Pablo Montoya

Jose Pablo Montoya (July 1, 1792– February 7, 1847) was a New Mexican politician who was Governor of Nuevo México during the Junta Popular of the Río Arriba Rebellion of 1837 against the Centralist Republic of Mexico and the Taos Revolt of 1847 against the United States during the Mexican–American War.

Pablo Montoya was the fourth Pueblo leader of New Mexico after Po'pay and Luis Tupatu of the Pueblo republic (1680-1692), and his predecessor José María González. He was also the final Mexican Governor of the territory.

Early life Jose Pablo Montoya was born July 1, 1792, the son of Andres Montoya and Victoria Velarde.

Career At some point Montoya was the mayor of Taos. In 1837 he was part of the New Mexican Río Arriba Rebellion which briefly made first José María González and then Montoya governor of New Mexico. Both González, a Taos Pueblo Indian, and Montoya, a Hispano of Spanish descent,

led the Junta Popular, the most ethnically inclusive government in the history of New Mexico. In September of that year he led an army of 3000 rebels to within a league and a half of Santa Fe, where he arranged a truce with Gen. Manuel Armijo. He secured his personal immunity by turning over the planners of the rebellion, who were jailed in Santa Fe and later executed by Armijo's forces. Montoya was allowed to return to his home.

In January 1847 Montoya participated in the insurrection against United States rule in New Mexico, begun by those who did not accept the Mexican governor's surrender. Historian David Lavender said that Montoya "style himself as the Santa Anna of the North."

Montoya was captured during the 1847 revolt. After the U.S. had re-established control, a military court charged him with and convicted him of treason. The judges sentenced him and 14 other men to death for their roles in the revolt. Montoya and the others were hanged in the Taos Plaza on February 7, 1847.

Personal life He married Maria Teresa Esquivel and they had established a family in present-day Taos, New Mexico. He was likely a landowner and rancher.

Cultural references Pablo Montoya is featured as one of the protagonists in Maxwell Anderson's 1932 play Night Over Taos.