One of only two rooms downstairs to finish. This was used as a bedroom, but first we need to begin at the beginning. Furniture moved out, cupboards emptied... but wait!
Built in cabinets on both sides of the fireplace, in what shall become our salon, were emptied. Along with decades of books, Christmas decorations we spotted this solid oak box. Measuring about 18 x 18 inches square with one latch we opened it cautiously. We spent the next 2 hours trying to comprehend what we had discovered
Unlikely cornucopia! Inside we found a treasure trove of correspondence, some dating back nearly 4 centuries.
Where to begin?
The contents just as they were placed in the box.
Documents and letters were unfolded, carefully dusted and, stacked according to type. Personal letters, documents from local or country officials were the majority of correspondance.
Yes, you are reading that date correctly, 5 Juin 1654!!
Some letters did not fare as well as others, this one is split on the fold line and the embossed seal has folded edges.
The paper is large, about 60cm x 30cm. Then folded to create a "book", pages were stitched with course linen thread.
Linen threads, hand tied held the pages in place.
The official documents were folded in thirds and tied with a ribbon as a means of organizing.
This letter, dated 1775 has an additional stamp of someone appointed by the King, hence the word Roi (royal).
All the documents are on handmade paper of a high quality and handwritten. Many with official stamps from whomever was the King at the time.
The elegant penmanship is stunning. The correspondance of the earlier (1600s - 1700s) are difficult to tranaslate as old French was used so the early letters need to be translated. The language was standarized between 1789 and 1918.
A special treasure was finding letters written by Octave Dargeles to his brother Joseph who stayed in Montegut. This is an early letter, dated 1890 just 2 years after emigrating to California.
Hand drawn map of the Dargeles farm in Montegut, outlined in blue pen.
A young Octave Jules Dargeles on his wedding day, looking prosperous. This photo was included in one on his letters sent to his family in Montegut.
Letters from California to Montegut.
Sent from Bordeaux where the young Dargeles brothers, Octave and Jean Marie boarded a steam ship bound for New Orleans in 1885.
We continue to feel blessed from the results of a short simple letter addressed to:
DARGELES
Carruthers, California
U.S.A.
Sent in 2001 by a cousin living near Montegut searching for the long lost family who left France in 1885.
And if you have, thanks for reading
Au revoir
Linda
