Monday, January 7, 2008

Two-page letter (inheritance)


This is an old two-page hand-written letter from the papers of Jacob Obrecht [copy courtesy PK]. Any context or clues to dates, locations, or people are greatly appreciated.

This letter, written after 1919, is presumably discussing the estate of Jacob's father. It reads as if it is written by Jacob's sister-in-law (the wife of Mathias), but mentions Barbara, so the relationships are still unclear. Jacob's mother Catherine is still living in 1920, when Jacob travels to France to visit.

Click on the image for a larger version. Please leave a comment if you can help.



"Nun lieber Jakob u Anna
Ich habe immer gedacht der Mathias schreibt Euch noch selber einige Worte aber Er sagt Er ist müde zu schreiben und so ist es halt immer. Ich dachte immer Er soll es Dir selber schreiben wegen diesem Erbtheil wo wir Euch noch shultig sind Er sagt neben mir am Tisch daß der Notar Ihm alles verschrieben hat für 11. tausend Franken aber wir geben Dir für Dein Theil 11. tausend, also würden wir Dir noch 6 tausend und 5 hundert Frank. schultig sein. Du wirst noch wissen daß wir der Barbara 600 M. gegeben haben für Dich. und wider 1. tausend Mark und dann wider 4 hundert M. Und dann wider im Jahre 1919 zwei Tausend Franken wir denken Du hast es auch auf geschreiben, also zusammen 45 hundert Frank also müßten wir Dir noch 6 tausend 5 hundert Franken geben. Es wär uns recht wen wir es Euch könnten schicken oder irgend wo anlegen für Euch. wen etwaß Dir nicht gefallen thut so sei so aufrichtig und schreib es Du darft Dein Sach auch dazu sagen lieber Jakob. Wir grüßen Euch alle herzlich Familie M. Obrecht."


"Now dear Jakob and Anna,
I always thought that Mathias would write a few words to both of you himself, but he says that he is too tired to write, which is always how it is. I had always thought he would write to you himself regarding the portion of the inheritance which we still owe to you. He says next to me at the table that the notary wrote out a slip for him for 11 thousand franks, but we are giving you for your share 11 thousand, therefore we still owe you 6,500 franks. You’ll know already that we gave Barbara 600 marks for you, and also 1,400 marks, and then also 2,000 franks in 1919. We think that you also wrote about that, so altogether 4,500 franks, so we still owe you 6,500 franks. It would be right if we could send to you or invest it somewhere for you. If you are not happy with anything be frank and write about it. You may also say your concerns, dear Jakob. Our loving greetings to you all, -the M. Obrecht family."


[translated by CH]

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