Letter from Jeanne Françoise Oudet to... (1837)

NRA-L-000073 / 1837

Letter from Jeanne Françoise Oudet to Hélène Oudet, September 18, 1837

At the age of eighty-seven, Jeanne Françoise Oudet writes about paralysis, memory loss, care by a servant, household arrangements and family affairs, while noting that she still bleeds sick people.

Neruda Archives
NRA-L-000073

NRA-L-000073 image 1 showing a folded address panel with multiple postal marks, docketing and calculations. — **Image 1**Address panel, postal evidence and calculations.

NRA-L-000073 image 2 showing the opening page of a French personal letter dated February 1837. — **Image 2**Letter text - Page 1.

NRA-L-000073 image 3 showing the continuation and signed closing of the French personal letter. — **Image 3**Letter text - Page 2 and signature.

Archive Record

Identifier: NRA-L-000073
Date: 1837-09-18
Original date: Comnevaux Le 18 7bre 1837
Type: Family correspondence
Language: French / fr
Sender: Jeanne Françoise Oudet
Recipient: Hélène Oudet
Places: Comnevaux, France / Bar-le-Duc, Meuse, France
Extent: 3 documentary sides: Address panel, postal evidence and calculations; Letter text - Page 1; Letter text - Page 2 and signature; 3 digital images.
Signature: Jeanne Françoise Oudet
Citation: Neruda Archives, NRA-L-000073.

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Transcript and English translation

working scholarly aid

Address panel

Original transcript

Madame
Madame Oudet Hélène
[crossed out: chez Monsieur [illegible]]
[crossed out: [illegible]]
à Bar le duc Meuse
[crossed out: à Beaune (Cote d'or)]

Address panel

English translation

Madame
Madame Oudet Hélène
[crossed out: care of Monsieur [illegible]]
[crossed out: [illegible]]
in Bar-le-Duc, Meuse
[crossed out: in Beaune (Côte-d'Or)]

Letter text - Page 1

Original transcript

Comnevaux Le 18 7bre 1837

Ceher Cousines nièce

Je viens de recevoir la lettre que vous ave
eu la bontée de m'envoyer elle m'a bien fai
plaisir je vis toujours voici pres d'un an
que je ne fais rien il me faut une servante
pour faire mes ouvrages de force j'ai tomber
quatre fois morte d'une paralisie de la moi
du Corps perte de mes force on m'a administe
avec toute la Connoissance que j'ai maitena
il m'a falut agir pour cela ce qu'il y a je n
aucun parrant qui puisse me donner du soula
je ne pas que d'être soignée j'écris mal
je suis âgée de quatre vingt sept ans
Je ne peut guere Compte sur la vie j
suis la plus âgée de la Commune

Letter text - Page 1

English translation

Comnevaux, 18 September 1837
Dear cousins and niece,
I have just received the letter that you had the kindness to send me. It gave me great pleasure.
I am still alive. For almost a year now I have done nothing; I need a servant for the heavy work.
Four times I have fallen as if dead from paralysis of half my body and loss of strength. I received the last rites fully conscious, as I am now. I had to take steps for that.
The fact is that I have no relative who can give me any relief. I can only submit to being cared for.
I write badly. I am eighty-seven years old. I can hardly count on life. I am the oldest in the commune.

Letter text - Page 2 and signature

Original transcript

J'ai perdu la memoire Je ne fait
guere de remede Je saigne encore les
malades de nuit et de jours.
Je peut vous dire que j'ai batine
J'ai Changer de maison Cela m'a
nuit considerablement, Je ne suis plus
la même [damaged qualifier]
mes affaire sont arrangé
Je suis Contente elevez bien
vos enfans
Jeanne
françoise Oudet

Letter text - Page 2 and signature

English translation

I have lost my memory. I scarcely prepare remedies any more. I still bleed the sick night and day.
I can tell you that I have built.
I have moved house. That has harmed me considerably. I am no longer the same. [The following words are illegible.]
My affairs are arranged.
I am content. Raise your children well.
Jeanne Françoise Oudet

Discovery Terms

Aging
Illness
Paralysis
Caregiving
Family correspondence
Bar-le-Duc

Transcriptions and English translations are provided as working scholarly aids, not as replacements for the images of the original documents. Some readings may remain uncertain, especially where handwriting, spelling, damage, abbreviations, names or places are difficult.

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