Martin Oster to Thomas Jefferson, 22 September 1811
From Martin Oster
Norfolk, le 22 Septembre 1811.
Monsieur et très Vénérable ancien Président,
Le 13 du passé, J’ai eû lhonneur de Vous accuser reception de la lettre que vous m’avez fait celui de m’adresser le 2. concernant la Succession reclamée par Mr de Beauvois et à l’occasion de Mr Pauly qui fait La résidence at Calf Pasture Augusta-County, près Staunton.
Aujourd’hui, Je m’emprêsse d’acheminer à Vôtre Excellence, copie du prétendu testament de defunt Pierre Piernet, Frère de Madme de Beauvois, décèdé à Potney, près New-Kent-Court-house en Virginie; elle Servira à asseoir vôtre opinion Sur Sa validité, et Sur celle des dispositions y contenues.
Oster
Editors’ Translation
Norfolk, 22 September 1811.
Sir and very Venerable former President,
On the 13th of last month, I had the honor to acknowledge to you the receipt of the letter that you had written me on the 2d concerning the inheritance claimed by Mr. de Beauvois and, by that opportunity, to send the address of Mr. Pauly, who lives at Calf Pasture, Augusta County, near Staunton.
Today I hasten to send Your Excellency a copy of the so-called final will of the deceased, Pierre Piernet, brother of Madame de Beauvois, who passed away at Putney, near New Kent Court House in Virginia; it will help you to decide on its validity and the legality of the dispositions contained therein.
Oster
RC (MHi); addressed: “À Son Excellence Monsieur Th. Jefferson, ancien Président des Etats-Vnis Monticello above Richmond Virginia”; franked; postmarked Norfolk, 25 Sept.; endorsed by TJ as received 29 Sept. 1811 and so recorded in SJL. Translation by Dr. Roland H. Simon. Enclosure: Will of Pierre (Peter) Piernet, 2 Feb. 1810, with subjoined deposition by Thomas Ratcliffe in New Kent County Court, 8 Feb. 1810; attested the same day by county clerk William B. Clayton (Tr in MHi, in Oster’s hand; Tr filed with Stephen H. Lacy, Petition to the Virginia General Assembly, [ca. 7 Dec. 1810] [Vi: RG 78, Legislative Petitions, New Kent Co.]; described in note to Palisot de Beauvois to TJ, 19 Mar. 1811).
Index Entries
- Clayton, William B.; and P. Piernet’s will search
- French language; letters in, from; M. Oster search
- Lacy, Stephen H.; and P. Piernet’s estate search
- Oster, Martin; and P. Piernet’s will search
- Oster, Martin; letters from search
- Palisot de Beauvois, Ambroise Marie François Joseph; and P. Piernet’s will search
- Palisot de Beauvois, Mary Ann Rouelle (Jean Rouelle’s widow; A. Palisot de Beauvois’s wife); and P. Piernet’s will search
- Pauly, Lewis Abraham; and P. Piernet’s will search
- Piernet, Pierre (Peter); estate of search
- Ratcliffe, Thomas; and P. Piernet’s will search