grief, and I beseech from him, with all the fervency I am capable of, the return of his Holy Blessing, for to bring them back into the right way, and to enlighten them with the light of his Holy Spirit, which their ancestors have sealed with their blood — to the end that they may glorify him by their conversion, and by a public profession of His Holy Religion, in which they were born and have been baptized, and to transmit this precious gift to their posterity after them. (O Lord! be my God and the God of my children. Holy Father! keep them in thy name.)
“Not having any hopes, considering the misfortune of the times, that after my decease ray ashes, until the happy resurrection, may rest near those of my most dear and most honoured lord and husband, I desire that after my decease my body may not be opened but be laid in the ground of the parish church of St. James’, where that of my dear sister Le Coq now lies, and that my burial be performed without any vain ceremony or expense, and as private as it possibly can be. I will be buried in woollen. I write this present testament with my own hand, and seal it with my seal, and I declare that what is contained therein is my last and fixed Will.
“As for and concerning my estate I dispose thereof in the manner following:— Imprimis. I give and bequeath to my most dear and only son, Armand Nompar De Caumont, Duke of La Force, all the estate in general which I have left in France, and all my right, title, and lawful interest, as well present as to come, without any exception. More, I give and bequeath to my said son, Armand De Caumont, out of the little estate with which it has pleased God to bless me in England, 3 long annuities — 2 upon the Excise of £14 sterling per annum, each Nos. 1930 & 3655 and another upon the 3700 weekly[?] of £20 sterling per annum — the 3 annuities amounting in the whole to £48 sterling per annum. Item, I give and bequeath to my said son, Armand De Caumont, 10 shares of the South Sea Company's Stock, the 10 amounting to £1000 stg., and 1 reducing at present £60 stg. per annum, but it is thought that the interest will be lowered in a short time. Item, I give and bequeath to my said son, Armand De Caumont, 800 oz. of plate, of the newest and best fashion, which I leave in England. I give to my said son, Armand De Caumont, all that is mentioned here above, upon condition only — that he shall pay to my two daughters Charlotte and Susanne Jane De Caumont, who are nuns, for their lives each a rent-charge of 200 livres tournois (French money), yearly, amounting in the whole to 400 livres for both my said daughters, which sum of 400 livres per annum shall go to the survivor of my said two daughters — after whose decease I will and order that the principal of the said rent of 400 livres shall revert to my granddaughter, Olympia De Caumont, if she is not a nun — but, in case she is, I give the said principal of the rent of 400 livres to my two grandchildren, Armand and Anthonin De Caumont. More, I give and bequeath to my son, Armand De Caumont, his picture with his family which he sent me, the picture of his father, and all the other family pictures that he shall desire, and whereof a catalogue shall be sent him. I give and bequeath to my grandson, James De Caumont, my tortoise snuff-box set in gold. I give and bequeath to my grand-daughter, Olympia De Caumont, my watch with white dial-plate, with two gold cases with the chains and gold seals that are thereto belonging. I give and bequeath to my two grandsons, twins, Armand and Anthonin De Caumont, to each ten guineas, for to buy some jewels for to remember me. I give and bequeath to my dear sister, Frances De Beringhen, £30 stg. per annum during her life and after her decease I will and order that the principal of the said sum of £30 stg. shall be remitted to the Governors and Directors of the French Hospital of the Providence for the use of the poor refugees who are maintained there. I give and bequeath to Mr. Le Blanc, minister of the little French Chapel of Sunbury, twelve guineas once paid. As concerning my servants, I have taken care to recompense them in my lifetime. I declare that all the sums which I have placed in England upon the public funds, as well in the Company as upon the Exchequer, I have placed in my maiden name, which is Susanne De Beringhen. I nominate and constitute for Executors of my present testament John De Remy De Montigny, and Mr. Philip Menard, minister of the Chapel Royal of St. James. And all the residue of the estate which I have in England (my just debts and the legacies contained in my present testament being paid) I give and bequeath to my said Executors, Messieurs Menard & Montigny.
“Done at Sunbury this 29th day of August 1726,
“(Signed)Susanne De Beringhen, Duchesse De La Force.”
Signed, sealed, and published in the presence of
René De Sauniers L’Hermitage,
Sam: Ravenel.
Proved at London by Philip Menard, clerk, and John De Remy De Montigny, executors, 2nd June 1731.
*⁎* The Beringhen family were warmly admired for their constancy under persecution. The father (who was an elder of Charenton), the mother, sons, married daughters, and daughters marriageable, were ail severely tried.
