Letters and reports, from Sedelmayr to Christóbal de
Escobar y Llamas, Juan Antonio Balthassar, Philipp Segesser, and Andrés
Xavier García, relating to conditions in Pimeria Alta at the missions
and surrounding areas. Includes reports on explorations to the Gila and
Colorado Rivers which describe the terrain and customs of the people
encountered.
Collection Number:
AZ 437
Repository:
University of Arizona Libraries, Special Collections
University of Arizona
PO Box 210055
Tucson, AZ 85721-0055
Phone: 520-621-6423
Fax: 520-621-9733
URL: http://speccoll.library.arizona.edu/
Biographical Note
Jacobo Sedelmayr was born in Freising, Bavaria, on January 12, 1703. A
Jesuit missionary, he was sent to New Spain in 1736 and was assigned to the
Pimeria Alta region, at the mission at Tubutama. This region, the northernmost
frontier of New Spain, now includes Arizona and the Mexican states of Sonora
and Sinaloa. It was the northernmost frontier of New Spain. Here he worked to
convert the native people to Christianity, to build churches, and to improve
living conditions. He also undertook several expeditions to investigate lands
and people to the north.
In 1751, eight missions were active in Pimeria Alta. Sedelmayr was
Visitador Provincial, located at Tubutama. Also that year, a revolt of the
Pimas created a major setback for the Jesuits. Sometime between 1754 and 1762,
Sedelmayr was transferred to the mission of Tecoripa, in the province of
Sonora. In 1764, he became professor at the College of Matape on the Yaqui
River. On June 25, 1767, the Jesuits were expelled from Mexico. Sedelmayr found
refuge in Spain and died at Aldea de Avila, Spain on February 12, 1779.
Scope and Content Note
Letters and reports, from Sedelmayr to various Jesuit leaders, describe
conditions in Pimeria Alta at the missions and surrounding areas, discuss
administrative concerns, and report on explorations along the Gila and Colorado
Rivers.
The documents provide a detailed account of the land and people he
encountered including Pima, Tohono O'odham, Apache, Yuman, and Seri. They also
contain information on the organization and operations of the Jesuit missions
in the Pimeria Alta. Correspondents are Christobal de Escobar y Llamas, Juan
Antonio Balthassar, Philipp Segesser, and Andres Xavier Garcia.
Three letters and one report are contemporary holograph documents.
Seven letters and two reports are photocopies of holograph documents. All are
in Spanish, with some lapses into German interspersed; and are accompanied by
typescript English translations or summaries.
It is the responsibility of the user to obtain permission to publish
from the owner of the copyright (the institution, the creator of the record,
the author or his/her transferees, heirs, legates, or literary executors). The
user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Arizona Board of Regents for the
University of Arizona, its officers, employees, and agents from and against all
claims made by any person asserting that he or she is an owner of
copyright.
Access Terms
Personal Name(s)
Balthassar, Juan Antonio,
1697-1763
Escobar y Llamas, Christóbal de,
d. 1760
García, Andrés
Xavier
Sedelmayr, Jacobo,
1703-1779
Segesser, Philipp,
1689-1761
Corporate Name(s)
Jesuits -- Missions -- Southwest, New --
History -- Sources
Geographic Name(s)
Pimeria Alta (Mexico and Ariz.) -- Church history --
Sources
Southwest, New -- Discovery and exploration --
Sources
Letter to Father Provincial Cristobal de Escobar y Llamas,
from the Mission of Tubutama, Pimeria Alta.
, December
31,1744
Holograph in Spanish and Latin describing his travels in southwest
Arizona and along the Gila River in October and November 1743. Includes
extensive description of people encountered in the region.
1
2
Report of an exploration, written at Tubutama, and copied
by Fr. Bartholome Saenz at Caborca.
, November
16,1748
Holograph in Spanish of a 1748 exploration along the Gila River to
its confluence with the Colorado River. Extensive description of the geography
and the people encountered.
1
3
Letter to Juan Antonio Balthassar, S.J., from Tubutama.
, April
1,1749
Holograph, in Spanish and German. Concerns affairs at the mission,
including accounts of trips in the area, relationships with Yuma, Seri, Apache
people, and proposals for further missionary work.
1
4
Letter to Philipp Segesser, S.J., from Tubutama.
, January
8,1751
Holograph, in Spanish, relates chiefly to his opposition to the
sending of missionaries to certain pueblos in Pimeria Alta. An additional note
refers to proposed activities in California.
Letter to Christobal de Escobar y Llamas, from Tubutama.
, May
29,1745
Describes his exploration of the Gila and Colorado Rivers, his
encounters with the Cocomaricopas, and his mission work in Pimeria Alta.
1
5
Letter to Juan Antonio Balthassar, from Tubutama.
, March
22,1747
Gives information about Franciscan missionary work with the
Navajo, and his own work in Pimeria Alta. Includes material about the presidios
of Terrenate, San Xavier del Bac, Quevavi, and Fronteras.
1
5
Letter to Andres Xavier Garcia, from Tubutama.
, June
15,1748
Reports on the missions and missionaries in the Pimeria Alta
region.
1
5
Letter with no addressee, from Tubutama.
, November
16,1748
Summary of his journey to native villages on the Gila and Colorado
Rivers. Describes the Yumas and their land.
1
5
Report of his explorations of the Colorado and Gila
Rivers.
, November-December
1750
Describes conditions and makes recommendations for locations of
missions.
1
5
Letter to Father Provincial Juan Antonio Balthassar, from
Tubutama.
, January
9,1751
Discusses his 1750 explorations, his mission plans, and his work
on a History of Pimeria Alta. He suggests measures for the protection of the
missions.
1
5
Letter to Father Provincial Juan Antonio Balthassar, from
Tubutama.
, January
13,1751
Relates events at San Miguel de Sonoytac and other news.
1
5
Report on his visitation of the missions of Pimeria Alta,
from Tubutama.
, May
10,1751
Describes conditions at Quevavi, San Xavier del Bac, Santa Maria
Ssuanca, and San Ignacio, and makes recommendations for improvement.
1
5
Letter to Father Provincial Juan Antonio Balthassar, from
Tubutama.
, May
21,1751
Relates mission news, gives suggestions for assignment of
missionaries, and discourages further exploration beyond the Colorado until
natives have been pacified.
