I will tell you that my mistress, when she died, gave me a little life annuity of 30 francs per month, then she gave me all her wardrobe and all what was inside her rented house. Sir, I recommend you for your kindness about this effort. I will tell you that I miss your sister, my kind mistress, she was so good for me that I lose a lot losing her. Madam bequeaths her husband’s clock to her step-brother. Sir, the vice-counsel Brent had soothed very well the Madam’s last moments. He did not let her lack anything. He did everything possible to be sure she was well treated.
Sir, I take your leave, and I am, with respect, your very humble servant.
Louise Gerard
Source: The Archives of the Robert E. Lee Memorial Foundation, Papers of the Lee Family, Box 3, M2009.197, Jessie Ball duPont Library, Stratford Hall
Transcribed by Colin Woodward, 2015 November 20
