September 5, 2000

Torrance County Archaeological Society

Estancia High School Library

The meeting was called to order by President Bill Simms.

The minutes of the June and May meetings were read and approved. Sharon Hanna gave the Treasurer’s report—present balance: $395.71. There was no Librarian’s report.

Old business:

The state meeting in 2001 will be held in Moriarty where there are adequate facilities. Dates set are April 27, 28 and 29. The theme will have something to do with the Salinas area. April 27 will be registration and a social hour. April 28 will include presentation of papers, talks, a business meeting in the afternoon and a banquet in the evening. Waynette Burnett will look into the possibility of having Kate Spielman for the banquet speaker. April 29 there will be three to five field trips. Possibilities are Tenabo, the Salinas Land Grant, San Marcos, and Comanche Gap.

The Los Lunas field trip will be September 9. Meet in Estancia. Call your call list people.

A field trip to San Marcos is scheduled for October 14 at 10:00 a.m. Meet at the Estancia High School Library parking lot at 8:30 a.m. and car pool.

New business:

A field trip to Ghost Ranch is scheduled for October 28. Meet in Abiqui at 9:00 or 10:00 a.m. This involves a real hike to the Tsiping Ruin (flaking rock).

Mary Candelaria has a site on her land that she wants looked at by someone familiar with archaeology.

November 18 and 19 will be an overnight field trip and mapping training by John Hayden at the White Ranch in southeastern Torrance County. Saturday night will be spent at the Hungry Horse Ranch (Sharon Hanna’s home).

Bill needs information for the October newsletter by the end of this month.

The next meeting will be October 2. The speaker will be Dave Kirkpatrick who will talk about Lincoln County.

The meeting was adjourned by President Bill Simms.

Sharon Hanna, Secretary

Speaker for the evening was Doug Jones, with assistance from Tom Fiechtl. They talked about Ten Commandments Rock.

Members present: Linda Benz, Pete Golden, Sharon Hanna, Sue Harvey, John Hayden, Linda McConkey, Roy McConkey, Catherine Purley, Gloria Pohl, Linda Powell, Marion Shaw, Bill Simms, Ann Smythe-Coons, Judith Tamm

       November, December

November 6, 2000

Torrance County Archaeological Society

Estancia High School Library

The meeting was called to order by President Bill Simms.

The minutes of the September and October meetings were read and approved.

Treasurer’s report—present balance is $395.71. Library report: Catherine Purley is trying to get a computer available for the check-out system. Robert Torrez recommended two books—Marion Shaw will check on the prices.

Old business:

A sign-up sheet for the trip to the White Ranch was passed around. Bill Simms reported on the field trip to Ghost Ranch on October 27 and 28. The Mystery Rock field trip is still in the works—Linda McConkey is still trying to find a time suitable for all entities involved.

New business:

The proposed slate of officers was discussed. Joy Jones has resigned at Treasurer. Linda McConkey nominated Marcia Fitzner for the position, and Jerry Shaw seconded the nomination. Marcia accepted the nomination and it passed on a verbal vote. The officers for 2001 were voted upon and passed by a verbal vote as follows: President—Bill Simms, Vice-President—Linda McConkey, Secretary—Sharon Hanna, Treasurer—Marcia Fitzner. Other positions and Board of Directors remained unchanged. Historian: Judith Tamm, Board of Directors (in addition to officers)—Linda Benz and John Hayden.

A sign-up sheet for bringing treats to meetings was circulated.

Gloria Pohl will be the speaker for the December meeting, which will be the Christmas pot-luck party—everyone brings some kind of treats. Also, dues for 2001 are payable at the December meeting—individual: $10.00; family: $15.00.

State meeting:

The following additions were made to the committees for the state meeting: Field trips--Sharon Hanna and Linda Benz; Publicity—Sharon Hanna; Banquet—Luther Rivera.

Linda McConkey and Nancy Woodworth visited Moriarty facilities. They recommended the Holiday Inn be used for the Friday night reception and vendors, with two rooms for vendors and posters. Anayas have audio equipment and the best facilities for the Saturday evening banquet and any meetings including meals.

The theme for the meeting will be "Salinas People—A Walk Back In Time". A possible speaker for the banquet is Kate Spielman, if she isn’t in London.

The state association’s board meeting will be in Socorro on February 3. Bill Simms will attend, and John Hayden will be there. Nancy recommended we send out a flyer for a call for papers before that time.

Luther Rivera brought a pot to be used for a door prize. He also demonstrated samples of table favors, etc. Luther volunteered to do the table decorations for the banquet.

The meeting was adjourned by President Bill Simms.

Sharon Hanna

Secretary

Attendance:

Guests: Morrow Hall, Teo Chavez, LeRoy Candelaria, Mary Garrett, Nancy Woodworth.

Members: Linda Benz, Waynette Burnett, Leslie Chavez, Ann Smythe Coons, Vivian Counts, Don Fitzner, Marcia Fitzner, Pete Golden, Sharon Hanna, Sue Harvey, John Hayden, Billye Head, Linda McConkey, Roy McConkey, Gloria Pohl, Linda Powell, Catherine Purley, Luther Rivera, Jerry Shaw, Marion Shaw, Barbara Simms, Bill Simms, Judith Tamm.

The speaker for the evening was Robert Torrez, State Historian, with the State Records Center and Archives. His topic for the evening was land grants. His main theme was that land grants are not just an historical issue, they are also a contemporary issue.

There are two types of land grants in New Mexico—Spanish land grants and Mexican land grants. These were further broken down into the following grants: 1. Pueblo; 2. Private; 3. Community land grants—a. community, b. private. All grants were associated with a permanent source of water—irrigable land.

There were no land grants from 1598-1680. The Spanish were driven out of New Mexico from 1680-1692. When they returned in 1692 they used the "Laws of the Indies" as the basis for land grants.

Community grants were based upon physical descriptions of geographic landmarks; no surveys were done until after 1854. A "vara" was approximately a meter, and was the standard of measure used for grants. The land was measured in both directions from the water source, resulting in what came to be called "long lots".

Alcaldes were in charge of issuing land grants as ordered by the king. Private land grants were usually small, as for a residence. The owner depended upon the community grant for making a living—pastures, etc. After the Treaty of Guadelupe Hidalgo in 1848 community land grants became privatized. The major loss of community property came about at the same time as the Depression and a loss of people. Many people now pay their taxes on their long lots and return to retire. Few community grants still exist at entities—only about 10 or 12.

Thomas Catron bought long lots and claimed he owned the entire grant; eventually it was given to him.

Land grant owners cannot use their land as collateral without a clear title.

December 4, 2000

Torrance County Archaeological Society

Estancia High School Library

The meeting was called to order by President Bill Simms.

The minutes of the November meeting were read and approved. The Treasurer’s report was given by Marcia Fitzner, the current balance is $395.71. Marion Shaw gave the Librarian’s report: a computer is now available for our use in checking out material. Milton Romans donated a video regarding mummies in Peru. Marion hasn’t been able to find a price on the books recommended by Robert Torrez, but will continue her search.

Old business:

Bill Simms reported on the trip to the Billie White Ranch on November 18 and 19. Those attending were: Bill and Barbara Simms, John Hayden, Roy and Linda McConkey, Ann Smythe Coons, Catherine Purley, Curtis and Linda Benz, Judith Tamm and Nick. Milton Romans joined the group for dinner with hosts Dean and Sharon (Hanna) Brinkman. Charcoal samples were collected and a price search is underway for radio-carbon dating. John Hayden is also searching for funding for the testing. Pending permission from the landowner, the TCAS hopes to do more research on the area. Catherine Purley and Ann Smythe Coons are doing a literature search for studies done on the Salinas area.

Bill Simms showed examples of the logo and letterhead for use with the state meeting. Billye Head reported on the Banquet Committee and showed examples of table favors, etc. made by Luther Rivera.

New business:

The January meeting will be held on the second Monday, January 8.

Meeting adjourned by President Bill Simms.

The speaker for the evening was member Gloria Pohl, who talked about her geneology studies and demonstrated how she has organized the information into a ring binder.

Following the business meeting the group indulged in the annual pot-luck Christmas party.

Sharon Hanna

Secretary

Attendance:

Linda Benz, Leslie Chavez, Vivian Counts, Don Fitzner, Marcia Fitzner, Sharon Hanna, Sue Harvey, Billye Head, Earl Head, Joy Jones, George Martin, Mary Martin, Linda McConkey, Roy McConkey, Gloria Pohl, Catherine Purley, Luther Rivera, Milton Romans, Marion Shaw, Barbara Simms, Bill Simms, Judith Tamm, Nancy Woodworth.