Jean Alexander Menuret

October 20, 1790

As there is nothing more dear and sacred to me than the memory of my worthy and very respectable mother Elizabeth Menuret[1] born in France deceased in this city and that I Jean Alexander Menuret[2] her son and only Child owe onto her every thing and have nothing more at heart in case it shall please God to take me away from this world than to provide while I am able and as it is my Duty so to do that her will and intentions relative to the disposition of all that I do possess and of which I became possessor at her decease be fulfilled I think it is an indispensable Duty in me from this moment to assure the Execution thereby the present will which I make in that regard and which I request Mr. George Conrad Withoff[3] and Mr. Peter Frederick Dobrée[4] both of this city merchants to be Executors thereto the Confidence she had in one and the other of them the friendship she bore them and the Satisfaction she felt in thinking that these two Sentiments were something to both in her behalf are to me that first guarantee that they will not refuse me the favour and that follows the request of them I thus take the liberty to nominate and constitute them Executors to this my will which is to be considered as expressed the last proper will of my mother a will which her illness and time not having permitted her to make known to me herself. I do not think myself less obliged to interpret according to her conversations and the Sentiment of her heart have previously made known to me her will therefore borrowing mine and declared it to be as follows:

1^st I order therefore that immediately after my Death all that I may have in Money, Goods, Notes and bills of Exchange and Titles whatsoever as also my Books of accounts and all my papers and Effects of whatsoever nature they may be or be delivered unto the hands of my said Testamentary Executors and Mr. George Conrad Whithoff and Mr. Peter Frederick Dobrée for them to ballance the same as they may think most convenient and also the Small concerns I leave and pay all my just Debts and to dispose of the residue in that manner and shall hereafter proscribe.

2^nd For as much as Mrs. Elizabeth Wilkes[5] first cousin to my mother and wife to Mr. Israel Wilkes[6] actually residing at New York in the United States of North America is and always was from the most tender infancy of one and the other the bosom friend by preferment to my dear and Tender mother that I have no room to doubt that after my own person none in this world was more dear to my mother then said Mrs. Elizabeth Wilkes and her daughter Frances Wilkes[7] the God Daughter of my mother and being also conscious that if my mother was living no sentiment would be dearer or more satisfactory to her than to think that after her decease the fate of these two persons who were so Dear to her would thereby be bettered and besides this same Mrs. Elizabeth Wilkes is the daughter of a beloved uncle of my mother a long time since dead Mr. Josias De Ponthieu[8] who had been to her as also to me from my tenderest years a father and friend and therefore bequeath to the said Mrs. Elizabeth Wilkes and at her death to her said daughter Francis Wilkes to them personally and for them only the hereafter named Stock which my mother had in the Bank of England and which by late her death I became sole and only proprietor of viz^t a sum of one thousand pounds Sterling in that  Stock called [“?et” or “Kirtt”] per Cout Consolidated Bank Annuities and mort [amortized] over an annual Interest of twenty-two two shillings and four pence also Sterling yearly with the annuities of thirty years of the fifth of January one thousand seven hundred seventy eighty and in the annuity of twenty nine years of the fifth of January one thousand seven hundred seventy eight and in the annuity twenty nine years on the fifth of January one thousand seven hundred and seventy nine these two annuities joined and reconsolidated into one single annuity of twenty eight years from that fifteenth of January one thousand seven hundred and eighty by an act of Parliament of the nineteenth year of the Reign of his Majesty George the Third which said shares of Stock formerly the sole property of my mother and at present mine are to be found in the Books of the Bank aforesaid in the joint names of Elizabeth Menuret my said mother James Delacorte[9] senior and James Mossman[10] senior both these two last merchants in Spittle Square of London and whose names have been joined to my mothers the first as Guarantor to the Executive part of what concerns her in the will of her Grandmother Elizabeth Beaufils[11] and the second as the authorized attorney to my said mother to receive the dividends of the said Stock and amount with her for that same as it hath been done hitherto.

3^rd I moreover bequeath to the said Mrs. Elizabeth Wilkes and to her daughter Frances Wilkes to them and for them only all the Chattels whatever of my mother all her printed Books or manuscripts and all her Effects whatever except such trifles as I shall hereafter give a particular destination to be forwarded to them to New York without any thing thereof being embezzled. It is my will and I order that all of the household furniture plate Linen Bedding etc be also sent them to New York aforesaid except my Linen clothes and Effects for my own personal use for which I hereafter have made a disposition and also except such furniture whose bulk or small value would cost more [?] in sending over then they are worth and in which case they are to be sold and the produce thereof reimburse to the said Mrs. Elizabeth Wilkes and to her daughter Francis Wilkes however it is to be understood that herein is not included any thing which may belong to the Goods or particular personal attire of my mother which I desire may be sent such as they are without omitting the Smallest object to the said Mrs. Elizabeth Wilkes to New York and therein specially comprehending my mother’s picture in oil and my picture mounted in Gold and a Bracelet made when I was a child to be worn by her and afterwards by her said daughter Francis Wilkes.

4^th I bequeath to Mr. [Harry?] de Ponthieu[12] first cousin to my mother now actually or lately living number 29 Great Maddox St Hanover Square at London Brother to this said Mrs. Elizabeth Wilkes and consequently son to Mr. Josias DePonthieu my mother’s uncle already mentioned who has always been a good friend and relation to my mother one thousand two hundred Tournais Livres[13] say ₤1200

5^th I bequeath to the family of Menurets our good and dear relations the sum of two thousand four hundred Tournois Livres to be shared as follows ₤1200 pounds I say twelve hundred to Mr. Menuret[14] physician at Paris with a thousand thanks for his friendship and tender care of my mother and myself and for as much as both him and his family either of themselves or by their connections are and never can be otherwise than much at their last therefore this is meant only as a Simple remembrance left him by my mother and self and as such  I am persuaded can cannot be otherwise than agreeable and dear to him. ₤300 I say that three hundred French Livres to Mr. Menuret the Abbe[15] his brother also at Paris likewise as a simple remembrance of my mother and self and very little acknowledgement of our just affection to him. ₤300. I say three hundred French Livres is to Madame Menuret[16] his sister a nun in the convent of St. Ursule [Mountelimarot[17]?] in Dauphin also as a Slight remembrance and for which I request a ring as I presume not being able to inherit that one or other of her brothers already mentioned will purchase an annuity on her own Life which may serve her yearly as a small pension and add some trifle to her pocket money ₤600. I say six hundred 600 French Livres to Madame Solonion [“Solomon”?][18] also his [sic] sister born Menuret residing at Grignon in Provence also as a remembrance of my mother and self which I request she alone may dispose of being for her proper use.

6^th I bequeath unto my dear cousin Louisa Beckingham[19] my mother’s dear and beloved ward who is supposed at present to reside at Oswald near Canterbury in England the daughter of my mother’s good friend Mr. Daniel [Mosman?][20] junior of London already mentioned and to whom she bore a real motherly affection being particularly attached to her mother who is dead. Six hundred Livres is say ₤600 as a simple token of remembrance from my mother and self my said cousin being herself in very easy circumstances well married and provided for & I moreover bequeath unto her the Embroidered muslin robe of my mother on which she worked with her own hands also a diamond ring with a crest a mourning ring of my Said cousin’s mother having the crest of an name and a Cypress round the same these are things which I know will be dear to her and from her tender and constant affection towards my mother rendered her deserving of the same moreover the mourning ring of her uncle Charles [Mosman][21] in a white Enamel with regard to the father of my said cousin Mrs. Daniel [Mosman][22] senior of London already mentioned the ancient noble and cautious friend at all times of my mother which she on her side with a just and sincere affection returned whose fortune is considerable and cannot think of leaving him a Legacy and besides I should be sorry to diminish in any shape the obligations my mother owed him which I take upon myself and they will always be Dear to my mind nevertheless  he ought not [?] must he remain without some remembrance of us therefore I request that he will accept of two hundred and forty Livres Tournois is for a ring out of friendship to my mother and me her Son to show she has transmitted in her attachment for say ₤240 pounds

7^th I bequeath unto Mr. James Dalbiat[23] senior of London already mentioned the old and Good friend of my mother and to Madame Dalbiat[24] his spouse the Good relation an old friend of my mother two hundred forty Livres Tournois money each of them for a time as a token of the true constant and upright attachment that I know my mother bore to each of them say to ₤480.

8^th I bequeath to Mr. Francis [Thome][25] son of the late Francis [Thome?][26] I say of the late Francis [Thome?]  and nephew to the Deceased Dame Jane [Thome?][27] Cousin and one of my mother’s good friends in Dublin[28] the said Mr. Francis [Thome?] is at present a Broker in Dublin and as I am informed blessed with a large family one thousand two hundred Tournois Livres say ₤1200

9^th I bequeath to Madame Anna Brownsward[29] formerly Castlewayt in England who according to last amount received writ dated the 6 March 1785 at Mrs. John Page[30] her son in law at Oakley near Abington Berkshire the most beloved friend of my mother and for whom she had the highest regard her Toilet Boxes and looking Glass of Japan wood black Ground and figures in sets which I know my mother had intended for her at another time which I request may be sent her free of expense as having no other value but that of remembrance which I know will be pleasing to her and therefore I shall be glad she receives the same & I moreover bequeath onto her two hundred and forty Livres Tournois money for a ring for herself and one other for her daughter Charlotte Page the wife of Mr. John Page aforementioned and in case of the decease of the said to Madame Ann Brownsward I desire and it is my will foregoing legacies be wholly transferred and disposed of in the like manner to her said daughter Mrs. Charlotte Page say ₤240

10^th I bequeath to Miss. deGannay[31] of Vienna at [?te ?aret] in Dauphiny the old tender friend and neighbour of my mother who bore her a particular affection and whose intimate Society has been kept up by correspondence in which my mother found great satisfaction five hundred Tournois Livres as a token of remembrance well a slight acknowledgment of my mother Sentiment in her behalf say ₤500

11^th I bequeath to the Chevalier Sheraton[32] at Nantes two hundred and forty Tournois Livres for a ring in remembrance of my mother which feeble acknowledgment I hope will be rendered to accept of as a mark of the friendship and Confidence my poor mother had in him and of my Gratitude and hers she could now show it for all the care and disinterested trouble he has had during her late illness say ₤240

12^th I bequeath to Mr. George Conrad [Whihoff] and to Mr. Peter Frederick Dobrée already mentioned who will be pleased to be Executors to this will and to take on themselves as I herewith request them again that favour both on my part and on that of my mother the exact fulfilling all and every part of my will here prescribed two hundred forty Tournois Livres to each of them which I request [?] them to accept of as a Gift they no wise are in need of but for a ring as a simple remembrance of my mother and self requesting them to receive in advance my most lively and sincere thanks to which my poor mother would add her own if she could for this last service that they will be pleased to show to one or other of us and having already some pecuniary connections with Mr. [Whithof] I think it will be more natural if he would understand to take upon him what regards these objects and Mr. Dobrée I request him in trust the Bills and Letters and writings in English that may be found at my Death whose contents I trust entirely to his will known delivery and my will is that all papers containing only particular uninteresting things may be burnt that they may not fall into any strangers hands thus together say ₤480

13^th I bequeath to my two friends Christopher Schaub[33] and Victor Riel[34] both actually in Nantes the first a brother of Gerhardt and the other Clerk to Mr. [Sagony?] merchant to each other them two hundred forty Tournois Livres and all my Clothes and Effects saving to my personal use to be by them shared friendly and amicably amongst themselves in which Division I will that my gold watch fall to the share of Riel because I had it originally from him. It is truly but a slight token of my friendship and that of my mother towards them both as also my acknowledgment and also my mother’s if she could show it towards them for all the care that both of them [offered] towards her during her last illness. I request both of them as a last service to assist Mr. [Withoff] and Mr. Dobrée if need be in the executing of this my last Will and Testament and in case of Death or absence of these two Mr. [Withoff] and Mr. Dobrée I request and authorize for that purpose my said two friends Christopher Schaub and Victor Riel to be so kind as to replace them in the capacity of my Testamentary Executors in which case I transmit to them the same powers and recommend the same exact and entire execution of all the Caveats in this my will. If on making out the Inventory and Division of my personal effects they might find some trifles which they think would be agreeable and save as a token of remembrance to a third dear and absent friend they will oblige me to send the same to Mr. [Taure Bignet?][35] who is that friend and at present a merchant at Lyons residing in the Street Carreaux at the house of Mr. Charmitton[36] at Lyons aforesaid being the Eldest Son of Mr. [?tare] old Lieutenant at Crest in Dauphin.

14^th I bequeath to Mrs. Elizabeth Wilkes and at her death unto her daughter Frances Wilkes both above mentioned to them personally and for them only the residue which may remain of all my Estate after my legal Debts in the foregoing Services are paid provided always that those amongst the said Legacies bequeathed unto the said Mrs. Elizabeth Wilkes and after death to her said daughter. Frances Wilkes do have their full and whole effect in preference to and before any of those in mentioned after them because if by any Event there should not be a sufficiency to pay the last ones they are to be diminished each in the pro ratio of their Sum from what should be found sufficient to satisfy them my will is nevertheless that the Effects mentioned in several of my Legacies shall always have their prescribed distribution and that the value of the same Effects be not varied in amount on the Legacies in money to whom they belong. I will also that if against every expectation and without my having every knowledge thereof there should be found in the Will already mentioned of as a Elizabeth Beaufils Grandmother to my mother or in any other Clause or Circumstance that could be made valid against this fitt and liberal disposal that I do here make in the promises as aforesaid of the totality of the Sum already mentioned now in the Bank of England in favour of the said Mrs. Elizabeth Wilkes and at her death to her said daughter Frances Wilkes to her personally and for her only and that this disposal of the Totality of the said Sum in their favour should count against my will and pleasure to be disputed them then and in such Case although I cannot imagine or foresee such a thing I am obliged to annul and do thereby annul all the other  Legacies of money hereto before mentioned. I do not mean to alter it be destination of Clothes and particular Effects above-mentioned excepting those to Mr. George Conrad [Whithoff] and to Mr. Peter Frederick Dobrée my Testamentary Executors which I leave to remain and excepting which I bequeath in the said case all my Estate and what I die possessed of to the said Mrs. Elizabeth Wilkes and at her death to her said daughter Frances Wilkes to her personally and for her alone for as much as this will be to them a small independence in which my mothers wish will be as much as possible fulfilled and attaining this End the most precious of any to me and which would not be effected if the particular Legacies to other persons bequeathed as above were to stand good Legacies which in all cases would in general only be considered as Simple tokens of remembrance. It is laid on me in said case to be obliged to renounce my gratitude and to expose such an avowal however slight they may be yet those friends of my mother and my own will not be offended thereat for they will not see the grounds of our Friendship and Esteem but rather the limits of our fortune which leaving many duties to fulfill obliges me to [?] only to those duties which I esteem the most Sacred to me and moreover order and will that in case of Death at the executing this my will of any of the Legatee there named there and in such Case the Legacies bequeathed to such Legatee’s shall be transferable to the said Mrs. Elizabeth Wilkes and to her daughter Francis Wilkes to her personally and to return only however always excepting to Mrs. Francis Thome already mentioned which is to remain reversible to his family and those to Mr. George Conrad Withoff] and Peter Frederick Dobrée which are to remain reversible to those by whom they are or succeeded in the quality of Executors to this my last will and in case of Death at the Executing of this my will of the said Mrs. Elizabeth Wilkes it is clearly understood and my will is that then and in such case all what I here have bequeathed unto her and by this my will attributed to her shall be reversible and transferable unto her said daughter Francis Wilkes personally and in all property and in case of Death also of the last and consequently of both at the executing of this my will in such case I will that the whole of Clothes, furniture, plate, Books and effects whatsoever bequeathed and attributed to the said Mrs. Elizabeth Wilkes and to her said daughter Francis Wilkes by this my will shall be reversible and transferred to my Dear Cousin Louisa Beckingham already mentioned and that the residue of what is bequeathed and attributed by this my will to the said Mrs. Elizabeth Wilkes and her said daughter Francis Wilkes consisting in money both in the Bank of England and elsewhere shall be reversible transferred and shared in matter following to the hereinafter named persons Viz^t one third part to the Heirs of the said Mrs. Elizabeth Wilkes or her said daughter Francis Wilkes one sixth part to Mrs. [?] F. Pouthion one sixth part to Mr. Menuret the physician one sixth part to Mrs. Dalbiat the wife of Mr.James Dalbiat senior and at her death at the execution of this my will to her husband the said Mr. Francis Dalbiat senior and finally one sixth part to Mr. Francis [Thome] all of them persons already mentioned in this my will and I request Mr. [Withoff?] and Mr. Dobrée and my friends Riel and Shaub particularly attend to that on behalf of a circle of my mother’s hair which will be found amongst my Effects her small gold Earrings which she daily wore for her Gold wedding ring and the mourning ring of my father John Alexander Menuret[37] be carefully sent with the other Effects above mentioned to Mrs. Elizabeth Wilkes aforesaid to New York and the other half of the Circle of my mothers hair be sent to my dear Cousin Louisa Beckingham in England with the other trifles destined for her I desire also that previous to the sending the picture of my mother in oil Colours already mentioned to Mrs. Elizabeth Wilkes and her daughter Francis at New York two good copies be taken of the same one of which is to be sent to my cousin Louisa Beckingham and the other to Mrs. Gilbert at [?] in England widow of Mr. Samuel Gilbert of [?chester] aforesaid who died at Nantes and was taken care of by my mother in his last moments. It is on the side of him in that Protestant Churchyard of that City that agreeable to her wish which she previously had communicated to the said Mr. Dobrée where that attentive friend has taken care to have her buried and it is on her side that I also request to be buried in case I die at Nantes and in case of Death of the said Mrs. Elizabeth Wilkes and her daughter Francis Wilkes at the Executing of this my will I then desire that the whole Circle of my mother’s hair, her small Ear rings, her wedding rings and mourning ring of my mother I say of my father already mentioned be sent to my dear cousin Louisa Beckingham aforesaid and in case of Death also of this last person I request that these things may be scrupulously and respectfully buried with me as in all cases that persons mentioned in this my will can only see the expressions of those Sentiments of my mother and my own in their behalf and as I no wise doubt they would be agreeable to them it would be extremely pleasing and satisfactory to me to think that these last annotations were not unacquainted to them and therefore I desire that each of them be informed of the Contents of this my will and I declare that all the preceeds is my last Will and Testament the whole of which will form one end to the other is wrote by my own hand after having read it word for word and I declare to [persist?] in all its contents for it to have its full and entire execution and here reaffirming as much as need to be for my said executors to this my will namely Mr. George Conrad [Withoff] and Peter Frederick Dobrée whom I request as soon as I am dead to deposit this my will in the office of any Notary they please or to make any other formality that may be needful to assert the value and the full and entire Execution of this my said will thus done and closed under my firm [?] at Nantes this twentieth day of October one thousand seven hundred ninety leaving beside the present original wrote on twelve  pages numbered by me from first to last to remain amongst my papers signed a copy of the same contents and date also wrote entirely by my own hand and on twelve parts also all numbered by me from first to last to be deposited in the hands of Mr. George Conrad [Withoff]  one of the Executors to this my will aforesaid and I approve in the present original the words trouvez corrected on the thirtieth Time moreover the word [?] corrected on the sixteenth part and [?] line of the seventh page moreover the conjunction and interlined in that ninth page between the fifth or ninth line moreover the three words re qui est in the margin of the tenth page at the beginning of the twelfth line signed J. A. Menurat.

Considering the present circumstances and by the pressing events of the day of I revoke Messrs. Dobrée and [Withoff]  whom I had named for Executors of the present will as also Mr.’s Riel and Schaub whom I had also named for their substitutes and I at present name in their Stead and for Sole Executor of this will Mr. Louis Simond[38]  merchant of New York in the United States of North America now the husband of Mrs. Francis Wilkes mentioned in the present will leaving to the sensibility and Judgment of the said Mr. Simond of his said wife and the mother of the last mentioned Mrs. Elizabeth Wilkes mentioned in this will after considering their own Situation which I expect they will be for any other thing if they [?] should think of favouring in anything they may Judge proper and at their own will and pleasure such amongst the Legatee’s as are named in this will whom from the best information they are assured to be in want thereof excepting the Abbe Menuret who is not living and Mr. Menuret the physician and his Children whom I have provided in my life time. Time does not permit me to enter into any ulterior detail I have only to observe that the rings bequeathed to different persons in this will all have been made and delivered to them and that I have also disposed during that interval of my furniture in this City, the copies of pictures of my mother have also been made and forwarded Nantes this twenty third day of October one thousand seven hundred ninety three leaving also signed a Similar Codicil conformable in all parts to that present one at the end of the present copy signed J. A. Menuret approved the words  leur [?ent] [Mr. Libre Volate?] interlined on the other page signed J.A. Menuret

Faithfully translated from the French in London the fourth day of September in the year one thousand seven hundred ninety four by me Christ. Sundias. Not pub.

On the fifteenth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred ninety four administration with the will and Codicil annexed of all and singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of Jean Alexander Menuret late of Nantes in France deceased was granted to John [?ry][39]  [?] and William Rowlett[40] the lawful attorneys of Louis Simond the sole Executor named in the Codicil to the will of the said deceased for his use and benefit now residing at New York in North America having better first sworn duly to administer.