1823 French Property Disbursement Manuscript Relating to the Raymond Family

On offer is an outstanding example of a complete French legal agreement dating from the years immediately following the fall of Napoleon Bonaparte. It was drafted in Bordeaux for a family group that lived in the neighbouring village of Le Bouscat. Context indicates that the document lays out an agreement to distribute items from two parents to a group of siblings, possibly a will. 

The document begins with a listing of the parties involved:

Par devant Jean Dechamet son cet collegue notaries a Bordeaux soussignies Ont comparu Marie Raymond epouse assistee et autorisee de Guilbert Dupuis rouleur avec qui elle demeure, commune de Bouscat pret Bordeaux d'un part; Anne Raymond fille majeure demeurant au meme lieu d'autre part; Pierre Raymond, charpentier de haute futaie habitant egalement au Bouscat d'autre part; Pascal Raymond charpentier de haute futaie habitant au meme endrois d'autre part; et Bertrand Raymond aussi charpentier de haute futaie demeurent a Bordeaux place croix de Leguey No [] encore d'autre part.

[Translation: In front of Jean Dechamet and his colleague notaries in Bordeaux undersigned Have appeared Marie Raymond assisted and authorized wife of Guilbert Dupuis a carter with whom she remains, in the district of Bouscat near Bordeaux on the one hand; Anne Raymond, an adult daughter, residing in the same place on the other hand; Pierre Raymond, a high forest carpenter also living in Bouscat on the other hand; Pascal Raymond a high forest carpenter living in the same place on the other hand; and Bertrand Raymond, also a high forest carpenter, living in Bordeaux at the place Croix de Leguey No [ ], on the other hand]. 

The document continues by indicating the source of the goods to be dispersed as indicated in this excerpt:

Lesquels voulant procéder au partage les biens immeubles qui leur ont ete delais les par Harteal Raymond et Marie Heynard, leurs pere et mere.

[Translation: Which ones wanting to share the immovable property which has been delivered to them by Harteal Raymond and Marie Heynard, their father and mother]

The document then goes on to detail the various items and the terms under which they will be given to each person.

The document ends with each person acknowledging their acceptance of the terms and then adding their signatures.

For a historian, this is an excellent example of a legal transaction that so many people would be involved in at some point in their lives.

Dating from 1823, the document has 4 pages. They measure 11.5 inches by 8.25 inches. The pages are 100% complete. It is in good condition with some wear and discolouration along the edges. The document is completely handwritten and the handwriting, though faint in places, is legible. The document bears two printed seals as a form of letterhead and 2 stamped impressions.