Last Will and Testament of a Merchant Leaving his Estate for the Education of Orphan Girls

Author: Juan de Urrutia Lezama

Year: 1701

Publisher: Manuscript

Place: Mexico City

Description:

18 manuscript leaves. Folio (12 1/4" x 8 1/2 ") stitched, with the first leaf on sealed paper. 

Capitan Juan de Urrutia Lezama, an alcalde and silver merchant, was a member of the Cofradía del Santísimo Sacramento y Caridad (see lot 336 above). Much of this will describes his 100,000-peso bequest to the Colegio de Niñas de Nuestra Señora de la Caridad, a school for orphan girls which was founded by his cofradía. The funds were to be invested in real estate which would provide an income of 5000 pesos per year. These proceeds would pay for the education and 500-peso dowry of 8 girls between the ages of 12 and 16 of pure Spanish blood, chosen by the rector, who would be raised to be wives for Spanish noblemen.

Condition: 

First leaf on sealed paper; first leaf worn without loss of text and nearly detached, edge wear to leaves otherwise minor wear, some soiling else good to very good.