Jorge de Montoya (alias Díaz de Montoya)

• General Notes
  • From Casteloblanco.  In Mexico, he was "the leasder of the herd and the interpreter [of Jewish law] for many of the Jews in the city." p. 176.  Particular to Simon Vaez Sevilla and Duarte de Leon Jaramillo.  His proceso states that Vaez Sevilla "fled from Casteloblanco on account of the fear of the Inquisitions.  He, his father and brothers then called themselves Sevilla."  p. 176.  de Montoya possibly changed his name to Antonio Vaez Casteloblanco.  Parents:  Diego Mendez de Elbas and Clara Enriquez.  Brother:  Francisco Diaz de Montoya.  All had lived in Pisa.  His father, from Pisa, sent him and his brother, who were in the Philippines, "sworn statements and information compiled in Seville and attested to by Portuguese bearing the surnames of the most important and reputable Portuguese householders.  This information attested that they, the brothers, parents, grandparents and, great grandparents were Old Christians, nobles and gentlemen and descnedents of the Azevedos and Vasconcellos.  All of the foregoing was a great lie and fraud." p. 176 "New Christians obtain them [court attested genealogical information] in order to marry into Old Christians and join their families thereby delaying the Old Christian families and gain public offices, all of which is an affront to Old Christians."  He fled Manila, went to Macao, "in Great China" p.176.    Liebman note 1, Montoya had been imprisoned by the Inquisition in Goa before 1640.  note 2, his brother was circumcized, indicating they were indeed JEws