USA > Illinois > St Clair County > Cahokia > Cahokia records, 1778-1790 > Part 36
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1 For lack of a quorum.
271
COURT RECORD, MARCH, 1787
MM. Lonval, Deslonchamps and Joseph Lapancé demanded damages for the fences of the church lands, the leases of which were sold Sunday, the 25th of this month. The Court dismissed the case to the next Court for decision, not finding itself complete.1
The Court adjourned to April 1, 1787.
J. B. H. LaCroix.
To-day, the first of March, 1787, there appeared at the office of the Court in the presence of the magistrates, Marie Louise Lemire, widow of the deceased Groslé, who was killed by the savages about a week after their marriage; and since the said Groslé, before being married to the petitioner and entering into a community of goods with her, had contracted divers debts, and there is found nothing from which to refund her dower, declared by her contract of marriage, except the sum of two hundred livres, which are in the hands of François Biguier called Groslé, father of the said deceased, and which she claims for her dues, which are for a greater sum; this is the reason why, after examin- ing the affairs of the said deceased and the obligations which he contracted as well before his marriage as for the expenses of the marriage and after the marriage aforesaid, and seeing from the death of the said deceased Groslé Biguier, her husband, that the community of goods which exists is more burdensome than profit- able for her, she declared before the said Court and declares that she renounces, as in fact she has renounced, the community of goods, which existed between the said deceased François Biguier called Groslé and herself, on account of the wrong which she would suffer and is suffering from it; and now she declares that she abandons the said community of goods; and that the said deceased contributed nothing, neither gains nor work, thereto; the said widow declares furthermore that she has not entered upon possession in any way either by paying or receiving any thing which may have belonged to the deceased; and that the said François Groslé, father of the deceased, has taken and withdrawn all that which could belong to his said son, and that she claims only the sum of two hundred livres, which the said François Groslé has in his possession, belonging to the deceased, her husband, and
-
272
ILLINOIS HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS
luy a octroyé sous le sermant quelle a fait de n'avoir Rien detourné des effets appartenants audt deffunt son mary et quelle accuse la verité de tout ce quelle a declaré cy dessus. sur quoy ladite Cour aprouve ladite renonciation et ordonne quelle sortira son plain Et Entier Effet Et ladite Lemire sera Bien et valablement dechargé de toutes debtes de ladite Communauté Et autres quil peut avoir Contracté tant avant quaprés ledt mariage. la Cour alouant a ladite veuve les deux cent livres qui se trouvent Entre les mains dudt francois Biguier pere dudt deffunt pr luy tenir lieu de douaire Et de preciput au payement de laqeulle somme ledt francois Big- uier sera Contraint Et avons signé les dt jour et an et ladite veuve fait sa marque ordre ne sachant signer lesdt jour et an.
marque de + marie joseph Lemire
J B H LaCroix.
a une Cour du deux avril mil Sept cent quatre vingt sept. Jean Bte LaCroix Presidant joseph Lapensée
antoine girardin Mathieu Saucier
Louis chatel Magistrats
Le ST JOSEPH LABUXIERE procureur aux biens vacants Chargé de la Sucession de raphael gagné demandeur Contre JOSEPH POUPART habitant deffendeur
1 Where the coutume ruled in France, the community of goods between husband and wife was created by marriage. There were several forms of this marital association under French law, but the simpler form of the communauté universelle prevailed among the French settlers in America. The properties of the husband and wife were united in a common fund, which was responsible for all debts contracted by either party before or after marriage. There was thus created by mariage a tenancy in common. Although the husband was the head of the community, the sale or purchase of property was made in the name of both parties custom- arily, and this is the usual form found in the private instruments among the Illinois records. By the contract of marriage all property possessed or to be acquired in the future was mutually given to each other by the contracting parties, so that in case no child was born - a condi- tion always mentioned - the survivor would have all the property of the community. This act made the community of goods into a conditional joint tenancy. In case of the birth of a child, the widow possessed as her right in the community a life interest in half the common property. The community of goods was frequently continued after the death of one of the parties during the minority of the children. On account of the early marriages of the widows in the frontier com-
273
COURT RECORD, APRIL, 1787
which descended from the estate of his mother, to replace the dower and jointure, accorded her by her contract of marriage with the said François Biguier called Groslé. And she has asked for a certifi- cate of this declaration and renunciation, which the Court has granted to her upon her making oath that she had nothing, drawn from the effects belonging to the said deceased, her husband, and by which she acknowledges the truth of all she has declared above. Whereupon the said Court approves the said renuncia- tion and decrees that it shall have its complete and full effect and the said Lemire shall be truly and validly discharged from all debts of the said community and others which may have been contracted as well before as after the said marriage. And the Court allows the said widow the two hundred livres, which are in the hands of the said François Biguier, father of the said deceased, to replace the dower and jointure, to the payment of which the said François Biguier shall be constrained.1 And we have signed the said day and year, and the said widow made her mark, not knowing how to sign, the said day and year.
Mark of +
J. B. H. LaCroix.
Marie Joseph Lemire.
At a Court, April 2, 1787.
Jean Bte. LaCroix, President Joseph Lapancé
Antoine Girardin Matthieu Saucier.
Louis Chatel.
M. JOSEPH LABUXIERE, attorney for the property in abeyance of the estate of Raphael Gagné, plaintiff, vs. JOSEPH POUPAR, citizen, defendant.
Heard the plaintiff in his explanatory petition which shows that the said Poupar owes the said estate a sum of fourteen hundred and nineteen livres in money or peltries according to his note which
munity, this caused complexity in the property rights of the families. In the above case the widow found that the succession to the community of goods would be more burdensome than profitable, and therefore she appeared before the Court and made formal renunciation thereof. She thus escaped from all responsibility for the debts of the community. This, however, did not annulher rights in her husband's property, for by the renunciation of her rights tothe community, she had revived her dower rights, amounting to a half or a third of her husband's property. Since the parents of her husband participated in making the contract of marriage hy giving their consent thereto, the widow acquired a life interest in their property to the amount of her dower. De Ferriere, Coutume de Paris, iii., 2 et seq .; Viollet, Hist. du droit civil Français, 771 et seq.
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ILLINOIS HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS
ouy le demandeur en sa requete expositive que ledt poupart doit a ladite Sucession une somme de quatorze cent dix neuf livres en argent ou pelterie suivant son Billet Echû depuis plus de dix huit mois. que la Sucession doit a plusieurs particuliers qui reclament leurs Creances que lancan ayant Eté fait a deux ans de Credy le demandeur n'a aucun fond pour payer, quil a fait plusieurs requisition au deffendeur de payer Sans avoir pû obtenir de luy le payement a cette fin Coucluant a ce quil soit condamné a payer le restant de son Billet montant a ladite somme de quatorze Cent dixneuf livres, Et aux frais Et depens et interest.
ouy le deffendeur qui a dit quil reconnoit devoir la Somme de quatorze cent vingt neuf livres mais quil na aucun moyen de payer actuellement ne se voyant pas En sutsiation [sic]. Sur quoy la Cour a surcit le payement jusques au mois doctobre prochain en payant Linterest a Cinq pr Cent sur laquelle somme le deffendeur a payé Compte celle de trois cent soixante dix neuf livres Cinq sols En- dossé sur son obligation ce dit jour donné aux Cahos lesdt jour Et an + En un memoire quil a produit.
a la meme Cour.
MATHIEU SAUCIER demandeur contre Bte LA BECASSE deffendeur
Le demandeur a produit un Billet contre le deffendeur de la somme de Cinq Cent livres Echus depuis un an En demandant le payement Sans delais. le deffendeur a reconnû le billet Et a dit navoir aucun moyen de payer a present quil le payeroit quand il auroit de quoy.
Sur quoy la Cour a ordonné Et a condamné le deffendeur a payer au demandeur le montant de Son obligation dans le cour doctobre prochain a quoy faire il sera contraint par saisie Et vente de Ses Biens privilegierement. donné En Cour lesdt jour Et an.
a la meme cour.
MI AUGUSTIN DUBUQUE demandeur contre THOM BREDY deffendeur
Le demandeur reclame la Somme de douze Cent trois livres onze sols quatre deniers pour marchandises quil luy a fourni pr son Commerce avec linterest frais et depens.
275
COURT RECORD, APRIL, 1787
matured more than eighteen months ago; and that the estate owes several persons who are claiming their dues; and that, since the auction of the property had given two years credit, the plaintiff has no other fund from which to pay; that he has made several demands upon the defendant to pay without being able to obtain the payment from him; therefore he concludes that the defendant should be condemned to pay the balance of his note amounting to the said sum of fourteen hundred and nineteen livres and the costs, charges and interest.
Heard the defendant, who said that he acknowledged that he owed the sum of fourteen hundred and twenty-nine [nineteen ?] livres, but that he had no means to pay at present, not finding him- self in position to pay. Whereupon the Court suspended the pay- ment until the month of October next, and decreed that interest at five per cent be paid. On this sum the defendant paid this day an installment of three hundred and seventy-nine livres five sols, endorsed on his obligation. Given at Cahokia the said day and year on a memorandum which he produced.
At the same Court.
MATTHIEU SAUCIER, Plaintiff, vs. BTE. LABECASSE, Defendant.
The plaintiff produced a note against the defendant for the sum of five hundred livres, matured a year ago, and demands the payment of it without delay. The defendant acknowledged the note and said that he had no means at present, and that he would pay when he had means.
Whereupon the Court decreed and condemned the defendant to pay to the plaintiff the amount of his obligation in the course of October next; to do which he shall be constrained by seizure and sale of his property with preference. Given in Court the said day and year.
At the same Court.
M. AUGUSTIN DUBUQUE, Plaintiff. vs. TOM BRADY, Defendant.
The plaintiff claims the sum of twelve hundred and three livres eleven sols four deniers with interest, costs and charges for merchandise, which he furnished him for his trade.
Heard the defendant, who said that he did not owe this entire
276
ILLINOIS HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS
ouy le deffendeur qui a dit quil ne devoit pas cette somme en Entier et quil navoit pas de quoy la payer actuellement, qua la permiere demande de Mr dubuque il avoit voulu luy hypotequer des effets pr surete de ce quil pouvoit luy devoir mais que ledt sr dubuque Navoit pas voulû les accepter dans le temps, que pour le present son epouse ne le vouloit plus. quelle vouloit Rendre compte a Ses Enfans auparavant, quil ne desavouet pas de devoir au sr dubuc Mais quil demandoit un delais en faisant son obliga- tion.
Sur quoy la Cour a condamné le deffendeur a payer au demand- eur le montant de ce quil doit audt sr dubuc Et ce sans delais a quoy faire quil soit contraint par saisie Et vente des meubles et effets qui apartiennent directement audt Thom Bredy sur lesquels ledt Sr dubuc aura privilege. Sans derroger au privilege et pre- ferance que les Enfans de laflame on sur ceux dudt deffendeur Lesquels Biens du deffendeur. En cas que preferance Nait lieu pr les mineurs laflame Seront estimez et aura le Choix ledt sr dubuc de les prendre au prix de lestimation ou de accorder un delais. condamnons ledt Thom Bredy aux frais Et depens qui seront avancés par le sr dubuq.
delivre copie pr signifier a thom Bredy. a la meme cour.
pre MARTIN demandeur contre LE ST AUGUSTIN DUBUC deffendeur
Le demandeur reclame contre le deffendeur un memoire de fournitures pr Loyer de Cloison fournitures de Madriers planches et Cloux montant a deux cent vingt Cinq livres dix sols En argent Lesquels fournitures il luy a fait a Sa demande.
ouy le deffendeur qui declare avoir Emprunté la Cloison Sans luire [sic] ni meme sans parler de loyer, Et que les Conventions Etoient de luy remetre la Cloison En meme Etat quelle Etoit lors quil la pretée lauthomne. Et comme il avoit recommandé a Mr tabault de faire remetre la Cloison il a dit au deffendeur quil avoit
1 The wife of Thomas Brady was a Madame Laflamme, whose children by her first hus- band had rights in the community of goods established by her marriage with their father and which had not been ended by a division of the property, when she formed the second com- munity of goods with Brady. Madame Brady now desired to settle with her children before the community of goods with Brady became responsible for the debts owing Dubuque; but the Court gave judgment against that property which had been brought to the community by Brady.
2 Note in margin by the clerk.
277
COURT RECORD, APRIL, 1787
sum, and that he did not have means to pay at present; that at the time of the first demand of M. Dubuque, he had wished to give him a mortgage on his effects for surety for that which he might owe him; but that the said M. Dubuque had not been willing to accept them at the time, and that now his (the defend- ant's) wife was no longer willing, and that she wished to render account to her children first; that he did not disavow his debt to M. Dubuque, but that he asked for a delay in fulfilling his obli- gation.
Whereupon the Court condemned the defendant to pay to the plaintiff the amount of what he owed the said M. Dubuque and that without delay; and the Court decreed that he should be con- strained to do this by seizure and sale of the personal property belonging directly to the said Tom Brady, on which the said M. Dubuque shall have preference, without derogating from the privilege and preference, which the children of Laflamme have on the property of the said defendant.1 In case the minor heirs of Laflamme have no right of preference, this property of the defend- ant shall be appraised and the said M. Dubuque shall have the choice of taking it at the appraised value or of granting a delay. We condemn the said Tom Brady to pay the costs and charges, which shall be advanced by M. Dubuque.
Delivered a copy for notification to Tom Brady.2
PIERRE MARTIN, Plaintiff, vs. M. AUGUSTIN DUBUQUE, Defendant.
The plaintiff claims payment from the defendant of a bill for supplies, namely for rent of partition, supplies of joists, planks and nails amounting to two hundred and twenty-five livres ten sols in money, which supplies he furnished the defendant at his request.
Heard the defendant, who declares that he had borrowed the partition without renting or even speaking of rent: and that the agreement was that he return the partition to the plaintiff in the same condition it was when the latter lent it in the autumn; and as he had ordered M. Tabeau to have the partition returned, he told the plaintiff that he had made arrangements with Troge
278
ILLINOIS HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS
pris des arrangement avec troge pr la remetre telle quelle Etoit Et comme il y avoit quelques planches qui avoient Eté rognés il devoit luy En remetre dautres ou saranger avec martin quil Etoit juste que si la Cloison navoit pas Eté Remise comme mr martin sen plain il faut quelle soit remise En sa Nature par troge ou par ceux qui ont les fonds de la societé.
Le tout examiné par la Cour Elle a Condamné Et condamne le sr dubuque a payer Sans delais audt pierre martin la Somme de Cent trente Cinq livres dix sols pour le montant de son memoire a laquelle nous lavons reduit sauf le recour dudt sr dubuque sur la societé condamne le sr dubuque aux frais Et depens.
MICHEL CHARLY demandeur contre FRANCOIS GRAMONT deffendeur
Le demandeur Reclame contre le deffendeur dix livres pour la bedauderie qui luy sont dus pr lannée derniere 1786 pr la maison du deffendeur.
Le deffendeur a dit quil avoit vendu sa maison des le 24 7bre dernier que dailleur il ny demeuroit pas quil demeuroit chés Mr LaCroix.
La Cour a condamné le Sr gramont a payer au demandeur Sept livres dix sols pr sa part de la bedauderie jusqua la fin de Septem- bre dernier Et condamne Mr charles cadron a luy payer Cin- · quante sols pr les trois derniers mois de 1786. condamne la Suces- sion de deffunt gramont aux depens liquidez a quinze livres donné En Cour lesdt jour Et an.
a la meme Cour.
JOSEPH AMELIN demandant contre HENRY KERTIS dit BIENVENU
Le demandeur a produit un Certifficat du Nommé Maillet, Et Chevalier, vizé par mr Cruzat commandant a St Louis par lequel il apert que ledt maillet Etoit Chargé dune obligation de Neuf cent Soixante neuf livres En pelterie Et quil a perdû ladite obligation suivant ledt Certifficat quil donne pr tenir lieu dobligation declar- ant quil na Rien recû dessus. ladite obligation due par ledt joseph Kertis dit Bienvenû icy present a la Cour Requerant que ledt Kertis dit Bienvenû ait a luy En payer le montant Et aux frais Et depens.
1 See case somewhat similar on p. 239.
279
COURT RECORD, APRIL, 1787
to return it in the same condition it was; and since there were some planks which had been cut off, he ought to return others for them or make arrangements with Martin. He said that it was just, if the partition had not been returned, as M. Martin makes complaint, that it should be returned in good condition by Troge or by those who have the funds of the partnership.
All having been examined by the Court it condemns and does condemn M. Dubuque to pay without delay to the said Pierre Martin the sum of one hundred and thirty-five livres ten sols the amount of his bill, to which sum we have reduced it, reserving to the said M. Dubuque recourse against the partnership. Con- demned M. Dubuque to pay the costs and charges.
MICHEL CHARLY, Plaintiff, vs. FRANÇOIS GRANDMONT, Defendant.
The plaintiff claims from the defendant ten livres for the bead- lery, which are due on the house of the defendant for last year, 1786.
The defendant said that he had sold his house the 24th of last September, and that besides he did not live there, but at M. La- Croix.1
The Court condemned M. Grandmont to pay to the plaintiff seven livres ten sols for his share of the beadlery up to the end of September last; and condemns M. Charles Cadron to pay him fifty sols for the three last months of 1786; and condemns the estate of the deceased Grandmont to pay the costs which are set at fifteen livres. Given in Court the said day and year.
At the same Court.
JOSEPH HAMELIN, Plaintiff, vs. HENRY KERTIS called BIENVENU.
The plaintiff produced a certificate of the named Mailhet and Chevalier, signed by M. Cruzat, commandant at St. Louis, accord- ing to which it appears that the said Mailhet was intrusted with a note for nine hundred and sixty-nine livres in peltries and that he lost the said note, according to the said certificate, which he gives to take the place of the note; and he declares that he has re- ceived nothing upon the said obligation owed by the said Joseph Kertis called Bienvenu, here present in Court; and he prays that the said Kertis called Bienvenu be held to pay him the amount with costs and charges.
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ILLINOIS HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS
ouy le deffendeur qui a recusé le Certifficat et qui a dit quil ne devoit qua son Billet que lon N'avoit qua le luy presenter quil offroit de le payer quil declaroit ne pouvoit le payer autrement quil pouvoit luy etre presenté a missilimakinac ou ailleurs Et quil seroit obligé de le payer. quil avoit donné ordre au st Louis gaud de retirer de largent ou pelterie du sĩ maillet mais que maillet avoit repondû quil avoit a produire des debtes audt Bienvenû que cest peut Etre ledt Billet dont est question. quil ne devoit Rien audt maillet dailleurs.
La Cour a daboutée le demandeur de Ses demandes jusques a ce quil ait produit Le Billet en question la Condamné aux frais Et depens liquidez a quinze livres donné en Cour lesdt jour Et an.
delivré I copie a hamelin 51b
Mr MYER MICHAEL demandeur contre PIERRE TROGE deffendeur nayant voulu paroitre aprés avoir Été assigné.
Le demandeur a presenté deux billets a luy dus par le deffen- deur lun de la somme de deux Cent Cinquante deux livres dix sols En argent Et lautre de Cent Cinquante formant les deux sommes celle de quatre Cent deux livres deduction faite des acompte Reste trois cent Cinquante six livres Sept sols qui le demandeur requiere que ledt troge luy paye sans delais avec les frais et depens.
La Cour atendû que ledt troge na voulu paroitre aprés avoir Eté apellé trois fois a la porte de laudience la Condamné a payer au demandeur la dite somme de trois cent Cinquante six livres Sept sols. Et ce sans delais sauf audt troge de donner des sureté au demandeur sil veut obtenir du terme Et la Condamné aux frais liquidez a quinze livres qui seront avancez par le de- mandeur Et a luy rembourcez par le deffendeur donné En Cour.
La Cour est ajournée au premier May prochain ce 2 avril 1787. 1
J B H LaCroix Pr Sdt.
1 Note in margin by the clerk.
281
COURT RECORD, APRIL, 1787
Heard the defendant, who took exception to the certificate and who said that he owed only for his note; that one had only to pre- sent it to him; that he offered to pay it; that he declared he could not pay it otherwise; that it might be presented to him at Michil- limackinac or elsewhere and that he would be bound to pay it; that he had given orders to M. Louis Gaud to withdraw money or peltries from M. Mailhet; but that Mailhet had answered that he had to give particulars of the debts to the said Bienvenu, and that perhaps that is the said note in question; that he owed noth- ing to the said Mailhet otherwise.
The Court denied the prayers of the plaintiff until he should have exhibited the note in question; and condemned him to pay the costs and charges, which were set at fifteen livres. Given in Court the said day and year.
Delivered a copy to Amelin, 5 livres.1
M. MYER MICHAELS, Plaintiff, vs. PIERRE TROGE, Defendant, who was unwilling to appear after having been summoned.
The plaintiff presented two notes due him by the defendant, one for the sum of two hundred and fifty-two livres ten sols in money and the other for one hundred and fifty, the two amounting to four hundred and two livres. After deduction for the install- ments made, there remain three hundred and fifty-six livres seven sols, which the plaintiff demands that the said Troge pay him without delay, with costs and charges.
The Court, considering that the said Troge did not wish to appear after having been summoned three times at the door of the audience chamber, condemned him to pay to the plaintiff the said sum of three hundred and fifty-six livres seven sols, and that with- out delay, reserving to the said Troge the right to give surety to the plaintiff, if he wishes to obtain terms; and condemned him to pay costs, which were set at fifteen livres, which shall be advanced by the plaintiff and reimbursed to him by the defendant. Given in Court.
The Court adjourned to the first of May next, this second day of April, 1787.
J. B. H. LaCroix, Pres.
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ILLINOIS HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS
a une Cour du premier May mil sept cent quatre vingt Sept. Mrs jean Bte LaCroix Presidant Mathieu Saucier Louis Chalet joseph Lapensée magistrats
le ST JEAN DUMOULIN demandeur contre AUGUSTIN DUBUQ def- fendeur
Le demandeur reclame une Somme de deux Cent dix neuf livres dix sols En argent pr plusieurs articles portés au compte quil a Produit devant la Cour concluant a ce que le deffendeur luy paye ladite Somme Et aux frais Et depens, demandant a Etre dechargé du payement des Clostures que les adjudicataires avoient fait Sur les terres de la mission, dautant que les dites terres ont Eté reprises par la fabrique.
Le deffendeur repond que les Conventions faites avec Mr Dumoulin Etoit de luy donner le dix pr cent sur toutes les sommes quil recevoit de la vente des Biens a la charge de payer les frais de Criées Et que ce dix pr cent devoit etre partagé Entre ledt Sr dumoulin Et le sr Labuxiere pr les Écritures quil feroit mais que nen ayant point fait le Sr Labuxiere ne demandoit Rien, Et que Comme la fabrique a repris les Biens de ladite mission le deffend- eur demandoit a Etre decharge du payement quexige Mr du Moulin pr son recononcment [sic].
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