I'm cleaning out some old emails and thought I would forward this one. Sent: 2/3/2012 2:11:41 A.M. Central Standard Time Subj: MOSTEGEN Digest, Vol 7, Issue 12 Today's Topics: 1. JEAN BAPTISTE PRATTE & MARGUERITE BOYER (Mary Pratt) The information posted for St. Joachim Church in Old Mines, MO; the Brian Oster marriage records; & LDS Film #1939901, states that the above referenced names were the parents of the J.B. Pratte who was married to Aspasia Duclos at Old Mines in 1834. I recently received a hand written document (in old French ... which was kindly translated for me by one of the subscribers on these websites). Thanks once again to this generous gentleman. His transcription is as follows: --- begin translation --- (Page 3) Ste. Genevieve, January 27, 1806 I, the undersigned, in the presence of witnesses, promise and agree to pay to Miss Marguerite Boyer or to her designee the sum of three hundred fifty piastres minted(?) by the United States of America in consideration of her having declared her pregnancy and I have reason to believe that the child she carries is mine. In addition, I agree to pay to the above mentioned young woman Marguerite Boyer the money necessary to aid in her confinement and to take the child under my care, for which she has no responsibility. the conditions accepted by Monsieur Joseph Boyer, her father, and to which the latter adheres in the presence of the undersigned witness. This notice and convention will become null and void if I decide to marry the above mentioned young woman Marguerite Boyer. B Pratte, son Witness B Pratte At the initial demand for the sum above designated, I contract to pay and provide security for the above. Signed J B Pratte (Page 2) Received to account the sum of 76 piastres at Ste. Genevieve, September 2, 1806. Witness J. Bte. Valle Jophet Boyer his + mark Received from M. Pratte the value of the amount of the sum of one hundred three piastres at Ste. Genevieve, May 9, 1807. Marguerite her + mark Boyer J Guibourd Witness Received from M. Pratte the sum of one hundred two piastres. Ste. Genevieve, July 10, 1807. B. Valle Jophet Boyer his + mark (Page 1) I have received from Louis Govrau the sum of fifteen hundred nineteen livres, thirteen sol(?), and eight decimes(?) which he paid me for his Louis Govrau for a like sum that he of which sum mentioned in his will at Ste. Genevieve, May 28, 1807. Pratte --- end of translation --- There is also a notation received from Ste. Genevieve Church which reads ... "An illegitimate son named Jean Baptiste was born to Marguerite Boyer on 26 March 1806 & the child was baptized on 8 April 1806. The sponsors were Pierre Pratte & Julie Boyer." Please let me know if anyone has information that will clarify the the parentage of the elder Jean Baptiste Pratte (father of this child born in 1806). Thank you. Mary [email protected] End of MOSTEGEN Digest, Vol 7, Issue 12 ***************************************