Inquest Records, Book 1, March 1877--December 1886

Page 61.  Inquest was held on 15 July 1882 on the body of Aristide Pierre found floating in the Mississippi River, at Davis Place. The jurors verdict is that he accidently drowned in the river in front of Farmerville at 11 o' clock on the 11th of this month while attempting to force his horse in the water and we are satisfied that nobody is to be blamed for the accident. Jurors were Jos. M. Labranche, Valentine Labranche, Baptiste Antoine, Pierre Lewis, Bazile Pierre and J. F. Mojonnier, Coroner.

Page 62.  Inquest was held on 12 August 1882 on the body of Robert Bowling, age about 35 years, lying dead. Jurors verdict is that he was accidently (sic) killed at the 25 mile post of the Morgan Railroad, while riding on the section hand car, while in motion, by being struck by the car level, dislocating his neck, producing instant death and we find nobody to blame. Jurors were Ben Sird---ff, Adolph Mojonnier, Fred Mojonnier, Jeff Week, Henry Clark, Alex Griffen and J. F. Mojonnier, Coroner.

Page 63.  Inquest was held on 12 August 1882 on the body of Ephraim Porter at Freetown. The jurors conclude on 11 August 1882, that he came to his death from a pistol shot wound which penetrated his left chest one inch back of the nipple in a downward direction, perforating the heart, the lobe of the right lung, the liver, in which the ball was found, having caused hemorhage (sic) and immediate death. The shot was fired by one Alcide Diendonne, now in custody, while the deceased was in the act of committing an assault on said Alcide Diendonne armed with a water pitcher. Jurors were Milton S. Cox, Coy Clinton, John Pierre, Jr., Baptiste Jupiter, Bazile Ronbleau. Witnesses to mark, Chas. A Baquie, J. L. Martin, and J. F. Mojonnier, Coroner.

1860 in St. John Parish

Mr. J. W. Dorr leaves St. Charles Parish and continues his trip to St. John Parish. Court House, Edgard     P. O. St. John the Baptist Parish, April, 27,1860.

Since my date yesterday at the Court-house of St. Charles parish, I have taken it easy and unraveled about fifteen miles more of the winding route of the Mississippi. The road is still pleasant, but not as delightfully so as in St. Charles parish. The planters hereabout do not seem to take quite as much pains in beautifying their homesteads, and they are rather very fine, commodious farmhouses than splendidly ornamented villas, as so many of them are in St. Charles. There are, however, some vey beautiful places in this parish. There is a much greater proportion of people of small means in this parish than in St. Charles, and more free colored; and, indeed, it is nearly twice as populous. There are a good many people along the levee who appear to rely principally on the catfishery and woodchopping for the steamboats for a livelihood, and consequently don't thrive very prosperously.

The only thing I see to object to in this parish is the dogs, their quantity and quality; but I hardly dare to say what I thinkof them, for so fashionable is it to find fault with what the papers say nowadays, that even the dogs of St. John the Baptist might get after me for libellous publication. But I will remark that if Cassius had had an idea of what the vagrom dogs of St. John are, he would never have remarked that he "had rather be a dog" "than such a Roman", for he would rather have been any sort of a Roman than such a dog. The meanest of loafing, houseless, homely, sausage-fearing city curs, would hold up his head in their company and put on city airs, justly esteeming himself a better article of dog, a more elevated type of the canine species. Perhaps, though, my feelings are embittered toward the dogs of this region, by the fact that having bought one of them for a small consideration, intending to preserve him a a rare specimen of canine worthlessness, the creature gnawed off aa halter worth more than himself with which I tied him behind my buggy, and left your correspondent in the lurch. Hence I conclude that he was of the variety known as "lurcher".

I notice, too, a peculiarity in fence making as done in this parish, but all along the river, which strikes me forcibly. This is a way the fence builders have of driving the nail through the string-piece first and into the picket afterward. Why this should be done I don't know, unless the negro carpenters on the plantations are afraid that someone will steal  the nails if they leave the heads on the outside of the fence. But the way they make the fences is none of my business. They don't belong to me.
                                                                                                          to be continued.

1883 in St. Charles Parish

St. Charles Herald, July 7, 1883.

Credit is due to our police jury for refusing to permit the assessment list of the Mississippi Valley Railroad to be enrolled for taxation in the year 1883, owing to the prompt and generous action taken by said company in closing both the Bonnet Carre and Patterson Crevasses some weeks ago.

We are pleased to see that our police jury have taken a step in the right direction in having some of their number appointed as syndics. We hope that this may prove such a change for the better, that all of them may be persuaded to accept a like appointment for the good of the parish.

Conductor Muro, of the M. L. & T. R.R. put an old lady, with only one leg, off the west bound train at Boutte Station, last Monday morning, owing to the fact of her not having sufficient money to carry her to her destination of Rockport, Texas. Owing to the kindness of Hon. J. L. Boutte and other citizens of our parish, she was sent on her way rejoicing.

One of the largest and most complete sugar plantations of Boutte Station neighborhood is that of Col. E. H. Young, a gentleman of genius, vigor, and popularity. This fine plantation is situated about 3 miles above Boutte; the M. L. & T. R.R. runs through the place and the traveller is impressed with the beauty of the surroundings, sugar cane presenting a healthy growth, buildings having evidence of care and attention, besides other indications that this is a first class place, complete in every respect.

A duel took place last Wednesday in St. John Parish, between Messrs. Elias Williams and Leon Montegut, after an exchange of shots, neither party was impaired.

Civil War Claims

"Civil War Claims in the South, Index to Damage Claims Filed Before the Southern Claims Commission 1871-1880" by Gary B. Mills.

According to Mills not all southerners supported the Confederacy during the Civil War. After the war, a claims commission was formed to go over claims of money owed to loyalists for goods taken by or given to the U. S. Army and Navy. There were 22,298 claims filed. Only 7,092 claims were found to be valid. All the claims were filed in the National Archives in Washington, D. C. and contain much genealogical information.

Mills says they contain wills, birth records, lists of children and family, household inventories, military records, family letters, and personal descriptions. There is also testimony witnesses and information about other people in some claims.

Claims from St. Charles Parish were # 1101 Joseph Levais alias Jules Caesar; # 208 Alfred Mayronne and estate of Furgus and Gustave; and # 1250 James A. Whale.

Claims from St. John Parish were # 15,544 Pierre Aime Becnel; #15,853 Octave Hymel; # 15,473 Ursin Jacob, and # 9839 Louis Tregre.

Claims from St. James Parish were #16,204 Jacob Demy and # 16,167 Jules Edward Kimpe.

Check this book out for other parishes and states.

Incorporate the Lyceum of the Parish of St. Charles

The winter 1987 issue of "Terrebonne Life Lines" has an article by Cathy Shannon and Barbara Heck.

Act #37. Incorporate the Lyceum of Parish of St. Charles. Charles Perret, Drausin Perret, Charles Perret, the son, A. Labranche, Zenon Ranson, Norbert Ranson, Edmond Fortier, Renne, the son, Charles Doussan, H. Labranche, N. Chauvin Delery, Octave Delhomme, Darensbourg De Neufbourg, Jr., Bte. Labranche, J. B. Humphery, F. B. Trepagnier, Dr. Labranche, Chev. Delhommer, Dreudonne Fortineau, Francois Oliver, Focelle, J. E. Arnold, P. B. St. Martin, Zenon Darensbourg, Ambroise Brou, Baltazar Dusuan, and F. Gaudet, inhabitants of St. Charles incorporate a body politic known as " Regents of the Lyceum of the Parish of St. Charles." 6 Mar 1828 Second Session, Eighth Legislature, 1828, page 58.

WWI Veterans

Baudoin, Victor   2,918,774    White
Residence Hahnville, born Hahnville, LA  18 Nov 1894
Inducted 15 Jul 1918, Hahnville
Tulane University Student Army Tug Corps, Camp Martin, LA to 16 Oct 1918; Inf Unassigned to discharge   PVT
Discharged 10 Jan 1919   no injuries

Belinger, Camile   3,258,739   White
(Written in ink, J. P. Belenger)
Residence Luling, Born Raceland, LA  25 8/12 years
Inducted 27 Jun 1918, Hahnville
162 Dep Brig to 22 July 1918; Co 4 Camp Pike Aug Auto Repl Draft to 15 Sep 1918; Co I 161 Inf to 20 Sep 1918; I C School Det APO #703 to discharge; PVT 1st CL, 21 Dec 1918
Served overseas 23 Aug 1918 to 22 Jun 1919
Discharged 3 Jul 1919   no injuries

School Board Records--1897

In 1897 the board voted to open 16 schools, 10 for white students, and 6 for black students. These schools were 1st Ward, schools for white students at Trinity, Troxler and Hahnville or Fashion and a school for black students at Baumgardners.

In the 2nd Ward there were schools for black students at Flaggville, Gassenville and Madisonville and white schools at Gassenville and Madisonville.

In the 3rd Ward there was a school for white students at Delhomer and for black students at Prattville.

In the 4th Ward there were schools for white students at Boutte and Des Allemands and for black students at 28 Mile Point.

In the 5th Ward there were two schools at Elkinsville, one for black students and one for white students.

There was one teacher for each school and the schools opened in Februrary for five months.

Inquest Records--Book 1, March 1877--December 1886

P58.  Inquest was held on 14 Apr 1882 on the body of Washington King, lying dead in an isolated cabin about three miles from the river near Waggamen, 4th Ward. The jurors' verdict is that he came to his death from an accidental bad fall, having struck his left chest causing the rupture of a chronic abces(sic) and active hemorhages(sic) and death in a few hours and we find that the vomiting of blood was produced by the above cause and that the fall was accidental as no one approached him until the time he was in agony and so we exonerate anyone to blame. Jurors were Adolph Mojonnier, E. Waggamen, Edward Bull, Jos. Streger, Louis Edward and J. F. Martin, Coroner.

P59.  Inquest was held on 27 June 1882 on the body of an unknown man in front of the Davis Place. Apparantly(sic) a Chinaman fished out of the Mississippi River by Mathews Antoine. The jurors verdict is that the man came to his death by drowning. Jurors were Clairborne Stainly, J. M. Bailer, Jos. M. Ward, Jos. Newell, Jos. Thomas, and Joseph B. Friedman, Dy. Coroner.

P60.  Inquest was held on 27 June 1882 on the body of a colored man found in the Mississippi River in front of the Alice Plantation. The said body,  from all appearance, having been in the water about three months. No marks of violence or injury could be seen. The body was brought to shore by Ursin Zeringue. Jurors were J. M. Bailer, Clairborne Stanily, Marshall Bennett, Louis Thomas, D. K. Lewis and Jos. B. Friedman, Dy. Coroner.

German Neighbors-1724 census

Germans who setteled on land that belonged to Bienville

1.Peter Bayer from Wankenloch, near Durlach, Baden. Six arpents of land.

2. Casper Hegli, a Swiss from near Lucerne, 35, Catholic, his wife, a daughter and two orphan boys. A cow, a heifer, a young bull and three pigs. Two years on place.  He has made a very fine garden enclosed by palisades. He has made a good levee. Did not make more than three barrels of rice due to inundation. (hurricane) Has six arpents of land. He is a good worker and deserves a negro.

3. Jacob Huber, native of Suevia, Germany, 45, Catholic, wife, a son of 16. One engage. One cow, one heifer, one pig. Made no crop due to inundation. A good worker.
    Jacob Huber's son Christoph married Marie Josephine St. Ives. Their descendants write their names as
    Oubre, Ouvre and Hoover.

Have You Read ?

For information about your Acadian ancestors Civil War experiences read "Acadian General: Alfred Mouton and the Civil War" by William Arceneaux. While Mouton is the focus of the book, he led the troops from the St. James Rifles, Acadian Guards, St. Landry Volunteers, Lafourche Creoles, Natchitoches Rebels, Hays Champions and Confederate Guards. These make up the 18th Louisiana Regiment who fought in several states and throughout Louisiana.

"A Soldier's Journey, The Civil War Diary of Henry C. Caldwell, Co. E, 7th Louisiana Infantry, CSA" edited by Keith G. Bauer is  the diary of a soldier from Franklin, LA from June 1861 to August 1863. He was in battles in Manassas, Front Royal, Cross Keys, Winchester, Middletown, Port Republic, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. He tells about life of a regular soldier and would give you an idea of what your ancestor may have gone through.

"Journal of Confederate History" by Dr. John McGlone also tells about things that happened during the Civil War.

The magazine "Acadiana Profile" has interesting articles on many subjects. If you can find V12, #3 there is an article by Winston De Ville, "Ancestry in Acadiana." He tells where some of the odd names of our ancestors came from. He says they are taken from very obscure saints, mythology, ancient history, romantic novells and pagan royalty.

"Germans of Louisiana" by Ellen C. Merrill tells about German settlements in New Orleans, Minden and Rayne, LA.  This book tells about the state's German buildings, towns, monuments, prominent people and other information of the 19th century.

If your library doesn't have these publications, try inter-library loan.

School Board Records--January 1896

     The board resolved that no male teacher would be employed in any school as long as competent females could be employed.
     The insurance for fire protection on the Des Allemands school was paid in the amount of $3.75.
     The board also voted to build two schoolhouses for white families in the 2nd and 3rd Wards. The buildings were to be 35 by 25 feet and 12 feet high built of good cypress lumber except the floor and ceiling, which could be of pine. The building was to be placed on brick pillars and not to exceed $500 each in cost.
     The schools and their teachers were 1st Ward: Miss A. J. Doherty, white school at Trinity; F. A. Perkins, black school at Trestman; and J. Bienocu, white school at Hahnville. The last name was hard to read and may be incorrect.
     The 2nd Ward schools and teachers were Miss M. A. Cass, white school at Fashion Place; Johnson Gilmore, black school at Flaggville; Mrs. J. D. Triche, white school at Gassenville; G. S. Washington, black school at Gassenville; Miss  M. E. Logan, black school at Madisonville.
     In the 3rd Ward Miss M. L. Connelly taught at the white school at Delhi and Miss U. Pierson at the black school at Prattville.
     In the 4th Ward Miss Warren was at the white school in Boutte; R. Smith at the black school in Paradis and Miss Effie Porteous at the white school in Des Allemands.
     In the 5th Ward Miss Kate Geason was at the white school at Elkinsville and Mrs. D. G. Russell at the black school at Elkinsville.

Inquest Records Book #1, March 1877-December 1886

P 56.  Inquest was held on the child of Marie Thomas at Magnolia Ridge, 4th Ward. This was a dead child unlawfully buried by one Clairborne Harvey and exhumed by order of the coroner. The dead child was borne by Marie Thomas on the night of 23 December 1800 and buried on the 24 December 1880. The verdict of the jurors was that the dead child lost his life due to a Prostrate confinement, criminal neglect and incompetence of one Clairborne Harvey, acting as midwife and surgeon in the case and mother, Marie Thomas, being abettor before, during and after the fact of that practice. Jurors were Frank Roberts, J. M. Bailer, Adolph Mojonnier, Isham Henry, John Bently, and J. F. Mojonnier, Coroner.

P 57.  Inquest was held on 12 April 1882 on the body of John Brown, age about 70, at the Star Place, 1st Ward. The jurors' verdict was that he came to his death on the evening of the 10th at half past four o'clock, by the crumbling down of an old brick house structure of the Star Place, the same having had the wall partially demolished to use the bricks in the sugar house of the Star Plantation and further we find that the falling of the structure was caused by the criminal practice of demolishing the walls of the structure without any precaution or warning to the working men at the plantation and charge the owner and manager of the place of criminal neglect. Jurors were Geo. Smith, Ben Ednia, Lewis Pafuell, George Washington, Randell Hunter, and J. F. Mojonnier, Coroner.

School Board Records--April 1896

Mrs. J. Champagne donated a tract of land to the school board to build the school at Madisonville, 2nd Ward. Thomas J. Sellers had the lowest bid to construct the school for $475 and agreed to build a fence around the lot and supply some benches.

Mr. Adam Keller donated a portion of ground on the upper line of his property in the 3rd Ward, which is as near the center of the school population as was possible to come by. The bid of P. J. Laurent of $425 was accepted to build the school, including a fence across the back and on one side where the property was not fenced. Bid of Ozeme Keller for $16.50 to whitewash the building and paint inside except the ceiling was accepted.

Ten desks were purchased from Thomas Kane and Co. of Racine, Wisconsin, at $3.30 each, delivered and a polished oak teachers desk for $12. Ten large blackboards were made for #1.50 each. Two privies cost $4 each and leveling the ground was $2.50.

The school board members for 1896-1900 were A. E. Picard, Joseph Baudouin, W. L. Youngs, L. A. Keller, Antoine Gassen, T. J. Sellers, T. B. Sellers (school superintendent), J. C. Triche, Able Strauss, P. M. Kenner and Charles Elfer.

WWI--Veterans

Barras, James   2,922,120   White
Residence Boutte, born Thibodeaux, LA, 26 year
Inducted 5 July 1918, Hahnville
Hq Co 43 Inf to 2 Sep 1918, Hq Co 79 Inf to 26 Jan 1919, Provost Guard Co, Camp Logan, TX to discharge   PVT
Discharged 7 Mar 1919   no injuries

Baudoin, Percy W   2,918,324   White
Residence Hahnville, born Hahnville, LA  26 Jan 1895
Inducted 15 Jun 1918, Hahnville
Btry A 9 Bn FA Rapl Dep, Camp Zachary Taylor, KY to 27 Aug 1918, Hq Student Det, Penn Field, TX to discharge   PVT
Discharged 31 Dec 1918   no injuries

St. Charles Parish--1860--by J. W. Dorr, continued

     The Parish officers of St. Charles are--Samuel McCutcheon, President of the Police Jury, whose post-office is at McCutcheon's Landing; and Messrs. Noel St. Martin, Sheriff; C. St. Martin, Clerk District Court; and  also Parish Treasurer; and Emile Tastet, Recorder, all whose post-office address is St. Charles Court House. Among the "solid men" of the parish, are the following, some of whom are very "solid" in the matters of money, lands and negroes: Messrs. George Wailes, Sosthene Deneufbourg, Webb and Broaddus, Francis Webb, W. B. Whitehead, Charles Davenport, Chauvin, Levois & Co., Francis Bougere, Troxler Brothers, George E. Payne, Richard Taylor, Louis Ranson, A. Lanfear, Meyronne Brothers, Gautier & Ory, P. Sauve, Ezra Davis, Nosin Zeringue, Montegut & Lagrove, P. A. Rost, George Pincard, E. F. Labranche & Co., J. W. & S. McCutcheon, Pierre Soniat, Octave LaBranche, Lestang Sarpy, A. Duplantier, George R. Price and Henry Frellson. There are quite a number of rich widows in the parish, I am told, so rich that they deserve to be ranked among the "solid men", but I will not give their names, lest they and the other good people of the parish should be afflicted with an invasion of fortune-hunting bachelors.
     The planters are complaining very much of the backwardness of the rattoon cane in coming up, and the scattering and imperfect manner in which it does come. The plant cane, however, is very promising, and the general prospect of the crop, at this early date, is accounted good. Corn is looking very finely.
     The levee all along, so far, is in splendid condition. The fracture made by the Labranche crevasse is most thoroughly healed, and like the whole of the levee from the city up to this point, will defy all that any flood can do against it.

Inquest Records Book 1, Mar 1877-Dec 1886

P 53.   Inquest was held on the body of Joseph Fils on 13 Apr 1881, lying dead at Lone Star Place, 2nd Ward. Jurors' verdisct was that he came to his death being killed by the falling of a large structure, new roof covered an old dilapidated, rotten, and cracked brick wall which the constructor, a certain Bell of New Orleans, failed and criminally neglected to make proper repair to the wall to protect the structure of falling on a first blow, which did no damage to others old and rotten shantie (sic) structure but a few yards distance and so we blame the said Bell, constructor, of criminal neglect and recommend the District Attorney to ascertain the extent of constructor or architect responsibility before the grand jury. Jurors were Valentine Antoine, Harry McNervey, Bernard Paul Fabares, Adolph Mojonnier, and J. F. Mojonnier, Coroner.

P 54.  Inquest was held on the body of James Sims 23 August 1881. The verdict of the jurors is that he died from the effect of his wounds the 1st day of August 1881. The said wound has been made with a razor in the hands of John Diamond, now in custody, Saturday night about 7 o' clock, the 30th of July. The autopsy showed the wound was made by a sharp instrument having severed and cut all the abdominal muscles from the median line above the ombilic (sic) to the left side of the lumbar region cutting the abdominal muscles, the Periboncurn (sic) Pancreas, causing inflamation of intestines, peritonitis, hemorhagie (sic), and death, and so we charge the said John Diamond of the crime of murder. Jurors were Coy Clinton, Wyler Davis, Alexander Clinton, John Wound, Horace Barrett, and J. F. Mojonnier, Coroner.

P 55.  Inquest was held on the body of Rodney Jones on 29 August 1881. The jurors' verdict on the 2nd day of inquest, 30 August 1881, conclude by saying Rodney Jones died 29 August at 2 o'clock a.m. from the effect of a gunshot wound, to wit, a pistol ball in the hand and fired by Gustave Blumish, now at large, the night of Saturday 27, about 8 o'clock p.m. The ball having penetrated the lumbar region between the 5th and 6th lumbar vertebra perforating twice the small intesstine, cut the cervical vein producing death in about 30 hours and we charge Gustave Blumish of the crime of murder. Jurors were Joseph B. Friedman, Joseph Marchand, William Freeway, John Willis, Henry Beerfees, and J. F. Mojonnier, Coroner.

Census of 1724

59.  Johann (Jean) Jacob Foltz of Ramstein, Palatinate, Catholic,26, shoemaker, wife, child, age one. Four arpents cleared, two years on place, one pig. This year made only seven barrels of rice due to inundation. Was sick the whole summer.
       1731--Two children, two cows.

60.  Bernhard Anton (Bernard Autt) of Schweigen in Wurtemberg, Lutheran, 30, wife, boy, age 10. About four arpents cleared, two years on place, two pigs. Made 20 barrels of rice this year, would have made 60 barrels of corn, if there had been no indunation. A good worker.
       1731--Three children, one engage, six cows.


This ends the German families in St. Charles Parish. I will continue with the other German families in the New Orleans area.