Rosier, Estevan Maria, and Christine Andora

Information of the celibacy of Estevan Maria Rosier and the widowhood of Christina Andora in order that they may get married. (The case has not bee concluded).

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1795 Sep. 10

Rosier, Estevan Maria and Christina Andora

to Bishop Penalver y Cardenas
(New Orleans)

1). The parties; a) Estevan Maria Rosier, native of Narbonne in France, legitimate son of Pedro Antonio, a merchant in the same town and Isabel Fraisse as it appears from his baptismal certificate. b) Christina Andora, native of Pertuis in the same kingdom, legitimate daughter of Francisco Andora and Catarina Viacavin, as it appears from the testimony she presents of her marriage with the late Antonio Bertrand, who was a merchant in the French Cape.
2). The parties, now neighbors of New Orleans, notify the Bishop that they are engaged according to the rites of the Church. So, after the previous formalities, they ask the publication of the banns in order they may get married.
3). Since the only documents they could save in the French Cape have been handed in, they ask that justice may be done. Signed by Christina Bertrand and Estevan Rosier.
--To this is added on the top of the first page a note by Rivas, dated Sep. 10, 1795, certifying that the above petition was handed in before him.
--To this is added a decree by Bishop Penalver in which he notifies that the documents have been handed in and orders that the witness may appear who must witness the widowhood of the bride, since the document presented is only one and very simple. Signed by the Bishop.
--To this is added a note by Rivas certifying that the above decree was issued by Bishop Penalver at New Orleans on Sept. 11, 1795.
--Another note added by rivas certifying that on the same day he notified Estevan Rosier of the above decree.

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1795 Sep. 10

Lovio, Ignacio Joseph de
Minister of the Navy and Senior Judge of
New Orleans
Lovio certifies:
1) That according to creditable witnesses, Estevan Maria Rosier, native of Narbonne in France, legitimate son of Pedro Antonio and Isabel Fraisse, is of the same nationality as Christina Andora, native of Pertuis in the same kingdom, legitimate daughter of Francisco Andora and Catarina Viacavin.
2) That there is not any impediment between them to get married as they petition.
3) That since they do not have parents or relatives in this town and Province, Lovio, using the powers granted him by the Royal Ordinary of marriage, gives them the necessary permission to that. Signed by Ignacio Joseph de Lovio.
--To this is added a note by Rivas certifying that the page corresponding here #4 is the original presented by Christina Andora to prove her widowhood, in the English language, requested by the decree of Sep. 18, to which corresponds the literal translation made by Father Patricio Walsh in fulfillment of the same decree, and placed as page #11.
--To this is added (in French):

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1791 Sep. (?) 15

Bonnel. first Vicar of the parish of St. Paul at
Narbonne, France
Bonnel certifies:
1) That on March 30, 1769, he baptized Etienne Marie, born on the 28th of the same month, son of Pierre Antoine Rosier, a merchant and Elisabeth Fraisse, married.
2) That his godfather was Jacques Etienne Fraisse, maternal uncle and godmother Marie Therese Passenaud(?).
3) That relatives and witnesses present were Mr. Etienne, Possenaud(?), leader of this church, Francois Sloier, Doctor in Medicene of the Faculty of Mountpel(l)ier.
4) That there signed with Bonnel and the child's father, Rosier, Solier, Passenaud, Fraisse, possenaud, Rolland priest (in the original).
5) That the present is an excerpt of the registers of the parish of St. Paul, at Narbonne in the department of l'Ande. Signed by Bonnel, first vicar of St. Paul.

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1795 Sep. 14

Penalver y Cardenas, Luis Bishop
(New Orleans)
The Bishop decrees:
That, as the witnesses presented by Christina Andora are English and the French, he appoints Father Thomas Hassett as interpreter for the former and Father Patricio Walsh as an interpreter for the latter. Signed by the Bishop.
--To this is added a note by Rivas, dated as above, certifying that he notified Father Hassett of the above decree. Hassett accepted the Bishop's appointment and swore to proceed faithfully. Signed by Thomas Hassett and Rivas.
--Another note is added by Rivas certifying that he notified immediately Father Walsh of the above decree and he accepted and swore to proceed faithfully. Signed by Patricio Walsh and witnessed by Rivas.

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1795 Sep. 14

Rivas, Joseph Maria de
(New Orleans)
Rivas certifies:
1) That Juan Q(?)uieco, native of Ireland, unmarried, appeared before Bishop Penalver as a witness presented by Christina Andora.
2) That according to the interpretation of Father Thomas Hassett, canon of this holy church, he said: a) That two years ago he travelled in the American Brigantine "La Isabella," from the French Cape to Philadelphia. b) That six days before getting into Bermuda a French man named Beltran, died after 3 days of illness, not on board of "La Isabella" but of a private English ship "El Saladre" that had taken them prisoners. c) Finally that the said Christina was on board with Beltran living as husband and wife. So he considers her as his widow. d) Finally, that he is 23 years old and he did not swear to the truth of his statements although he was a Roman Catholic. He could not sign. The document is signed by Bishop, Thomas Hassett and witnessed by Rivas.
--Immediately there appeared Marcos MacDonald, native of Scotland a witness presented by Christina, who, being a Presbyterian, swore by the Holy Bible according to the interpretation of Father Hassett, a) That two years ago he travelled on board of an American ship "La Isabella" from the French Cape to Philadelphia, and that they were captured by a pirate ship of the Royal Navy of England, "El Saladre" with a crew of 150 men. b) That on board of the same American ship were MacDonald was a cook, there died a Frenchman named Bertran six days before arriving at the Bermudas. c) That he does not know if he was married with Christina or not because there was no such woman on board. d) That he does not know anything more; he is 32 years old and he could not sign. The document is signed by Thomas Hassett the Bishop and witnessed by Rivas.
--Immediately appeared Christina Andora. According to the interpretation of Father Patricio Walsh, she said: 1) That she is native of Pertuis in Provence, legitimate daughter of Jose (?) and Catalina Biacaba, widow first of Mr. Lefebre and after of Antonio Bertrand. And that she is not engaged to anyone but Mr. Rosier, which she does willingly since there is not any impediment between them. 2) That to prove the widowhood of her second marriage, the only document she has is the presented abriedy. 3) That Mr. Bertran died on board of the "Isabela," sailing from the French Cape to Philadelphia 10 days after she left; that Christina was with him and that he died in her company. They were not removed to the pirate English ship and Christina remained in Tortola. 4) Finally, that she went from Tortola to Puerto Delpin and from there to Havana, where she remained till she came to Louisiana. That she is 25 years old. Signed by the Bishop, Patricio Walsh, Christina Bertrand and witnessed by Rivas.
--To this is added a decree by Bishop Penalver in which he says that Christina Andora could not prove her widowhood because the witnesses contradict each other. Moreover, the Bishop order that she is to be notified of the present decree and act as she considers best. Signed by the Bishop.
--To this is added a note by Rivas certifying that the above decree was issued by Bishop Penalver at New Orleans on Sept. 15, 1795.
--To this is added a note by Rivas certifying that on the same day he notified C(?)ristina Andora of the above decree.

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1795 Sep. 15

Andora, C(?)ristina

to Bishop Penalver y Cardenas
(New Orleans)

1) Christina Andora notifies the Bishop that herself has been notified of the latter;s decree, as a result of the information of the witnesses presented by her, which she quotes freely.
2) So in order to proceed legally, she asks the Bishop to order the procedures handed to her.
3) Finally she asks justice may be done; she swears what is necessary and agrees to pay the costs.
--To this is added a note by Rivas on the top of the first page certifying that the present document was handed in by Christina Andora on Sept. 15, 1795.
--To this is added the following decree of Bishop Penalver: Be the procedures handed over as requested. Signed by the Bishop.
--To this is added a note by Rivas certifying that the above decree was issued by Bishop Penalver at New Orleans on Sept. 16, 1795.
--To this is added a note by Rivas certifying that, on the same day, he notified Christina Andora of the above decree and delivered to her the procedures.

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1795 Sep. 17

Andora, C(?)ristina

to Bishop Penalver y Cardenas
(New Orleans)
Christina Andora asks the Bishop:
1) That in order not to return to the residence of the Captain of the ship on which her late husband died to get his solemn witness, the Captain's certification be taken from the file where are kept all the documents concerning the present process, and be given her. In its place (page four) will be inserted a translated copy. So if she gets, in the meantime, any definite proof of her husbands death or if any of the persons who were present at his death arrive here, they may declare him dead.
2) That justice may be done and that she is willing to pay the costs she swears whatever may be necessary. Signed by Christina Bertrand.
--To this is added a note by rivas, on the top of the first page, certifying that the present document was handed in by Estevan Rosier in the name of Christina Andora, on Sept. 17, 1795.
--To this is added a decree by Bishop Penalver ordering that the above mentioned certification be taken and a copy, translated by Father Patricio Walsh, be placed in its stead. Signed by the Bishop.
--To this is added a note by Rivas certifying that the above decree was issued by Bishop Penalver on Sept. 18, 1795.
--To this is added a note by Rivas certifying that on the same day, he notified Father Walsh of the above decree, who agreed to make the translation and swore to proceed legally.
--To this is added another note by Rivas certifying that, on the same day, he notified C(?)ristina Andora of the above decree and gave her the document requested, placing in its stead the legal translation of the same.
--To this is added the translation, dated Sept. 1(?), 1793, certifying that Mr. Bartrange, husband of Madame Bartrange died on board the "Isabella" on Oct. 11, 1793, and was buried in the sea. Signed by Valentin Pase, (?) Feurne Artau (?), Guilleruro B. Potts, R. Derset (?).
--To this is added a note by Father Patricio Walsh, date Apr. 18, 1795, certifying that the above is the translation of a document written in English which he was ordered to make by the Bishop's decree. Finally, that he proceeded faithfully and legally. Signed by Patricio Walsh.

IV-5-b D.S.L. 15pp. 4to. 1p. 16to. (Spanish)
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