The Survivors of the De Soto Expedition


 Lopez de Salto, Juan. Judging by the numerous instances
found in the probanzas mentioned here and many other documents
inspected by the present author, hearsay was acceptable legal
evidence in the Spanish Empire, at least during the sixteenth
century. Thus one witness testified in Mexico in 1562, that he had
heard from Juan Lopez del Salto that Francisco Gutierrez had been
in Florida with de Soto.73 From this assertion we believe that
Lopez was in Florida with Adelantado. This individual may be the
same listed as son of Tomas Lopez Cimarron and Maria del Salto,
citizens of Jaen, SR-276, particularly considering the mother's last
name. Also, he may be the same survivor listed by Smith-296 as
Juan Lopez Zaharron, from Ubeda or Baeza. Cimarron and
Zaharron appear to be different spellings of the same name.

 Madrigal. Survivor from Zafra, Almendralejo, or Segura,
Smith-294. There is one Alonso de Madrigal, son of Juan de
Madrigal and Maria Gorda, citizens of Molezuelas, SR-316.
Molezuelas was located in the Kingdom of Leon, a good distance
away from the Almendralejo region.


 Maldonado, Francisco. This survivor was called by Isabel de
Bobadilla, de Soto's widow, to testify in her legal contest with
Heran Ponce de Leon. Maldonado indicated in April, 1546, in
Madrid, that he had met de Soto in 1537 or 1538. De Soto told
Maldonado, in Valladolid, that the King had granted him the
exploration and settlement of Florida. Maldonado accompanied
him from that city to Cuba and later sailed to Florida where he
served for the duration. He signed his testimony.74 In the
expedition he was an infantry captain, frequently mentioned by
Rangel, Hernandez de Biedma, Elvas and Garcilaso de la Vega.75
Maldonado was a son of Rodrigo Maldonado and Beatriz
Maldonado, citizens from Salamanca, SR-333.


 Marban, Bueso. Son of Garcia Marban and Maria Benevides,
citizens of Villanueva de Valdepefias (?), SR-329. Marban was a
survivor from Astorga, Smith-297.


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