Notarial Records, Pages 115 - 137. 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: Joseph D. Thompson To William F. Cheney (Rapides Parish) and Joseph D. Wright Sale of Land Recorded 20th May 1837 Francois Bigneau To Marie Magdeline Giroir widow Breaux Sale of Slaves Recorded 20 May 1837 James Reed To Antoine King Mortgage Recorded May 20th 1837 Celestin Lavergne To Jacques and Joseph Bacon Sale of Land Recorded 23rd May 1837 Achiles McFarland To Susan Cormier Sale of Land Admitted to Record 23rd May 1837 Eliza Meche wife of James Higgenbothom To David Meche Acquittance Recorded 24th May 1837 Celeste Savoye To Hypolite Meche Sale of Land Recorded 24th May 1837 John L. Garrett To Thomas W. McCrory and James Brewster Sale of Land Recorded 25th May 1837 Dominique Prejean and Wife To Zeline Savoye Donation of Slave Recorded 25th May 1837 Pierre Lavergne & Domicille Duplechain Marriage Contract Recorded 29th May 1837 Leandre Landry & Wife To Onezime Guedry Sale of Slave Recorded 31st May 1837 Zacariah Turner To Julienne Meche Release of Mortgage Recorded 2nd June 1837 Louis Andre Richard To Parish Judge Constable Bond Recorded 5th June 1837 William Wikoff To Jean Bte. Plauche [New Orleans] Power of Attorney Recorded 5th June 1837 Wikoffs & Cooke To Adams Power of Attorney Recorded 6th June 1837 Stephen W. Wikoff To Christopher Adams Power of Attorney Recorded 6th June 1837 Frances Eliza Susan Pannell wife of Thomas A. Cooke To Christopher Adams [of New Orleans] Power of Attorney Recorded 6th May 1837 Louis Nicholas Raulin and Jean Nicholas Petit To Parish Judge Constable Bond Recorded 7th June 1837 Anastasie Savoye widow Venible To George Miller Release of Mortgage 9th June 1837 Estate of Lemelle To Wesley Singleton Release of Mortgage [involves a slave] Recorded 9th June 1837 Anastasie Savoye widow Joseph Venible To Joseph Narcisse Andrus Release of Mortgage Recorded 9th June 1837 Kreps Gradenigo To Joseph Gradenigo Sale of Slave Recorded 13th June 1837 Chacheres and Lavergne To Lavergne Acquittance Recorded 14th June 1837 Mertu To Bowen & King Procuration Recorded 15th June 1837 Pierre Labyche To Michel Mayer Sale of slave Recorded 19th June 1837 (need translation) Alexandre Lanclos To Jean B. Hebert Sale of Land Recorded 21st June 1837 Thomas Bilbo To Gilbert L. Thompson Sale of Slave Recorded 22nd June 1837 Alarete To Cocke Renunciation &c Recorded 26th June 1837 McDonald To Dejean Receipt 27 June 1837 Smith & Wife To Citizen's Bank Mortgage Recorded 29th June 1837 A. Fisk Watt & Co. [of New Orleans] To Hebert & Daniel Receipt Recorded 30th June 1837 John L. Daniel To Gundy Burke Sale of Land Recorded 30th June 1837 Louis Stelly To Donat Fux Acquittance Recorded 3rd July 1837 John D. Smith To Raphael Smith Release of Mortgage Recorded 5th July 1837 Benjamin A. Smith To William F. Hardy Acquittance & Release of Mortgage Recorded 5th July 1837 Abram Harman & Eugene Richard Division of Land Recorded 10th July 1837 John W. Singleton To Sydney Singleton Sale of Slave Recorded 15th July 1834 Joseph Sensie [sp?] & Emelite Mayer Marriage Contract Recorded 15th July 1837 Jean Bte. Dejean To Joseph Compaire Power of Attorney Recorded 17th July 1837 Jane Smith (of Frederick Cty, Maryland) To Raphael Smith (St. Martin parish) Transfer Recorded 17th July 1837 Edwin B. Scott & Henrietta M. Mannell Marriage Contract Recorded 20th July 1837 Jean Louis Hastier To Celesie Fuselier Sale of Land Recorded 26th July 1837 (need translation) Louis & Benjamin Andrus To E. B. Scott & Wife Sale of Land & Slaves Recorded 26th July 1837 Zenon Quibedeau To Francois Robin Sale of Lot Recorded 31 July 1837 Raphael J. Smith & wife, Marie Climence Guilbeau To Citizen's Bank Mortgage [includes slaves] Recorded 31st July 1837 John Doyle and wife, Bridget Redmond To Citizens Bank Mortgage [includes slaves] Recorded 31st July 1837 ****** Joseph D. Thompson To William F. Cheney (Rapides Parish) and Joseph D. Wright Sale of Land Recorded 20th May 1837 The State of Louisiana Parish of Rapides. This Deed made and executed this eleventh day of January A. D. Eighteen hundred and thirty seven at the Parish aforesaid between Joseph D. Thompson of the Parish of St. Landry State of aforesaid of the one part and William F. Cheney of said Parish of Rapide and of Joseph D. Wright of the last aforesaid Parish of the other part Witnesseth that for and in consideration of the sum of one thousand Dollars cash in hand paid unto the said Joseph D. Thompson by the said William F. Chiney & Jesse D. Wright at and before the signing of this Deed the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged the said Joseph D. Thompson for himself his Heirs & assigns acknowledges to have bargained and sold and by these presents does bargain, sell, set over, alien convey & deliver unto the said William F. Chiney and Jesse D. Wright a certain tract or parcel of land containing at[ou]t. Eighty acres more or less being and situate in the said Parish of St. Landry lying on the Turkey Creek between Bayou Crocodillle Lake and Pine prairie and supppose[d] to imbrace [sic] the Bell Chiney Springs, it being if the parties mistake not the south half of the north East quarter of section Ten in Township two south of Range one west and being the same as was entered by Samuel E. Bell deceased at the land office at Opelousas on the 21st of February 1835. And the same which the said Joseph D. Thompson purchased of the said Estate of said Samuel E. Bell deceased at a probate sale in said Parish of St. Landry of said Estate on the 10th of October 1836, as will be seen by an authentic copy of the 'Proces Verbal' of said sale. And the said Joseph D. Thompson for himself, his heirs & assigns is bound and [blank space] hereby convenient [sic][covenant meant] & agree and bind hi[m]self &c that he will for ever warrant and defend the said William F. Chiney and the said Jesse D. Wright their Heirs & assigns in this their title to the said piece of land with all and singular the privileges & appurtenances to the same against the Lawful claim or claims of any person or persons whatever claiming from any [blank space] whatever. In testimony whereof the said parties hereby accepting the foregoing sale have signed the same the day & year above written in presence of George W. Smith & Leroy H. Grimball Competent and subscribing witnesses hereunto at the Parish & State aforesaid. Joseph D. Thompson W. F. Chiney J. D. Wright Leroy H. K Grimball & Geo. W. Smith witnesses. Personally came George W. Smith before me the undersigned authority acting as a Justice of the Peace in and for the Parish of Rapide & State of Louisiana who being duly sworn declares that he was present at the signing of the above deed and saw Joseph D. Thompson W. F. Cheney and J. D. Wright affixt [sic] their several signatures as above. Geo. W. Smith, Sworn to and subscribed before me this 11th Day of January 1836. W. P. G. Holley J[ustice of the] P[eace]. ****** Francois Bigneau To Marie Magdeline Giroir widow Breaux Sale of Slaves Recorded 20 May 1837 Know all men by these presents that Francois Begneau of the State of Louisiana & Parish of Lafayette, for and in consideration of the premises hereinafter expressed has bargained, and sold, and do hereby grant, bargain, sell and transfer unto Marie Magdeline Giroir widow of Jean Bte. Breaux deceased a certain negro woman Slave named Angelique aged ab[ou]t. thirty seven years with her child a boy named Adonis about eighteen months old and being the same which the said Francois Begneau purchased at the sale of the Estate of the said jean Bte. Breaux for the sum of one thousand dollars pay[able] one half on the fourth day of April 1838, And the other half on the fourth day of April 1839, for which said payments the said slaves remained mortgaged to the said Estate. To have and to hold the aforesaid slaves to her the said Magdeline Giroir widow Breaux and to her heirs & assigns forever with the same guaranty [sic] which he acquired from the aforesaid estate & no other. This sale is made for and in consideration of the sum of one thousand dollars which the purchaser obliges herself to pay to the said estate at the periods above mentioned, and to exhonerate [sic] the said sellor [sic] from the mortgage retained on said slaves in favor of the estate of said John Bte. Breaux & from all obligations arising from his purchase whatever. The purchaser dispenses with the certificate required by the 328th Article of the Louisiana Code. In Testimony [Page 116] of all which the parties have hereunto signed in presence of Richard M. Garwood and Benoit Debaillon Competent witnesses & before George King Parish Judge and ex-officio Notary Public in and for the aforesaid Parish of St. Landry this twentieth day of May one thousand eight hundred & thirty seven. Mark x of Marie Magdeline Giroir widow Breaux Francois x Begneau Witness Richd. M. Garwood and Bt. Debaillon Geo. King P. Judge ****** James Reed To Antoine King Mortgage Recorded May 20th 1837 Know all men by these presents that whereas Antoine King of the State of Louisiana and Town of Opelousas has indorsed [sic] a note for three hundred and fifty dollars drawn by James Reed for the purpose of raising money for the benefit of him the said Reed, and payable at the office of discount and deposit of the Bank of Louisiana at Opelousas. Now in order to secure the4 said Antoine King against any loss which he may sustain in consequence of said indorsement [sic], he the said James Reed has mortgaged & does hereby hypothicate & Mortgage to him the said Antoine King the plantation and tract of land on which he now resides Situated in the Parish of St. Landry and lying in the Ole Grande Prairie, bounded on one side by land of Valerin Lapaize Vidrine, and on the other by Francois Guilliory [sic]fils, having three arpens front by forty in depth, together with the buildings and improvements thereon, and all the gentle cattle & horses attached to the same bearing the brand thus [a diamond with a capital J inside]. Which said mortgage shall be and remain valid until the full and entire payment of the aforesaid sum of money due on said note or which may become due on any removal of the same which may be indorsed [sic] by the said Antoine King. Ant it is stipulated & clearly understood that in case the said Antoine King should have to pay any money to the said Bank in consequence of the endorsement, or future indorsements [sic] as aforesaid that this mortgage shall have the force & effect of a Judgement for such amount so paid by the said King. In testimony whereof the parties have hereunto signed in presence of William Reed & John Simons Competent witnesses and before George King Parish Judge in and for the Parish of St. Landry at Opelousas this 20th day of May 1837. James Reed Antoine King Witness William Reed John Simons Geo. King P. Judge ****** Celestin Lavergne To Jacques and Joseph Bacon Sale of Land Recorded 23rd May 1837 This deed made the twenty third day of May in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven between Celestin Lavergne of the State of Louisiana & Parish of St. Landry of the one part, and Jacques Bacon and Joseph Bacon of the same State and Parish aforesaid of the other part, Witnesseth, that for and in consideration of the premises herein after expressed he the said Celestin Lavergne has bargained and sold and does by these presents, grant, bargain, sell set over, alien, transfer, confirm and deliver unto them the said Jacques Bacon and Joseph Bacon a certain parcel of Land situated in the aforesaid Parish and Lying in the east Side of the west fork of the bayou Plaquemine brulee; having thirty five arpens front by forty in depth, fifteen arpens from of said land bounded on the lower side by land of the Estate of the late Samuel Lyons deceased, and on the upper side by land of the sellor [sic], and twenty arpens front bounded on the upper side by land of the purchasers & on the lower side by the sellor [sic], and being the tract of land acquired by the sellor [sic] by purchase from Beverly Chew & Richard Belf [sp?] Testamentary executors of the last Will & Testament of the late Daniel Clark deceased bearing date the twenty sixth day of February in the year one thousand eight hundred and nineteen & Recorded in the office of the Parish Judge of the aforesaid Parish in Book H Page 201, excepting five arpens by forty reserved by the seller as above described. To have and to hold the above described tract or tracts of land to them the said Jacques Bacon & Joseph Bacon and their heirs, executors, administrators or assigns forever. And the said Celestin Lavergne for himself, his heirs &ct the tract of land so described as aforesaid with its privileges and appurtenances against the Lawful Claims of all persons whatsoever to them the said Jacques Bacon and Joseph Bacon their heirs & executors administrators or assigns does warrant and will forever defend. This sale is made for and in consideration of the sum of two thousand eight hundred And seventy dollars for which the sellors [sic] have executed a note in favor of the purchaser[s] payable at the Office of discount and deposite [sic] of the Bank of Louisiana and bearing equal date with these presents, which when paid will be in full for the purchase money of the aforesaid bargained & sold premises. It is declared by the seller and understood by the purchasers that the above described land form a part of the property mortgaged by him the said sellor [sic] to the Union Bank of Louisiana for stock taken by him the said seller in said Bank and it is sold subject to said mortgage which he the said Laverg[n]e obliges himself to have released so that it shall not opperate [sic] as an un-urg[q?]to the [sic] said purchasers. It is further stipulated and understood that the said bargained & sold premises be and remain mortgage to the sellor [sic] to secure the [Page 117] payment of the aforesaid note [&] obligation until the same shall have been paid. The purchasers dispense with the production of the Certificate required by the 3328tgh Article of the Louisiana Code or any subsequent Law on the subject of mortgages. In testimony of all which the parties have hereunto signed and affixed their seals in presence of Richard M. Garwood & Gerand Carriere Competent witnesses and before George King Parish Judge in and for the aforesaid Parish of St. Landry and ex-officio Notary Public at Opelousas the day & year first above written. Ctin. Lavergne (seal) Joseph Bacon (seal) Jacques Bacon (seal) Richd. M. Garwood & G. Carriere Geo. King P. Judge ****** Achiles McFarland To Susan Cormier Sale of Land Admitted to Record 23rd May 1837 This Deed made the seventeenth day of December in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty six between Achiles McFarland of the State of Louisiana and Parish of the one part and Susan Cormier of the same State and Parish aforesaid of the other part Witnesseth That for and in consideration of the premises hereinafter expressed he the said Achiles McFarland has bargained and sold and does by this public act grant, bargain, sell, set over, alien and confirm unto her the said Susan Cormier a certain tract or parcel of Land Situated in the aforesaid Parish and lying on the Sabine River, Containing three hundred & sixty superficial acres being part of the donation land claim of six hundred & forty acres confirmed by act of Congress to James Barnett, bounded on the South by land of Susan Cormier, and on all other sides by public land, and being the same which the seller acquired by purchase from Augustin Guidry who purchased it from William Clark who purchased the same from Bazil Crow who purchase[d] the same from James Barnett the original proprietor. To have and to hold the aforesaid tract or parcel of Land to her the said Susan Cormier her heirs, executors, administrators and assigns forever, and he the said Achiles McFarland for himself his heirs executors and administrators the aforesaid tract of Land with all and Singular its appurtenances and privileges against the Lawful claims of all persons whatsoever to her the Said Susan Cormier her heirs, executors, Administrators and assigns does warrant and will forever defend. This sale is made for and in consideration of the Sum of five hundred dollars Cash in hand paid by the purchaser to the seller, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged. 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 J. A. Wood & Alexander Ladoux Competent witnesses the day & year above written. Achiles McFarland Susan x Cormier Witness J. A. Woods Alexander Ledoux. State of Louisiana Parish of St. Landry. This day the twenty third of May in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven, before me George King Parish Judge in and for the aforesaid Parish appeared personally John A. Wood who being first duly sworn declared hat in his presence Achiles McFarland and Susan Cormier signed and acknowledged the foregoing Deed of sale to be their Act and Deed for the purpose herein expressed. Sworn & Subscribed to at Opelousas this 23rd day of May 1837. As aforesaid Before me Geo. King P. Judge John A. Wood ****** Eliza Meche wife of James Higgenbothom To David Meche Acquittance Recorded 24th May 1837 Know all men by these presents that Eliza Meche wife of James Higgenbotham, and acting with the consent of and duly authorised [sic] by her said husband, has received and does hereby acknowledge to have received of David Meche her father and natural Tutor the sum of five hundred and forty four dollars and three cents, being the full and entire amount of her share in the estate of her deceased mother, as appears by a settlement and partition of the same made and approved on the fifteenth day of April in the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty three. And in consideration thereof she has released and does hereby release the mortgage in her favor resulting from the aforesaid natural Tutorship as fully & completely as though the same had never existed. In testimony she has hereunto signed together with her said husband in presence of the undersigned Witnesses and before George King Parish Judge and ex-officio Notary Public at Opelousas this twenty fourth day of May in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven. Eliza x Meche James Higgenbothom Witness Eugene Richard Joseph Lavergne Geo. King P. Judge ****** Celeste Savoye To Hypolite Meche Sale of Land Recorded 24th May 1837 This deed made this Twenty fourth day of May in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven between Celeste Savoye widow David Andrus of the State of Louisiana and Parish of St. Landry of the one part and Hypolite Meche of the aforesaid State and Parish of the other part Witnesseth. That she the said Celeste Savoye has bargained and sold and does by this act grant, sell, and deliver unto the said Hypolite Meche a certain tract or parcel of land Situated in the aforesaid Parish [Page 118] and lying on the Bayou Bourboux having two and an half arpens front by the ordinary depth of forth arpens, bounded one side by Auguste Boudreau and on the other by Antoine Boudreau and being the same tract of land purchased by the seller from Antoine Boudreau by act of sale passed before George King on the thirteenth day of November in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty two. To have and to hold the tract of land so described as aforesaid to the said Hypolite Meche and to his heirs and assigns forever. And the said Celeste Savoye for herself and her heirs executors & Administrators the aforesaid tract of land with all its appurtenances and privileges to the said Hypolite Meche his heirs executors & Administrators and assigns against the Lawful claims of all persons whatsoever does warrant will forever defend. This sale being made for and in consideration of the sum of two hundred and thirty dollars Cash in hand paid the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged. In testimony whereof the said parties have hereunto signed in presence of Richard M. Garwood and Benoit Debaillon Competent witnesses and before George King Parish Judge in and for the aforesaid Parish at Opelousas at the day & year above written. Mark x of Celeste Savoye Mark x of Hypolite Meche Witness Richd. M. Garwood & Benoit Debaillon Geo. King P. Judge ****** John L. Garrett To Thomas W. McCrory and James Brewster Sale of Land Recorded 25th May 1837 This deed made the twenty fifth day of May in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven between John L. Garrett of the State of Louisiana and Parish of St. Landry of the one part ant Thomas M. McCrory and James Brewster of the aforesaid State and Parish of Avoyelles of the other part Witnesseth that for and in consideration of the premises herein after expressed, he the said John L. Garrett has bargained and sold, and does by these presents, grant, bargain, sell, alien, transfer set over, confirm and deliver unto them the said Thomas M. McCrory and James Brewster a certain tract or parcel of land Situated in the Parish of Avoyelles and lying on the Bayou des Glaze containing ab[ou]t. four hundred Superficial acres, and being the North West quarter of Section number seventeen in Township One North of the thirty first degree of North Latitude, of number six East of the bases meridian, the East half of the North East quarter of the Section numbered twenty four in Township number one North of the thirty first degree of North Latitude of Range Number five East of the basis meridian, all in the South Western District of the State of Louisiana, and the same sold by the Government of the United States, to Joseph D. Thompson as per Receiver's receipts No. 1655, 1633 and 1636. To have and to hold the aforesaid tract of land with its appurtenances and privileges to them the said Thomas M. McCrory and James Brewster and to their heirs or assigns forever, and the said John L. Garrett for himself his heirs, executors and administrators the tract of land so described as aforesaid with all and Singular its privileges and appurtenances against the Lawful claims of all persons whatsoever to them the said Thomas M. McCrory and James Brewster, and their heirs, executors, administrators And assigns does warrant And will forever defend. This sale is made for And in consideration of the sum of four thousand dollars, with interest at the rate of ten percent per annum from And after the date hereof until paid for which said sum the said purchasers have executed their note payable at the office of deposite [sic] and discount of the Bank of Louisiana at Opelousas on the fifteenth day of April next, which said note is indorsed [sic] by William L. Stewart & Stephen Reed. It is however stipulated and understood by and between the contracting parties, that if the said McCrory & Brewster shall on the fifteenth day of April next pay the amount of the curtactment [sic][sp?] and interest on a note executed by Joseph D. Thompson payable to the order of John L. Garrett on the said fifteenth day of April next at the said office of Discount & Deposite [sic] of the Bank of Louisiana at Opelousas for five thousand dollars, they may renew by executing as note for the balance of the said four thousand dollars and interest which may accrue thereon payable on the eighteen day of April in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty nine with the same, or other good indorsers [sic] which said second note may be renewed by paying the amount of the Curtailment & interest on the renewed note of said Thompson to Garrett and in like manner ever year until the said four thousand dollars and interest shall be finally paid. The sellor [sic] retains no mortgage on the said bargained and sold premises, but leaves the aforesaid indorsed [sic] note of four thousand dollars in full payment. The purchasers dispense with the production of the Certificate required by the 3328th Article of the Louisiana Code and exhonerate [sic] the notary [Page 119] from any liability resulting from the non-production thereof. In testimony of all which the contracting parties have hereunto signed & affixed their Seals in presence of Stephen Duel and James P. Cro[a?]sthwait Competent witnesses and before George King Parish Judge and ex-officio Notary Public in & for the aforesaid Parish of St. Landry at Opelousas the day & year first above written. J. L. Garrett Thomas M. McCrory James Brewster Witness Stephen Duel & James Crosthwait Geo. King P. Judge ****** Dominique Prejean and Wife To Zeline Savoye Donation of Slave Recorded 25th May 1837 Know all men by these presents that Dominique Prejean and Marie Savoye his wife of the State of Louisiana and Parish of St. Landry for divers good causes and considerations have given and do by this public act give, grant, set over and deliver as a pure and simple donation to Zeline Savoye wife of James Tear of the same State and Parish aforesaid a certain negro girl slave named Cecille aged at ab[ou]t. four Year. To have and to hold the said Slave to her the said Zeline Savoye and to the Lawful heirs of her body forever, conditioned that if the said Zeline Savoye should die without having issue, the said slave and her future m--an shall least to the donors or their heirs and on this condition the said Zeline Savoye with the advice and consent of her said husband accepts this donation. In testimony of all which the said parties, and the said James Tear authorising [sic] his said wife to the effect of these presents have hereunto signed in presence of John Rider and Carlos Bales Competent witnesses by making their ordinary marks not knowing how to write and before George King P. Judge in & for the aforesaid Parish of St. Landry at Opelousas this 25th Day of May A.D. One thousand eight hundred and thirty seven. Dominique x Prejean Marie x Savoye Zeline x Savoye James x Tear John Rider Carlos Bales Christ. Steel [sp?] Geo. King P. Judge ****** Pierre Lavergne & Domicille Duplechain Marriage Contract Recorded 29th May 1837 This marriage contract made and entered in to this twenty ninth day of May in the Year one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven between Pierre Lavergne of the State of Louisiana and Parish of St. Landry of the one part and Adomicille Duplechain of the same State and Parish aforesaid of the other part, Witnesseth that the parties have mutually agreed to unite themselves together in the Holy Bonds of Matrimony and to have their nuptials celebrated without delay. It is further Stipulated that the Community of acquists and gains shall be regulated by the present existing Laws of this State. That the debts heretofore contracted by either of the parties shall be paid out of the proper good & chattells [sic] of the party who shall have contracted the same. The property brought into the Community by the future husband is estimated at four hundred dollars and the property brought in by the future Wife is estimated at two hundred dollars. The parties to this contract acknowledge and declare that they lived together in a State of Concubinage ab[ou]t. eight years during which they have had four children, towit, Azema, Louis, Joseph and Azena, of which said children they acknowledge themselves to be the father and mother, and they do hereby declare that it is their intention to legitimate them by their marriage to be this day celebrated, so that they may enjoy all the rights and privileges of children born in marriage. In testimony whereof the parties have hereunto signed, the said Adomicille Duplechain by making her ordinary mark not Knowing how to write in presence of Cyrille Thibodeau Benoist Debaillon & Richard M. Garwood Competent Witnesses & before George King Parish Judge & ex-officio Notary Public in and for the aforesaid Parish at Opelousas the day & year above written. Pierre Lavergne Mark x of Adomicille Duplechain Witness Cyrille Thibodeau Bt. Debaillon & Richd. M. Garwood Geo. King P. Judge ****** Leandre Landry & Wife To Onezime Guedry Sale of Slave Recorded 31st May 1837 Know all men by these presents that Leandre Landry & Lize Brasseur his wife acting herein in the advice and Consent of her said husband of the State of Louisiana and Parish of St. Landry, for & in consideration of the premises herein after expressed, have bargained and sold and do hereby grant, bargain sell, transfer and deliver unto Onezime Louis Guidry of the same State and Parish aforesaid a certain negro man slave named Valery aged ab[ou]t. twenty six years. To have and to hold said Slave to him the said Onezime Louis Guidry and to his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns forever, and they the said Leandre Landry & Lize Brasseur his wife for themselves their heirs &c the title to said Slave against the Lawful claim of all persons whatsoever to the said Onezime Louis Guidry and to his heirs &c do warrant and will forever defend. They also warrant him free from the infirmities and vices deemed redhibitory in Law. This sale is made for and in consideration of fourteen hundred [Page 120] and fifty dollars, seven hundred dollars of which are paid in hand, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, seven hundred dollars made payable on the first day of August ninth and the remaining fifty dollars on the first day of April next and it is stipulated and understood that the Said Slave be and remain specially Mortgage to the Sellor [sic] to secure the second & thirty payments aforesaid until the same shall have been paid. The purchaser dispenses with the production of the Certificate required by the 3328th Article of the Louisiana Code. In testimony whereof the parties have hereunto signed in presence of Richard M. Garwood & Benoit Debaillon competent witnesses and before George King Parish Judge & ex-officio Notary Public in & for the aforesaid Parish of St. Landry this thirty first day of May in the year eighteen hundred and thirty seven. Leandre x Landry Lize x Brasseur Onezime L. Guidry Witness Bt. Debaillon & Richd. M. Garwood Geo. King P. Judge ****** Zacariah Turner To Julienne Meche Release of Mortgage Recorded 2nd June 1837 Know all men by these presents that whereas on the second day of February in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty five Zacariah Turner of the State of Louisiana and Parish of St. Landry sold and conveyed to Julienne Meche wife [of] Joseph Grandberry of said State and Parish a tract of land lying in the Grande Prairie in Section No. 22 Township No. 4 South of Range No. 2 East supposed to be Lot No. 26 and containing eighty superficial arpens for the price & sum of three hundred dollars of which fifty dollars were paid in cash and the balance made payable one third in March 1835, one third in March 1836, & the remaining third in March 1837. And to secure the aforesaid payments the said tract of land remained Mortgaged to the sellor [sic]. And whereas the said payments have fully made the receipts whereof is hereby acknowledged. Now therefore in consideration of the premises he the said Zachariah Turner has released & does hereby release the above recited mortgage as fully as though it had never existed. In testimony whereof he has hereunto signed in presence of the subscribing witnesses at Opelousas this eight day of June in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven. Zachariah Turner Witness Thomas Gay & Bamuel [sic] Turner Geo. King P. Judge ****** Louis Andre Richard To Parish Judge Constable Bond Recorded 5th June 1837 Know all men by these presents that Louis Andre' Richard Pierre Joubert John Cochran and John Winslaire of the State of Louisiana and Parish of St. Landry are held and firmly bound unto George King Parish Judge in and for the aforesaid Parish and to his Successors in office in to the sum of five hundred dollars for the true and faithful payment of which they bind themselves their heirs &c Jointly and severally. In witness whereof they hereunto signed & affixed their seals at Opelousas the 5th day of June in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven. The Conditions of the above obligation is such that whereas the said Louis Andre' Richard has been appointed Constable in and for the aforesaid parish by the Police Jury thereof. Now if the said Louis Andre' Richard shall make true and faithful returns according to Law of all such Suits, orders, and processes as shall come unto 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 al such other duties as may be legally required of Constables then the above obligation to be null and void otherwise to remain in full force and virtue. Louis Richard John Cochran John Wilslare [surname spelled two distinct ways] Richd. M. Garwood M. Pithon [sp?] Geo. King P. Judge ****** William Wikoff To Jean Bte. Plauche [New Orleans] Power of Attorney Recorded 5th June 1837 Know all men by these presents, that I William Wikoff Tutor of Susan Watts Parnell [Pannell?] and natural Tutor of my daughter Francis Eliza Wikoff both minors, of the State of Louisiana and Parish of St. Landry do hereby appoint Mr. Jean Bte. Plauche of the city of New-Orleans, my Attorney for me and in my name as Tutor and natural Tutor as aforesaid to receive the dividends which are or shall be at any time hereafter due and payable on the respective shares of the said Susan Watts Parnell [Pannell?] and Francis Eliza Wikoff in the commercial Bank of New-Orleans, and to grant good and sufficient receipts for the same. And I do further authorised [sic] my said Attorney to be my proxy for and in my name and behalf as Tutor and natural Tutor as aforesaid to vote, at any Election of directors of the said Bank, and on all other matters which at any regular meeting of the Stock holders may properly come before them. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of George R. King and Benoit Debaillon Competent Witnesses and before George King Parish Judge and ex-officio [Page 121] Notary Public in and for the aforesaid Parish of St. Landry at Opelousas this fifth day of June in the year One thousand eight hundred and thirty seven. Willm. Wikoff Tutor of F. E. Wikoff & S. W. Parmell [Pannell?] Witness Geo. R. King and Bt. Debaillon Geo. King P. Judge ****** Wikoffs & Cooke To Adams Power of Attorney Recorded 6th June 1837 Know all men by these presents, that whereas William Wikoff of the State of Louisiana and Parish of St. Landry for himself and as tutur [sic] of Susan Watts Pannell, and Eliza M. Wikoff wife of William H. Parron of the same State and Parish aforesaid for herself and as Tutor of Henrietta Matilda Pannell co-heirs with their said Wards in the Succession of the late Mrs. Susan Watts Wikoff, by their certain letter of Attorney executed before George King Parish Judge & ex-officio Notary Public in and for the aforesaid Parish of St. Landry bearing date the eleventh day of June in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty six, did make me Stephen W. Wikoff of said State & Parish their Lawful Attorney to transact all and Singular the affairs of said Succession, with the power of substituting &c as by the same letter of Attorney reference being thereto had will more fully appear. Now Know Ye that I the said Stephen W. Wikoff the Attorney so named in virtue of the authority to me given in and by the said letter of Attorney and also in my own right as co-heir in the said Succession, have nominated and by these presents do nominate and appoint Christopher Adams Junr. of the City of New-Orleans as my substitute, and the attorney of the said William Wikoff and Eliza M. Wikoff for themselves and as Tutors as aforesaid, and for my self to Receive the dividends which are or shall be at any time hereafter due & payable on the shares of said Succession in the Louisiana State Bank, the bank of Orleans, and Orleans assurance Company, and to grant good and efficient receipt for the same. And I do further Authorise [sic] my said Attorney to be proxy for the said William & Eliza M. Wikoff as well as for themselves as for their said Wards, and for myself to vote at any elections of directors of the said Banks and assurance Company, and on all other matters which at any regular meeting of the Stock holders may properly come before them. And I do further Authorise [sic] may said Substitute for and in behalf of the said William Wikoff and Eliza M. Wikoff and their respective Wards, and for myself to pledge the Stock of said Succession in the Louisiana State Bank for the purpose of paying the balance of the Stock now required to be paid by the directors. In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed in presence of Benoit Debaillon & Richard M. Garwood Competent witnesses and before George King Parish Judge and ex-officio Notary Public in and for the aforesaid Parish of St. Landry at Opelousas this sixth day of June in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven. L. W. Wikoff Witness Bt. Debaillon & Richd. M. Garwood Geo. King P. Judge I Francis Eliza Susan Pannell wife of Thomas A. Coke, co-heir in the succession of the late Mrs. Susan Watts Wikoff do, hereby, so far as my interests are concerned, grant all the power and authority to Christopher Adams Junr. which are granted by the foregoing power of Attorney and I Thomas A. Cooke do hereby authorise [sic] my said wife to the effect hereof. In testimony whereof we have hereunto signed in presence of the same witnesses and before the same Authority the same day & year above written. Thomas A. Cooke Francz [sp?]Cooke Witness Bt. Debaillon & Richard M. Garwood Geo. King P. Judge ****** Stephen W. Wikoff To Christopher Adams Power of Attorney Recorded 6th June 1837 Know all men by these presents that I Stephen W. Wikoff natural Tutor of my minor daughter Mary Elinor Wikoff of the State of Louisiana and Parish of St. Landry do hereby appoint Christopher Adams Junr. of the City of New-Orleans my attorney for and in my name as natural Tutor as aforesaid to receive the dividends which are or shall be at any time hereafter due and payable on the share of the said Mary Elenor [possibly Elinor] Wikoff in the Commercial Bank of New-Orleans, and to grant good and sufficient receipts for the same, and I do further authorise [sic] my said Attorney to be my proxy for me and in my name and behalf as natural Tutor as aforesaid to vote at any election of directors of the said Bank, and on all other matters which at any regular meeting of the Stock holders may properly come before them . In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of Richard M. Garwood & Benoit Debaillon Competent witnesses and before George King Parish Judge and ex-officio Notary Public in and for the aforesaid Parish of St. Landry at Opelousas this sixth day of June in the year One thousand eight hundred and thirty seven. S. W. Wikoff Witness Richd. M. Garwood & Bt. Debaillon Geo. King P. Judge [Page 122] ****** Frances Eliza Susan Pannell wife of Thomas A. Cooke To Christopher Adams [of New Orleans] Power of Attorney Recorded 6th May 1837 Know all men by these presents that Frances Eliza Susan Pannell wife of Thomas A. Cooke of the State of Louisiana and Parish of St. Landry, and duly authorised [sic] to the effect of these presents by her said husband, has appointed and does hereby nominate, constitute, and appoint, Christopher Adams Jr., of the City of New Orleans her Attorney for her and in her name to receive the dividends which are or shall hereafter be payable on her shares in the Commercial Bank of New-Orleans, and to grant good and sufficient Receipts for the same And she does further Authorise [sic] her said Attorney to be her Proxy for her and in her name to vote at any Election of directors of the said Bank, and on all other matters which at any regular meeting of the Stock holders may properly come before them. In witness whereof she has hereunto set her hand, with her said husband in presence of Benoit Debaillon & Richard M. Garwood Competent witnesses and before George King Parish Judge And ex-officio Notary Public in & for the aforesaid Parish of St. Landry at Opelousas this sixth day of in the Year one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven. Frunz [sp?] Cooke Thomas A. Cooke Witness Bt. Debaillon & Richd. M. Garwood Geo. King P. Judge ****** Louis Nicholas Raulin and Jean Nicholas Petit To Parish Judge Constable Bond Recorded 7th June 1837 Know all men by these presents that Louis Nicholas Raulin and jean Nicholas Petit of the State of Louisiana and Parish of St. Landry are held and firmly bound unto George King Parish Judge in and for the aforesaid parish, and to his successors in office in the sum of five hundred dollars for the true and faithful payment of which they bind themselves their heirs &c jointly and severally. In witness whereof they hereunto signed and affixed their Seals at Opelousas this seventh day of June in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven. The conditions of the above obligation is such that whereas the said Louis Nicholas Raulin has been appointed Constable in and for the aforesaid parish by the Police Jury thereof. Now if the said Louis Nicholas Raulin shall make true and faithfull [sic] returns according to Law of all such Suits orders processes as shall come unto 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 & 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 effect. Signed & sealed in presence of Richd. M. Garwood & Bt. Debaillon Raulin & N. Petit. ****** Anastasie Savoye widow Venible To George Miller Release of Mortgage 9th June 1837 Know all men by these presents that whereas on the first day of February in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty four Anastasie Savoye widow Venible bargained and sold to George Miller of the State of Louisiana and Parish of St. Landry a negro man slave aged ab[ou]t. fifty years for the price and sum of six hundred and twenty five dollars payable one third in the month of May 1835, one third in the month of May 1836, & the remaining third in the month of May 1837, with mortgage retained on said slave to secure the said payments, and whereas the entire amounts of said instal[l]ments has been paid, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged. Now therefore in consideration of the premises she the said Anastasie Savoye widow Venible has released & does hereby release the said mortgage as fully and completely as though it had never existed. In testimony whereof she has hereunto signed in presence of the subscribing witnesses & before George King Parish Judge and ex-officio Notary Public at Opelousas this 9th day of June 1837. Anastasie Savoye Witness Richd. M. Garwood & Bt. Debaillon & Gestin Wills Geo. King P. Judge ****** Estate of Lemelle To Wesley Singleton Release of Mortgage [involves a slave] Recorded 9th June 1837 Know all men by these presents that, whereas on the twenty first day of November in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty five at the Sale of the Estate of the late Marie Jeanne Lemelle deceased Wesley Singleton of the State of Louisiana and Parish of St. Landry became the purchaser of a negro man named Jean Pierre aged ab[ou]t. forty years for the price and sum of one thousand & forty dollars payable one third in al the month of April 1835 one third in all the month of April 1836, and the remaining third in all the month of April in the year 1837, with mortgage retained on said Slave to secure the payment of said instal[l]ments, and whereas the said payments have been made to Francois Lemelle Testamentary Executor of said Estate the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged. Now therefore in consideration of the premises he the said Francois Lemelle has released and does hereby release the above recited mortgage as fully [Page 123] as though it had never existed. In testimony whereof Firmin Lemelle son and agent of the said Francois has hereunto signed in presence of Richard M. Garwood & James Crostwait competent witnesses at Opelousas this ninth day of June 1837. Firmin Lemelle Pour mon pere [for my father] Fs. Lemelle Witness Richd. M. Garwood & James Crosthwait Geo. King P. Judge ****** Anastasie Savoye widow Joseph Venible To Joseph Narcisse Andrus Release of Mortgage Recorded 9th June 1837 Know all men by these presents that, whereas on the first day of February in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty four Anastasie Savoye widow Joseph Venible bargained and sold to Joseph Narcisse Andrus of the State of Louisiana & parish of St. Landry a certain tract or parcel of land situated in the aforesaid Parish and lying in the Carrancro Prairie adjoining on one side to land of Jean Savoye and on the other to land of the purchaser on one end to land of Jean Leger and on the other to the Domain and containing one hundred and sixty superficial arpens more or less, for and in consideration of the sum of seven hundred dollars, payable one third in the month of May 1835, one third in May 1836, & the remaining third in May 1837, to secure the said payments, the land remains specially mortgaged to the sellor [sic] until the final payment thereof., And whereas the entire amount of the aforesaid purchase money & the interest which has accrued thereon has been paid to the seller by John H. H. Smith administrator of the Estate of the said Joseph Narcisse Andrus now dead. Now therefore she the said Anastasie Savoye, in consideration of the premises has released the said mortgaged as fully and completely as though it had never existed. In testimony whereof she has hereunto signed in presence of the subscribing witnesses & before George King Parish Judge and ex-officio Notary Public at Opelousas this ninth day of June in the year One thousand eight hundred and thirty seven. Anastasie Savoye Witness Richd. M. Garwood Gestin Wills Geo. King P. Judge ****** Kreps Gradenigo To Joseph Gradenigo Sale of Slave Recorded 13th June 1837 Know all men by these presents that Kreps Gradenigo of the State of Louisiana and Parish of St. Landry for and in consideration of the sum of four hundred dollars Cash in hand the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged has bargained and sold, and does by this public act grant bargain, sell alien transfer set over and deliver unto Joseph Gradenigo of the aforesaid State and Parish a certain Mulatto girl named Ann [it appears it may be 'Anna'; the last 'a' appears very faded] aged ab[ou]t. sixteen years. To have and to hold the said Mulatto girl to the said Joseph Gradenigo 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 Joseph Gradenigo obligates himself his heirs, executors & administrators to Emancipate her in due form of Law. And the said Kreps Gradenigo for himself his heirs &c the title to the said Slave against the Lawful claims of all persons whatsoever to him the said Joseph Gradenigo his heirs &c 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 in presence of Richard M. Garwood & Pierre Labyche Competent witnesses and before George King Parish Judge & ex-officio Notary Public in and for the Parish of St. Landry at Opelousas this thirteenth day of June in the year One thousand eight hundred and thirty seven. Kreps Gradenigo Joseph Gradenigo Witness Richd. M. Garwood & Labyche Geo. King P. Judge ****** Chacheres and Lavergne To Lavergne Acquittance Recorded 14th June 1837 State of Louisiana Parish of St. Landry. Before me George King Parish Judge & ex-officio Notary Public in and for the aforesaid Parish appeared personally Heloise Lavergne wife of Veillon Chachere, Eugenie Lavergne wife of Beaurssoir [sp?] Chachere' Celestine Lavergne wife of Constant Chachere the said Heloise, Eugenie & Celestine being authorised [sic] to the effect of these presents by their said husbands Hurbain Lavergne and Charles Lavergne, who acknowledged to have received of Celestin Lavergne each the sum of four hundred dollars on account of their future pretentions on the Estate of the said Celestin Lavergne & Louise Henry his wife their father & mother, and to be collated in the Estate of the first of the said parents who may depart this life. In testimony whereof they have hereunto signed in presence of the undersigned witnesses at Opelousas this fourteenth day of June in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven. Celestine Lavergne Courta [sic] Chachere Eugenie Lavergne Bte. Chachere' Heloise Lavergne Ve. Chachere Urbain Lavergne Charles Lavergne Witness Van[u?]chere' Boutte' Evaris[te?] [page torn] Robin Geo. King P. Judge [Page 124] ****** Mertu To Bowen & King Procuration Recorded 15th June 1837 Be it Remembered that on this fifth day of June in the Year of Our Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty seven Before me Lyman Briggs Parish Judge of the Parish of St. Jammang [sic][Tammany?] and ex-officio Notary Public in for the said Parish at my office in the Town of Covington in the presence of the undersigned Witnesses, personally appeared Peter Mertu and declares as follows, that whereas the son of this appearer William P. Mortu is confined in the Public prison in the parish of St. Landry on a criminal charge now pending in the District Court of the said parish which is b[l?]acdable [sic], and whereas this appearer is desirous of releasing the said William P. Mertu from the said prison by entering into special bail for him on the said criminal charge according to Law and whereas by reason of the distance at which this appearer resides from the said Parish of St. Landry his personal attendance there will be very inconvenient to him, and he is desirous of entering into special bail by his agents and attornies. Now to carry this his purpose into Execution this appearer does hereby appoint, William W. Bowen & George R. King Esquires his agents and attornies in the premises, authorising [sic] his said agents in the same and on the behalf of this appearer to consent to and enter into such bail for the said William P. Mertu and to execute as aforesaid any instrument in writing necessary and proper to give effect to the aforesaid intention of this appearer, and to constitute him such bail hereby ratifying and confirming all the lawful acts of the said Bowen & King in the premises, and agreeing to indemnify and save them [illegible] less from all loss or damage, liability or responsibility for any thing done by them in virtue of this authority. In witness whereof the said Peter Mertu has subscribed this act and executed the same in presence of John Macdonald and E. P. Ellis Competent witnesses who have signed the said act and of me the said Parish Judge (original signed) Peter Mertu John Macdonald & E. P. Ellis Lyman Briggs Parish Judge. A true copy of the original [illegible three letters] extant in my office Parish Judges office Covington L. June 6th 1837. Lymon Briggs Parish Judge ****** Pierre Labyche To Michel Mayer Sale of slave Recorded 19th June 1837 (need translation) L'an mil huit cent trente Sept et le dixneuvieme Jour du mois de Juin Pardevant George King Juge de Paroisse dans et pour la Paroisse de St. Landry de Notaire ex-officeio demeurant dans la ville des Opelousas surdite Paroisse St. Landry Etate de la Louisiane Fut present le Sieur Pierre Labyche demeurant dans la ville des Opelousas surdite Paroisse de St. Landry, leqquel a par ces presenter vendu, Cede et trasporte aved cession et subrogation de tous droits et Actions contre tous precedents Veneurs et garantee de tous troubles. Dons, alienation, dettes, hypotheques, Evictions et autre emprichements quelconques [sp?] ainsi que des vices & maladies prevus par la Loi au sieur Michel Mayer Demeurant dans cette surdite Paroisse de St. Landry, a ce present, present et acceptant pour lui Les heritures representants, ou ayant Cacun [sp?] un certain Jeune negre nomme Bobb. age d'environ treize ans exclave a vie, etant la propriete du vendeur pour lavoir achete de Joseph Gaspart Aldebert par acte passe au rapport du present notaire sous la date du trois May denier. D'apres le certificat du Conservateur des hypotheques en date de cd jour il resulte quil n'existe aucune hyotheque contre le dit Jeune negre Bobb. Cette vente est faite pour le Somme de huit cent piastres que l'acquereal a comptus au vendeur en ofices de Cours, qui le reconnait et en donne Bonne & valable quittance de droit. Au moyen de quoi le dit Sieur Pierre Labyche transmit au dit Sieur Michel Mayer touts droits de propriete & autres quil a et peur avoir sur le surdit Jeune negre Bobb s'en disassissant a son profit pour le Sieur Acquiteur paire et disposer du Surdit negre en toute propriete des maintenant et a toujours par lui ses heriteurs et ayant Causes Au vertu et aux termes des presentes, fait et passie em mon office aux Opelousas les jours mois et Au surdit en presence de Donat Fux et Etienne Fouillade temoins requis qui ont signe avec le dit P. Labyche et le dit Michel Mayer ayant declare sa Savoir Signer a fait sa marque Ordinaire apres Lecture faite Labyche Michel x Mayer temoins Donat Fux Fouillade Geo. King P. Judge ****** Alexandre Lanclos To Jean B. Hebert Sale of Land Recorded 21st June 1837 This Deed made the twenty first day of June in the year one thousand and thirty seven between Alexander Lanclos of the State of Louisiana and Parish of St. Landry of the one part and Jean Bte. Hebert of the same State & Parish aforesaid of the other part Witnesseth that or and in consideration of the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars [Page 125] cash in hand paid the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged to the said Alexandre Lanclos has bargained and sold and does by these presents grant, bargain, sell, transfer and deliver unto him the said jean Bte. Hebert a certain tract or parcel of land situated in the aforesaid Parish & Lying in the quarter called Petit bois bounded on one side by the seller and on the other side by Alexander Lanclos fils having three arpens front on the Bayou Teche by forty in depth and containing one hundred and twenty superficial arpents. To have and to hold the aforesaid tract of land to him the said Jean Bte. Hebert, his heirs ex[ecuto]rs. Adm[inistrato]rs. and assigns forever with guarantee of title against the lawful claims of all persons whatsoever. The purchaser dispenses with the production required by the 3328th Article of the Louisiana Code. In testimony whereof the parties have hereunto signed in presence of Benoit Debaillon & Richard M. Garwood and before George King Parish Judge in & for the Parish of St. Landry aforesaid at Opelousas the day & year above written. Alexandre Lanclos (seal) Jean Baptiste Hebert (seal) Witness Bt. Debaillon and Richd. Garwood Geo. King P. Judge ****** Thomas Bilbo To Gilbert L. Thompson Sale of Slave Recorded 22nd June 1837 Know all men by these presents that Thomas Bilbo of the State of Louisiana and Parish of St. Landry for and in consideration of the sum of Twelve hundred dollars Cash in hand paid the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged has bargained and sold, and does by this Public act grant, bargain, sell, alien, set over and deliver unto Gilbert L. Thompson of the same State and Parish, a certain negro man slave named Daniel aged ab[ou]t. thirty five years. To have and to hold said Slave to him the said Gilbert L. Thompson his heirs executors adm[inistrato]rs. assigns forever. Ant the Said Thomas Bilbo for himself his heirs &c the title of the aforesaid slave against the Lawful claims of all persons whatever to the said Gilbert L. Thompson his heirs & does warrant & will forever defend he also warrants him free from all the vices & maladies deemed redhibitory in Law. By the Certificate of the register of mortgages filed herewith and made a part of this act it appears that no mortgage exists on said slave. In testimony whereof the parties have hereunto signed in presence of Richard M. Garwood & Benoit Debaillon Competent witnesses and before George King Parish Judge & ex-officio Notary Public in and for the Parish of St. Landry at Opelousas this twenty second day of June in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven. Thomas Bilbo [blank space] Witness Richd. M. Garwood & Bt. Debaillon Geo. King P. Judge Etat de la Louisiane Parsoisse St. Landry Bureau des hypotheques. Le conservateur des hypotheques soussigne, certifie, quil n'existe sur les registres de son Bureau, aucune hypotheque contre Thomas Bilbeau Sur un negre nomme Daniel age de trente Cinq ans Opelousas le 22 Juin 1836. Garrigues flaujac Conservateur ****** Alarete To Cocke Renunciation &c Recorded 26th June 1837 State of Louisiana Parish of St. Landry Before me the undersigned authority personally appeared Jose M. J. Carvay[z?]al and Manuel Carvay[z?]al who having been first duly sworn declared on their oaths that they where [sic] well acquainted with the hand writing & signatures of Josef Miguel Adrete & Candelaria [sp?] de Leon de Alarete from having often seen them write and sign their names. That the Letter marked A. hereto amened [sic] date at La Baca on the 4th day of May 1837, & written in the Spanish Language is in the proper hand writing of the said Jose Miguel Alarete & that the signatures at the f--r of said letter are those of the said Jose Miguel Alerete and of the said Condelaria de Leon de Aldrete who is the wife of the said Jose Miguel Aldrete sworn to & subscribed at Opelousas 26th day of June Anno Domini 1837. Before me Geo. King P. Judge Jose M. J. Caravay[z?]al Manuel Carvay[z?]al ****** McDonald To Dejean Receipt 27 June 1837 Recu de Mr. Demanville Dejean la somme de Cent soixante six piastres & 66 cents pour le premier et second payement d'une terre que je lui ai vendu f--- six piastres & 69 cents pour int. echu [cihu? largely illegible] sur le premier term. Opelousa le 27 Juin 1837 $173.35 C. MacDonald Temoin Rt.Benguerel ****** Smith & Wife To Citizen's Bank Mortgage Recorded 29th June 1837 Before me George King Parish Judge and ex-officio Notary Public duly Commissioned and Sworn for the Parish of St. Landry State of Louisiana , therein residing and in presence of the undersigned Witness. Personally came and appeared Robert E. Smith and Celeste Neda his wife by him duly authorised [sic], domiciliated [sic] in the aforesaid Parish of St. Landry who declared that the said Robert E. Smith having subscribed for one hundred & twenty shares of one hundred [Page 126] dollars each, forming in the aggregate the Sum of twelve thousand dollars in the Capital Stock of the Citizen's Bank of Louisiana, created and incorporated by an act of the Legislature approved on the first of April eighteen hundred and thirty three, they acknowledge themselves by these presents to be conjointly and 'in solidum' indebted to the said Bank in the said sum of twelve thousand dollars amount of said shares. And in order to Secure his said shares in the Capital Stock of said Bank and also to secure the payment of the principal and interest of the loan raised or to be raised to form the Capital of said Bank by the issue of Bonds signed by the Governor of the State of Louisiana in favor of the Citizen's Bank countersigned by the Secretary and Treasurer of State and under the Seal of the State they do by these presents jointly and severally mortgage in favor of the Citizen's Bank of Louisiana, the following described property, towit, A Certain tract of land Situated in the Parish of St. Landry and lying in the prairie Grand Coteau containing ab[ou]t. [abbreviated hereafter as in document] seven hundred and seventy superficial acres more or less, bounded on the North by Joseph Balque' on the south by David Meche and the purchaser, on the East by Raphael Smith and on the west by the widow Robert Burleigh, and being the same acquired by purchase from Mary S. Smith widow of the late Charles Smith deceased as per deed of sale bearing date the twelfth day of December in the year One thousand eight hundred & thirty five also the following described slaves twit Essin [sp?] a negro man aged abt. twenty three years Midy [Muty - sp?] a negro woman aged abt. thirty years, Maria a negro woman aged abt. sixteen years, Charlotte a negro woman aged abt. eighteen years, Matilda a negro woman aged abt. twenty years, Harriet a negro woman aged abt. twenty years, Susan a negro woman aged abt. thirty years, James a negro boy aged abt. twelve years, Henry a negro boy aged abt. three years, Nelson aged abt. three years, Auguste a negro boy aged abt. six years, Mary a negro girl aged abt. ten years, Henrietta a negro girl aged abt. eight years, Catherine, a negro girl aged abt. six years, Louisa a negro girl aged abt. three years, [blank space] an infant girl, Julie a girl aged about two years, and Clarissa a negro girl aged abt. two years. All which property is to remain thus mortgaged until all said Bonds shall have been paid and redeemed in Capital & interest or until the said Robert E. Smith shall have paid the amount of his shares, and have reimbursed the loan which he may have obtained as stock holder, unless he should have previously transfer[r]ed his shares, and have been entirely discharged by the Bank. The said Robert E. Smith & Celeste Neda his wife agree that the present hypothecary obligation granted by them to secure said Stock and the reimbursement of any loan which he the said Robert E. Smith may or should have obtained of said Bank shall bear interest at the rate of ten per cent per annum if not punctually paid when due, and that all the above described property shall likewise remain specially mortgaged to Secure the payment of such eventual interest. The Said Mrs. Celeste Neda does hereby renounced [sic] in favor of said Bank, all rights and privileges, whether total or any other Kind or nature whatsoever which she may have upon the above described property ceding and transferring her said rights to the said Bank. The said Robert E. Smith & Celeste Neda his wife further agree that if the Bank should hereafter discover that the titles to the above described property are defective, or that said property is subject to any tacit or other mortgage, the Bank shall have the right to cause the stock to be sold, and to meet the immediate reimbursement of any loan which may have been obtained thereon, unless however the Said Robert E. Smith should prefer substituting other property of which the titles should be indisputable. The Said Robert E. Smith and Celeste Neda his wife also agree that whenever it shall be proved to the satisfaction of the Board of Directors of said Bank, that the property now mortgage is no longer of sufficient value to secure said Stock, the Bank shall have the right to enact additional Security, and in case of refusal or neglect of the said Robert E. Smith to furnish the required additional mortgage, the Bank will have the right to cause said stock to be sold in whole or in part, and to Cause the property mortgaged to be sold in order to obtain the reimbursement of the same that may have been loaned to him the said Robert E. Smith as stock holder. According to the Certificate of the Recorder of mortgages, hereto annexed, and made a part of this act it appears that no mortgage exists o the aforesaid property. Whereas the final apportionment of stock among the subscribers to the Capital of the Citizen's Bank of Louisiana has not yet been made, and that the number of shares to which each of them will be entitled cannot yet be determined, the said Robert E. Smith and Celest Neda his wife acknowledge that the present mortgage is subject to such deduction as may take place upon a final [Page 127] apportionment of the Stock. The present mortgage will have to be accepted b authentic act by the president of the said Citizen's Bank of Louisiana and the said mortgage and acceptation will have to be registered in the office of the Recorder of Mortgages in the Said Parish of Saint Landry and the Judge of said Parish will have to furnish a certificate that the said inscriptions have been made, and that there has been on new mortgage or privilege inscribed or alienation made of the above described premises, before the said Robert E. Smith will be recognised [sic] as a stock holder of the Citizen's Bank. Thus done and passed at my office in the Town of Opelousas this twenty ninth day of June in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven. Robt. Smith Celeste Neda Smith Witness W. Moore Francois Davy Geo. King P. Judge ****** A. Fisk Watt & Co. [of New Orleans] To Hebert & Daniel Receipt Recorded 30th June 1837 Know all men by these presents that I George R. King agent & Attorney in fact of A. Fisk John Watt & Gundy Burke lately trading under the name style & firm of A. Fisk Watt & Co. do hereby grant a full & entire release to Mayse Hebert Junr. & John L. Daniel lately trading under the style & firm of Hebert & Daniel from the debt due to said A. Fisk Watt & Co. and which upon their books purports to be seven thousand six hundred & eighty three dollars & fifty cents & further I the said agent do give to said Hebert & Daniel a full & entire acquittance of all demands against them by said A. Fisk Watt & Co. up to this date. This Release is given in consideration of the said John L. Daniel having this day transfer[r]ed to said Gandy [spelled two ways in document] Burke a tract of land situated in the parish of Avoyelles & lying on both sides of Bayou des Glaze containing abt. three hundred & twenty supperficial [sic] American acres. In witness whereof I have hereunto signed at Opelousas this thirtieth day of June in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven in presence of Abram H. Andrus & Benoit Debaillon Competent witnesses & before Geo. King Parish Judge & ex-officio Notary Public in & for the foregoing Parish. Geo. R. King Agent & Attorney in fact of A. Fisk Watt & Co. Witness A. H. Andrus Bt. Debaillon Geo. King P. Judge Mr. Geo. R. King is hereby authorised [sic] to grant full and entire Release to Hebert & Daniel of the debt due us which on our Books purports to be $7,683.50, in consideration of John L. Daniel executing a Bill of Sale to G. Burke of 320 Acres Land on Bayou des Glaze A. Fisk Watt & Co. in liquidation. New-Orleans June 10th 1837. ****** John L. Daniel To Gundy Burke Sale of Land Recorded 30th June 1837 This Deed made the thirtieth day of June in the Year One thousand eight hundred and thirty seven between John L. Daniel of the State of Louisiana and Parish of ST. Landry of the one part, and Gundy Burke formerly a partner in the house of A. Fisk Watt & Co. & now of the house of Burke Watt & Co. Merchant of the City of New-Orleans of the other part, Witnesseth, that for and in consideration of the sum of five thousand dollars in hand paid the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged he the said John L. Daniel has bargained and sold and does by these presents grant bargain, sell alien, set over and Confirm unto him the said Gundy Burke the following described tracts of land, towit, A tract Situated in the Parish of Avoyelles and lying on the Bayou des Glaze and designated as the North East quarter of Section number thirty four, in Township number one North of Range number six East Containing abt. one hundred and sixty acres, also another tract situated in the aforesaid Parish of Avoyelles and lying on the Bayou des Glaze being the North west quarter of Section number thirty five in Township number one North of Range number six east containing abt. one hundred and sixty acres, and being the same purchased by Isaac Montgomery Lyons from the Government of the United States as per receiver's receipts number twelve hundred & forty two and twelve hundred and forty eight bearing date the twenty fourth day of March in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty six. And also by him the said Lyons to the present seller as will appear by reference to a Deed of sale passed before Pierre Labyche Notary Public in the Town of Opelousas bearing date the twenty eighth day of July in the year One thousand eight hundred and thirty six which Said Deed was executed by Thomas A. Cooke agent & Attorney in fact of the said Isaac M. Lyons. To have & to hold the aforesaid tracts of land to him the said Gundy Burke his heirs, executors administrators & assigns forever. And the Said John L. Daniel for himself his heirs executors and Administrators the tracts of land so described as aforesaid with all and Singular their appurtenances and privileges against the Lawful Claims of all persons whatsoever to him the said Gundy Burke his heirs executors administrators and assigns does warrant & will forever defend. [Page 128] And the said Daniel further binds himself to procure a certificate from the Parish Judge or recorder of Mortgages in & for the Parish of Avoyelles that no mortgage exist[s] on the aforesaid bargained and sold premises. And Mrs. Marie Erasie Bossier wife of the said John L. Daniel acting herein with the consent of her husband and being over the age of twenty one years after hearing this Deed read and explained , and being informed by the undersigned Parish Judge of the nature of her rights, did out of the presence of her husband Renounce in favor of the Said Gundy [spelled Glindy] Burke all matrimonial dotal Paraphernal and other rights which she may have upon the above described tracts of land, ceding & transfer[r]ing the same to the said Gundy Burke his heirs & assigns. In testimony of all which the said John L. Daniel & Mrs. Marie Erasie Bossier his wife and George R. King agent and Attorney in fact for the Said Gundy Burke & accepting for him and in his behalf this sale, have hereunto Signed in presence of Coleman Daniel & Onezime Guidry Competent witnesses and before George King Parish Judge and ex-officio Notary Public in and for the Parish of St. Landry the day & year first above written at Opelousas Jno. L. Daniel Marie Erasie Bossier Geo. R. King Agent & Attorney in fact of Gundy Burke. Witness C. Daniel x Onezime A. Guidry Geo. King P. Judge Mr. Geo. R. King of Opelousas is hereby authorised [sic] to accept the sale of a tract of Land on Bayou des Glaze comprising abt. three hundred & twenty acres to be made by John L. Daniel to me the same which he acquired from Isaac M. Lyons by act before Pierre Labyche N[otary]. P[ublic]. dated 28 June 1836. G. Burke New Orleans June 10th 1837 Gundy Burke of New Orleans. Filed and admitted to record 30th June 1837. Geo. King P. Judge ****** Louis Stelly To Donat Fux Acquittance Recorded 3rd July 1837 This day the third of July in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven, before me George King Parish Judge & ex-officio Notary Public in and for the Parish of St. Landry personally appeared Louis Stelly son and one of the heirs of the late Jean Bte. Stelly of said Parish deceased, who acknowledges to have received of Donat Fux administrator of said estate the sum of seven hundred and seventy one dollars and forty five cents being the full and entire amount of his share in the Estate of his deceased father as will more fully appear by Settlement and partition of the same filed in my office than ten days part & with which he declares himself to be perfectly satisfied. And the Said Louis Stelly Tutor of Gerome Stelly also one of the children and heirs of the said Jean Bte. Stelly deceased acknowledges to have received of him the said Donat Fux Administrator as aforesaid the sum of nineteen hundred & one dollars & seventy one cents being the full and entire amount of his the said Jerome Stelly's share in the said Estate of his Said deceased father as will also appear by the aforesaid Settlement and partition of said estate. In testimony whereof he has hereunto signed in presence of Richard M. Garwood & Nicholas Calliham Competent witnesses & before me Parish Judge as aforesaid at Opelousas the day & year above written. Louis x Stelly Witness Nicholas Calliham & Richd. M. Garwood Geo. King P. Judge ****** John D. Smith To Raphael Smith Release of Mortgage Recorded 5th July 1837 This day the fifth of July in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven, before me George King Parish Judge and ex-officio Notary Public in and for the Parish of St. Landry appeared personally John F. D. Smith one of the heirs of the Estates of the late Benjamin A. Smith & Elizabeth Hardy his wife deceased, and also one of the heirs of the late Lydia Elida Smith, Mary A.M Smith and Joseph G. C. Smith deceased who acknowledged to have received from Raphael J. Smith his former tutor the Sum of two thousand and eighty nine dollars and ninety five cents being the full and entire amount of his shares in the aforesaid Estates as will appear by reference to a Settlement and Partition thereof on file in the office of the Judge of Probates in and for the aforesaid Parish which has been examined and approved by him the said John D. F. Smith more than ten days past. And he the said John D. F. Smith does hereby in consideration of the premises Release the Mortgage resulting from the aforesaid Tutorship as fully and Completely as though it had never existed. In testimony whereof he has hereunto signed in presence of Richard M. Garwood & Beniot Debaillon competent witnesses & before me Parish Judge & notary Public as aforesaid at Opelousas the day & year first above written. John F. Smith Witness Richd. M. Garwood Bt. Debaillon Geo. King P. Judge [Page 129] ****** Benjamin A. Smith To William F. Hardy Acquittance & Release of Mortgage Recorded 5th July 1837 This day the fifth of July in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven, before me George King Parish Judge and ex-officio Notary Public in and for the Parish of St. Landry appeared personally Benjamin A. Smith one of the heirs of the Estates of the late Benjamin A. Smith and Elizabeth A. Hardy his wife deceased, and also of the Heirs of the late Lydia Electa Smith, Mary A. M. Smith and Joseph L. C. Smith deceased who acknowledged to have received from William F. Hardy his former Tutor the sum of two thousand and eighty nine dollars & ninety five cents being the full and entire amount of his shares in the aforesaid estates as will appear by Reference to a Settlement and partition thereof on file in the office of the Judge of Probates in and for the aforesaid Parish which has been examined and approved by him the Said Benjamin A. Smith more than ten days past. And he the Said Benjamin A. Smith does hereby in consideration of the premises Release as fully and Completely as though it had never existed. In testimony whereof he has hereunto Signed in presence of Richard M. Garwood & Benoit Debaillon competent witnesses & before me Parish Judge & Notary Public as aforesaid at Opelousas the day and year first above written. Benj. A. Smith Richd. M. Garwood & Benoit Debaillon Geo. King P. Judge ****** Abram Harman & Eugene Richard Division of Land Recorded 10th July 1837 This Deed of partition made the tenth day of July in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven between Abram Harman of the State of Louisiana & Parish of St. Landry of the one part and Eugene Richard of the same State and Parish aforesaid of the other Part Witnesseth, that whereas the parties hold in Community a tract of land Situated in the aforesaid parish and lying on the east side of the west fork of the Bayou Plaquemine brule' having twenty arpens front on said Bayou by forty in depth, bounded on the upperside by land formerly belonging to Jacob Harman Senr. & now to David Meche and on the lower side by land of Joseph Elah Andrus, and being the same which they purchased jointly from the heirs of Jacob Harman Junr. by Deed passed before James Ray Notary Public. And whereas the Said parties have mutually agreed to divide the land in such manner as that the Said Abram Harman shall have the half on the lower side adjoining the said Joseph E. Andrus, and the Said Eugene Richard, the upper half adjoining the land of Meche. Now in consideration of the premises he the Said Abram has transfer[r]ed [sic], conveyed set over & delivered unto him the Said Eugene Richard all his right, title, Claim & interest in & to the upper half of said original tract adjoining David Meche & to be divided by a line Running through the middle of said tract. And the said Eugene has & does hereby transfer convey set over and deliver unto him the said Abram Harman all his right, title, Claim, & interest in and to the lower half of Said tract to be divided as aforesaid each party gurantering [sic] to the other against their Respective heirs and all persons claiming by through or under them. In witness whereof they have hereunto signed in presence of Richard M. Garwood & Celestin Lavergne Competent witnesses and before George King Parish Judge & ex-officio Notary Public in and for the aforesaid Parish of St. Landry at Opelousas the day and year first above written. Abraham Harman Eugene Richard Witness C. Lavergne & Richd. M. Garwood Geo. King P. Judge ****** John W. Singleton To Sydney Singleton Sale of Slave Recorded 15th July 1834 Know all men by these presents that John W. Singleton of the State of Louisiana and Parish of St. Landry, for and in consideration of the sum of seven hundred dollars Cash in hand paid the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged has bargained and sold, and does hereby grant, bargain, sell, transfer and deliver unto Sydney Singleton of the aforesaid State & Parish a certain negro woman Slave named Sally aged abt. thirty years. To have and to hold said Slave to him the said Sydney Singleton his heirs, executors administrators, the title to said Slave against the Lawful Claims of all persons whatsoever to him the said Sydney Singleton his heirs &c does warrant and will forever defend, he also warrants her free from all diceases [sic], vices & infirmities deemed redhibitory in Law. The purchaser dispenses with the Certificate required by the 3328th Article of the Louisiana Code or by any subsequent Law on the Subject of mortgages. In testimony whereof the parties have hereunto signed in presence of Richard M. Garwood and Benoit Debaillon Competent witnesses at Opelousas this fifteenth day of July in the year One thousand eight hundred and thirty seven. John W. Singleton (seal) Sidney Singleton (seal) Witness Richd. M. Garwood & Bt. Debaillon Done before me Geo. King P. Judge [Page 130] ****** Joseph Sensie [sp?] & Emelite Mayer Marriage Contract Recorded 15th July 1837 This marriage Contract made the fifteenth day of July in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven between Joseph Sansie [sp?] of the State of Louisiana and Parish of Pointe Coupe'e of the one part and Emelite Mayer of the Parish of St. Landry & State aforesaid of the other part Witnesseth, that in consideration of the love and affection existing between the parties mutually they have agreed to unite themselves in the Holy Bonds of Matrimony and to have their nuptials Celebrated without unnecessary delay. It is further agreed between the parties that all debts due by either of them shall be paid out of the property of the party who shall have contracted the Same. The property of the future wife consists 1st in the plantation & tract of land on which she now resides situated in the aforesaid Parish of St. Landry & lying in the prairie Gros Chevreuille Containing one hundred superficial arpens estimated with the improvements thereon at thirteen hundred dollars $1300. 2nd A negro man named Louis aged abt. fifty years estimated at eight hundred dollars $800. 3rd A negro woman named Rose aged abt. forty five years with her child a boy named Bienvenu estimated at sixteen hundred dollars $1600. 4th A negro boy named Antoine aged abt. fifteen years estimated at one thousand dollars $1000. 5th A negro boy named Thomas aged abt. eleven years estimated at nine hundred dollars $900. 6th Two pair of work oxen estimated at one hundred and twenty dollars $120. 7th Two horses appraised at one hundred dollars $100. 8th One mare & Colt estimated at thirty five dollars $35. 9th Three Cows & calves, one cow & one beef appraised at eighty two dollars $82. 10th the crop now growing on the plantation estimated at two hundred & forty dollars $240. Amounting to the Sum of six thousand one hundred & seventy seven dollars According to the foregoing estimation which is approved by the future husband. The property of the future husband consists in his pretentions on the Estate of his deceased, the amount of which will be ascertained by the Settlement & partition thereof, and his future pretention on the estate of his mother. It is further Stipulated and agreed that the Community of Acquists and gains shall be regulated by the existing Laws of this State. In testimony whereof the parties have hereunto signed in presence of Richard M. Garwood and Benoit Debaillon Competent witnesses and before Geo. King Parish Judge and ex-officio Notary Public at Opelousas the day & year above written. Joseph x Sensie [sp?] Emilite x Mayer Witness Richd. M. Garwood & Bt. Debaillon Geo. King P. Judge ****** Jean Bte. Dejean To Joseph Compaire Power of Attorney Recorded 17th July 1837 Know all men by these presents that Jean Bte. Dejean pere & Jean Bte. Dejean fils natural Tutor to Celestin Dejean and Adolphe Dejean his minor children (the said jean Bt. Dejean Celestine & Adolphe being children and legal representatives of the late Felonise Escoufi deceased wife of the said Jean Bte. Dejean pere) have nominated and appointed & by these presents do make nominate and appoint Joseph Campire of the Sate of Louisiana and Parish of Natchitoches their true and lawful attorney for them and in their names and for their use and benefit to ask demand sue for recover and Receive of and from any person or persons whatsoever who may have the same in possession their respective shares of the Estates of the late Mrs. Ecoufii their grandmother of the Parish of Rapides deceased, and o f the late Mrs. Meuillon their deceased great grande Mother, and to have, use and take all lawful ways and means in their names or otherwise for the Recovery thereof by attachment, arrest distress or otherwise, and to Compound arbitrate, and agree for the Same, and acquittances or otherwise sufficient discharges for the same, for them and in their names to make, seal & deliver, and to do all lawful acts and things whatsoever concerning the premises as fully and in every respect, as they themselves might or could do, were they personally present and Attornies one or more under him for the purposes aforesaid, to make and again at pleasure to revoke, ratifying and confirming and by these presents allowing whatsoever their said Attorney shall in their names lawfully do or cause to be done in and ab[ou]t. the premises by virtue of these presents. In witness whereof they have hereunto signed in presence of Richd. M. Garwood & Jose' M. Carvazal Competent witnesses and before George King Parish Judge & ex-officio Notary Public at Opelousas the seventeenth day of July Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven. J. B. Dejean fils Dejean aini Witness Richd. M. Garwood Jose' M. J. Carvazal Geo. King P. Judge ****** Jane Smith (of Frederick Cty, Maryland) To Raphael Smith (St. Martin parish) Transfer Recorded 17th July 1837 State of Maryland, Frederick County towit Know all men by these presents that I Jane Smith of the County aforesaid for and in Consideration of the Sum of two thousand dollars to me in [Page 131] hand paid by Raphael Smith deceased in his lifetime of the Parish of St. Martin Louisiana, the Receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged have granted, bargained, sold, assigned, transferred, & set over, and by these presents do grant, bargain, sell, assign, transfer and set over unto Leonard J. Smith of the State & Parish last aforementioned, guardian of Mary E. Smith, Raphael Smith, Charles B. Smith, and Francis H. Smith, children and heirs of Raphael Smith first aforementioned deceased his the said Leonard J. Smith's heirs, executors, administrators & assigns all my right title And interest in and to all property real, personal, and mixed of the estate of my mother Elizabeth Smith deceased, late of Frederick County Maryland, which estate lies in the State of Louisiana, together with all my claims accrued on accruing against the estate of Raphael Smith deceased aforesaid as well as all other my rights title interest or debts claims legal or equitable goods, chattels, due Causes of action & all other my interest Legal or equitable present or future in and to the estate of Elizabeth Smith my deceased mother aforesaid. Given under my hand & seal this 2nd day of April Eighteen hundred & thirty four. Jane Smith (seal) acknowledged Before us two Justices of the peace in & for the State & County first herein above mentioned. W. V. Morgan Joseph Talbott ****** Edwin B. Scott & Henrietta M. Mannell Marriage Contract Recorded 20th July 1837 Be it Known that on this twentieth day of July in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven at the Parish of St. Landry personally appeared before me George King Parish Judge of the said parish and ex-officio Notary Public in & for the same Edwin B. Scott Physician of the aforesaid Parish of the one part and Miss Henrietta Matilda Pannell Authorised [sic] & assisted by her tutrix Eliza M. Wikoff wife of William H. Parrott Esqr. and by the said William H. Parrott of the said parish and declared as follows that a marriage shall forth will be Celebrated between the said Edwin B. Scott and Henrietta Matilda Pannell. The property of the said Henrietta Matilda Pannell which she brings into marriage as dotal amounts to thirty thousand Dollars consisting of her undivided shares in the Successions of her Grand mother Susan W. Wikoff also in the Succession of her uncle Manuel G. Wikoff, also in the Succession of her deceased Mother Francis Wikoff, wife of Daniel Pannell deceased, And it is hereby agreed that this property shall as soon as conveniently it can be done be invested in the name and for the use of the Said future wife in real property and slaves which shall represent the said property so brought into the Said marriage and be constituted the dotal property of the said future wife. In witness whereof the parties to this Contract have hereto affixed their signatures in presence of D. S. Parish and of R. H. Rivers Competent witnesses & of me the aforesaid Parish Judge at the time & place first above written. Edwin B. Scott Matilda Pannell Eliza M. Parrott Wm. H. Parrot Witness D. S. Parrish & R. H. Rivers Geo. King P. Judge ****** Jean Louis Hastier To Celesie Fuselier Sale of Land Recorded 26th July 1837 (need translation) Aujourd'hui le huitieme jour du mois de Juillet de l'anne'e mil huit cent trente sept et la soixante deuxieme de l'independence des Etats Unis d'Amerique. Pardevant Louis T.Caire, notaire Public dans et pour la ville et paroisse de la Nouvelle orleans, dument Commissione' et assermutete' et en pre'sence de temoins ci apres nomme's et Soussigne's, fut presente Marie Louise Chauvin f. C. l. epouse de Jean Louis Hastier h. c. l. de lui pour ce present dument et specialement assistee et autorise' a l'effet des presentes demeurant touts dune en cette ville, rue des Mayades. Laquelle a par ces pre'sentes, vendu, ce'de', quitte, transporte', et abandonne' avec garantee de tous troubles, detes hypotheques, evictions, alienations et autre empechements quelconques. A Celesie Fuselier f. c. l. demeurant aux Opelousas Parsoisse St. Landry, et ce j[?]our en cette ville, ici presentes et acceptant acquireur pour elle, sesw heriteurs et ayant Cause, un arpent de terre situe' et attenant aux lots de terre de la ville des Opelousas, Cornu a l'Est par la propriete de Joseph Z. Hanchette ay nord par celle d'Honore' de la chaise, a l'Ouest par celle de Richard Badger et au sud par celle de Robert Taylor, ensemble aved toutes le ame'liorations qui y sont desous, droits, actions et privileges Sans aucune exception ni reserve. Le tout bien cornu de la dite acquireure [sp?] qui de'clare l'avoir un et visite' a loisir et nin [sp?] pas demandeer d'avantage. L'arpent de terre ci dessous venu appartient a la dite venderesse au moyen du transfer que lui en a fait Lloyd Posey par acte sous signatures privies passi aux Opelousas le seize Fevrier mil huit cent trieze. Lequel transfer a ete Signe' en presence de James Ray et Robert Taylor, ainsi quils sont declare' [Page 132] sous serment prite' devant George King, Juge de la paroisse St. Landry le dix neuf Juin mil huit Cent vingt. Et le dit Sieur Lloyd Posey en etait proprietaire pour s'en etre rendu adjudicataire a la vente publique faite sur Saini le treize Novembre mil huit cent onze par Samuel Hamilton Constable des Opelousas, en vertu d'un writ de Fieri [sp?] Facias a lui addresse' contre Benjamin Andrus a la poursuite de Robert Taylor agent de William Jones, ainsi que le tout appart [sp?] plus amplement d'une p--- [appears to be two dotted i's] dument Certifie par le dit Juge King, laquelle est demeuree' ci ann--e'e pour y avoir recurs au besoin. La dite acquisuire a declare quelle ne desirait pas quil fut fait d'autre e'nouce' que celui qui precede sur les titres de proprietes, sa reservant d'ailleurs leffet plein et entier de la garantei que lui doit la venderesse et a laquelle elle S'est ci dessus oblige'e --ver elle. La presente vente est faite et acceptee pour et mayennant al somme de quatre cents piastres que la dite enderesse reconnait avoir presentement recue de la dite acqueruire [sp?] en espices, ayant cours de Monnau [sp?] comptus et delivrees hor la vue de Notaire et des temoins soussigne's, dont quittance pure et Simple. Attendu le dit paniment la dite venderesse suet [sp?] et subroge la dite acquireure dans tous les droits de propriete' et autres quelle a ou puit avoir sur l'arpent de terre ci dessus decrit, [illegible] dans tous le droits de Recours en guarantie et actions quelconques quelle att [?] pourrait avoir a e-erur [sp?] contre [contu?] les amiens proprietaires, se dessaisessant [sp?] de tous les dits droits et actions en favoeur de la dite acquiruere [sp?] voulant quelle en soit sai-e et revetue [sp?] pour en y ouir, faire et disposer connu de chose lui appartenant au moyen des presentes. Les parties eeclarent decharges plument [sp?] et intirement le notaire soussigne' de toute responsibilite' au sujet de l'obligatoin que la loi lui impose Relativisment au certicat qui d-orait etre Represente' d Conservateur des hypothiques du lien ou se trouve situe' l'arpent de terre objet des presentes, et de plus elles [sp?] sobligenant solidairement a le garantir de tous recourset de tous evisiaments [sp?] a ce sujet envers et conte tous. Au Surplus la dite femme Hastier de'clare quil nexiste contre elle Aucune hypothique Sur l'arpent de terre presentement vendu. La dite venderesse declare en outre quille n'est charge'e de la tutelle [sp?] ni de la Curatelle d'aucune mineur [sp?], inter dit ni absent. Dont act fait et passe' en L'etude a la Nouvelle-Orleans les jour, mois et an que dessus, en presence de Mssrs. Charles Dashautel [sp?] & Philipe Lacoste, temoins au requis et domicilies en cette ville, lesquels ont signe' avec moi notaire et les parties ayant declare' ne savoir e'crire ne' signer ont fait leur marque Ordinaire apres lecture fait (Signe') Femme x Hastier Cile'sie x Fusilier Jean Louis x Hastier Charles Darcautel Phi. Lacoste Louis F. Caire not[aire]. Pub[lic]. Pour Copie conforme a L'original reste en mon etude pour recours. Enfoi dequoi j'ai signe le present et y ai approve' le sceu de mon office A la nouvelle orleans le huitieme jour du mois de Juillet de l'annee mil huit cent trente sept. Louis T. Caire Notaire Public ****** Louis & Benjamin Andrus To E. B. Scott & Wife Sale of Land & Slaves Recorded 26th July 1837 This deed made the twenty six day of July in the year One thousand eight hundred and thirty seven between Lewis Andrus & Benjamin Andrus of the State of Louisiana and Parish of St. Landry of the one part and Edwin B. Scott and Henrietta Matilda Pannell his wife of the other part the said Henrietta being authorised [sic] to the effect of these presents by her said husband of the same State & Parish aforesaid Witnesseth: That for & in consideration of the premises herein after expressed they the said Lewis Andrus & Benjamin Andrus have bargained and sold and do by this public act grant bargain, sell, alien, transfer confirm, set over and deliver unto them the said Edwin B. Scott and Henrietta Matilda Pannell his wife the following described property, towit, a certain tract or parcel of land situate in the aforesaid Parish and lying in the prairie Bellevue bonded on the North by land of the Estate of the late Robert Rogers deceased and on the South by Joel West having seventeen & one fifth arpents front, twelve arpens of which has forty in depth and five & one fifth, forty two arpens in depth, and containing six hundred and ninety eight & two fifth superficial arpens, a negro man named Edward aged abt. thirty two years, a negro woman named Milly wife of Edward aged abt. twenty eight years, a negro boy child of Milly named Claiborn aged abt. seven years, a negro woman named Caroline aged about twenty six years, a nagrbatto [sic][sp?] boy named Levi aged abt. eight years child of Caroline, a boy named Edward also child of Caroline aged abt. four years, a negro man named Grimmage [sic] aged abt. sixty years, a negro woman named Nancy wife of Grimmage aged abt. thirty years, a negro boy named Lu [Lee?] aged abt. twelve years, child of Nancy, a negro boy named Handerson aged abt. nineteen years, a negro woman named Hannah aged abt. thirty five years, a mulatto girl [Page 133] named Phillis aged abt. fifteen years, a negro girl named Daphne aged abt. thirteen years, a negro girl named Nancy aged abt. eight years, a negro boy named John aged abt. five years, a negro girl named Prescillia aged abt. three years, a negro girl named Sarah aged abt. one year, a negro woman named Mary aged abt. nineteen years, with her child a girl named Maria abt. one year old, a negro man named Adam aged abt. fifty five years and a negro girl named Celia aged abt. eighteen years, also the work horses, oxen, gentle & wild Cattle bearing the Brand thus [capital 'J' followed by a capital B which has its mirror using the same stem] the flock of sheep and stock of hogs, the Carts, ploughs & harrows and other farming utensils attached to and belonging to the Plantation. To have and to hold the aforesaid plantation with the buildings and improvements thereto appertaining [sic] together with the Crop now growing thereon, and also the Said slaves, horses, oxen, horned Cattle, sheep, hogs, carts, ploughs, harrows and other farming utensils to them the said Edwin B. Scott & Henrietta Matilda Pannell his wife and to their heirs executors and administrators forever. And the Said Lewis Andrus and Benjamin Andrus for themselves their heirs executors & Administrators the tract of land so described as aforesaid with all and singular the buildings and improvements thereto appertaining [sic] and the crop growing thereon together with the above described twenty one slaves, the work horses, oxen, horned Cattle, sheep, hogs, Carts, ploughs, harrows and other farming utensils against the lawful claims of all persons whatsoever, to them the Said Edwin B. Scott and Henrietta Matilda Pannell his wife and to their heirs, executors administrators and assigns do warrant and will forever defend. This Sale is made for and in Consideration of the Sum of nineteen thousand five hundred dollars payable as follows towit, the sum of two thousand six hundred and nineteen dollars in a note drawn in favor of Eliza M. Parrott by Hebert & Daniel with John H. Overton Security, the sum of two thousand seven hundred and four dollars in a note drawn in favor of Eliza M. Parrott by Abram H. Andrus, Benj. F. Linton & Antoine Dejean, a note drawn by the purchasers in favor of the Sellors [sic] for three thousand three hundred dollars payable one month after date, a note drawn by the purchasers for eight hundred & Seventy seven dollars payable on the first day of November next, and the Sum of ten thousand dollars in a note drawn by the purchasers in favor of the Sellors [sic] payable on the first day of May next, which last mentioned three notes bear equal date with these presents and are Signed 'New varutur [sp?]' by the undersigned Parish Judge & Notary Public and will bear interest at the rate of ten percent per annum from the time they b[illegible]fully fall due, until payment. It is stipulated that the aforesaid bargained & sold land & slaves be and remain specially mortgaged to the sellors [sic] & to their heirs and assigns to Secure the payment of the purchase money until the entire amount and the interest which may accrue thereon shall have been paid. The purchasers dispense with the production of the Certificate required by the 3328th Article of the Louisiana Code or any subsequent law on the subject of mortgages and exhonerate [sic] the notary from all responsibility or liability which might have accrued in consequence of such non-production. It is understood that the aforesaid purchase money will be paid out of the inheritances of the said Henrietta Matilda Pannell from the estates of her mother, grand mother, and uncle and therefore becomes her dotal property. Mrs. Mary M. Andrus wife of the Said Lewis Andrus acting herein with the consent of her said husband and being over the age of twenty one years, after hearing this Deed read, & being informed by the undersigned Parish Judge of the nature of her rights did, out of the presence of her Said husband renounce in favor of the Said Edwin B. Scott & Henrietta Matilda Pannell all her matrimonial, dotal, paraphernal & other rights which she may have upon the above described tracts of land & slaves, ceeding [sic] & transfer[r]ing the same to the Said Edwin B. Scott & Henrietta Matilda Pannell their heirs and assigns. In testimony of all which the said Lewis Andrus, Benjamin Andrus & Mary M. Andrus have hereunto signed and also the said Edwin B. Scott & Henrietta Matilda Pannell accepting this Sale in presence of Benoist Debaillon and Richard M. Garwood Competent witnesses and before George King Parish Judge and ex-officio Notary Public at Opelousas the day & year first above written. Lewis Andrus, Benjn. Andrus, Edwin B. Scott, Mary M. Andrus, H. M. Scott Witnesses Bt. Debaillon & Richard M. Garwood, Charles Porter, Wm. H. Parrott Geo. King P. Judge [Page 134] ****** Zenon Quibedeau To Francois Robin Sale of Lot Recorded 31 July 1837 This Deed made the thirty first day of July in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven between Zinon Quebedeau of the State of Louisiana and Parish of St. Landry of the one part and Francois Robin of the same State & Parish aforesaid of the other part Witnesseth that for and in consideration of the sum of sixty dollars Cash in hand paid, the receipt whereof is hereby Acknowledged he the said Zinon Quebedeau has bargained and sold, and does by these presents grant, bargain, sell, alien, confirm Transfer and deliver unto him the said Francois Robin a certain lot of Ground situated in the aforesaid Parish and lying near the Grand Coteau Church, being lot Number thirty in the village laid off at the --d of the land of Robert Burleigh dece3ased and being the same purchased by the said Zinon Quibedeau at the Sale of the estate of the Said Robert Burleigh on the eighth day of April in the year One thousand eight hundred and twenty two. To have and to hold the Said lot of ground to him the Said Francois Robin his heirs, exect. adminst. & assigns forever, with guarantie [sic] of title against the lawful claims of all persons whatsoever, the Certificate Required to be produced by the 3328th Article of the Louisiana Code is dispensed with. In Testimony whereof the parties have hereunto Signed in presence of Richard M. Garwood and Benoist Debaillon and before George King Parish Judge in and for the Parish aforesaid at Opelousas the day & Year first above written. Zinon x Quebodeau (seal) Fcois. Robin (seal) Witness Richd. M. Garwood & Bt. Debaillon Geo. King P. Judge ****** Raphael J. Smith & wife, Marie Climence Guilbeau To Citizen's Bank Mortgage [includes slaves] Recorded 31st July 1837 Before me George King Parish Judge and ex-officio Notary Public duly commissioned and Sworn for the Parish of St. Landry State of Louisiana therein residing and in presence of the undersigned witnesses. Personally came and appeared Raphael J. Smith and Marie Climence Guilbeau his wife, by him duly authorised [sic], domiciliated [sic] in the aforesaid Parish of St. Landry, who declared that the said Raphael J. Smith having subscribed for sixty shares of one hundred dollars each forming in the aggregate the sum of six thousand dollars in the Capital Stock of the Citizens Bank of Louisiana, created and incorporated by an act of the Legislature, approved on the first of April Eighteen hundred and thirty three, they acknowledged themselves by these presents, to be conjointly and 'in Solidum' indebted to the Said Bank in the Said Sum of Six thousand dollars account of said Shares. And in order to secure his said shares in the Capital Stock of said Bank, and also to Secure the payment of the principal and interest of the loan raised or to be raised to form the Capital of said Bank by the issue of Bonds Signed by the Governor of the State of Louisiana in favor of the said Citizens Bank countersigned by the Secretary and Treasurer of State and under the seal of the State, they do by these presents jointly and severally mortgaged in favor of the Citizens Bank of Louisiana, the following described property, towit, A tract of Land situate in the aforesaid Parish of St. Landry and lying in the Prairie of the Grand Coteau having six arpens front on the south side of the bayou Bourben [sp?] by forty arpens in depth & containing two hundred and forty superficial arpens adjoining on one die to land of Humbert Perodin and on the other side to land formerly belonging to the widow Charles Smith, and now to Robert E. Smith together with the improvements thereon, it being the same tract confirmed by commissioner's Certificate marked A. No. 468. And also a tract of land situated on the north side of the said bayou Bourbun, opposite the above described tract and Containing one hundred and seventy three superficial arpens being the same confirmed by Commissioner's Certificate marked B No. 1181, the two tracts acquired by the Mortgagor by purchase at the sale of the Estate of the late Benjamin A. Smith and Elizabeth Hardy his wife both deceased. Also the following described slaves, towit a negro man named Aaron aged abt. thirty years, a negro woman named Harriet aged abt. twenty two years, a negro girl named Henrietta aged abt. four years, a negro girl named Sarah Ann abt. six months old & a negro woman named Arthelia aged abt. twenty years. All which property is to remain thus mortgaged until the said bonds shall have been paid and Redeemed in Capital and interest or until the Said Raphael J. Smith shall have paid the amount of his shares, and have Reambursed [sic] the loan which he may have obtained as Stock holder. Unless he should have previously transfer[r]ed his shares, and have been [Page 135] entirely discharged by the Bank. The Said Raphael J. Smith and Marie Clemence Guilbeau his wife agree that the present hypothecary obligation granted by them to Secure said stock and the re[-]embursement of any loan which he the Said Raphael J. Smith may or shall have obtained of said Bank shall bear interest at the rate of ten per cent per annum if not punctually paid when due and that all the above described property shall likewise remain specially mortgaged to secure the payment of such eventual interest. The said Mrs. Marie Clemence Guilbeau does hereby Renounce in favor of said Bank, all rights and privileges whether dotal or of any other King of nature whatsoever which she may have upon the above described property, ceding and transfer[r]ing her said rights to the said Bank. The said Raphael J. Smith & Marie Clemence Guilbeau his wife further agree that if the Bank should hereafter discover that the titles to the above described property are defective or that said property is subject to any tacit or other mortgage, the Bank shall have the right to Cause the Stock to be sold, and to enact the immediate Re[-]embursement of any loan which may have been obtained thereon, unless however, the said Raphael J. Smith should prefer substituting other property of which the titles should be indisputable. The said Raphael J. Smith and Marie Clemence Guilbeau his wife also agree that whenever it shall be proved to the satisfaction of the board of directors of said Bank, that the property now mortgaged is no longer of sufficient value to secure said stock the bank shall have the right to enact additional security, and in case of refund or neglect of the said Raphael J. Smith to furnish the required additional Mortgage the Bank will have the Right to Cause said stock to be sold in whole or in part and to Cause the property Mortgaged to be sold in order to obtain the re[-]embursement of the sum that may have been loaned to him the said Raphael J. Smith as stockholders. According to the Certificate of the Recorded of mortgages hereto annexed, and made a part of this Act it appears that no mortgage exists on the aforesaid property. Whereas the final apportionment of Stock among the subscribers to the Capital of the Citizens Bank of Louisiana has not yet been made and that the number of shares to which each of them will be entitled Cannot yet be determined, the Said Raphael J. Smith & Marie Climence Guilbeau his wife Acknowledge that the present Mortgage is subject to such deduction as may take place upon a final apportionment of the Stock. The present mortgage will have to be accepted by authentic Act by the President of the said Citizens Bank of Louisiana and the said Mortgage and acceptation will have to be registered in the Office of the Recorder of Mortgages in the Said Parish of St. Landry and the Judge of said Parish will have to furnish a certificate that said inscriptions have been made and that there has been no new Mortgage or privilege inscribed or alienation made of the above described premises before the said Raphael J. Smith will be Recognised as a Stockholder of the Citizens Bank. This done & passed at my office in the Town of Opelousas this thirty first day of July in the year One thousand eight hundred & thirty seven. Raphael J. Smith M. Climase [sic] Guilbeau Witness R. E. Smith, Edm. Millard Geo. King P. Judge Etat de la Louiisane Paroisse St. Landry Bureau des hypotheques. Le conservateur des hypotheques, soussigne's certifie quil n'existe sur les registres de son bureau aucune hypothique contre Raphael J. Smith et Marie Clemence Guilbeau son epouse, soit conventionalle [sp?] ou legalle Opelousas le 31 Juillet 1837. Garrigues flaujac conservateur ****** John Doyle and wife, Bridget Redmond To Citizens Bank Mortgage [includes slaves] Recorded 31st July 1837 Before me George King Parish Judge and ex-officio Notary Public duly Commissioned and sworn for the Parish of St. Landry State of Louisiana therein residing and in presence of the undersigned witnesses. Personally Came and appeared John Doyle and Mrs. Bridget Redmond his wife, by him duly authorised [sic], domicilated in the aforesaid Parish of St. Landry who declared that the said John Doyle having Subscribed for fifty six shares of one hundred dollars each forming in the aggregate the sum of five thousand six hundred dollars in the Capital Stock of the Citizens Bank of Louisiana created & incorporated by an act of the Legislature, approved on the first of April Eighteen hundred and thirty three they acknowledged themselves by these presents, to be conjointly and 'in Solidum' indebted to the Said Bank in the Said Sum of five thousand six hundred dollars amount of said Shares. And in order to secure his said shares or subscription in the Capital Stock of said Bank, and also to Secure the payment of the principal and interest of the loan raised or to be raised to form the Capital of said Bank by the issue of Bonds Signed by the Governor [Page 136] of the State of Louisiana in favor of the said Citizens Bank countersigned by the Secretary and Treasurer of State, and under the seal of the State, they do by these presents jointly and severally mortgaged in favor of the Citizens Bank of Louisiana, the following described property, towit, A tract of Land situated in the aforesaid Parish of St. Landry and lying in the Prairie of the Grand Coteau, bounded on the North by land of Robert Barry and on the South by Joseph Guedry containing three hundred and ten superficial arpens, one half of said tract was acquired by the Mortgager by purchase at the Sale of the Estate of Landre' Lage' deceased, on the Seventeenth day of February one thousand eight hundred and thirty two And the other half by purchase from Ursin Lavergne on the fifth day of January one thousand eight hundred and thirty five. Also two slaves towit, A negro woman named Eliza aged abt. twenty years with her child a girl name[d] Charlotte ab[ou]t. three years old. All which property is to remain thus Mortgaged until all said Bonds shall have been paid and Redeemed in Capital and interest or until the Said John Doyle shall have paid the amount of his shares, and have re[e]mbursed the Loan which he may have obtained as stockholder, unless he should have previously transfer[r]ed his shares and have been entirely discharged by the Bank. The Said John Doyle and Bridget Redmond his wife agree that the present hypothecary obligation granted by them to Secure said stock and the re[-]embursement of any loan which he the Said Raphael J. Smith may or shall have obtained of said Bank shall bear interest at the rate of ten per cent per annum if not punctually paid when due, and that all the above described property shall likewise remain specially mortgaged to secure the payment of such eventual interest. The said Mrs. Bridget Redmond does hereby Renounce in favor of said Bank, all rights and privileges whether dotal or of any other King of nature whatsoever which she may have upon the above described property, ceding and transfer[r]ing her said rights to the said Bank. The said John Doyle and Bridget Redmond, his wife further agree that if the Bank should hereafter discover that the titles to the above described property are defective or that said property is subject to any tacit or other mortgage, the Bank shall have the right to Cause the Stock to be sold, and to enact the immediate Re[-]embursement of any loan which may have been obtained thereon, unless however, the said John Doyle and Bridget Redmond should prefer substituting other property of which the titles should be indisputable. The said John Doyle And Bridget Redmond his wife also agree that whenever it shall be proved to the satisfaction of the board of directors of said Bank, that the property now mortgaged is no longer of sufficient value to secure said stock the bank shall have the right to enact additional security, and in case of refusal or neglect of the said John Doyle to furnish the required additional Mortgage the Bank will have the Right to Cause said stock to be sold in whole or in part and to Cause the property Mortgaged to be sold in order to obtain the re[-]embursement of the sum that may have been loaned to him the said John Doyle as stockholder. According to the Certificate of the Recorded of mortgages hereto annexed, and made a part of this Act it appears that no mortgage exists on the aforesaid property. Whereas the final apportionment of Stock among the subscribers to the Capital of the Citizens Bank of Louisiana has not yet been made, and that the number of shares to which each of them will be entitled Cannot yet be determined, the Said John Doyle and Bridget Redmond his wife acknowledge that the present Mortgage is subject to such reduction as may take place upon a final apportionment of the Stock. The present mortgage will have to be accepted by authentic act by the President of the said Citizens Bank of Louisiana and the said Mortgage and acceptation will have to be registered in the Office of the Recorder of Mortgages in the Said Parish of St. Landry and the Judge of said Parish will have to furnish a certificate that said inscriptions have been made and that there has been no new Mortgage or privilege inscribed or alienation made of the above described premises before the said John Doyle will be Recognised as a Stockholder of the Citizens Bank. This done & passed at my office in the Town of Opelousas this thirty first day of July in the year One thousand eight hundred & thirty seven. John Doyle Bridget Redmond Witness, Raphl. J. Smith Edm. Millard Geo. King P. Judge Etat de la Louiisane Paroisse St. Landry Bureau des hypotheques. Le conservateur des hypotheques, soussigne', certifie quil n'existe sur les registres de son Bureau, aucune hypothique contre John Doyle & Bridget Redmond [illegible] epouse sur une terre situee au Grand Coteau dans cette Paroisse Continant trois cents dix arpens de superficie plus sur les Esclaves Eliza agee de 20 ans avec son enfant Charlotte [Page 137] agee de 3 ans. Opelousas le 31 Juillet 1837. Garrigues flaujac Cons[ervateur]. Source: Family History Library Microfilm #1412749, Item 3, Notarial Records, St. Landry Parish, Page 115-137.