Los Sobrevivientes de La Florida


Soto's army. He stated that he was born in C6rdoba in 1519, and
was a temporary resident of Tenochtitlan, New Spain. He
answered the questions presented to him by stating that he was in
Spain when Gallegos embarked for the Indies with de Soto. He
saw Gallegos arrive in Florida with several horses, servants and
slaves, and observed his valuable service in the many wars and
conquests that took place. He also declared that they remained for
several years in the conquest, and that many losses were incurred
by Gallegos. These included that of a brother who was a friar.
After the Florida exploration they arrived in Mexico, dressed in
animal skins. Villalobos signed his deposition.150 He is listed as a
son of Francisco de Villalobos and Catalina de Pefialosa, citizens
of Jaen, SR-291. Hernandez de Biedma lists him a survivor, called
only Villalobos from Sevilla, Smith-292. Jaen, Cordoba, and
Sevilla, are cities within the limits of Andalucia.

 Villaroel. A survivor from Castilla la Vieja, Smith-296.

 Villegas, Gonzalo de. Son of Juan de Villegas and Beatriz de
la Cueva, citizens of Palencia, SR-300. A Villegas from Plasencia
is listed among the survivors, Smith-296. No relation exists
between those two cities, but a misspelling could have occurred.

 Villegas, Juan. Son of Garcia Hernandez and Teresa Villegas,
 citizens of Valencia de la Torre, SR-292. A survivor from
 Almendralejo, Smith-294.

 Villegas Prieto, Sebastian de. This individual made his
 probanza of services in the viceroyalty of New Spain in 1569.
 From the testimonies of the witnesses called we have learned what
 follows. This survivor was the legitimate son of Pedro Prieto and
 Maria de Villegas and born in the city of Zamora. He came to the
 Indies, well equipped with arms and horses, with Hernando de
 Soto. He remained in Florida until de Soto's death and then
 followed the leadership of Luis de Moscoso on the journey to
 Mexico. Half of the 700 soldiers who started the conquest of
 Florida survived it. He was reputed to be of noble origin and an
 acknowledged hijodalgo, married and with children, 58 years old,


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