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Bouquet Ranch (Pojoaque, NM) Records

 Collection
Identifier: MSS-1044-BC

Scope and Content

The collection consists of legal documents pertaining to the Bouquet Ranch in Pojoaque NM, activities of the Bouquet family, relatives, (women), and associates in the area between the 1860s and the 1920s. The papers are predominantly land transactions and wills. Deeds include detailed descriptions of property lines, and the names of many neighboring Pojoaque landholders. All documents are in Spanish unless otherwise noted.

Dates

  • 1781-1949
  • Majority of material found within 1864-1927

Language of Materials

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.

Background Information

Juan Bouquet (John) Jean Bouquet (1823?-1898) and Petra Larragoite de Bouquet (1848-1925) were prominent Santa Fe County citizens. They married in 1867. Petra was born in Santa Fe to Spanish immigrants in 1848 and raised in Velarde. Juan Bouquet emigrated the United States from France and was known to reside in New Mexico by 1860. He was an intimate of Archbishop Jean-Baptiste Lamy. He became a well-known merchant, rancher, and orchardist. He was postmaster of Pojoaque from 1870-1896.

The Bouquet Ranch in Pojoaque was a substantial and expanding property from the 1860s through the 1890s. By 1897, the Bouquets had made two land transfers and purchased twenty-two pieces of property that contained four houses and a mill. The Ranch was a popular stage station on the road from Santa Fe to Taos and Tierra Amarilla. Archbishop Lamy was a frequent guest.

Petra Bouquet functioned as a full partner in the Ranch and served as postmistress of Pojoaque, succeeding her husband from 1896 to around 1917 (women). She was well-connected and influential in the community. After Juan Bouquet's death, she inherited the Ranch outright. She remarried to Cicero Weidner in 1899 and officially divorced him in 1912, though they were estranged by 1907. In 1917 she signed possession of the Ranch over to attorney and politician J.H. Crist and his wife Adele, in consideration for 20 years' legal service.

The Crists' daughter, Phyllis Mayne, later inherited the property and the documents in this collection. A reclusive Santa Fe resident, for many years Mayne supported the development of services for handicapped citizens through her volunteer efforts and financial contributions. She passed away in 1975, willing substantial funds to establish a residential home for developmentally disabled adults. The Phyllis Mayne Home in Santa Fe opened in 1981.

Extent

1 box (.5 lin. ft.)

Abstract

Legal documents pertaining to the properties of the Bouquet family of Pojoaque, New Mexico Territory.
Title
Finding Aid of the Bouquet Ranch (Pojoaque, NM) Records, 1781-1949
Status
Completed
Author
Wendy Pedersen
Date
© 2019
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

  • 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