1791 Last Will and Testament of Antoine Simien (Simian), St Landry Pr. LA
Submitter: Anthony Guillory


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On the 25th of October 1791 at the demand of Messer. 
Antoine Simian, Merchant resident in the military post, 
we Nicolas Forstall, Regent of New Orleans, Civil and 
Military Commander of this post, went at Antoine's home 
and he appeared to us, however he was sick, of good mind, 
memory and intelligence.  And he wants to, previous 
to the hour of his death, and he was afraid to die without 
disposing of the little he owned and that God gave him, and 
he felt well to dictate and sound to us to command his last 
will and testament, in the presence of the witnesses:  
Messer. Francois Siriod, Jean Pousary, et Francois Brun.

1)   Like a true Christian and Catholic he gives up the 
ghost to the name of God the father, the son and the holy 
spirit, and he implores the good divinity and Jesus Christ 
and the Blessed Virgin and St. Antoine and all saints to 
place him in paradise with the Blessed.

2)   He wants that the executor of his will to pay all his 
debts.

3)   He wishes and requests that his body be buried in the 
cemetery of his parish, and the executor can make his funeral 
in the way that he judges decent or correct.

4)   He gives $10 to the Church to make a mass for the 
eternal rest of his soul.
 
5)   He gives to his negress Marie who he liberated from 
slavery, all the land with all buildings that he possessed in 
this post, as well as the furniture of his home and all his 
clothes, without reserve.
 
6)   He gives to the mulatto Louis, son of the negress 
Marie, age two years old, and little negro Antoine age 5 
years old, who is also the son of Marie, and Marie cannot 
in any way sell or alienate the little negro Antoine, and 
the mulatto Louis can dispose of Antoine when of age and 
the law will permit him.  And, he will stay here in the 
care and service of Marie.

And for the other property, buildings, furniture, he gives 
them without reserve or exception to Louis Rideau, resident 
of this post, his dear friend who he named executor of his 
will and his sole legatee, and Louis Rideau can dispose to 
his benefit or can return them to my parents in Marseille in 
the parish of St. Jean.  And that Antoine declares that all 
his property are the product of his work, and industry and 
which come in no manner from his father or mother, Etttienne 
Simian & Marie Greniere, because instead of receiving from them 
he has helped them in their needs since his activities and 
economy have giving him the means.  It was ordered by Antoine 
that we, the Commander, the negress and all others, do before 
each other agree that this is his last will and testament and 
that we read it to him twice and he acknowledge hearing it.  
This will is written at the home of Antoine Simian and he signed 
it with his mark, in the presence of witnesses who signed the will 
on the 25th of October, 1791.