Chapter 2

The Eleuterio and Andrea Sáenz Family

Eleuterio Sáenz with sons Andrés and Anacleto

Eleuterioand Andrealived a simple and peaceful life, kept busy raising a family and working the land. The family was evidently brought up with much love, encouragement, and respect for the laws of God. They were a grateful and happy people who celebrated religious feasts and other festive occasions. They were brotherly and compassionate and shared in their good fortunes. Some were musicians. Most were very humble and simple people. But the hard work and the hard times took a toll on their health. Andrea eventually lost her eyesight. Eleuterio sometimes stayed for a few days with his daughters, Plácida, Josefa, and Benigna. He died on June 19, 1908, at the age of 72, while staying at the home of his daughter Benigna. His wife, Andrea, died on October 13, 1917, at the age of 69, at the home of her daughter Josefa.

After Eleuterio's death, the family kept working together, perhaps under the guidance of their mother and elder members of the family. Their sons and daughters all stayed together as an extended family even after the death of Eleuterio and Andrea. The 479.7 acres that the family had held in common from Eleuterio and Andrea were legally divided on January 20, 1912. Although the sons and daughters partitioned the land into equal shares of 53.3 acres each, they remained in homesteads adjacent to each other on the lands of Rancho El Fresnillo⁴.

Amado, the youngest son, lived with his family near the main ranch house. As was the custom in the early times, the youngest member of the family inherited the house and the portion of land surrounding the family home. Amado's ranch continued to be known as Rancho El Fresnillo. Andrés, the oldest, also lived nearby with his family.

After the partition was executed in 1912, Eleuterio's and Andrea's sons and daughters gave their small ranches new names. Anastacio, for example, called his ranch "El Mesquite Bonito." Benignanamed hers "San Vicente." Plácida'sranch was called "Agua Dulce," Josefa'sranch was "Santo Niño," and Andrés'snew ranch was "San Andrés."

4. On January 20, 1912, a partition deed was recorded in Book 6, pages 5 through 14, indicating that Eleuterio and Andrea divided their land and other properties among their family members. The Deed of Partition reads that the heirs in law held in common 479.7 acres, 239.85 acres inherited from Eleuterio Sáenz (deceased) and 239.85 purchased from Andrea B. de Sáenz, a surviving widow. All heirs inherited 53.3 acres each.