Citing New Orleans Notarial Archives, vol. 4, p. 914:
Last Will & Testament of Pierre Frederick Darensbourg
[Recorded by Pierre Pedesclaux, notary, 26 July 1788, New Orleans]
Marginal note: Notary certifies that Darensbourg died 3 August 1788.
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In the name of God Almighty who lives from the beginning and reigns forever amen let it be known to all this is my last will and testament and let it be known that I Pierre Frederick Darensbourg was born in the parish of St. Charles of the Germans. I am the legitimate son of the legal marriage of Charles Darensbourg born in Schtoholm [Stockholm] and Margarita Mesquerin [Marguerite Metzer] born in Vitemberk [Wurttemberg], both deceased. I am sick in bed but of sound mind and in full comprehension of the Lord my God.
[several paragraphs of religious invocations omitted]
I declare that nothing is owed to me and I owe Santiago Masicot forty pounds of indigo for a gold watch he sold me, to Luis Lagroue I owe forty pesos, to Mr. LaBiche, schoolteacher, I owe two hundred pesos payable at the end of the year, I order that it all be paid. That is my wish.
I declare that it has been about twenty-seven years since I entered into marriage with Elisabet Deselle, from this marriage we produced the following legitimate children: Marguerite Darensbourg legal wife of Francois Delhomme Lommer, she is twenty-six years old, Elizabet who is twenty-four years old, Louise who is twenty years old, Rosalie who is nineteen years old, Pierre who is twenty-two years old, Constance who is nine years old, and Charles Aime Darensbourg [no age given] who I declare to be my legitimate children of the above mentioned wife in witness thereof.
I delcare that when I entered into marriage with the above mentioned Elisabet Deselle the contractual marriage took place in the post named Yolas Negras [Fort Chartres, Illinois].
I declare that all my possessions were acquired during the above referenced marriage.
I delcare that my possessions consist of a habitation located eleven leagues from this city on the other side of the river and upriver, consisting of twelve and a half arpents of frontage by a depth of forty arpents. Bordered on one side by the lands of Mr. Pain and on the other side by lands of Mr. LaBiche. On my land, I have a main residence and various other buildings, tools, implements, furniture, forty head of cattle, eight horses, sheep, and all the furniture found in the above mentioned residence have an estimated total value of seven thousand pesos of Mexican denomination (7,000 P $).
I have a Negro named Mercurio, forty years old who is a carpenter and cooper, knowledgeable in all tasks necessary for a habitation. I estimate his value to be one thousand Mexican pesos (1,000).
Another Negro named Simon, thirty years old, a cartwright, I estimate his value to be eight hundred Mexican pesos (800).
Another Negro named Juan Luis, thirty years old, a cartwright; he is crippled in one leg. I estimate his value to be seven hundred mexican pesos (700).
Another Negro named Juan, twenty-five years old, a shoemaker, with all his tools I estimate his value to be eight hundred Mexican pesos (800).
Another Negro named Narsiso, nineteen years old; I estimate his value to be five hundred Mexican pesos (500).
Another Negro named Bautista, twenty-five years old; I estimate his value to be five hundred Mexican pesos (500).
Another Negro named Fara, forty-two years old; I estimate her value to be five hundred Mexican pesos (500).
Another named Bemba, forty years old; I estimate her value to be four hundred Mexican pesos (400).
Another named Amar, forty-six years old; I estimate her value to be two hundred pesos due to problems with her eyes (200).
Another named Joseph, twenty-three years old; I estimate his value to be five hundred Mexican pesos (500).
Another, Titon, twenty years old; I estimate his value to be four hundred and fifty Mexican pesos (450).
A Negress named Regine, sixty years old; I estimate her value to be two hundred Mexican pesos (200).
A Negress named Big Maria, thirty years old, with her child named Buenaventura, eight years old; I estimate both to be worth one thousand Mexican pesos (1,000).
Another named Little Maria, forty years old; I estimate her value to be eight hundred Mexican pesos (800).
Another named Francisca, twenty-six years old, with her child named Theodore, seven years old, with an estimated value of one thousand pesos (1,000).
Another named Maria Luisa, twenty-four years old, with her three children named Miguel five years old, Antonio two years old, and Lubin eleven months old, altogether worth one thousand Mexican pesos (1,000).
All of my possessions have a total value of seventeen thousand three hundred and fifty (17,350) Mexican pesos.
I appoint and name as my testamentary executrix, guardian of my possessions, governess and guardian of my above referenced children the said Elizabet Deselle.
I institute and name as my sole universal heirs my above referenced seven children whose names are Marguerite Darensbourg legal wife of Francois Delhomme Lomer, Elizabet, Louise, Rosalie, Constance, Pierre, and Charles Aime Darensbourg so they may be rewarded their inheritance in equal parts after my death with the benediction of God and of my own. That is my wish.
I revoke, void, and render null in value any other testaments, codices, warrants which I may have reduced to written form prior to this current testament.
In this testament recorded in the city of New Orleans dated the twenty-sixth of June one thousand seven hundred and eighty-eight, I the notary do certify that I know the grantors who appear before me being of sound mind and in full comprehension. I signed this document and bearing witness are Ignace Chalmet Delino, Salomon Mallines, Santiago Hubert Belaire, Santiago Lemaire, citizens of this city who are present and they also signed this document.
Before Me, Pedro Pedesclaux, Notary
[Trans., Benjamin Castrillo. Note that although Darensbourg was banished to Opelousas Post by Gov. O'Reilly following the abortive Rebellion of 1768, he was evidently later allowed to purchase an estate on the German Coast at some time before 1788.]
