St. Charles Parish Inquest Book #1

ZPage 116--Inquest held on 14 Jul 1885 on the body of an unknown colored man lying dead between John Volman aand Frank Harvey Place. The jurors verdict is that he came to his death by being drowned in the Mississippi River. There were no marks of violence on the body. Jurors were Simmon Mathew, Anthony Labranche, Alfred Anderson, Ussin Eugene and Clement Colly.

Page 117--Inquest was held in the city of New Orleans on 20 Jun 1885 before Dr. J.F. Fenney, coroner, on the body of Henry Williams,lying dead at Charity Hospital and after careful autopsy find death to have resulted from a gun shot wound of the abdommen producing internal hemumorrhage. Henry Williams, male,black, native of LA.,age 23, resident of this city since by occupation a laborer residing at Boutte Station, dead of internal hemumorrhage on 29 Jun 1885 at 12 o'clock from a gun shot wound of abdomen. Jurors were A. C. Seymour, Daul Maloney, M.L. Tinney, and J. T. Tinney, MD Coroner.

Page 118--Inquest held on 18 Aug 1885 on the body of Emma Thomas, lying dead at the Oakland Plantation. The jurors verdict is that she came ro her death by sunstroke and not otherwise, there being no marks of violence on her person. The jurors were Chas Ellis, James Harris, Leon Louis, Jesses Zino, and Clement Colly, Coroner.

German Neighbors in 1724

11.   Hans Reinhard Scheckschneider with his wife and two children sailed from L'Orient. His son Jacob was landed in Brest and died there. Son, Albert, must have been one of the German orphans referred to in the 1724 census. He was the progenitor of the Scheckschneider families.

12.   Jean Zweig, his wife and two children came from Bamberg, Bavaria, Germany. The parents probably died before the 1724 census. The daughter married Joseph Verret. Jean Zweig was listed as Jean Labranche on his marriage contract.

13,14,15. Nikolaus, Christian and Conrad Kugel whose parents died in  L'Orient.

16.   Louis Leonhard.

17.   Paul Anton Mueller from Halle.

Sugar Made in Louisiana 1844--continued

St. Charles--Left side

Honore Landreaux  34
Mrs. Delhomere  32
P. A. Rost  32
Charles Oxley  32
Mrs. F. Trepagnier 31
Hermogene Labranche  30
Mrs. Drauzin Labranche  29
Mrs. McCutcheon  26
P. A Rost  25
Pierre Soniat  23
O. & A. Labranche  22
Mrs. Louis Labranche  21
F. Pizeros  21
Ed. Portier, Jr. & Co.  18

Sugar Made in Louisiana in 1844

"Statement of Sugar Made In Louisiana  1844
by P. A. Champomier, reprinted 1987 by Roland R. Stansbury. Champomier's reports were published from 1844-1863.

St. Charles Parish Planters --right side and distance from New Orleans

Garcia & Sorapuru, 37 miles
Mrs. Deneufbourg, 36
Mrs. Zenon Ranson, 35
Charles Perret & Co., 34
Joseph Bourgeois, 33
Mrs. Charles Perret, Jr., 33
Chauvin & Levois, 32
J. B. Troxler & Co., ---
Mrs. A. Brou & son, 31
Mrs. Delery & Bry, 30
Ed. Fortier, 30
Chas. Rixner & Co., 29
Joseph Girod, 28
Mrs. J. B. Labranche, 27
Francois Meyronne, 25
George Rixner, 24
Chas. A. Jacobs, ---
Mrs. Massicot, 23
St. Martin Mechin, ---
Onesiphor St. Amant, 22
J. B. St. Amant, ---
D. Lanaux & L. Charbonnet, 21

Left side to be continued.

Inquest Records Book #1--March 1877 to December 1886

Page 74.  Inquest was held on 23 Mar 1883 on the body of Alick Morris at Flaggville, lying here dead in the jail. The jurors' verdict is that he died of inflammation of the lungs. The jurors were Jos. Stein, George Stafford, Spencer Smith, (H)?llent  White, Max Hornbacker and Coy Clinton, JP

Page 75.  Inquest was held on the body of an unknown colored girl, lying dead. on 8 June 1883 in front of  A. Gassen, on the batture, before 2nd Ward Justice of the Peace. The jurors' verdict is that she came to her death by accidently drowning, her body found floating in the river, The jurors were Charles Gassen, Achille Gassen, Joe Alexander, John Mongrue, and C. C. A. Stephens, JP  2nd Ward.

Page 76.  Inquest was held on the body of Octavie Dennis on 23 July 1883, found floating in the river in front of Davis Plantation. The jurors' verdict was that she came to her death by being drowned. Jurors' were C.C. A. Stephens,JP, 2nd Ward, Faustin Nicholas, Louis Washington, (?)vst Labranche, Martin Antoine and Lambert Tho(?).

Page 77.  Inquest was held on the body of an unknown colored man on 22 Nov 1883. here lying dead at Ormond Plantation, before Reuben B. Smith, Justice of the Peace, 5th Ward. The jurors' verdict was that he came to his death by violent murder, by unknown parties, his left eye knocked out. Found in his pocket, one deck passage ticket of the Steamer of the Whisper, one razor, the sum of two dollars and 35 cents. The jurors were Jim Washington, Harrison Roe, Benson Styrs, Wilson Styrs, Aaron Talbot, and Ruebin B. Smith, JP.

Our Neighbors in St. John in 1860, continued by J. W. Dorr

     There are a large number of fine estates in St. John---as the "Belle Point" place of A . Deslonde, "Mount Airy", owned by Joseph Lebourgeois, "Esperance" place, by Dr. Loughborough, and others not inferior, if not dignified with names. Among the heavy planters of the parish are the following, and most of them are heavy; Thomas May, Jr., Octave Hymel, Francis Webber & Co., V. B. Marmillion, L. Becknel, Col. Whitehead, Dr. A. G. Wiendahle, A. LaBranche, A. Deslonde, Samuel Hollingsworth & Co., J. Picou & Co., L. Montegut, Louque Delhommer, Similien LaBranche, E. Daunnois, F. Vicknair & Bros., E. B. Marmillion, David Adams, Dr. Loughborough, Welham & Godberry, Joseph Lebourgeois and M. Perilloux. The planters, constituting the staple population of the parish, are, almost to a man, of the old Creole gentleman type---hospitable, chivalrous and high-spirited. The Anglo-Americans are few.

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.

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.

St. Charles Parish Officials---January 1883

St. Charles Herald Newspaper---Jan. 5, 1883

Sheriff, B. S. Labranche; Deputy Sheriff, Joseph L. Martin; Clerk of Court, John B. Martin; Assessor, Theodule T. Baudouin; Treasurer, Arthur Robbins.                  

Police Jury, J. L. Boutte, Arthur Brou, Leon Sarpy, E. Rost, J. S. Brady, and Lewis Ory, Secretary;

School Board, Emile Rost, Leon Sarpy, J. S. Brady, H. L. Youngs, Owen McLaren, J. L. Boutte, and T. T. Baudouin, Superintendent and Arthur Robbins, Treasurer.

Syndics were  Ward 1, L. DeBroussard; Ward 2, John Mongrue; Ward 3, George Delhommer; Ward 4, James Taylor; and Ward 5, Emile Soniat.

Justice of the Peace, Ward 1, Coy Clinton; Ward 2, C. C. A. Stephens; Ward 3, George Scott; Ward 4, Joseph B. Friedman; Ward 5, Reuben B. Smith.

Constables, Ward 1, Robert Pierre; Ward 2, Louis Thomas; Ward 3, Peter Brown; Wards 4 and 5, no one in this position.

Various Information from 1883

This information published in the St. Charles Herald, 21 July 1883

     We have received from Mr. Leon Sarpy, left bank, a fine stalk of sugar cane, containing seven well developed red joints.
     The water tank which was located near St. Charles Station on the Texas and Pacific Railroad has been removed to Davis Station, below Hahnville.
     Special attention is called to the circular issued by J. W. Fairfax, World's Fair and Cotton and Exposition, to be held in New Orleans.
     Evening bathing in the Mississippi River is now the fashionable sport and recreation of Hahnville's boys. Better or more healthy exercise, at proper times, they could not have.
     Hahnville needs a permanent doctor. Dr. Elmore, although doing very well here, considering our general good health, has accepted greater inducements and moved to St. John. If any young doctor, of good character, wishes to be located in a pleasant place and be satisfied with a moderate practice, Hahnville offers him the best inducements.
     The committee appointed to examine the accounts of the late B. L. Labranche, sheriff and ex-officio tax collector, and settle with his sureties made their report to that body on the 2d. inst. The deceased was indebted to the parish in the sum of $2,063.09 subject to about $511 due him by the parish. It is said that his indebtedness to the state exceeded $2000, which amount the sureties, Messrs. Rost and Sarpy, must pay. The sureties' liabilities amount to about $3500.
     R. Viterbo, Esq., the proprietor of the "Edmee", formerly Luling Plantation, in order to keep up with this age of progress, has obtained a new locomotive to run on the narrow guage railroad, lately constructed, between his place on the riverfront and his sawmill in the rear, 5 1/2 miles distance- for the purpose of transporting lumber and sugarcane from the vicinity of Boutte Station and beyond to be purchased by the ton. It will run on his land also to be of great assistance to him, in conveying his crop of sugarcane, nearly 1000 acres, to his complete and extensive mill near the riverfront.

Police Jury Meeting 2 July 1883

St. Charles Herald 14 July 1883

Proceedings of the police jury meeting, Monday, July 2,1883. Present, Brou, Brady, Sarpy, Boutte and Rost.

      The committee appointed to settle with the sureties of the late B.S. Labranche, sheriff and tax collector made their report . A motion by Brady that the parish treasurer is instructed to make a settlement of the sureties of the late B.S. Labranche in accordance with the recommendations of the committee and that the bills presented by said sureties amounting to $411.35 be accepted as part of the settlement.
      On motion of Mr. Rost, the communication of J.F. Mojonnier,coroner and acting sheriff be received  and the president be authorized to draw on treasurer in favor of Dr. Mojonnier, the sum of $137.80, being the balance on hand for sheriff appropriations as per contract with the late sheriff for quarter ending June 30, 1883, after deducting the cost of provisions and envelopes furnished to his office.
      On motion it was resolved that a syndic for Ward 1 and 3 be elected.
      Motion by Mr. Rost that Messrs. Arthur Brou of Ward 1 and Leon Sarpy of Ward 3 be elected syndics and overseers of the roads and levees of their wards in place of L.D. Broussard, removed and G. Delhommer, resigned.
      On motion by Mr. Sarpy, it was resolved that 50 percent on approved bill of the late George Essex, as sheriff, for services rendered in criminal cases and keeping prisoners during the month of Nov. 1876 being for $285.33 and registered No. 5552 Dec. 1, 1876 be paid to widow of George Essex out of the contingent fund of 1883.
      On motion of Mr. Rost, it was moved that the jury now resolve itself into a Board of Reviewers according to law.
      On motion of Mr. Rost, it was moved that the assessment of Brou Bros. placed on real estate be reduced to $2,300.
      On motion of Mr. Rost, it was resolved that Monday, July 16,1883 be fixed for the examination  and hearing of the case of the Texas and Pacific Railroad Co. and that the superintendent and assessment agent of said company be notified.
      On motion of Mr. Rost, it was resolved that the assessment of the Mississippi Valley Railroad be left out for this year.
      On motion, the Board of Reviewers adjourned to July 16, 1883 to examine the balance of assessments list.
      

Schools in 1877

St. Charles Herald, 11 Aug 1877

School Board Proceedings
The members of the Board of School Directors assembled at the Courthouse this 4th day of August, 1877.  Present---Messrs. Sarpy, Kenner, Essex, Darensbourg, and Baudouin.
Absent---Messrs. Rost, Bougere, and McCutcheon
The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.
The president then presented the following circular:
Department of Public Education, State of Louisiana, New Orleans, July 17, 1877
To Emile Rost, president of the Parish Board of School Directors in and for the parish of St. Charles:
Dear Sir--Be pleased to inform this office of the amount of outstanding claims of past years against the school fund in your parish, and of the measures which your Board have adopted for ascertaining and settling  the same. A separate statement of the amount due for schools open in 1877 is also requested, with a memorandum of the months during which the schools have been in operation. Information of this character is needed before apportionment for 1877 can properately be paid to your parish. Be pleased to mention also what books, forms, papers and balances of funds have been recovered from your predecessors, and what other forms, etc., are needed by or for the officers of your Board and teachers of your schools. Very respectfully yours, etc., R.M. Lusher, State Superintendant.
In answer to the above circular, the Board stated that the only outstanding claim of past years against school funds of this parish, so far as has been ascertained, is a bill bearing date of April 3, 1876, for the sum of two dollars ($2) due the St. Charles Herald for publishing a notice that the public schools would open on the 3rd April, 1876. The amount due for schools open in 1877 is $337, and this is for the month of June only. There were seven schools open in March and two more in April, 1877. These continued in operation until the 30th June. The amount turned over by the former to the present Treasurer, as per his own statement dated August 2, 1877, is $48.86. The former Secretary has turned over to us all the books, forms and papers in his possession, consisting of record, minute and account books, and all the forms necessary to carry on and transact the business of the schools.
On motion of Mr. Youngs, a committee on school houses, purchases, and supplies was appointed with instructions to examine the school houses belong(sic) to the parish, determine upon and change the location of the schools, lease suitable buildings for the same, and report their action in the premises to the Board at its next meeting.
Messrs. Youngs, Kenner, Essex and McCutcheon were appointed on said committee.
A petition from the citizens of the second ward, residing between Labranche and Davis plantations, praying that a school be established near St. Dennis station on the O. & T. R.R., and recommending the Bell Baptist Church be used for same, was presented by the Rev. Wiley Jones to the Board for consideration.
A note from Mrs. Caulfield, tending an invitation to the Board to attend a distribution of prizes to the pupils of her school, to take place on the 13th inst., was then read, after which the Board adjourned to meet again on the 18th inst.
T.T. Baudouin, Secretary

Exercise in T. L. Labranche Court, Continued

Page 2

George Chevalier vs John Chin 30 May 1832

The petition of G. Chevalier (A mort C) praying for the payment of a sum of eighty dollars due him by John Chin of this parish, as his fee for two months work as a carpenter.

May 30th, 1832 and the fifty-sixth of American Independence as the Parish Court of St. Charles order, "Let a summon issue as required and notification be given to the defendant. Parish of St. Charles, May 30th 1832.
T. L. Labranche, ex-officio clerk.

Citation sent on the fourth day of June 1832, the defendant to appear in ten days from the service thereof.

Page 3---George Chevalier, f.m.of c. vs John Chin. Petition returned to court June 11th 1832. Petition of John Chin, in answer to Petition of George Chevalier, praying that said Chevalier be cited before the court and his account reduced, amount ?. Filed June 11, 1832. T. L. Labranche, Judge and ex-officio clerk.

George Chev. F. C. M. vs John Chin

Citation and copy of the petition of John Chin given to the sheriff this day, 11 day of July 1832 and citation of John Chin to appear at this court on 21st instant day of trial.