptions were provided by John Colligan, a descendent of the Armijo and Borradaile families. Materials are written in Spanish and English.

Dates

  • 1865-1947

Creator

Language of Materials

English Spanish

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Copy Restrictions

Limited duplication of CSWR material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy, and libel laws. Permission is required for publication or distribution.

Biographical Information

Nicolas T. Armijo was born in December, 1835 in Los Gallegos, N.M. to Juan Cristobal Armijo and Juana Maria Chavez. He attended school in Chihuahua, Mexico in 1846, owned a store, and had a home there. In November 1862, Nicolas married Barbara Chavez, who was the daughter of Jose Antonio Chavez y Castillo and Manuela Ortega. They had 12 children, including Aurelia (Hancock), Sofia (Hubbell), Nicolas Jr., Juan C., Eloisa, Eduardo C., and Manuela.

Nicolas T. Armijo was a pioneer Albuquerque businessman and trader. He operated trade wagons into Chihuahua and Durango, Mexico. Other business ventures included raising sheep and operating a stage line between New Town and Old Town in 1880. Armijo was known as a leading banker in Albuquerque and Mexico. He was one of the incorporators of the First National Bank in Old Town, Albuquerque, and served as its first vice president. He also owned and managed real estate in downtown Albuquerque.

Nicolas T. Armijo died on December 20, 1890 in Bernalillo County. His wife Barbara built the N.T. Armijo building at 2nd and Central NW, which was completed in 1892.

Extent

2 boxes (1.83 Cu. Ft.)

Related Material

Felipe Chavez Papers Center for Southwest Research, University Libraries, University of New Mexico Harvey Butler Fergusson Correspondence Center for Southwest Research, University Libraries, University of New Mexico Miguel Antonio Otero Papers Center for Southwest Research, University Libraries, University of New Mexico Perea Brothers Mercantile Co. Correspondence Center for Southwest Research, University Libraries, University of New Mexico Identified Persons Photograph Collection Center for Southwest Research, University Libraries, University of New Mexico Photograph of Eduardo Armijo

Colonel John L. Gay Collection of Papers Pertaining to the Armijo Family Center for Southwest Research, University Libraries, University of New Mexico Huning-Fergusson Family Papers Center for Southwest Research, University Libraries, University of New Mexico

Separated Material

Negative of microfilm reel stored offsite

Relevant Secondary Sources

  • Dreesen, Donald S. Nineteenth century pioneers of Albuquerque : families living in Bernalillo County, New Mexico. [1991] Albuquerque, N.M. : Center for Southwest Research, University of New Mexico

General

Photograph of Eduardo Armijo
Title
Finding Aid of the Nicolas T. Armijo Family Papers, 1865-1947
Status
Completed
Author
Processed by CSWR staff
Date
©2000
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is in English

Revision Statements

  • June 28, 2004: PUBLIC "-//University of New Mexico::Center for Southwest Research//TEXT (US::NmU::MSS 539 BC::Nicolas T. Armijo Family Papers)//EN" "nmu1mss539bc.sgml" converted from EAD 1.0 to 2002 by v1to02.xsl (sy2003-10-15).
  • Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.

Repository Details

Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository

Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451