Valuable 18th Century Book Found In Freehold Returned To Mexico

FREEHOLD, NJ — A 300-year-old hand-illustrated book written in old Spanish was recently found in the Monmouth County Historical Association (MCHA) archives and library. The institute decided to return it to its origin country of Mexico.

The book was discovered by historian and author Rick Geffken, who was doing research about the Forman family, one of the oldest Monmouth county families. Geffken came upon a protective cardboard envelope, which seemed to be out of context.

It was "En El Nombre de Dios," a book written in 1715 with guidelines for training Jesuit missionaries, MCHA Research Librarian and Archivist Dana Howell discovered after extensive research.

The book is believed to have been commissioned by Jose de la Puente y Peña Castejón y Salcines (1663-1739), also known as the Marques de la Villapuente. He was an officer who served in Mexico under King Carlos II and King Philip V.

The Marques served in the navy, defending what were then Spain’s territories from pirates, privateers, and incursions by European conquerors, according to the MCHA.

He was knighted by King Carlos and in 1700 became Ordinary Mayor of Mexico, eventually rising to Master of Field of the Royal Armies and a gentleman of His Majesty King Philip V’s bed-chamber, in recognition of his service to New Spain.

Villapuente dedicated part of his life to missionary work, funding a baroque-style church in Mexico City and founding many missions in California.

How did the book then end up in Freehold? Geffken and Howell believe the book began its journey to New Jersey with Lt. James W. Schureman, a West Point Graduate from Shrewsbury, who was part of the occupying United States Army in Mexico City in 1848 following the Mexican- American War.

Schureman seemingly acquired it and brought it back to Shrewsbury, before the book passed down through several generations. MCHA happens to have a portrait of the young Lieutenant on display.

After its many travels, the book was recently returned to Mexico, via the Mexican Cultural Institute in New York, whose Executive Director Miguel Gleason went to the Monmouth County Historical Association to receive the item.