Notarial Records, Page 75-91. St. Landry Parish, Louisiana Transcribed and Submitted by Mike Miller ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. In This File: Amanda M. Harris, widow Samuel E. Bell To Dr. George Hill Sale of Slave Recorded 9th December 1836 Louis Nicholas Petit To Edward White Governor Bond Recorded 9th December 1836 Lufroy Latiolas To Etienne Latiolas Sale of Land Recorded 9th December 1836 Bell and others To Lastrapes Release of Mortgage Recorded 9th December 1836 James Nuttal [North Carolina] To Benjamin R. Rogers Letter regarding sale of slaves; see next instrument also. Recorded 10th December [1836] James Nuttall To George Hill Sale of Slave Recorded 10th December 1836 Manuel Henry & Myrtille Foret Marriage Contract Recorded 14th December 1836 Joseph Pitre To Augustin Pitre Sale of Land Recorded 15th December 1836 Pitre to Pitre Acquittance Release of Mortgage Recorded 15 December 1836 Ignacious Tear To Christopher Adams Sale of Land Recorded 19th December 1836 Napoleon Franchebois To Pierre Laybyche Sale of Lot Recorded 23rd December 1836 John H. Dudley To Eugenie Richard wife of Joseph Louis Richard Release of Mortgage Recorded 27th December 1836 Nicholas L. Ami To Parish Judge Constable Bond Recorded 30 December 1836 Stephen W. Wickoff To Thomas A. Cook Sale of Slaves Recorded 5th January 1837 William M. Prescott To Robert McCrory Sale of Slave Recorded 9th January 1837 Nathaniel Eames To Eliakim Littell Mortgage [Cotton Gin at Lake Charles] Recorded 11th January 1837 John T. Heath To Solomon Hudson Sale of Land Recorded 14 January 1837 Lufroi Zain (Romare) fmc To Pierre Ozere' Sale of Lot Recorded 17 January 1837 Jean B. Keller To Abijah Clark Retrocession Recorded 18 January 1837 Thomas Hayes To Thomas Keller Sale of Slave Recorded 20 January 1837 Maria Antonea de la Garza To Pleasant B. Cocke Sale of Land [in Texas] Recorded 23 January 1837 Raphael Meche To Joseph Stilly Sale of Land Recorded 23 January 1837 Jacob Anselm To David Akison Jr. Sale of Slaves Recorded 25 January 1837 Thomas Hayes To Jane Hayes Donation of Slaves Recorded 27th January 1837 Michel Prudhomme To John Rider Sale of Slave Recorded 30 January 1837 Edmund H. Martin To Crawford Lyons Sale of Slave Recorded 31 January 1837 William and John Moore[St. Martin Parish] To Felix Dejean Sale of Slave Recorded 4th February 1837 John Roach To William Brandt Indenture of Apprenticeship Recorded 11 February 1837 Benjamin F. Linton To Francis B. T. Burgess Agreement & Reciprocal Sale of Land & Slaves Recorded 11 Feb[r]uary 1837 William H. Gray & Wife To William W. Bowen Sale of Land Recorded 13th Feby. 1837 Wilhelmina Thineman wife of Charles Woodruff To Patrick Overton Sale of Land Recorded 17 Feb[r]uary 1837 Thineman Partition Recorded 17th Feb[r]uary 1837 ****** Amanda M. Harris, widow Samuel E. Bell To Dr. George Hill Sale of Slave Recorded 9th December 1836 Know all men by these presents that Amande [sic] M. Harris widow of the late Samuel E. Bell of the State of Louisian[a] and Parish of St. Landry, for and in consideration of the sum of two thousand four hundred dollars Cash in hand paid the receipt is hereby acknowledge[d], has bargained and sold and does by this act grant bargain, sell set over, transfer, convey and deliver unto Doctor George Hill of the aforesaid State and parish the following described negro slaves, towit, a negro woman named Jenny aged about thirty or thirty two Years with her five children, towit, Rebecca a girl aged about nine Years, William Alias Pompy [sp?] aged about seven Years, John a boy aged about five Years, Juliet a girl about three Years and Augustus a boy about fifteen months old. To have and To hold the aforesaid slaves to him the said Doctor George Hill and to his heirs and assigns forever. And she the said Amanda M. Harris widow for herself her heirs &c the title to the aforesaid slaves against the lawful claims of all persons whatsoever to him the said Doctor George Hill his heirs, executors administrators and assigns does warrant & will forever defend. She also warrants them free from redhibitory diseases. The certificate required by the 3328th Article of the Louisiana Code has been produced & makes a part of the act. In Testimony of all which the parties have hereunto signed in presence of Gilbert Sloan and Joel M. Bell competent witnesses and before George King Parish Judge in and for the aforesaid Parish of St. Landry this ninth day of December in the Year One thousand eight hundred and thirty six. Amanda M. Bell (seal) George Hill (seal) Witness Gilbert Sloan Joel M. Bell Geo. King P. Judge ****** Louis Nicholas Petit To Edward White Governor Bond Recorded 9th December 1836 Know all men by these presents, That we Louis Nicholas Petit as principal and Joseph A. Dumartrait as security are held and firmly bound unto Edward D. White Governor of the State of Louisiana and his successors in office in the sum of Five hundred Dollars, which sum well and truly to pay to the said Edward D. White Governor of the State of Louisiana, and his successors in office, we do bind ourselves, our heirs executors and administrators firmly by these presents, signed with our hands and sealed with our seals in the Parish of St. Landry this Ninth day of December in the Year of our Lord, One thousand eight hundred and thirty Six. Whereas the above bound Louis Nicholas Petit principal has obtained Licence [sic] to keep a grog shop in the Town of Opelousas for from and after the date hereof to the first Monday of May next. Now the condition of the above obligation is such, that if the said bound Louis Nicholas Petit the principal shall contravene any one of the provisions in relation to Slaves, contained in the act entitled "An act to amend the Black Code" approved March 16th 1830, or should the said bound Louis Nicholas Petit the principal keep a disorderly Grog shop or permit an assemblage of more than three slaves (not belonging to him or in his employment) at the said Grog Shop kept by him or at such other place as he may be in the act of retailing spirituous ab [sp?], in the said Town then the above obligation shall be forfeited, and the amount thereof to be recovered before any court of competent Jurisdiction in the State of Louisiana, one half to the use of the person who shall sue thereon, and the other half to the use of the parish of St. Landry. L. N. Petit (seal) J. H. Dumartrait (seal) Witnesses Guy H. Bell C. Moral Guiramond J. Juissemot Acknowledged and executed before me Geo. King Parish Judge St. Landry ****** Lufroy Latiolas To Etienne Latiolas Sale of Land Recorded 9th December 1836 The Deed made the ninth day of December in the Year one thousand eight hundred and thirty six between Lufroy Latiolas of the State of Louisiana and Parish of St. Landry of the one part and Etienne Latiolas of the same State and Parish aforesaid of the other part Witnesseth, that for and in consideration of the premises herein expressed, he the said Lufroy Latiolais [sic] has bargained and sold and does by this Public Act grant, bargain, sell set over, alien, transfer and deliver unto him the said Etienne Latiolas a certain tract or parcel of land situated in the aforesaid [Page 76] Parish and lying on the East bank of the west branch of the Bayou Plaquemine brulee bounded on the upper side by land of the purchaser and on the lower side by Theon Fontenot, having two Arpens & one third of an arpent front by the depth of forty Arpens. To have and to hold the aforesaid tract of land to him the said Etienne Latiolais, his heirs executors adm[inistrato]r[s]. and assigns forever, with guarantee only against all persons claiming by through or under the seller. This Sale made for and in consideration of the share of Leon Latiolais in the proceeds of the original tract of fourteen arpens front by forty in depth of which the bargained and sold parcel forms a part, which said share has been paid to the said Leon Latiolais by the hands of William W. Bowen Esqr. The parties dispense with the production of the certificate required by the 3328th Article of the Louisiana Code. In Testimony of al which the said parties have hereunto signed in presence of Benoit Debaillon and Caleb Green Jr. competent Witnesses and before George King Parish Judge & ex-offico Notary Public at Opelousas the day & Year above written. Lufroy x Latiolais (seal) Etienne Latiolais (seal) Bt. Debaillon Caleb Green Jr. Geo. King P. Judge ****** Bell and others To Lastrapes Release of Mortgage Recorded 9th December 1836 Know all men by these presents that Whereas at the Sale at auction of the Estate of Samuel E. Bell decd. made on the [blank] day of March 1836 Andre Lastrapes became the purchaser of a certain property as the same is described on the process verbal of said sale consisting of lots of Ground a Tavern and the buildings & improvements for the price of Five Thousand Two Hundred & fifty Dollars payable on the first of October 1836 & bearing interest at ten percent per an[n]um from becoming due & with the privilege in said Lastrapes of paying said price in discharge of the judgement or mortgage that operate as liens on said property while the same was owned by said Samuel E. Bell and whereas the Estate of Robert Taylor owns the vendors privilege on the said property for the sum including interest of Five Thousand Three Hundred and seventy five Dollars and sixty cents. And whereas the said Andre Lastrapes owes for principle [sic] and interest on his said purchase up to this day Five thousand three hundred & forty seven Dollars & eighty cents. Now therefore Joel M. Bell Administrator of the Estate of said Samuel E. Bell deceased acknowledges by this act to have received the said sum of Five thousand three hundred & forty seven dollars & eighty cents from the said Andre Lastrapes in full for the principal and interest due on his aforesaid purchase at the Sale of the said Estate of Samuel E. Bell deceased. And William Moore Attorney in fact for John Moore Administrator of the aforesaid Estate of Robert Taylor deceased hereby acknowledges to have received from the said Joel M. Bell Administrator of the Estate of Samuel E. Bell deceased the aforesaid sum of Five thousand Three hundred & seventy five dollars and sixty cents in full of all demands against said Estate of Samuel E. Bell deceased, which is paid out of the identical money now paid by said Andre Lastrapes so far as that goes & the balance of Twenty seven Dollars and eighty cents is paid by said Joel M. Bell out of other funds of said Estate of Samuel E. Bell deceased. Now Therefore in consideration of all the premises the said Joel M. Bell as Administrator of said Samuel E. Bell deceased and the said William Moore as attorney in fact of John Moore Administrator of the Estate of said Robert Taylor deceased do by these presents release annul & discharge all the mortgages and liens of whatever nature which the said Estates of Samuel E. Bell and Robert Taylor or either of them had or have on the said property purchased as aforesaid by the aforesaid Andre Lastrapes at the sale of the Estate of said Samuel E. Bell deceased. In testimony whereof the parties have to have signed this act in presence of Alexandre Desesarts and Benoist Debaillon competent witnesses and before George King Parish Judge & ex-officio Notary Public in and for the Parish of St. Landry the ninth day of December in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty six. Joel M. Bell Administrator of Estate of Saml. E. Bell W. Moore Attorney in fact for John Moore Administrator of the Estate of Robt. Taylor decd. Witnesses Desesart Bt. Debaillon Geo. King P. Judge [Page 77] ****** James Nuttal [North Carolina] To Benjamin R. Rogers Letter regarding sale of slaves; see next instrument also. Recorded 10th December [1836] Dear Sir Oxford Octb[e]r. 28th 1836 I have written to you several times relative to the two negroes which I left in your country requesting you to sell them for the best cash price though I have received no answer from you relative to them as yet you will confer a favour [sic] on me by informing me how you have disposed of them if sold you will retain sufficient to pay you for your expences [sic] and trouble the balance you can remit me by draft if not sold if not sold you will sell them as soon as you can at what you may think their value. I also wish you to inform me what has been done with my claims against Yancy I have written to Mssrs. Garland & Swoazey several times and have received no answer my letters or theirs must have been miscarried or I should certainly have heard from them I would thank you to say to them that I have written and requested them to inform me what has been done in attending this your will confer a favour [sic] on a Friend whould [sic] at all times feel proud to have an opportunity to reciprocate not only for this but past favours [sic]. Give my very best respects to Mr. Rogers your Father Mother and all of our good friends. Yours most sincerely J. W. Nuttall ****** James Nuttall To George Hill Sale of Slave Recorded 10th December 1836 This Deed made and entered into this tenth day of December in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty six between Benjamin R. Rogers of the State of Louisiana and parish of St. Landry agent and attorney in fact of James Nuttall of Oxford in the State of North Carolina of the one part and George Hill of the aforesaid Parish of St. Landry of the other part Witnesseth. That for the consideration hereinafter expressed the said Benjamin R. Rogers agent as aforesaid acting by virtue of a letter of Attorney annexed to this act has bargained and sold and by this act does grant bargain sell set over and deliver unto the said George Hill a negro man slave named Ephraim aged about fifty years and a negro man slave named Louis aged about forty five years. To have and to hold said slaves to him the said George Hill his heirs and assigns forever. Said slaves are not warranted against redhibitory vices diseases or defects said agent merely warranting the title to said slaves in the name of his said constituent, it being expressly stipulated and understood between said parties that said agent shall not in any event be responsible personally under the above clause of warranty or otherwise. This sale is made for and in consideration of the price and sum of one thousand and fifty dollars payable on the tenth day of March next (1837) that is to say six hundred and seventy dollars as the price of the slave Ephraim and three hundred and eighty dollars as the price of the slave Louis making together said sum of One thousand and fifty dollars. If said sum be not punctually paid it is to bear interest at the rate of ten percent per annum from maturity. And further to secure the payment of the aforesaid sum of One thousand and fifty dollars with interest as aforesaid. Andre Lastrapes of said Parish has become and hereby binds and obligates himself as the security of said George Hill. The purchaser dispenses with the production of the certificate required by the 3328th Article of the Louisiana Code or by all other laws to the same effect on the subject of mortgages. In Witness whereof said parties have hereunto signed at Opelousas in presence of Benoist Debaillon and Richard M. Garwood competent witnesses and before George King Parish Judge & ex-officio Notary Public in & for said Parish of Saint Landry the day and Year first above written. Benj. R. Rogers agent & Attorney in fact of James Nuttall A. Lastrapes George Hill Witness Richd. M. Garwood Bt. Debaillon Geo. King P. Judge Opelousas this 8[?]th day of March 1837 Received of Mr. George Hill One thousand and fifty Dollars being the amount in full for the within slaves Benj. R. Rogers Atty. in fact for James Nuttall ****** Manuel Henry & Myrtille Foret Marriage Contract Recorded 14th December 1836 This Marriage contract made the fourteenth day of December in the Year One thousand eight hundred and thirty six between Manuel Henry & Murtyle Forest, both over the age of majority, of the State of Louisiana & Parish of ST. Landry Witnesseth, That in consideration of the mutual love and affection of the parties they have agreed to unite themselves in the Holy bonds of matrimony & to cause their nuptials to be celebrated with [Page 78] out delay. It is further stipulated that the debts due by either of the parties shall be paid out of the proper Estate goods & chattels of the party who shall have contracted the same & that the Community of property, acquests & gains shall be governed by the existing laws of this State. The property of the future wife consists in the following Articles, towit, Four head of horned cattle at fifteen dollars per head - $60--Three mares at fifteen dollars each $45 One pair of work oxen at forty dollars $40 One horse at forty five dollars $45 One colash [sp?] [probably 'caleche,' a carriage] at fifty dollars 50 One armoire at ten dollars $10 One bed at thirty dollars 30. Cash fourteen hundred dollars $1400 making the entire sum of of [sic] sixteen hundred and eighty dollars $1680. And the property of the future husband consists of Twelve head of horned cattle at eleven dollars per head $132 One mare at six dollars $6 One horse at thirty dollars & one ditto at fifty dollars $80 One bed at ten dollars 10 Cash One hundred dollars $100 making the entire sum of three hundred and twenty eight dollars $328. In Testimony whereof the parties have hereunto signed by making their ordinary marks not knowing how to write in presence of Benoist Debaillon and Richard M. Garwood competent Witnesses and before George King Parish Judge & ex-officio Notary Public in & for the aforesaid Parish of St. Landry at Opelousas this day & Year above written. Manuel x Henry Murtyle x Forest Witness Bt. Debaillon Richd. M. Garwood Geo. King P. Judge ****** Joseph Pitre To Augustin Pitre Sale of Land Recorded 15th December 1836 This Deed made the fifteenth day of December in the Year One thousand eight hundred and thirty six between Joseph Pierre Pitre of the State of Louisiana and Parish of St. Landry of the one part and Augustin Pitre of the same State and parish aforesaid of the other part Witnesseth, that for and in Consideration of the sum of Six hundred and six dollars Cash in hand paid, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, he the said Joseph Pierre Pitre has bargained and sold and does by this public act grant, bargain sell, alien confirm and deliver unto him the said Augustin Pitre a certain tract or parcel of land situated in the aforesaid Parish and lying in the Prairie Ronde alias Prairie des Isles bounded on the West side by land of Pierre Jeansonne and on the East by the seller & on the South by Pierre Belair containing One hundred & sixty five arpens more or less. To have and To hold the said tract of land to him the said Augustin Pitre his heirs and assigns forever and he the said Joseph Pierre for himself his heirs, executors and administrators the tract of land so described as aforesaid against the lawful claims of all persons whatsoever, to him the said Augustin Jeansonne his heirs, Executors, adm[inistrato]rs. and assigns does Warrant and will forever defend. The purchaser dispenses with the production of the certificate required by the 3328th Article of the Louisiana Code. In Testimony of all which the parties have hereunto signed the seller by making his ordinary mark not knowing how to write in presence of Benoist Debaillon and Richard M. Garwood competent Witnesses & before George King Parish Judge in & for the aforesaid Parish at Opelousas the day & Year above written. Joseph Pre. x Pitre (seal) Auguste pere Pitre (seal) Witness Bt. Debaillon Richd. M. Garwood Geo. King P. Judge ****** Pitre to Pitre Acquittance Release of Mortgage Recorded 15 December 1836 This day the fifteenth of December in the Year One thousand eight hundred and thirty six before me George King Parish Judge in and for the Parish of St. Landry and ex-officio Notary Public, appeared personally Augustin Pitre who acknowledged from Joseph Pierre Pitre his father and natural Tutor the sum of eleven hundred and thirty one dollars & eighty seven cents, being the full and entire amount of his inheritance from his mother, from his grandfather Jean Joubert decd. from his grand mother Adelaide Ledoux, from Villeneuve Ledoux his great uncle and from Jean Bt. Ledoux his uncle and he does in consideration thereof release & forever acquit his said father from the mortgage resulting from his natural Tutorship as full as though the same had never existed. In Testimony whereof he has hereunto signed in presence of Benoit & Richard M. Garwood competent [Page 79] Witnesses at Opelousas the day & Year first above written. Augustin Pie[r]re Pitre Witness Richd. M. Garwood Bt. Debaillon Geo. King P. Judge ****** Ignacious Tear To Christopher Adams Sale of Land Recorded 19th December 1836 I, Ignacious Tear of the County of Opelousas and State of Louisiana do for and in consideration of the sum of Ten Dollars hereby relinquish, Assign and set over to Christopher Adams of New Orleans all the right title interest, or claim that I have at this time, or have heretofore had, to one third of a tract of land of forty arpens in front by the depth of forty fronting on Red River and held by a Requitte [sp?] or Concession from the Spanish Government, In favour [sic] of John James & Ignacious Tear. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my name at Opelousas this 6th day of September 1815 in presence of [blank] Ignaicus [sic] x Tear Isham P. Fox John Thompson State of Louisiana parish of St. Landry This day the 16th of September 1815 Before me George King appeared personally Isham Fox & John Thompson who made oath that they say Ignacius Tear sign & hear him acknowledge the foregoing to be his act and deed for the purposes therein expressed. Geo. King P. Judge --- State of Louisiana Parish of St. Landry -- Know all men by these presents that I, Christopher Adams of the Parish of Iberville and State aforesaid, in consideration that Theophilus Collins and William Garrard both of the Parish of St. Landry and State aforesaid are bound as sureties for me on a note or obligation of two thousand four hundred and sixty dollars or thereabouts given for the purchase of two negroes at the sale of William Thompson deceased, dated about the Year eighteen hundred and nineteen and payable at one, two and three Years time, and the greater part of the said obligation yet being due & unpaid, and the said Collins and Garrard being liable, and likely to pay the same therefore in consideration of the premises, and for the indemnifying of my said surities I do by these presents transfer the within deed to the said Collins and Garrard. This 15th September eighteen hundred and thirty two. Christ. Adams Witness Richd. M. Garwood Bt. Debaillon This day the 19th of December in the Year One thousand & thirty six before me George King Parish Judge & ex-officio Notary Public in and for the aforesaid Parish and in presence of Richard M. Garwood and Benoist Debaillon came personally Christopher Adams and acknowledged his signature to the foregoing Transfer, to have been made for the purposes therein expressed (seal) Given under my hand and the seal of my office at Opelousas as this day & Year aforesaid. Geo. King P. Judge ****** Napoleon Franchebois To Pierre Laybyche Sale of Lot Recorded 23rd December 1836 State of Louisiana, Parish of St. Landry, Opelousas, This Deed made and executed at Opelousas this twenty third day of December in the Year One thousand eight hundred and thirty six Between Napoleon Franchebois of the State of Louisiana and Parish of St. Landry of the one part and Pierre Labyche of the other part, Witnesseth, That for and in consideration of the Sum of Two hundred and ten Dollars Cash in hand paid at & Before the Sealing and delivering of these presents. The Receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged he the said Napoleon Franchebois has granted, bargained and sold and does by These presents grant, Bargain, Sell alien, Convey & deliver to the said Pierre Labyche a Certain Parcel of Lot of Ground Situated in the Town of Opelousas, having fifty five feet and seven inches fronting on North Street, by one hundred and twenty feet in depth, Bounded on the North by Jean Marie Debaillon on the East by the Present purchaser on the West by Rachel Furgesson free woman of Colour, and on the South by the said North Street. Being a part of the Lot which the present vendor acquired by purchase from Alex Theirre, as per act passed Before Pierre Labyche Notary Public, on the Eighteenth of August eighteen hundred and thirty six, and free from all incumberance [sic] as appears from the certificate of recorder of Mortgages of the said Parish of St. Landry, dated this day and hereunto Annexed. To have and To hold the above described parcel of lot to the said Pierre Laybyche [sic] his heirs executors administrators and assigns forever. And the said Napoleon Franchebois for himself his heirs, executors, and administrators The aforesaid parcel of Ground, from and against the claim or claims of [Page 80] all and ever person or persons whatever to the said Pierre Labyche his heirs, executors administrators and assigns does Warrant and will forever defend. In testimony whereof the vendor & purchaser have hereunto Set their hands, and affixed Their Seals in presence of John Simons & William Aeguter [sp?] Competent witnesses, who have also hereunto signed and Before George King Parish Judge & ex-officio Notary Public, in and for the said Parish of St. Landry, The day and Year first above written. Nn. Franchebois Labyche Witness John Simons W. Acqerter [sp?] Geo. King P. Judge ****** John H. Dudley To Eugenie Richard wife of Joseph Louis Richard Release of Mortgage Recorded 27th December 1836 Know all men by these presents that whereas on the twenty fifth day of August in the Year 1834 John H. Dudley bargained and sold To Eugenie Richard wife of Joseph Louis Richard the one half of the Lot No. 35 in the Town of Negroville alias Washington for the price and sum of three hundred and twenty five dollars payable one hundred & twenty five dollars in Cash, one hundred in April 1835 & one hundred dollars in April 1836 & whereas the aforesaid payments have been made the last to James Neyland who has been regularly authorised [sic] by authentic Power of Attorney to receive the same & Release the mortgage retained on said lot of Ground to secure the payment of the purchase money. Now in consideration of the premises he the said James Neyland has for and in behalf of said John H. Dudley released and does hereby release the aforesaid Mortgage as fully and effectually as though it had never existed. In Witness whereof he has hereunto signed in presence of Richard M. Garwood & Benoit Debaillon & Before George King Parish Judge fin and for the aforesaid Parish at Opelousas as this twenty seventh day of December in the Year One thousand eight hundred & thirty six. James Neyland Witness Richd. M. Garwood Bt. Debaillon Geo. King P. Judge ****** Nicholas L. Ami To Parish Judge Constable Bond Recorded 30 December 1836 The State of Louisiana. Know all men by these presents that Nicholas L. Ami & Antoine Dupre of the parish of St. Landry are held and firmly bound unto George King Parish Judge of said Parish in the sum of five hundred dollars for the true and faithfull [sic] payment of which to the said George King or his successors in office they hereby bind themselves their heirs &c. jointly and severally firmly by these presents, signed with their hands & sealed with seals at Opelousas this thirteenth day of December One thousand eight hundred & thirty six. The conditions of the above obligation is such that whereas the said Nicholas L. Ami has been appointed a Constable for the parish of St. Landry by the police Jury thereof Now if the said Ami shall make true and faithful returns according to Law of all such writs orders and processes as shall come into his hands as constable as aforesaid and pay over all sums of money that he may collect to the persons entitled by law to receive the same and finally shall do and perform all such other duties as may be legally required of Constable Then the above obligation to be null and void otherwise to remain in full force and virtue. Nicholas Amy (seal) Ant. Dupre (seal) Witness Richd. M. Garwood Robert Taylor ****** Stephen W. Wickoff To Thomas A. Cook Sale of Slaves Recorded 5th January 1837 Know all men by these presents that Stephen W. Wikoff of the State of Louisiana and Parish of St. Landry for and in consideration of the sum of Twelve hundred and twenty dollars Cash in hand paid the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged has bargained and sold and does by this act, grant, bargain sell set over and deliver unto Thomas A. Cook of the aforesaid State and Parish. Three negroes [sic] slaves, towit A negro man named Bretus [sp?] aged about fifty five Years (reciptured [sp?]) a negro woman named Lizzy aged about forty five Years and a negro boy named Henry son of Lizzy & Bretus [sp?] aged about ten Years. To have and To hold the aforesaid slaves to him the said Thomas A. Cook his heirs exc. Admr. & assigns forever with guaranty of title against the lawful claim of all persons whatsoever. The purchaser dispenses with the production of the certificate required by the 3328th Article of the Louisiana Code. In Testimony of all which the parties have hereunto signed in presence of the subscribing Witness and before George King Parish Judge and ex-officio Notary Public in & for the aforesaid Parish of St. Landry [Page 81] at Opelousas this fifth day of January in the Year One thousand eight hundred and thirty seven. S. W. Wikoff Thomas A. Cooke Witness Richd. M. Garwood Bt. Debaillon Geo. King P. Judge ****** William M. Prescott To Robert McCrory Sale of Slave Recorded 9th January 1837 Whereas in the Sixteenth day of May 1836, William M. Prescot of the State of Louisiana and Parish of Saint Landry purchased by an act of Sale passed before William Young Sims a Notary Public in and for the city of New Orleans a negro girl slave named Casey aged about twelve Years for the price of five hundred and fifty dollars Cash from one Mark Davis of Petersburg in the State of Virginia, which slave was intended and purchased for the use and benefit of Robert McCrory of the State of Louisiana and Parish of Saint Landry. And whereas the said Robert McCrory has reimbursed to said Prescott the said price of said slave the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged. Now therefore be it known that in consideration of the premises the said Prescott has bargained and sold and by these presents does grant bargain sell and deliver to the said Robert McCrory the aforesaid negro girl slave, To have and To hold the said McCrory his heirs and assigns forever free from the lawful claim or title of all persons claiming by through or under the said Prescott. It is understood that said Prescott in no wise warrants said slave either as to title or soundness but subrogates the said McCrory to all his rights of warranty set forth in the aforesaid act of Sale passed before William Y. Sims Notary Public on the 16th day of May 1836. The purchaser dispenses with the production of the certificate required by the 3328th Article of the Louisiana Code or by all other laws of this State on the subject of Mortgages to the same effect. In Witness whereof the said parties have hereunto signed at Opelousas this ninth day of January on[e] thousand eight hundred and thirty six in presence of George R. King and Richard M. Garwood competent Witnesses and before George King Parish Judge and ex-officio Notary Public in and for the aforesaid Parish of Saint Landry. W. W. Prescott Robert McCrory Witness Geo. R. King Richd. M. Garwood Geo. King P. Judge ****** Nathaniel Eames To Eliakim Littell Mortgage [Cotton Gin at Lake Charles] Recorded 11th January 1837 Know all men by these presents that Nathaniel Eames of the State of Louisiana and Parish of St. Landry is justly indebted to Eliakim Littell of the aforesaid State and Parish in the sum of three hundred and twenty dollars, which he promises and obliges himself his heirs &c. to pay to the said Eliakim Littell his heirs or assigns on or before the first day of December next ensuing the date hereof. And to secure the payment of the aforesaid sum of money at the time above stipulated, he the said Nathaniel Eams has Hypothicated and Mortgaged, and does hereby Hypothicate and Mortgage to him the said Eliakim Littell his heirs &c a certain cotton Gin with every thing thereto appertaining [sic], now in full operation, situated in the aforesaid Parish & on the West bank of the river Calcasieu near the lake Charles on a tract of land belonging to the heirs of the late James Ashworth Senr. deceased. In Testimony whereof he the said Nathaniel Eams has hereunto signed and affixed his Seal in presence of the subscribing Witnesses & before George King Parish Judge & ex-officio Notary Public at Opelousas this eleventh day of January in the Year One thousand eight hundred and thirty seven. Nathaniel Eams (seal) Witness Richd. M. Garwood Bt. Debaillon Geo. King P. Judge ****** John T. Heath To Solomon Hudson Sale of Land Recorded 14 January 1837 This Deed made the fourteenth day of January in the Year One thousand eight hundred and thirty seven between John T. Heath of the State of Louisiana and Parish of St. Landry of the One part and Solomon Hudson of the same State & Parish aforesaid of the other part Witnesseth, That for and in consideration of the sum of six hundred dollars Cash in hand paid the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, he the said John T. Heath has bargained and sold, and does by this public act grant bargain, sell transfer alien & confirm unto him the said Solomon [Page 82] Hudson a certain tract or parcel of land situated in the aforesaid parish and lying in the Bayou Chicot settlement, and bounded on the East by the Domain, on the North by land of Benjamin R. Rogers on the West by Ranson B. Furguson and south by James Johnson containing two hundred superficial arpens. To have and To hold the said tract of land with its appertenances [sic] and improvements to him the said Solomon his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns forever. And he the said John T. Heath for himself his heirs &c the tract of land so described as aforesaid against the lawful claims of all persons whatsoever to him the said Solomon Hudson his heirs & assigns does Warrant & will forever defend. The said bargained and sold premises to be delivered to the purchaser on the first day of Feby. next the purchaser dispenses with the certificate required by the 3328th Article of the Louisiana Code. In Testimony whereof the parties have hereunto signed in presence of James W. Murdock and Thomas Keller competent Witnesses and before George King Parish Judge in & for the aforesaid Parish at Opelousas the day and Year above written. John T. Heath (seal) Solomon Hudson (seal) Witness James W. Murdock Thomas Keller Geo. King P. Judge ****** Lufroi Zain (Romare) fmc To Pierre Ozere' Sale of Lot Recorded 17 January 1837 This Deed made and entered into this seventeenth day of January in the Year One thousand eight hundred and thirty seven between Lufroi Zain otherwise called Leufroi Romare a free person of color of the State of Louisiana and Parish of Saint Landry of the one part and Pierre Ozere' of the same State and Parish aforesaid of the other part Witnesseth, That for and in consideration of the price and sum of two hundred & fifty dollars Cash in hand paid to him the said Leufroi by the said Ozere' the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged the said Leufroi has bargained and sold and does by this act does grant bargain sell alien convey and deliver unto him the said Ozere' the fraction of a lot of ground situated in the town of Opelousas having forty feet front one Court Street by seventy feet in depth bounded north by a part of the same lot owned by said purchaser, and south by a lot of William Moore. Said fraction of lot being the same given and transfer[r]ed to said Leufroi by said Ozere' by an act passed before DR D. D. Dessessants, Notary Public for said Parish on the 27th day of July 1825. To have and to hold said fraction of lot together with all and singular the buildings and improvements thereon to him the said Ozere' his heirs and assigns forever. And the said Leufroi for himself his heirs executors &c the title to said fraction of a lot of Ground free from the lawful claims of all persons whomsoever to the said Ozere his heirs and assigns does warrant and will forever defend. The purchaser dispenses with the production of the certificate required by the 3328th Article of the Louisiana Code and by al other laws of the State on the subject of mortgages to the same effect made & provided. In witness whereof the said parties have hereunto signed at Opelousas this day and Year first above written in presence of Richard M. Garwood and George R. King competent witnesses and before George King Parish Judge and ex-officio Notary Public in and for said Parish of St. Landry. Leufroy Zinsramane [sic] P. Ozere Witness Richd. M. Garwood Geo. R. King Geo. King P. Judge ****** Jean B. Keller To Abijah Clark Retrocession Recorded 18 January 1837 Whereas on the 12th day of Feb[r]uary in the Year 1836 by an act passed before George King Parish Judge and ex-officio Notary Public in and for the Parish of Saint Landry Abijah Clark of said Parish sold transfe[r]red and conveyed unto Jean Baptiste Keller also of said Parish a certain tract of land situated in said Parish and lying on the East side of the Plaquemine Brule'e containing three hundred superficial arpents bounded on the upper side by land of said Clark and on the lower side by the domain together with the tan yard thereon for the price and sum of four hundred dollars payable in three years from and after the date of said sale, and said land remaining mortgaged to secure the payment of the price thereof. And whereas the said parties by the same act aforesaid formed and entered into a partnership for the purpose of [Page 83] conducting and carrying on a tannery or the tan yard aforesaid upon the terms specially set forth in said act. Now be it known that the said parties have consented and agreed and by this act do consent and agree to dissolve said partnership to take effect from the date of this act and the same is dissolved. And said parties further agree to cancel and do hereby cancel annul and render void and of no effect the aforesaid sale of the tract of land aforesaid the said Keller hereby reconveying selling and transfer[r]ing the said tract of land to the said Clark. To have and to hold the said land to him the said Clark his heirs and assigns forever. And the said Keller for himself his heirs &c the title to the tract of land aforesaid to the said Clark his heirs &c free from the lawful claims of all persons whomsoever does warrant and will forever defend and the said Clark for himself his heirs &c does release absolve and exonerate the said Keller from the payment of the said sum of four hundred [dollars] being the price of said land. The said Clark dispe[n]ses with the production of the certificate required by the 3328th Article of the Louisiana Code or by all other Laws of this State on the subject of mortgages to the same effects made and provided. In Witness whereof the said parties have hereunto signed at Opelousas this eighteenth day of January in the Year One thousand eight hundred and thirty six in presence of Frederick S[L?]utz and Richard M. Garwood competent witnesses and before George King Parish Judge & ex-officio Notary public in & for the aforesaid Parish of Saint Landry . John Keller A. Clark Witness F. Lutz Richd. M. Garwood Geo. King P. Judge ****** Thomas Hayes To Thomas Keller Sale of Slave Recorded 20 January 1837 Know all men by these presents that Thomas Hayes of the State of Louisiana and Parish of St. Landry , for and in consideration of the premises hereinafter expressed has bargained and sold and does hereby grant, bargain, sell alien, confirm transfer and deliver to Thomas Keller of the same State and Parish aforesaid a certain negro man slave named Plim aged about thirty Years. To have and To hold the s[ai]d slave to him the said Thomas Keller his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns forever. And he the said Thomas Hayes for himself his heirs executors and administrators the title to the aforesaid slave against the lawful claims of all persons whatsoever to him the said Thomas Keller his heirs executors, administrators and assigns does warrant & will forever defend. He also warrants the said Slave free from all the diseases & vices termed redhibitory in Law. This Sale is made for and in consideration of the sum of fifteen hundred dollars payable one half on the first day of March in the Year One thousand eight hundred and thirty nine. It being stipulated and perfectly understood that the said Slave remains specially mortgaged to the seller until the entire payment of the aforesaid purchase money. The purchaser dispenses with the certificate required by the 3328th Article of the Louisiana Code. In Testimony of all which the parties have hereunto signed in presence of George R. King and Richard M. Garwood, competent Witnesses & before George King Parish Judge in and for the aforesaid Parish of St. Landry & ex-officio Notary Public at Opelousas the day & Year first above written. Thomas x Hayes (seal) Thomas Keller (seal) Witness Geo. R. King Richd. M. Garwood Geo. King P. Judge ****** Maria Antonea de la Garza To Pleasant B. Cocke Sale of Land [in Texas] Recorded 23 January 1837 Be it Known that on this twenty third day of January in the Year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty seven before me George King parish Judge of the Parish of St. Landry and ex-officio Notary Public in and for the said Parish at my Office in the town of Opelousas in the said Parish personally appeared Madam Maria Antonea de la Garza who declares that she formerly resided in Texas from whence the troubled State of that country has driven her was there formerly married to Agapilo de Leon since deceased in that country of which marriage with the said Agapito she had issue a minor Son named Leon de Leon who is now with her. That during her said marriage with the said Agapito she acquired the title and ownership of the Sitio [site, place] or league of Land hereafter mentioned which thenceforth [Page 84] became a part of the community of acquist and gains existing between her and the said Agapito and that she is the owner of One undivided moiety of the said land as one of the partners of the said community which she never renounced but on the contrary accepted and with the authorization and consent of Manuel Carvafal her husband who joined her in this act. She hereby grants bargains sells and deliver to Pleasant B. Cocke his heirs and assigns forever all her undivided moiety of the said league or Sitio of Land owned by her the said Maria Antonia de la Garza and all her right title and interest of in or to the said sitio or league of land with its improvements and appurtenances which is situated in Texas on the creeks Garcilas [sp?] and Morcudo adjoining and above the land owner in the life time of the said Agapilo by his father Don Martin de Leon and is bounded and described as follows, commencing on the Western bank of the Marcudo where a Stake was planted for the first corner when it was originally Surveyed by the proper Officers in Texas on which survey the patent or title deed issued to the said Agapito from thence running south five degrees & thirty minutes East six thousand eight hundred varas [see note below] in a line to the creek Palo Alto properly so called which makes the Southern corner of the said Don Martin de Leon's land the Second corner of this Survey from thence along the upper line of the said Don Martin de Leon's land north thirty five degrees thirty minutes East nine thousand varas to the first corner of the said Martin de Leon's land which is on the bank of the Garcitas and is the third corner of the aforesaid survey of the land now Sold from thence up the aforesaid creek the Garcitas to where the aforesaid creek Marcado joins it and from thence up the Marcaudo following its windinge [sic] to the aforesaid first corner the place of beginning which comprises the Sitio or league of land Mexican or Texican measure of which one labor belongs to the class of arable and twenty four labores to that of grazeny [sp?- grazing land?]. The price of the Sale is One thousand dolares [dollars] which the said Maria Antonea de la Garza acknowledged to have received from the aforesaid Pleasant B. Cocke and therof and therefrom releases and discharges him. This Sale is made with the full guaranty by the vendor aforesaid against all disturbances troubles or edictions and the said vendor hereby covenants with the said purchaser that she is the sole owner of the undivided part of said league hereby sold to him and has full right to sell the same. In Witness whereof the parties to this act have subscribed and executed the same at the time and place aforesaid in presence of Benoit Debaillon and Richard M. Garwood competent witnesses who have signed this act as such and before me the aforesaid parish Judge. Maria Antonia x D[e] La Garza Manuel Carvafaley P. B. Cocke Witness Bt. Debaillon Richd. M. Garwood Geo. King P. Judge [Note: 1 varas equal to 835 millimeters, plus 9 decimas; i.e., it is unit of measure (length), this length equals about 18,624 feet] ****** Raphael Meche To Joseph Stilly Sale of Land Recorded 23 January 1837 This Deed made the twenty third day of January in the Year one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven between Raphael Meche of the State of Louisiana & Parish of St. Landry of the one part , and Joseph Stilly of the same State & Parish aforesaid of the other part Witnesseth, that for and in consideration of the sum of One hundred and fifty dollars Cash in hand paid, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, he the said Raphel Meche has bargained and sold, and does by these presents grant, bargain sell alien confirm, set over, transfer & deliver unto him the said Joseph Stelly a certain tract or parcel of land situated in the aforesaid Parish and lying on the waters of Plaquemine brule being the North West quarter of the North East quarter of Section No. 25 in Township No. 6 South of the 31st degree of latitude in Range No. 3 East of the Basis Meridian containing forty and 37/100 Acres. Also the undivided half of a tract of land purchased jointly by the said purchaser & seller at private sale from the United States, being the North East quarter of the North East quarter of the Section number 28 in Township No. 6 South of the thirty first degree of North Latitude of Range No. 3 East of the Basis Meridian, containing thirty seven & 72/100 acres, situated in the aforesaid Parish & adjoining the first above mentioned tract. To have & To hold the described tracts of land with all [Page 85] and singular there [sic] rights & privileges to him the said Joseph Stelly his heirs executors admr. & assigns forever, with guaranty of title against the claims of all persons claiming by through or under the seller. The purchaser dispenses with the production of the certificate required by the 3328th Article of the Louisiana Code. In Testimony of all which the parties have hereunto signed in presence of the subscribing Witnesses and before George King Parish Judge in and for the aforesaid Parish of St. Landry at Opelousas the day & Year above written. Raphael x Meche (seal) Joseph Stelly (seal) Witness Richd. M. Garwood Bt. Debaillon Geo. King P. Judge [Note: name of purchaser appears as Stilly, with a dotted 'i', whereas in the text there is no 'dot', so it well may be an 'e.'] ****** Jacob Anselm To David Akison Jr. Sale of Slaves Recorded 25 January 1837 Know all men by these presents that Jacob Anselm of the State of Louisiana and parish of Saint Landry has for the consideration hereinafter expressed has bargained and sold and by this act grant bargain sell set over and deliver unto David Ackson [sic] Junior of the same State and Parish aforesaid the six following slaves to wit a Negro man named Brescoe aged about forty Years a negro woman his wife named Nanette aged about thirty six Years and her four children viz. Caesar aged about seven Years Aamony [sp?] his twin sister aged abut seven Years Sally aged three Years and an infant [blank]. To have and To hold said slaves to him the said David Ackison Junior his heirs and assigns for ever free from the lawful claim of all persons whomsoever and from Redhibitory vices diseases and defects. This sale is made for and in consideration of the price and sum of two thousand three hundred and forty dollars which the purchaser promises to pay as follows. That is to say said purchaser binds and obligates himself his heirs &c to pay at maturity two several promissory notes executed by the seller in favor of Gustave Cahanin and indorsed by said Cahanin and Emile J. Bignon payable at the office of Discount & deposite [sic] of the Mechanics and Trader's Bank at Opelousas each of said notes being for the sum of eleven hundred and seventy dollars and dated on the 19th of January 1837, the first of said notes payable on the 15 day of April 1838 and the second payable on the 15th day of April 1839, which said notes are secured by a mortgage on said slaves. Said slaves are the same purchased by the said Anselm at the sale of the succession in community between the heirs and legal representatives of the late Robert Rogers deceased. The purchaser dispenses with the production of the certificate required by the 3328th Article of the Louisiana Code or by all other Laws of this State to the same effect on the subject of Mortgages. In Witness whereof said parties have hereunto signed at Opelousas in presence of Henry T. Dunbar and George R. King Competent Witnesses and before George King Parish Judge and ex-officio Notary Public this twenty fifth day of January in the Year one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven. Jacob Anselm D. Ackinson Jr. Witness Henry T. Dunbar Geo. R. King Geo. King P. Judge ****** Thomas Hayes To Jane Hayes Donation of Slaves Recorded 27th January 1837 This act of donation made between Thomas Hayes of the State of Louisiana and Parish of St. Landry , and Jane Hays daughter of the said Thomas and wife of Solomon Andrus acting herein by the advice & consent of her said husband of the same State & Parish aforesaid Witnesseth, That the said Thomas Hayes has given and granted & does by these presents give, grant, set over, transfer, convey and deliver to his said daughter a certain negro girl slave aged about twelve Years & named Caroline. To have and to hold said negro girl slave and her future increase to her the said Jane Hayes her heirs, executors, administrators and assigns forever with guarantee of title against the lawful claims of all persons whatsoever, and warranted free from the diseases & vices prescribed against by Law. It is Stipulated between the donor and done that the said slave is estimated at the price & sum of five hundred dollars, to be accounted for by the done[e] in her future pretentions on the Estate of the donor. In Testimony whereof the parties have hereunto signed together with the said Solomon Andrus authorising [sic] his said wife to the effect of these presents and with her accepting this Donation, in presence of Joseph Elah Andrus [Page 86] and Benoit Debaillon competent Witnesses & before George King Parish Judge in and for the aforesaid Parish of St. Landry this twenty seventh day of January in the Year One thousand eight hundred and thirty seven. Thomas x Hayes Jane x Hayes Andrus Solomon W. Andrus Witness Jos. E. Andrus Bt. Debaillon Geo. King P. Judge ****** Michel Prudhomme To John Rider Sale of Slave Recorded 30 January 1837 Know all men by these presents that Michel Prudhomme of the State of Louisiana and Parish of St. Landry for and in consideration of the sum of two hundred dollars Cash in hand paid the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, has bargained and sold and does by this public act grant sell transfer & deliver unto John Rider a certain Mula[t]to girl slave named Melina aged about ten months. To have and to hold the said Mulatto girl to the [said] John Rider his heirs and assigns from and after the date hereof until she shall have arrived at the age of thirty Years, when he the said John Rider obligates himself his executors, administrators and assigns to emancipate her in due form of Law, and the said Michel Prudhomme for himself his heirs &c the title to said John Rider his heirs &c does warrant and will forever defend. It is stipulated and agreed by and between the parties that the said bargained and sold slave shall not be separated from her mother until she shall have arrived at the full age of Ten Years, and until that period she is to be supported at the expense of the owner of her said mother. The purchaser dispenses with the production of the Certificate required by the 3328th Article of the Louisiana Code. In Testimony of all which the parties have hereunto signed in presence of Richard M. Garwood and Benoist Debaillon competent Witnesses & before George King Parish Judge & ex-officio Notary Public in and for the aforesaid Parish of St. Landry at Opelousas this thirtieth day of January 1837. Michel Prudome (seal) John Rider (seal) Witness Richd. M. Garwood Bt. Debaillon Geo. King P. Judge ****** Edmund H. Martin To Crawford Lyons Sale of Slave Recorded 31 January 1837 Know all men by these presents that Edmund H. Martin of the State of Louisiana and Parish of Saint Landry for and in consideration of price and sum of eleven hundred dollars Cash to him in hand paid the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged has bargained and sold and by this act does grant bargain sell alien set over and deliver unto Crawford Lyon of the same State and Parish aforesaid a certain negro woman slave named Joanna aged about sixteen years with her child an infant abut three months To have and To hold said slaves to him the said Crawford Lyons his heirs and assigns free from the lawful claims of all persons whomsoever and from Redhibitory vices diseases and defects. The certificate of the Recorder of Mortgages required b the 3328th Article of the Louisiana Code has been produced and is annexed to and made a part of this act from which it appears that there exists no mortgage on said slave. In witness whereof said parties have hereunto signed at Opelousas this thirty first day of January in the Year One thousand eight hundred and thirty seven in presence of Benjamin R. Rogers and George R. King competent witnesses and before me George King Parish Judge & ex-officio Notary Public in and for said Parish. E. H. Martin (seal) Crawford Lyons (seal) Witness Geo. R. King Benj. R. Rogers Geo. King P. Judge Etat De La Louisiane Paroisse St. Landry Bureau des Hypotheques Le conservatur des Hypotheques, soussigni certie qu'il n'existe sur les registres de so Bureau aucune y L ort-ge [sic] contre Edmund H. Martin sur une Negress Nomme'e Joana, age'e d'environ Seize ans avec un enfant a la mameelle age' d'environ quatre mois Opelousas le 31 Janvier Garrigue flaujac ****** William and John Moore[St. Martin Parish] To Felix Dejean Sale of Slave Recorded 4th February 1837 State of Louisiana Parish of St. Landry. Before me George King Parish Judge and ex-officio Notary Public in and for the Parish of St. Landry. Personally appeared William Moore of the Parish of St. Landry, John Moore of the Parish of St. Mary and Joseph [Page 87] A. Moore of the Parish of St. Martin who composed the commercial partnership heretofore carried on in Opelousas under the style of W. & J. Moore some time since dissolved Who severally declared hat whereas at a sale by public auction made this day at the Court hose of this Parish agreeably to previous advertisements for more than thirty days. By the Honorable George King Parish Judge of the Parish of St. Landry of property b[e]longing to said partnership in order to effect a partition amoung [sic] said parties, Felix Dejean also of the Parish aforesaid being the last and highest bidder became the purchaser of a Certain Negro boy slave named Jim aged about fourteen Years for the price and sum of seven hundred and sixty dollars terms Cash and proclaimed to be deaf of one ear & afflicted with the gravel, Now therefore for and in consideration of the price aforesaid to them in hand paid, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged the said appearers declared that they had bargained sold and delivered unto the said Felix Dejean here present and accepting to him his heirs and assigns. To have and to hold forever with general warranty of title, and free from any mortgage whatsoever except from diseases called redhibitory the purchase being notified previously takes time upon his responsibility. The parties hereby wa[i]ve the production of the certificate of mortgage required by the 3328th Article of the Louisiana Civil Code. Done and passed this fourth day of Feb[r]uary in the Year One thousand eight hundred and thirty seven In presence of Pierre Ozere' & Eliakim Littell competent witnesses who have signed these presents with said parties and me said Notary due reading. W. Moore John Moore J. A. Moore F. Dejean P. Ozere Elm. Littell Geo. King P. Judge ****** John Roach To William Brandt Indenture of Apprenticeship Recorded 11 February 1837 This Indenture made the eleventh day of Feb[r]uary in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven. Witnesseth, that for divers good causes and consideration, John Roach (a minor without parent, guardian or Tutor) with the consent and approbation of George King Parish Judge, and Robert Taylor Justice of the Peace in and for the Parish of St. Landry State of Louisiana, hath bound and put himself apprentice unto William Brandt of said Parish of St. Landry to learn the art and trade, mistery [sic] [mastery?] and occupation of confectioner and distiller which the said William Brandt now useth, and to dwell and continue with the said William Brandt his Executors or administrators, from the day of the date hereof until the fifth day of January in the Year One thousand eight hundred and forty five, during all which period said apprentice shall faithfully serve his master, and obey his Lawful commands, and not depart said Service without his consent. And the said master in consideration of the sum of one dollar, in hand paid by the said apprentice, in the said Act, trade, mistery [sic], or occupation aforesaid with all things thereunto belonging, shall and will teach or cause to be taught, and shall teach or cause to be taught the said apprentice to real [sic] [read] and write, and also to instruct him in the fundamental principles of Arithmetic, and shall during the whole of said period find said Apprentice with good and sufficient food, meat, drink washing, lodging and wearing apparel. In Witness whereof, the said John Roach & William Brandt and the said Parish Judge & Justice of the Peace have hereunto Set their hands and seals the day & Year first above written. John Roach (seal) W. Brandt (seal) Geo. King P. Judge Robert Taylor Justice of the Peace St. Landry (seal) signed sealed and delivered in presence of Caleb Green Jr. Richd. M. Garwood ****** Benjamin F. Linton To Francis B. T. Burgess Agreement & Reciprocal Sale of Land & Slaves Recorded 11 Feb[r]uary 1837 This agreement made and entered into, this tenth day of Feb[r]uary in the Year One thousand eight hundred and thirty seven between Benjamin F. Linton of the State of Louisiana and parish of St. Landry of the one part and Francis B. F. Burgess of the State of Maryland of the other part Witnesseth, that the said parties have, and do by these presents form and enter into a copartnership for agricultural purposes, which co-partnership is to continue for and during the term of six Years unless it should be dissolved by mutual consent. The said Benjamin F. Linton on his part has advanced and does [Page 89] hereby advance & put into the firm a tract of land situated in the aforesaid Parish of St. Landry and lying on the Bayou Petite Prairie, being the North East half of the North East quarter of Section No. 31 and the South West half of Section no. 32 in Township No. 3 South 5 East, and also one other half of a quarter Section of land to be hereafter located by the parties, containing in the whole four hundred & eighty superficial acres and the said Francis B. F. Burgess on his part has advanced and does hereby advance and put into the said firm the following described negro slaves, towit, a man named Cumberland aged about thirty Years, a man named Frederick aged about thirty Years, a man named Bill aged about twenty eight Years, a woman named Matilda aged about twenty eight Years & her infant child, a woman named Lucy aged about thirty Years a girl named Matilda aged about fourteen Years, a girl named Peggy aged about eleven Years, a boy named John aged about eight Years, and a boy named John Henry aged about three Years. And it is further agreed by and between the said parties that the aforesaid & above described lands and slaves, from and after the signing of this act, shall be & become the joint property, the lands & slaves being considered of equal value the undivided half of the one is exchanged for the undivided half of the other, Now therefore in consideration of the premises he the said Benjamin F. Linton has bargained and sold and does by these presence [sic] grant bargain sell transfer alien and confirm to him the said B. F. Burgess one undivide[d] half of the above described lands with all and singular their appertnenaces [sic] & privileges. To have & To hold the same to him the said Francis B. F. Burgess his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns forever with guarantee of title against the lawful claims of all persons whatsoever And in consideration of the same premises he the said Francis B. F. Burgess has bargained and sold and does hereby grant bargain, sell, alien, transfer and confirm to him the said Benjamin F. Linton an undivided half of the aforesaid and above described slaves To have & to hold the same with guarantee of title against the lawful claims of all persons whatsoever to him the said Benjamin F. Linton his heirs, executors, administrators forever. And it is further agreed that the said Burgess shall have the entire control and direction of the business and operations of the same, the expenditures and profits to be equally divided between the parties. The said parties further agree to furnish, each the sum of five thousand dollars to be laid out during the present Year to Stock the contemplated farm or plantation in slaves. And that each party shall furnish a further sum of five hundred to be expended in cutting Cane, building houses, planting corn and making all the necessary improvements for the occupancy of said land in the Year 1838. It is understood that the aforesaid Slaves are now in the possession of & hired to Bennet B. Simmes to work on his plantation on the Bayou Doylaze [sp?] in the Parish of Avoyelles where they are to remain until the first day of November next and it is agreed by the said Frances B. F. Burgess that if either or any of them should die previous to the said first of November, that in that event the said Burgess is to furnish other or others in their place of equal value. It is fu[r]ther understood and agreed on by the parties, that if either of them should die before the first day of January 1838 then this copartnership is by that even dissolved, in the mean time should the said Linton become endorser in the Bank to enable the said Burgess to raise the aforesaid amount of five thousand dollars before the said first day of January 1838, then the aforesaid negroes are to remain mortgaged and hypothicated to said Linton until the final payment of said Bank debt upon which mortgage an order of Sale & seizure may issue. It is fu[r]ther understood and explained, that in the event of the death of either of the contracting parties, previous to the first day of January next, that in that case this contract, sale and agreement shall be from its commencement nul[l] and void and of no effect whatever. And that the monies which may be advanced by the said Burgess for the purpose of making the improvements as aforesaid shall be reimbursed to him or his heirs. In Testimony whereof the parties have hereunto signed in presence of Richard M. Garwood & Benoit Debaillon competent Witnesses & before George King Parish Judge & ex-officio Notary Public in and for the aforesaid Parish of St. Landry at Opelousas this eleventh day of Feb[r]uary in the Year One thousand eight hundred and thirty seven. The parties dispenses with the certificate required by the 3328th Article of the La. Code. Benj. F. Linton Francis B. F. Burgess Witness Richd. M. Garwood Bt. Debaillon Geo. King P. Judge ****** William H. Gray & Wife To William W. Bowen Sale of Land Recorded 13th Feby. 1837 Be it known that on this thirteenth day of Feb[r]uary in the Year One thousand eight hundred and thirty Seven before me George King Parish Judge of the parish of St. Landry and ex-officio notary public in and for the said parish at my Office at the Town of Opelousas and in presence of the hereafter named Witnesses personally appeared William H. Gray of the aforesaid parish and declared as follows that whereas he is the Owner with William W. Bowen in an undivided moities of twelve Lots or quarter Sections of land Situate in the Southeastern land district of this State five of which lots or quarter Sections of land are situated on the Bayou Gross Tete in Township No. Six range nine East which lots are Numbers Thirty Three, Thirty Four, Thirty five, Thirty six, and thirty seven, and contain abut one thousand and twelve and twelve arpents, five other of which lots or quarter Sections of land are situated on the Bayou Latenache [sp?] in Township number three, range seven and eight East which lots are numbers thirty one thirty two, thirty three, thirty five [sic] [four?], thirty five, and thirty Six containing about [blank] arpents of land, and the remaining two of which said lots or quarter Sections are situated on the Bayou Fordoche in Township Number four range eight East containing about three hundred and Eighty Arpents, the aforesaid Lots or quarter Sections being the same for which patent certificates have issue[d] from the land Office at New Orleans. Now the said William H. Gray in consideration of the Sum of nine thousand Dollars to him in hand paid by the said William W. Bowen the receipt of which he hereby acknowledges and thereof acquits and discharges the said Bowen has granted sold and delivered and does by these presents grant sell and deliver to the said Bowen his heirs and assigns forever his aforesaid undivided moiety of each and every of the said Lots or parcels of Land and all his right title and interest of in and to the said several lots or parcels of land and each and every of them so that the said Bowen remains the sole and entire owner thereof. Also at the same time and place and in the presence of the same witnesses before me the said Judge and notary public personally appeared Adelaide Richard the Wife of the said William H. Gray aged about twenty One Years acting herein with the authorization, consent and assistance of her said husband to whom I the said Judge and notary explained fully and clearly verbally and out of the presence of her said husband that she had by law a legal or tacit mortgage on the property of her said husband for the restitution of her dower, and for the reinvestment of the total property sold by her said husband, and which she brought in marriage reckoning from the celebration of the marriage, for the restitution or reinvestment of total property which came to her after her marriage by succession or donation from the day the succession was opened or the donation perfected for the restitution of her paraphernal property alienated during her marriage the price of which was received by her said husband, and for paraphernal property which her said husband has alienated or otherwise disposed of, and converted to his own use and having also explained to the said wife out of the presence of the said husband that the effect of renouncing the said mortgages would be forever to divest herself of the rights and advantages resulting from the same and of all recourse in virtue of the same on the property in relation to which said renunciation was made she the said appearer declares that with a full knowledge of all her legal rights, she does hereby freely and fully renounce each and every right of mortgage or privilege which by law she has or may have on the property herein and hereby sold as aforesaid by her husband to the said Bowen as well those above specified in this act as any others that may have not been [Page 90] enumerated in favour [sic] of the said Bowen his heirs or assigns forever. In testimony whereof the said William H. Gray and the said Adelaide Richard his aforesaid wife acting with the authorization consent and assistance of her said husband have executed this act at the time and place first aforesaid the aforesaid husband by signing and delivering the said act and the aforesaid wife by making her ordinary mark thereto she not knowing how to write and delivering the same the whole in the presence of Benoist Debaillon and Richard M. Garwood competent witnesses and before me the aforesaid Judge and notary and the said William W. Bowen at the same time & place in the presence of the same witness and before me the said Judge and notary appears and accepts the aforesaid sale and renunciation and in consideration releases and discharges the said Gray from all sums of money due or owing by him to the said Bowen for advances or money lent on account of the said land or any thing due or to become due in relation thereto in witness whereof the said Bowen has also executed this act by signing and delivering the same at the same time and place & in presence of the same witnesses as the other parties thereto and before me the aforesaid Judge & notary. Adelaide x Richard W. H. Gray William W. Bowen Witness Bt. Debaillon Richd. M. Garwood Geo. King P. Judge ****** Wilhelmina Thineman wife of Charles Woodruff To Patrick Overton Sale of Land Recorded 17 Feb[r]uary 1837 This Deed made & entered into this seventeenth day of Feb[r]uary in the Year One thousand eight hundred and thirty seven between Wilhelmina Thineman wife of Charles Woodruff of the State of Louisiana & Parish of Saint Landry acting herein with the authority and assistance of her said husband of the one part and Patrick Henry Overton of the same State and Parish aforesaid of the other part Witnesseth,, that for the consideration hereinafter expressed the said Wilhilmin Thineman has bargained & sold and by this act does grant bargain sell alien confirm deliver unto the said Patrick H. Overton the lots or tracts of land on which her said husband now resides situated in Ville Plat[t]e in said parish together with the buildings & improvements thereon being the same donated to said vendor by her said husband by a donation 'inter vivos' made on the 14th Feb[r]uary 1835 and of record in the office of the Parish Judge of said Parish, To have & To hold said land together with the buildings & improvements thereon to him the said P. H. Overton his heirs & assigns forever. And the said Wilhelmina Thineman the title to said land to the said P. H. Overton free from the lawful claims of all persons whomsoever does warrant and will forever defend. This sale is made for and in consideration of the price & sum of eight hundred dollars which the sellor [sic] acknowledges to have received in the following manner to wit, five hundred & forty dollars Cash in hand and the promissory note of said Overton for two hundred & sixty dollars payable in one Year from this date & the payment of said note being satisfactor[il]y secured by indorsement the seller retains neither priviledges [sic] or mortgage of said premises. The purchaser dispenses with the production of the certificate required by the 3328th Article of the Louisiana Code or by all other laws of this State to the same effect or other subject of Mortgage. In Witness whereof the said parties have hereunto signed at Opelousas the day and Year first above written the said William [sic] signing with the aforesaid authority and assistance of her husband in presence of George R. King and Benoist Debaillon competent Witnesses and before George King Parish Judge & ex-officio Notary Public in and for the aforesaid Parish of St. Landry. Wilhelmina Woodruff Chas. Woodruff Witness Geo. R. King B. Debaillon Geo. King P. Judge ****** Thineman Partition Recorded 17th Feb[r]uary 1837 To the Honorable the Parish Judge & ex-officio Judge of the County of Probates in and for the parish of Saint Landry State of Louisiana. The partition of Wilhilmina Thineman wife of Charles Woodruff of the State of Louisiana & Parish of Saint Landry acting herein with the assistance & authority of her said husband with respect represents. That she has this day with the concurrence of her said husband sold to Patrick H. Overton of said Parish by an act passed before the Parish Judge of said Parish the Lots or tract of Land [Page 91] on which her said husband now resides situated in Ville Plat[te] in St. Landry and the same given to her by her said husband on the 14th day of Feb[r]uary 1835 and received as the price of said land eight hundred dollars payable $540 Cash and the balance in one Year. Your petitioner further shows that she is a minor emancipated by marriage and is informed & believes that the aforesaid transfer of said land will remain imperfect defeasible [sic] until the same shall have been approved & confirmed by a family meeting. In consequence of the legal incapacity of your petitioner [a blank space] from her aforesaid minority. That said sale will be of advantage to the interest of Your petitioner in as much as her said husband is about to remove from this Parish & fix his domicile in another & it is impossible to rent said establishment which if abandoned will soon fall into a state of delapidation & ruin. And fu[r]ther she states that the price obtained is the full value of said property. Wherefore your petitioner aided & authorised [sic] as aforesaid prays that a family meeting be called for the purpose of approving the aforesaid sale of said land this [blank space] and if said family meeting does approve of said sale & recommend the confirmation of the same That their deliberations be homologated & said sale decreed to be ratified & confirmed & further she prays for general relief in the premises & as in duty bound &c. Wilhelmina Woodruff Chas. Woodruff Witness Geo. R. King Bt. Debaillon Filied 17th Feby. 1837 Geo. King P. Judge State of Louisiana Parish of [St.] Landry. Let a family meeting of Wilhelmina Thineman wife of Charles Woodruff assemble at my office in The Town of Opelousas the [blank] day of Feby. [illegible] as prayed for in the foregoing petition Opelousas Feby. 17, 1837. Source: Family History Library Microfilm #1412749, Item 3, Notarial Records, St. Landry Parish, Page 75-91.