The Survivors of the De Soto Expedition


Gonzalo saw Alonso and Rodrigo enlist, after having invested
much money in their equipment. He signed his deposition.142 In
1547 Gonzalo testified in the suit between Hernando Ponce de
Leon and Isabel de Bobadilla. He repeated that he was part of the
Florida expedition and, at the time of his declaration, a resident of
Villanueva de Barcarrota.143 This conqueror seems to be the same
son of Gonzalo Vazquez and Catalina Vazquez, residents of
Villanueva de Barcarrota, SR-332. He is listed as well in
Smith-293.

 Vazquez, Hernan. This survivor declared, in the city of
Mexico in 1557, that he was 35 years old and had been in the
Florida expedition led by de Soto. He signed his testimony.144
Twelve years later Hernan was still living in Mexico, where he
reiterated having explored Florida and, after de Soto's death,
having gone to Mexico under the leadership of Luis de
Moscoso.145 He appears to be the son of Mateo Garcia and Juana
Rodriguez, citizens of Badajoz, SR-285.

 Vazquez, Rodrigo. Contrary to what was stated in the
probanza of Alonso Vazquez that after Florida he went to Mexico
and Peru, it appears that Rodrigo stayed in Mexico. This would be
more accurate, unless Rodrigo was not Vazquez but Alvarez, as
stated by Hernandez de Biedma, who seems to be in error. Rodrigo
made his probanza in Mexico in 1554. He asked the witnesses to
declare if the following was true. That he and his brother Alonso
Vazquez were born in the city of Jerez near Badajoz. That he came
to the Indies in the armada of de Soto, which sailed from the port
of San Lucar de Barrameda, and arrived at Santiago de Cuba in
1538. That he and the other soldiers of the expedition stayed on
that island for a year prior to leaving for Florida, where Rodrigo
served for five years. That his brother Alonso was a leader of
soldiers under Juan Ruiz Lobillo until wounded in an ankle, at
which time Rodrigo took command of his brother's troops. That
the witness knew that around 1542 he, Rodrigo, went to Mexico.
Finally, Vazquez asked the witnesses to affirm that he was an
hidalgo of good repute and honor.146 As has been noted in their
respective probanzas, Rodrigo Vazquez and Alonso Vazquez both


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