Monday, September 8, 2008

Baptism of Jean Charles Prosper


(click to enlarge)

Baptism of Jean Charles Prosper


(In French):
Le dix sept auôt mil sept cent quatre vingt neuf á été par nous curé de cette ville soussigné baptisé Jean Charles Prosper né de deux du présent fils naturel de Helene Thomasse Cotterel agé de 20 ans de Rennes lequel l’enfant nous á été présenté par la Dlle. Duvivier matrone de cette ville. Ont été parain le Sieur Louis Cayeux chirurgien major de cette ville et maraine Dlle. Françoise Jeanne Boinet qui signent avec nous.

Francoise Jeanne Boinet

L Cayeux

Halley curé de L’orient



(In English):
The seventeenth of August 1789 has been by us priest of this town undersigned baptised Jean Charles Prosper born of two of the present* natural son of Helene Thomasse Cotterel aged 20 years of Rennes whose infant we have been presented by Dlle. Duvivier midwife of this town. Has been (the) godfather the Sir Louis Cayeux surgeon major of this town and godmother Dlle. Francoise Jeanne Boinet who sign with us.

Francoise Jeanne Boinet

L. Cayeux

Halley priest of L'orient

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes: * This wording is taken literally as there is no direct translation into English, but it means "born two days from the present".  


The notation in the margin immediately after "Prosper" is an abbreviation for "Notus" (meaning "known") appearing against the names of illegitimate male children. "Nota" (or an abbreviation) is seen in the margin for illegitimate females.

Spelling of Heleine looks like "Helene" here. She was also 21 years old, having been born on 15 July, 1768.

This date seems to have been fateful as Jean Charles Prosper and Melanie Caroline Jeanne were also born on the 15th (August and November respectively)!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------





No comments: