Translation of the will of Jean Pierre Elme Leduc
( written 4th July 1855, declared the 7th December 1861).
1st page
He explained that he wrote this will many times because his frist version was in 1845 but
many things changed between 1845 and 1861. He said that he changed the text and
deleted some lines from the old version to give them importance in other circumstances.
He asks if his brother and his sister-in-law can destroy all the letters that he had
received. They are located in his office (he puts in brackets the he had already
destroyed many of them).
He is begging his brother to try to publish his book about Ile de France (it is published in
1884) and offer a copy to the manuscripts services of the Library located on Richelieu
Street.
2nd page
He declared in his will that all of his notes with a sensitive subject, or useless literary
character, be burned.
He let his nieces choose something that they loved by which to remember him from
amongst his goods. He wishes them all the best and happiness for their future. He
invited them and their children to read his History of Galega.
“It is possible that they will meet some people who will talk about their uncle Auguste
Leduc, it is necessary that they know the truth and can then use it to inform everyone of
the truth about him.”
End of 2nd and 3rd page
List of the goods donated for relatives or friends, principally some books such as
Robinson Crusoe, Plutarch or books of research by Georges Cuvier (well-known French
botanist):

Cullerier (my nephew the doctor); Buffon 9 vol. n196; Lacepede, 3vol. n197;
Plutarch; Animaux Anglais (English animals) 1 vol by David Lom.

The volumes number 160,193 and 5 are for my nephew Michel, and also my box
of mathematics tools.

Curiar (charles), the original copy of his future published book about ile de
France.

Desnoyer (the doctor)

Jourdan (Albert)

LeDuc (Pierre Etienne Denis)

Lemoine (his niece Henriette)

Leroy (Charles)
“Concerning my heritage (money), I divided it between my two nieces Henriette Lemoine
and Marie LeDuc and my beloved nephew Michel Cullerier.
4th page
After my brother and my sister-in-law, I would like to see my niece Henriette Lemoine
become the guardian of my manuscripts and then to let them to anyone whom she
trusts.”
He wants to give the rest of his clothes, shoes etc… to poor families.