Letter from an unidentified woman to Caroline, sent to Madame Veuve Villain, July 10, 1839

An unidentified newly married woman writes to Caroline Villain about her marriage to a widowed mariner, the wedding day, household matters, the sale of clothing, and a remittance of 90 francs.

Madame Veuve Villain [postal addressee, care of her father]

Marriage
Family correspondence
Household economy
Clothing
Maritime life
Nantes
Sarrebourg

Ordinary Lives

NRA-L-000059 - Image 1: Address panel and postal evidence

Address panel and postal evidence.

NRA-L-000059 image 1 showing the folded address panel to a woman at Sarrebourg, with postal cancellations, repairs and paper loss.

NRA-L-000059 - Image 2: Letter text - Page 1

Letter text - Page 1.

NRA-L-000059 image 2 showing the opening page of a French letter to Caroline, dated 10 July 1839, with historical paper repairs.

NRA-L-000059 - Image 3: Letter text - Page 2

Letter text - Page 2.

NRA-L-000059 image 3 showing the continuation of the French letter, including an account of a marriage ceremony, with folds and small paper losses.

NRA-L-000059 - Image 4: Letter text - Page 3, marginal note and calculation

Letter text - Page 3, marginal note and calculation.

NRA-L-000059 image 4 showing the final French letter page with a vertical marginal passage, closing lines, a calculation and paper loss.

[[label: Address panel]] Madame Madame Ve Villain chez son pere Dr Medecin Sarrebourg Dépt de la Meurthe

[[label: Documentary page 2]] Nantes le 10 juillet 1839 Ma chère Caroline, Depuis quelque tems je remets à t'écrire, et au moment ou je crois pouvoir le faire il me survient un empêchement. mes occupations de ménage, l'ordre qu'il me faut remettre dans la garderobe de mon mari, ensuite le déménagement de maman. cependant, d'après la lettre que tu as ecrite à papa à l'occasion de sa fête j'avais pris le parti de ne pas differer plus longtems, qu'and il m'ait survenu un petit paquet par la diligence qu'une dame de tes amies m'a fait passer avec 21 f. provenant de la vente de trois fichus alors j'ai encore remis ma lettre à quelques jours, pour tâcher de vendre aussi quelque chose pour augmenter un peu l'argent que je voulais te faire passer. j'ai reussi a vendre les deux bonnets de Mousseline, et trois fichus. on a bien raison de dire que Marchandise offerte, pert de son prix car je puis t'assurer que je ne mets aucunes négligence à me défaire de tes Marchandises je les offre souvent sans réussite. Maintenant tu veux savoir ma chère Caroline, quelques détails sur mon Mariage je vais tâcher de te satisfaire je ne suis pas étonnée que le nom de mon Mari ne te soit

[[label: Documentary page 3]] pas inconnu d'abord parce que j'étais l'amie intime de sa première epouse Christine Weisbrod, que tu as sans doute vu pendant ton sejour parmis nous. après la perte de mon amie, mon Mari a continué a nous voir comme par le passé Depuis qu'il est veuf il a fait trois voyages et chaque fois qu'il était à terre ses visites étaient fréquentes. enfin, lors de son arrivée au mois de fevrier dernier, il est venu le lendemain chez nous, il m'a dit de suite que son intention n'était pas de faire le prochain voyage, qu'il voulait se reposer, et que d'ailleur il avait des projets. je me doutais bien un de ce que cela voulait dire cependant j'en n'en étais pas certaine. enfin, lorsque son navire a été expedié pour un voyage de dix mois il s'est expliqué plus clairement. Malgré le chagrin que j'avais de faire de la peine a papa, je me suis décidée a accepter la main de mon mari, etant persuadée à l'avance du bonheur qui m'attendait ayant été plus que tout autre a même de connaitre son interieur lors de sa première union. maintenant, je ne puis que me féliciter car tous les jours je vois que ses gouts s'accordent avec les miens. je me suis donc rendue le 14 mai à l'église a neuf heures du matin accompagné de papa, maman, mes frères, leurs épouses, et leurs enfans. les témoins de mon futur j'avais une robe de blanche de satin laine, et un chapeau blanc, et mon schall de nôce qui est fort beau : après la cérémonie, nous sommes revenus à la maison ou un déjeuner nous attendais après quoi les messieurs sont

[[label: Documentary page 4]] allés a leurs a[ccupa]tions, les dames chez elles pour moi je me suis occupée de faire transporter ma garderobe dans le domicile que je devais occuper le soir. quat[re] heures ont été bientot venues il a fallu de nouveau faire sa toilette, qui était la même que le matin, à l'exception du schall et du chapeau. j'étais coiffée en cheveux avec une guirlande de fleurs. notre salon étant trop petit pour recevoir vingt et quelques personne Madame Corron toujours bonne pour moi m'a offert le sien que j'ai accepté, de cette manière j'ai pu rendre des honnêtés que j'avais reçus jusqu'à ce moment après le souper, nous avons danser quelques rondes pour rendre la nôce un peu gai ensuite papa et maman m'ont reconduit chez moi. je n'ai regreter ce jour la qu'une chose ma chère Caroline c'est ton absence, j'aurais eu tant de bonheur a t'avoir auprès de moi ainsi que tes chers enfants, eux aussi manquaient a la petit table des marmo[ts] Laure comme la plus grande en eut été la reine. Mais je m'apperçois qu'avec mon bavardage mon papier s'avance et que je ne t'ai pas rendu compte de l'argent que je t'envoie d'abord 20 f pour la bourse de Laure si elle veut donner la dessus quelque chose à son frère henry elle me fera plaisir, pour lui prouver que je ne l'ai pas oublié je n'ai qu'un regret, c'est que le cadeau soit si minime mais a l'occasi[on] d'une nôce les dépenses ne manquent pas ensuite 21 f de la dame qui m'a fait passer les broderies, et 49 f que j'avais a toi ce qui fait 90 f 49 20 21 Total 90 [written in the left margin] adieu, ma bonne Caroline, nous nous portons tous assey bien, papa a été sensible a ton bon souvenir mon mari me charge de te dire les choses les plus amieus[es] une autre fois je lui laisserai une petite place dans ma lettre pour qu'il t'écrive quelques lignes. j'embrasse pour nous tes enfans, nos amitiés a ta famille. Mon adresse est rue d'Angers no 10 une autre fois je te parlerai de mon logement

[[label: Address panel]] Madame Madame Widow Villain at her father's, Doctor of Medicine Sarrebourg Department of Meurthe

[[label: Documentary page 2]] Nantes, 10 July 1839 My dear Caroline, For some time I have been putting off writing to you, and at the moment when I think I can do so an impediment arises: my household occupations, the order I must restore to my husband's wardrobe, then Mama's move. However, after the letter you wrote to Papa on the occasion of his name day I had decided not to delay any longer, when a small package arrived by stagecoach that a lady friend of yours sent me with 21 f. from the sale of three fichus. So I put off my letter for a few more days, to try to sell something else as well to increase a little the money I wanted to send you. I succeeded in selling the two muslin bonnets, and three fichus. They are quite right to say that merchandise offered for sale loses its value, for I can assure you that I spare no effort in disposing of your goods; I offer them often without success. Now you want to know, my dear Caroline, some details about my marriage. I will try to satisfy you.

[[label: Documentary page 3]] I am not surprised that my husband's name is not unknown to you, first because I was the intimate friend of his first wife Christine Weisbrod, whom you probably saw during your stay among us. After the loss of my friend, my husband continued to see us as in the past. Since he has been a widower he has made three voyages and each time he was ashore his visits were frequent. Finally, upon his arrival last February, he came to our house the next day, he told me right away that his intention was not to make the next voyage, that he wanted to rest, and that besides he had plans. I suspected a little what that meant, however I was not certain of it. Finally, when his ship was dispatched for a ten-month voyage he explained himself more clearly. Despite the sorrow I had at causing pain to Papa, I decided to accept my husband's hand, being persuaded in advance of the happiness that awaited me, having been more than anyone else in a position to know his home life during his first union. Now, I can only congratulate myself, for every day I see that his tastes agree with mine. I therefore went on 14 May to the church at nine o'clock in the morning accompanied by Papa, Mama, my brothers, their wives, and their children, and my future husband's witnesses. I had a white wool satin dress, and a white hat, and my wedding shawl which is very beautiful:

[[label: Documentary page 4]] After the ceremony, we returned to the house where a luncheon awaited us, after which the gentlemen went to their occupations, the ladies to their homes. As for me, I busied myself with having my clothing transported to the residence I was to occupy in the evening. Four o'clock soon came, it was necessary to dress again, which was the same as in the morning, with the exception of the shawl and the hat. My hair was done up with a garland of flowers. Our living room being too small to receive twenty-some people, Madame Corron, always good to me, offered me hers, which I accepted; in this way I was able to return the courtesies I had received up to that moment. After supper, we danced a few rounds to make the wedding a little gay, then Papa and Mama walked me home. I regretted only one thing that day, my dear Caroline, and that is your absence; I would have had so much happiness to have you near me as well as your dear children, they too were missing at the little table of the brats. Laure, as the oldest, would have been the queen of it. But I notice that with my chatter my paper is running out and I have not given you an account of the money I am sending you. First 20 f. for Laure's purse; if she wants to give something out of it to her brother Henry she will give me pleasure, so that I may prove to him that I have not forgotten him. I have only one regret, which is that the gift is so small, but on the occasion of a wedding expenses are not lacking. Then 21 f. from the lady who sent me the embroideries, and 49 f. that I had for you, which makes 90 f. 49 20 21 Total 90 [written in the left margin] Farewell, my good Caroline, we are all quite well, Papa was touched by your kind remembrance. My husband asks me to send you his warmest regards. Another time I will leave him a little space in my letter so that he can write you a few lines. I kiss your children for us both, our regards to your family. My address is 10 rue d'Angers. Another time I will tell you about my lodging.

The writer is unidentified; `newly married woman` is a content inference, not a personal identity. Caroline is the textual addressee and Madame Veuve Villain the postal form.


Letter from Jules Lichtenstein to his grandmother and sister Louise, May 7, 1834

Jules Lichtenstein writes from Berlin to his grandmother and his sister Louise about family portraits, religious instruction, holidays, theatre, the museum, and an encounter with a Prussian princess.

Writer's grandmother [first textual addressee]

Louise Lichtenstein [second textual addressee]

Family correspondence
Education
Religious instruction
Berlin
Montpellier
Museums
Music and theatre

Family correspondence
Personal correspondence

Ordinary Lives

NRA-L-000060 - Image 1: Address panel and postal evidence

Address panel and postal evidence.

NRA-L-000060 image 1 showing the address panel to Louise Lichtenstein in Montpellier, with red forwarding marks, circular postal cancellations and folded docketing.

Publicly available images, transcriptions, translations, metadata and descriptions may be copied, shared, reproduced and republished, in whole or in part, for non-commercial purposes, provided that Neruda Archives is clearly credited and the relevant item identifier and stable URL are preserved. This permission includes non-commercial scholarly, educational, editorial, exhibition, website and social-media use. Automated machine use, including crawling, indexing, text and data mining, retrieval, embeddings and AI training by commercial and non-commercial systems, is permitted, provided provenance is retained where technically feasible and the item identifier and stable URL are preserved in source records or associated documentation. Commercial publication, commercial reproduction, resale, advertising use, paid access to a database or dataset and bulk redistribution of images require prior written permission. For the avoidance of doubt, permission is not required merely because an AI system or its operator is commercial. The images displayed and downloadable on this page are public access copies, and the permissions above apply to those files. Access to non-public source scans (preservation masters) or files specially prepared for print, where available, requires prior written agreement. Attribution may not be removed or replaced by false or misleading attribution.

NRA-L-000060 - Image 2: Letter text - Page 1

Letter text - Page 1.

NRA-L-000060 image 2 showing the opening page of a French letter dated at Berlin on 7 May 1834 and addressed to the writer's grandmother.

NRA-L-000060 - Image 3: Letter text - Page 2 and second salutation

Letter text - Page 2 and second salutation.

NRA-L-000060 image 3 showing continued French letter text followed by a second section addressed to Louise, with writing visible through the paper.

NRA-L-000060 - Image 4: Letter text - Page 3, closing and signature

Letter text - Page 3, closing and signature.

NRA-L-000060 image 4 showing the final French letter page with the closing, signature, an additional note, folds and paper loss.

[[label: Address panel]] Mademoiselle Louise Lichtenstein adress. Lichtenstein Vialars à Montpellier France Dep. de l'Herault

[[label: Documentary page 2]] Berlin le 7 Mai 1834 Chère ^bonne^ maman J'ai reçu une de tes lettres du 15 Avril et je n'ai pu y répondre quand j'ai répondu à Westphal il y'a deux ou trois jours mais demain nous avons vacance parceque c'est fête demain en huit nous avons de nouveau vacance pour 15 jours pour la Pentecôte. à propos je vous avais écrit de me dire ce que vous désiriez que je fis à l'égard de mon instruction religieuse n'ayant reçu aucune lettre qui m'en parle, je conclus que qui ne dit mot consent et je parlerais avec l'oncle a Mr Palmier (le ministre français) aussitôt que l'occassion s'en présentera. j'ai eu une grande joie ce jour passé le bon auguste mon cousin de Wolfenbüttel m'a envoyé vos portraits qu'il a copié sur ceux qu'a fait Theodore ils m'ont fait le plus grand plaisir tu es très ressemblante augusta aussi pauline delia et victor aussi mais je trouve que maman et louise ont l'air un peu trop vielles et sévères, la position que tu as dans ce petit tableau me prouve encor ton amour pour moi, tu relis une de mes lettres, je pense aussi bien souvent à toi chère bonne maman, chaque fois que je porte mes yeux sur ce tableau qui est suspendu dans la chambre que je suis le plus souvent, ^(revenir dans ma mémoire)^ je sens tous les plaisirs que j'ai ressenti près de vous tous les moments de joie de ces soirées délicieuses où pendant que maman avait la bonté de faire une partie d'échec avec moi louise et augusta chantaient, papa les écoutait et les autres se roulaient sur le tapis, et toi, tout en tricotant tu nous racontais quelque chose. Berlin est bien beau, ses grandes tours ses palais sa promenade (der thiergarten) tout cela est peut être plus somptueux

[[label: Documentary page 3]] qu'a montpellier mais cette dernière ville renferme des objets qui me sont plus chers que tout ce que l'univers peut posseder ces objets c'est vous chaque matin m'a premiere pensée est vers montpellier ma dernière chaque soir est toujours vers montpellier. adieu ma chere bonne maman je t'embrasse de tout mon cœur et suis pour la vie ton devoué petit fils jules P.S. Quand tu iras prendre le café au lait chez tante Basse ou Roquepine n'oublie pas de leur faire mes amitiés ainsi qu'aux autres tantes Vassas, pigeaire, Tustel Pauline etc etc. donne m'en quelques fois des nouvelles. Chère Louise. Tu me dis que vous avez vu jouer le Pré aux clercs et que la musique t'a assez amusé, je l'ai vu jouer chanté par le meilleur chanteur de l'Opera ici et ..... je me suis endormi. J'ai aussi vu Bertrand et Raton qui m'a assez interessé pourtant je n'y ai rien trouvé d'extraordinaire. Hier la princesse de prusse, Wilhelm femme du second fils du roi de prusse est venue au musée, l'oncle m'a pris avec lui pour lui montrer les oiseaux, la princesse m'a parlé en français m'a dit qu'elle était charmé de faire ma connaissance, et et n'ayant jamais parlé a des gens d'un si haut rang je crois que je m'y pris un peu gauchement dans mes réponses, oui oui Altesse Royale non Altesse Royale etc les dames de la cour ont aussi beaucoup parlé français avec moi m'ont demandé le nom de plusieurs oiseaux, p. ex. Coquillade, étourneau, etc etc la princesse doit revenir au musée et a dit a l'oncle qu'il devait souvent me mener avec lui [[notes]] Editorial notes: "Le Pré aux clercs" is an 1832 opéra comique by Ferdinand Hérold. "Bertrand et Raton" is an 1833 play by Eugène Scribe.

[[label: Documentary page 4]] ainsi que mon cousin moritz qui était aussi la pour aider a porter les oiseaux. nous avons aujourd'hui une soiree musicale mais cela m'ennuye et comme il n'y a pas de façon a faire puisque toute la societé se reduit a Jules Ramelsberg, fils de l'inspecteur du Musée, [crossed out: Mr] Hermann Lichtenstein de Helmstädt, que je tutoye et d'un autre Monsieur je puis vous écrire en tranquillité je n'y vois plus il est 8 heures et quart du reste cette lettre est la plus longue je crois que je vous ai jamais écrite mais plus le temps que je suis eloigné de vous s'aggrandit plus je sens le plaisir de m'entretenir plus long temps avec vous. Adieu chere sœur je t'embrasse de tout mon cœur ton frère Jules Lichtenstein Remets a papa la feuille ci-incluse. embrasse le bien pour moi, et amusez vous bien le jour de sa fete. adieu

[[label: Address panel]] Miss Louise Lichtenstein address: Lichtenstein Vialars in Montpellier France Department of Hérault

[[label: Documentary page 2]] Berlin, 7 May 1834 Dear Grandmother, I received one of your letters of 15 April and I could not answer it when I answered Westphal two or three days ago, but tomorrow we have a holiday because it is a feast day. A week from tomorrow we have another holiday for 15 days for Pentecost. By the way, I had written to you to tell me what you wished me to do regarding my religious instruction. Having received no letter speaking to me about it, I conclude that silence gives consent and I will speak with my uncle to Mr Palmier (the French minister) as soon as the opportunity presents itself. I had a great joy the other day. The good Auguste, my cousin from Wolfenbüttel, sent me your portraits which he copied from those made by Theodore. They gave me the greatest pleasure. You look very much like yourself, Augusta too, Pauline, Delia and Victor too, but I find that Mamma and Louise look a little too old and severe. The position you have in this little painting proves to me again your love for me: you are rereading one of my letters. I also think very often of you, dear Grandmother. Every time I cast my eyes on this painting which is hung in the room where I am most often, [return to my memory] I feel all the pleasures that I felt near you, all the moments of joy of those delicious evenings where, while Mamma had the goodness to play a game of chess with me, Louise and Augusta sang, Papa listened to them and the others rolled on the rug, and you, while knitting, would tell us something.

[[label: Documentary page 3]] Berlin is very beautiful, its great towers, its palaces, its promenade (der Thiergarten), all of this is perhaps more sumptuous than in Montpellier, but this latter city contains objects that are dearer to me than all that the universe can possess. These objects are you. Every morning my first thought is towards Montpellier, my last every evening is always towards Montpellier. Farewell, my dear Grandmother. I kiss you with all my heart and am for life your devoted grandson Jules P.S. When you go to have café au lait at Aunt Basse's or Roquepine's, do not forget to give them my regards, as well as to the other aunts Vassas, Pigeaire, Tustel, Pauline, etc., etc. Give me news of them sometimes. Dear Louise, You tell me that you saw 'Le Pré aux clercs' played and that the music amused you enough. I saw it played, sung by the best male singer of the Opera here, and..... I fell asleep. I also saw 'Bertrand et Raton', which interested me enough, however I found nothing extraordinary in it. Yesterday the Princess of Prussia, wife of Wilhelm, the second son of the King of Prussia, came to the museum. Uncle took me with him to show her the birds. The princess spoke to me in French, told me that she was charmed to make my acquaintance, and and having never spoken to people of such high rank I believe that I went about it a little awkwardly in my answers: yes, yes, Royal Highness, no, Royal Highness, etc. The ladies of the court also spoke a lot of French with me, asked me the name of several birds, e.g. coquillade, starling, etc., etc. The princess is to return to the museum and told Uncle that he should often bring me with him, as well as my cousin Moritz who was also there to help carry the birds. [[notes]] Editorial notes: "Le Pré aux clercs" is an 1832 opéra comique by Ferdinand Hérold. "Bertrand et Raton" is an 1833 play by Eugène Scribe.

[[label: Documentary page 4]] We have a musical evening today but it bores me, and as there is no need to stand on ceremony since the whole society is reduced to Jules Rammelsberg, son of the inspector of the Museum, Hermann Lichtenstein of Helmstädt, whom I address familiarly, and another gentleman, I can write to you in peace. I can no longer see, it is a quarter past eight. Besides, this letter is the longest I believe I have ever written to you, but the longer the time I am away from you grows, the more I feel the pleasure of conversing with you at greater length. Farewell, dear sister, I kiss you with all my heart. Your brother Jules Lichtenstein Give Papa the enclosed sheet. Kiss him well for me, and have fun on the day of his name day. Farewell.

The postal panel names Louise. The letter contains separate sections for the writer's grandmother and Louise. It also refers to an enclosed sheet for the writer's father; no current image is identified as that enclosure.

Open public access. The images displayed and downloadable on each item page are public access copies. Non-commercial reuse of those images and of public transcriptions, translations, metadata and descriptions is permitted with clear credit to Neruda Archives and preservation of the relevant item identifier and stable URL. Automated use and AI training are permitted for commercial and non-commercial systems with provenance retained where technically feasible. Commercial republication, resale, advertising, paid database or dataset access and bulk image redistribution require prior written permission. Access to non-public source scans (preservation masters) or files specially prepared for print, where available, requires prior written agreement.


Letter from Mollie to Monsieur Courdoux, June 5, 1843

Mollie writes from Clermont-Ferrand to his relative and friend Courdoux in Thiers about collecting a payment from Mailhas, reimbursing the stockbroker Groisne, and having 622 francs tied up with the failed banking house Comitis. Mollie's profession and Clermont-Ferrand association are identified from later docketing; the April 1843 failure of Comitis is independently documented in a contemporary legal source.

Clermont-Ferrand, Puy-de-Dôme, France
Thiers, Puy-de-Dôme, France

Family correspondence
Financial correspondence
Banking
Bankruptcy
Notaries
Comitis
Clermont-Ferrand
Thiers

Financial correspondence
Family correspondence

Ordinary Lives

NRA-L-000061 - Image 1: Address panel, postal evidence and docketing

Address panel, postal evidence and docketing.

NRA-L-000061 image 1 showing the address panel to Monsieur Courdoux, a notary in Thiers, with two circular postal cancellations, folds and docketing along the right edge.

NRA-L-000061 - Image 2: Letter text - Page 1

Letter text - Page 1.

NRA-L-000061 image 2 showing the opening page of a French letter dated 5 June 1843, with an embossed paper mark, folds and writing visible through the sheet.

NRA-L-000061 - Image 3: Letter text - Page 2 and signature

Letter text - Page 2 and signature.

NRA-L-000061 image 3 showing the continuation and signed closing of the French letter, with folds and writing visible through the sheet.

[[label: Address panel]] Monsieur Monsieur Courdoux notaire à Thiers puy de dôme [[notes]] Editorial notes: In the docketing, 'not.re' is an abbreviation for 'notaire'.

[[label: Letter page 1]] Clermont fd ce 5 juin 1843. Mon cher parent et ami, C'est monsieur Mailhas de Thiers qui doit payer les 1300 et tant dont j'ai donné le reçu à votre belle mère, veuillez les faire toucher de suite et les mettre à la diligence à mon adresse, Mr. groisne agent de change qui les a avancés les attend au plutôt. Votre belle mère vous aura dit que je ne m'étais trouvé dans aucune des faillites qui ont affligé notre ville

[[label: Letter page 2 and closing]] J'ai été assez heureux pour me retirer des banques bien à tems, — mon beaupère n'a pas eu le même bonheur ou la même prudence, il aime à faire les choses de lui même et sans en prévenir personne, j'aurais pu lui donner d'utiles renseignemens s'il me les eût demandé. Je ne me trouve chez Comitis que pour 622 francs cela ne vaut pas la peine de ne pas y être pour servir de leçon une fois. Votre bien devoué serviteur Mollie [[notes]] Editorial notes: The English translation renders the final sentence idiomatically; the French wording is elliptical.

[[label: Address panel]] Monsieur Monsieur Courdoux, notary in Thiers Puy-de-Dôme [[notes]] Editorial notes: In the docketing, 'not.re' is an abbreviation for 'notaire'.

[[label: Letter page 1]] Clermont-Ferrand, 5 June 1843. My dear relative and friend, Monsieur Mailhas of Thiers is to pay the 1,300 and some for which I gave your mother-in-law a receipt. Please have the funds collected at once and sent by stagecoach to my address. Mr. Groisne, the stockbroker who advanced them, is expecting them as soon as possible. Your mother-in-law will have told you that I was not involved in any of the bankruptcies that have afflicted our city

[[label: Letter page 2 and closing]] I was fortunate enough to withdraw from the banks in good time. My father-in-law did not have the same good fortune or the same prudence. He likes to handle things himself without telling anyone; I could have given him useful information if he had asked me for it. I have only 622 francs tied up with Comitis; that is hardly worth regretting, and it will serve as a lesson for once. Your very devoted servant, Mollie [[notes]] Editorial notes: The English translation renders the final sentence idiomatically; the French wording is elliptical.

Original date, address-side docketing and signature image-checked. 'Mollie, notary at Clermont-Ferrand' is an identification derived from later docketing, not from the running letter. Contemporary evidence for the Comitis failure: Bibliothèque numérique de l'Université Clermont Auvergne, factum BCU_Factums_G3011, p. 8.

Six hundred and twenty-two francs in a banking crisis


Letter from Mayor C. Raynaud to Monsieur Chabrier, March 14, 1857

The mayor of Aigueperse informs Monsieur Chabrier that his mother drew number 135 in the cantonal military conscription lottery and that he is therefore expected to be safe from service.

Pierre Chassagne, maître scieur de long, Chaudenay [care-of address]

Aigueperse, Puy-de-Dôme, France
Chaudenay, Haute-Marne, France

Military conscription
Family correspondence
Aigueperse
Chaudenay

Official correspondence
Administrative correspondence

Ordinary Lives

NRA-L-000062 - Image 1: Address panel and postal evidence

Address panel and postal evidence.

NRA-L-000062 image 1 showing an addressed wrapper to Monsieur Chabrier with circular postal cancellations.

NRA-L-000062 - Image 2: Administrative letter and signature

Administrative letter and signature.

NRA-L-000062 image 2 showing an administrative letter on departmental stationery dated 1857, with its signed closing.

NRA-L-000062 - Image 3: Reverse with postal cancellations

Reverse with postal cancellations.

NRA-L-000062 image 3 showing the reverse of the wrapper with several circular postal cancellations.

[[label: Address panel]] Monsieur Chabrier ouvrier scieur de long chez mr pierre chassagne mr scieur de long a Chaudenay près langres Canton de fay-billot (haute marne) a Chaudenay.

[[label: Administrative letter and signature]] DÉPARTEMENT du PUY-DE-DOME. VILLE D'AIGUEPERSE. No. Aigueperse, le 14 mars 1857 Votre mère qui a tiré votre numéro aurait bien du vous écrire, faute par elle de l'avoir fait, je viens vous en donner avis. Le nombre de conscrits du canton était de 147. Votre mère a tiré le no. 135 ainsi vous pouvez vous regarder comme sauvé il est sur qu'on y ira pas à ce numéro. Votre mere habite aigueperse et est mariée avec un nommé Moulin cantonnier, demeurant à aigueperse. Veuillez agréer mes respects Le maire C Raynaud

[[label: Address panel]] Monsieur Chabrier, pit sawyer working for Mr. Pierre Chassagne, master pit sawyer, at Chaudenay near Langres, Canton of Fay-Billot (Haute-Marne) at Chaudenay.

[[label: Administrative letter and signature]] Department of Puy-de-Dôme Town of Aigueperse No. Aigueperse, 14 March 1857 Your mother, who drew your number, really should have written to you; as she failed to do so, I am writing to notify you. The number of conscripts for the canton was 147. Your mother drew no. 135, thus you can consider yourself safe; it is certain that they will not go up to this number. Your mother lives in Aigueperse and is married to a man named Moulin, a road worker, residing in Aigueperse. Please accept my respects, The mayor C. Raynaud

The external address names Chabrier and routes delivery through Pierre Chassagne at Chaudenay. All readable postal marks on the reverse remain separately classified as postal evidence.

What number 135 meant


Letter from Chapeaux to Fonds Lamothe, November 1, 1811

Chapeaux reports locating two Spanish prisoners in Mâcon, including the recipient's relative, and relays news about money, letters and onward travel to Colmar or Strasbourg.

Spanish prisoners
Family correspondence
Mâcon
Limoux

Official correspondence
Prisoner administration

Ordinary Lives

NRA-L-000063 - Image 1: Address panel, seal and docketing

Address panel, seal and docketing.

NRA-L-000063 image 1 showing a folded address panel with a red seal remnant and later docketing.

NRA-L-000063 - Image 2: Letter text and signature

Letter text and signature.

NRA-L-000063 image 2 showing a French letter dated 1 November 1811 with its signed closing.

[[label: Address panel]] Monsieur fonds lamothe a Limoux aude

[[label: Letter text and signature]] Macon le 1er Novembre 1811. Monsieur fonds lamothe a Limoux J'ai trouvé il y a quelques Jours, au retour d'un voyage dans n/environs v/lettres des 30 Septembre & 4 Octobre dernier. Selon v/ Desirs J'ai de suite cherché Messieurs les prisonniers espagnols que vous me recommendiez J'ai trouvé assez facilement Mr de Sanerpleda depuis quelque tems dans cette ville mais ce n'est que hier que J'ai pu decouvrir Mr de laspayneau v/ parent J'avais vainement veriffié touts les contrôles & celui qui fait les fonctions de pasteur, etant ici depuis peu de Jour il ne s'y trouvait pas encore porté, je desesperais de le rencontrer ne le croyant pas dans n/ville. J'en suis cependant venu a Bout. J'ai eu le plaisir de le voir hier tres bien portant. Je lui ai fait part de v/lettre & il m'a promis de vous ecrire tres incessament ainsi qu'a ses Parents, je l'ai recommendé a ma famille. Je Regrette sincerement de n'avoir pu faire sa connaissance qu'au moment de partir, malgre que n/ville offre peu de Ressources & que J'y sois maintenans presque aussi etranger que lui J'aurais fait mt possible pour lui en Rendre le sejour moins Desagreable. Mr de Sanerpleda a Recu les 120 f chez Mr Morin charles & Pellissier ainsi que la lettre de son epouse Je pars ce soir & vais parcourir l'Itineraire que je vous ai transmis si vous avez quelque chose a me communiquer veuillez m'ecrire poste Restante a Colmar. ou a Strasbourg. Je vous salue bien sincerement Chapeaux

[[label: Address panel]] Mr. Fonds Lamothe at Limoux Aude

[[label: Letter text and signature]] Macon the 1st of November 1811. Mr. Fonds Lamothe at Limoux I found a few days ago, upon returning from a trip in our surroundings, your letters of the 30th of September & 4th of October last. According to your wishes I immediately looked for the Spanish prisoners gentlemen whom you recommended to me. I found Mr. de Sanerpleda quite easily, [who has been] for some time in this town but it was only yesterday that I was able to discover Mr. de Laspayneau your relative. I had vainly checked all the registers & the one who performs the duties of pastor, having been here for only a few days he was not yet listed there, I was despairing of meeting him not believing him to be in our town. I nevertheless succeeded. I had the pleasure of seeing him yesterday in very good health. I informed him of your letter & he promised me to write to you very shortly as well as to his Parents, I recommended him to my family. I sincerely regret not having been able to make his acquaintance until the moment of leaving, although our town offers few resources & that I am now almost as much a stranger there as he is I would have done my utmost to make his stay less disagreeable. Mr. de Sanerpleda has received the 120 francs at Mr. Morin Charles & Pellissier's as well as the letter from his wife. I am leaving this evening & will travel the itinerary that I sent you if you have anything to communicate to me please write to me poste restante at Colmar. or at Strasbourg. I greet you very sincerely Chapeaux

Letter text, address panel, postal evidence, signatures, dates and display order were image-checked against four reading variants per capture; uncertain readings remain explicitly marked.


Letter from Auguste Jourdain to Cheveneau Frères, September 14, 1832

Auguste Jourdain asks Cheveneau Frères to forward a letter to his Toulouse address and writes about his chest illness and contemporary fears of cholera.

Health
Cholera
Postal forwarding
Toulouse
Béziers

Personal correspondence
Health correspondence

Ordinary Lives

NRA-L-000064 - Image 1: Address panel, postal evidence and docketing

NRA-L-000064 image 1 showing an address panel to Béziers with postal marks and later docketing.

NRA-L-000064 - Image 2: Letter text and signature

Letter text and signature.

NRA-L-000064 image 2 showing a French letter dated 14 August 1832 with its signed closing.

[[label: Address panel]] A. Messieurs Cheveneau Freres Negts Beziers.

[[label: Letter text and signature]] Toulouse le 14 7bre 1832. Messieurs Cheveneau Freres mon pere me dit que le 5. ct il m'a [donné?] une lettre pour vous, ayant omis de vous laisser mon adresse je viens vous prier de m'envoyer cette lettre chez Mr Courtois & Cie à Toulouse. si vous en avez payé le port, veuillez vous le faire rembourser par le facteur de la poste, et effacer votre nom sur la lettre, et le remplacer par celui que je vous indique. J'ai été saisi en arrivant ici par une violente attaque de poitrine, je commence a aller un peu mieux, l'influence de l'air cholérique commence a se faire sentir, et mon Medecin me disoit qu'il y avoit à toulouse un grand nombre de malades de la cholérine on dit toujours le choléra véritable a toulouse Je désire pour vous et votre famille que cette maladie n'aille pas vous rendre visite je vous souhaite une Bonne & parfaite. Je vous salue d'amitié Votre tout devoué Serviteur & ami Augte Jourdain chez Mr Courtois & cie Banquiers. Toulouse.

[[label: Address panel]] To Messrs. Cheveneau Brothers Merchants Béziers.

[[label: Letter text and signature]] Toulouse the 14th of September 1832. Messrs. Cheveneau Brothers My father tells me that on the 5th of this month he gave me a letter for you, having omitted to leave you my address I come to ask you to send me this letter care of Mr. Courtois & Co. in Toulouse. If you have paid the postage for it, please have yourself reimbursed by the postman, and erase your name on the letter, and replace it with the one I am indicating to you. I was seized upon arriving here by a violent attack of the chest, I am starting to feel a little better, the influence of the choleric air is starting to be felt, and my Doctor was telling me that there was in Toulouse a large number of sick people with cholerine they still say the real cholera is in Toulouse I desire for you and your family that this disease will not go to visit you I wish you a Good & perfect [health]. I greet you with friendship Your all devoted Servant & friend Auguste Jourdain care of Mr. Courtois & Co. Bankers. Toulouse.

The delivery address is separated from the address-side sender/date notation and the later received/replied docket. Those notes appear once in both language layers.


Letter from Lomabere to Monsieur Rison, November 13, 1821

Lomabere thanks Monsieur Rison for assisting his aunt, a nun seeking restoration and payment of her pension without the necessary title or supporting papers.

Inferred from later address-side docketing `Agen Le 13 9bre 1821`; no manuscript dateline is present in the running letter.

Pensions
Religious women
Administrative correspondence
Agen
Lectoure

Ordinary Lives

NRA-L-000065 - Image 1: Address panel and postal evidence

Address panel and postal evidence.

NRA-L-000065 image 1 showing an addressed folded wrapper with postal markings.

NRA-L-000065 - Image 2: Letter text - Page 1

Letter text - Page 1.

NRA-L-000065 image 2 showing the opening page of a French letter dated 1821.

NRA-L-000065 - Image 3: Letter text - Page 2 and signature

Letter text - Page 2 and signature.

NRA-L-000065 image 3 showing the continuation and signed closing of the French letter.

[[label: Address panel]] à Monsieur Monsieur Rison [crossed out: adjoint à la mairie] à Lectoure

[[label: Letter text - Page 1]] Monsieur, J'ai recu la Lettre que vous m'avez fait l'honneur de m'écrire dans l'intérêt de ma tante et je vous remercie bien sincérement du soin que vous voulés bien vous donner pour son affaire Cette Religieuse ne s'étoit jamais occupée de la Liquidation de sa pension encore moins des moyens d'en être payée; elle est donc sans titre, sans piéces justificatives et n'a d'autre ressource pour se faire Liquider aujourd'hui que le moyen que vous me faites l'honneur de me marquer devoir lui indiquer pour tacher de se faire retablir dans la Jouissance d'une pension que l'Extrait de l'Etat que vous me marqués n'avoir pas trouvé aurait Clairement indiquée vous trouverés ci incluse une note qui m'a

[[label: Letter text - Page 2 and signature]] Eté remise par le chef du Bureau de comptabilité de cette préfecture qui vous fournira peut être quélque Lumière sur cette affaire Mille Pardons Monsieur de tout l'Embarras que je vous donne et veuillés me Croire avec le Plus profond Respect. Monsieur Votre très humble et très obéissant Serviteur Lomabere

[[label: Address panel]] To Monsieur Monsieur Rison [crossed out: deputy to the mayor] in Lectoure

[[label: Letter text - Page 1]] Sir, I have received the letter that you did me the honor of writing to me in the interest of my aunt and I thank you very sincerely for the care that you are willing to take for her affair. This Nun had never occupied herself with the liquidation of her pension, even less with the means of being paid for it; she is therefore without title, without supporting documents and has no other resource to get liquidated today than the means that you do me the honor of indicating to me to have to point out to her to try to get re-established in the enjoyment of a pension that the Extract of the State that you indicate to me not having found would have clearly indicated. You will find enclosed a note which was

[[label: Letter text - Page 2 and signature]] given to me by the head of the accounting office of this prefecture which will perhaps provide you with some light on this affair. A thousand pardons, Sir, for all the trouble that I give you and please believe me with the most profound respect. Sir, Your very humble and very obedient servant Lomabere

Original date is empty because the running letter has no dateline. The letter mentions an enclosed note that is not identified among the surviving images. Address-side and letter-side later annotations are preserved in both language layers.


Surviving fragment of a family letter from Ogier to Monsieur Ogier [identified from the text as his son], undated

Surviving portion of a family letter in which Ogier advises Monsieur Ogier, identified from the text as his son, about money, a possible property purchase and arrangements with brothers-in-law, then sends family news and mentions two deaths. The surviving text begins mid-thought and lacks a salutation and dateline; an opening portion may not be preserved.

Unknown; no manuscript dateline is preserved. The historical Mont-Blanc Department address supplies only broad contextual evidence.

Monsieur Ogier [postal addressee; identified from the letter as the sender's son]

Place not stated
Moutiers, Mont-Blanc Department

Family correspondence
Property
Finance
Moutiers

Family correspondence
Financial correspondence

Ordinary Lives

NRA-L-000066 - Image 1: Address panel, seal and docketing

Address panel, seal and docketing.

NRA-L-000066 image 1 showing a folded address panel with a red seal remnant and docketing.

NRA-L-000066 - Image 2: Letter text and signature

Letter text and signature.

NRA-L-000066 image 2 showing a densely written French letter with its signed closing.

[[label: Address panel]] A Monsieur Monsieur Ogier receveur pricipal des drois reuny a moutier departemant du monblac a moutier [[notes]] Editorial notes: The right side of the address panel contains very faint, rotated text that appears to be a standard receipt formula, largely illegible.

[[label: Letter text and signature]] Cela seroit bien meileur marché que le [pre- ferieur?] mais la convenance ny est pas sy bien je te conseille de conserver de largant pour taranger avec tes bauf frere j l me disent journellement quil tacomoderont ce quil leubapartien avante tu sera requet u aviserá reponce de suitte pour bouvier qui veut vandre et il tatant sy tu ne vient pas d apres tu peut dire que tu a placé ton argant que tu nest pas dans lintantion dacheter [unor?] jene tardy pas davantage ma tete ne pu plus y teni[r] vien sy tu le pu et averti le moy davance jay un gros dinde qui tatant pour ce carnavral toute la famille se porte bien et tembrase et tous les hamy aussy bien que ta famme et les enfans je me joint a eux et je seray pour la vie ton per[e] Ogier tu sest peutestre bien la mort de ces deux oncle qui ma un peu derange la machine jay reçu une lettre de lodard qui manonce un changement et que le pri de lun a fait [?] un inspection et le nous dit quelle nous arivera sa destiné -

[[label: Address panel]] To Monsieur Monsieur Ogier, principal receiver of the united duties at Moutiers, department of Mont Blanc, at Moutiers [[notes]] Editorial notes: The right side of the address panel contains very faint, rotated text that appears to be a standard receipt formula, largely illegible.

[[label: Letter text and signature]] That would be much cheaper than the previous one, but it is not as suitable. I advise you to keep some money to settle with your brothers-in-law. They tell me daily that they will accommodate you with what belongs to them. Before you are required to act, think it over and reply at once about Bouvier, who wants to sell and is waiting for you. If you do not come, you can afterward say that you have placed your money and that you do not intend to buy anything further. I will not delay any longer, my head can no longer take it. Come if you can, and let me know beforehand. I have a large turkey hen waiting for you for this Carnival. The whole family is well and embraces you, and all the friends as well as your wife and children. I join them and I will be for life your father, Ogier You perhaps know well the death of these two uncles which has somewhat disturbed my machine. I received a letter from Lodard announcing a change and mentioning the price of one of them, an inspection, and what outcome it will bring us - [the exact syntax is unclear].

The surviving text begins in medias res; the present images do not prove that a separate opening page once existed. The filial relationship is textually inferred from the closing. No original dateline is present. Faint address-side receipt/docketing text is preserved in both language layers.


Letter from Drugeon Boimbœuf to Monsieur Siauger, December 9, 1838

Drugeon Boimbœuf writes to a notary about signing a deed and power of attorney concerning the purchase of a piece of meadow.

Alençon, France
Parigné-l'Évêque, Sarthe, France

Notarial correspondence
Property purchase
Power of attorney
Alençon
Parigné-l'Évêque

Legal correspondence
Property correspondence

Ordinary Lives

NRA-L-000067 - Image 1: Address panel, postal evidence and docketing

NRA-L-000067 image 1 showing an address panel to a notary with postal marks and docketing.

NRA-L-000067 - Image 2: Letter text and signature

Letter text and signature.

NRA-L-000067 image 2 showing a French letter dated 9 December 1838 with its signed closing.

[[label: Address panel]] A Monsieur Monsieur Siauger Notaire a Parigné Lévêque route de Lucé Sur le mans Sarthe

[[label: Letter text and signature]] Alençon ce 9. Xbre 1838 je vois Monsieur, que je nentents rien en affaire, car M. votre Confrere aurait pu vous éviter lembaras de mecrie, en menvoyant lacte d'acquisition de ce morceau de Pré à signer; cet acte eut été remis en ses mains dans les 48 heures, délai fixé je crois pour ces sortes de choses; mon éxactitude à vous répondre, vous prouvera peut-être mon entetement a vouloir avoir raison, car ma léttre vous parviendra avant le délai éxpiré je vous prie de remettre cétte procuration a M. le Houx qui ma fait faire cétte acquisition, je vais signer cétte procuration Comme vous me lindiquez j'ai lhonneur dêtre Monsieur votre tres obeissante servante Drugeon Boimbœuf =

[[label: Address panel]] To Monsieur Monsieur Siauger, Notary at Parigné-l'Évêque, route de Lucé Near Le Mans Sarthe

[[label: Letter text and signature]] Alençon this 9 December 1838 I see, Monsieur, that I understand nothing of business, for Monsieur your colleague could have spared you the trouble of writing to me, by sending me the deed of purchase for this piece of meadow to sign; this deed would have been returned to his hands within 48 hours, the time limit set I believe for these sorts of things; my exactness in answering you, will prove to you perhaps my stubbornness in wanting to be right, for my letter will reach you before the time limit expires. I beg you to hand over this power of attorney to M. le Houx who had me make this purchase, I am going to sign this power of attorney as you indicate to me I have the honor to be Monsieur your very obedient servant Drugeon Boimbœuf =


Letter from M. Bonne aîné to Auguste Goudet, September 26, 1828

M. Bonne aîné asks Auguste Goudet to expedite a promised basket, discusses mustard, the grape harvest, wine prices and the 1827 vintage, and requests a current price list.

Collonge near Mâcon, France
Beaune, France

Wine trade
Grape harvest
Prices
Mâconnais
Beaune

Business correspondence
Wine trade correspondence

Ordinary Lives

NRA-L-000068 - Image 1: Address panel, postal evidence and docketing

NRA-L-000068 image 1 showing an address panel to Beaune with postal marks, a seal and docketing.

NRA-L-000068 - Image 2: Letter text and signature

Letter text and signature.

NRA-L-000068 image 2 showing a French family letter dated 26 September 1828 with its signed closing.

[[label: Address panel]] Monsieur Monsieur Auguste Goudet Négt. à Beaune

[[label: Letter text and signature]] Collonge près Macon 26. 7bre 1828. La Réunion complette de toute ma famille, Mon cher Auguste, a donné une forte accolade à mon petit caveau de réserve : J'ai des Dijonnais qui boivent bien et bon. J'avais espéré recevoir le panier annoncé par votre lettre du 27 mai dr., la promesse où je me trouve m'engage à recourir à vos soins et à votre amitié. Surtout Veuillez accélérer cet envoi. Puisque vous ne m'avez pas envoyé non plus la Moutarde, J'y renonce et attendrai l'année p.aine Donnez moi quelques renseignemens sur votre récolte, votre opinion sur les 1827 leur prix dans le vignoble ? comment se fixera-t-on ? Je me mettrai de bonne heure en voyage Je compte donc sur la plus grande exactitude à m'adresser un tarif de prix Ct. Nous sommes en pleine Vendange, elle sera d'un 1/4 environ moindre que la dernière, peu de qualité et point dans tous les vignobles mal exposés. Les 1827 montent un peu, ils sortent du vil prix où ils étoient restés toute l'année. Adieu Mon bon ami, offrez mon respectueux Souvenir à Mme Poutet, Rappelez moi à celui de Blandin. Tout à Vous M. Bonne ainé

[[label: Address panel]] Mr. Mr. Auguste Goudet Merchant in Beaune

[[label: Letter text and signature]] Collonge near Mâcon, 26 September 1828 My dear Auguste, The complete gathering of my entire family has made a large dent in my small reserve cellar: I have some people from Dijon who drink a lot and drink good wine. I had hoped to receive the basket announced by your letter of 27 May last; the promise by which I am bound commits me to resort to your care and your friendship. Above all, please expedite this shipment. Since you did not send me the mustard either, I give up on it and will wait for next year. Give me some information on your harvest, your opinion on the 1827s, their price in the vineyard? How will prices be set? I shall set out on my journey early. I therefore count on the greatest exactitude in sending me a current price list. We are in the middle of the grape harvest; it will be about a quarter smaller than the last one, of little quality, and none at all in all the badly exposed vineyards. The 1827s are rising a little; they are emerging from the miserable price at which they had remained all year. Farewell, my good friend. Offer my respectful remembrance to Madame Poutet, and remember me to Blandin. Wholly yours, M. Bonne aîné

The manuscript place form `Collonge près Macon` is preserved. No more precise modern identification is asserted without geographic authority evidence.


Letter from Delachain to Monsieur Fauchier, March 21, 1807

Delachain asks the lawyer Fauchier to pursue payment of debts and obligations connected with Reysset and discusses a possible guarantor and interest terms.

Legal correspondence
Debt collection
Guarantees
Grenoble
Die

Legal correspondence
Financial correspondence

Ordinary Lives

NRA-L-000069 - Image 1: Address panel, postal evidence and docketing

NRA-L-000069 image 1 showing a folded address panel with postal evidence and docketing.

NRA-L-000069 - Image 2: Letter text - Page 1

Letter text - Page 1.

NRA-L-000069 image 2 showing the opening page of a French letter dated 21 March 1837.

NRA-L-000069 - Image 3: Letter text - Page 2 and signature

Letter text - Page 2 and signature.

NRA-L-000069 image 3 showing the continuation and signed closing written across a folded sheet.

[[label: Address panel]] A Monsieur Monsieur fauchier Avoué Sur le Tribunal A Die Drôme

[[label: Letter text - Page 1]] Grenoble 21 Mars 1807 Monsieur Ma Surprise a été des plus grande, en Voyant le fils de Reysset, qui m'a remis Votre lettre; mais point d'argent j'étois bien loin de penser qu'cet individu fit le Voyage de grenoble, seulement, pour me dire que Son pere ne pouvoit me promettre mon payement, que pour le mois 7.bre prochain défaite dont chaque année le pere Reysset Se Sert deplusieurs fois et avec laquelle, je pense, il a envie de me Conduire jusqu'a à L'éternité. je Suis las de me Voir mener ainsi; depuis Six ans par Reysset et les autres personnes dont Vous avez les

[[label: Letter text - Page 2 and signature]] obligations en ma faveur; je Viens donc de nouveau Vous prier, de ne pas renvoyer plus loin les poursuites à faire pour m'obtenir un payement. Vous devez vous rappeller, que je Vous ai dit dans ma précedante, qu'il m'importait infiniment de terminer ces affaires, avant d'en entreprendre d'autres; et les formalités pour parvenir à un payement, cette juridique doivent être d'autant mieux Commencées Sans retard, qu'elles Sont plus longues, ainsi que Vous me le marquez dans Votre precedente lettre. je Vous reitere donc la prière que je Vous ai fait ci-devant, en Vous assurant de toute la reconnaissance que Vous en aura Votre très humble et très obeissant Serviteur Delachain je Vous prie de prendre des informations exactes Sur le Compte de Reynaud je dois me rendre Sous trois Semaines à chatillon, comme je Viens de le dire au fils Reysset; et S'il ne Vous a pas payé alors, pour moi, je ne partirai de ce pays que après avoir Commencé les poursuites Contre lui : C'est ce que je Vous prie de dire à Reysset, S'il Se presente encore chez Vous Sans argent. Le fils Reysset m'a dit, que jean Reynaud de Borne, S'obligerait Solidairement ou Servirait de Caution; Si Reynaud est bien et Surement Solvable et qu'il Veuille Se rendre Caution, où S'obliger Solidairement, en renonçant aux Benefices de division et de discution, Vous pourrez lui faire Consentir une obligation, pour tout Ce qui m'est du avec interets au 7 p 0/0 payable au premier 7.bre prochain : il faut encore faire payer les frais de l'acte à Reynaud, je ne Veux pas faire d'avances

[[label: Address panel]] To Monsieur Monsieur Fauchier Lawyer at the Tribunal At Die Drôme

[[label: Letter text - Page 1]] Grenoble 21 March 1807 Monsieur My surprise was of the greatest, upon seeing the son of Reysset, who delivered your letter to me; but no money. I was very far from thinking that this individual would make the journey to Grenoble, only to tell me that his father could not promise me my payment, except for the month of September next, an evasion which every year the father Reysset uses several times and with which, I think, he wishes to lead me on until eternity. I am tired of seeing myself led on thus; for six years by Reysset and the other persons of whom you have the

[[label: Letter text - Page 2 and signature]] obligations in my favor; I come therefore once again to beg you, not to postpone any further the proceedings to be taken to obtain a payment for me. You must remember, that I told you in my previous letter, that it was infinitely important to me to finish these affairs, before undertaking others; and the formalities to arrive at a payment, this legal process must be all the better commenced without delay, as they are longer, as you indicate to me in your preceding letter. I therefore reiterate to you the request that I made to you previously, assuring you of all the gratitude that will be had for you by Your very humble and very obedient Servant Delachain I beg you to take exact information on the account of Reynaud I must go within three weeks to Chatillon, as I have just told the son of Reysset; and if he has not paid you then, for me, I will not leave this country until after having commenced proceedings against him: This is what I beg you to tell Reysset, if he presents himself again at your place without money. The son of Reysset told me, that Jean Reynaud of Borne, would obligate himself jointly and severally or would serve as Guarantor; If Reynaud is well and surely solvent and if he wishes to make himself Guarantor, or to obligate himself jointly and severally, renouncing the benefits of division and discussion, you will be able to make him consent to an obligation, for all that is due to me with interest at 7 percent payable on the first of September next: it is still necessary to make Reynaud pay the costs of the deed, I do not want to make advances


Letter from notary Déchirelle to the administrators of the Saint-Chamond civil hospital, November 17, 1821

Royal notary Déchirelle offers, through J. J. de Virgile, to purchase arrears owed for the treatment of sick soldiers in 1810, with payment in cash against a power of attorney.

Administrators of the civil hospital of Saint-Chamond

Roanne, France
Saint-Chamond, Loire, France

Hospital finance
Military healthcare
Debt purchase
Notarial correspondence
Roanne
Saint-Chamond

Notarial correspondence
Hospital administration

Ordinary Lives

NRA-L-000070 - Image 1: Address panel, postal evidence and docketing

NRA-L-000070 image 1 showing a folded address panel with postal marks and docketing.

NRA-L-000070 - Image 2: Letter text - Page 1

Letter text - Page 1.

NRA-L-000070 image 2 showing the opening page of a French letter dated 17 January 1822.

NRA-L-000070 - Image 3: Letter text - Page 2

Letter text - Page 2.

NRA-L-000070 image 3 showing the second page of the French letter.

NRA-L-000070 - Image 4: Letter text - Page 3 and signature

Letter text - Page 3 and signature.

NRA-L-000070 image 4 showing the final page and signed closing of the French letter.

[[label: Address panel]] A Messieurs Messieurs les Administrateurs De L'hospice Civil Loire - A St. Chamond

[[label: Letter text - Page 1]] Déchirelle Notaire Royal A Messieurs les administrateurs de l'hospice Civil de St. Chamond. Roanne 17. 9.bre 1821. Messieurs Fin Septembre dernier j'ai eu l'honneur de vous faire part d'une Négociation que Mr. J. J. de Virgile de Paris, qui achete au Comptant les Créances arriérées de toute Nature, m'a Chargé de vous proposer, relative à des traitemens de militaires malades en 1810. - Dûs à votre Hospice ; je n'ai reçu aucune réponse ; Comme j'ai eu l'honneur de

[[label: Letter text - Page 2]] vous le dire par ma précédente, il m'a Chargé de vous offrir 110. pour o/o. et que si vous acceptiez son offre il vous payeroit Comptant et en Ecus Dès que je lui aurai donné avis que je suis Nanti d'une procuration Enrégistrée, légalisée et signée de M. le président de votre administration et de deux Membres : et dès que cet avis lui sera donné le Mandat de la somme Me parviendra et de suite je vous l'adresserai pour vous présenter au Bureau de la Recette et toucher. j'ose vous dire, Messieurs, que l'on peut Compter sur les propositions de

[[label: Letter text - Page 3 and signature]] Mr. de Virgile, C'est la Cinquième affaire de ce genre qu'il me Confie et tout a très bien été Exécuté : vouliez vous avoir a faire avec Mr. de Virgile, voila son adresse, Rüe St. honoré No. 414. j'ose Espérer, Messieurs, que vous voudrez bien Me répondre sur votre acceptation ou Non. j'ai l'honneur d'être Très respectueusement Messieurs votre très humble et très obéissant serviteur Déchirelle

[[label: Address panel]] To Gentlemen The Gentlemen Administrators Of the Civil Hospital Loire - At St. Chamond

[[label: Letter text - Page 1]] Déchirelle Royal Notary To the Gentlemen administrators of the Civil hospital of St. Chamond. Roanne 17 November 1821. Gentlemen At the end of last September I had the honor of informing you of a Negotiation that Mr. J. J. de Virgile of Paris, who buys in cash arrears of all Kinds, Charged me with proposing to you, relating to the treatments of sick soldiers in 1810. - Owed to your Hospital; I have received no reply; As I had the honor of

[[label: Letter text - Page 2]] telling you in my previous [letter], he Charged me with offering you 110. per %, and that if you accepted his offer he would pay you in Cash and in Crowns As soon as I have given him notice that I am Provided with a registered, legalized power of attorney and signed by Mr. the president of your administration and by two Members: and as soon as this notice is given to him the Draft for the sum will reach Me and immediately I will send it to you for you to present at the Receipt Office and cash. I dare say to you, Gentlemen, that one can Count on the proposals of

[[label: Letter text - Page 3 and signature]] Mr. de Virgile, This is the Fifth affair of this kind that he Entrusts to me and everything has been very well Executed: should you wish to deal with Mr. de Virgile, here is his address, Rüe St. honoré No. 414. I dare to Hope, Gentlemen, that you will be so kind as to answer Me regarding your acceptance or Not. I have the honor to be Very respectfully Gentlemen your very humble and very obedient servant Déchirelle

Déchirelle is the personal name; `Notaire Royal` is the professional/official role in the manuscript heading.


Petition from Jean Baptiste Perrin to the Pontarlier hospital council, sent to the hospital director, August 24, 1841

Former soldier Jean Baptiste Perrin asks to be employed and housed at the Pontarlier civil and military hospital, recalling his service in the 19th Light Infantry and his earlier treatment there.

Director of the civil and military hospital of Pontarlier [postal addressee]

Members of the Pontarlier hospital council [textual addressees]

La Chapelle, canton of Corcieux, Vosges, France

Veterans
Hospital employment
Petitions
Military healthcare
Pontarlier

Petition
Military and hospital correspondence

Ordinary Lives

NRA-L-000071 - Image 1: Address panel, postal evidence and docketing

NRA-L-000071 image 1 showing an address panel with several postal cancellations and docketing.

NRA-L-000071 - Image 2: Administrative letter and signature

Administrative letter and signature.

NRA-L-000071 image 2 showing a French administrative letter dated 24 April 1844 with its signed closing.

[[label: Address panel]] Monsieur Directeur de L'hopital Civil et militaire de pontarlier Dept Du Doub — à pontarlier

[[label: Administrative letter and signature]] De la Chapelle le 24 aout 1841 Canton De Corcieux Département Desvosge A Messieurs les membres du Conseil de L'hopital Civille et militaire de pontarlier; a l'honneur de vous Exposer Messieurs Jean Baptiste perrin Garçon majeur Militaire rentré dans ses foier avec son Congé du 19.e Régiment D'infanterie Légère a Eut l'avantage etant militaire d'etre traité dans Cette hospice, et de voire la Bonne organisation et la tenue de Cette Maison qu'il Desireroit y passé le restant de sa vie, en travaillant, et à faire le sacrifice volontier de ma petite fortune C'est à Cette intention qu'il a l'honneur de vous adresser la présente Esperand messieurs que vous voudrée Bien avoir La Complaisance de me donner réponce. Je vous fery Connoitre le montant de ma petite fortune; voyez les soeurs Hospitalière elle se rappelleront peut etre de moi et voyeant mon nom; Je suis en attendant votre tres humble serviteur Perrin

[[label: Address panel]] Monsieur Director of the Civil and military hospital of Pontarlier Department of Doubs — in Pontarlier

[[label: Administrative letter and signature]] From La Chapelle the 24 August 1841 Canton of Corcieux Department of the Vosges To the Gentlemen members of the Council of the Civil and military hospital of Pontarlier; has the honour to submit to you Gentlemen, Jean Baptiste Perrin, adult bachelor, Soldier returned to his home with his discharge from the 19th Light Infantry Regiment, had the advantage, being a soldier, of being treated in this hospital, and of seeing the Good organisation and the running of this House that he would desire to spend the rest of his life there, working, and to willingly make the sacrifice of my small fortune. It is with this intention that he has the honour of addressing the present to you, hoping gentlemen that you will be so good as to have the kindness to give me an answer. I will let you know the amount of my small fortune; see the Hospitaller sisters, they will perhaps remember me upon seeing my name; I am meanwhile your very humble servant Perrin

Recipient layers image-checked: the external panel is addressed to the hospital director; the petition addresses the members of the hospital council. The address-side official docketing is later evidence and is not part of the delivery address or petition text.


Letter from Du Sommerard to Baron P. Duchateau, January 27, 1837

Du Sommerard writes to Baron P. Duchateau about a long silence, a missed journey to Touraine and the harvest, a search for property, and New Year greetings to family and friends.

Cloyes, Eure-et-Loir, France
Paris, France

Friendship
Travel
Property
New Year greetings
Cloyes
Paris

Personal correspondence
Property correspondence

Ordinary Lives

NRA-L-000072 - Image 1: Address panel and postal evidence

Address panel and postal evidence.

NRA-L-000072 image 1 showing an address panel to Paris with circular postal cancellations.

NRA-L-000072 - Image 2: Letter text - Page 1

Letter text - Page 1.

NRA-L-000072 image 2 showing the opening page of a French personal letter.

NRA-L-000072 - Image 3: Letter text - Page 2 and signature

Letter text - Page 2 and signature.

NRA-L-000072 image 3 showing the continuation and signed closing dated 27 January 1837.

[[label: Address panel]] Monsieur Monsieur le baron P. Duchateau, Capitaine de Cavalerie, Avenue d'Antin — 7 ou 21 Champs élisées. = Paris

[[label: Letter text - Page 1]] Cher baron, Le long silence que Vous gardez avec moi, fait que j'éprouve de Vives inquiétudes à votre encontre; mort ou fondu, malade ou bien portant, je ne sais que conjecturer. Voici pourtant le nouvel an qui commence et pour la première fois il m'arrive d'être en retard; Vous savez bien cependant que la faute n'en est pas à l'affection que je vous porte Elle est toujours aussi vive que par le passé. Vers le dernier mois d'octobre j'avais fait tous mes petits préparatifs de Voyage pour la touraine, et la Veille du Jour ou j'allais prendre mes ébats, Voici qu'un Monsieur (d'après Vos instructions sans doute) Vient jeter un long baton à travers les roues. Vos

[[label: Letter text - Page 2 and signature]] Vendanges à ce qu'il parait se sont faites hors Votre présence et moi j'ai été privé du plaisir de Vous Voir. Il semble aussi que vous êtes fort en retard avec tous Vos correspondans car aucuns de ceux que je connais n'ont pu me donner de Vos nouvelles. Soyez moins paresseux cher ami, tenez-moi mieux au courant de ce qui Vous intéresse. Mme Bonnard quitte définitivement le castel de Romainville. M. Sponi que j'ai vu il y a quelque tems m'a dit que Vous n'étiez point encore fixé sur le choix d'une propriété. C'est à tout hazard que je Vous écris à Paris, j'ai grand' peur que ma lettre ne Vous parvienne point. En tout état de cause mes souhaits Vous suivront en quelque lieu qu'il Vous plaise habiter. Je Vous serre la main avec affection et Vous embrasse bien cordialement. Souffrez que j'offre aussi mes devoirs à Madame. Dusommerard 27 Janv. 1837.

[[label: Address panel]] Monsieur Monsieur the Baron P. Duchateau, Cavalry Captain, Avenue d'Antin — 7 or 21 Champs-Élysées. = Paris

[[label: Letter text - Page 1]] Dear Baron, The long silence you keep with me causes me to feel deep anxiety about you; dead or vanished, sick or in good health, I know not what to conjecture. Yet here is the new year beginning and for the first time I happen to be late; you know well however that the fault does not lie with the affection I bear you. It is still as lively as in the past. Around the last month of October I had made all my little travel preparations for Touraine, and the Eve of the Day when I was going to take my recreation, here comes a Gentleman (following Your instructions without doubt) who comes to throw a long stick in the wheels. Your

[[label: Letter text - Page 2 and signature]] grape harvests, from what it seems, were done outside Your presence and I was deprived of the pleasure of Seeing You. It also seems that you are very late with all Your correspondents for none of those I know have been able to give me any of Your news. Be less lazy dear friend, keep me better informed of what interests You. Mme Bonnard is definitively leaving the castle of Romainville. M. Sponi whom I saw some time ago told me that You were not yet settled on the choice of a property. It is entirely by chance that I write to You in Paris, I am very afraid that my letter may not reach You at all. In any case my wishes will follow You in whatever place it pleases You to live. I shake Your hand with affection and embrace You very cordially. Allow me to also offer my respects to Madame. Dusommerard 27 Jan. 1837.

The manuscript supplies the date but no place in its closing. Cloyes is inferred as the place sent from the postal cancellation and is not presented as a manuscript dateline.


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.

Comnevaux, France
Bar-le-Duc, Meuse, France

Aging
Illness
Paralysis
Caregiving
Family correspondence
Bar-le-Duc

Family correspondence
Health correspondence

Ordinary Lives

NRA-L-000073 - Image 1: Address panel, postal evidence and calculations

Address panel, postal evidence and calculations.

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

NRA-L-000073 - Image 2: Letter text - Page 1

Letter text - Page 1.

NRA-L-000073 image 2 showing the opening page of a French personal letter dated February 1837.

NRA-L-000073 - Image 3: Letter text - Page 2 and signature

Letter text - Page 2 and signature.

NRA-L-000073 image 3 showing the continuation and signed closing of the French personal letter.

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

[[label: Letter text - Page 1]] 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

[[label: Letter text - Page 2 and signature]] 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

[[label: Address panel]] 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)]

[[label: Letter text - Page 1]] Comnevaux, 18 September 1837 Dear Cousins, niece, I have just received the letter that you had the kindness to send me. It gave me great pleasure. I am still alive. It has been almost a year now that I do nothing; I need a servant to do my heavy work. I have fallen four times dead from a paralysis of half of my body, loss of my strength. I was administered the last rites with all the consciousness that I have now. I had to act for that. What there is, is that I have no relative who can give me relief. I only have to be cared for. I write badly. I am eighty-seven years old. I can hardly count on life. I am the oldest in the commune.

[[label: Letter text - Page 2 and signature]] I have lost my memory. I hardly make any remedies. I still bleed the sick night and day. I can tell you that I have built. I have changed houses. That has harmed me considerably. I am no longer the same. My affairs are arranged. I am content. Raise your children well. Jeanne Françoise Oudet

Bar-le-Duc is the final delivery destination; Beaune is crossed out as an earlier destination. `Comnevaux` is preserved as an unresolved manuscript place reading. Bare numeric impressions `61` and `8` are not assigned a precise postal subtype without stronger evidence.


Letter from Mathey-Osouf to Reboul Atger, October 24, 1869

Wine merchant Mathey-Osouf rejects a shipment of five and a half muids of Aramon wine after tasting it, disputes the proposed delivery and states that he is prepared to answer legal proceedings with samples.

Compiègne, Oise, France
Nîmes, Gard, France

Wine trade
Commercial disputes
Wine quality
Compiègne
Nîmes

Ordinary Lives

NRA-L-000074 - Image 1: Address panel, postage stamp and postal evidence

Address panel, postage stamp and postal evidence.

NRA-L-000074 image 1 showing a blue address panel with a postage stamp, several postmarks, docketing and damaged edges.

NRA-L-000074 - Image 2: Letter text on merchant letterhead

Letter text on merchant letterhead.

NRA-L-000074 image 2 showing a French letter written on Mathey-Osouf wine merchant letterhead, with damaged edges.

[[label: Address panel]] Monsieur Reboul atger nég[ocian]t Nîmes Hérault [[notes]] Editorial notes: The writer mistakenly wrote 'Hérault' for the department, though Nîmes is in Gard.

[[label: Letter text on merchant letterhead]] VINS EN GROS. MATHEY-OSOUF Rue des Petites-Ecuries, 1. COMPIÈGNE. Compiègne, le 24 8bre 1869 Monsieur Reboul Atger Nîmes Je reçois votre h[ono]rée du 21 je m'empresse d'y répondre d'abord je vous prie de ne rien plus m'expédier, si vous me voulez vous enverrez un layré pour compte. Je reviens à votre envoi de 5 1/2 muids aramons à 15 f 75 je maintiens plus que jamais mon refus surtout après dégustation et comparaison des vins! Si vous jugez à propos de me faire assigner je suis tout disposé à vous répondre, je m'étonne que vous me donnez ordre de prendre cette livraison, longtems hier j'ai eu la visite de Mr Serpolin, mon collègue et ami, qui me dit qu'il avait ordre de prendre les 5 1/2 muids et qu'ils étaient déjà gratifiés en cuves chez lui, il me dit même que ce n'était tout simplement que de la popote et qu'il ne voudrait pas avoir semblable marchandise. J'ignore s'il en a pris livraison je ne m'en suis pas informé, en tous cas je maintiens mon refus. Si j'ai une affaire à plaider avec vous je pourrai me procurer des échantillons. [[notes]] Editorial notes: The abbreviation '8bre' stands for 'Octobre'. The word 'layré' is uncertain and may refer to a specific type of container or shipment term. The word 'aramons' refers to a variety of wine grape.

[[label: Address panel]] Mr. Reboul Atger, merchant Nîmes Hérault [[notes]] Editorial notes: The writer mistakenly wrote 'Hérault' for the department, though Nîmes is in Gard.

[[label: Letter text on merchant letterhead]] WHOLESALE WINES. MATHEY-OSOUF Rue des Petites-Ecuries, 1. COMPIÈGNE. Compiègne, October 24, 1869 Mr. Reboul Atger Nîmes I received your honored letter of the 21st and I hasten to reply to it. First, I ask you to send me nothing more; if you wish, you will send a layré on account. I return to your shipment of 5 1/2 hogsheads of Aramons at 15 f 75. I maintain my refusal more than ever, especially after tasting and comparing the wines! If you see fit to have me summoned, I am quite ready to answer you. I am surprised that you give me the order to take this delivery; for a long time yesterday I had a visit from Mr. Serpolin, my colleague and friend, who tells me that he had orders to take the 5 1/2 hogsheads and that they were already gratified in vats at his place. He even tells me that it was quite simply nothing but slop and that he would not want to have such merchandise. I do not know if he took delivery of it, I did not inquire about it; in any case, I maintain my refusal. If I have a case to plead with you, I will be able to procure samples. [[notes]] Editorial notes: The abbreviation '8bre' stands for 'Octobre'. The word 'layré' is uncertain and may refer to a specific type of container or shipment term. The word 'aramons' refers to a variety of wine grape.

No handwritten signature is visible; Mathey-Osouf appears in the printed letterhead and identifies the sender, but is not a manuscript signature. The letter is dated 24 October 1869; the 25 October entry is later receipt/docketing evidence, not an alternative letter date.


Letter from Barbiey to François Derinay, dated from postal evidence to May 11, 1832

Barbiey writes to his brother about debts, mortgages and repayment, the possible rental of part of his brewery for an arms factory, and the severe effects of cholera on family, business and local lives.

Inferred from the Saint-Denis-sur-Seine postal cancellation dated 11 May 1832; this is not a manuscript dateline.

Saint-Denis, Seine, France
Paris, France

Family correspondence
Cholera
Brewery
Debt
Property
Saint-Denis
Paris

Ordinary Lives

NRA-L-000075 - Image 1: Address panel, postal evidence and calculations

NRA-L-000075 image 1 showing a folded address panel with postal marks and handwritten calculations.

NRA-L-000075 - Image 2: Letter text - Page 1

Letter text - Page 1.

NRA-L-000075 image 2 showing the opening page of a French personal letter.

NRA-L-000075 - Image 3: Letter text - Page 2 and signature

Letter text - Page 2 and signature.

NRA-L-000075 image 3 showing the continuation and signed closing of the French personal letter.

[[label: Address panel]] A Monsieur francois Derinay Rue Richelieu No 48 A Paris [[notes]] Postal evidence: The date 11 May 1832 is supplied by the Saint-Denis-sur-Seine postmark; the letter has no manuscript dateline.

[[label: Letter text - Page 1]] Mon frere Je fait reponce a ta lettre au quelle tu me parle de nos affaire a tu vers nous pouron bien nous arrenge Je desirerée bien n'avoir affaire qua toit ci cela t'en tarenge tu me formerai une somme de 2000 francs avec ce que je te doit au quelle jirai avec toute mes pieces a Paris et nous traiterion ensemble. Je né aucune ipoteque que celle du pere hervin pour au quelle je doit le nourire et sur le batiment de la brasserie c'ette de Elisabeth comme toit et si tu veut nous pouron termine cela et je n'aurai affaire qua toi tu me donneras 8 année pour payer en 2 payement Je pence bien que durent cette epocque Je serai de barassé de toute mes rentier Mon pere est bien malade et madame larnois n'enpeupluss, tant qua notre famille nous nous portons tres bien virginie a eut le veritable Coléras, une des premieres et elle vas bien elle na pas encore sortie j'ai etée a la Rapée et a l'entrepot des jour ici pour vendre des cerceau et je ne pas ete ches toi vue que je revenoit [[notes]] Editorial notes: The text 'et si tu veut... en 2 payement' is crossed out with a large X, and 'nulle et non avenue / cotte onzieme' is written vertically over it.

[[label: Letter text - Page 2 and signature]] et la maladie nous affait bien du tor pour la bierre, il est venue un homme qui veus louer une partie de ma brasserie pour y faire une fabrique d'armes il est tres posible que nous nous arrenjion je pence en louer aumoin pour 400 francs et ne rien de faire de ma brasserie j'ai fait Couvrire tout le coté du jardin en ardoise, - vous saver que baptiste veut du vin dans sa maison il loge des ouvrier du prince Comme tout les obbergiste moi j'en loge 3 j'en aurai pluss ci javais de la place. et ci ce que je t'ecrit peu ta renge fait moi Reponce de suite tu pouras me donne quelle que billet ci ce la ta renge. Des Compliment de notre part a tout la famille et nous nous porton toucus bien Je te salue ton frere Barbiey A l'inttent que je t'ecrit l'homme de la Rose noel vien de mourire du Coléras en 6 heure de temps il se nomme anjuste marchie a terre

[[label: Address panel]] To Mister francois Derinay Rue Richelieu No 48 In Paris [[notes]] Postal evidence: The date 11 May 1832 is supplied by the Saint-Denis-sur-Seine postmark; the letter has no manuscript dateline.

[[label: Letter text - Page 1]] My brother I am replying to your letter in which you speak to me of our affairs; we will be able to come to a good arrangement. I would very much like to deal only with you, if that suits you. You will make up a sum of 2,000 francs for me with what I owe you, with which I will go to Paris with all my documents and we will settle the matter together. I have no mortgage other than Father Hervin's, for which I must feed him, and the one on the brewery building, that of Elisabeth, which is like yours null and void. [Crossed out:] And if you wish, we can finish this and I will only deal with you. You will give me 8 years to pay in 2 instalments. I think indeed that during this time I will be rid of all my annuitants. My father is very ill and Madame Larnois can carry on no longer. As for our family, we are doing very well. Virginie had the real cholera, one of the first, and she is doing well; she has not gone out yet. I was at La Rapée and at the warehouse some days ago to sell hoops, and I did not go to your place seeing that I was returning. [[notes]] Editorial notes: The text 'et si tu veut... en 2 payement' is crossed out with a large X, and 'nulle et non avenue / cotte onzieme' is written vertically over it.

[[label: Letter text - Page 2 and signature]] And the illness has done us much harm regarding the beer. A man came who wants to rent a part of my brewery to set up an arms factory there. It is very possible that we will come to an arrangement. I think I will rent it for at least 400 francs and dismantle nothing from my brewery. I had the whole side facing the garden covered in slate. You know that Baptiste wants wine in his house; he lodges the prince's workers like all the innkeepers. I lodge 3 of them and I would have more if I had the room. And if what I write to you suits you, reply to me immediately. You could give me some bills if that suits you. Compliments from us to all the family, and we are all doing well. I salute you, your brother Barbiey At the instant that I am writing to you, the man from Rose-Noël has just died of cholera in the space of six hours. His name is Auguste [following words are illegible].

No manuscript dateline is present. Date and place sent are inferred from the Saint-Denis-sur-Seine postal cancellation. Address-panel calculations and the two later annotations on the first text page are preserved in both language layers.


Letter from Grandmama Rolier, née Benielli, to Gustave de Reiset, May 30, 1856

An elderly family correspondent expresses affection for Gustave and Bianca and hopes to see more descendants; a later family note identifies her as Grandmama Rolier, née Benielli.

Family correspondence
Grandmothers
Great-grandparents
Descendants
Paris

Ordinary Lives

NRA-L-000076 - Image 1: Letter text

Letter text.

NRA-L-000076 image 1 showing an Italian manuscript letter on folded paper.

NRA-L-000076 - Image 2: Reverse with brief note and embossed marks

Reverse with brief note and embossed marks.

NRA-L-000076 image 2 showing the reverse with a brief manuscript note, embossed marks, folds, and text showing through the paper.

[[label: Letter text]] Pariggi il 30 mag 1856 Desiderate mio caro figlio che vi scriva alcune righe, ma cosa potrò dirvi di più di quel vi ho detto; si vi dirò dunque che vi amo del più profondo del mio cuore se la mia cara Bianca vivendo felice sarà per me in questo mondo una parte della felicità celeste. ma non mi presserò di fare il viaggio, per che disidero di vedere di godere due o tre figli e; anche, quattro; e mi pare di non essere troppo esigente di domandare a Dio questa grazia. vi abbraccio tutte due mille volte; e più se lo desiderate, per rendervi contente. sono la vostra affezionata Madre e gran madre e, bisaiola ve Rolier

[[label: Letter text]] Paris, 30 May 1856. You wish, my dear son, that I write you a few lines, but what more can I tell you than what I have already said? Yes, I will therefore tell you that I love you from the depths of my heart. If my dear Bianca lives happily, it will be for me in this world a part of heavenly happiness. But I will not hasten to make the journey, because I wish to see two or three children and take joy in them—even four—and it seems to me that I am not too demanding in asking God for this grace. I embrace you both a thousand times, and more if you wish it, to make you happy. I am your affectionate mother and grandmother and great-grandmother, Widow Rolier.

Italian letter and later family identification note were image-checked against four evidence variants per capture. Date evidence: The dateline gives 30 May 1856; the later family note repeats the same date. Origin evidence: The dateline begins “Pariggi”, the writer's spelling of Paris.


Petition from Sister Marie Berthille to Madame de Reiset, October 7, 1895

Sister Marie Berthille asks Madame de Reiset and the other heirs to authorize legal action against the commune so that a perpetual annuity of 410 francs can support the free girls' school founded by Countess Lefebvre Desnouettes after the school is secularized.

Religious education
School secularization
Girls' education
Charitable foundations
Legal disputes
Fontaine-la-Mallet

Religious and educational correspondence

Ordinary Lives

NRA-L-000077 - Image 1: Letter text - Page 1

Letter text - Page 1.

NRA-L-000077 image 1 showing the opening page of a French manuscript letter.

NRA-L-000077 - Image 2: Letter text - Page 2

Letter text - Page 2.

NRA-L-000077 image 2 showing the continuation of the French manuscript letter.

NRA-L-000077 - Image 3: Letter text - Page 3, signature and later note

Letter text - Page 3, signature and later note.

NRA-L-000077 image 3 showing the signed closing of the French letter with a later note beneath the text.

[[label: Letter text - Page 1]] A Madame de Reiset en son Château. 7 8bre 95 Madame, C'est une pauvre Religieuse qui bientôt sera laïcisée, parce qu'elle aura 60 ans, qui vient à vous, implorer votre secours, pour une affaire qui pourrait lui être très utile, si vous avez la bonté de vous en charger. Je m'explique: Depuis bientôt 25 ans, je dirige le poste fondé par Madame la Comtesse Lefebvre Desnouettes, d'heureuse mémoire. J'eus des correspondances très intimes avec elle. Quand le bon Dieu l'a appelée à lui, mes relations eurent lieu avec Madame de Sancy de Parabère, votre mère, quand j'eus la douleur de la perdre, je m'adressai à Madame de Sancy de Parabère (à Boran) votre belle sœur, qui hélas! n'est plus depuis quelques mois, je me permets de vous envoyer sa dernière lettre, que je garderai comme une relique, cette chère

[[label: Letter text - Page 2]] Dame n'a pas répondu à ma dernière lettre, elle s'est envolée au Ciel avant, j'espère qu'elle me la fera faire par vous, Madame, car vous êtes ma dernière planche de salut. Voilà ce dont je sollicite de votre extrême charité: La fondation de Madame la Comtesse Lefebvre Desnouettes, est faite pour les enfants pauvres (filles) de la Commune de Fontaine-la-Mallet (Seine-Inf.re) dirigée par une Religieuse de St Aubin, mais, d'après les nouvelles lois scolaires, les Communes n'ont pas le droit, au décès des Sœurs, de les remplacer par des Sœurs, c'est une laïque de droit qui arrive, ou quand les Religieuses ont 60 ans, on les met à la retraite, et elles sont encore remplacées par une laïque. Une Dame, habitant Paris, (Madame Pinel), veut bien donner un local pour faire une classe libre, mais la cage ne nourrit pas l'oiseau, il faudrait pour cela avoir les 410 f de rentes, fondées à perpétuité par Madame la Comtesse, pour pouvoir fonder cette école libre. C'est donc, une autorisation signée, par les trois héritiers de Madame de Sancy de Parabère, que je sollicite, afin d'intenter un procès à la Commune au moment de la laïcisation (Madame Pinel poursuivrait le procès, ces Messieurs de Sancy et de Reiset, n'auraient rien à débourser) mais on ne peut intenter le procès sans leur autorisation

[[label: Letter text - Page 3, signature and later note]] J'espère Madame, que vous ne me refuserez pas ce service ni Monsieur de Reiset non plus, je sais que vous êtes de fervents chrétiens et que vous aurez à cœur, que l'œuvre de votre grand'mère se continue. Que le bon Dieu vous bénisse, ainsi que toute votre noble famille. Veuillez agréer, Madame, mes sentiments profondément respectueux, avec lesquels je suis, Votre très humble en N. S. Sr. M.ie Berthille Fontaine-la-Mallet, le 7 8bre 1895 par Montivilliers (Seine-Inférieure)

[[label: Letter text - Page 1]] To Madame de Reiset at her château. 7 October 1895 Madame, It is a poor Nun who will soon be secularised, because she will be 60 years old, who comes to you, to implore your help, for a matter that could be very useful to her, if you have the goodness to take charge of it. Let me explain: For almost 25 years, I have directed the post founded by Madame the Countess Lefebvre Desnouettes, of happy memory. I had very intimate correspondence with her. When the good God called her to Himself, my relations took place with Madame de Sancy de Parabère, your mother; when I had the sorrow of losing her, I turned to Madame de Sancy de Parabère (at Boran), your sister-in-law, who alas! has been no more for a few months, I take the liberty of sending you her last letter, which I shall keep as a relic, this dear

[[label: Letter text - Page 2]] Lady did not answer my last letter, she flew away to Heaven before, I hope she will have it answered for me by you, Madame, for you are my last plank of salvation. Here is what I solicit from your extreme charity: The foundation of Madame the Countess Lefebvre Desnouettes, is made for the poor children (girls) of the Commune of Fontaine-la-Mallet (Seine-Inf.re) directed by a Nun of St Aubin, but, according to the new school laws, the Communes do not have the right, upon the death of the Sisters, to replace them with Sisters, it is a laywoman by right who arrives, or when the Nuns are 60 years old, they are put into retirement, and they are again replaced by a laywoman. A Lady, living in Paris, (Madame Pinel), is willing to give premises to establish a free class, but the cage does not feed the bird, it would be necessary for that to have the 410 f of annuities, founded in perpetuity by Madame the Countess, to be able to found this free school. It is therefore, an authorisation signed, by the three heirs of Madame de Sancy de Parabère, that I solicit, in order to bring a lawsuit against the Commune at the moment of secularisation (Madame Pinel would pursue the lawsuit, these Gentlemen de Sancy and de Reiset, would have nothing to pay) but one cannot bring the lawsuit without their authorisation

[[label: Letter text - Page 3, signature and later note]] I hope Madame, that you will not refuse me this service nor Monsieur de Reiset either, I know that you are fervent Christians and that you will have it at heart, that the work of your grandmother continues. May the good God bless you, as well as all your noble family. Please accept, Madame, my profoundly respectful sentiments, with which I am, Your very humble in Our Lord, Sr. Marie Berthille Fontaine-la-Mallet, 7 October 1895 via Montivilliers (Seine-Inférieure)

Three-page petition, closing dateline and signature were image-checked against four evidence variants per capture. Date evidence: The closing dateline reads “Fontaine-la-Mallet, le 7 8bre 1895”. Origin evidence: The closing dateline names Fontaine-la-Mallet, via Montivilliers, Seine-Inférieure.


Letter from Jean Bordesoulle to J. Jaunot, February 21, 1835

Jean Bordesoulle writes about the ditch beside his land at La Sagne, the placement of the excavated soil, indemnities involving his aunt, Widow Bordesoulle, and his wish to settle the matter as good neighbours and friends.

Paris, France
Saint-Martial-le-Mont, Creuse, France

Rural correspondence
Land boundaries
Ditches
Neighbour disputes
Family property
Saint-Martial-le-Mont

Property correspondence
Neighbourly correspondence

Ordinary Lives

NRA-L-000078 - Image 1: Address panel, routing and later notes

Address panel, routing and later notes.

NRA-L-000078 image 1 showing an unfolded address and routing panel with later manuscript notes.

NRA-L-000078 - Image 2: Letter text - Page 1

Letter text - Page 1.

NRA-L-000078 image 2 showing the opening page of a French manuscript letter dated Paris, 21 February 1823.

NRA-L-000078 - Image 3: Letter text - Page 2, signature and damaged edges

Letter text - Page 2, signature and damaged edges.

NRA-L-000078 image 3 showing the signed continuation of the French letter with folds and areas of paper loss.

[[label: Address panel]] pour Remettre à Monsieur J. Jaunot du Village de la [Couchessole?] Commune de St Marcial le Mont.

[[label: Letter text - Page 1]] Paris ce 21 fevrier 1835. Monsieur, la presante est pour Vous Souhaiter une bonne Sante inssi qu'a Madame Votre Epouse et inssi qu'à Vos enfant. Mr Je viens de recevoir une lettre de ma tante Veuve Bordesoulle au Sujet de ma terre de la Sagne dont elle me dit que vous nétoyez très bien le fossé mais aulieu de de Mettre la terre de mon Coté Vous la mettez du Coté de Votre haie et que Vous laissez une très grande distance n'éxige pas entre brave Voisin qu'il ne Soit pas Comblé mais quil Soit fait amoins de ter- -rain quil est. ma tante me dit aussi que Vous avez recu une lettre de moi que Vous pretandez en faire un titre efectivement Vous en avez Reçu une par la quelle Je Vous avez prier de nétoyer le fossé pen dant l'ané Comme Je ne me trouvais pas sur les lieux, Je Vous en Sais

[[label: Letter text - Page 2, signature and damaged edges]] beaucoup d'oblication ma tante me demande aussi le peu d'indimnités que Vous Etiez Convenu avec défun mon père Vielliez donc bien Mr lui en tenir Compte pendant quelle en n'a la Jouisanse; tachons de Nous entendres en bons Voisin et Comme de bons amis toujours d'accorre Ensembles. bien mes Compliments Je Vous prie à Madame Votre Epouse inssi qu'a Vos Enfants. Je Vous Salut d'amitié. Jean Bordesoulle

[[label: Address panel]] To be delivered to Monsieur J. Jaunot of the village of [Couchessole?], commune of Saint-Martial-le-Mont.

[[label: Letter text - Page 1]] Paris, 21 February 1835. Sir, This letter is to wish you good health, as well as your wife and your children. Sir, I have just received a letter from my aunt, Widow Bordesoulle, concerning my land at La Sagne. She tells me that you are cleaning the ditch very well, but instead of putting the soil on my side you are putting it on the side of your hedge, and that you are leaving a very large gap. Between good neighbours it should not remain unfilled, but should be made with less ground than it is. My aunt also tells me that you received a letter from me which you claim to use as a title. Indeed, you received one in which I asked you to clean the ditch during the year. As I was not there in person, I am very

[[label: Letter text - Page 2, signature and damaged edges]] much obliged to you. My aunt also asks me about the small indemnities that you had agreed with my late father. Please therefore, Sir, take them into account for her while she has the enjoyment of the property. Let us try to come to an understanding as good neighbours and good friends, always in agreement together. My compliments, I beg you, to your wife and to your children. I greet you in friendship. Jean Bordesoulle

Letter, address panel, land and ditch terminology, signature and display order were image-checked; the village name in the address remains explicitly uncertain. Date evidence: The opening dateline reads “Paris ce 21 fevrier 1835”. Origin evidence: The opening dateline names Paris.


Letter fragment from Félix Boucly to Eliza Boucly, October 1835

The surviving conclusion discusses shortening a visit, an earlier separation and concern about the mother's long daily solitude, followed by affectionate family greetings.

Family correspondence
Caregiving
Loneliness
Separation
Provins

Ordinary Lives

NRA-L-000079 - Image 1: Address panel and postal evidence

Address panel and postal evidence.

NRA-L-000079 image 1 showing an unfolded address panel to Provins with circular postal marks and paper loss.

NRA-L-000079 - Image 2: Letter text and signature

Letter text and signature.

NRA-L-000079 image 2 showing a French manuscript letter with a signed closing and circular marks.

[[label: Address panel]] Mademoiselle Eliza Boucly chez Monsieur Dalomprey, notaire, à Provins (Seine & Marne) [[notes]] Postal evidence: The date 6 October 1835 is supplied by a later docketing note; the surviving postmarks are incomplete.

[[label: Letter text and signature]] abrégé ainsi de quelques jours. Mais Zoé sentira bien & toi aussi que dans les circonstances, il faut se résigner à une séparation plus prompte J'avouerai que la solitude absolue de Maman pendant la plus grande partie du jour me parait triste et pesante. Elle n'en dit rien parcequ'elle ne veut jamais qu'il soit question de ce qui la regarde. Mais nous devons faire ce qui lui convient, à elle, malgré elle : elle a fait assez de fois le sacrifice aux convenances d'autrui. mille embrassements a vous de tout coeur Félix Boucly

[[label: Address panel]] Mademoiselle Eliza Boucly c/o Monsieur Dalomprey, notary, in Provins (Seine-et-Marne) [[notes]] Postal evidence: The date 6 October 1835 is supplied by a later docketing note; the surviving postmarks are incomplete.

[[label: Letter text and signature]] shortened thus by a few days. But Zoé will feel well, and you too, that under the circumstances, one must resign oneself to a more prompt separation. I will confess that Mama's absolute solitude during the greater part of the day seems to me sad and heavy. She says nothing about it because she never wants there to be any question of what concerns her. But we must do what suits her, for her, despite her: she has sacrificed enough times to the convenience of others. A thousand kisses to you with all my heart Félix Boucly

Surviving letter conclusion, address panel, postal evidence and later docket were image-checked; the normalized date is inferred from the docket. Date evidence: A later docket on the address side reads “6/10/1835”, interpreted as 6 October in the French context; no dateline survives in the fragment. Origin evidence: No dateline survives; the postal and address evidence identifies Provins as the destination, not the place of writing.