The Survivors of the De Soto Expedition


life in the Indies, Garcia had served the King in Italy, Tunis,
France and other parts of Europe. He also stated that he was of
noble origin and an hidalgo.96 The witnesses called in the
probanza were in agreement with Osorio's statement. In 1546,
Osorio was called to testify in the suit between Isabel de Bobadilla
and Hernando Ponce de Leon. Besides stating that he was in
Florida, he added that he was born in the town of Mestajes,
Kingdom of Leon, around 1510. He signed his declaration.97 This
distinguished Osorio, who was captain of the harquebusiers, is
mentioned more than once by Garcilaso de la Vega and by Elvas.98
He is listed as a survivor from Astorga, Smith-297, which is in the
Kingdom of Leon.

 Otazo, Juan de. Son of Cristobal de Gamarra and (part of the
document is missing) Rivera, citizens of Pedrosa, SR-329.
Survivor from Astorga, Smith-297. This Pedrosa could be the one
near Astorga.

 Paris, Dionisio de. French cleric mentioned by Garcilaso de
la Vega who indicated that he died.99 However, Father Paris
appears in the list of survivors, Smith-298.

 Parra, Alonso de la. A cleric, son of Bartolome de la Parra
and Catalina Perez, citizens of Villanueva de Barcarrota, SR-331.
He is listed from Jerez or Villanueva in Smith-293, which are
towns located in the same province of Extremadura.

 Pegado, Esteban. Son of Hernan Pegado and Lucia Lopez,
from Badajoz, SR-287. Survivor from Portugal, Smith-298. It
should be remembered that the proximity of Badajoz to Portugal
may have encouraged those born in the latter to state that they
were from Spain in order to avoid inconveniences in their passage
to the Indies. Garcilaso de la Vega mentions Estevan Pegado of
Yelves, for Elvas, in Portugal.100

 Pegado, Fernan. Son of Esteban Pegado and a survivor from
 Portugal, listed only as Pegado in Smith-298. Elvas, however,
 stated that he was named Fernan.101


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