Antonio de Otermín facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Antonio de Otermín
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| 26th Spanish Governor of New Place | |
| In office 1679–1683 |
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| Preceded by | Juan Francisco Treviño |
| Succeeded by | Domingo Jironza Petriz de Cruzate |
| Personal details | |
| Spouse | Ana María Ladrón de Guevara |
| Profession | Political |
| Signature |  |
Antonio de Otermín was a Spanish governor in North America. He governed the northern part of New Spain, which is now the U.S. states of New Mexico and Arizona. His time as governor was from 1678 to 1682.
During his rule, a major event happened: the Pueblo Revolt. This was when the Pueblo people, led by their religious leader Popé, fought against the Spanish colonists. Governor Otermín had to deal with this rebellion. He fought against the Pueblo people in some battles. He also helped create a safe place for the Spanish settlers and loyal Pueblo people near what is now Ciudad Juarez in Mexico.
Contents
About Antonio de Otermín
Early Life and Family
We don't know exactly when or where Antonio de Otermín was born. Historians think he was born between 1620 and 1630. His family home was likely in the Otermín family area in Spain. This area is near the Massif de Aralar mountains, which form a natural border between Gipuzkoa and Navarre, Spain.
The name Otermín might come from a Basque word, oteme. This word means 'furze' or 'broom', which are types of spiny, yellow-flowered shrubs.
Governor of New Mexico and the Pueblo Revolt
Antonio de Otermín became the governor of New Mexico in 1678. In August 1680, he received important news. Two Pueblo leaders, who were allies of the Spanish, warned him about a planned rebellion. They said two men from Tesuque were planning an attack on Spanish towns and missions.
Because of this warning, Otermín ordered the arrest of the messengers. When the Pueblo people heard about these arrests, their leader, Popé, decided to start the rebellion right away. In the Pueblo Revolt, Popé's forces surrounded Santa Fe, the capital city. They cut off its water supply, trapping the Spanish inside.
Fighting the Rebellion
Governor Otermín held a meeting with his war council. They decided to make a surprise attack on the Pueblo forces. On August 20, the Spanish settlers and soldiers left their fortified area and attacked the Pueblo people.
The Pueblo people had many weapons. Even though Otermín's army fought bravely, they lost more soldiers than the Puebloans. The Pueblo people won a big victory against Otermín's government. Reports from captured Pueblo people suggested that many Spanish settlers in New Mexico had been killed.
After this defeat, Otermín and his council decided they needed to retreat to survive. They planned to go to Isleta Pueblo. Other Spanish survivors of the revolt had already gathered there.
The Retreat to El Paso
On August 21, Otermín and his people surrendered their weapons to the settlers. They then marched together to Isleta Pueblo. When they arrived, they met another group of refugees who had reached Isleta a few weeks earlier.
A few days later, Otermín was given the rank of lieutenant governor. By September 13, the number of refugees from Santa Fe was greater than those from Isleta. The rebel Pueblo population was now too large for the Spanish to fight against.
Otermín was barricaded in the Palace of the Governors. He believed that all settlers in northern New Mexico had been killed by the Puebloans. He also didn't feel safe in Isleta. So, on that day, he called for a full retreat. He and Fray Cristóbal ordered the people of Isleta to leave New Mexico.
On September 21, the Spanish settlers left the capital city. They headed towards El Paso del Norte, which is now Ciudad Juárez. Their plan was to regroup there and plan to take back New Mexico. Five days later, they reached Salinetas, north of El Paso del Norte. They stayed there until the first week of October.
At La Salineta, a meeting was held. At least 1,946 people were with Otermín. They decided to delay taking back New Mexico. They wanted to wait until they received help from the viceroy. They also decided to move their group to the Guadalupe mission because of dangers in El Paso del Norte. By October 9, the refugees had arrived near the Guadalupe mission.
Further Attempts and Replacement
In November 1681, Otermín tried to return to New Mexico. During this attempt, he burned both Isleta Pueblo (which had not joined the revolt) and Sandía Pueblo. He returned to modern Isleta del Sur, near El Paso, with some prisoners, but didn't achieve much else.
In Isleta Pueblo, the settlers were attacked by Puebloans but managed to defeat them. Otermín then held a ceremony to show that Spanish power was re-established in the region. He also gave corn to the local people.
After this victory, Otermín sent Juan Dominguez de Mendoza and a group of Spanish men and Pueblo allies north. They went to the Tiwa and Keres lands near Albuquerque and Bernalillo. There, Mendoza spoke with Pueblo leaders. They told him that their people planned to attack and kill any settlers who returned. Mendoza then ordered the settlers to go to Isleta, where the governor was.
Otermín traveled with his army to northern New Mexico. But he found that the Puebloan region was empty. Perhaps fearing a new attack, he decided to hold several war councils.
In August 1682, Otermín became ill. He asked to be replaced as governor of New Mexico. Domingo Jironza Pétriz de Cruzate took over his position. In this same year, Otermín, along with Fray Francisco de Ayeta, helped found a mission called La Misión de Corpus Christi de San Antonio de la Ysleta del Sur in Ysleta, Texas.
Personal Life
Antonio Otermín married Ana María Ladrón de Guevara on May 24, 1692, in Asunción, Mexico. She was one of the people who survived the Pueblo Indian Revolt. We do not have information about when he died.
See also
In Spanish: Antonio de Otermín para niños
