BOOK TEN-2:  The Louisiana Acadian "Begats" - continued

The Foundational Acadian Families of South Louisiana - continued

Chiasson

Guyon, or Dion or Denis dit LaVallée, son of Pierre Chiasson or Giasson, a farmer, and Marie Péroché, was born at La Rochelle, France, in c1638.  Guyon came to English-occupied Acadia and settled at Port-Royal by c1666, when he married Jeanne, daughter of ____ Bernard and Andrée Guyon.  They had eight children, including four sons and three daughters.  Their daughters married into the Morin, Poirier dit de France, and Breau families.  Guyon and his family were not listed in the first Acadian census of 1671 because they had moved to Mouchecoudabouët, now Musquodoboit Harbor, near present-day Halifax, by June 1668, and they were still there in October 1674.  They moved on to the recently-founded settlement of Chignecto, where wife Jeanne died during the early 1680s.  Guyon remarried to Marie-Madeleine, daughter of Canadians Pierre Martin and Joachine Lafleur of Sillery, at Québec in October 1683.  They settled at Chignecto.  Marie-Madeleine gave Guyon no more sons but four more daughters, all born at Chignecto, three of whom married into the Carret, Pothier, De La Forestrie, and Pineau families--a dozen children, at least four sons and seven daughters, by two wives, between 1667 and 1693.  Guyon died probably in his mid-50s at Chignecto by c1693, when his wife remarried there.  One of his daughters by his second wife, Marie-Madeleine, wife of Jean Pothier and then Joseph De La Forestrie, moved to French-controlled Île St.-Jean by the 1720s and was among the earliest European settlers on the island.  Another daughter by his second wife, Anne, married a Canadian and settled at Rimouski on the lower St. Lawrence.  Guyon's four sons, by his first wife, also created their own families, the older ones in Acadia, the younger ones in Canada, by marrying into the Savoie, Blou, LeMoyne, and Mourier families.  By 1755, Guyon Chiasson dit LaVallée's descendants could be found in the St. Lawrence valley, where they had gone as early as the late 1690s; at Chigneto; and in several communities on Île St.-Jean.  Le Grand Dérangement of the 1750s scattered this large family even farther. 

The Acadians at Chignecto were the first to endure a disruption of their lives.  During the spring and summer of 1750, in response to the British building a fort at Beaubassin village, Canadian militia, assisted by Abbé Le Loutre and his Mi'kmaq warriors, burned Acadian homesteads in the British-controlled area east of Rivière Missaguash, forcing the habitants there to move to the French-controlled area west of the river.  Chiassons probably were among the refugees.  After yet another war erupted between Britain and France in 1754, Chignecto Acadians were caught in the middle of it.  When British and New-English forces attacked Fort Beauséjour in June 1755, local Acadians, pressured by the French, served in the fort as militia.  They, too, along with the French troupes de la marine, became prisoners of war when the fort surrendered on June 16.  Lieutenant-Governor Charles Lawrence was so incensed to find so-called French Neutrals fighting with French regulars at Beauséjour he ordered his officers to deport the Chignecto Acadians to the southernmost seaboard colonies.  That fall, the British transported a large Chiasson family and a Chiasson bachelor to South Carolina aboard the British transports Cornwallis and Endeavor.  The experience took its toll on the family.  Meanwhile, Acadians who had escaped the roundup at Chignecto fled to the Gulf of St. Lawrence shore, where they took refuge at Shediac and Miramichi.  By 1760, some had moved up to the French stronghold at Restigouche at the head of the Baie des Chaleurs.  Chiassons were among these escapees. 

When the British rounded up their cousins at Chignecto, the many Chiassons on Île St.-Jean, living in territory controlled by France, remained unmolested.  Their respite from British oppression was short-lived, however.  After the fall of the French fortress at Louisbourg in July 1758, the redcoats rounded up most of the habitants on the island and deported them to France.  Some, perhaps most, of the island Chiassons, escaped the redcoats and sought refuge on the mainland, but many members of the family were rounded up and shunted aboard hired British transports.  Entire Chiasson families were lost in the crossing to St.-Malo.  Two Chiasson wives, along with their families, died at sea when their transport, the Violet, sank in a mid-December storm off the southwest coast of England.  Most of the island Chiassons crossed to St.-Malo on one or more of the five transports which, like the Violet, left Chédabouctou Bay in late November in a 12-ship convoy, but, despite the storm, reached the Breton port together in late January 1759.  Most of them did not survive the crossing or its rigors.  An island Chiasson whose wife and children died on the crossing created a new family in the St.-Malo area.  He, in fact, remarried twice in nearby suburbs, including St.-Servan-sur-Mer, the second time to a local woman.  His youngest brother, age 12 when he survived the crossing to St.-Malo, joined his brother after the death of their father, who had succumbed to the rigors of the crossing.  Island Chiassons landed at other French ports, including Cherbourg and Rochefort.  A young Chiasson who landed at Cherbourg in Normandy married a fellow Acadian there and created a family of his own.  In the early 1770s, he and a cousin at St.-Servan-sur-Mer, and perhaps the cousin's younger brother, agreed to take part in a major settlement venture in the interior of Poitou.  The wife of the Chiasson from Cherbourg gave him two daughters in Poitou.  The Chiasson cousin's third wife gave him another daughter there.  In November and December 1775, after two years of effort, the Chiasson cousins retreated with hundreds of other Poitou Acadians to the lower Loire port of Nantes.  By then, one of the Chiasson cousins, who worked as a carpenter at Nantes, had only three children left of the seven he had fathered--two sons and a daughter by two of his wives.  He and his third wife evidently had no more children at Nantes, but they lost their youngest daughter, still a child, in St.-Jacques Parish there before 1785.  His cousin from Cherbourg worked as a sailor and a cooper at Nantes, where his wife gave him at least three sons in Ste.-Croix Parish, only one of whom survived infancy.  In the early 1780s, the Spanish government offered the Acadians in France the chance for a new life in faraway Louisiana.  Two of the Chiasson cousins, Jean and Basile, still at Nantes, agreed to take it.  Both families originally booked passage on L'Amitié, the fifth of the Seven Ships, and Jean, his wife, and two of their sons crossed to New Orleans on that vessel.  But Basile's infant son was too ill to travel when L'Amitié left Paimboeuf, the lower port Nantes, in late August 1785.  The child died the following month at Chantenay near Nantes, and Basile, wife Monique, and their daughter and son sailed on La Caroline, the last of  the Seven Ships, which left Nantes in late October.  Jean's brother Chrysostôme, who would have been in his mid-30s at  the time, did not go with them.  One wonders if he had died by then or if he had created a family of his own and chose to remain in France. 

A Chiasson family came to France by a different route but likely did not remain.  Joseph Chiasson had been born probably at Tracadie on Île St.-Jean a few years before the island's dérangement.  His family were among the islanders who escaped the roundup there in late 1758 and sought refuge on the Gulf of St. Lawrence shore.  By the early 1760s, they had either surrendered to, or were captured by, British forces in the area, who held them in a prison compound in Nova Scotia for the rest of the war.  In August 1763, British officials counted Joseph and his family at Fort Cumberland, formerly French Fort Beauséjour, near the family's old home at Chignecto, where his father died in 1764.  Soon after his father's death, Joseph followed his widowed mother to Miquelon, a French-controlled fishery island off the southern coast of Newfoundland.  Also there were his paternal grandfather and some of his aunts and uncles who the British had held in the old fishing center at Chédabouctou on the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia during the war.  In 1767, French officials, obeying a royal decree to reduce overcrowding in the northern fishery, deported the fisher/habitants on the Newfoundland islands to France.  Joseph and his family likely were among them.  With royal permission, most of the islanders returned to Miquelon the following year.  In late 1778, soon after the French became allies of the Americans in their fight against the British, the Royal Navy captured Miquelon and nearby Île St.-Pierre and deported the fisher/habitants to La Rochelle, France.  Joseph, now age 24, married a Vigneau soon after he reached the French port.  Two of their sons were born there in February 1781 and April 1783.  Joseph and his family evidently returned to Miquelon in 1784 after the British returned the islands to France.  One thing is certain--he did not follow his Chiasson cousins Jean and Basile to Spanish Louisiana in 1785. 

In North America, other island Chiassons who had escaped the British in late 1758 suffered the same fate as young Joseph Chiasson and his family.  Another Joseph Chiasson fled from Île St.-Jean with his family to the Gulf of St. Lawrence shore and made their way up to the French stronghold at Restigouche at the head of the Baie des Chaleurs, now a major Acadian refuge.  In late June 1760, a British naval force from Louisbourg attacked Restigouche, destroyed the remnants of a French fleet there, but failed to capture the post itself.  The French and Acadians at Restigouche were nevertheless cut off from the rest of New France.  In October, another British naval force, this one from Québec, appeared at Restigouche to accept the post's surrender.  On 24 October 1860, on the eve of formal surrender, French officers compiled a list of 1,003 Acadian exiles who had surrendered with the garrison.  Joseph à François Chiasson and his family of four were on the list.  A son was baptized at Restigouche in February 1761, so the British held them at Restigouche before sending them on to Nova Scotia, or the British may have been held them at Restigouche for the rest of the war.  Other Chiassons from Chignecto and Île St.-Jean who either surrendered to, or were captured by, British forces in the region were held in prison compounds in Nova Scotia for the rest of the war.  In August 1763, British officials at Fort Cumberland, formerly French Fort Beauséjour, Chignecto, counted two Chiasson families in the prison compound there.  One of the family heads died at Fort Cumberland in 1764, in his late 30s.  Meanwhile, in 1760, British officials counted Chiassons from Tracadie at the fishing center of Chédabouctou on the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia, where dozens of exiles also were held before moving on to Île Miquelon. 

Joseph à François Chiasson and his family at Restigouche also chose to remain in greater Acadia, but they selected a different fishery.  Sometime in the 1760s, they settled on the Gulf of St. Lawrence shore at Nipisiguit, now Bathurst, where the British counted them in 1772.  Later in the decade, they moved on to Miscou, an island on the southern end of the Baie des Chaleurs, but they did not remain there either.  Their sons settled at Carleton and Paspébiac in Gaspésie on the north shore of the Baie des Chaleurs, and at Caraquet on the Gulf shore west of Miscou, where they likely worked in British-controlled fisheries.  After the war, other members of the family settled at Rustico and Tignish on the north shore of St. John Island, formerly Île St.-Jean, renamed Prince Edward Island in 1798; at Chéticamp, Grand-Étang, and Margaree on the northwest coast of Cape Breton Island, formerly Île Royale; and on the îles-de-la-Madeleine in the Gulf of St. Lawrence--all British fisheries.  Typical of most, if not all, Acadian families, these Acadiennes of Canada lost touch with their Cadien cousins hundreds of miles away, and until the Acadian reunions of the twentieth century, may even have forgotten the others existed.  Perhaps not surprisingly, considering how long they had been separated, none of the Chiassons who settled in the fisheries of greater Acadia chose to join their many Giasson cousins in the St. Lawrence valley.  

 Chiassons being held at Fort Cumberland, Nova Scotia, at war's end faced a hard dilemma.  The Treaty of Paris of February 1763 stipulated in its Article IV that persons dispersed by the war had 18 months to return to their respective territories.  However, British authorities refused to allow any of the Acadian prisoners in the region to return to their former lands as proprietors.  If Acadians chose to remain in Nova Scotia, they could live only in the interior of the peninsula in small family groups and work for low wages on former Acadian lands now owned by New-English "planters."  If they stayed, they must also take the hated oath of allegiance to the new British king, George III, without reservation.  They would also have to take the hated oath if they joined their cousins in the St. Lawrence valley.  After all that they had suffered on the question of the oath, no self-respecting Acadian would consent to take it if it could be avoided.   Some Nova Scotia exiles, including a family of Chiassons, chose to relocate to Île Miquelon.  Others considered going to French St.-Domingue, where Acadian exiles in the British colonies, including at least one Chiasson, were going; or to the Illinois country, the west bank of which still belonged to France; or to French Louisiana, which was the only route possible to the Illinois country for Acadian exiles.  Whatever their choice, many refused to remain under British rule.  So they gathered up their money and their few possessions and prepared to leave their homeland.  Of the 600 exiles who left Halifax in late 1764 and early 1765 bound for Cap-Français, St.-Domingue, five were Chiassons.

At war's end, Acadians being held in the seaboard colonies, theoretically, were free to go, but not until the British discerned their intentions.  Even then, colonial officials discouraged repatriation.  In August 1763, Chignecto Chiassons still in South Carolina appeared on a French repatriation list circulating in the colony.  A Chignecto Chiasson, while at Fort Cumerberland, may have heard through the Acadian grapevine that his parents, who had been deported from Chignecto to South Carolina in 1755, had died in that British colony but that his youngest brother, now in his teens, had survived the ordeal.  The older brother also may have learned that in 1763 or 1764 his younger brother had emigrated from South Carolina to French St.-Domingue with hundreds of other exiles to work on a new French naval base on the northwest coast of the island.  If he was aware that his brother was still in the sugar colony, he likely resolved to search for him as soon as he and his fellow exiles in Nova Scotia reached Cap-Français.  As it turned out, he did try to find his younger brother there, and the search was a fruitful one.  The brother, now age 19, accompanied his older brother and his family to the Mississippi valley. 

Chiassons settled early in Acadia and were among the earliest Acadians to find refuge in Louisiana.  The first to reach the colony was a family from Halifax via Cap-Français, French St.-Domingue, who reached New Orleans in the summer of 1765.  Brothers Pierre and Paul Chiasson settled in the established Acadian community of Cabahannocer on the river above New Orleans, where Pierre and his wife had more children, and where Paul created a family of his own.  Also with Pierre and Paul was nephew Jean-Baptiste Chiasson, who grew up on the river.  However, after Jean-Baptiste came of age in the late 1780s, he moved to the Opelousas District, where, with a cousin recently arrived from France, he helped create a western center of Chiasson-family settlement that eventually stretched all the way to southeastern Texas.  Meanwhile, a second wave of  Chiassons appeared in late 1785 on two of the Seven Ships from France.  Jean Chiasson came with his third wife, a Frenchwoman, and two of his sons.  They settled on upper Bayou Lafourche, where they and their descendants created another center of Chiasson family settlement.  Basile Chiasson came to Louisiana from France in 1785 on the last of the Seven Ships, but he and his family did not follow his cousin to the upper Lafourche.  They went, instead, to the Opelousas District, among the first of the family to settle west of the Atchafalaya Basin.  By the late antebellum period, only a single Chiasson family remained on the river, in Ascension Parish.  The others lived on the western prairies or in the Lafourche/Terrebonne valley.  Although they were all related, there seems to have been little interaction between the two branches of the family, such was the barrier imposed by the Atchafalaya Basin even during the steamboat era.  

Church records reveal no non-Acadian Chiassons in Louisiana during the colonial period.  Nor do New Orleans port records show any Foreign-French Chiassons coming to the Bayou State during the antebellum period.  All of the Chiassons of South Louisiana, then, at least before the War of 1861-65, are descendants of Guyon dit Vallée of La Rochelle and Acadia. 

A few Chiassons owned slaves during the late antebellum period.  The largest slaveholder in the family, Adrien Chiasson of Ascension Parish, held eight slaves in 1860.  Two of his cousins in Lafayette Parish and a cousin in Lafourche Parish also held a hand full of slaves each, but, like Adrien, none of them owned enough bondsmen to be considered part of the planter class.  The great majority of Chiassons owned no slaves at all, at least none who appeared on the federal slave schedules of 1850 and 1860.  

Over a dozen Chiassons served Louisiana in uniform during the War of 1861-65.  Several of them were captured and held by the Federals, one of them at Camp Morton, Indiana, outside of Indianapolis, but all the Chiasson prisoners of war returned to their families.  Not so lucky was Adrien Charles Chiasson, who served in Company K of 8th Regiment Louisiana Infantry, raised in Ascension Parish, which fought under General R. E. Lee in Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.  According to his Confederate service record, Adrien Charles died in a general hospital at Culpeper Courthouse, Virginia, in May 1862, a few weeks before General Lee became commander of the Army of Northern Virginia.  Since Adrien Charles lies buried in Oakwood Cemetery on the eastern outskirts of Richmond, Virginia, one wonders if he was transferred to Chimborazo hospital on the east side of the capital city and died there instead of in Culpeper that spring. 

The war took its toll on Chiasson family fortunes back home.  Even before Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation went into effect in January 1863, Federal commands controlling the lower Mississippi freed the slaves on every farm and plantation their forces could reach.  Meanwhile, Union navy gunboats shelled and burned dozens of houses along the river.  Successive Federal incursions devastated the Bayou Lafourche valley early in the war, and the valley was occupied by the Federals for most of the conflict.  Between 1862 and 1864, Federal armies marched three times through the Teche and upper Vermilion valleys, including the Grand Coteau area, and burned and pillaged many farms, some of them perhaps owned by Chiassons.  Thanks to these Federal offenses, emancipation came early to the area, with its resulting economic and social turmoil.  Confederate foraging parties and cutthroat Jayhawkers also plagued the areas where Chiassons lived, adding to the family's misery. ...

Today, members of the family on both sides of the Atchafalaya Basin use the spelling Chaisson almost as often as they do the older spelling, Chiasson.  In Louisiana, the family's name also is spelled Chaison, Chaseant, Cheasson, Chiassond, Chianson, Chiasmon, Chiason, Chieason, Chieçon, Chiesson, Giason, Giasson, Schiasson, Sciasson, Siachon, Siasson, Seisson, Siesson.01

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Five Chiassons, including two brothers and a nephew, came to Louisiana from Halifax via Cap-Français, French St.-Dominigue in 1765.  They settled on what became known as the Acadian Coast, but the nephew did not remain there.  He crossed the Atchafalaya Basin in the 1780s and helped create a western branch of the family.  Meanwhile, only the older brother's line of the family endured in what became the Bayou State: 

  Pierre (c1729-?) à Gabriel dit Pierre à Guyon dit LaVallée Chiasson

Pierre, oldest son of Abraham Chiasson and Marie Poirier, born probably at Chignecto in c1729, married Osite, daughter of Paul Landry and Marie Hébert, probably at Chignecto in c1755.  They escaped the British roundup there later that year and took refuge on the Gulf of St. Lawrence shore.  By the early 1760s, they had either surrendered to, or were captured by, British forces in the area, who held them in prison compounds in Nova Scotia for the rest of the war.  Osite gave Pierre two sons during exile:  Michel born in c1759; and Joseph, date unrecorded.  In August 1763, Pierre, Osite, and their sons appeared on a French repatriation list at Fort Cumberland, formerly French Beauséjour, near the family's former home at Chignecto.  Son Joseph evidently died soon after the listing.  With son Michel and a young nephew in tow, Pierre and Osite emigrated to Louisiana from Halifax via Cap-Français in 1764-65.  Pierre evidently retrieved his younger brother Paul at Cap-Français on the way around to New Orleans.  Osite was pregnant when they left Nova Scotia and gave birth to daughter Marie either on the voyage to Louisiana or at New Orleans in October 1765.  After baptizing the baby in the city in early December, the family settled with other Halifax exiles at Cabahannocer on the river above New Orleans, where Osite gave Pierre two more sons:  Jean, also called Jean-Baptiste and Baptiste, baptized, age unrecorded, in March 1771; and Simon-Pierre baptized, age unrecorded, in May 1773--five children, four sons and a daughter, between 1759 and 1773, in greater Acadia and Louisiana.  Pierre died by November 1794, probably in his 60s, when his wife remarried to an Hébert widower at Cabahannocer.  Daughter Marie evidently died young.  Only one of Pierre's sons married and settled in what became St. James Parish.

Oldest son Michel followed his parents into imprisonment in Nova Scotia, to New Orleans, and to Cabahannocer, where died  in September 1777, age 18.  He did not marry.  

Pierre's third son Jean, called Jean-Baptiste by the recording priest, married Angélique, also called Leonie Anne and Anne, daughter of fellow Acadians Marcel LeBlanc and Marie Breaux, at the St.-Jacques de Cabahannocer church in April 1792.  Their children, born at Cabahannocer/St. James, included Jean-Baptiste, fils in April 1795; Michel le jeune, perhaps also called Paul, in June 1797 but died near Convent, St. James Parish, age 17, in September 1814; Éloise born in April 1800; Coralie or Caroline, also called Petronille, in December 1801; Marie Mélite, called Mélite and also Amélie, in March 1804; Anne in January 1806; Zénon near Convent in June 1809 but died there, age 17, in February 1827; and Louis Charles born in c1814 and baptized at the Convent churh, age 6, in July 1820 but died at age 27 in April 1840--eight children, four sons and four daughters, between 1795 and 1814.  Jean Baptiste, père died near Convent in March 1832, in his early 60s (the recording priest said 63).  Daughters Caroline and Mélite married into the Poirier and Lacoste families.  Only one of Jean Baptiste's sons married, but the line was robust.  One of Jean Baptiste's grandsons died in Confederate service. 

Oldest son Jean-Baptiste, fils married Francoise, daughter of fellow Acadians Athanase Dugas and Françoise Broussard of Ascension Parish, at the Convent church in January 1817.  Their children, born in Ascension Parish, included Jean Adrien, called Adrien, in March 1824; and Adrien Charles in c1834.  Jean Baptiste, fils died in Ascension Parish in October 1861, age 66 (the recording priest said 67).  One of his sons married, and the other one died in Virginia in Confederate service before he could create a family of his own. 

Older son Jean Adrien, called Adrien, married Marie Anaïse, daughter of Dominique Drivon and Anna Duval, at the Donaldsonville church, Ascension Parish, in July 1849.  Their children, born in Ascension Parish, included Marie Anna in July 1850 but died at age 2 in June 1852; Jean Ernest born in April 1852 but died the following June; Louis Joseph Fermant born in June 1853 but, called Fernand, died at age 10 in June 1863; Paul John Henry born in July 1856; Charles Maurice in July 1857; Robert in March 1860 but died at age 7 1/2 in August 1867; René Adrien born in November 1862 but, called Victorin, died at age 5 months (the recording priest said 6 months) the following April; ...  In July 1860, the federal census taker in Ascension Parish counted eight slaves--five males and three females, all black, ranging in age from 52 years to 3 months, living in two houses--on Adrien Chiasson's farm between James Hewitt's plantation, which held 176 slaves, and J. François, a "Negro," who owned five slaves, in the parish's Third Ward.  None of Jean Adrien's remaining children married by 1870. 

During the War of 1861-65, Jean Baptiste, fils's younger son Adrien Charles served in Company K of the 8th Regiment Louisiana Infantry, raised in Ascension Parish, which fought in Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania--one of General R. E. Lee's Louisiana Tigers.  According to his service record, Adrien Charles died in a Confederate hospital at Culpeper, Virginia, in May 1862.  However, he lies buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Richmond, which may mean that he died in a hospital in the Confederate capital, not in Culpeper.  He did not marry. 

Paul (c1746-1820) à Gabriel dit Pierre à Guyon dit LaVallée Chiasson

Paul, third and youngest son of Abraham Chiasson and Marie Poirier, born probably at Chignecto in c1746, followed his parents and some of his siblings to South Carolina in 1755.  In August 1763, according to a French repatriation list, Paul was an 18-year-old orphan still living in the colony.  His parents probably had died by then.  Later that year or in 1764, he followed other Acadian exiles from the seaboard colonies to French St.-Domingue to work on a new French naval base at Môle St.-Nicolas on the northwest tip of the big island.  He did not remain.  His older brother Pierre evidently retrieved him at Cap-Français on the voyage down from Halifax, making Paul one of the relatively few Acadians who emigrated to Louisiana directly from the French Antilles.  Paul accompanied his brother and sister-in-law to New Orleans and settled with them at Cabahannocer, where he appeared in a Spanish census in April 1766 on the east bank of the river.  The Spanish counted him still at Cabahannocer in September 1769, still a bachelor, this time living on the west bank.  He married Marie-Madeleine, called Madeleine, 21-year-old daughter of fellow Acadians René Blanchard and Marguerite Thériot of Grand-Pré, probably at Cabahannocer in c1770.  Madeleine had come to the colony from Maryland in 1767.  The couple settled upriver at San Gabriel in what became Iberville Parish.  Their children, born there, included Marie-Madeleine, called Madeleine, in December 1773; Paul, fils baptized, age unrecorded, in October 1776 but died in his early teens in December 1790; Marguerite born in October 1777; Anne-Marie in July 1779; Marie-Françoise-Martine in August 1781 but died at age 15 1/2 in January 1797; Étienne born in c1784; Victorin or Victor in March 1786; Marine in March 1788; Marie-Victoire, called Victoire, in February 1790; and Félicien died, age unrecorded, in November 1791--10 children, six daughters and four sons, between 1773 and 1791.  Paul died in Iberville Parish in March 1820, age 74.  Daughters Madeleine, Marguerite, Françoise, Marine, and Marie Victoire married into the Jaeleus, Charpentier, Hébert, Hernandez, Babin, and LeBlanc families.  Evidently third daughter Anne-Marie did not marry.  Two of Paul's sons also married and settled in Iberville Parish, but, except for the blood, neither of their lines endured. 

Second son Étienne married Marie Julie, called Julie, daughter of Joseph Sharp and Marie Anne Choquette of Baton Rouge, at the St. Gabriel church, Iberville Parish, in August 1809.  Their children, born at St. Gabriel, included Lucien in December 1810; Joséphine Henriette in January 1813; Marie Élisabeth in July 1815; Julie in July 1817; and Apolline in August 1819--five children, a son and four daughters, between 1810 and 1819.  Étienne died near St. Gabriel in March 1821, age 27.  Daughter Joséphine married into the Cobb family.  Étienne's only son probably did not marry, so, except for its blood, this line of the family did not endure in the Bayou State. 

Paul, père's third son Victorin or Victor married Henriette, daughter of fellow Acadians Simon Joseph Dupuis and Ludivine Landry, at the St. Gabriel church in May 1809.  Their children, born at St. Gabriel, included Henriette Drosille or Dorsille, called Dorsille, in February 1810; Virginie in August 1812 but died at age 12 days in September; and Victor, fils born in c1815 but died at age 14 in January 1829.  Victorin remarried to Marie Marguerite, called Marguerite, daughter of fellow Acadians Isaac LeBlanc and Félicité Melançon, at the St. Gabriel church in June 1820.  Their children, born at St. Gabriel, included Marguerite in November 1821 but died at age 16 in October 1837; and Marie Irma, called Irma, born in October 1823--five children, four daughters and a son, by two wives, between 1810 and 1823.  Victorin died near St. Gabriel in April 1824.  The priest who recorded the burial said that Victorin was age 30 when he died.  He was 38.  Daughters Dorsille and Marie Irma, by both wives, married into the Labauve and Boote families.  Since Victor's only son died young, except for its blood, this family line also did not endure in the Bayou State. 

Jean-Baptiste (c1762-1854) à Abraham à Gabriel dit Pierre à Guyon dit LaVallée Chiasson

Jean-Baptiste, only son of Joseph Chiasson and Annette Sonnier and nephew of Pierre and Paul, born probably in a prison compound in Nova Scotia in c1762, lost his parents soon after his birth.  His paternal uncle Pierre raised him.  In 1764-65, when he was still very young, Jean-Baptiste accompanied his uncle's family to Louisiana via Cap-Français and followed them to Cabahannocer on the river, but he did not remain.  After he came of age in the 1780s, he crossed the Atchafalaya Basin to the Opelousas District, where he married Marie, daughter of fellow Acadian Jean LeBlanc and his Anglo wife Marie Hayes, in c1786.  They settled on Prairie Bellevue east of present-day Opelousas and then moved farther out on the prairies to upper Bayou Plaquemine Brulé near present-day Church Point.  Their children, born on the Opelousas prairies, included Juliènne dite Julie, in April 1788 but died [probably meant baptized] at age 2 1/2 months in June; Jean-Baptiste, fils, called Baptiste, born in April 1792; Joseph in April 1796; Emon or Edmond in November 1798 but died at the home of Louis Lavigne at Prairie du Large, St. Landry Parish, age 21, in February 1819; Aimée born in March 1801; Gérard Christopher born in c1805 and baptized at age 2 in July 1807; Magloire, also called McGuire and Guire, born in March 1807; and Adèle in August 1809--eight children, three daughters and five sons, between 1788 and 1809.  Jean-Baptiste, père moved to Jefferson County, Texas, by 1850, when he was counted in a federal census there with a wife and five children; the census taker insisted he was age 102.  He died at the home of his youngest son Magloire at Beaumont, Jefferson County, in July 1854.  His family insisted that Jean-Baptiste died at age 109, but he was closer to 92--one of the last of the Acadian immigrants in Louisiana to join his ancestors.  Daughter Juliènne dite Julie married into the Cart and Dugas families.  Four of Jean Baptiste sons also married and settled on the prairies and bayous of southwest Louisiana and southeast Texas.  Along with the Héberts, historian Carl A. Brasseaux reports, "the Chiassons rapidly rose to prominence" on the Texas bayous, "and one member of the group held a judgeship by the end of the ninteenth century."  According to family legend, as related in the Franklin, Louisiana, Planters' Banner of 26 January 1870 and cited by Brasseaux, one Joseph dit Joannes was "the patriarch of the Chaisson clan" who "reportedly left his native St. Landry Parish for Texas at the age of 115.  'After several years,'" Brasseaux continues, "he subsequently returned to St. Landry Parish, where he died at the age of 130."  One suspects the mythological Joseph dit Joannes was Jean-Baptiste, a native of Nova Scotia, not of St. Landry. 

Oldest son Jean-Baptiste, fils, called Jean and Baptiste, married Julie, daughter of fellow Acadians Pierre Olivier dit Pierrot Dugas and Sophie Gautreaux of Prairie Sorel, at the St. Martinville church, St. Martin Parish, in May 1820.  They settled in what became Lafayette Parish.  Their children, born there, included Gédéon in October 1821 but, called Zédé, died at age 8 in September 1829; Marie Azélie born in April 1823; Jean Baptiste III, called fils, in October 1824; Carmélite baptized at the Vermilionville church at age 2 months in October 1826 but died at age 34 (the recording priest said 30) in June 1861; Paul or Hippolyte Aussar or Oscar baptized at age 9 days in February 1828; Euphémie Caroline born in c1829 and baptized at age 1 in August 1830; Pierre baptized at age 5 months in November 1831; Narcisse, also called Joseph Narcisse, born in 1833 and baptized at age 4 months in January 1834; Émilia baptized at age 3 months in July 1835; Edmond le jeune baptized at age 4 months in May 1837; Joseph le jeune baptized at age 3 months in May 1839; Ignace born in December 1840 but died at age 2 1/2 (the recording priest said 4) in August 1843; and Marie Amelia or Émelise born in March 1847--13 children, eight sons and five daughters, between 1821 and 1847.  In September 1850, the federal census taker in Lafayette Parish counted four slaves--one male and three females, all black, ranging in age from 50 to 1--on Jean Bte. Chiaisson's farm in the parish's western district.  Jean Baptiste, fils, called Baptiste, died in Lafayette Parish in April 1852, age 60 (the recording priest said 59).  His succession, calling him Jean and naming his wife, was not filed at the Vermilionville courthouse until November 1855.  In June 1860, the federal census taker in Lafayette Parish counted six slaves--one male and five females, all black, ages 58 to 6--on Mrs. John Bt. Chiason's farm next to Louis Chiason; this was Jean Baptiste, fils's widow, Julie Dugas.  Daughters Euphémie Caroline, Émilie, and Marie Émelise married into the Michel, Nezat, and Sonnier families.  Six of Baptiste's sons also married and settled on the prairies.

Second son Jean Baptiste III, called fils, married Amélie or Émelie, daughter of Narcisse Begnaud and Frances Guilbert, in a civil ceremony in Lafayette Parish in April 1845.  Their children, born in Lafayette Parish, included Marie Amélie in November 1847; Alexandre in late 1849 or early 1850 and baptized at the Vermilionville church, age 15 months, in March 1851; Paul Ambroise born in April 1853; Marie Emérite in September 1854; Jean Baptiste IV in February 1857; and Mathilde baptized at age 4 months in November 1859--six children, three daughters and three sons, between 1847 and 1859.  Jean Baptiste III died in Lafayette Parish in November 1868.  The Vermilionville priest who recorded the burial, and who did not give any parents' names or mention a wife, said that Jean Baptiste died "at age 50 yrs."  He was 44.  His succession was filed at the Vermilionville courthouse in December.  None of Jean Baptiste III's daughters married by 1870, but one of his sons did. 

Oldest son Alexandre married Evéline, daughter of fellow Acadians Sosthène, also called Lasty, Vincent and Oliva Benoit, at the Vermilionville church in August 1868. ...

Baptiste's third son Paul or Hippolyte Oscar married Divine, daughter of Adolphe Nezat and Virginia Patin, at the Breaux Bridge church, St. Martin Parish, in May 1848.  Their son Pierre Aniset was born in Lafayette Parish in February 1849.  Divine died two weeks later, probably from the rigors of childbirth.  Hippolyte remarried to Sidalise Morvant, place unrecorded, probably in the 1850s.  She evidently gave him no more children.  He remarried again--his third marriage--to Élisabeth, daughter of John Caruthers and his Acadian wife Adélaïde Hébert, at the Vermilionville church in June 1859.  Their children, born in Lafayette Parish, included Marie Emérite in May 1860; and Julie Corinne in June 1861.  In June 1860, the federal census taker in Lafayette Parish counted a single slave--a 65-year-old black male--on Hypolite Chiuson's farm.  Hippolyte's succession, naming his third wife, was filed at the Vermilionville courthouse in March 1863.  He would have been age 35 that year.  None of his children married by 1870. 

Baptiste's fourth son Pierre married Fanelie, daughter of Francois Guilbert and Émelie Begnaud, at the Vermilionville church in September 1852.  Their children, born in Lafayette Parish, included François in October 1853 but died at age 3 (the recording priest said 4) in October 1856; Marie Idea born in October 1855; Pierre Numa in September 1857; Jacques in December 1859; Pierre, fils in March 1862 but died at age 5 (the recording priest said age 3) in July 1867; ...  None of Pierre's children married by 1870. 

Baptiste's fifth son Narcisse married Julie, daughter of French Canadians Cyprien Roy and Célina Roy, at the Breaux Bridge church in March 1859.  Their children, born on the upper Teche and the western prairies, included Joseph Marius near Breaux Bridge in November 1861; Marie near Arnaudville, St. Landry Parish, in September 1866; Jean Baptiste Genesis in Lafayette Parish in February 1869; ...  During the War of 1861-65, Narcisse, like his younger brother Joseph le jeune, was a conscript from St. Martin Parish, but Confederate records do not reveal if he served in an organized unit.  

Baptiste's sixth son Edmond le jeune married Helena or Hélène, daughter of William Beard and his Acadian wife Julie Trahan, at the Vermilionville church in February 1860.  Their children, born on the prairies, included Marie Helena in Lafayette Parish in October 1861; Edmonia near Church Point, then in St. Landry but now in Acadia Parish, in January 1863; Julie Élina in September 1866; Joseph Théophile in Lafayette Parish in September 1869; ... 

Baptiste's seventh son Joseph le jeune married Adriske or Advise, daughter of fellow Acadians Symphorien Prejean and Eugénie Breaux, and widow of Osémé Comeaux, at the Vermilionville church in September 1861.  During the war, Joseph, like his older brother Narcisse, was a conscript from St. Martin Parish, but Confederate records do not reveal if he served in an organized unit.  Joseph le jeune's succession may have been filed at the Vermilionville courthouse in February 1866.  He would have been age 27 that year.  If this was a post-mortem succession, one wonders if his death was war-related and if he fathered any children. 

Jean-Baptiste, père's second son Joseph married Marie Tarsile, daughter of fellow Acadians Augustin Dugas and Marie Rose Duhon of La Butte and widow of Alexandre Leger, at the St. Martinville church in February 1818.  They settled near Grand Coteau in St. Landry Parish.  Their children, born there, included Joseph Froizin or Drosin, called Drosin, in July 1819; Edmond le jeune in c1821 and baptized at Grand Coteau, age 14 months, in May 1822; and Marie born in October 1823.  A succession, not post-mortem, was filed in Joseph's name at the Opelousas courthouse in November 1827.  Meanwhile, he remarried to Rosalie Vizina in a civil ceremony in St. Landry Parish in February 1826.  They settled near Grand Coteau.  Their children, born there, included Valmon or Valmont in January 1829; Valcour in March 1832; Drosin in August 1837; Marie Lesivette in August 1841; and Joseph Azolin in March 1846--eight children, six sons and two daughters, by two wives, between 1819 and 1846.  Daughter Marie, by his first wife, married into the Doucet family by 1870.  Three of Joseph's sons also married by then. 

Oldest son Joseph Drosin, called Drosin, from first wife Marie Tarsile Dugas, married Madeleine Gatt in a civil ceremony in St. Landry Parish in January 1840.  She evidently gave him no children.  Drosin remarried to Marie Myrza or Mirza, called Mirza, daughter, perhaps, of fellow Acadians Michel Lejeune and Éloise Doucet, in the 1850s.  They settled near Grand Coteau.  Their children, born there, included Alexis in November 1857; and Marie Serasine in August 1861.  Drosin's succession, calling his second wife Mirza Lejeune, was filed at the Opelousas courthouse in December 1865.  He would have been age 46 that year.  If this was a post-mortem succession, one wonders if his death was war-related.  Neither of his children married by 1870. 

Joseph's second son Edmond le jeune, by first wife Marie Tarsile Dugas, married Phelonise, daughter of fellow Acadian Joseph Boutin and his Creole wife Uranie Miller, in a civil ceremony in Lafayette Parish in December 1845.  They settled probably near Carencro.  Their children, born there, included Marie in October 1847; and Théodore in November 1849.  Neither of Edmond's children married by 1870. 

Joseph's third son Valmont, by second wife Rosalie Vizina, married Pauline, daughter of fellow Acadians Antoine Hébert and Célestine Trahan, in a civil ceremony in St. Landry Parish in January 1850, and sanctified the marriage at the Grand Coteau church in June 1851.  Their son Valmont, fils was born near Grand Coteau in November 1850.  Valmont remarried to Célestine David, also called Bienville, perhaps a fellow Acadian, place and date unrecorded.  Their children, born on the Opelousas prairies, included Napoléon near Grand Coteau in October 1861; Joseph Adam near Church Point, then in St. Landry but now in Acadia Parish, in December 1863; Froisin at Coulee Triffe, today's Esterwood, Acadia Parish, in July 1867; Paul in January 1870; ...  During the war, Valmont enlisted in Company K of the 10th Regiment Louisiana Infantry, raised in St. Landry Parish, which fought in Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania--one of General R. E. Lee's Louisiana Tigers.  Valmont's Confederate service was short, however.  Two days after he enlisted at Camp Moore, Louisiana, in July 1861, he was discharged "on account of physical disability," so he did not leave the Bayou State.  None of his children married by 1870. 

Jean-Baptiste, père's fourth son Gérard Christopher married Aspasie, daughter of fellow Acadians Paul Guidry and Adélaïde Duhon, at the Vermilionville church in May 1826.  They evidently were married earlier, perhaps civilly.  Their children, born in Lafayette Parish, included Edmond le jeune born in c1825 and baptized at the Vermilionville church, age 16 months, in May 1826; Elmire baptized at age 5 months, 8 days in September 1827; Adélaïde born in March 1829; Onésime in c1831 and baptized at age 2 in March 1833; Agerin baptized at age 6 months in September 1834; and Gérard, fils born in September 1848.  Gérard, père, at age 63, may have remarried to French Canadian Susanne, called Suzette, Istre, widow of Édouard Cortine or Courtine, in a civil ceremony in St. Landry Parish in June 1868, but they had married, perhaps civilly, years earlier.  Their daughter Aspasie was born near Grand Coteau in March 1857--seven children, four sons and three daughters, by two wives, between 1825 and 1857.  Daughters Adélaïde and Elmire, by his first wife, married into the Gatt family on the same day by 1870.  None of Gérard's sons married by then, at least not in South Louisiana. 

Jean-Baptiste, père's fifth and youngest son Magloire, also called McGuire and Guire, at age 28, married Elizabeth, called Éliza, McFadden "of Texas" in a civil ceremony in St. Landry Parish in June 1835.  They followed his father to southeast Texas later in the decade and settled at Beaumont, Jefferson County, Texas, by 1840.  Magloire and Eliza's children, born probably in Jefferson County, included Jefferson in c1839; Sarah in c1841; James in c1844; Caroline in c1846; and John in c1849--five children, three sons and two daughters, between 1839 and 1849.   Magloire, called McGuire, appears with his father in the Jefferson County federal census of 1850 with a wife and five children.  It was at McGuire's home in Beaumont where his father died in July 1854, in his early 90s.  McGuire died by 1860, in his late 40s or early 50s, when wife Éliza was counted in the 1860 federal census for Jefferson County with seven children and no husband. 

.

Six more Chiassons in two families led by cousins came to Louisiana aboard two of the Seven Ships from France.  The first of them--a father and two sons--crossed on L'Amitié, the fifth of the Seven Ships, which reached New Orleans in early November 1785.  They followed their fellow passengers to upper Bayou Lafourche and created a large center of family settlement there:

Jean-Baptiste (c1728-?) à Gabriel dit Pierre à Guyon dit LaVallée Chiasson

Jean-Baptiste le jeune, called Jean, oldest son of François Chiasson and Anne Doucet, born probably at Chignecto in c1729, followed his family to Île St.-Jean, where he married Louise, daughter of Joseph Precieux and Anne Haché, probably at St.-Pierre-du-Nord, the church for Havre-St.-Pierre and Havre-aux-Sauvages on the north end of the island, in c1752.  Louise gave Jean-Baptiste three children on the island:  Jean, fils born in c1753; Anne in c1755; and Louise in March 1757.  Their younger daughter evidently died in infancy.  The British deported Jean, Louise, and their remaining children to St.-Malo, France, in late 1758.  The two children--Jean, fils and Anne, ages 5 and 3--died at sea.  Wife Louise died in the St.-Malo suburb of St.-Servan-sur-Mer soon after they reached the Breton port.  Jean lived with his father and a younger brother at Paramé northeast of St.-Malo from 1759 to 1763.  He remarried to Marguerite-Josèphe, daughter of fellow Acadians Jean-Baptiste Dugas and Marguerite Benoit, at St.-Méloir-des-Ondes in the countryside southeast of Paramé in June 1761.  She gave him two more sons in the area:  Jean-Baptiste, fils born at La Blanche in January 1763; and Joseph-François at St.-Servan in November 1765.  Marguerite-Josèphe died at St.-Servan in June 1766, and Jean remarried again--his third marriage--to Anne-Perrine, daughter of locals Jacques Joanne and Perrine Charpentier, at St.-Servan in January 1769.  She gave Jean another son there, Pierre-Louis, born in October 1769.  In 1773, they followed other exiles in the port cities to the interior of Poitou, where Anne-Perrine gave Jean-Baptiste le jeune another daughter, Anne-Rosalie, born in St.-Jacques Parish, Châtellerault, in May 1775--seven children, four sons and three daughters, by three wives, between 1753 and 1775, in greater Acadia and France.  That December, Jean, Anne-Perrine, and their four remaining children, three sons and a daughter, retreated with other Poitou Acadians down the Vienne and the Loire from Châtellerault to the port of Nantes, where their youngest daughter Anne-Rosalie died by 1785.  That year, Jean, Anne-Perrine, and two of their sons emigrated to Spanish Louisiana.  Son Jean-Baptiste, fils, by second wife Marguerite-Josèphe Dugas, if he was still living, would have been age 22 when his father, stepmother, and two younger brothers left for the Spanish colony.  He did not follow them there.  From New Orleans, Jean and his family followed their fellow passengers to upper Bayou Lafourche, where the two sons created vigorous lines in a new center of Chiasson family settlement. 

Third son Joseph-François, by second wife Marguerite-Josèphe Dugas, followed his family to Poitou, Nantes, New Orleans, and upper Bayou Lafourche, where he married Marie, 18-year-old daughter of François Simoneaux of Lorraine, France, and his Acadian wife Marie-Osite-Anne Corporon, in July 1789.  Marie's family had come to Louisiana from Maryland in 1766, and she was born at Ascension on the river five years later.  Spanish officials counted the couple on the left, or east, bank of the river at Ascension near the mouth of the Lafourche in 1791.  Four years later, they had settled on the upper bayou.  Their children, born on the river and the upper Lafourche, included François-Victor at Ascension in July 1790; Pierre-Alexandre at Assumption on the upper Lafourche in August 1793; and twins Isabelle and Joseph-Marcellin in December 1795.  At age 31, Joseph-François remarried to Marie-Marguerite, called Marguerite, 28-year-old daughter of fellow Acadians Amand Lejeune and Anastasie Levron, at Assumption in January 1797.  Marguerite, a native of Morlaix, France, also had crossed to Louisiana aboard L'Amitié.  They settled on the upper Lafourche near the boundary of what became Assumption and Ascension parishes.  Their children, born on the upper bayou, included Lucie-Carmélite in July 1798; Jean-Baptiste-Prudent in June 1800; Joseph Florentin Bernard in August 1804; and Paul François Romain in January 1808--eight children, six sons and two daughters, by two wives, between 1790 and 1808.  Daughters Isabelle and Lucie, by both wives, married into the Culère or Tulère and Guidry families.  Four of Joseph François's sons also married and settled down bayou in Lafourche Interior and Terrebonne parishes.  His second son's line was especially robust.  The son's descendants settled in the Chackbay area of Lafourche Parish north of present-day Thibodaux. 

Oldest son François Victor, by first wife Marie Simoneaux, married Claire Adélaïde, daughter of fellow Acadians Benoît Comeaux and Anne Blanchard, probably in Lafourche Interior Parish in the 1810s.  Claire had been born aboard L'Amitié on the crossing from France to Louisiana in 1785, so she was nearly five years older than François.  Their chldren, born on the Lafourche, included Pierre Eugène in c1815; Célesite or Célesie in February 1817; Marie Euphrosine in March 1819 but, called Marie, died at age 27 in April 1846; Marguerite born in July 1821; Pauline Asèlie in December 1823; and Jean Faustin, called Faustin, in March 1826--six children, two sons and four daughters, between 1815 and 1826.  Daughters Marguerite, Pauline, and Célesie married into the Aupied, Aisenne, and Boudreaux families, Célesie, the oldest daughter, at age 52, her first marriage.  François Victor's sons also married and settled on the Lafourche. 

Older son Pierre Eugène married Françoise Hortense or Hortense Françoise, daughter of Jean Lagarde and his Acadian wife Françoise Adélaïde Templet, at the Thibodauxville church, Lafourche Interior Parish, in August 1837.  Their children, born on the bayou, included Marie Audalie in November 1838; Joseph Justineau in December 1840; Adélaïde Rebecca, called Rebecca, in December 1842; Philomène in February 1846; Euphrosine in the 1840s; and Émée, also called Eugénie, in November 1851.  Pierre Eugène remarried to Felonise, daughter of fellow Acadians Benjamin Landry and Delphine Breaux and widow of Valéry Boutary, at the Thibodeux church in October 1860.  Their children, born on the Lafourche, included Joseph Fernand, called Fernand, in December 1863; and François Augustin in April 1866--eight children, five daughters and three sons, by two wives, between 1838 and 1866.  Pierre Eugène died in Lafourche Parish in October or November 1867, age 42.  A petition for his succession inventory, naming his two wives, his second wife's first husband, and listing Pierre Eugène's children--Ordalie, Euphroisine and her husband, Rebecca and her husband, and Eugénie from his first wife; Léontine, Fernand, and François from his second wife; and stepdaughter Émelie Boutary from his first marriage--was filed at the Thibodeaux courthouse in December 1867.  Daughters Rebecca and Euphrosine and Rebecca, by his first wife, married into the Aucoin and Thibodeaux families by 1870.  None of Pierre Eugène's sons married by then. 

François Victor's younger son Faustin married Eulalie, daughter of fellow Acadians Valéry Bourgeois and Rosalie Richard, at the Thibodaux church in May 1851.  Their children, born in Lafourche Parish, included Marie Alida in January 1865 but, called Alida, died at age 2 1/2 (the recording priest said 3) in October 1867; Marie Eulalie born in December 1867; ...  During the War of 1861-65, Faustin served in the Lafourche Parish Regiment of Militia, which fought at the Battle of Labadieville, Assumption Parish, in October 1862.  He was captured with most of his regiment there and paroled at Thibodaux a few weeks later.  One wonders why the couple waited so long to have children. 

Joseph François's second son Pierre Alexandre, by first wife Marie Simoneaux, married, at age 21, Marcelline or Marcellite, teenage daughter of fellow Acadians Jean Baptiste Thibodeaux and Rose D'Amours, at the Plattenville church, Assumption Parish, in July 1815.  Their children, born on the Lafourche, included Eugénie in January 1816; Pierre Eugène, called Eugène, in November 1818; Marie Mélanie in February 1821; Evariste Alexis in February 1824; Silvain or Sylvain Théodule in May 1826; Paul Adrien, called Adrien, in February 1829; Jean Léon in October 1831 but, called Léon, died at age 22 (the recording priest said 26) in Ascension Parish in October 1853; Pierre Aurelien Georges Bedford, called George, born in June 1834; Henry Octave, called Octave, in July 1837; Joseph Aurelien died 32 hours after his birth in April 1840; and Mélanie born in Lafourche Parish in August 1857 when her mother would have been in her late 50s or early 60s! (so the date of the girl's birth/baptism must have been wrong)--11 children, three daughters and eight sons, between 1816 and perhaps 1857.  Pierre Alexandre, called simply Pierre by the recording priest, died near Paincourtville, Assumption Parish, in July 1865, age 71 (the priest said 73).  Daughter Eugénie married into the Martin family.  Six of Pierre Alexandre's remaining sons also married and settled in Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes. 

Oldest son Pierre Eugène, called Eugène, married Sophie, also called Jolivette and Solidele, daughter of fellow Acadians Pierre Usé and Marie Quimine, at the Thibodauxville church in May 1835.  Their children, born on the Lafourche, included Pierre Edmond, called Edmond, in February 1836; Marie Joséphine in November 1837 but died at age 11 months in October 1838; Théodore born in July 1840; Joseph Ulisse or Ulysse, called Ulysse, in April 1842; Eugène Ernest in February 1844 but, called Ernest, died at age 18 months in October 1845; and Evariste Adam was born in October 1847--six children, five sons and a daughter, between 1836 and 1847.  In August 1860, the federal census taker in Lafourche Parish counted five slaves--two males and three females, two blacks and three mulattoes, ranging in age from 28 to 1--on P. Eugène Chiasson's farm in the parish's First Ward.  Eugène's daughter did not survive childhood, but four of his sons did and married on the Lafourche. 

Oldest son Edmond married Louisa, daughter of Jacques Duet or Dué and his Acadian wife Adèle Molaison, at the Thibodaux church in April 1858.  Their children, born on the Lafourche, included Henriette Ordasie in April 1859 but, called Henriette, died the following August; Marie Estelina born in September 1860; Marie Rebecca in May 1862; Adèla in March 1865; Pierre in October 1866; Marie Gorgina, probably Georgina, in February 1870; ...  During the War of 1861-65, Edmond served in the Lafourche Parish Regiment of Militia, which fought at the Battle of Labadieville, Assumption Parish, in October 1862.  He was captured there with most of his regiment, paroled at Thibodeaux a few weeks later, and returned to his family.  

During the war, Eugène's second son Théodore served in Company E of the 4th Regiment Louisiana Infantry, raised in Lafourche Parish, which fought in Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia, and Alabama.  One source says he died in July 1863, but he was actually captured near Jackson, Mississippi, forwarded to Snyder's Bluff, Mississippi, and then sent to Camp Morton, Indiana, a prisoner-of-war compound near Indianapolis.  Meanwhile, his unit roster listed him as a deserter.  Théodore survived his ordeal at Camp Morton, returned home, and married Séverine, daughter of  Jacques Adam and Julie Navarre, at the Vacherie church, St. James Parish, in May 1866; the marriage also was recorded in Lafourche Parish the same month.  Their son Eugène le jeune was born in Lafourche Parish in April 1869; ...  

During the war, Eugène's third son Joseph Ulysse, called Ulysse, served in Company I of the 26th Regiment Louisiana Infantry, raised in Lafourche Parish, which fought at Vicksburg, Mississippi.  Ulysse survived the war and married Julie, daughter of Célestin Guyot, perhaps a Foreign Frenchman, and his Anglo wife Marie Elizabeth Ferguson, at the Thibodaux church in September 1865.  Their children, born on the Lafourche, included Joseph Ulysse, fils in September 1865; a child, name unrecorded, died at age 5 months in July 1868; Joacin, probably Joachim, Célestin born in January 1870; ...

Eugène's fifth son Evariste Adam married Pauline, daughter of fellow Acadians Hippolyte Hébert and Victoire Boudreaux, at the Thibodaux church in May 1867.  Daughter Marie Joséphine was born in Lafourche Parish in February 1869; ...

Pierre Alexandre's second son Evariste Alexis married Marie Adèle, called Adèle, daughter of Alexis Hymel or Himel and Marcelline Badeaux, at the Thibodaux church in January 1843.  Their children, born on the Lafourche, included Pierre Numa, called Numa or Luma, in May 1845; Zulma Marceline in February 1847; Onésime Augustin in November 1848; Louise[sic, perhaps Louis] Paul in October 1850; Marie Ophelia, called Ophelia, in June 1852; Marie Octavie in October 1854; Marie Adélaïde in September 1856; Joséphine in March 1860; Justilia in March 1863; Julien Anathole in November 1864; Marie Ernestine in December 1867; ...  Daughter Ophelia married into the Rodrique family by 1870.  Two of Evariste Alexis's sons also married by then. 

Oldest son Numa, called Luma by the recording priest, married Célestine, daughter of Michel Montz and Marie Portier, at the Thibodaux church in January 1864. ...  

Evariste Alexis's second son Onésime Augustin, called Holézipe by the parish clerk and Holésippe by the recording priest, married Céleste, daughter of Jacques Adam and Julie Navarre, in a civil ceremony in Lafourche Parish in January 1869, and sanctified the marriage at the Vacherie church, St. James Parish, in February.  Their son Camille was born in Lafourche Parish in November 1870; ...

Pierre Alexandre's third son Sylvain Théodule married Marie Eugénie, called Eugénie, daughter of fellow Acadians Joseph LeBlanc and Célanie Breaux, at the Thibodaux church in June 1847.  Their children, born on the lower Lafourche, included Pierre Octave, called Octave le jeune, in September 1848; Léo Oscar near Lockport in September 1853; Henry Isaac in March 1856; Marie Georgina baptized at the Lockport church, age unrecorded, in June 1858; Elver Joséphine born in August 1860; Sylvain Osémé near Raceland in July 1862; Joseph near Lockport in February 1865; Jean William in June 1867; Joseph Félix in August 1869; ...  One of Sylvain's sons married by 1870. 

Oldest son Octave le jeune married Laiza, daughter of fellow Acadian Urbain Aucoin and his Creole wife Céleste Adam, at the Lockport church, Lafourche Parish, in February 1869.  Their son Joseph le jeune was born near Lockport in November 1869; ...  

Pierre Alexandre's fourth son Paul Adrien, called Adrien, married Marie, also called Clelie, daughter of Jacques Pontiff and Eméranthe Hymel, at the Thibodaux church in February 1850.  Their son Ernest died in Lafourche Interior Parish at age 2 months in January 1851.  Adrien remarried to Hypoline or Pauline, daughter of fellow Acadians Jean Charles Richard and Scholastique Bourgeois, at the Thibodeaux church in April 1853.  Their children, born on the Lafourche, included Marie Émelia in February 1854 but, called Émelia, died at age 1 in February 1855; Adam Augustin, also called Joseph Augustin, born in December 1855; and Joseph Alcide, called Alcide, in August 1857.  Adrien remarried again--his third marriage--to Estelle, daughter of fellow Acadians Edmond Thibodeaux and Élisabeth Robichaux and widow of T. Richard, at the Thibodaux church in March 1860.  Their children, born on the Lafourche, included Marie Louisiane in December 1860; Marie Letitia in February 1862; Cécile in April 1864; Albert in February 1866; Marie in November 1867; Marguerite in September 1869; ...  None of Adrien's children married by 1870. 

Pierre Alexandre's sixth son George married Doralise, another daughter of Alexis Hymel and Marcelline Badeaux, at the Thibodaux church in July 1854.  Their children, born on the Lafourche and the river, included Oleus in Lafourche Parish in late 1855 but died at age 2 1/2 (the recording priest said 2) in January 1858; Eulalie born in February 1857; Wilfrid Édouard in April 1861; Marceline Anglina in Lafourche Parish in November 1864; Augustin Clervil near Vacherie, St. James Parish, in October 1867; Joseph Lovinci near Labadieville, Assumption Parish, in March 1870; ...  None of George's children married by 1870. 

Pierre Alexandre's seventh son Octave married Marie Estelle, called Estelle, daughter of fellow Acadians Pierre Molaison and Marie Louise Hébert, at the Thibodaux church in February 1858.  Their children, born on the Lafourche, included Marie Émelia in October 1858; Pierre Édouard in November 1860; Marie Émée in May 1864[sic]; Joseph Ernest in October 1864[sic]; Joseph Arthur in December 1866; Marie Joséphine in March 1869; ...

Joseph François's fifth son Joseph Florentin Bernard, by second wife Marguerite Lejeune, married Marie Pauline, called Pauline, daughter of fellow Acadians Pierre Guidry and Marguerite Bergeron, in a civil ceremony in Terrebonne Parish in October 1826.  Their children, born on the Lafourche, included Jean Pierre, called Pierre, in March 1829; Marguerite Civilia or Surilia in August 1830; Rose Joséphine in December 1831; Marcellin in May 1834; Bernard in September 1836; Pauline Roselia or Rosalie, called Rosalie, in September 1838; Joseph Justinien, called Justinien, in October 1840; and Pauline Joséphine Eve baptized at age 4 1/2 months in December 1844--eight children, four sons and four daughters, between 1829 and 1844.  Joseph died in Terrebonne Parish in May 1854.  The priest who recorded the burial said that Joseph was age 45 when he died.  He was 49.  Daughters Marguerite Surilia, Pauline, and Rosalie married into the Marcel, Clément, Watkins, and Boucher families by 1870.  Two of Joseph's sons also married by then, and at least two of his sons served Louisiana in uniform.

Oldest son Jean Pierre married Célina, daughter of fellow Acadians Nicolas Léandre Crochet and Madeleine Bergeron, at the Houma church, Terrebonne Parish, in April 1856.  Their children, born in Terrebonne Parish, included Adam baptized at the Houma church, age unrecorded, in July 1854; Léandre Richard born in April 1856; Marguerite Joséphine in January 1858; Jean Pierre, fils in April 1859; Marie Louise in May 1861; Joseph Lovenci in February 1867; Eve Nathalie in March 1869; ...  None of Jean Pierre's children married by 1870. 

During the War of 1861-65, Joseph Florentin Bernard's second son Bernard served in Company H of the 26th Regiment Louisiana Infantry, raised in Terrebonne Parish, which fought at Vicksburg, Mississippi.  He married Éliza, daughter of fellow Acadians Evariste Aucoin and Émilie Boudreaux, at the Houma church in March 1864 while he was home waiting to be exchanged with his unit, which had been captured at Vicksburg the previous July.  Their children, born in Terrebonne Parish, included Élie Joseph in January 1865; Helesse Paulin in December 1866; Evariste Audressi in October 1869; ...   As the birth dates of his children reveal, he survived the war and returned to his family. 

During the war, Joseph Florentin Bernard's third and youngest son Justinien, called Justitien in Confederate records and also Justinian, served in Company E of the 4th Regiment Louisiana Infantry, raised in Lafourche Parish, which fought in Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia, and Alabama.  He enlisted in the company in Tangipahoa Parish, probably Camp Moore, age 20, in May 1861.  His Confederate service record then falls silence, but a unit record notes that he was present for duty with the company in November 1861, when it would have been stationed near Brashear City and Franklin in St. Mary Parish, on the lower Atchafalaya and Bayou Teche.  If he survived the war and returned to his family, he did not marry by 1870. 

Joseph François's sixth and youngest son Paul François Romain, also called Hippolyte, from second wife Marguerite Lejeune, married Marie Bathilde, called Bathilde and Mathilde and perhaps also Rosale Mathilde, daughter perhaps of fellow Acadian Jean Bapiste Bergeron and his Creole wife Rosalie Lancon of Ascension Parish, in a civil ceremony in Terrebonne Parish in May 1830, and sanctified the marriage at the Houma church in July 1855.  Their children, born in Terrebonne Parish, included Rosalie Mathilde in April 1831; Marguerite Silvanise or Silvanie, called Silvanie, in May 1839; Hortense Alexina in January 1842; Mélanie Odilia, called Odilia, in December 1844; Corine or Corrine in the 1840s; Joseph Votcius in March 1850; twins Jean Baptiste Jumeau and Théodule Léopold in February 1853; Édouard Henry in July 1854; and Henriette Phrenele in September 1857--10 children, six daughters and four sons, including a set of twins, between 1831 and 1857.  Daughters Rosalie, Hortense, Silvanie, Odilia, and Corine/Corinne married into the Henry, Escassus, Roos, Lacarr, Whitney, Klinke, and Malbrough families, two of them, Silvanie and Corine, twice, by 1870.  None of Paul dit Hippolyte's sons married by then. 

Jean's fourth and youngest son Pierre-Louis, by third wife Anne Perrine Joanne, followed his family to Poitou, Nantes, New Orleans, and upper Bayou Lafourche, where he married Marguerite, also called Marie, daughter of Jean LeBoeuf and Renée Matherne of St.-Jean-Baptiste on the upper German Coast, in July 1805.  Their children, born on the Lafourche, included Marie Émilie, called Émilie, in September 1806; Joseph André, called André, in December 1813; Marie Marcelle dite Marcelite in April 1815; Angèle Théotiste or Théotiste Angèle in August 1817; Jean Pierre Gabriel, called Gabriel and Briel, in August 1819; François Henry or Henry François in December 1821; and Marguerite, also called Emérante or Mérante Marguerite, in November 1826--seven children, four daughters and three sons, between 1806 and 1826.  They resettled in what became Terrebonne Parish by the 1830s.  Pierre's succession inventory, listing his wife and some of his children--Théotiste Angel, Jean Gabriel, Henry François, Mérente Marguerite, and André--was filed at the Houma courthouse in July 1833.  Pierre Louis would have been age 64 that year.  Daughters Émilie, Marcelite, Angèle Théotiste, and Emérente married into the Naquin, Dugas, and Cunningham families, including two Dugas brothers.  Pierre Louis's sons also married and remained in Terrebonne Parish, settling near Montegut at the edge of the coastal marshes.  

Oldest son Joseph André, called André, married Félicité Cilda, Ernildor, or Esilda Billiot or Billot probably in Terrebonne Parish in the late 1840s or early 1850s.  Their children, born in Terrebonne Parish, included Marguerite in June 1853; Andrécis in October 1855; Roseline Honorine in October 1856; Marcel Florentin in June 1859; Marie Aureline in September 1861; Faustin Paul in January 1865; Arthur Adam near Montegut in January 1868; Joseph Alfred in June 1870. ...  None of André's children married by 1870. 

Pierre Louis's second son Jean Pierre Gabriel, called Gabriel and Briel, married Henriette Scholastique, also called Louise, daughter of Jean Dupré, fils and Eléonore LeBoeuf, at the Thibodaux church in September 1840.  They settled in Terrebonne Parish.  Their children, born there, included Louise or Louisa Duphémie in May 1845; Jean Pierre, called Pierre, in July 1849; Ferdinand Léon in July 1851; Hermogène Maximin in August 1853; and Jean Placide in October 1855.  Gabriel remarried to Élise dite Eliska, daughter of Jean Pierre Ledet and his Acadian wife Marie Josèphe Roger and widow of W. Bélanger, at the Montegut church, Terrebonne Parish, in August 1869.  Daughter Eve Françoise was born near Montegut in June 1870; ...  Daughter Louisa, by his first wife, married into the Guidry family by 1870.  One of Gabriel's sons also married by then.

Oldest son Pierre, by first wife Henriette Scholastique Dupré, married Marie, daughter of Marcellin Béllanger and Élize Ledet, at the Montegut church in February 1870. ...

Pierre Louis's third and youngest son François Henry married Marie Geneviève, also called Élisabeth, daughter of French Creole François André Dubois and Geneviève Durocher of Terrebonne Parish, at the Thibodaux church in May 1844.  Their children, born in Terrebonne Parish, included François Martial, called Martial, in May 1845; Pauline in the 1840s; Apolinaire or Apollinaire Marcel in November 1848; and Édouard in October 1850--four children, three sons and a daughter, between 1845 and 1850.  Daughter Pauline married into the Bourg and Malbrough families by 1870.  One of François Henry's sons also married by then.

Oldest son Martial married Basilise Elmire, daughter of Jean Charles Dupré and his Acadian wife Marie Céleste Naquin, at the Montegut church in June 1870. ...

.

The second family of Chiassons, which included a father, a daughter, and a son, who came to Spanish Louisiana, crossed on La Caroline, the last of the Seven Ships, which left Nantes during the third week of October and reached New Orleans in mid-December 1785.  They settled on the western prairies, where they helped create another new center of Chiasson family settlement: 

Basile (c1749-?) à Jean-Baptiste à Gabriel dit Pierre à Guyon dit LaVallée Chiasson

Basile, only son of Pierre Chiasson and Catherine Bourgeois, born at Pointe-à-Beauséjour, Chignecto, in c1749, followed his parents to Île St.-Jean after 1752 and to Cherbourg, Normandy, France, in late 1758.  He married fellow Acadian Monique Comeau probably at Cherbourg in c1772.  Their child, name, gender, and age unrecorded, died at Cherbourg in April 1773.  Later that year, they followed other exiles in the port cities to the interior of Poitou, where Monique gave Basile two daughters in St.-Jean l'Evangeliste Parish, Châtellerault:  Anne-Adélaïde, called Adélaïde, born in April 1774; and Anne-Marie-Marthe in October 1775.  The following month, after two years of effort, Basile and his family retreated with other Poitou Acadians to the lower Loire port of Nantes, where he worked as a sailor and a cooper.  Monique gave Basile at least three sons in Ste.-Croix Parish there:  Louis-Basile born in December 1780 but died at age 21 months in August 1782; Charles-Albert born in c1782; and Louis-Joseph in September 1784 but died at nearby Chantenay in September 1785 on the eve of the family's departure for Louisiana.  Their second daughter Anne-Marie-Marthe, born in Poitou, had gone with the family to Nantes, but she likely died in Ste.-Croix Parish before September 1784, when Basile and Monique, along with hundreds of other exiles in France, chose to go to Spanish Louisiana.  In 1785, they signed up to cross aboard L'Amitié, the fifth of the Seven Ships, but the illness of their youngest son Louis-Joseph delayed their crossing.  After the boy died at Chantenay, the family, which included only daughter Anne-Adélaïde and son Charles-Albert now, booked passage aboard La Caroline, the last of the Seven Ships, which left Nantes during the third week of October and reached New Orleans in mid-December 1785.  They chose to settle on the Opelousas prairies, perhaps near her Comeau kin.  Monique died there by July 1789, when Basile, age 39, remarried to Anne-Marie, called Marie, daughter of fellow Acadians Pierre Thibodeaux and Françoise Sonnier, widow of L'ange Bourg and sister of one of Basile's daughter Anne-Adélaïde's husband, at Opelousas.  Marie gave Basile more children there, including Marie-Eugénie, called Eugénie, born in June 1789 (a month before her parents' marriage); Pierre in September 1792; Julie, also called Susanne, in September 1793; Louis baptized, age unrecorded, in October 1796; Céleste born in c1799 and baptized at age 5 in October 1804; and Basile, fils born in c1800 and baptized at age 4 in October 1804--a dozen children, at least five daughters and six sons, by two wives, between the early 1770s and 1800, in France and Louisiana.  Daughters Anne-Adélaïde, Julie/Susanne, Marie Eugénie, and Céleste, by both wives, married into the Thibodeaux, Doucet, Dugas, Richard, Cormier, and Petit dit Parrain families on the prairies.  Three of Basile's sons also married there, but only one of the lines endured, in Lafayette Parish.

Second son Charles-Albert, by first wife Monique Comeau, followed his family to New Orleans and Opelousas, where he married Madeleine, daughter of French Canadian Charles Bourassa and his Acadian wife Madeleine Lalande, in September 1802.  Their children, born on the Opelousas prairies, included Caroline in c1803 and baptized, age 18 months, in October 1804; a child, name, age, and gender unrecorded, died "du mal de machoire (from a hurt jaw; perhaps lockjaw)" in December 1804; and Céleste baptized at age 3 weeks in April 1806--three children, perhaps all of them daughters, between 1803 and 1806.  Charles's succession was filed at the Opelousas courthouse in November 1848.  He would have been age 66 that year.  Daughters Caroline and Céleste married Matte brothers.  Charles and his wife had no sons, at least none who survived childhood, so this line of the family, except for its blood, died with him.  

Basile's fourth son Pierre, by second wife Anne Marie Thibodeaux, married, at age 27, Ludivine or Severine, daughter of Eustache Moreau and Dorothée Roy, at the Opelousas church, St. Landry Parish, in September 1819.  They either married civilly years before their church wedding, or Pierre fathered a "natural" child, name and age unrecorded, who died in St. Landry Parish in May 1813 nine days after its birth.  Their daughter Eugénie was born probably in St. Landry Parish in c1819 and married into the Lanclos family.  Did Pierre father any sons who survived childhood?

Basile's fifth son Louis, by second wife Anne Marie Thibodeaux, married Marie dite Doralise, daughter of fellow Acadians Joseph Sonnier and Marie Thibodeaux of La Butte, at the St. Martinville church, St. Martin Parish, in November 1817.  Their children, born in St. Martin and Lafayette parishes, included Louis, also called Louis Dupré, Dupré, and Dupréville, in St. Martin Parish in November 1818; Joseph in October 1819; Marie Oliva in February 1821; Pierre, also called Clerville, in Lafayette Parish in July 1823 but died at age 3 in August 1826; Élisa born in December 1824; and Louisa baptized at age 4 months in June 1826.  A succession, probably post-mortem, for wife Marie Sonnier was filed at the Vermilionville courthouse in October 1828.  Louis remarried to Susanne, daughter of fellow Acadians Augustin Dugas and Marie Duhon, at the Vermilionville church, Lafayette Parish, in November 1828.  Their children, born in Lafayette Parish, included Marie Odalie in August 1829; a child, name unrecorded, died at age 3 months in March 1831[sic, perhaps 1830]; Théogène baptized at the Vermilionville church, age 4 months, in April 1831; Théodule born in June 1832; Julia Armosa in October 1833 but died at age 1 in November 1834; a child, name unrecorded, died at age 3 days in November 1835; Anaïse baptized at age 4 months in December 1837; and Aurelien, also called Chretien, baptized at age 12 days in November 1839--14 children, at least six sons and six daughters, by two wives, between 1818 and 1839.  In August 1850, the federal census taker in Lafayette Parish counted five slaves--four males and one female, all black, ranging in age from 35 years to 3 months--on Louis Chiaisson's farm in the parish's western district.  In June 1860, the federal census taker in Lafayette Parish counted six slaves--five males and one female, all mulatto except for one black, ages 50 to 6--on Louis Chiason's farm next to Mrs. John Bt. Chiason.  Louis may have remarried again--it would have been his third marriage--to Marie Carmélite Sidalise, daughter of fellow Acadians Leufroi Sonnier and Carmélite Comeaux and widow of Pierre Anaclet Richard, in a civil ceremony in Lafayette Parish in February 1869.  If so, Louis would have been in his early to mid-70s at the time of the wedding!  Daughters Marie Oliva, Élisa, Marie Odalie, and Anaïse, by his first and second wives, married into the Begnaud, Bertrand, Melançon, Albarado, and Richard families, one of them, Élisa, twice.  Five of Louis's sons also married and settled on the prairies, but not all of the lines endured. 

Oldest son Louis Dupré, called Dupré and Dupréville, from first wife Doralise Sonnier, married Marie Joséphine, called Joséphine, daughter of Simon Durio and his Acadian wife Marie Madeleine Landry of Grand Coteau, at the Vermilionville church in February 1840.  Their children, born in Lafayette Parish, included Louis Dupré, fils in December 1840; Oliva in c1845 but died at age 2 in May 1847; and twins Simon Homere, called Homere, and Simonet Emard or Aymar, called Aymar, born in August 1848--four children, three sons and a daughter, including a set of twins, between 1840 and 1848.  Louis Dupré, père, called Dupre-Ville by the recording priest at Opelousas, died in Lafayette Parish (the recording priest said "at Fayette parish") in November 1859, age 41 (the recording priest said 42).  His three sons married on the prairies, but not all of the lines endured.

Oldest son Louis Dupré, fils married Marie Émelie, called Émelie, daughter of Antoine Clavel and his Acadian wife Léontine Hébert, at the Vermilionville church in April 1860.  Their son Adam Ebrard was born in Lafayette Parish in November 1868; ...  During the War of 1861-65, Louis Dupré, fils served with his uncle Théogène in Company E of the 26th Regiment Louisiana Infantry, raised in Lafayette Parish, which fought at Vicksburg, Mississippi.  As the birth of his son reveals, he survived the war and returned to this family. 

Dupré's second son Homère married cousin Adoiska, daughter of fellow Acadians Théodule Melançon and Elisa Chiasson, at the Breaux Bridge church, St. Martin Parish, in July 1866. ...

Dupré's third son Aymar married Augustine, another daughter of Antoine Clavel and Léontine Hébert, at the Vermilionville church in May 1870.  Aymar, called Emar by the recording priest, died in Lafayette Parish, age 22, in November 1870.  Did he father any children? ...

Louis's second son Joseph, by first wife Doralise Sonnier, married Marie Odile, called Odile, daughter of François Begnaud and his Acadian wife Mélanie Robichaux, at the Vermilionville church in December 1840.  Daughter Marie Deuralise was born in Lafayette Parish in October 1842.  Joseph died in Lafayette Parish in May 1842, age 22 (the recording priest said 23).  His daughter did not marry by 1870. 

Louis's fourth son Théogène, by second wife Susanne Dugas, married Azéma or Azémie, daughter of fellow Acadian Jean Baptiste Trahan and his Creole wife Claire Dubois, at the Vermilionville church in November 1854.  Their children, born in Lafayette Parish, included Cléopha in August 1855; Jean Louis in August 1856; a child, name and age unrecorded, died in December 1859; Clarisse in July 1861; Joseph Selma born in May 1864; ...  During the War of 1861-65, Théogène served with his nephew Louis Dupré, fils in Company E of the 26th Regiment Louisiana Infantry, raised in Lafayette Parish, which fought at Vicksburg, Mississippi.  Théogène's son Joseph was born a month after he returned to his unit following its exchange.  Théogène evidently survived the war and returned to his family.  His succession, naming his wife, was filed at the Vermilionville courthouse in February 1867.  He would have been age 36 that year.  One wonders if his succession was post-mortem.  None of his children married by 1870. 

 Louis's fifth son Théodule, by second wife Susanne Dugas, married Adonatille or Donatille, daughter of fellow Acadian Olivier dit Canada Guidry, fils and his Creole wife Marie Meaux, at the Vermilionville church in December 1858.  Their children, born in Lafayette Parish, included Louisianaise in September 1859; Edgar in January 1862; Louis Olivier in February 1864; Hebrard in May 1866 but died the following September; Adam born in September 1868; ...  

Louis's sixth and youngest son Aurelien, also called Chretien, from second wife Susanne Dugas, married fellow Acadian Marie Aphanelie, called Fanelly, Dugas in a civil ceremony in Lafayette Parish in April 1860.  Daughter Marie was born in Lafayette Parish in February 1861; ... Aurelien's succession was filed at the Vermilionville courthouse in September 1864.  He would have been age 25 that year.  His line of the family, except perhaps for its blood, may have died with him. 

Basile's sixth and youngest son Basile, fils, by second wife Anne Marie Thibodeaux, died in Lafayette Parish in October 1862, age 62.  He evidently did not marry.  

Clément

Jean Clément, born at Jeffrets, bishopric of Coutances, Normandy, France, in c1707, was not kin to the Vincent dit Cléments of British Nova Scotia and Île St.-Jean.  Jean came to Île Royale, today's Cape Breton Island, by c1722 probably as a young fisherman.  He married Marie-Josèphe Druce of Minas at Port-Toulouse on the island in c1726.  Marie-Josèphe's roots were in British Nova Scotia.  Her father Benjamin was an Englishman, son of John Druce and Anne Turner of Benson, Oxfordshire.  Benjamin had been baptized an Anglican there on 25 January 1685.  He came to Acadia by 1710, probably as a British soldier.  He had to convert to Catholicism to marry Madeleine, daughter of Acadians Robert Henry and Marie-Madeleine Godin of Minas.  Witnesses to his profession of faith, recorded on 6 December 1710, were Pierre Melanson and Pierre Thériot of Minas.  Benjamin died at Minas in March 1714, age 29, in the final months of Queen Anne's War.  One wonders if his death was war-related.  Daughter Marie-Josèphe, born at Minas in late January 1712, was his only child.  Benjamin's widow Madeleine remarried to Jean-Baptiste Radoux in c1715, and he likely took Marie-Josèphe to Île Royale.  Between 1732 and 1754, Marie-Josèphe Druce gave Jean Clément at least 10 childern, eight sons and two daughters, on the island.  Jean's daughters married into the Lirard and LeHardy or Hardy families from France.  The extended family settled at St.-Esprit on the Atlantic side of the island, where a French official counted Jean, Marie-Josèphe, and six of their children, five sons and a daughter, all "natives of St.-Esprit," in February 1752.  Jean was still working as a fisherman at the time.  Son Hilaire was born probably at St.-Esprit in c1753. 

When the British rounded up the Acadians in Nova Scotia in the fall of 1755, the Cléments on Île Royale, living in territory controlled by France, remained unmolested.  Their respite from British oppression was short-lived.  After the fall of the French fortress at Louisbourg in July 1758, the British rounded up most of the island habitants and deported them to France.  Hilaire, son of Jean Clément and Marie-Josèphe Druce, was only age 5 when the British deported the islanders.  Hilaire, his older sister Marguerite, her husband François Hardy of St.-Mandé, France, who was a fisherman, and their 6-year-old son Hilaire le jeune made the crossing aboard the transport Queen of Spain, which left Île Royale in late summer 1758 and reached St.-Malo in mid-November.  Marguerite died at sea, but husband François, son Hilaire, and younger brother Hilaire did survive the crossing.02 

Hilaire (c1753-late 1780s) Clément

Hilaire, seventh son of Jean Clément and Marie-Josèphe Druce of Île Royale, born at St.-Esprit on the Atlantic coast of the big island in c1753, was deported to France in 1758 and lived at St.-Malo probably with relatives from 1759 to 1761.  In 1761, when he was age 8, he moved to Trigavou on the west side of Rivière Rance south of the Breton port and was still there in 1772, working as a domestic servant.  The following year, at age 20, he followed hundreds of other exiles in the port cities to the interior of Poitou, where he found a wife.  While living at Monthoiron southeast of Châtellerault, he married Tarsile, 28-year-old daughter of fellow Acadians François Naquin and Angélique Blanchard, at nearby Leigné-les-Bois in October 1774.  Daughter Marie was born at Bonneuil-Matours south of Châtellerault in July 1775.  In March 1776, Hilaire, Trasile, and their daughter, with other Poitou Acadians, retreated down the Vienne and the Loire from Châtellerault to the port of Nantes, where Hilaire resumed worked as a domestic servant and also worked as a carpenter.  Tarsille gave him three more children at Nantes:  Jean-Hilaire born at nearby Chantenay in November 1776; Madeleine in February 1779 but died in St.-Nicolas Parish, Nantes, the following August; and François born at Chantenay in October 1780--four children, two daughters and two sons, between 1775 and 1780.  Wife Tarsile died in St.-Nicolas Parish in April 1784, age 38.  Younger son François died by September 1784, when Spanish officials counted the family at Nantes and noted that Hilaire had only two children left in his household.  About the time of Tarsile's death, the Spanish government offered the Acadians in France a chance for a new life in faraway Louisiana.  Hilaire, a widower with two young children, agreed to take it.  He and his children, Marie and Jean-Hilaire, crossed on Le St.-Rémi, the fourth of the Seven Ships, which left St.-Malo in late June, picked up passengers, including the Cléments, at Paimboeuf, the lower port of Nantes, and reached New Orleans during the second week of September 1785.  From New Orleans, they followed their fellow passengers to upper Bayou Lafourche.  Hilaire did not remarry in the Spanish colony.  He died there in the late 1780s, in his mid-30s, not long after the family's arrival.  His children, still young, were raised by relatives.  Daughter Marie married into the Dugas family on the upper Lafourche.  Hilaire's son also married and created a robust family line there.  In Louisiana, the family's name also is spelled Clemant, Clemente, Climent.

Older son Jean-Hilaire followed his widowed father and his older sister to New Orleans and upper Bayou Lafourche.  After his father died, he lived with his sister and relatives on the upper bayou, where, at age 24, he married Geneviève-Sophie, called Sophie, daughter of fellow Acadians Victor Boudreaux and his second wife Geneviève Richard, in September 1801.  Sophie, a native of St.-Servan-sur-Mer near St.-Malo, had come to Louisiana in 1785 aboard a later vessel.  Their children, born on the Lafourche, included Jean-Hilaire, fils, called Hilaire, in April 1803; Rosalie Marie or Marie Rosalie in May 1804; Marie Adélaïde in August 1806; Geneviève Tarsile, called Tarsile, in April 1808; Clémence in February 1810; Paul Valéry, called Valéry, in March 1811; François Ursin, called Ursin, in December 1812; Delphine Reine or Reine Delphine in September 1817; and Charles Joseph or Joseph Charles, called Charles, in the late 1810s--nine children, four sons and five daughters, between 1803 and the late 1810s.  Jean Hilaire died in Lafourche Interior Parish in October 1844.  The Thibodaux priest who recorded the burial said that Jean Hilaire died "at age 69 yrs."  He was 67.  Daughters Marie Rosalie, Marie Adélaïde, Tarsile, and Reine Delphine married into the Levron, Benoit, Hébert, and Morvant families.  All of Jean-Hilaire's sons married and settled on the middle Lafourche around present-day Thibodaux.  Two of Jean Hilaire's grandsons married first cousins.  Some of his descendants moved on to the Bayou Teche valley after the War of 1861-65, but most of them remained on Bayou Lafourche. 

Oldest son Jean Hilaire, fils, called Hilaire, married, at age 23, Marie Florine, daughter of fellow Acadians Michel Archange Bernard and Justine Arceneaux, at the Plattenville church, Assumption Parish, in September 1826.  Their children, born on the Lafourche, included Jean Hilaire III, also called Hilaire, fils, in October 1827; Georges Edmondville in April 1829; Marie in February 1831; Mathilde in May 1833; Marie Clara in December 1837 but, called Clara, died at age 17 1/2 in September 1855; Tresimond or Trasimond Dumini in August 1839; and Marie Dometille or Dometilde, called Dometilde, in September 1842--seven children, three sons and four daughters, between 1827 and 1842.  Daughters Mathilde and Dometilde married into the Guillot family by 1870.  Jean Hilaire, fils's three sons also married by then and settled on Bayou Lafourche. 

Oldest son Jean Hilaire III married Marie Aglaé, called Aglaé, daughter of fellow Acadians Marcellin Breaux and Azélie Dugas, at the Thibodaux church in June 1850.  Their children, born on the Lafourche, included Cordeluis Hilaire in November 1856; Marie Cordilia in September 1858; Jean Beauregard in July 1861; Marie Graziala in April 1864; Simplice Césaire Camille in March 1866 but, called Émile, died the following May; Émile Julien born in May 1867; ...  None of Jean Hilaire III's children married by 1870. 

Hilaire's second son Georges Edmonville married Marie Roseline, daughter of fellow Acadian Olivier Guillot and his Creole wife Anne Marguerite Oncale, at the Thibodaux church in June 1849.  Their children, born on the Lafourche, included Joseph Glalsey in May 1850; Maurice Théophile in September 1852; Marie Lidia in October 1854; Marie Zilia in April 1857; Georges Dosilien in July 1859; Jean Trasimond in January 1862; Marie Odilia in August 1864 but, called Odilia, died at age 19 months in March 1866; Liber Cléodomi born in March 1867; Joseph Alphonse in February 1870; ...  During the War of 1861-65, Georges Edmondville served as a lieutenant in the Lafourche Parish Regiment of Militia.  He likely fought with his regiment in the Battle of Labadieville in nearby Assumption Parish, in October 1862, was captured with most of them, paroled at Thibodaux a few weeks later, and went home.  None of his children married by 1870. 

Hilaire's third and youngest son Trasimond Dumini married Odile, another daughter of Marcellin Breaux and Azélie Dugas, at the Thibodaux church in April 1864.  Their children, born on the Lafourche, included Grégoire Alcés in September 1866; Joseph Alfred in June 1868; Alphonse in October 1870; ...

Jean Hilaire, père's second son Paul Valéry, called Valéry, married Delphine, another daughter of Michel Archange Bernard and Justine Arceneaux, at the Thibodauxville church in February 1835.  Their children, born on the Lafourche, included Justine Zélee in November 1835; Marie Élodie in August 1837 but, called Élodie, died at age 2 1/2 (the recording priest said 3) in May 1840; Joseph Paul born in January 1839; Joseph Michel in August 1840 but, called Joseph, died at age 12 in July 1852; Onésiphore Ulisse or Ulysse born in September 1842; Philomène Adolphine in February 1844; Odesoe in April 1846, perhaps a daughter, perhaps also called Odile; Michel Oleus or Élisée, called Élisée, in December 1848; Marie Mélina in June 1851; Louis Joseph in September 1853; and Euzelia Geneviève in March 1856--11 children, six daughters and five sons, between 1835 and 1856.  Daughter Odile married into the Tauzin family on upper Bayou Teche by 1870.  One of Valéry's sons also married by then and, like his sister, moved to the upper Teche after the War of 1861-65. 

Fifth son Élisée married first cousin Eliska, daughter of Eugène Morvant and his Acadian wife Reine Delphine Clément, his uncle and aunt, at the Thibodaux church in April 1867.  Soon after their marriage, they moved to upper Bayou Teche.  Their son Edgard was born near Breaux Bridge, St. Martin Parish, in April 1868; ... 

Jean-Hilaire, père's third son François Ursin, called Ursin, married Adeline Séverine, called Séverine, daughter of fellow Acadians Jean Marie Benoit and Marie Élisabeth Darois, at the Thibodauxville church in January 1836.  Their children, born on the Lafourche, included Alezime in October 1836; Jean Arsène, called Arsène, in February 1839; Urcin or Ursin Ulysse in November 1839; Joseph Marcellin in September 1841 but, called Marcellin, died at age 11 months in August 1842; Auguste died at age 6 months in December 1843; and Marie Séverine Émelia or Mélina, called Mélina, in February 1845.  Ursin remarried to Azéma, daughter of Michel Sevin and his Acadian wife Théotiste Hébert, at the Thibodaux church in July 1853.  Their children, born on the Lafourche, included Émile in c1854 but, called Émil, died at age 4 in November 1858; Joseph Paul born in October 1854; Jean Baptiste in September 1856; Marie Hélène in August 1858 but, called Marie, died in October; Joseph Treville Clémile born in November 1859; Joseph in January 1862; Marie Noida in December 1863; Marie in July 1866; Arthur Ulisse in October 1868; ...  Daughter Mélina, by his first wife, married a Clément first cousin by 1870.  One of Ursin's sons also married by then.

Oldest son Arsène, by first wife Adeline Séverine Benoit, married Adèle, daughter of Noël Navarre and his Acadian wife Doralise Naquin, at the Thibodaux church in January 1864.  Their children, born in Lafourche Parish, included Séverine Adelina in November 1866; Anatolle Olézime in February 1869; ...   

Jean-Hilaire, père's fourth and youngest son Charles Joseph or Joseph Charles, called Charles, married, at age 19, Marie Arthémise, called Arthémise, daughter of Nicolas Sevin and his Acadian wife Marie Hébert, at the Thibodauxville church in July 1836.  Their children, born on the Lafourche, included Charles Joseph Adam, called Joseph, in January 1838; Auguste Ovile in October 1839; Marguerite Aglaée, called Aglaé, in October 1841; Théophile in August 1843; Marie Pauline in October 1845 but, called Pauline, died at age 13 1/2 in January 1859; Alexis or Félix born in the late 1840s or early 1850s; Andrée, perhaps a daughter, in February 1849; Emmelina probably in the early 1850s; Paulin in February 1853; Joseph Paul in October 1854; Joacin or Joachim Émile in February 1855 but, called Joacim, died at age 3 1/2  in October 1858; Bernard Clesia born in August 1857; and Joseph Treville Clémile in November 1859--13 children, nine sons and four daughters, between 1838 and 1859.   Daughters Aglaé and Emmelina married into the Sevin and Morvant families by 1870.  Four of Charles's sons also married by then. 

Oldest son Joseph married Marie Rose, daughter of fellow Acadians Joseph Boudreaux and Marie Rosalie Hébert, at the Thibodaux church in January 1862.  Their children, born on the Lafourche, included Joseph Deve in October 1862; Angélique in December 1864; Davis Anatole in February 1868; Isidore Cyprien in April 1870; ...  During the War of 1861-65, Joseph served in the Lafourche Parish Regiment of Militia.  He may have fought with his regiment in the Battle of Labadieville in nearby Assumption Parish, in October 1862, was captured with most of them, paroled at Thibodaux a few weeks later, and went home.

Charles's second son Auguste married Joséphine, daughter of fellow Acadians Guillaume Boudreaux and Françoise Gautreaux, at the Thibodaux church in May 1861.  Their children, born on the Lafourche, included Oleus Joseph near Labadieville, Assumption Parish, in March 1864; Octave Émile in Lafourche Parish in January 1866; Marie Julia in November1867 but, called Justilien, died at age 15 months in March 1869; Camille Klebert born in July 1870; ...

Charles's third son Théophile married first cousin Mélina, daughter of fellow Acadians Ursin Clément and Severine Benoit, his uncle and aunt, at the Thibodaux church in January 1864.  Their children, born in Lafourche Parish, included Marie Evelina Eliska in January 1867; and Émile Ulysse in September 1868.  Théophile remarried to Victorine, daughter of fellow Acadians Olivier Hébert and Tersile Boudreaux and widow of Pierre Rabbas or Robbas, at the Thibodaux church in February 1870. ... 

Charles's fourth Alexis, also called Félix, married Victorine, daughter of Polinaire Durocher and Mathilde Jolibois, at the Thibodaux church in March 1869.  Their son Marcel Félicien was born in Lafourche Parish in January 1870; ...

Clouâtre

Pierre Cloistre dit Clouâtre, a French gunsmith, reached British Nova Scotia by 1722, the year he married Marguerite, daughter of André LeBlanc and Marie-Jeanne Dugas of Minas.  They settled at Grand-Pré.  Between 1723 and 1750, Marguerite gave the gunsmith at least eight children, three daughters and five sons.  A daughter's marriage record calls her a native of "St. Jean, Acadia," so Pierre dit Clouâtre and his family may have lived on French-controlled Île St.-Jean during the 1740s.  Only one of Pierre's sons seems to have married before deportation:  Third son Dominique married Françoise, daughter of Claude Boudrot, fils and Catherine Hébert, probably at Minas in c1750.  Oldest daughter Marie-Josèphe married into the Hébert family at Grand-Pré in October 1747.  Second daughter Anne married into the Capdeville family in Spanish Louisiana.  In 1755, the gunsmith and his family could still be found at Minas.  Le Grand Dérangement of the 1750s scattered the family to the winds. 

In the fall of 1755, the British deported son Dominique and his wife Françoise Boudrot, as well as Pierre and Marguerite's daughter Marie-Josèphe and her husband Pierre Hébert, to Massachusetts.  Colonial officials counted Marie-Josèphe and her family at Newton in 1761.  After the war, Dominique and Françoise followed hundreds of other exiles from Massachusetts to Canada.  Though now also a British possession, the far-northern province was populated largely by fellow French Catholics, many of them Acadian exiles.  So, in a colony nearly as old as Acadia, the siblings and their families began the slow, inexorable process of becoming Canadiennes.  They settled at Trois-Rivières before moving upriver to St.-Philippe-de-Laprairie across from Montréal.  Typical of most, if not all, Acadian families, these Acadiennes of Canada lost touch with their Cadien cousins hundreds of miles away, and, until the Acadian reunions of the twentieth century, may even have forgotten the others existed. 

In 1755, the British deported the old gunsmith, his wife Marguerite LeBlanc, and the rest of his family to Maryland.  For over a dozen years, they endured life among Englishmen who, despite their province's Catholic roots, did not care much for the French "papists" thrust upon them.  In July 1763, Marguerite LeBlanc, now a widow, was living at Port Tobacco on the lower Potomac.  With her were sons Louis, Pierre-Sylvain, and Joseph, and daughters Anne and Marthe-Marie.  Son Georges, who had married fellow Acadian Cécile Breau in Maryland, their children Joseph le jeune and Madeleine, and orphan Joseph Breau, also were living at Port Tobacco that month, when they, along with his widowed mother and siblings, appeared on a French repatriation list.  Georges died probably at Port Tobacco sometime between July 1763 and December 1767.  Older brother Louis married fellow Acadian Marguerite Landry in Maryland after July 1763. When word reached the Acadians in Maryland that the Spanish would welcome them to Louisiana, where many of their fellow exiles had gone, they pooled their meager resources to charter ships that would take them to New Orleans.  The Clouâtres had no close kin in Louisiana, but that was of little consequence.  Certainly life had to be better there than in a British colony where they were treated like pariahs.  The first contingent of Acadians left Baltimore in late June 1766 and the second in April 1767, but the Clouâtres were not on either of those expeditions.  They departed with their widowed mother in the third expedition of exiles from the Chesapeake colony, which left Port Tobacco for New Orleans in December 1767.

The Maryland Clouâtres reached New Orleans in February 1768 with the large party from Port Tobacco led by brothers Alexis and Honoré Breau of Pigiguit.  (One of the older Clouâtre sons had married a Breau in Maryland, so they would have been considered part of the extended family.)  Despite the exiles' protests, Spanish governor Antonio de Ulloa forced the party to settle at remote Fort San Luìs de Natchez across the river from present-day Natchez, Mississippi, far above Baton Rouge, where a British garrison was stationed.  In 1769, after Ulloa's ouster, his successor, Governor-General Alejandro O'Reilly, allowed the Fort San Luìs Acadians to settle where they wanted.  The Clouâtres moved downriver to San Gabriel and Cabahannocer, where other exiles from Maryland, including LeBlancs and Breaus, had settled in 1766 and 1767.  A number of Clouâtre lines were started in those settlements, but only two of them endured.  One of the Cabahanocer/St. James Parish lines, that of Joseph le jeune, was especially robust.  During the early antebellum period, two of Joseph le jeune's cousins moved from Iberville Parish on the river to the Lafourche/Terrebonne valley, where they established a second center of family settlement.  No Clouâtre family put down roots on the western prairies before the War of 1861-65, though at least two Clouâtre wives may have lived there during the late colonial and early antebellum periods. 

Judging by the number of slaves they held during the late antebellum period, the Clouâtres of St. James and Terrebonne parishes participated only peripherally in the South's plantation-based economy.  According to the federal slave schedules of the late antebellum period, one of the Clouâtres in St. James Parish held five slaves at one time, and his cousins in the Lafourche/Terrebonne valley held none, at least none who appeared on the federal slave counts of 1850 and 1860. 

According to state and Confederate service records, only two Clouâtres served Louisiana in uniform during the War of 1861-65.  Judging by their dates of enlistment, they probably were conscripts.  Both survived the war, which was not kind to their home parishes.  Even before Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation went into effect in January 1863, Federal commands controlling the lower Mississippi freed the slaves on every farm and plantation their forces could reach.  Meanwhile, Union gunboats shelled and burned dozens of towns, farms, and plantations along the river.  Successive Federal incursions devastated the Lafourche/Terrebonne valley, and Confederate foragers also plagued the area when the Federals were not around.  ...

In Louisiana, the family's name also is spelled Chiadtre, Cloac, Cloat, Cloate, Cloatre, Cloeta, Cloistre, Clouac, Clouain, Clouard, Clouatte, Clouet, Colaitre, Collaitre, Colloite, Collouer, Collouet, Collouette, Colluete, Coloitre, Colonot, Colouet, Colwat, Couatre, Coulaitre, and is pronounced CLUE-ott.03

.

With perhaps one exception, the Clouâtres of Minas--seven of them--came to Louisiana from Maryland in 1768.  With them came Marguerite LeBlanc, their widowed mother and grandmother, who was age 62 when she reached the colony.  She never remarried.  She died at San Gabriel on the river in April 1782, in his late 70s.  Three of her Clouâtre sons and two of her grandsons created their own families on the Acadian Coast, but not all of the lines endured.  During the early antebellum period, two of Marguerite's grandsons established a second center of Clouâtre family settlement in the Lafourche/Terrebonne valley: 

Louis (1724-?) Clouâtre

Louis, eldest son of Pierre Cloitre dit Clouâtre and Marguerite LeBlanc, born at Grand-Pré in August 1724, was deported to Maryland with his parents and siblings in the fall of 1755 and was living with his widowed mother at Port Tobacco in July 1763, when he would have been in his late 30s.  The repatriation list on which they appeared mentioned no wife, so he must have married later.  He may have come to Louisiana with the Breau party from Port Tobacco in 1768 (his widowed mother and four of his siblings were in that party). If so, he followed them to Fort San Luìs de Natchez that spring and then downriver to San Gabriel in 1769.  In his late 40s or early 50s, he married fellow Acadian Marguerite Landry, daughter perhaps of Jean-Baptiste Landry and Anne Babin of Ste.-Famille, Pigiguit, probably at San Gabriel in the early 1770s.  If this was Louis's wife's parents, she had come to Louisiana from Maryland in 1767, age 30, with her widowed father and siblings.  Like Louis, this was her first marriage.  Her and Louis's children, born at San Gabriel, included daughters Marie-Anne and Marguerite, birth dates unrecorded, who married into the Morales, Flore, Prosper, Schlatre, and Suire families, so the blood of this line of the family endured.  After her remarriage at San Gabriel in May 1802, Louis's daughter Marguerite followed her new husband, François Suire, to the Opelousas District, where she died in April 1803, perhaps from complications of childbirth.  Louis's older daughter Marie-Anne married three times and remained on the river. 

Pierre-Sylvain (1740-1798) Clouâtre

Pierre-Sylvain, fourth son of Pierre Cloitre dit Clouâtre and Marguerite LeBlanc, born at Grand-Pré in March 1740, was deported to Maryland with his parents and siblings in the fall of 1755 and was living with his widowed mother at Port Tobacco in July 1763.  With her and his siblings, he came to Louisiana with the Breau party from Port Tobacco in 1768 and followed them to Fort San Luìs de Natchez that spring.  In 1769, he followed them downriver to San Gabriel, where, in his early 30s, he married Marie-Madeleine, called Madeleine, daughter of fellow Acadians Pierre Boudrot and Madeleine Hébert and widow of Joseph Landry, in c1770.  Madeleine also had come to Louisiana from Maryland in 1768, with her first husband and three of their children.  She and Pierre-Sylvain were counted on the "left bank ascending," or west bank, of the river at San Gabriel in March 1777.  Oddly, the Spanish official who counted them there listed no children in their household despite their having a daughter, Marine, born at San Gabriel in October 1772 soon after their marriage--evidently their only child.  Pierre-Sylvain died at San Gabriel in May 1798.  The priest who recorded the burial said that Pierre was age 60 when he died.  He was 58.  Daughter Marine married into the Blanchard and Dupuis families, so the blood of this family line endured.  

Joseph (c1750-?) Clouâtre

Joseph, fifth and youngest son of Pierre Cloitre dit Clouâtre and Marguerite LeBlanc, born at Grand-Pré in c1750, followed his family to Maryland in the fall of 1755 and was living with his widowed mother at Port Tobacco in July 1763.  He followed her and his siblings to New Orleans, Fort San Luìs de Natchez, and San Gabriel, where, at age 30, he married Marguerite, daughter of fellow Acadians Dominique Babin and Marguerite Boudreaux, in June 1780.  She evidently gave him no children.  Joseph, at age 37, remarried to Élisabeth-Marie or Marie-Élisabeth, daughter of fellow Acadians Olivier Thibodeaux and his second wife Élisabeth Boudreaux, at San Gabriel in February 1787.  Their children, born at San Gabriel, included Marguerite-Marcelline in April 1788; Joseph, fils in December 1789; twins Anne-Madeleine and Marie-Clothilde in January 1792; Louis le jeune in January 1798; Marie-Marcellite in April 1798[sic, probably 1799]; Marie-Josèphe in February 1800; Marie-Virginie in June 1802; Pierre Treville in October 1804; Marie Apollonie or Pollone in c1805; and Marguerite Henriette, called Henriette, in November 1806 but died at age 8 1/2 in September 1815--11 children, eight daughters and three sons, including a set of twins, between 1788 and 1806.  Joseph died by May 1830, when a "procuration" filed at the Terrebonne Parish courthouse called his second wife Élisabeth a widow.  Daughters Marie Marcellite, Marie Clothilde, and Marie Pollone, by his second wife, married into the Babin, Pitre, and Bergeron families.  Two of Joseph's sons also married.  In the late 1810s, his oldest son established a new center of family settlement on Bayou Lafourche.  Joseph's other married son and his daughters followed, some of them settling down the valley on upper Bayou Terrebonne.  

Oldest son Joseph, fils, by second wife Élisabeth Marie Thibodeaux, married Marie Henriette, called Henriette, daughter of fellow Acadians Joseph Molaison and Marie Gautreaux of Lafourche, at the Plattenville church, Assumption Parish, in October 1818.  They settled on upper Bayou Lafourche.  Their children, born there, included Marie Caroline in December 1820; Thérèse Sadille Adèlle, also called Marie Solidele, in March 1823; Marie Henriette in June 1825 but died at age 4 1/2 in November 1829; Marie Séraphine died at age 8 days in January 1828; twins Joseph III and Marguerite born in March 1832; Joseph Viléon in October 1834; Joseph Claireborne in August 1836 but, called Joseph Claiborne, died at age 15 1/2 in December 1851; Pierre born in the late 1830s; Marie Victoirio in October 1840; Marie Philomène in October 1843; and Élodie probably in the 1840--a dozen children, eight daughters and four sons, between 1820 and the 1840s.  Daughters Marie Caroline, Marie Solidele, Marie Philomène, and Élodie married into the Gaspard, Dantin, Laperouse, and Gautreaux families by 1870.  Two of Joseph, fils's sons also married by then and settled in Terrebonne Parish. 

Oldest son Joseph III married, at age 33, Philomène, daughter of Zedéon Calahan and his Acadian wife Cléonice Boudreaux, at the Chacahoula church, Terrebonne Parish, in July 1865.  Their son Ferdinand Joseph was born near Chacahoula in February 1869; ... 

Joseph, fils's fourth and youngest son Pierre married Tarsile, daughter of fellow Acadians Hippolyte Pitre and Rosalie Naquin, at the Houma church, Terrebonne Parish, in December 1858.  Did they have any children? 

Joseph, père's second son Louis le jeune, by second wife Élisabeth Marie Thibodeaux, was living in Terrebonne Parish when he married Marguerite Elmire, daughter of Pierre Victor Chatagnier and his Acadian wife Marie Modeste Hamon of Terrebonne Parish, at the Thibodauxville church, Lafourche Interior Parish, in April 1837.  They settled in Terrebonne Parish.  Their children, born there, included Marie Émelia or Amelia Clautine, called Amelia, in April 1838; Louis Amédée in January 1840; Émile Marcel in June 1841; Marcellin Jackson in August 1844; Marie Rosalie baptized at age 6 months in December 1849; and Marguerite Élodie in September 1851--six children, three daughters and three sons, between 1838 and 1851.  Daughter Amelia married into the Echete family by 1870.  None of Louis's sons married by then.

Joseph le jeune (c1760-1841) à Pierre Cloitre dit Clouâtre

Joseph le jeune, older son of Georges Clouâtre and Cécile Breau and nephew of Louis, Pierre-Sylvain, and Joseph, was born in Maryland in c1760.  According to a French repatriation list, he was living with his parents at Port Tobacco in July 1763.  He followed his widowed mother, two siblings, and other Clouâtre kin to New Orleans and Fort San Luìs de Natchez in 1767-68.  On the trip up to Natchez, his mother remarried to fellow Acadian Charles Gaudet at Cabahannocer on the river in May 1768.  In 1769, Joseph followed his stepfather and his mother back downriver to Cabahannocer, where, at age 25, he married Marie, daughter of fellow Acadians Jean-Baptiste Poirier and Marie-Madeleine Richard, in c1785.  Marie's parents were among the first Acadian exiles who had come to Louisiana, in 1764.  Her and Joseph le jeune's children, born at Cabahannocer, included Joseph, fils in October 1786; Olidon in May 1789; Michel in August 1791; Anne-Carmélite dite Mélite, also called Émilie, in August 1793; Marie-Rose or -Rosalie in November 1795; an unnamed daughter died, age unrecorded, in March 1798; and Georges-Jérôme, called Jérôme, born in November 1799.  Joseph remarried to Félicité, daughter of fellow Acadians Charles Louvière and Isabelle Melançon, at Cabahannocer in February 1801.  Their children, born at Cabahannocer/St. James, included a son, name unrecorded, died soon after his birth in February 1806; Joseph Marcellin, called Marcellin, born in September 1808; Marie Flouille in July 1810; Joseph Drosin in January 1812; and Marie Clémence, called Clémence, in May 1813 but died at age 2 in July 1815--a dozen children, seven sons and five daughters, by two wives, between 1786 and 1813.  Joseph died in St. James Parish in February 1841.  The priest who recorded the burial said that Joseph was age 87 when he died.  He probably was in his early 80s.  Daughters Mélite and Rosalie, by his first wife, married into the Melançon and Breaux families.  Three of Joseph le jeune's sons also married.  Like their father, they remained in St. James Parish.  One grandson moved upriver to Pointe Coupee Parish, where few Acadians settled, but the others remained in St. James.  

Third son Michel, by first wife Marie Poirier, married Marcellite, also called Manette, daughter of fellow Acadians Amand Bourgeois and Scholastique Arceneaux, at the St. James church, St. James Parish, in May 1815.  Their children, born in St. James Parish, included a son, name unrecorded, died at birth in February 1816; Michel, fils born in February 1817; an unnamed daughter in 1820 but died at age 5 months in January 1821; Félix born in September 1821 but died near Convent, age 27 (the recording priest said 25 or 26), in May 1849; Edward born in April 1824; Drosin Clément, called Clément, in April 1826; Marie Elmire, called Elmire, in June 1828; Carmélite in October 1830 but died at age 3 (the recording priest said 4) in October 1833; Aglaé Augustine dite Justine born in January 1832; and Clairville posthumously in August 1834 but died at age 5 in October 1839--10 children, six sons and four daughters, between 1816 and 1834.  Michel died near Convent, St. James Parish, in August 1834.  The priest who recorded the burial said that Michel was age 45 when he died.  He was 43.  In September 1850, the federal census taker in St. James Parish counted five slaves--three males and two females, all black, ranging in age from 28 to 2--on Wdw Mel Cloitre's farm in the parish's eastern district; this was Michel's widow Marcellite Bourgeois.  Daughters Elmire and Aglaé Augustine dite Justine married into the Dugas and Rome families.  Only one of Michel's sons married.  He settled in St. James Parish.

In July 1850, the federal census taker in St. James Parish counted a single slave--a 9-year-old mulatto male--on Drauzin Cloitre's farm in the parish's eastern district.  This was Michel, père's fifth son Drosin Clément, called Clément, then age 24, who married Céline Odile, daughter of Foreign Frenchman Pierre Désiré Letulle and his Acadian wife Amelie Boudreaux, at the Convent church in November 1851.  Their children, born near Convent, included Joseph Eugène in July 1853; Marie in February 1854; Félix le jeune in March 1855; Marie Clémentine in March 1857; Marie Éliza in December 1860; Marie Lolitia in April 1863; Marie Regina in January 1866; and Marie Alida in June 1868, four months before her father died--eight children, two sons and six daughters, between 1853 and 1868.  In June 1860, the federal census taker in St. James Parish again counted a single slave--this time a 13-year-old black female--on Clément Clouatre's farm in the parish's Fourth District on the river's Left Bank.  Clément died near Convent in October 1868.  The priest who recorded the burial, and who did not give any parents' names or mention a wife, said that Clément died at "age ca. 35 years."  He was 42.  None of his children married by 1870. 

Joseph le jeune's fourth son Georges Jérôme, called Jérôme, from first wife Marie Poirier, married Émelite, called Mélite, another daughter of Amand Bourgeois and Scholastique Arceneaux, at the St. James church in January 1818.  Their children, born in St. James Parish, included Jérôme, fils in October 1818; Joseph le jeune in November 1819; Sylvain, called Sylvanie, in January 1822; Marie Scholastique in February 1824 but died at age 25 (the recording priest said 28) in April 1849; Marie Élisée born in March 1826; Émilie or Amélie in March 1828; George Livingston in 1830; Amand Théogène, called Théogène, in 1834 and baptized at the Convent church, age 10 months, 25 days, in June 1835; and Rosalie Myrza born in October 1838--nine children, five sons and four daughters, between 1818 and 1838.  Jérôme died near Convent in November 1847.  The priest who recorded the burial said that Jérôme was age 50 when he died.  He was 48.  In June 1850, the federal census taker in St. James Parish counted two slaves--a 27-year-old black female and a year-old mulatto female--on Widlow Jérôme Clouatre's farm in the parish's Fourth District on the river's Left Bank; these probably were Jérôme's widow, Émelite Bourgeois's, slaves.  Her and Jérôme's daughters Amélie and Rosalie Myrza married into the Berthelot and Bourgeois families.  Four of Jérôme's sons also married and settled in St. James, Ascension, and Pointe Coupee parishes. 

Oldest son Jérôme, fils, called Evariste by the recording priest, may have been the one who married Clara Marguerite or Marguerite Clara Chutz probably in Pointe Coupee Parish in the late 1840s or early 1850s.  Their children, born in Pointe Coupee Parish, included Jérôme III in February 1855; Lesida in February 1859; and Jean Uranus in January 1862--three children, two sons and a daughter, between 1855 and 1862.  During the War of 1861-65, Evariste may have served in Company F of the 4th Regiment Louisiana Infantry, raised in West Baton Rouge Parish, which fought in Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee.  Did he survive the war?  None of his children married by 1870. 

Jérôme, père's second son Joseph le jeune married Marie Ezilda, called Ezilda, daughter of Nicolas Rome and Eurasie Webre, at the Convent church, St. James Parish, in January 1849.  Their children, born near Convent, included Léon Joseph in July 1851; and Marie Calue Ezilda in October 1853 but, called Marie Isilda, died at age 9 in September 1862.   Joseph le jeune remarried to Virginie Berthelot, widow of Émile Favrange, at the Convent church in February 1860.  Daughter Marie, by his first wife, married into the Duhon family by 1870.  His son did not marry by then. 

Jérôme, père's third son Sylvain, also called Sylvanie, married cousin Marie Scholastique dite Colastie, daughter of fellow Acadian Jean Estival Bourgeois and his Creole wife Véronique Keller, at the Convent church in January 1849, the day after his older brother Joseph le jeune married in the same church; Sylvain and his wife had to secure a dispensation for third degree of consanguinity in order to marry.  Their children, born near Convent, included Joseph Silver or Sylvain in December 1849; Marie Anastasia in February 1850; Florian in September 1851 but died at age 20 months in June 1853; Joseph le jeune born in February 185[4] but died at age 6 months the following August; Corine born in September 1856; Lutetia in March 1857; Adèle in September 1859; Adam Fulgence in September 1863; ...  In June 1860, the federal census taker in St. James Parish counted two slaves--a 40-year-old black female and a 14-year-old black female--on Sylvanie Clouâtre's farm in the parish's Fourth District on the river's Left Bank.  None of Sylvain's children married by 1870. 

Jérôme, père's fifth and youngest son Amand Théogène, called Théogène, married Marie Anne Victorine, called Victorine, daughter of Louis Isidore or Isidore Victor Letulle and Berthilde Legendre, at the Convent church in January 1857.  Their children, born near Convent, included Louis Jérôme in March 1858; Arthur Stanislas in March 1866; and Marie Philomène in September 1868 but, called an unnamed child, died "a few days old."  Wife Victorine, called "Mrs. Théogène Clouatre by the recording priest," died in November 1868, age 30, perhaps from the rigors of childbirth.  Théogène remarried to Eugénie Lucenty at the Donalsonville church, Ascension Parish, in January 1870; ... During the war, Amand Théogène served in the 5th Battery Louisiana Artillery, also called the Pelican Artillery, raised in St. James Parish, which fought in Louisiana.  As the birth of his younger children reveal, he survived the war and returned to his family.

Joseph le jeune's fifth son Joseph Marcellin, called Marcellin, from second wife Félicité Louvière, married Philomène Gilchrist, sometimes Gilbert, a native of Alabama, in either Alabama or St. James Parish in the late 1830s or early 1840s.  Their children, born in St. James Parish, included Pierre Adam in January 1844 but, called Adam, died there the following May; and Joseph Elphége, called Elphége, born in September 1846.  One of Marcellin's sons married by 1870 and settled on the upper German Coast. 

Younger son Joseph Elphége, called Elphége, married Ernestine Fourroux in St. John the Baptist Parish, date unrecorded, and settled at Lucy and Edgard in that parish. 

Charles (c1765-1802) à Pierre Cloitre dit Clouâtre

Charles, younger son of Georges Clouâtre and Cécile Breau, born in Maryland in c1765, followed his widowed mother, two siblings, and other Clouâtre kin to New Orleans and Fort San Luìs de Natchez in 1767-68.  In 1769, Charles followed his stepfather Charles Gaudet and his mother back dowriver to Cabahannocer, where, at age 21, he married Marianne or Anne dite Manon, daughter of fellow Acadians Jean Arceneaux and Judith Bergeron, in January 1786.  Anne was a native of Louisiana whose parents had come to the colony from Halifax with the Broussards in February 1765.  Her and Charles's children, born at Cabahannocer, included Marie-Marine in December 1787; Constance in September 1791; Marie-Euphrosine in January 1795 but died at age 15 (the recording priest said 15 months) near Convent, St. James Parish, in August 1811; an unnamed daughter died seven days after her birth in January 1797; Marie-Anne-Belisaria born in July 1799; Marie-Françoise dite Fanny in September 1800; and Bélisaire in c1801 but died at age 30 in August 1831--seven children, six daughters and a son, between 1787 and 1801.  Charles died at Cabahannocer in January 1802.  The priest who recorded the burial said that Charles was age 45 when he died.  He was closer to 37.  Daughters Marie Marine, Constance, and Fanny married into the Frederick, Selvis, and Hakle families.  Charles's only son did not marry, so this line of the family, except for its blood, died with him.  Daughter Marie-Marine, wife of Charles Frederick of Sweden, followed her husband to the western prairies in the early 1800s. 

Comeaux

Pierre Comeau, a cooper, born in France in c1598, came to Acadia with Isaac Razilly and the sieur d'Aulnay in 1632, four years before the first French families came to the colony.  Pierre Comeau worked his trade at the Atlantic-side port of La Hève, Razilly's headquarters, before moving to Port-Royal, where, at age 51, he married 18-year-old Rose Bayon in c1649.  Rose may have come to Acadia with her father in 1636 aboard the St.-Jehan, the ship that brought the first French families to the colony.  Between 1652 and 1665, at Port-Royal, Rose gave Pierre nine children, six sons and three daughters.  Their daughters married into the Gaudet, Hébert, and Rivet families.  Five of Pierre's sons married into the Lefebvre, Landry, Bourg, Hébert, Joseph dit Lejeune, Bourgeois, and Babin families.  Pierre was counted at Port-Royal in 1686, age 88.  The date of his death has been lost to history.  By 1755, his descendants could be found at Grand-Pré, Rivière-aux-Canards, and Pigiguit in the Minas Basin; at Chepoudy and Petitcoudiac in the trois-rivières area west of Chignecto; at Malpéque on the northwestern coast of Île St.-Jean; on Île Madame off the southern coast of Île Royale; at Annapolis Royal, where they were especially numerous; and in Canada.  Le Grand Dérangement of the 1750s scattered this large family even farther. 

The Acadians at Chignecto were the first to endure a disruption of their lives.  During the spring and summer of 1750, in response to the British building a fort at Beaubassin village, Canadian militia, assisted by Mi'kmaq warriors led by Abbé Jean-Louis Le Loutre, burned Acadian homesteads in the British-controlled area east of Rivière Missaguash, forcing the habitants there to move to the French-controlled area west of the river.  After yet another war erupted between Britain and France in 1754, Chignecto-area Acadians were caught in the middle of it.  When British and New-New English forces attacked Fort Beauséjour in June 1755, local Acadians, perhaps including Comeaus from the trois-rivières, served in the fort as militia.  They, too, along with the French troupes de la marine, became prisoners of war when the fort surrendered on June 16.  Lieutenant-Governor Charles Lawrence was so incensed to find so-called French Neutrals fighting with French regulars at Beauséjour he ordered his officers to deport the local Acadians to the southernmost seaboard colonies.  Comeaus were deported to South Carolina.  Other Comeaus at Chepoudy escaped the British roundup and took refuge on the Gulf of St. Lawrence shore or moved on to Canada via the Rivière St.-Jean portage. 

Later that fall, the British shipped the Acadians in the Minas Basin to Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Massachusetts, and Connecticut.  One Comeau family from Pigiguit was deported to Massachusetts, others to Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.  Comeaus deported to Virginia endured a fate worse than most of the other exiles rounded up at Minas.  In mid-November 1755, when five transports appeared unexpectedly at Hampton Roads, Virginia's governor Robert Dinwiddie protested the deportation of so many "Neutral French" to his colony without his consent.  Exiles died on the filthy, crowded ships anchored in Hampton Roads while the Virginia authorities pondered their fate.  As winter approached, the governor ordered Acadians from one vessel moved up to Richmond, two of the vessels were unloaded at Hampton, and two more at Norfolk.  Finally, in the spring of 1756, the governor, his council, and the colony's Burgesses made its decision ... the "papists" must go!  In May, the first shipment of Acadians in hired vessels left for England, and in two weeks all of them had gone--299 to Bristol, 250 to Falmouth, 340 to Southampton, and 336 to Liverpool--1,225 exiles in all by one count.  Their ordeal only worsened in the English ports, where they were held in warehouses and where many died of smallpox.  By the end of the war in 1763, more than half of the exiles sent to England were dead. 

In late autumn of 1755, the British deported Acadians in the Annapolis Basin to Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, and North Carolina, many Comeaus among them.  However, the ship heading to North Carolina never got there.  Soon after the Pembroke embarked from Goat Island in the lower basin and entered the Bay of Funday with 232 exiles aboard, a storm separated it from the other transports, the Acadians seized the vessel, sailed it to Baie Ste.-Marie on the western coast of Nova Scotia and then crossed the Bay of Fundy to lower Rivière St.-Jean, where they abandoned the ship and escaped into the wilds of present-day New Brunswick.  The rest of their Annapolis valley brethren were not so lucky.  After their ships had reached their destinations, the Acadians who ended up in New England and New York eventually were allowed to come ashore and endure the disdain of the English colonists.  Meanwhile, the Comeaus who escaped the British roundup at Annapolis Royal endured a hard winter on the Fundy shore, crossed the bay to Chepoudy the following spring, and found refuge on the upper Petitcoudiac, lower Rivière St.-Jean, or the Gulf of St. Lawrence shore.  Others moved on to Canada, where their fellow Frenchmen treated them with disdain.  Church records show that Comeaus from Annapolis Royal and Chepoudy were buried at Québec in the late 1750s, some of them victims of a smallpox epidemic that killed hundreds of exiles in the Québec area from the summer of 1757 to the spring of 1758. 

Living in territory controlled by France, Comeaus in the French Maritimes escaped the British roundups in Nova Scotia in the fall of 1755.  Their respite from British oppression was short-lived, however.  After the fall of the French fortress at Louisbourg in July 1758, the redcoats swooped down on the rest of Île Royale and on nearby Île St.-Jean and deported most of the habitants there to France.  Comeaus at Malpèque on the northwest shore of Île St.-Jean escaped the redcoats, crossed Mer Rouge, and sought refuge on the Gulf of St. Lawrence shore.  Other members of the family were not so lucky.  A Comeau wife made the crossing aboard the deportation transport Duc Guillaume with her husband and two brothers.  They survived the mid-ocean mishap that killed many aboard the vessel, but she died in a hospital at St.-Malo soon after the ship limped into the Breton port the first of November.  One of her brothers lived at St.-Malo from 1758 to 1761, and then at nearby Plouër-sur-Rance from 1761 to 1764.  In April 1764, he left France aboard Le Fort for a new French colony in Guiane on the northeastern coast of South America.  He does not appear in the census of inhabitants at Sinnamary in the Cayenne district there, taken on 1 March 1765, so he may have returned to France by then.  He married a much older fellow Acadian after he returned from the tropical colony and worked as a carpenter in the mother country.  His wife also had gone to Guiane, where she likely lost her family.  The other brother lived at St.-Malo probably with his brother from 1758 to 1760.  In March 1760, he was at Lorient in southern Brittany, where he embarked on the corsair Travignon, which the Royal Navy soon captured.  He languished in an English prison until the end of the war, returned to St.-Malo in 1763, and was still living there when his older brother shipped out to Guiane.  In May 1763, after prolonged negotiations between the French and British governments, the exiles in England, including Comeaus, were repatriated to France.  Most landed at St.-Malo aboard the transport Dorothée and lived in the suburbs and villages of the St.-Malo area, including St.-Servan-sur-Mer, Plouër-sur-Rance, and St.-Suliac.  Remarkably, no Comeau family from England joined other exiles on Belle-Île-en-Mer off the southern coast of Brittany, where many of the exiles from England went in November 1765.  One of the Comeaus from England became a sailor.  In 1770, he embarked on the ship Americain but deserted his vessel at a port in French St.-Domingue, where he evidently remained.  Comeaus deported from the Maritimes or repatriated to France ended up in ports other than St.-Malo, including Cherbourg in Normandy and Rochefort and Bordeaux on the Bay of Biscay. 

Comeau cousins from Pigiguit and Chepoudy ended up in France by a different route.  After escaping the British roundup on Île St.-Jean in late 1758, they may have waited out the war somewhere in the Maritimes.  More likely, they followed other escapees to the Gulf of St. Lawrence shore, fell into British hands in the late 1750s or early 1760s, were held in prison compounds in Nova Scotia, and, after the war, followed other Acadians to Île Miquelon, a French-controlled fishery island off the southern coast of Newfoundland.  Soon Miquelon and nearby Île St.-Pierre became overcrowded, so, in 1767, French officials, obeying a royal decree, shipped the fisher/habitants to France.  Comeaus from Île Miquelon ended up at Cherbourg, from whence some of them returned to the fishery island the following year.  In 1778, during the American Revolution, the British captured the Newfoundland islands and deported the Acadians there, including Comeaus, to La Rochelle, France.  One member of the family returned to the island in 1784, but others remained in the mother country. 

In 1773, Comeaus from Île Miquelon, with hundreds of other Acadians, went to the interior of Poitou as part of a major settlement venture that lured hundreds of exiles languishing in the port cities to marginal land owned by an influential nobleman near the city of Châtellerault.  In 1775, after two years of effort, most of the Poitou Acadians, including the Comeaus, retreated down the Vienne and the Loire from Châtellerault to the port of Nantes, where they survived on government handouts and what work they could find.  In the early 1780s, when the Spanish government offered the Acadians in France the chance for a new life in faraway Louisiana, the Comeaus at Nantes and St.-Servan-sur-Mer agreed to take it.  However, the Comeaus at Bordeaux, along with other members of the family, chose to remain in the mother country. 

In North America, conditions only got worse for the Acadians who had escaped the British in the late 1750s and sought refuge on the Gulf of St. Lawrence shore.  After the fall of Québec in September 1759, the British prepared to attack the remaining French strongholds in New France, one of which was Restigouche at the head of the Baie des Chaleurs, now a major Acadian refuge.  In late June 1760, a British naval force from Louisbourg attacked Restigouche.  After a spirited fight in which Acadian militia and Mi'kmaq warriors played an important role, the French commander blew up his larger vessels and retreated up Rivière Restigouche, leaving the militia and the Indians to prevent a British landing.  Unable to capture the garrison or lay waste to the area, the British commander ordered his ships to return to their base at Louisbourg.  The following October, after the fall of Montréal, another British naval force, this one from Québec, returned to Restigouche to accept the garrison's, and the Acadians', surrender.  On 24 October 1760, on the eve of formal surrender, French officers counted the 1,003 Acadians still at Restigouche, several Comeau families among them.  During the following months, most of these Acadians, along with others who had escaped capture at Restigouche, either surrendered to, or were captured by, British forces in the region, and sent to prison compounds in Nova Scotia for the rest of the war.  In 1761-62, British officials counted members of the family at Fort Edward, Pigiguit, near the old Comeau homesteads there.  In August 1763, Comeaus appeared on a French repatriation list circulated in the prison compound at Halifax.  Comeaus also were held at Chédaboutou up the Atlantic shore. 

At war's end, Acadians being held in the seaboard colonies, theoretically, were free to go, but not until the British discerned their intentions.  Even then, colonial officials discouraged repatriaton.  In the summer of 1763, Comeaus still could be found in Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and especially South Carolina, their names appearing on French repatriation lists circulating in those colonies.  Oddly, in August 1763, when repatriation lists were compiled in Massachusetts, no Comeaus appeared on any of them.  Three years later, in June 1766, Massachusetts officials compiled a list entitled "Names of the French Who Wish to Go to Canada."  No Comeau appeared in that counting either.  One wonders if the Comeaus the British had sent to the Bay colony in 1755 and who colonial officials had counted there in the late 1750s had either died or gone to Canada or to some other place before or soon after the war had ended. 

Most of the Comeaus who had endured exile in New England, New York, and Pennsylvania chose to resettle in Canada, where some of their kinsmen had gone as early as 1756.  Though now also a British possession, the far-northern province was populated largely by fellow French Catholics, many of them Acadian exiles.  So, in a colony nearly as old as Acadia, descendants of Pierre Comeau the cooper began the slow, inexorable process of becoming Canadiennes.  Especially after 1766, Comeaus could be found on the upper St. Lawrence at Bécancour, Nicolet, St.-Grégoire, L'Acadie, Trois-Rivières, Gentilly, La Prairie, St.-Jacques de l'Achigan, St.-Pierre-de-la-Becquets, Pointe-du-Lac, and Yamachiche; at St.-Denis, St.-Ours, and Chambly on the lower Richelieu; and on the lower St. Lawrence at Berthier, St.-Charles de Bellechasse, St.-Roch-des-Aulnaies, and Montmagny.  Many Comeaus were determined to live as closely as they could to their old homes in greater Acadia.  They settled at Carleton in the British-controlled fishery at Gaspésie on the north shore of the Baie des Chaleurs; at Pointe-de-l'Est on the remote îles-de-la-Madeleine in the Gulf of St. Lawrence; on the St. John River in western New Brunswick; at Caraquet, Nipisiguit, now Bathurst, and Petit-Rocher on the Gulf shore of eastern New Brunswick; and at Memramcook in the trois-rivières west of Chignecto, near their former haunts at Chepoudy and Petitcoudiac.  Comeaus also returned to, or remained in, Nova Scotia, where they settled at Yarmouth and Chédabouctou, now Guysborough, on the Atlantic shore; and at Windsor, formerly Pigiguit, on the Fundy side of the peninsula before moving on to Baie Ste.-Marie, today's St. Mary Bay, on the west coast of the peninsula, a few dozen miles southwest of their old homes in the Annapolis Basin.  One of the towns on the mainland shore of St. Mary Bay was founded by Jean-Baptiste Comeau of Chepoudy and is still called Comeauville.  Typical of most, if not all, Acadian families, these Acadiennes of Canada lost touch with their Cadien cousins hundreds of miles away, and, until the Acadian reunions of the twentieth century, may even have forgotten the others existed. 

Comeaus who had been exiled in the seaboard colonies chose to go to the French Antilles to escape British rule and live among fellow Catholics.  While the end-of-war treaty was being negotiated, French officials did their best to lure these exiles to St.-Dominique, which the British had not taken.  Although driven from North America by the Seven Years' War, the French were determined to hang on to what was left of their shrinking empire.  A new naval base at Môle St.-Nicolas on the northwest end of the big island would protect the approaches to their remaining possessions in the Caribbean Basin and assist in the "war of vengeance" to come.  The exiles could provide a ready source of cheap labor not only for the naval contractors, but also for the island's major planters, who hoped to supplement the labor of their slaves.  To sweeten the deal, the French promised the Acadians land of their own if they came to the sugar colony.  Comeaus were among the takers.  In September 1764, the marriage of a couple recently arrived from Connecticut was blessed at Mirebalais, an interior community of indigo and coffee plantations near Port-au-Prince, so Comeaus went there as well.  Later in the decade and perhaps in the early 1770s, two Comeau families who had gone to St.-Domingue followed their cousins from Halifax and Maryland to Louisiana.  Comeaus also ended up on other islands in the French Antilles, including Martinique and Guadaloupe.  A Comeau on Martinique also joined her kinsmen in Spanish Louisiana. 

Comeaus being held in Nova Scotia at war's end faced a hard dilemma.  The Treaty of Paris of February 1763 stipulated in its Article IV that persons dispersed by the war had 18 months to return to their respective territories.  However, British authorities refused to allow any of the Acadian prisoners in the region to return to their former lands as proprietors.  If Acadians chose to remain in, or return to, Nova Scotia, they could live only in small family groups in previously unsettled areas or work for low wages on former Acadian lands now owned by New-English "planters."  If they stayed, they must also take the hated oath of allegiance to the new British king, George III, without reservation.  They would also have to take the oath if they joined their cousins in Canada.  After all they had suffered on the question of the oath, few self-respecting Acadians would consent to take it if it could be avoided.  Some Nova Scotia exiles, including Comeaus, chose to relocate to Île Miquelon.  Others considered going to French St.-Domingue, where Acadian exiles in the British colonies, including Comeaus, had gone, or to the Illinois country, the west bank of which still belonged to France, or to French Louisiana, which, thanks to British control of Canada, was the only route possible to the Illinois country for Acadian exiles.  Whatever their choice, many refused to remain under British rule.  So they gathered up their money and their few possessions and prepared to leave their homeland.  Of the 600 exiles who left Halifax in late 1764 and early 1765 bound for Cap-Français, St.-Domingue, at least nine were Comeaus. 

Meanwhile, Comeaus in Maryland endured life among Englishmen who, despite their colony's Catholic roots, did not care much for the French "papists" thrust upon them.  When word reached the Acadians in Maryland that the Spanish would welcome them in Louisiana, where many of their relatives had gone, they pooled their meager resources to charter ships that would take them to New Orleans.  No Comeaus were part of the first contingent of exiles that left Baltimore in late June 1766, but they were part of the second and third contingents that departed Baltimore and Port Tobacco in April and December 1767.

Comeaus were among the first families of Acadia and among the earliest Acadians to find refuge in Louisiana.  Arriving in the colony in ripples and waves over a 20-year period, they came from Halifax in 1765, Maryland in 1767 and 1768, St.-Domingue and Martinique in the late 1760s, and from France in 1785--54 of them in all.  The first of them, a family of four from Chepoudy, came to the colony from Halifax via Cap-Français with the Broussards in February 1765.  That spring, they followed the Broussards to lower Bayou Teche and survived an epidemic that killed dozens of their fellow Teche valley Acadians that summer and fall.  A year or so later, they settled at Carencro at the northern edge of the Attakapas District.  Also coming to Louisiana from Halifax in 1765, two more Comeau families headed by cousins settled near present-day Opelousas.  They, too, remained on the western prairies, where their family lines thrived.  By the early antebellum period, most of the Opelousas Comeauxs had moved south to Attakapas, settling at Côte Gelée near present-day Youngsville, near Abbeville on the lower Vermilion, and near their cousins at Carencro.  The few Comeauxs who remained in the Opelousas country settled near Grand Coteau north of Carencro, at Church Point on upper Bayou Plaquemine Brûlé in present-day Acadia Parish, and out on the prairies near Ville Platte in present-day Evangeline Parish.  Comeauxs also settled on upper Bayou Teche near Breaux Bridge, near New Iberia farther down the Teche, and far down the bayou in St. Mary Parish.

Meanwhile, Comeaus from Halifax, Maryland, France, and the Caribbean Basin established lines along the river above New Orleans on what became known as the Acadian Coast.  in 1765, two Comeau wives arrived with their families from Halifax via Cap-Français and settled at Cabahannocer, present-day St. James Parish.  A few years later, in 1767 and 1768, two Comeau families, one led by a widower, the other by a widow, came to Louisiana from Maryland and went to San Gabriel d'Iberville and Fort San Luìs de Natchez on the river above Cabahannocer.  In 1769, the Fort San Luìs family moved to San Gabriel to join their cousins there.  One of the San Gabriel settlers had 11 sons, 10 by his second wife, adding substantially to the number of Comeaus on the river.  Sometime in the late 1760s, a Comeau family reached the colony directly from French St.-Domingue and settled at Cabahannocer.  Two more Comeau males, a widower and his son, came to the colony in the late 1760s, married, and settled at Cabahannocer, but from whence they came is anyone's guess.  It most likely was St.-Domingue. 

The largest contingent of Comeaus to reach Louisiana--30 individuals in half a dozen families--came from France on six of the Seven Ships of 1785.  One Comeau wife went to the Attakapas District and another to Opelousas, but most of the 1785 arrivals settled on the river near Baton Rouge and along Bayou des Écores in the New Feliciana District north of Baton Rouge.  Surprisingly, this influx of new families added only marginally to the number of Comeauxs on the river.  During the antebellum period, Comeauxs were living at Baton Rouge, across the river in West Baton Rouge Parish, on both sides of the river in Iberville Parish, and farther downriver in Ascension and St. James parishes on the upper and lower Acadian Coasts.  They were especially numerous around St. Gabriel on the east bank of the river in Iberville Parish. 

Many of the Comeaus from France chose to go to upper Bayou Lafourche, where a cousin from the river would join them in the late 1780s.  After the Acadians abandoned the New Feliciana settlement in the late 1780s and early 1790s, most of them, including Comeauxs, relocated to upper Bayou Lafourche, adding substantially to this third center of family settlement that eventually stretched all the way down into the Terrebonne country.  Relatively few Comeauxs, however, lived in what became Lafourche Parish, at least before the War of 1861-65.  During the late antebellum period, one family from the upper bayou settled near Pierre Part on the north shore of Lake Verret. 

Beginning in the late 1820s, four Comeaux brothers from Assumption Parish on the upper Lafourche moved to lower Bayou Teche, where one of them became a major sugar planter in St. Mary Parish.  Two of the brothers and a nephew returned to Assumption Parish during the late antebellum period, but the others remained on the lower Teche.  By the end of the antebellum period, there were as many Comeauxs on the western prairies and on Bayou Teche as along the river, with the Lafourche/Terrebonne valley cousins adding substantially to the eastern branch of the family.  The western Comeauxs had come from Chepoudy, the eastern Comeauxs from Minas and Annapolis Royal.  Although they all were descendants of the same Acadian progenitor, other than along the lower Teche there seems to have been little interaction between the two branches of the family in South Louisiana.

Judging by the number of slaves they held during the late antebellum period, some Comeauxs lived comfortably on their vacharies, farms, and plantations across South Louisiana.  By far the largest slave holder in the family was sugar planter Antoine Comeaux of the western district of St. Mary Parish, who held 34 slaves in 1850, and who more than doubled that number, to 77, by the summer of 1860.  In 1850, a Comeaux cousin in Assumption Parish owned 17 slaves; a decade later, he held 43 slaves on his plantation along upper Bayou Lafourche.  His older brother held 13 slaves on his farm in Assumption Parish in 1850; a decade later, the brother's widow still owned 14 slaves.  Along the river, a Comeaux's widow held 10 slaves on her farm in Iberville Parish in 1860.  In nearby East Baton Rouge Parish, another Comeaux owned eight slaves that year.  Family slave holdings on the southwestern prairies tended to be smaller.  A Comeaux in Lafayette Parish owned six slaves in 1850 and nine a decade later.  Another Comeaux of the same parish owned seven slaves in 1860.  Up in St. Landry Parish, a Comeaux cousin held half a dozen slaves in 1850 and the same number in 1860.  The great majority of their kinsmen, however, on the river, along the Lafourche, and out on the prairies, owned only a few slaves or no slaves at all, at least none who appeared on the federal slave schedules of 1850 and 1860. 

As befitting the size of the family, dozens of Comeauxs served Louisiana and the Southern Confederacy in uniform during the War of 1861-65, at least one at the cost of his life.  ...

In Louisiana, the family's name, typically, picked up an "x" and became Comeaux, pronounced with the emphasis on the first syllable--KOH-mo.  Up in Canada, however, it is still spelled Comeau and pronounced with the emphasis on the second syllable--kuh-MOH.  In Louisiana, the family's name also is spelled Caumau, Caumaux, Caumeau, Caumeaux, Caumo, Caumon, Caumot, Comand, Comau, Comaud, Comaut, Comaux, Commau, Commaud, Commault, Commaux, Commeau, Commeaux, Commo, Commot, Como, Comon, Comont, Comot, Comu, Coumeau, Coummeau.04

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Three Comeaus--a father and two sons--came to Louisiana with the Broussards from Halifax via Cap-Français in February 1765.  They followed the Broussards to lower Bayou Teche and remained on the western prairies:

Victor (c1740-1760s) à Abraham à Pierre l'aîné dit L'Esturgeon à Pierre Comeaux

Victor, second son of Jean Comeau le jeune and Brigitte Savoie, born probably at Chepoudy in c1740, followed his family to Île St.-Jean in c1755 and to the Gulf of St. Lawrence shore in late 1758, but he did not follow his mother and stepfather when they moved on to Canada.  Soon after his escape from the island, perhaps in the early 1760s, he and a younger brother either were captured by, or surrendered to, British forces in the Gulf region and were held in a prison compound in Nova Scotia for the rest of the war.  Victor married Anne, daughter of fellow Acadians Jacques Michel and Jeanne Breau and widow of Michel Brun, probably in one of the prison compounds in the early 1760s.  Anne gave Victor a son, Thomas, born in c1763.  Late the following year, they followed the Broussards from Halifax to Louisiana via Cap-Français.  Son Jean was born at Cap-Français on the voyage down to New Orleans probably in January 1765.  They reached New Orleans with the Broussards in February.  Victor was one of the Acadians in the party who attempted to exchange Canadian card money for Louisiana currency at New Orleans in late April.  Soon after, he and his family followed the Broussards to Bayou Teche.  They had no more children in Louisiana.  Victor died at Attakapas in the late 1760s, in his late 20s.  In April 1771, soon after his death, Anne remarried again--her third marriage--to widower Joseph Cormier of Chignecto and Prairie Bellevue in the Opelousas District.  Her older son Thomas Comeau was counted with her and his stepfather at Opelousas in May 1777, when he was age 14, but then Thomas disappears from the historical record.  Anne and Victor's younger son, however, married and settled at Carencro on the northern edge of the Attakapas District.  Though the younger son had only one son of his own, he created a vigorous line at Carencro. 

Younger son Jean followed his parents to New Orleans and Bayou Teche and his widowed mother and stepfather to Prairie Belleveu south of present-day Opelousas, where, at age 12, he was counted with them in May 1777.  Jean did not remain at Opelousas.  He married Esther, daughter of fellow Acadians Simon LeBlanc and his second wife Marguerite Guilbeau, at Attakapas in January 1786.  They settled at Carencro near the boundary between the Opelousas and Attakapas districts, just south of where Jean had been raised on Prairie Bellevue.  Their children, born there, included Marie in November 1786; Marguerite in October 1790 but died at age 13 1/2 in January 1804; Julien born in August 1793; and Céleste baptized at Opelousas, age unrecorded, in June 1794--four children, three daughters and a son, between 1786 and 1794.  Jean died probably at Carencro, a widower, in February 1828.  The Vermilionville priest who recorded the burial said that Jean was age 68 when he died.  He was closer to 63.  His succession was filed at the Vermilionville courthouse in March.  In his succession, his heirs petitioned the court to emancipate "a faithful slave, Jacques."  In June 1860, the federal census taker in Lafayette Parish counted two slaves--a 46-year-old black female, and a 19-year-old black male--on Mrs. John Comaux's farm between Marie Coralie Comaux and "Mrs." Julien Comaux.  These may have been Esther LeBlanc's slaves.  Daughters Marie and Céleste married into the Savoie and Babineaux families.  Jean's son also married and created a vigorous line in Lafayette Parish. 

Only son Julien married Marie Céleste or Célestine, daughter of fellow Acadians Joseph Athanase Breaux and Marie Catherine Arceneaux, at the St. Martinville church, St. Martin Parish, in June 1817.  They settled at Carencro.  Their children, born there, included Josèphe dite Josette Esther in September 1818 but died at age 13 (the recording priest said 12) in November 1831; Marie Estelle, called Estelle, born in August 1820; François Hippolyte, called Hippolyte, Polyte, and also Jean Hippolyte, baptized at the Vermilionville church, age unrecorded, in February 1823; Rosalie Asélie born in November 1824; Jean Homère or Omer, called Omer, baptized at age 3 months in April 1827 but died at age 8 in August 1835; Joseph Osémé, called Osémé, born in January 1829; Céleste Anatalie, called Anathalie, in April 1831; Athanase in May 1833; Pierre Edvin, Edwin, or Televin baptized at age 6 months in November 1835; Alexis Hippolyte baptized at age 2 months in October 1837; and Eusèbe born in c1839.  Julien remarried to Arthémise Caruthers, also Credeur, probably at Carencro in the 1840s.  Daughter Marie, also called Coralie, in November 1848--a dozen children, five daughters and seven sons, by two wives, between 1818 and 1848.  In June 1860, the federal census taker in Lafayette Parish counted seven slaves--three males and four females, all black, ranging in age from 16 years to 10 months--on "Mrs." Julien Comaux's farm next to Mrs. John Comaux.  The census taker likely meant to write "Mr." Julien, who died probably at Carencro in July 1864, a month shy of age 71.  Second wife Arthémise Caruthers, called "Mrs. Julien Comeaux" by the recording priest at Grand Coteau, had died probably at Carencro in January 1861, age 61.  Daughters Estelle, Anathalie, and Coralie, by both wives, married into the Mouton, Sonnier, and Hébert families by 1870.  Julien's five remaining sons also married by then, but not all of the lines endured. 

Oldest son Hippolyte dit Polyte, by first wife Marie Célestine Breaux, married Assèlle, Essèlle, or Estelle, daughter of fellow Acadians Augustin Benoit and Anastasie Babineaux, at the Vermilionville church in July 1841.  They settled probably near Carencro.  Their children, born there, included Anastasie in February 1843; Marie Céleste in November 1844; Hippolyte, fils in August 1846; Rosémont or Rosémond in August 1848; Julien le jeune in February 1850; Mary Evélina in December 1851; Élodie in October 1853; Estene in November 1855; Marie Azéma in January 1858; Marie Emethilde in January 1860; Jean in June 1862 but died at age 3 1/2 (the recording priest said 4) in March 1866; Marie Doralis born in September 1864; Marie Dolzina in March 1867 but died at age 1 in March 1868; ...  In June 1860, the federal census taker in Lafayette Parish counted three slaves--a 23-year-old black female, a 3-year-old black male, and a 1-year-old mulatto male, living in a single house--on Hypolite Comaux's farm next to P. Edvin Comaux.  None Hippolyte's daughters married by 1870, but two of his sons did.

Oldest son Hippolyte, fils married Onésima, daughter of fellow Acadian Onésime Richard and his second wife Anglo Creole Marguerite Arthémise Credeur, at the Vermilionville church in January 1867.  Daughter Marie Angèle was born in January 1868 probably near Carencro, at the northern edge of Lafayette Parish.  The child's birth may have led to the death of wife Onésima.  Hippolyte, fils's remarried to Evéline, daughter of fellow Acadians Alexis Blanchard and Marguerite Trahan, at the Vermilionville church in July 1869.  Daughter Onézima Léothère was born in Lafayette Parish in April 1870; ...

Hippolyte, père's second son Rosémond married Céleste Adolice, Adolie, or Adalie, daughter of French Canadian Louis Roger le jeune and his Acadian wife Marie Azélima Prejean, at the Vermilionville church in January 1870.  Their children, born in Lafayette Parish, included twins Louis Steve and Stelle, perhaps a daughter, in October 1869; ... 

Julien's third son Joseph Osémé, called Osémé, from first wife Marie Célestine Breaux, married cousin Marie Odoisea, Adoiska, Adoliska, Adriska, Ladaiska, Lodaiska, or Lodovisca, daughter of fellow Acadians Symphorien Prejean and Eugénie Breaux, at the Vermilionville church in April 1849.  They settled probably at Carencro.  Their children, born there, included Marie Victoire or Victoria, called Victoria, in March 1850; Omer in January 1852; Marie Odelie or Odèïde, called Odèïde, in May 1854; Jean Alphée in June 1856 but, called Alphée, died at age 2 1/2 in February 1859; Dominique G. born in August 1858; Symphorien in January 1861 but, called Cyphroyen, died at age 9 1/2 in August 1870; Marie Estelle born in October 1863; and Zemea posthumoulsy in January 1866, a month after her father's death--eight children, four daughters and four sons, between 1850 and 1866.  Osémé died probably at Carencro in December 1865, age 36.  One wonders if his death was war-related.  His succession, calling him Joseph Ozémé and his wife Adoliska, was filed at the Vermilionville courthouse in July 1866.  Daughters Victoria and Odèïde married into the Hernandez and Breaux families by 1870.  Neither of Osémé's remaining sons married by then. 

Julien's fourth son Athanase, by first wife Marie Célestine Breaux, married Louisa or Louise, daughter of fellow Acadians Caliste LeBlanc and Marguerite Eurasie Bernard, at the Vermilionville church in January 1854.  They settled probably near Carencro.  Their children, born there, included Jean Athanase in November 1854 but died at age 10 months in October 1855; Joseph Bernard born in August 1856 but died at age 3 1/2 (the recording priest said 4) in May 1860; Marguerite Usea born in August 1858; Mathilde in December 1860; Aurelien in February 1863; Anathalie in October 1865; Caliste Ozémé in January 1868; Urasie in October 1869; ...  None of Athanase's children married by 1870. 

Julien's fifth son Pierre Edwin, by first wife Marie Célestine Breaux, married Anatalie or Nathalie, daughter of Onésime Richard and his second wife Anglo-Creole Marguerite Arthémise Credeur, at the Vermilionville church in May 1858.  The settled probably near Carencro.  Their children, born there, included Joseph in March 1861; Azéma in December 1865; Marie Emma in January 1869; ...  In June 1860, the federal census taker in Lafayette Parish counted a single slave--a 6-year-old mulatto female--on P. Edvin Comaux's farm next to Hypolite Comaux. 

Julien's seventh and youngest son Eusèbe, by first wife Marie Célestine Breaux, married Evélina, daughter of fellow Acadians Jean Lessaint Prejean and and his second wife Juliènne Richard, at the Vermilionville church in January 1860.  Their daughter Juliènne was born in October 1861 but died at age 2 in November 1863.  Eusèbe died in Lafayette Parish in June 1863, age 24.  Was his death war-related?  His succession, naming his wife, was filed at the Vermilionville courthouse later in the month.  He and his wife had no sons, and his only daughter died young, so this line of the family did not endure.

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Four more Comeaus--Victor's older cousin and his family, and Victor's younger brother and his wife--also came to Louisiana from Halifax via Cap-Français in 1765 in a later party.  They evidently followed the Broussards to lower Bayou Teche but did not remain there.  They settled, or re-settled, in the Opelousas District farther up the Teche.  Victor's brother's line was especially vigorous: 

Michel (c1734-1804) à Pierre l'aîné dit L'Esturgeon à Pierre Comeaux

Michel, second son of Jean Comeau and Madeleine Amireau, born probably at Chepoudy in c1734, married Marie-Madeleine, daughter of Michel Girouard and Marie Thibodeau, at Chepoudy in March 1756 while in exile.  As their marriage date attests, the young couple escaped the British roundup in the trois-rivières area in the fall of 1755 but did not go far.  Soon after their marriage, they moved on to the Gulf of St. Lawrence shore with other Acadian refugees.  Marie-Madeleine gave Michel a son, Jean, born in c1760.  In the late 1750s or early 1760s, they either were captured by, or surrendered to, British forces in the area and held in the prison compound at Halifax for the rest of the war.  Michel, Marie-Madeleine, and three children appeared on a French repatriation list compiled at Halifax in August 1763.  One wonders who the two other children might have been:  son Jean and two siblings, or son Jean and two orphans?  Late the following year, Michel and his family emigrated to Louisiana via Cap-Français and reached New Orleans in the spring of 1765.  They brought only a single child with them, son Jean.  However, Marie-Madeleine was pregnant on the voyage, and another son, Louis, was born in late April 1765 either aboard ship, at La Balize, or in New Orleans.  After baptizing their newborn son in the New Orleans church on May 16, they followed the Broussard party to lower Bayou Teche but did not remain there.  Perhaps to escape an epidemic on the lower Teche, they settled, instead, on the upper Teche in the Opelousas District, where Marie-Madeleine gave Michel more children, including Marie-Madeleine, called Madeleine, born in c1767; Marie-Louise, called Louise, in c1769; and Michel, fils in November 1772--at least five children, three sons and two daughters, between 1760 and 1772, in greater Acadia and Louisiana.  Michel, père became a prosperous cattleman in the Opelousas District.  He held only four head of cattle in 1771, but by 1788, on the prairie along upper Bayou Plaquemine Brûlé near present-day Church Point, his herd had grown to 500 head!  In May 1796, he held a dozen slaves on his vacherie.  Michel died probably in the Plaquemine sub-district between the middle of March and the end of May 1804.  The priest who recorded the burial, and who was absent in New Orleans at the time of Michel's death, said that Michel was age 80 when he died.  He was closer to 70.  His succession was filed at what became the St. Landry Parish courthouse in September 1804.  Daughters Madeleine and Louise married into the Doucet and Bellard families.  Older sons Jean and Louis were counted with the family at Opelousas in May 1777, ages 17 and 12.  They then disappear from the historical record.  Only Michel's youngest son seems to have married, at Opelousas, but he "returned" to lower Bayou Teche.

Third and youngest son Michel, fils married Marie-Louise, called Louise and Éloise, daughter of Joseph Latiolais and Julienne Barre of Coquelin, at Opelousas in December 1800.  A few years after their marriage, they moved to Fausse Pointe on lower Bayou Teche near present-day New Iberia.  Their children, born at Opelousas and Fausse Pointe, included Onésime baptized at Opelousas, age unrecorded, in November 1800; a daughter, name and age unrecorded, died in February 1801; a son, name unrecorded, died six days after his birth in July 1802; Marie-Louise baptized at Opelousas, age 6 months, in December 1803; Michel III born at Fausse Pointe in August 1805; and Madeleine in February 1808--six children, three sons and three daughters, between 1800 and 1808.  Michel, fils, called Michel "of Côte Pte. Creole, of Opelousas," died at the home of Joseph Guilbeau at Fausse Pointe in May 1808, age 36.  His succession was filed at the St. Martinville courthouse the following January.  His widow Marie-Louise moved up the Teche to Grande Pointe, where she bore a "natural son," name unrecorded, who died at birth in November 1816.  Her and Michel, fils's daughter Madeleine married into the Fontenot family.  Their older remaining daughter, Marie Louise, like her mother, also bore "natural" children, including a daughter, Marie, in June 1821.  Michel, fils's two remaining sons returned to St. Landry Parish, married, and settled near Grand Coteau and Church Point.  His "natural" grandson also settled in St. Landry Parish. 

Oldest son Onésime married Éloise, daughter of fellow Acadian Joseph Doucet and his Creole wife Céleste Bellard, at the Opelousas church, St. Landry Parish, in August 1823.  Their children, born in St. Landry Parish, included Élisa Madeleine in April 1825; Onésime, fils in March 1827; Céleste in March 1828; Joseph in May 1830 but died at age 1 in July 1831; and Marie born in April 1832.  A succession for Onésime, not post-mortem and containing "only a short inventory," was filed at the Opelousas courthouse in January 1838, probably on the eve of his remarriage to Marie Eléonore or Léonore, also called Modeste, daughter of Antoine Labbé and his Acadian wife Modeste Hébert, at the Opelousas church in January 1838.  Their children, born in St. Landry Parish, included Antoine in March 1839 but died the following July; Elisa born in December 1839[sic]; Théodule in April 1842; a second Antoine near Church Point, then in St. Landry but now in Acadia Parish, in April 1844; Marie Félicia in May 1845; Jules in February 1848; Louise in February 1850 but died near Church Point at age 13 1/2 (the recording priest said 14) in November 1863; Marie Estelle, called Estelle, born in May 1852; Jean Demosthène in January 1854; Estelle Ephelina baptized at the Church Point church, age unrecorded, in November 1855; Homer born in June 1857; Joseph le jeune in September 1861, when his father was in his early 60s; ...  Daughters Élisa Madeleine and Estelle, by both wives, married into the Labbé and Ramoin families by 1870.  Two of Onésime's sons also married by then. 

Oldest son Onésime, fils, by first wife Éloise Doucet, married Julie, daughter of fellow Acadians Joseph Doucet III and Marie Carmélite Richard, in a civil ceremony in St. Landry Parish in September 1849.  Their children, born near Church Point, included Joseph in May 1851; Onésime III in March 1853; Julien in March 1858; Pierre Faustin in February 1860; Marie Eugénie in April 1862; ...  Onésime, fils's succession, naming his wife, was filed at the Opelousas courthouse in January 1866.  He would have been age 39 that year.  None of his children married by 1870. 

Onésime, père's fifth son Jules, by second wife Marie Eléonore Labbé, married Marie Doralise, daughter of André Veroni and Élisa Carrière, at the Church Point church in August 1867.  Their children, born near Church Point, included Joseph Nesat in September 1867; Élisée in July 1870; ...  Was he the Jules Comeaux whose succession was filed at the St. Martinville courthouse, St. Martin Parish, in December 1870?  If so, he would have been age 22 that year.  And if so, one wonders why his succession would have been filed there and not in St. Landry Parish. 

Michel, fils's third and youngest son Michel III married Madeleine Lacombe in a civil ceremony in St. Landry Parish in August 1834.  Their children, born in St. Landry Parish, included Marie Julie in October 1834; Michel IV, also called Michel F., in March 1836; Marie Madeleine, called Madeleine, in January 1838; Marie Louise, called Louise, in April 1839; Edmond in December 1842; Marie Modeste, called Modeste, in November 1844; Onézime or Onésime le jeune near Grand Coteau in October 1846; Joseph in August 1848; Marie Azéma near Church Point in September 1850; François in February 1853; and Jean Martial in February 1858.  Michel III may have remarried to Clara Dacieux or Dussieux in a civil ceremony in St. Landry Parish in February 1862, and sanctified the marriage at the Church Point church the following October. ...  None of Michel III's daughters married by 1870, but one of his sons did and settled in what became Acadia Parish. 

Second son Edmond, by first wife Madeleine Lacombe, married Virginie, daughter of French Canadian Noël Roy III and his Creole wife Eugénie Menard, at the Church Point church in April 1866.  They evidently had married civilly a few years earlier and settled at Coulée Triffe, today's Estherwood, Acadia Parish, on lower Bayou Plaquemine Brûlé below Church Point.  Their children, born there, included Marie Eugénie in August 1864; Marie in July 1867; ...

Michel, fils's second daughter Marie Louise, at age 20, gave birth to a "natural son," Edmond, in St. Martin Parish in December 1823.  The priest who recorded the boy's baptism called him a Comeaux but did not give the father's name.  Marie Louise may have had a "natural daughter" named Marie in June 1821.   

Michel, fils's grandson Edmond, who called himself a Comeaux, married Marie Tarsile, called Tarsile, daughter of fellow Acadians Achille Savoy and Marie Élisa Prejean, in a civil ceremony in St. Landry Parish in October 1854, and sanctified the marriage at the Grand Coteau church, St. Landry Parish, in November.  Their children, born on the St. Landry prairies, included Jean near Grand Coteau in December 1855; Eve Élisa in July 1857; Aymar in September 1859 but, called Numa, died the following January; Joseph born near Church Point in March 1861; Marie Edmonia in February 1864; Joseph Numa near Grand Coteau in August 1866; Marie near Church Point in August 1869; Azélie in February 1870; ...  None of Edmond's children married by 1870. 

Charles (c1742-1805) à Abraham à Pierre l'aîné dit L'Esturgeon à Pierre Comeaux

Charles, third and youngest son of Jean Comeau le jeune and Brigitte Savoie and Victor's younger brother, born probably at Chepoudy in c1742, followed his family to Île St.-Jean in c1755 and to the Gulf of St. Lawrence shore in late 1758.  Soon after his escape from the island, perhaps in the early 1760s, he and older brother Victor either were captured by, or surrendered to, British forces in the Gulf region and were held in a prison compound in Nova Scotia for the rest of the war.  Charles married cousin Anastasie, daughter fellow Acadians Paul Savoie and Judith Michel of Annapolis Royal and Chignecto, probably at Halifax in c1763 or 1764.  They, too, emigrated to Louisiana via Cap-Français in 1764-65.  If Charles and Anastasie followed his brother Victor to lower Bayou Teche, they did not remain.  By the spring of 1766, they were living in the Opelousas District.  According to Bona Arsenault, between 1765 and 1781, Anastasie gave Charles eight children, but Louisiana records give them seven children during that time.  Born on the Opelousas prairies, they included Antoine-Charles or Charles Antoine, called Charles, fils, in c1765 or 1766; Émilie or Humile dite Mélite in c1767; Pierre in c1768; Susanne-Josette, called Josette, in c1770; Marie-Dorothée, called Dorothée, in March 1771; Auguste or Augustin baptized, age unrecorded, in June 1779; and Jean-Baptiste, called Baptiste, baptized, age 6 weeks, in October 1781--four sons and three daughters, between 1765 and 1781.  Charles, like his cousin Michel, became a prosperous cattleman in the Opelousas District.  He held 19 head of cattle in 1771.  By 1788, his herd had increased to 643 head!  That year, he also owned six slaves and 15 horses on his 50-arpent vacharie on Prairie Bellevue south of the present city.  By May 1796, he held 10 slaves there, five males and five females.  Charles died probably on Prairie Bellevue in August 1805, "age about 60 yrs.," the recording priest noted, but he likely was a few years older.  His succession had been filed at the Opelousas courthouse the previous March.  Daughters Dorothée, Humile, and Josette married into the Boudreaux, Langlinais, Sonnier, and Mouton families.  All four of Charles's sons married and created vigorous lines on the prairies. 

Oldest son Antoine-Charles or Charles-Antoine, called Charles, fils and Charles dit Pilet, married Perpétué, daughter of fellow Acadians Jean-Baptiste Broussard and his first wife Anne Brun, at Attakapas in January 1786.  They settled at Côte Gelée on the prairie between the Teche and the lower Vermilion.  Their children, born there, included Anastasie in September 1787; Carmélite in the early 1790s; Camille in August 1792; Céleste in the 1790s; Éloi baptized, age 3 months, in June 1795; Édouard, perhaps also called Cadet, born in February 1798; and Charles-Valière, also called Charles, fils (actually Charles III) and Valière dit Pillet, in November 1800--seven children, three daughters and four sons, between 1787 and 1800.  Charles, fils died in Lafayette Parish in July 1830.  The priest who recorded the burial said that Charles was age 66 when he died.  He probably was in his early 60s.  His successions were filed at the Vermilionville courthouse in January 1849 and September 1850, years after his death.  Daughters Anastasie, Carmélite, and Céleste married into the Mouton, Sonnier, Broussard, and Baudoin families.  Three of Charles, fils's sons also married and settled on the prairies and on Bayou Teche. 

Second son Éloi married Marie Cléonise, also called Phelonise, daughter of fellow Acadians François Louvière and Marie Louise Thibodeaux of Fausse Pointe, at the St. Martinville church, St. Martin Parish, in August 1813.  They settled on the lower Vermilion near Côte Gelée.  Their children, born there, included Marie Carmélite in September 1814; Éloi, fils in April 1816; Euphémie in January 1818; Anastasie in November 1819; Perpétué Azélie in September 1821; Joseph in January 1824 but died at age 5 in November 1829; Marie Orelia baptized at the Vermilionville church, age 2 months, in April 1826; Charles Émile, called Émile, born in June 1828; François baptized at age 7 months in October 1830; and Louis, also called Louis Valéry and Valéry, born in c1833 and baptized at age 1 in July 1834--10 children, five daughters and five sons, between 1814 and 1833.  Éloi, père died in Lafayette Parish in September 1847, probably a widower.  The Vermilionville priest who recorded the burial said that Éloi died "at age 48 yrs."  He was 52.  His succession, naming his wife, was filed at the Vermilionville courthouse in February 1848.  Daughters Euphémie, Marie Carmélite, Anastasie, and Perpétué Azélie married into the Broussard and Bourg families, including two Broussard brothers, by 1870.  Éloi's remaining sons also married by then and settled on the prairies.

Oldest son Éloi, fils married Marguerite Méline, Amelina, Mélina, or Mélanie, daughter of Moïse Bonin and his Acadian wife Marie Denis Breaux, at the St. Martinville church in September 1836; they may have married civilly a year or so earlier.  They settled at Fausse Pointe on the lower Teche near New Iberia.  Their children, born there, included Marie Louise in c1834 but died at age 3 in December 1837; Amelia, perhaps also called Marie Émilie and Émilie, born in January 1839; Elmasie perhaps in the early 1840s; Suzanne in January 1843; and Anne Élodie perhaps in the early or mid-1840s.  In October 1850, the federal census taker in St. Martin Parish counted two slaves--a 12-year-old black female and an 8-year-old black female--on Eloy Comeau's farm at Fausse Pointe.  This may have been Éloi, fils.  According to the federal census of St. Martin Parish in October 1850, Éloi, fils, evidently a widower, and his 11-year-old daughter Amelia were living in the household of planter Henry Ransonet and his family; Éloi, fils was working as a carpenter (one wonders why 7-year-old daughter Suzanne and daughters Elmasie and Anne Élodie also were not counted with Éloi, fils and Amelia); Henry Ransonet's next door neighbor in October 1850 was Éloi, fils's former father-in-law, Moïse Bonin, who also was a widower at the time.  Éloi, fils remarried to Marie Zéolide, called Zéolide, daughter of fellow Acadians Gilbert Hébert and Céleste Labauve, at the St. Martinville church in February 1851; Gilbert Hébert and his family, including 22-year-old daughter Zéolide, lived next door to Moïse Bonin and his family in October 1850.  Éloi, fils and Zéolide settled at Fausse Pointe.  Their children, born there, included Joseph Luke in May 1852; Marie Louisa in October 1854; Céleste in October 1855; and another Joseph in December 1857.  Éloi, fils may have remarried again--it would have been his third marriage--to cousin Azélie Comeaux in a civil ceremony in Lafayette Parish in February 1864.  Their son Julien was born in Lafayette Parish in February 1867; ...  Daughters Émilie, Elmasie, and Anne Élodie, by Éloi, fils's first wife, married into the Landry, Broussard, and Oubre families by 1870.  None of his sons married by then. 

Éloi, père's third son Charles Émile, called Émile, married Joséphine, daughter of fellow Acadians Charles Granger and Susanne dit Suzette Granger, at the Vermilionville church in November 1845.  Daughter Marie Cléonise was born in Lafayette Parish in October 1846.  Charles Émile, called Émile by the recording priest, who did not give any parents' names, mention a wife, or record his age, may have died in Lafayette Parish in October 1856.  If so, he would have been age 28 when he died.  Daughter Marie Cléonise married into the Missonnier family.  Did Charles Émile father any sons?

Éloi, père's fourth son François married Marie Clara, called Clara, daughter of fellow Acadians Leufroi Sonnier and Françoise Aureline Landry, at the Vermilionville church in March 1852.  Their children, born in Lafayette Parish, included Éloi le jeune in January 1853; Emma in January 1855; Esperat in October 1858; Françoise near Youngsville, south of Vermilionville, in October 1860; Aurore in October 1862; Anna in November 1864; Élodie in October 1868; ...  None of François's children married by 1870. 

Éloi, père's fifth and youngest son Louis Valéry married Célanie or Célamine, daughter of fellow Acadians Michel Adrien Richard and Anastasie Granger, at the Vermilionville church in January 1856.  Their children, born on the prairies, included Gustave in Lafayette Parish in November 1856; Octave in November 1858; Éloi le jeune near Grand Coteau, St. Landry Parish, in February 1861; Émile in April 1863; O'Neil in April 1866; Dupré near Church Point, then in St. Landry but now in Acadia Parish, in August 1868; Joseph Sevigné in August 1870; ...

Charles, fils's third son Édouard, perhaps also called Cadet, married Marguerite, daughter of fellow Acadians Simon Granger and Françoise Landry of Côte Gelée, at the St. Martinville church in February 1817.  They settled on the lower Vermilion near Côte Gelée.  Their children, born there, included Édouard, fils in November 1817; Marie Azélie, called Azélie, in the late 1810s or early 1820s; Marguerite in April 1820; a daughter, name unrecorded, died at birth in August 1822; Marie baptized at the Vermilionville church, age unrecorded, in February 1823; Baptiste Axaris born in late 1825 and baptized at age 7 1/2 months in April 1826 but died at age 6 1/2 in August 1832; Valéry born in October 1827; Julie in June 1830; Eugénie in November 1832 but died the following January; Fusien or Lucien born in December 1833; Edita in c1835 but, called Edita ""of Cote Gelee," died at age 6 (perhaps 7) in September 1842; Clarice or Clarisse, baptized at age 2 months in November 1836; a child, name unrecorded, born in c1838, died at age 4 in September 1842, two days after her older sister Edita died; Marcelite born in February 1839; and Hortense in August 1841.  A succession for wife Marguerite, naming her husband, was filed at the Vermilionville courthouse in June 1842.  Édouard, père, at age 48, remarried to Marie Carmélite, called Carmélite, daughter of fellow Acadians Pierre Landry and Françoise Landry and widow of Charles Granger, fils, in a civil ceremony in Lafayette Parish in April 1846; Carmélite's younger brother Pierre, fils had married Édouard, père's daughter Marie Azélie five years earlier.  Édouard and Carmélite's daughter Anasthasie was born in Lafayette Parish in May 1850--16 children, at least four sons and 11 daughters, by two wives, between 1817 and 1850.  Édouard, père died in Lafayette Parish in August 1850.  The Vermilionville priest who recorded the burial, and who did not give any parents' names or mention a wife, said that Édouard died "at age 60 years."  He was 52.  His succession, calling him Édouard, père and listing his wives, was filed at the Vermilionville courthouse in September 1850.  Daughters Marie Azélie, Julie, Clarisse, Anastasie, and Hortense, by both wives, married into the Landry, Bernard, Melançon, Bell, Dubois, and Broussard families, and perhaps into the Nunez family as well, by 1870, one of them, Julie, three times, and another, Marie Azélie, twice.  Three of Édouard's sons also married by 1870 and settled on the prairies and the lower Teche. 

Oldest son Édouard, fils, by first wife Marguerite Granger, married Marguerite Célanie, daughter of fellow Acadians Jean Baptiste Melançon and Susanne Landry, at the Vermilionville church in April 1836.  They settled at Côte Gelée.  Their children, born there, included Edita baptized at the Vermilionville church, age 1 1/2 months, in July 1837; Alfin or Valsin born  in February 1839 but, called "child," died in Lafayette Parish at age 3 1/2 (the recording priest said 4) in September 1842; Aladin born in February 1841; Ursain or Ursin in March 1843; Théoville, also called Théonide, in the mid- or late 1840s; Adelise in February 1848; Edmond in July 1850; Élisabeth in November 1852; Édouard III or Edward in November 1855; and Léontine near Youngsville, Lafayette Parish, in February 1860--10 children, four daughters and six sons, between 1837 and 1860.  In August 1850, the federal census taker in Lafayette Parish counted a single slave--an 18-year-old black female--on Édouard Comeau's farm in the parish's western district, three farms up from Désiré Comeau.  Was this Édouard, fils?  Édouard, fils died probably at Côte Gelée in June 1860, only four months after the birth of his last child.  The Vermilionville priest who recorded the burial, and who did not give any parents' names or mention a wife, said that Édouard died "at age 45 yrs."  He was 42.  In July 1860, the federal census taker in Lafayette Parish counted a single slave--a 16-year-old black female--on Edward Comeaux's farm next to Napoléon Melançon and several farms up from Mrs. Désiré Comeaux.  If this was Édouard, fils, he died a few weeks before his slave was counted.  Neither of his daughters married by 1870, but four of his sons did.

Second son Aladin married fellow Acadian Marie Célima, called Célima, Broussard at the Abbeville church, Vermilion Parish, in July 1865.  Their children, born near Abbeville, included Cécile in May 1866; Marie Elinsea in October 1867; Ernest in October 1869; ... 

Édouard, fils's third son Ursin married Marie Irma, called Irma, daughter of fellow Acadians Arvillien Broussard and Marie Boudreaux, at the Youngsville church, Lafayette Parish, in September 1865.  Their children, born near Youngsville, included Marie Editha in July 1866; Marguerite Edilia in July 1869; ...

Édouard, fils's fourth son Théoville married Aurore, daughter of Joseph Viator and Clémentine Viator, at the New Iberia church, then in St. Martin but now in Iberia Parish, in January 1866.  Their children, born on the lower Teche and the prairies, included Joseph near New Iberia in November 1866; Louise near Youngsville in July 1868; Clémentine in December 1869; ... 

Édouard, fils's fifth son Edmond married Élodie, daughter of fellow Acadians Joseph Osémé Boudreaux and Céleste Mélina Cormier, at the Youngsville church in April 1870. ...

Édouard, père's third son Valéry, by first wife Marguerite Granger, married Aspasie or Anastasie Leleu at the New Iberia church in April 1848.  Their children, born near New Iberia, included Alcide in October 1848; and Aristide in September 1851.  Valéry died near New Iberia in February 1852.  The priest who recorded the burial said that Valéry died "at age 26 yrs."  He was 24.  His succession, calling his wife Anastasie, was filed at the St. Martinville courthouse in April 1853.  His two sons married by 1870.

Older son Alcide married Telvina, daughter of fellow Acadian Simon Valière Robichaux and his Creole wife Doralie Bodin, at the New Iberia church in December 1868.  Their son Adolphe was born near New Iberia in April 1870; ...

Valéry's younger son Aristide married Delphine, another daughter of Simon Valière Robichaux and Doralie Bodin, at the New Iberia church in April 1870.  Daughter Marie Aline was born near New Iberia in October 1870; ...

Édouard, père's fourth son Fusien, by first wife Marguerite Granger, married Spanish Creole Coralie Viator at the New Iberia church in May 1854.  Their children, born near New Iberia, included Marie Palmire in October 1855; Éuduard in April 1858; Alcide in October 1859; Homère in March 1861; Joseph in November 1862; Jean Octave in September 1864; Gustave in June 1866; Pierre Eustace in March 1870; ...  None of Fusien's children married by 1870. 

Charles, fils's fourth and youngest son Charles Valière, also called Valière dit Pillet, married Gertrude, daughter of fellow Acadians Jean Broussard and Gertrude Thibodeaux of Vermilion, at the St. Martinville church in May 1820.  Their children, born in Lafayette Parish, included Jean in the 1820s; Marie Arsènne, also called Marie Estelle, in April 1822 but died "in a drowning accident at age 8 years" in July 1830; a child, name unrecorded, died at birth in December 1822; Arcènne or Arsène, a daughter, born in December 1824; Charles, also called Charles Valière, fils, in late 1826 and baptized at the Vermilionville church, age 4 months, in March 1827; Carmélite born in March 1831; Valéry le jeune in September 1832; Adolphe baptized at age 3 1/2 months in August 1834; Losain or Lauzin baptized at age 45 days in April 1837; François baptized at age 2 months in February 1839; a daughter, name unrecorded, born in c1840, died at age 3 in November 1843; and Anastasie born in January 1842--a dozen children, six sons and six daughters, between the early 1820s and 1842.  Charles Valière, père may have died in Lafayette Parish in November 1849.  The Vermilionville priest who recorded the burial of Charles Comeaux, husband of ____ Broussard, said that Charles died "at age 40 yrs."  This Charles would have been 49.  Daughters Arsène and Carmélite married into the Broussard and Langlinais families by 1870.  Five of Charles Valière's sons also married by then.

Oldest son Jean married cousin Euphémie, daughter of Pierre Meaux and his Acadian wife Céleste Broussard, at the Vermilionville church in December 1850.  They were living near Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, a few years after their marriage.  Their children, born there, included Marie Evélina, called Evélina, in October 1851; and Euphémie in December 1852.  Jean remarried to cousin Azélima, Azélina, or Mélanie, daughter of fellow Acadians Alexandre Lessin Guidry and Carmélite Broussard, at the Vermilionville church in December 1855.  Their children, born on the prairies, included Marie Zélia in Lafayette Parish in December 1856; Rémy in December 1858; Eve in November 1862; Ida in April 1866; Élodie near Abbeville in June 1868; Philomène died in Lafayette Parish, age 6 weeks, in August 1870; ...  Daughter Evélina, by his first wife, married a Broussard cousin by 1870.  None of Jean's sons married by then. 

Charles Valière's second son Charles Valière, fils married, at age 34, Azéma, daughter of fellow Acadian François Benoit and his Creole wife Cléonise Montet, at the Vermilionville church in April 1861.  Their children, born in Lafayette Parish, included Eustache in January 1862; Onésiphor in May 1863; Alcée near Youngsville in June 1866; Albert in January 1868; Duha in April 1870; ...

Charles Valière, père's fourth son Adolphe married cousin Eugénie, another daughter Pierre Meaux and Céleste Broussard, at the Abbeville church in April 1855.  Their daughter Amélie was born near Abbeville in March 1856.  Adolphe remarried to double cousin Marie Eugénie, 22-year-old daughter of fellow Acadians Ursin Jean Olidon Broussard and Marie Eurasie Broussard, at the Vermilionville church in January 1858.  Their son Aymar was born in Lafayette Parish in November 1858.  Wife Eugénie, called Mrs. Adolphe Comeaux by the recording priest, died in Lafayette Parish, age 26, in November 1862.  Adolphe remarried again--his third marriage--to Marie Gadrate or Godrate, daughter of fellow Acadians Désiré Benoit and Celima Thibodeaux, at the Vermilionville church September 1865. ...

Charles Valière, père's fifth son Lauzin married double cousin Asima or Azéma, daughter of fellow Acadians Ursin Isidore Broussard and Célanie Comeaux, at the Vermilionville church in February 1860.  They settled near Youngsville.  Their children, born there, included Emma in January 1861; Ophelia in March 1862; Rose in August 1864; Ernest in December 1866; Omer in April 1868; Hélène in February 1870; ...  During the War of 1861-65, Lauzin, called Lozin in Confederate records, served in Company E of the 26th Regiment Louisiana Infantry, raised in Lafayette Parish, which fought at Vicksburg, Mississippi.  He enlisted in the company only a few weeks after his second daughter Ophelia was born, and he fathered another daughter, Rose, during the war while he was waiting to be exchanged.  After his unit surrendered in northwestern Louisiana in May 1865, Lauzin, as the birth of his younger children reveal, returned home to his family. 

Charles Valière, père's sixth and youngest son François married double cousin Marie Sylvanie, called Sylvanie, daughter of fellow Acadians Ursin Jean Olidon Broussard and Marie Eurasie Broussard, at the Vermilionville church in January 1867.  Their children, born near Youngsville, included Luc in December 1867; Jean Horace in November 1869; ... 

Charles, père's second son Pierre married Cécile, daughter of Philippe Langlois and his Acadian wife Marie-Jeanne Sonnier, at Opelousas in October 1791.  They may have lived at Côte Gelée in the old Attakapas District in the early 1800s.  Their children, born at Opelousas, included Scholastique in November 1792; Marie-Felonise in February 1793 but died, age unrecorded, in September 1795; Irène born in November 1797 but died there "as a child" in November 1799; and Pierre, fils baptized at Opelousas, age unrecorded, in September 1799--four children, three daughters and a son, between 1792 and 1799.  Pierre died at brother Charles, fils's home at Côte Gelée in February 1810, "at age 40 yrs."  He may have been a couple of years older.  Daughter Scholastique married into the Gaspard family.  Pierre's son returned to St. Landry Parish.  One of his grandsons settled near Breaux Bridge on upper Bayou Teche.

Only son Pierre, fils married Louise, Lisa, Lise, or Élise, daughter of Simonet Durio and his Acadian wife Madeleine Landry, in a civil ceremony in St. Landry Parish in February 1826, and sanctified the marriage at the Opelousas church, St. Landry Parish, in July 1830.  Their children, born in St. Landry Parish, included Sélima or Célima in March 1826; Asélie or Azélie in April 1828; Louise or Louisa in June 1830; Jean Baptiste in May 1834; Cléophen or Cléopha in December 1836; Cora in February 1839; Corelie or Coralie, in May 1840; and Célimène baptized at age 3 months in May 1843--eight children, six daughters and two sons, between 1826 and 1843.  In November 1850, the federal census taker in St. Landry Parish counted six slaves--three males and three females, all black except for one mulatto, ranging in age from 40 to 1--on Pierre Comeau's farm.  In 1860, the federal census taker in St. Landry Parish counted six slaves again--two males and four females, all black except for one mulatto, ages 58 to 9--on Pierre Comeau's farm.  Daughters Célima, Louisa, Azélie, Coralie, and Cora married into the David, St. Blancat, Richard, Anselm, Guilbeau, and Raulin families, one of them, Célima, twice, by 1870.  Pierre, fils's sons also married by then and settled on the Teche and out on the prairies. 

Older son Jean Baptiste married Cephalide, daughter of fellow Acadian Charles Dupuis and his Creole wife Célestine Patin, at the Breaux Bridge church, St. Martin Parish, in March 1858.  Did they have any children? 

Pierre, fils's younger son Cléopha married Estelle, daughter of French Canadian Jean Baptiste Roy, fils and his Acadian wife Lise Pitre, at the Opelousas church in May 1860.  Their children, born in St. Landry Parish, included Cléopha Henry in February 1861; Marie Ophelia in April 1862; Pierre Hebard in July 1866; ... 

Charles, père's third son Auguste or Augustin married Céleste or Célestine, daughter of fellow Acadians Sylvain Sonnier and Madeleine Bourque and widow of Élisée Missonier, at Opelousas in February 1797.  In the early 1800s, they moved down to the old Attakapas District and settled on the Vermilion River south of present-day Lafayette.  Their children, born at Opelousas and on the lower Vermilion, included Hippolyte in c1797 and baptized at Opelousas, age 4, in August 1801; Marie, also called Marie Azélie, Marzélie, and Zélie, born in c1799 and baptized, age 2, in August 1801; Pierre Valmont, called Valmont and also André, baptized at age 6 months in November 1802; Norbert born in c1805 and baptized at age 3 in February 1808; twins Drosin and Symphorien, baptized at age 2 months in February 1808, but Drosin died in St. Martin Parish, age 1 1/2, in October 1809; and twins Charles le jeune and Martin baptized at the St. Martinville church, age 4 months, in October 1811--eight children, seven sons and a daughter, including two sets of twins, between 1797 and 1811.  Augustin died a widower "at the home of Jean Baptiste Comeau, his [younger] brother," in Lafayette Parish in September 1829, age 50.  Daughter Marie Azélie married into the Guidry and Bernard families.  Six of Augustin's sons also married and settled along the Teche and out on the prairies, but not all of the lines endured. 

Oldest son Hippolyte married Marie Eugénie, called Eugénie, daughter of fellow Acadians Pierre LeBlanc and Hortense Broussard of Vermilion, at the St. Martinville church in May 1820.  They settled on the Vermilion.  Their children, born there, included Marie Azélie in January 1821; Hippolyte, fils in April 1823 but died the following January; Marie Lorissa or Lodoiska born in 1825 and baptized at the Vermilionville church, age 4 months, in January 1826; Charles le jeune born in September 1827; Augustin le jeune born in c1829 or 1830 and baptized at age 17 months, in October 1831; Emertilia or Emertile born in February 1833; Pierre or René Edgard or Edgar, called Edgar or Edgard, in c1835 and baptized at age 2 1/2 in July 1837; and Hortense, also called Ernestine, born in December 1839--eight children, four daughters and four sons, between 1821 and 1839.  Hippolyte, père died near Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, in June 1867.  The priest who recorded the burial said that Hippolyte died "at age 68 yrs."  He may have been a year or two older.  Daughters Marie Azélie, Marie Lodoiska, and Emertilia married into the Landry, Guidry, and Belaire families by 1870.  Three of Hippolyte's sons also married by then and settled in Lafayette Parish.

Second son Charles le jeune married Adveline, Adeline, or Evéline, daughter of fellow Acadian Gédéon Landry and his Creole wife Anne Josèphe Lormand, at the Vermilionville church in February 1850.  Their children, born on the prairies and the lower Teche, included Anne Eugénie in Lafayette Parish in November 1850; Suzanna Idea in July 1852; Marie Alida, called Alida, in August 1854; Charles Augustin in April 1857; Marie Emérida near New Iberia in July 1859; Nicolas D. near Abbeville in June 1862 but, called Nicolas Desmartinière, died the following November; Pierre Odelon born near New Iberia in November 1863; Marie Eucarisse near Abbeville in January 1866; ...  Daughter Alida married into the Harrington family by 1870.  None of Charles le jeune's sons married by then. 

Hipployte's third son Augustin le jeune married double cousin Marie Euranie, called Euranie, daughter of fellow Acadians Ursin Jean Olidon Broussard and Marie Eurasie Broussard, at the Vermilionville church in February 1854.  Their children, born in Lafayette Parish, included a son, name unrecorded, died age 7 days in October 1857; and Marie Cléoma born in January 1859 but, called Cléoma, died at age 2 1/2 in June 1861.  Augustin le jeune "of Vermillion" remarried to double cousin Lydia, daughter of fellow Acadians Lezin LeBlanc and Alzere Broussard, at the St. Martinville church in August 1865.  Their children, born on the prairies, included Désiré baptized at the Abbeville church, age 10 months, in November 1866; Hippolyte le jeune born in March 1868; Lezin Henri near New Iberia in August 1869; ... 

Hippolyte's fourth and youngest son Pierre Edgar, called Edgar, married Eusèïde, daughter of Nicolas Walleau, Valleau, or Vallot and Marguerite Domingues and widow of Dominique Girouard, at the Vermilionville church in June 1856.  Their children, born on the prairies, included Odilia in April 1857; Louise Esmeraldo near Youngsville in April 1859; Honorine in October 1861; Pierre Nicolas near Abbeville in February 1863; Edgar, fils in March 1870; ...  In 1860, the federal census taker in Vermilion Parish counted two slaves--a 21-year-old black female, and a 5-year-old black male, living in 1 house--on Edgar Como's farm in the parish's western district. 

Auguste's second son Pierre Valmont, called Valmont and also André, married fellow Acadian Eugénie Landry in Lafayette Parish in the early 1820s.  Their children, born in Lafayette Parish, included Marie Uliva or Oliva, called Oliva, in October 1824; Pierre, fils, also called Déopalière, baptized at the Vermilionville church, age 3 days, in June 1827; Ezilda, also called Élisa, born in September 1831; Clara or Clarice in December 1834 but died the following April; Augustin le jeune baptized at age 3 months in October 1837; and Alexandre born in July 1844--six children, three daughters and three sons, between 1824 and 1844.  A succession for wife Eugénie, probably post-mortem, calling her husband Valmont, was filed at the Vermilionville courthouse in October 1847.  In July 1860, the federal census taker in Lafayette Parish counted two slaves--a 44-year-old black female, and a 44-year-old black male, living in one house--on Valmond Comeaux's farm near Lefroy Comeaux.  Valmont died in Lafayette Parish in March 1863, probably still a widower.  The Vermilionville priest who recorded the burial said that Valmont died "at age 48 yrs."  He was 61.  One wonders if his death was war-related.  Daughters Oliva and Élisa married Landry brothers who also were their cousins by 1870.  Two of Pierre Valmont's sons also married by then. 

Oldest son Pierre, fils married Marcellite, daughter of fellow Acadians Onésime Melançon and Mélanie Prejean, at the Youngsville church, Lafayette Parish, in April 1868.  Their children, born near Youngsville, included Zacharie in January 1869; ... 

Valmont's third and youngest son Alexandre married Aurelia, daughter of fellow Acadians Octave Granger and Marcelliènne Trahan, at the Vermilionville church in June 1868.  Their son Pierre Galbert was born in Lafayette Parish in January 1870; Marie Mélanie in December 1870; ...

Auguste's third son Norbert married first cousin Clarisse, daughter of fellow Acadians Jean Baptiste Comeaux and Rosalie Prejean, his uncle and aunt, at the Vermilionville church in November 1826.  Their children, born in Lafayette Parish, included Marie baptized at the Vermilion church at age 20 days in September 1827; Céleste born in 1828, baptized at age 2 months in January 1829, but died at age 1 1/2 in January 1830; Clara born in April 1830 but died at age 1 1/2 in October 1831; Norbert, fils born in c1832 but died at age 20 in December 1852; Émile baptized at age 2 months, in May 1833; Dorcili born in late 1834 and baptized at age 2 months in January 1835; twins Charles Sévegney or Sévigné and Madeleine born in November 1836; Seville baptized at age 8 months in December 1839 but died in January; Charles Ovide born in March 1840; twins Adélaïde and Philomène in October 1843; Eulalie in March 1847 but may have been the daughter, name unrecorded, who died at age 6 in October 1852; a child, name unrecorded, born in c1848 but died at age 5 in August 1853; and a second Norbert, fils born in September 1852, three months before the death of his older brother with the same name--15 children, at least seven daughters and seven sons, including two sets of twins, between 1827 and 1852.  In October 1850, the federal census taker in Lafayette Parish counted two slaves--a 25-year-old black female, and a 17-year-old black male--on Norbert Comeau's farm in the parish's western district.  Wife Clarisse died in Lafayette Parish in January 1853, age 40.  Her succession was filed at the Vermilionville courthouse in March 1856.  Norbert, père died in Lafayette Parish in November 1858.  The Vermilionville priest who recorded the burial said that Norbert died "at age 50 yrs."  He was 53.  His succession was filed at the Vermilionville courthouse in January 1859.  None of his daughters married by 1870, but two of his sons did.  However, one, perhaps both, of the lines may not have endured. 

During the War of 1861-65, Norbert, père's third son Dorcili served in Company F of the 18th Regiment Louisiana Infantry, raised in Lafayette Parish, which fought in Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana; and in Company I of the Consolidated 18th Regiment and Yellow Jackets Battalion Infantry, which fought in Louisiana.  After surviving the Battle of Shiloh, Tennessee, in April 1862, Dorcili was "sent to interior" on sick leave.  He returned to his unit in southern Alabama by July and followed it to South Louisiana that autumn.  He was absent sick again, this time at New Iberia, not far from home, in the early summer of 1863.  He may have fought with his new regiment, the Consolidated 18th Louisiana Infantry, at Mansfield, Louisiana, in April 1864.  Like younger brother Charles Ovide, Dorcili survived the war and returned to his family.  He married Edita, daughter of fellow Acadian Napoléon R. Lalande and his Creole wife Suzanne Fabre and widow of Leufroi Richard, at the Youngsville church in November 1865.  Did he and his wife have any children?   Dorcili's succession was filed at the Vermilionville courthouse in November 1869.  He would have been age 35 that year.  One wonders if his succession was post-mortem, and, if so, was his death war-related. 

Norbert, père's sixth son Charles Ovide married cousin Berthilde, also called Hébertille, daughter of fellow Acadians Jean Baptiste Landry and Azélie Comeaux, at the Vermilionville church in February 1862.  During the war, Charles Ovide served in Company A of the 26th Regiment Louisiana Infantry, raised in Lafayette Parish, which fought at Vicksburg, Mississippi.  He enlisted in the company in March 1862, only a month after his wedding.  He was wounded at Vicksburg on 24 Jun 1863 but survived the war and returned to his family.  Did he and his wife have any children? 

Auguste's fifth son Symphorien, a twin, married Euphémie, daughter of fellow Acadians Olivier Landry and Juliènne Breaux, at the Vermilionville church in August 1831.  They seem to have been that rare Acadian couple who had no children. 

Auguste's sixth son Charles le jeune, a twin, married Marie Élise, Élisa, Eleine, Élina, Helina, or Hélène, daughter of Hippolyte Bonin and his Acadian wife Marie Doiron, at the St. Martinville church in April 1834.  Their children, born on the Teche and on the prairies, included Marie Mirsa or Mirza in February 1835 but died near St. Martinville the following September; Hippolyte baptized at the Vermilionville church, age 2 months, in December 1836 but died in Lafayette Parish at age 1 in September 1837; Élisabeth Clara, called Clara, born in St. Martin Parish in April 1838; Louis in September 1841; Henri Hertelle in December 1843; Valérien in November 1845; Marie Felonise in March 1847 but, called Felonise, died near Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, at age 6 1/2 (the recording priest said 7) in October 1853; and Cyprien born near Breaux Bridge in January 1849--eight children, three daughters and five sons, between 1835 and 1849.  Charles le jeune may have died near Breaux Bridge in March 1867.  The priest who recorded the burial did not give Charles's parents' names or mention a wife, but he did say that Charles died "at age 50 yrs."  This Charles would have been age 56.  Daughter Clara married into the Thibodeaux family by 1870.  One of Charles le jeune's sons also married by then.

Third son Henri married Élodie, daughter of Sellerive Domengeaux and Idalie Cailler, at the Breaux Bridge church in January 1865.  Their children, born near Breaux Bridge, included Marie Laure in November 1865; Jean in March 1867; ... 

Auguste's seventh son Martin, Charles le jeune's twin, married Eméranthe, Erémise, or Erémise Eméranthe, also called Éloise, daughter of perhaps fellow Acadians François Arceneaux and Marie Mouton, at the Vermilionville church in July 1833; oddly, the marriage was recorded at the Vermilionville courthouse not until May 1844.  Their children, born in Lafayette Parish, included Martin Télésphore, called Télésphore, in July 1834; François Thelesmar in March 1837; Pierre Théole in August 1845; and a child, name and age unrecorded, died in May 1847--four children, at least three sons, between 1834 and 1847.  Martin died in Lafayette Parish in April 1850, age 38.  Two of his sons married by 1870.

Oldest son Télesphore married Aurore, daughter of Louis Dautreuil and Eméranthe Leleu and widow of Charles Bertrand, at the St. Martinville church in January 1858.  Their son Martin Elzean was born in St. Martin Parish in September 1858 but, called Azarius, died in Lafayette Parish, age 11 months, in August 1859.  During the war, Télesphore served in Company F of the 18th Regiment Louisiana Infantry, raised in Lafayette Parish, which fought in Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana.  He survived the war and returned to his family, but he did not last much longer.  Télesphore died in St. Martin Parish in June 1866.  The priest who recorded the burial said that Télesphore died "at age 38 yrs."  He was 32.  His succession was filed at the St. Martinville courthouse later in June.  One wonders if his death was war-related.  His line of the family may have died with him. 

Martin's second son François Thelesmar, at age 30, married fellow Acadian Elzina Thibodeaux, widow of Stanislas Garrigues, in a civil ceremony in Lafayette Parish in February 1868. ...

Charles, père's fourth and youngest son Jean-Baptiste, called Baptiste, married Rosalie, 22-year-old daughter of fellow Acadians Charles Prejean and Marguerite Richard, at Attakapas in October 1802.  They settled at Côte Gelée.  Their children, born there, included Céleste in July 1803; Carmélite in September 1804; Claire dite Clarice in May 1806; Rosalie in December 1808; Marie Joséphine in December 1810; Marguerite Silvanie or Sylvanie in September 1812; Jean Baptiste Désiré in July 1814; and Charles Duclise, Euclis, or Euclide, in November 1818--eight children, six daughters and two sons, between 1803 and 1818.  Wife Rosalie's succession, naming her husband, was filed at the Vermilionville courthouse in August 1844.  Baptiste remarried to fellow Acadian Marguerite Adélaïde Mouton, widow of Cyprien Arceneaux, in a civil ceremony in Lafayette Parish in June 1845.  She gave him no more children.  Baptiste died in Lafayette Parish in June 1847.  The Vermilionville priest who recorded the burial said that Jean Baptiste died "at age 56 yrs."  He was 66.  His succession was filed at the Vermilionville courthouse the following August.  In November 1850, the federal census taker in St. Landry Parish counted six slaves--four males and two females, all black, ranging in age from 60 to 6--on Ww. Bte Comeau's farm; these probably were the slaves of Baptiste's widow, Marguerite Adélaïde Mouton.  Daughters Carmélite, Céleste, Clarice, Marguerite Sylvainie, Rosalie, and Marie Joséphine, all by his first wife, married into the Landry, Broussard, Comeaux, Bernard, and Breaux families, two of them to Bernard brothers.  Baptiste's sons also married, but not all of the lines endured. 

Older son Jean Baptiste Désiré, by first wife Rosalie Prejean, married Céleste, daughter of fellow Acadians Edmond Landry and Anastasie Giroir, at the Vermilionville church in November 1836.  Daughter Adélaïde Louise was born in Lafayette Parish in December 1837.  In August 1850, the federal census taker in Lafayette Parish counted six slaves--two males and four females, all black, ranging in age from 29 to 2--on Désiré Comeau's farm in the parish's western district next to François Landry and three farms down from Édouard Comeau.  Was this Jean Baptiste Désiré?  He evidently died in the 1850s.  In July 1860, the federal census taker in Lafayette Parish counted nine slaves--three males and six females, five blacks and four mulattoes, ages 42 years to 4 months, living in one house--on Mrs. Désiré Comeaux's farm several farms down from Edward Comeaux; these may have been the slaves of Jean Baptiste Désiré's widow, Céleste Landry.  Daughter Adélaïde Louise married a Landry cousin.  Did Jean Baptiste Désiré father any sons?

Baptiste's younger son Charles Duclise, Euclis, or Euclide, also called Émile, from first wife Rosalie Prejean, married fellow Acadian Marie Élodie Landry probably in Lafayette Parish by the late 1840s.  Their children, born in Lafayette Parish, included Marie, also called Clara, in October 1847; Louisa or Louise in January 1849; Alphonce or Alphonse in January 1851; twins Dema and Jean, also called Eugène, in August 1852; and Eugénie, also called Emma, in October 1854--six children, three daughters and three sons, including a set of twins, between 1847 and 1854.  The federal census taker in Lafayette Parish in September 1850 counted five slaves--one male and four females, all black, ranging in age from 30 to 3--on C. D. Comeau's farm next to Émilien Landry in the parish's western district; this probably was Charles Duclise.  He may have died near Breaux Bridge, St. Martin Parish, in March 1867.  The priest who recorded the burial did not give Charles's parents' names or mention a wife, but he did say that Charles died "at age 50 yrs.".  This Charles would have been 48.  Daughters Clara, Louise, and Emma married into the Landry and Larriviere families, two of them to Landrys, by 1870.  None of Charles Duclise's sons married by then. 

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Two more Comeaus--a widow and a wife--came to Louisiana in 1765 from Halifax via Cap-Français, but they did not follow their cousins to the western prairies.  They settled, instead, in the established Acadian community of Cabahannocer on the river above New Orleans.  The area soon became known as the Acadian Coast.

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Five more Comeaus--a widower, his three children, and a Comeau orphan--came to Louisiana from Maryland in 1767.  At the insistence of Spanish authorities, they settled in the new Acadian community of San Gabriel south of Bayou Manchac and upriver from Cabahannocer.  The widower's older son created a vigorous family line on the upper Acadian Coast: 

Charles (c1709-?) à Jean l'aîné à Pierre Comeaux

Charles, second son of Étienne Comeau and his first wife Marguerite Forest, born probably at Port-Royal in c1709, married, at age 35, Madeleine, daughter of Germain Landry and Marie Melanson, in c1744 and settled at Pigiguit.  Madeleine gave Charles at least three children there:  Marianne born in c1745; Jean-Charles in c1749; and Firmin in c1753.  The British deported them to Maryland in 1755.  Charles, now a widower, and his three children were, according to a French repatriation list circulating in the colony, living at Port Tobacco on the lower Potomac in July 1763.  They, along with a Comeau orphan, emigrated to Louisiana from Baltimore in 1767.  Charles did not remarry.  In March 1777, Spanish officials counted them still at San Gabriel, on the "right bank ascending," or east bank, of the river, where they had settled a decade earlier.  Charles was living with his older son at the time.  Daughter Marianne married into the Doucet family.  One of his sons married and created a vigorous family line on the upper Acadian Coast.

Older son Jean-Charles, also called Charles, fils, followed his family to Maryland and his widowered father and his sister to New Orleans and San Gabriel.  He married Cécile, daughter of fellow Acadians Joseph Dugas and Cécile Bergeron, at Cabahannocer downriver from San Gabriel in September 1776.  They returned to San Gabriel a few years later.  Their children, born on the river, included Rosalie baptized at Cabahannocer, age unrecorded, in February 1778; Cécile baptized, age unrecorded, in February 1780; and Firmin le jeune buried at San Gabriel, age unrecorded, in March 1781.  Firmin's birth may have shortened the life of his mother.  Jean-Charles remarried to Anne-Catherine, called Catherine, daughter of Daniel Boush or Bush and Dina Louis of Virginia, at San Gabriel in July 1781.  Their children, born there, included Marie-Émilie, called Émilie, in August 1782; Jean-Louis-Laurent, called Jean-Louis and Louis, in January 1784; Bernard-Guillaume in January 1786; Charles-Daniel, called Charles D., in September 1787; Gilbert in c1788; Henri-Firmin in September 1789; twins Étienne and Pierre-Amand in December 1791; Marie-Clémence, called Clémence, in the early 1790s; Joseph-Julien, called Julien, in January 1794; Anne in May 1795; Marion in August 1796; Philippe in May 1800; and Anne-, also called Marie-, Delphine in June 1802--17 children, six daughters and 11 sons, by two wives, including a set of twins, between 1778 and 1802.  Catherine died at St. Gabriel in June 1807, age 48.  Jean Charles did not remarry again.  He died in Iberville Parish in July 1823.  The St. Gabriel priest who recorded the burial said that Jean Charles was age 79 when he died.  He was closer to 74.  Daughters Rosalie, Émilie, Clémence, and Marie Delphine, by both wives, married into the Henry, Cointment, Dehon, LeBlanc, and Hébert families, one of them, oldest daughter Rosalie, three times.  Nine of Jean Charles's sons also married.  They settled in Iberville, East and West Baton Rouge, and Ascension parishes, adding substantially to the number of Comeauxs living on the Acadian Coast.  Most of the river Comeauxs, in fact, are descendants of Jean-Charles of Pigiguit.

Second son Jean Louis Laurent, called Jean Louis and Louis, by second wife Catherine Boush, married Anastasie, daughter of fellow Acadians Joseph Hébert and Marie Itna Landry, at the St. Gabriel church in February 1808.  Their children, born near St. Gabriel, included Louis Joachim Laurent or Laurent Joachim, called Joachim, in December 1809; Victorin in September 1811 but died at age 26 in August 1838; Louis Balzain or Valsin, called Valsin, born in May 1813; Louis Eugène, also called Jean Louis, fils, in January 1815 but died at age 2 in January 1817; Rosalie baptized, age unrecorded, in April 1820; and Arthémise born in August 1823--six children, four sons and two daughters, between 1809 and 1823.  Jean Louis died near St. Gabriel in May 1825.  The priest who recorded the burial said that Jean Louis was age 35 when he died.  He was 41.  Daughter Arthémise married into the Dehon and Aillet families.  Two of Jean Louis Laurent's sons also married and settled on the river, but not all of the lines endured.

Oldest son Joachim married Carmélite, daughter of Louis Julien Aillet and his Acadian wife Marie Victoire Lejeune, at the Baton Rouge church, East Baton Rouge Parish, in February 1832.  Their children, born on the river, included Geneviève Augustine near St. Gabriel in November 1833; Marie Ernestine in May 1834; Marie Célestine in June 1836; Augustin in December 1837 but died at age 2 1/2 in July 1840; Laurent born in July 1840 but died at age 11 1/2 in January 1852; Marie Armantine born in May 1842; Marcellite Louise in January 1844; Annita in July 1845; Cyprien Lucas in September 1847; and Anastasia Noémie near Brusly, West Baton Rouge Parish, in February 1850--10 children, seven daughters and three sons, between 1833 and 1850.  Daughters ... married into the Covington and Parks families, and perhaps into the Landry family as well, by 1870.  Joachim's remaining son did not marry by then. 

Jean Louis Laurent's third son Valsin married Zerbine, daughter of fellow Acadian Magloire Dupuy and his Creole wife Henreitte Serret and widow of Onésime Landry, at the St. Gabriel church in July 1838.  They may have been that rare Cajun couple who had no children.  The federal census taker in West Baton Rouge Parish in August 1850 counted seven slaves--four males and three males, all black, ranging in age from 50 to 1--on V. Comeaux's farm; this may have been Valsin.  Valsin died near Brusly, West Baton Rouge Parish, in June 1854.  The priest who recorded the burial, and did not give any parents' names or mention a wife, said that Valsin died at "age 44 yrs."  He was 41.  His line of the family died with him.  In July 1860, the federal census taker in West Baton Rouge Parish counted two slaves--both females, both black, ages 72 and 16--on Widow Val. Comeaux's farm near Adolphe Dupuy; these likely were the slaves of Valsin's widow, Zerbine Dupuy. 

Jean Charles's third son Bernard Guillaume, by second wife Catherine Boush, married Marie Rose, daughter of fellow Acadians Joseph Richard and Cécile Dupuis, at the St. Gabriel church in April 1809.  Their children, born near St. Gabriel, included Bernard Lésime or Onésime, called Onésime, in January 1810; Treville in May 1811; Marcellite or Marcelline in April 1813 but died at age 2 in August 1815; and Apollonie born in March 1815--four children, two sons and two daughters, between 1810 and 1815.  Bernard died near St. Gabriel in August 1816, age 30.  Daughter Apollonie married into the Gomez family.  One of Bernard's sons also married and settled on the river. 

Older son Onésime married Ann Bordon, Borgon, or Bogan at the Baton Rouge church in June 1840.  Their children, born in nearby Iberville Parish, included James in August 1841; and Georgina in February 1844.  Neither of their children married by 1870. 

Jean Charles's fourth son Charles Daniel, called Charles D., from second wife Catherine Boush, married Marie Carmélite, called Carmélite, daughter of fellow Acadians Bénoni Hébert and Marie Madeleine Allain, at the Baton Rouge church in February 1813.  They settled in West Baton Rouge Parish.  Their children, born there, included a son, name unrecorded, in October 1813 but died the following December; Jean Ternault, Dameau, Darneau, d'Arnaux, Darno, Dermon, Dernon, or Valence born in April 1815; Charles Daniel, fils in February 1817; Lucillio Laurent in November 1818; Françoise Augustine in August 1823; Catherine Forestine in December 1825; Eugénia Avelina in August 1827; Marie Delphine, called Delphine, in March 1829; and Pierre Fulsi in January 1834--nine children, five sons and four daughters, between 1813 and 1834.  Charles D., père died probably in West Baton Rouge Parish in December 1850.  The Baton Rouge priest who recorded the burial said that Charles died at "age 60 years."  He was 63.  He was buried "in Highland Cemetary."  Daughters Catherine Forestine, Eugénia Avelina, and Marie Delphine married into the Stumpley, Legendre, and Doiron families.  Two of Charles D.'s sons also married and settled on the river. 

Second son Jean d'Arnaux married Félonise, also called Marie Philomène, daughter of fellow Acadians Joseph Theriot and Céleste Breaux of West Baton Rouge Parish, at the Baton Rouge church in March 1836.  Like their parents, they settled in West Baton Rouge Parish.  Their children, born there, included Jean Eugène in December 1836; Marie C. in September 1839; Pierre Paul in June 1845; and Marguerite Ophelia in November 1847.  Jean d'Arnaux, called John Darno by the recording priest, remarried to Juliènne Célina or Célima, daughter of fellow Acadians John Henry and Hermegilde Gaudin, at the Baton Rouge church in November 1851.  Their children, born near Baton Rouge, included Marie Élizabeth in October 1852; Jean d'Arnaux, fils in May 1855; and James Daniel in December 1858--seven children, four sons and three daughters, by two wives, between 1836 and 1858.  None of Jean d'Arnaux's children married by 1870. 

Charles D.'s third son Charles Daniel, fils married Forestine or Florestine Sylvanie Tullier probably in East Baton Rouge Parish in the late 1830s or early 1840s.  Their children, born in the Baton Rouge area, included Élisabeth Élinor in November 1842; Paterne Ermina in April 1845; Pierre Victorin near Brusly, West Baton Rouge Parish, in August 1848; Flora Victoria, called Victoria, near Baton Rouge in November 1857; Marie Honorine near Brusly in September 1860; and Charles Daniel III near Baton Rouge in February 1862;.  In August 1860, the federal census taker in East Baton Rouge Parish counted two slaves--a 44-year-old black female, and a 7-year-old black female, living in one house--on Chas. D. Comeaux's farm.  One wonders when he moved to that parish.  Charles Daniel, fils remarried to cousin Désirée, daughter of fellow Acadian Florestin Aucoin and his Creole wife Élisabeth Verdou, at the Baton Rouge church in September 1867; they had to secure a dispensation for second degree of affinity in order to marry. ...  None of Charles D.'s children seems to have married by 1870. 

Jean Charles's fifth son Gilbert, by second wife Catherine Boush, married Marie Mélisaire, daughter of fellow Acadians Arsène Breaux and Marie Geneviève Daigre, at the St. Gabriel church in May 1818.  Their children, born in Iberville Parish, included Étienne Hermogène, called Hermogène, in March 1819; and Gilbert, fils posthumously in April 1820.  Gilbert, père died near St. Gabriel in November 1819, five months before his younger son was born.  The priest who recorded the burial said that Gilbert was age 30 when he died.  His two sons married and settled on the river, but not all of the lines endured.

Older son Hermogène married cousin Élisa or Éliza, daughter of fellow Acadian Janvier Allain and his Creole wife Élise Boush, at the St. Gabriel church in January 1848.  Their children, born near St. Gabriel, included Joseph Edgard in December 1848 but died at age 5 months in May 1849; Gilbert Rodolph born in March 1850; Marie Florence in October 1851; Hermogène Edwin in January 1854; Egbert Amédé in December 1856; Marie Edite in March 1861; Marie Lilia in February 1867; ...  None of Hermogène's children married by 1870. 

Gilbert's younger son Gilbert, fils married Mary Adeline, called Adeline, daughter of Francis Gallaugher and his Acadian wife Marguerite Landry, at the St. Gabriel church in February 1843.  Their children, born in Iberville Parish, included Olivia in February 1843; and Ernestine in September 1845.  Gilbert, fils died near St. Gabriel in December 1845, age 25, and was buried "in St. Raphaël's cemetary" on the west bank of the river.  Daughters Ernestine and Olivia married into the Allain and Arbour families.  Gilbert, fils fathered no sons, so his line of the family, except for its blood, died with him. 

Jean Charles's sixth son Henri Firmin, by second wife Catherine Boush, married Marie Marguerite, called Marguerite, daughter of fellow Acadians Jean Baptiste Hébert and Anne Marie Dupuy, at the St. Gabriel church in April 1811.  Their children, born near St. Gabriel, included Henri, fils in January 1813 but died at age 1 1/2 in August 1814; a son, name unrecorded, died at age 1 month in December 1814; Firmin Gerville born in January 1816; twins Jean Surville, called Surville, and Margerutie Hermelide or Armeline in May 1818, but Surville died at age 9 in February 1827; another Firmin born in November 1820; and an infant, name unrecorded, born posthumously in December 1823 but died at age 7 months in June 1824--seven children, at least five sons and a daughter, including a set of twins, between 1813 and 1823.  Henri died near St. Gabriel in September 1823, age 34.  Daughter Armeline married an Hébert cousin.  One of Henri's sons also married and settled on the river.

Third son Firmin Gerville or fifth son Firmin married Marie Emma, Aimée, or Irma, daughter of J. B. Friou and Marcelline Prosper of West Baton Rouge Parish, at the Baton Rouge church in December 1838.  They settled in West Baton Rouge Parish.  Their children, born there, included Marie Irma in March 1840; Joseph Saturnin, called Saturnin, in November 1842; Marie Eufroisine or Euphrosine near Brusly in August 1846; and Alfred in January 1849--four children, two daughters and two sons, between 1840 and 1849.  Daughters Marie Irma and Marie Euphrosine married into the Bourgogne and Broussard families by 1870.  One of Firmin's sons also married by then. 

Older son Saturnin married Marie Victoire, daughter of Fortune Gonet or Gonnet and his Acadian wife Marie Breaux, at the Brusly church in October 1869. ...

Jean Charles's seventh son Étienne, a twin, by second wife Catherine Boush, married Marie Céleste or Célestine, another daughter of Arsène Breaux and Marie Geneviève Daigre, at the St. Gabriel church in February 1820.  Their children, born near St. Gabriel, included Marie Doralise in November 1820; Aureline in the 1820s; Marie Estelle in September 1824; Sosthène Breau in March 1826; Marie Lydorie in February 1827; Marie Céleste in June 1831 but died at age 3 1/2 in January 1835; Étienne Fergus or Jasque born in June 1833 but died the following September; and Marie Odilia, called Odilia, born in February 1835--eight children, six daughters and two sons, between 1820 and 1833.  Daughters Marie Doralise, Aureline, Marie Lydorie, and Odilia married into the Hébert, Rils, Rivet, and Breaux families.  Étienne's remaining son also married and settled on the river.

Older son Sosthène married Elvenia, Elvania, Elvira, or Helvenia, daughter of Joseph Barthélémy Ramouin and his Acadian wife Émilie Hébert, at the St. Gabriel church in December 1851.  They settled across the river near Plaquemine.  Their children, born there, included Walton Emerson in October 1852; Livinia in September 1855 but, called Lavinia, died at age 1 in September 1856; Marie Eve born in July 1859; Ursule Émilie in March 1861; Joseph O. in July 1863; a son, name and age unrecorded, died in February 1866; twins Maria Dilia and Maria Dina born in July 1867; ...  None of Sosthène's children married by 1870. 

Jean Charles's eighth son Pierre Amand, Étienne's twin, by second wife Catherine Boush, married Marie Hortense, called Hortense, daughter of fellow Acadians Grégoire LeBlanc and Marie Barbe Babin, at the Donaldsonville church, Ascension Parish, in October 1820.  Their children, born in Ascension Parish, included Marie Désirée in October 1823; and Pierre, fils in December 1826.  Pierre Aman died in Ascension Parish in January 1828, age 36.  Daughter Marie Désirée married into the Melançon family.  Pierre Amand's son also married and settled on the river.

Only son Pierre, fils married Virginie, daughter of Achille Altazin and Sarah Krage, at the Baton Rouge church in April 1858.  Their children, born on the lower Acadian Coast, included Jean Achille near Convent, St. James Parish, in August 1863 but, called Achille, died in Ascension Parish, age 10 months, 9 days, in July 1864; Louis Adam born near Convent in November 1864; ...  Pierre, fils died in Ascension Parish in June 1865, age 38.  One wonders if his death was war-related. 

Jean Charles's ninth son Joseph Julien, called Julien, by second wife Catherine Boush, married Anne Delphine, called Delphine, daughter of Jean Lambremont and Marguerite Hamiliton, at the St. Gabriel church in January 1819.  Their children, born near St. Gabriel, included Anne Euphémie in March 1819; Joseph Joachim in October 1820; Joseph Firmin in May 1822 but died at age 1 1/2 in September 1823; Joseph Trasimond, called Trasimond, born in October 1824; Marguerite Pamela or Pamelia in November 1826; Marie Lodoiska or Eloiska in July 1829; Jean Baptiste Ernest, called Ernest, in January 1831; and Joseph Émile in September 1844 but died at age 9 months the following July--eight children, three daughters and five sons, between 1819 and 1844.  Joseph Julien died near St. Gabriel in May 1849, age 55.  In July 1860, the federal census taker in Iberville Parish counted 10 slaves--four males and six females, all black, ranging in age from 35 to 1, living in two houses--on Widow Julien Comeaux's farm next to Widow T. Comeaux, her daughter-in-law; these were the slaves of Julien's widow, Anne Delphine Lambremont.  Daughters Anne Euphémie, Marguerite Pamelia, and Eloiska married into the Breaux, Mears, and Verret families.  Julien's three remaining sons also married and settled on the river.

Oldest son Joseph Joachim married Mathilde or Mathilda, daughter of Pierre Treville Marrionneaux and Lydia Billings, at the St. Gabriel church in October 1848.  Their children, born near St. Gabriel, included Julien Edward in August 1849; and Joseph Walter in August 1850.  Neither of Joseph Joachim's sons married by 1870. 

Julien's third son Trasimond married Marie Domitille, called Domitille, daughter of fellow Acadians Firmin Davat Landry and Mellisère Breaux, at the St. Gabriel church in January 1847.  Their children, born near St. Gabriel, included Julien Gaspard in March 1852; Marie Émilie in September 1853; and Joseph Trasimond, fils in September 1855--three children, two sons and a daughter, between 1852 and 1855.  Trasimond, père died near St. Gabriel in April 1856, age 31.  In July 1860, the federal census taker in Iberville Parish counted a single slave--a 55-year-old black female--on Widow T. Comeaux's farm next to Widow Julien Comeaux, her mother-in-law; this probably was the slave of Trasimond's widow, Domitille Landry.  None of Trasimond's children married by 1870. 

Julien's fourth son Ernest married Lavinia, Livinia, or Luricia, another daughter of Pierre Treville Marrionneaux and Lydia Billings and widow of Ulgère Baugnon, at the St. Gabriel church in December 1852.  Their children, born near St. Gabriel, included Anne Delphine in January 1853 but died the following September; Lavinia Abella born in August 1855; Duncan Duillius in December 1857; Marie Lidia in May 1860; Marie Caroline in September 1862; ...  None of Ernest's children married by 1870. 

Jean Charles's eleventh and youngest son Philippe, by second wife Catherine Boush, married Eugénie, 19-year-old daughter of fellow Acadians Honoré Daigle and Adélaïde Hébert, at the St. Gabriel church in January 1822.  Their daughter Eugénie was born near St. Gabriel in January 1823.  Her mother died the following day, age 20, evidently from the rigors of childbirth.  Philippe remarried to Victorine Arianne or Uranie, daughter of fellow Acadians Pierre Joseph Landry and his first wife Scholastique Breaux, at the St. Gabriel church in February 1825.  Their children, born near St. Gabriel, included Pierre Joachim in December 1825 but died at age 10 months in November 1826; Philogène born in December 1828; Jean Lavinski or Lovinski, called Lovinski, in November 1830; and Victoire Lezida in September 1838--five children, two daughters and three sons, by two wives, between 1823 and 1838.  Philippe died near St. Gabriel in March 1855.  The priest who recorded the burial, and who did not give any parents' names or mention a wife, said that Philippe died at "age 56 years."  He was 54.  Daughters Eugénie and Victoire Lezida, by both wives, married into the Danos, Lacave, and Capdevielle families, one of them, Eugénie, twice.  Philippe's remaining sons also married and settled on the river.

Second son Philogène, by second wife Victorine Landry, married, at age 29, cousin Éliza, daughter of fellow Acadians Jean Arvillien Rivet and Roseline Landry, at the St. Gabriel church in October 1858.  Their children, born in Iberville Parish, included Philippe André near St. Gabriel in July 1859; Philogène, fils near Plaquemine on the west side of the river in October 1866; ... 

Philippe's third and youngest son Jean Lovinski, called Lovinski, from second wife Victorine Landry, married, at age 22, Joséphine, daughter of Louis Édouard Guitteau and Joséphine Pignoux, at the St. Gabriel church in January 1853.  Their children, born near St. Gabriel, included Hermina in September 1853; Coecilia in March 1855; Isabella in June 1856; Marie Malvina in October 1857; and Joseph Lovenski in August 1859--five children, four daughters and a son, between 1853 and 1859.  None of Lovinski's children married by 1870. 

Charles, père's younger son Firmin followed his family to Maryland and his widowered father and siblings to New Orleans and San Gabriel.  In March 1777, in his early 20s, he was still a bachelor and living with his father and older brother at San Gabriel.  He died at San Gabriel in March 1781, age 28.  He did not marry. 

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In 1768, a widow--Marguerite Babin, wife of Alexis, youngest brother of Charles Comeau of San Gabriel--brought her Comeau children--three sons, including a set of twins, and a daughter--to New Orleans from Maryland with the party of refugees from Port Tobacco led by the Breau brothers of Pigiguit.  Spanish Governor Ulloa forced them to settle at Fort San Luìs de Natchez far upriver from their kinsmen at Cabahannocer and San Gabriel.  They did not remain there long.  Following the overthrow of Ulloa by a French-Creole-led revolt and the restoration of Spanish control in the colony, Ulloa's successor, Governor-General Alejandro O'Reilly, allowed the Fort San Luìs Acadians to settle where they wanted.  The widow took her children to San Gabriel, where they created families of their own.  The daughter, Marguerite, married into the LeBlanc family.  One of the younger son's lines did not endure.  In the late 1780s, the widow's oldest son followed his in-laws to upper Bayou Lafourche, where he helped create a new center of Comeaux family settlement: 

Joseph (c1751-1817) à Étienne à Jean l'aîné à Pierre Comeaux

Joseph, oldest son of Alexis Comeau and Marguerite Babin, born probably at Minas in c1751, followed his family to Maryland in 1755 and his widowed mother and siblings to New Orleans, Fort San Luìs de Natchez, and San Gabriel.  He married Anne-Isabelle, daughter of fellow Acadians Pierre dit La Vielliarde Landry and his first wife Anne-Élisabeth Dupuis, at Cabahannocer downriver from San Gabriel in June 1778.  Anne-Isabelle, a native of Maryland, had come to Louisiana in 1766.  They settled upriver at Ascension before they followed her father to upper Bayou Lafourche in the late 1780s.  Their children, born on the river and the upper bayou, included Pierre-Vital, called Vital, in April 1779; Rosalie in January 1781; Joseph in c1783; Marie in April 1786; Constance baptized at Ascension, age unrecorded, in June 1788; Anne-Juliènne, perhaps also called Anne-Julie and Julie, born in February 1790 but died, perhaps, at age 1 1/2 in September 1791; Pierre-Alexis born in April 1792 but died near St. Gabriel, Iberville Parish, age 31 (the recording priest said 34), in February 1824; Jean-Louis-Laurent born in May 1794 but died at age 5 in July 1799; and Augustin baptized, age unrecorded, in October 1797 but died at age 20 in February 1817.  Like his father-in-law, Joseph became relatively prosperous for an Acadian immigrant.  In January 1788, he and Anne-Isabelle owned two slaves on their six-arpent frontage on the upper Lafourche; in January 1791 they held three slaves; and in April 1797, five slaves.  Anne-Isabelle died on the upper Lafourche that October, age 38.  In January 1798, only months after her death, Joseph, still living on the upper bayou with many mouths to feed, held only four arpents frontage and reported owning no slaves.  He was living next to daughter Rosalie and her husband Jean Malbrough, who she had married in August 1796, so this may explain the reduction in Joseph's frontage (the young couple had two arpents frontage in January 1798, which they likely had received from Joseph), but what can explain the sudden disappearance of Joseph's five slaves?  At age 47, Joseph remarried to Marie-Madeleine, daughter of fellow Acadian Joseph Blanchard and Anne-Symphore Hébert and widow of Mathurin Trahan, at Assumption in November 1798.  Marie-Madeleine, a native of St.-Suliac near St.-Malo, had come to Louisiana from France with her widowed mother aboard one of the Seven Ships in 1785.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Élias- or Élie-Joseph, in September 1799; Eugène-Florentin in October 1801; Euphémie Rosalie in March 1804; and Doralise in September 1808--13 children, seven sons and six daughters, by two wives, between 1779 and 1808.  Joseph died in Assumption Parish in February 1817, age 65.  Daughters Rosalie, Marie, Doralise, and Euphémie, by both wives, married into the Malbrough, Hébert, Giroir, and Viola families, the oldest one, Rosalie, twice.  Three of Joseph's sons also married.  His oldest son married on the river and settled near Baton Rouge before returning to upper Bayou Lafourche.  Joseph's younger sons remained on the upper Lafourche.  His youngest son became a planter in Assumption Parish.

Oldest son Pierre Vital, called Vital, from first wife Anne Isabelle Landry, married Céleste, daughter of Jean Prosper, also called Gascogne, and his Acadian wife Marie Madeleine Lavergne, at the St. Gabriel church, Iberville Parish, in June 1818.  They lived at Baton Rouge before moving to upper Bayou Lafourche.  Their children, born near Baton Rouge, included Jean Baptiste in June 1819; Marie Virginie, called Virginie, in March 1821; Joseph, also called Joseph Télésphore and Télésphore, in March 1823; and Joseph Manuel in c1828 and baptized at the Baton Rouge church, age 2, in April 1830--four children, three sons and a daughter, between 1819 and 1828.  Vital died in Assumption Parish in June 1833.  The Plattenville priest who recorded the burial said that Vital was age 52 when he died.  He was 54.  Daughter Virginie married into the Hébert family in West Baton Rouge Parish.  Only one of Vital's remaining sons married.  He settled on upper Bayou Lafourche.

Second son Joseph Télesphore followed his family to upper Bayou Lafourche and married Octavie, daughter of fellow Acadians Édouard Hébert and Eléonore Girouard, at the Paincourtville church, Assumption Parish, in December 1845.  Their children, born near Paincourtville, included Joseph Aristide in May 1847; and Jules Hernest, perhaps Ernest, in February 1851.  Joseph Télésphore died near Paincourtville in October 1851, age 28.  Neither of his sons married by 1870. 

Joseph's sixth son Élias or Élie Joseph, by second wife Marie Madeleine Blanchard, married Constance, daughter of fellow Acadians Jean Landry and Marguerite Landry, at the Plattenville church, Assumption Parish, October 1820.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included a son, named unrecorded, died a day after his birth in January 1822; Eugène, also called Eugène E., born in August 1824; Paul Caiphas, also called Paul Cléopha and Cléopha, in September 1826; Marie Uranie in July 1829; Joseph Télésphore, called Télésphore, in August 1831 but died at age 6 in January 1838; Marguerite Élisabeth, called Élisabeth, born in March 1835; and Oreline in the late 1840s but, called Marie Alida, died at age 3 or 4 (the recording priest said 2 1/2) in October 1853--seven children, four sons and three daughters, between 1822 and the late 1840s.  In August 1850, the federal census taker in Assumption Parish counted 13 slaves--nine males and four females, all black except for one mulatto, ranging in age from 46 to 6--on Élie Comeau's farm in the parish's Second Congressional District.  Élie died near Plattenville in October 1853, age 54.  In August 1860, the federal census taker in Assumption Parish counted 14 slaves--12 males and two females, all black, ages 65 to 17--on Widow Élie Comeaux's farm in the parish's Tenth Ward between Eugène E. Comeaux and Maxille LeBlanc; these were the slaves of Élie's widow, Constance Landry.  Daughter Élisabeth married into the LeBlanc and Aubry families.  Two of Élie's sons also married and settled on the upper Lafourche, but one of the lines, except perhaps for its blood, did not endure. 

Second son Eugène married cousin Aureline, daughter of fellow Acadians Maxille LeBlanc and Marie Landry, at the Paincourtville church in January 1848; they had to secure a dispensation for third degree of consanguinity in order to marry.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included twins Marie Elmyre or Elmire, called Elmire, and Marie Palmire near Paincourtville in August 1848 but, called Palmire, Marie Palmire died at age 3 1/2 in October 1851; Élisabeth Amanda, called Amanda, born in September 1850; Marie Virginie in June 1852; Marie Auralie in April 1854; Pauline Agathe in June 1856; Marguerite Ema in July 1858; Marie Camila in February 1860; Marie Alise in March 1862; Cécile Léontine in January 1865; Marguerite Odilia in September 1869; ...  In August 1860, the federal census taker in Assumption Parish counted three slaves--a 28-year-old black female, and 2 black males, ages 6 and 4--on Eugène E. Comeaux's farm in the parish's Tenth Ward next to Widow Élie Comeaux, his mother, and near Maxille LeBlanc, his father-in-law.  Daughters Elmire and Amanda married into the Hébert and Landry families by 1870.  Did Eugène father any sons? 

Élie Joseph's third son Paul Caiphas or Cléophas, called Cléophas, married Léonelle, daughter of fellow Acadians Simon LeBlanc and Basille Babin, at the Paincourtville church in June 1849.  Their children, born near Paincourtville, included Célestin Vileor in April 1850; Marie Élida in February 1851; Adrien Elevoide in May 1851[sic, probably 1852]; Marguerite in April 1853; Marie Bathilda in August 1854; Joseph Simon in January 1856; Adam Éli in March 1857 but died the following May; Édouard Lucien born in March 1858; Cléophas Prosper in December 1859 but, unnamed, died the following April; Anastasie Constance born in September 1861 but died at age 7 months in April 1862; Louise Léontine born in February 1863; Cordilia Amélie in October 1865; Clémence Cécilia in February 1868; ...  In August 1860, the federal census taker in Assumption Parish counted four slaves--three males and one female, all blacks, ranging in age from 34 to 16, living in one house--on Cléophas Comeaux's farm next to Widow Simon LeBlanc, his mother-in-law, in the parish's Tenth Ward.  None of Cléopha's daughters married by 1870, but one of his sons did.

Oldest son Célestin Vileor married first cousin Marie Alice, daughter of fellow Acadian Terence LeBlanc and his Creole wife Élina Simoneaux, his uncle and aunt, at the Paincourtville church in January 1869; they had to secure a dispensation for second degree of consanguinity in order to marry. ...

Joseph's seventh and youngest son Eugène Florentin, by second wife Marie Madeleine Blanchard, married Henriette, also called Anne, daughter of fellow Acadians Joseph Hébert and Marie Marguerite Adélaïde Landry of Ascension Parish, at the Plattenville church in January 1820.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Marie Azelme or Azélie in May 1821; Jule or Jules in January 1823; Marie Antoinette in March 1825; Gracieuse in November 1827; Angèle Egladine in January 1830; Octave, also called Louis Octave, in February 1832; and Angelina in April 1835--seven children, five daughters and two sons, between 1821 and 1835.  In August 1850, the federal census taker in Assumption Parish counted 17 slaves--nine males and eight females, all black, ranging in age from 55 years to 6 months--on Eugène Comeau's farm in the parish's Second Congressional District; this probably was Eugène Florentin.  In August 1860, the federal census taker in Assumption Parish counted 43 slaves on Eugène Comeaux's plantation in the parish's Ninth Ward on Bayou Lafourche next to L. O. Comeaux.  Eugène died near Plattenville in October 1864.  The priest who recorded the burial said that Eugène died at "age 60 years."  He was 63.  Daughter Marie Azélie married into the Noveret family by 1870.  Eugène's two sons also married by then and settled on the upper Lafourche, but not all of the lines endured. 

Older son Jules married Victorine, daughter of Louis Darbois or Verbois and his Acadian wife Marie Carmélite Bourgeois, at the Plattenville church in January 1843.  They evidently lived briefly on the river in the mid-1850s but returned to the upper Lafourche.  Their children, born there, included Marie, also called Amanda or Almanda L., in Assumption Parish in June 1846; François Richard, called Richard, in January 1849; Hippolyte in July 1850 but, called Galbert, died in Assumption Parish the following December; Eve Élodie, called Élodie, born in June 1852; Mary Adeline, called Adeline, near Plaquemine, Iberville Parish, in January 1855; and Jules Omer, called Omer, in Assumption Parish in September 1857--six children, three daughters and three sons, between 1846 and 1857.  In August 1850, the federal census taker in Assumption Parish counted two slaves--both black females, ages 45 and 15--on Jules Comeaux's farm in the parish's Second Congressional District.  Daughter Amanda L. married into the Blanchard family by 1870 in St. James Parish.  Neither of Jules's remaining sons married by then. 

Eugène's younger son Louis Octave, called Octave, married Louise Marie, daughter of William A. Sims and Éloise Marie Sims, at the Labadieville church, Assumption Parish, in January 1856; the marriage also was recorded at the Plattenville church.  Their infant, name and age unrecorded, died in Assumption Parish in July 1856.  In August 1860, the federal census taker in Assumption Parish counted a single slave--a 26-year-old black female--on L. O. Comeaux's farm in the parish's Ninth Ward on Bayou Lafourche next to Eugène Comeaux's plantation.  Octave's wife Louise, called "Mrs. Octave Comeau, born Louise Leems," by the Plattenville priest who recorded her burial, died at age 28 in Assumption Parish in June 1866. 

Étienne (c1760-1819) à Étienne à Jean l'aîné à Pierre Comeaux

Étienne, also called Charles, second son of Alexis Comeau and Marguerite Babin of Minas and twin brother of Pierre, born probably in Maryland in c1760, followed his widowed mother and siblings to New Orleans, Fort San Luìs de Natchez, and San Gabriel, where he married Marguerite, daughter of fellow Acadians Joseph Blanchard and Marie-Jeanne Landry, in May 1792.  Their children, born at San Gabriel, included Joseph-Valéry, called Valéry, in August 1793; Marie-Clémence, called Clémence, baptized, age unrecorded, in November 1794; Marie-Constance, called Constance, born in January 1797; Gilbert in October 1798; and Marie-Carmelite, called Carmelite, in July 1801--five children, two sons and three daughters, between 1793 and 1801.  Étienne died near St. Gabriel, Iberville Parish, in December 1819.  The priest who recorded the burial said that Étienne was age 65 when he died.  He was closer to 60.  Daughters Clémence, Constance, and Carmélite married into the Landry, Gil, and Templet families.  Étienne's two sons also married, settled at St. Gabriel, and died young, but not before they married and had sons of their own.  Étienne's grandsons settled at Baton Rouge. 

Older son Joseph Valéry, called Valéry, married cousin Marcelline, daughter of fellow Acadians Grégoire Babin and Marine LeBlanc, at the St. Gabriel church in June 1819; they had to secure a dispensation for consanguinity and relationship in order to marry.  Their son Jean Luerecie or John Dugregey, called Dugregey and John D., was born near St. Gabriel in April 1820.  Valéry died near St. Gabriel in November 1822, age 29.  His son married and settled on the river. 

Only son Jean or John Dugregey, called Dugregey and John D., married Doralise Virginie, daughter of fellow Acadians Rémi Doiron and Julie Richard, at the Baton Rouge church, East Baton Rouge Parish, in February 1845.  Their children, born near Baton Rouge, included Alexine Eudora in November 1845; Armina and Élisabeth, perhaps theirs, perhaps twins, died, age unrecorded, on the same night in early November 1847; Alfred Valéry born in December 1847; and Théodore Victor in March 1850--four children, two daughters and two sons, between 1845 and 1850.  None of Jean/John's children married by 1870. 

Étienne's younger son Gilbert married Constance, daughter of George Kleinpeter and Margarita Judith Rither, at the Baton Rouge church in April 1820.  Their children, born near St. Gabriel, included Marie Marguerite in January 1821; Étienne le jeune in August 1822; Gertrude in September 1824; Virginie in July 1826; Marie Solidaire in August 1828; and Gilbert, fils in December 1830--six children, four daughters and two sons, between 1821 and 1830.  Gilbert, père died near St. Gabriel in January 1832, age 33.  None of his daughters married by 1870, but one of his sons did and settled at Baton Rouge.  He, too, died young. 

Second son Gilbert, fils married Mary Anne, also called Susan, daughter of James West and Nancy Hawes, at the Baton Rouge church in January 1852.  Their children, born near Baton Rouge, included Mary Julia in January 1853; Mary Gertrude in February 1857; Joséphine in February 1859; Mary Cornelia in December 1860; Robert in October 1862; ...  In June 1860, the federal census taker in East Baton Rouge Parish counted eight slaves--four males and four females, all black, ranging in age from 70 to 3, living in two houses--on Gilbert Comeaux's farm.  Gilbert, fils died near Baton Rouge in May 1865, age 34 (the recording priest said "age ca. 35 years").  He was buried "in the Kleinpeter cemetery."  Was his death war-related?  None of his children married by 1870. 

Pierre (c1760-?) à Étienne à Jean l'aîné à Pierre Comeaux

Pierre, third son of Alexis Comeau and Marguerite Babin of Minas and twin brother of Étienne, born probably in Maryland in c1760, followed his widowed mother and siblings to New Orleans, Fort San Luìs de Natchez, and San Gabriel, where he married Claire, daughter of fellow Acadians Jean-Charles Breau and Marie-Josèphe Landry, in January 1785.  Their daughter Marie-Constance, called Constance, was born at San Gabriel in October 1785 and married into the Domingue family.  Pierre and Claire may have had no sons or at least none who survived childhood, so this line of the family, except for its blood, did not endure in the Bayou State. 

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A small family of two Comeaus emigrated to Louisiana directly from French St.-Domingue in the late 1760s and created another family line on the lower Acadian Coast:   

Charles (c1725-?) à Étienne à Pierre Comeaux

Charles, third and youngest son of Alexandre Comeau and Marguerite Doucet, born posthumously at Annapolis Royal in October 1725, was still a bachelor when the British deported him to Connecticut in the fall of 1755.  In his early 30s, he married Marie-Marguerite, called Marguerite, daughter of fellow Acadian Joseph Babineau dit Deslauriers and Marguerite Dugas, probably in Connecticut in c1758.  Marguerite used the surname Deslauriers, not Babineau.  She gave Charles twin sons, Joseph and Pierre, born in c1759.  The couple, with two unnamed children, were still in the colony in 1763, their names appearing on a French repatriation list.  Their daughter Anne was born that year, probably after the list was compiled.  In 1764, they followed other exiles from New England to French St.-Domingue.  Their marriage was blessed at Mirebalais near Port-au-Prince in September 1764.  (Colonial authorites had sent them to the interior community to work on indigo and coffee plantations.)  Their children were baptized there in September.  Two weeks earlier, son Joseph had died at Mirebalais, age 5, on the day he was baptized.  Son Pierre died there, age 5, in October.  Marguerite gave Charles another son, also named Joseph, born at Mirebalais in November 1766.  The boy probably died soon after his birth.  The loss of their sons may have motivated Charles and Marguerite to emigrate to Spanish Louisiana in the late 1760s, perhaps with one of the Acadian parties from Maryland that transshipped at Cap-Français on their way to New Orleans in 1767 or 1768.  With them was daughter Anne.  They settled at Cabahannocer on the lower Acadian Coast and had another son there, François, born in c1768--five children, four sons and a daughter, between 1759 and 1768, in Connecticut, French St.-Domingue, and Lousiana.  Spanish officials counted Charles, Marguerite, and their remaining children, Anne and François, on the left, or east, bank of the river at Cabahannocer in January 1777.  Daughter Anne married into the Bernard, Gaudet, and Levert families.  Charles's youngest son also married and settled in what became St. James Parish, one of the few Comeauxs to remain there.  Charles's grandsons and great-grandsons settled near Convent on the east side of the river. 

Fourth and youngest son François married Marguerite, daughter of Pierre Charpentier and Jeanne Moutard of New Orleans, at Cabahannocer in February 1790.  Later in the decade they lived for a time at St.-Jean-Baptiste des Allemands on the upper German Coast below Cabahannocer.  Their children, born on the river, included Marguerite at Cabahannocer in January 1791; Charles le jeune in July 1793; François-Célestin, called Célestin, in November 1795; and Hélène-Adèle at St.-Jean-Baptiste in February 1798 but baptized in the New Orleans church in August--four children, two daughters and two sons, between 1791 and 1798.  In August 1798, at the baptism of his youngest daughter in the city, a New Orleans priest called François a "creole."  His wife was a Creole, but he was thoroughly Acadian.  François died at Cabahannocer in August 1799.  The priest who recorded the burial said François died at age 33.  He probably was 31.  Daughter Marguerite married into the Guidry family.  Both of François's sons also married, but only one of them had sons of his own.  The son and his descendants remained in St. James Parish.  

Older son Charles le jeune married Marie Joséphine, daughter of fellow Acadians Joseph Marie Bourgeois dit Cabot and Hélène LeBlanc, at the Convent church, St. James Parish, in April 1817.  Their daughter Marie Clairosine, called Clairosine, was born near Convent in March 1818.  Charles le jeune died near Convent in October 1819.  The priest who recorded the burial said that Charles was age 28 when he died.  He was 26.  Daughter Clairosine married into the Mire family.  Charles le jeune and his wife probably had no sons, so this line of the family, except perhaps for its blood, may have died with him.  

François's younger son François Célestin, called Célestin, married Scholastique, daughter of Jacques Caillouet and his Acadian wife Scholastique Theriot, at the St. James church, St. James Parish, in September 1822.  Their children, born near Convent across the river, included Célestin Numa in September 1823 but, called Numa, died near Convent, age 32, in October 1855; Marie Scholastique born in December 1825 but died at age 2 1/2 in May 1828; Thomas H. born in August 1828 but, called Thomas, died at age 15 in November 1843; Jacques or James Casimire born in March 1829[sic]; and an infant son, named and age unrecorded, died in July 1832--five children, four sons and a daughter, between 1823 and 1832.  Célestin died near Convent in December 1848.  The priest who recorded the burial said that Célestin died at "age 50 yrs."  He was 53.  In September 1850, the federal census taker in St. James Parish counted four slaves--two males and two females, all black, ranging in age from 15 to 9--on Ww. Cn. Comeau's farm in the parish's eastern district; these probably were the slaves of Célestin's widow, Scholastique Caillouet.  Her and Numa's daughter did not survive childhood, but one of their sons did, married, and settled near Convent before moving to Bayou Lafourche after the War of 1861-65. 

Third son Jacques Casimir, called James Como by the recording priest, married Azélia, daughter of fellow Acadian Olivier Thibodeaux and his Creole wife Azélie Hymel, at the Convent church in November 1857.  Did Jacques "anglicize" his name, or was this simply what the Convent priest recorded?  They moved on to Bayou Lafourche after the War of 1861-65.  Their children, born near Convent and on the Lafourche, included Marie in July 1858; Numa Félicien in June 1861; Joseph Djim, probably Jacques, in November 1863; Elizabeth Thérèse in September 1865; Louis Noe Vincent in August 1867; Thomas Félix near Thibodaux, Lafourche Parish, in September 1870; ...

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The arrival date of four more Comeaus who settled on the Acadian Coast--two wives and a widower and his son--is anyone's guess, but they likely reached the colony in the late 1760s.  One of the wives came from the French island of Martinique with her Mouton husband.  The others may have come from Halifax, Maryland, or, more likely, directly from St.-Domingue.  The widower and his son established another small family line on the lower Acadian Coast: 

Joseph (?-?) à ? à Pierre Comeaux

Joseph Comeau was a widower when he came to Louisiana in the late 1760s, his wife Anne Bourgeois having died during exile.  With him was son Charles, born in British Nova Scotia in c1749, who had followed his parents into exile.  Joseph remarried to Madeleine, daughter of fellow Acadians Joseph Babineau dit Deslauriers and Marguerite Dugas, at Cabahannocer in January 1768; this made him a brother-in-law of the Charles Comeau who had come to the colony directly from French St.-Domingue about the same time.  Madeleine, a native of Annapolis Royal, had been exiled with her family to Connecticut in 1755, followed them to St.-Domingue in 1763 or 1764, and came to Louisiana from the sugar colony with her sister and brother-in-law in the late 1760s.  Like her sister, Madeleine used the surname Deslauriers, not Babineaux.  She and Joseph settled at Cabahannocer, where she gave him at least two more children:  Marie-Madeleine born in c1769; and Louis died, age unrecorded, in February 1773--at least three children, two sons and a daughter, by two wives, between 1749 and the early 1770s, in greater Acadia and Louisiana.  Joseph does not appear in either the January 1777 or March 1779 censuses at Cabahannocer, so he probably had died by then.  Daughter Marie-Madeleine married into the St. Pierre family and died soon after her marriage.  Joseph's son by his second wife did not survive childhood, but his older son, by his first wife, did.  Though, like his younger half-sister, he died in his 20s, he nevertheless managed to father a son of his own, but the line may not have endured beyond the third generation. 

Older son Charles, by first wife Anne Bourgeois, followed his family into exile, to French St.-Domingue, New Orleans, and Cabahannocer, where he married cousin Marie, daughter of Jean Marquis and his Acadian wife Marie Comeau, in January 1773.  Their son François was baptized at Cabahannocer, age unrecorded, in September 1774.  Charles died at Cabahannocer in February 1775, age 26.  His son married, but his line of the family may not have endured. 

Only son François married Euphrosine, daughter of François Croiset or Croizet and Jeanne Carrière, "an Indian," at Cabahannocer in January 1800.  Their children, born there, included Godefroi in November 1800 but died nine days after his birth; an unnamed daughter died in March 1802, age unrecorded; Laurent born in August 1803; Nanette in March 1806; Geneviève in November 1808; and Jean François posthumously in June 1814--six children, three sons and three daughters, between 1800 and 1814.  François died in St. James Parish in January 1814.  The priest who recorded the burial said that Francois died at "age about 37 yrs."  He was closer to 40.  Did either of his two younger sons or his daughters marry? 

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The largest contingent of Comeaus to go to Louisiana did not arrive until two decades after the first of their kinsmen reached the colony.  Half a dozen Comeau families, 30 individuals in all, crossed on six of the Seven Ships from France in 1785.  Most of them chose to settle in river communities, though only one of their family lines endured there.  Others helped create a new center of family settlement on upper Bayou Lafourche. 

The first of them--a wife and her 2-year-old Comeau son--crossed on La Bergère, the second of the Seven Ships, which reached New Orleans in mid-August 1785.  They followed their fellow passengers to upper Bayou Lafourche.  No new family line came of it:

Jean-Baptiste, fils (1783-?) à Alexis à Claude à Jean le jeune dit Jean-Augustin à Pierre Comeaux

Jean-Baptiste, fils, son of Jean-Baptiste Comeau, a sailor, and Marie-Madeleine-Adélaïde Landry, was born in St.-Similien Parish, Nantes, France, in December 1783.  His father remained in France, but his mother took him to New Orleans and upper Bayou Lafourche, where he may have died young, taking his line of the family with him.  

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Three more Comeaus--a husband and his wife, and two wives and their families--crossed on Le Beaumont, the third of the Seven Ships, which reached New Orleans in late August 1785.  They chose to settle on the river and on the upper Lafourche.  No new family lines came of it:

Charles (c1747-?) à Étienne à Jean l'aîné à Pierre Comeaux

Charles, third and youngest son of Jean Comeau and his first wife Marguerite Turpin, born at Annapolis Royal or on Île Royale in c1747, was counted with his widowered father and four siblings on the north shore of Île Madame off the southern coast of Île Royale in February 1752.  The French official who counted the family noted that Charles was age 4.  In late 1758, the British deported Charles to France with his sister Marguerite, her husband Jean Dupont of Louisbourg, and his older brother David aboard the transport Duc Guillaume, which left Louisbourg in late summer and, after a mishap at sea, limped into St.-Malo harbor the first of November.  Sister Marguerite died from the rigors of the crossing, but Charles and brother David survived.  Charles resided at St.-Malo from 1758 to 1761 before moving to Plouër-sur-Rance on the west side of the river south of the Breton port.  In April 1764, still in his teens, he followed other exiles in France aboard Le Fort to the new French colony of Guiane on the northern coast of South America.  He did not remain.  He married Marie, daughter of fellow Acadians Louis Clossinet dit Moulin and Marguerite Longuépée and widow of Pierre-Mathurin Girard dit Dumoulin of St.-Coulombin Parish, Nantes, place and date unrecorded, after they returned from the South American colony.  Marie was 20 years older than Charles!  She had married her first husband on Île St.-Jean in September 1751, when Charles would have been age 4, gave her first husband two sons on the island, followed him to St.-Malo in late 1758, and lived with him at nearby Châteauneuf and St.-Servan-sur-Mer, where she gave him two more children, both daughters, before they headed to Guiane aboard Le Fort.  When she returned to France after March 1765, she likely was a childless widow, her children having died at Sinnamary of "fievre.'"  She and Charles likely had known one another in the tropical colony and may have returned to France together.  She gave him no children.  He worked as a carpenter in the mother country, probably back at St.-Malo.  The rather odd couple made their way to Paimboeuf, the lower port of Nantes, from where they emigrated to Spanish Louisiana in June 1785.  From New Orleans, they probably followed their fellow passengers to Baton Rouge.  They then disappear from the historical record.  Charles's line of the family likely died with him. 

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Two more Comeaus--a 71-year-old with his second wife, and a much younger bachelor cousin--crossed on Le St.-Rémi, the fourth of the Seven Ships, which reached New Orleans in early September 1785.  They followed their fellow passengers to upper Bayou Lafourche, where the younger Comeau, recently married, helped create a third center of family settlement:

Honoré (c1714-1780s) à Jean l'aîné à Pierre Comeaux

Honoré, oldest son of Jean-Baptiste Comeau and Anne-Marie Thibodeau of Minas, born at Ste.-Famille, Pigiguit, in c1714, married Marguerite, daughter of Michel Poirier and Marie Chiasson of Chignecto, at Beaubassin in January 1735 and settled there or at Pigiguit before moving on to Île St.-Jean in c1741.  According to Bona Arsenault, between 1737 and 1751, Marguerite gave Honoré seven children, five daughters and two sons, at Pigiguit and on Île St.-Jean:  Marie born in c1737; Rose in c1739; Anne in c1741; Pierre in c1744; Monique in c1746; Joseph in c1749; and Marguerite in c1751.  In August 1752, a French official counted Honoré, his wife, and six children, five daughters and a son, at Malpèque on the north shore of Île St.-Jean.  Older son Pierre, who would have been age 8, was not in the counting, so he likely had died by then.  The family escaped the British roundup on the island in late 1758 and likely crossed Mer Rouge to the Gulf of St. Lawrence shore.  Soon after they got there, in the late 1750s or early 1760s, they either were captured by, or surrendered to, British forces in the area and were held in a prison compound in Nova Scotia for the rest of the war.  After the war, they followed other exiles from the prison compounds to Île Miquelon, a French-controlled fishery island off the southern coast of Newfoundland where they could resume their lives as fisher/habitants.  French officials counted Honoré, Marguerite, and four of their children--Anne, Monique, Marguerite, and Joseph--on Miquelon in 1767.  One wonders what happened to daughters Marie and Rose, who would have been ages 30 and 28 that year.  To relieve overcrowding on Miquelon and nearby Île St.-Pierre, French officials, obeying a royal decree, sent most of the fisher/habitants on the Newfoundland islands to France.  Many of them returned to the islands the following year, but Honoré and members of his family remained in the mother country.  Daughter Anne, widow of Grégoire Morin, remarried into the Le Clerc family of St.-Malo on Île Miquelon in October 1774, so some of Honoré's family evidently had returned to the island after the French "deportation" of 1767.  By 1772, Honoré, now a widower, was living at Cherbourg in Normandy with members of his family.  Daughter Marguerite married into the Broussard family there in July 1773.  That year, Honoré and his younger son Joseph, now married to Anne, daughter of fellow Acadians François Doucet and Marie Carret, and father of a son, Jean, participated in the major settlement venture in the interior of Poitou.  Marguerite and her husband may have followed them there.  In December 1775, after two years of effort, Honoré and Joseph, and perhaps Marguerite and her husband, retreated with other Poitou Acadians down the Vienne and the Loire from Châtellerault to the port of Nantes.  Honoré, at age 70, remarried to Anastasie, 45-year-old daughter of fellow Acadians Célestin dit Bellemère and Marie Landry and widow of Jean-Baptiste Boudrot, at St.-Martin de Chantenay near Nantes in August 1784.  The following year, he, his wife, and two Boudrot stepsons emigrated to Spanish Louisiana and followed their fellow passengers from New Orleans to upper Bayou Lafourche.  Honoré, in fact, was one of the oldest Acadian exiles to go to the Spanish colony.  He died there by January 1788, in his early 70s, when his wife was called a widow in a Bayou Lafourche census.  Honoré's daughter Marguerite and her Broussard husband had followed him to Louisiana in 1785 but had joined his Broussard kinsmen on the western prairies.  Son Joseph, however, had not followed his father and sister to the Spanish colony.  Joseph died in St.-Nicolas Parish, La Rochelle, France, in September 1782, age 33, so he had not remained at Nantes.  He may have taken his family back to Île Miquelon before 1778, when the British captured the Newfoundland islands during the American Revolution and deported the fisher/habitants there to La Rochelle and other French ports.  One thing is certain:  Joseph's son Jean, who would have been age 16 in 1785, if he was still living, did not follow his paternal grandfather to Spanish Louisiana, so Honoré's line of the family did not endure in the Bayou State. 

Mathurin (c1760-1805) à Claude à Jean le jeune dit Jean-Augustin à Pierre Comeaux

Mathurin, oldest son of Simon Comeau and Marie-Madeleine Thériot of Minas, born at Bristol, England, in August 1760, lost his father there soon after his birth.  In May 1763, Mathurin followed his widowed mother to St.-Malo, France, aboard La Dorothée.  In 1764 and 1765, he lived with her at Plouër-sur-Rance on the west side of the river south of the Breton port and in the St.-Malo suburb St.-Servan-sur-Mer.  His mother remarried to a widowered Thériot cousin in July 1766, but she died in May of the following year, age 28.  Mathurin was raised probably by relatives and became a sailor in France.  Still a bachelor, he followed other exiles to Spanish Louisiana.  Soon after his arrival, he married fellow passenger Sophie-Marie, daughter of fellow Acadians Joseph Hébert and his second wife Marie Benoit, at New Orleans in October 1785.  They followed her family to upper Bayou Lafourche.  Their children, born on the upper bayou, included Sophie-Marie in March 1788; Jean-Charles in December 1790; Marie-Isabelle in February 1792; Éloise- Héloise- or Louise-Marie, called Louise, in February 1794; Françoise-Marie in May 1795; Jean-Pierre, called Jean, in July 1799; Charles-Raymond in August 1801; and Jean-Baptiste-Zéphirin in April 1803--eight children, four daughters and four sons, between 1788 and 1803.  Mathurin died by May 1805, when his wife remarried at Assumption on the upper Lafourche.  Her and Mathurin's daughters Sophie and Louise married Bélanger brothers from Baton Rouge on the upper bayou.  Only one of Mathurin's sons married.  He settled in Terrebonne Parish, probably the first of the Comeauxs to go there. 

Second son Jean Pierre, called Jean, married, at age 22, Marie Marguerite, called Marguerite, daughter of fellow Acadian Julien Crochet and his Creole wife Marguerite Bélanger, in a civil ceremony in Terrebonne Parish in January 1823.  Their children, born probably near the boundary between Terrebonne and Lafourche Interior Parish, included Marguerite Émelie, called Émilie, in July 1825; Adèle in January 1827; Odalise Geneviève, called Geneviève, in December 1828; Henry Julien in March 1831; Jean Baptiste in February 1833; Jean Élie, called Élie, in April 1835; and Eve Émelina, also called Evélina and Nerina in March 1840--seven children, four daughters and three sons, between 1825 and 1840.  Jean died in Terrebonne Parish in November 1848.  The Houma priest who recorded the burial said that Jean died "at age 51 yrs."  He was 49.  A petition for succession inventory in his name, calling his wife Mad. Marguerite and listing his children and some of their spouses--Émilie and her husband, Geneviève and her husband, Adèle and her husband, Henri, Nerina (Evélina), and Élie--was filed at the Houma courthouse in May 1855.  Daughters Émilie, Adèle, Geneviève, and Evelina married into the Bergeron, Bélanger, and Marcel families, two of them to Bergeron brothers, by 1870.  One of Jean's sons also married by then and remained in Terrebonne Parish. 

Third and youngest son Jean Élie, called Élie, married Marie Lutetia, called Lutetia, daughter of fellow Acadians Jean Baptiste Bergeron and Joséphine Pitre, at the Houma church in October 1855.  Their children, born in Terrebonne Parish, included Désiré Lucian in July 1857; Henri Alfred in December 1858; Léontine Octavie in June 1864; Ernest Albert near Montegut in August 1869; ... 

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Eight more Comeaus--a family of seven, and a Comeau wife--crossed on L'Amitié, the fifth of the Seven Ships, which reached New Orleans in early November 1785.  The wife and her husband elected to go to Attakapas, but the large family followed most of their fellow passengers to upper Bayou Lafourche.  Despite the size of the family, no new Comeau family line resulted.

Benoît (c1737-?) à Pierre l'aîné dit L'Esturgeon à Pierre Comeaux

Benoît, only son of Maurice Comeau and Marguerite Thibodeau, born at Chepoudy in c1737, followed his parents into exile on the Gulf of St. Lawrence shore in 1755 and into imprisonment in Nova Scotia later in the decade or in the early 1760s.  Benoît married Anne, daughter of Toussaint Blanchard and Angélique Bertrand of Petitcoudiac, in c1762 perhaps in the prison compound at Chédabouctou on the Atlantic shore of Nova Scotia.  They followed their families to Île Miquelon in 1764.  According to Bona Arsenault, Anne gave Benoît two sons soon after their marriage:  Pierre born in c1764; and Jean in c1765.  In 1767, Benoît and his family, along with other fisher/habitants on Miquelon, were "deported" by French officials to France.  Most of the islanders returned to Miquelon in 1768, but Benoît and his family remained in France.  French officials counted them at St.-Pol-de-Léon near Morlaix in northwest Brittany in 1768, after which they crossed the channel to Cherbourg in Normandy.  From 1769 to 1773, Anne gave Benoît three daughters there:  Marie-Anne-Victoire born in c1769; Anne-Eléonore in February 1771; and Marguerite-Anastasie in May 1773.  Benoît worked as a carpenter in Cherbourg.  In 1773 or 1774, Benoît and his family may have been part of the settlement venture in Poitou and, after two years of effort, retreated with other Poitou Acadians to the lower Loire port of Nantes.  Anne gave Benoît another daughter, Rose-Julie, born at Chantenay near Nantes in September 1779.  Benoît, Anne, five of their children, a son and four daughters, along with Anne's younger sister Madeleine, emigrated to Louisiana in 1785.  Their older son Pierre, who, if he was still living, would have been age 21 in 1785, did not accompany them to the Spanish colony.  Anne was pregnant on the voyage and give birth to another daughter, Claire-Adélaïde, at sea--seven children, two sons and five daughters, between 1764 and 1785, in greater Acadia, France, and aboard a ship on its way to Louisiana.  From New Orleans, they followed their fellow passengers to upper Bayou Lafourche.  Daughters Marie-Anne-Victoire, Anne-Eléonore, Marguerite-Anastasie, Rose-Julie, and Claire-Adélaïde married into the Richard, Hébert, LeBlanc, Guillot, and Chiasson families on the upper Lafourche.  Daughter Anne-Eléonore followed her Hébert husband to the Opelousas prairies.  Youngest daughter Claire died in Lafourche Parish in July 1867, age 81--one of the last Acadian immigrants in Louisiana to join her ancestors.  Benoît's remainiing son Jean, who was age 19 when he reached the colony, evidently did not create a family of his own there, so this family line, except for its blood, did not endure in the Bayou State.  

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Fourteen more Comeaus--nine in one family, five in another led by a widow, and a wife and her family, the largest single group of Comeaus to come to Louisiana--crossed on La Ville d'Archangel, the sixth of the Seven Ships, which reached New Orleans from St.-Malo in early December 1785.  The Comeaus followed their fellow passengers to the new Acadian community of Bayou des Écores in the New Feliciana District north of Baton Rouge, but none of them remained.  One of the large family's sons resettled at Baton Rouge, while his brothers joined their cousins on upper Bayou Lafourche and created three more lines there.  Only one of the widow's three sons married, at Baton Rouge, but his family line did not endure: 

Simon (c1760-1805) à Jean le jeune dit Jean-Augustin à Pierre Comeaux

Simon, oldest son of Jean-Baptiste Comeau and Marie Aucoin, born probably at Rivière-aux-Canards, Minas, in c1741, followed his family to Virginia in 1755 and to England in 1756.  He married cousin Marguerite-Geneviève Aucoin in England in c1763 on the eve of their repatriation to France.  In May 1763, Simon, his bride, and his two younger brothers sailed aboard La Dorothée to St.-Malo with dozens of other Acadian refugees from England.  Simon and his family lived at Plouër-sur-Rance, on the west side of the river south of the Breton port, before moving to the St.-Malo suburb of St.-Servan-sur-Mer, where Simon may have worked in the maritime trade.  Marguerite gave Simon 11 children at Plouër and St.-Servan:  Marie-Luce born at Plouër in January 1764; Élisabeth-Madeleine in November 1765; Marie-Madeleine at St.-Servan in March 1767; Félicité-Augustine in May 1769; Jean-Baptiste in May 1771; Claire-Sophie in May 1773; Alexandre-Simon in March 1775; Pierre-Paul in August 1776; Marguerite-Françoise in April 1778; Charles-Simon in January 1781 but died at age 2 in January 1783; and Joseph-Marie born in March 1785--six daughters and five sons, between 1764 and 1785, most of whom survived childhood.  As the birth of their children attest, Simon and Marguerite did not follow their fellow exiles from England to Belle-Île-en-Mer off the southern coast of Brittany in November 1765, nor did they participate in the even larger settlement scheme in the interior of Poitou in the early 1770s or join their fellow Acadians at Nantes.  Instead, they remained at St.-Servan-sur-Mer, perhaps because of Simon's work.  Simon, Marguerite, and eight of their children, four sons and four daughters, ages 21 to infant, emigrated to Spanish Louisiana in 1785.  Their fifth and sixth daughters Claire and Marguerite-Françoise, who would have been ages 12 and 7 in 1785, did not accompany their family to Louisiana, so they probably had died before the family's crossing.  Wife Marguerite either did not survive the voyage to Louisiana or her time at Bayou des Écores.  Simon, a young son, three older sons, and three daughters, but no wife, were counted at Bayou des Écores in 1793, among the few Acadians still there.  After a series of hurricanes decimated the community soon afterwards, Simon took most of his family to upper Bayou Lafourche, where they were counted in 1795.  He did not remarry.  He died in Assumption Parish on the upper Lafourche in June 1818, age 77.  At Bayou des Écores and on the upper Lafourche, daughters Élisabeth-Madeleine, Marie-Madeleine, and Félicité-Augustine married into the Marion, Renaud, Bourg, Aucoin, and Poulosky or Pulasky families.  Oldest daughter Marie-Luce did not marry.  All four of Simon's remaining sons married and settled at Baton Rouge or on the upper Lafourche. 

Oldest son Jean-Baptiste followed his family to New Orleans and Bayou des Écores, where, at age 20, he married Marie-Josèphe, 24-year-old daughter of fellow Acadians Jean Bourg and his first wife Anne-Josèphe Daigre, in February 1792.  Marie-Josèphe, a native of Pleudihen-sur-Rance across the river from Plouër-sur-Rance, also had come to Louisiana aboard La Ville d'Archangel.  When Jean-Baptiste's family moved on to the upper Lafourche, he and Marie-Josèphe went, instead, to Baton Rouge.  Their daughter Judith likely was born there in the early 1790s, and the complications of her birth may have killed her mother.  Jean Baptiste, still in his 20s, remarried to Julie-Thérèse or Thérèse-Julie, also called Juliènne, daughter of fellow Acadians Ambroise Bourg and Marie-Modeste Molaison, probably at Baton Rouge in the mid- or late 1790s.  Julie, a native of Cherbourg, also had come to Louisiana from France aboard La Ville d'Archangel.  Their children, born at Baton Rouge, included Julie-Eléonore in January 1796; Simon-Pierre in December 1797; Jean, fils baptized, age 1, in August 1801; Marie-Clémence born in December 1802; Alexis in c1804 but died near Baton Rouge, age 40, in November 1844; another Julie born in May 1805; Thomas in 1808; Constance Caroline in September 1811; and Sophie in August 1814--10 children, six daughters and four sons, by two wives, between the early 1790s and 1814.  Daughters Judith, Julie, and Constance Caroline, by both wives, married into the Hommie and Longuépée families, two of them to Longuépée brothers.  Only one of Jean Baptiste's sons married.  He remained on the river. 

Oldest son Simon-Pierre, by second wife Julie Bourg, married Marie Rose, daughter of François Seguin and Pélagie ____, at the Baton Rouge church, East Baton Rouge Parish, in January 1824.  They settled across the river in West Baton Rouge Parish.  Their children, born there, included Simon Jean Baptiste in October 1824; Auguste or Augustin in September 1826 but died at age 2 in September 1828; Zéolide Arthémise born in October 1828 but died at age 2 1/2 in April 1831; Azélie Alzire born in September 1831; Marie Éloise in January 1834; Rosalie in November 1837; and Gilbert in March 1840--seven children, three sons and four daughters, between 1824 and 1840.  None of Simon Pierre's remaining daughters married by 1870, if they married at all, but one of his sons did.

Oldest son Simon Jean Baptiste "of West Baton Rouge Parish" married Irma, daughter of André Lemoine and Brigitte Paillot of West Baton Rouge Parish, at the Baton Rouge church in July 1846.  They settled near Brusly, West Baton Rouge Parish.  Their children, born there, included Émilio in March 1848; Amédée in December 1851; Zéolide Adonia in September 1853; and Marie Amélie or Amelia, called Amelia, in December 1855.  Simon Jean Baptiste remarried to first cousin Julie Ludivine, daughter of fellow Acadians Simon Longuépée and Sophie Comeaux, his uncle and aunt, at the Brusly church in May 1859; they had to secure a dispensation for second degree of consanguinity in order to marry.  Their son Joseph Aristide was born near Brusly in March 1860--five children, three sons and two daughters, by two wives, between 1848 and 1860.  Daughter Amelia, by his first wife, married into the Legendre family by 1870.  None of Simon Jean Baptiste's sons married by then. 

Simon's second son Alexandre-Simon, also called Alexis, followed his family to New Orleans, Bayou des Écores, and upper Bayou Lafourche, where he married Marguerite-Anne, daughter of fellow Acadians François Blanchard and Hélène Giroir, in February 1799.  Marguerite-Anne, a native of Nantes, had come to Louisiana from France aboard an earlier ship in 1785.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Simon-Joseph, called Simonet and Simonin, in November 1799; Apollinaire in February 1801 but died at age 18 in June 1819; François baptized, age unrecorded, in March 1803; Antoine Eusèbe born in December 1804; Jean Baptiste le jeune in November 1807; Alexandre Simon, fils in July 1809; Adèle Marguerite, perhaps also called Margaret, in April 1812; Zélie, probably Azélie, in May 1814; Louis François in November 1815; Clémentine in November 1817; Élisa in November 1820; and a daughter, name unrecorded, died eight days after her birth in September 1821--a dozen children, seven sons and five daughters, between 1799 and 1821.  Alexandre Simon, père died in Assumption Parish in July 1837, age 62.  Daughters Azélie, Margaret, and Clémentine married into the Bertrand, Vining, and Hayes families, two of them on lower Bayou Teche.  Six of Alexandre Simon's sons also married.  The two older ones remained on Bayou Lafourche.  The four younger ones moved to lower Bayou Teche during the antebellum period, but two of them returned to Assumption Parish in the 1850s. 

Oldest son Simon-Joseph, called Simonet and Simonin, married Eulalie, daughter of fellow Acadians Jean Gaudet and his second wife Eulalie Guédry, at the Plattenville church, Assumption Parish, in April 1825.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Scholastique Adelina in July 1826 but, called Adelina, died at age 6 1/2 in November 1832; Simonet Jean Baptiste, called Jean Baptiste, born in September 1827; Eulalie in May 1829; Marguerite in December 1830; Antoine Désiré in May 1832 but, called Antoine, died at age 22 in March 1855; Marie born in September 1834; Joséphine in September 1837; Édouard Désiré in January 1839; and Eulalie Léonide Ernestine, called Léonide, in April 1842--nine children, six daughters and three sons, between 1826 and 1842.  Simonet died near Plattenville in October 1854, a month shy of age 55.  Daughters Marguerite, Marie, Léonide, Eulalie, and Joséphine married into the Friou, Hébert, Aucoin, Foret, David, and Bertrand families, one of them, Marie, twice, by 1870.  One of Simonet's sons also married by then.

Oldest son Jean Baptiste, at age 38, married Evéline, daughter of fellow Acadians André Boudreaux and Pauline Foret and widow of François Gaspard, at the Plattenville church in April 1865; they had to secure a dispensation for second degree of affinity in order to marry.  Their children, born near Plattenville, included Paul Homer in January 1866; Alcide in May 1868; ... 

Alexandre-Simon's third son François married Rose Adélaïde, daughter of fellow Acadians François Georges Bourg and Adélaïde Bertrand, at the Plattenville church in February 1825.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Adrien François in August 1828; and Marcellin posthumously in July 1830.  François died in Assumption Parish in December 1829.  The priest who recorded the burial said that François was age 28 when he died.  He probably was closer to 25.  One of his sons married and followed his uncles to St. Mary Parish, but the line may not have endured. 

Younger son Marcellin "of St. Mary Parish" married Lucie or Lucille, daughter of fellow Acadians Apollinaire Girouard and Marie Théotiste Aucoin, at the Thibodaux church, Lafourche Parish, in September 1857.  Marcellin rejoined his uncles in St. Mary Parish in the early 1860s but returned to upper Bayou Lafourche later in the decade.  Marcellin and Lucille's children, born there, included Emma Maria near Pattersonville in St. Mary Parish in August 1859; Marie Eve in Lafourche Parish in April 1866; and Marie Lumina in November 1867--three children, all daughters, between 1859 and 1867.  In July 1860, the federal census taker in Assumption Parish counted two slaves--a 21-year-old black female, and an 8-month-old black male, living in their own house--on Marcelin Comeaux's farm in the parish's Fourteenth Ward along Bayou L'Ours.  Marcellin died near Paincourtville, Assumption Parish, in December 1868.  The priest who recorded the burial, and who did not give any parents' names or mention a wife, said that Marcelin died at "age ca. 37 years."  He was 38.  He was one of the few Comeauxs who lived in Lafourche Parish.  Except perhaps for its blood, his family line evidently did not endure. 

Alexandre Simon's fourth son Antoine Eusèbe married fellow Acadian Élisa LeBlanc in a civil ceremony in St. Mary Parish in October 1829.  They lived in Assumption Parish before returning to the lower Teche, where Antoine became a major planter in St. Mary Parish.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche and the lower Teche, included Clémentine in Assumption Parish in July 1830; Zénoïde Antoinette in April 1832; Désiré in June 1834; Hélaine in April 1837; Alexandre Aristide near New Iberia, St. Martin Parish, in June 1846; Joseph Ernest near Pattersonville, St. Mary Parish, in August 1849; Scholastique Evela in September 1850; and Louisa near Charenton in June 1853 but died in St. Martin Parish at age 10 1/2 in September 1864.  A succession for wife Élisa, calling her Élize and naming her husband, was filed at the Franklin courthouse in December 1857.  In December 1850, the federal census taker in St. Mary Parish counted 34 slaves--23 males and 11 females, all black, ranging in age from 80 to 1--on Antoine Comeaux's plantation.  In June 1860, the federal census taker in St. Mary Parish counted 77 slaves on Antoine Comeau's plantation in the parish's western district--enough to make him one of the state's major planters.  In the June 1860 federal census for St. Mary Parish, Antoine Comau, described as age 50 (he was actually age 55) who had real estate valued at $75,000 and a personal estate of $80,000, was listed only with youngest daughter Louisa, age 6.  One wonders where were the rest of his many children.  Antoine, at age 60, remarried to Anne or Anna Raymond, daughter of Bertrand Audibert and Marie Bertrande Mistrot, at the New Iberia church, then in St. Martin but now in Iberia Parish, in March 1864.  They remained on the lower Teche.  Their daughter Marie Zelmire was born near New Iberia in December 1864; ...  Antoine's daughter Clémentine, by his first wife, married into the Charpantier family in St. Mary Parish by 1870.  One of Antoine's sons also married by then and returned to the upper Lafourche. 

Oldest son Désiré, by first wife Élisa LeBlanc, married Clara Bertrand probably in St. Mary Parish in the late 1850s or early 1860s.  They returned to upper Bayou Lafourche during the 1860s, perhaps soon after the War of 1861-65.  Their children, born on the lower Teche and the upper Lafourche, included Emma Ernestine near Charenton, St. Mary Parish, in December 1862; Félix near Plattenville, Assumption Parish, in May 1866; Palmire Victoria; Jean Edgard in March 1870; ...

Alexandre Simon's fifth son Jean Baptiste le jeune married Marie Adèle, daughter of fellow Acadians Auguste Doiron and Anne Daigle, in a civil ceremony in St. Mary Parish in January 1836, and sanctified the marriage at the Plattenville church the following month.  Evidently they lived in Assumption Parish before joining his brothers on lower Bayou Teche, but they seem to have returned to upper Bayou Lafourche by the early 1850s.  Their children, born on the lower Teche and the upper Lafourche, included Octavie Adélie near Plattenville in December 1836; Armand near New Iberia in May 1842; Marie Civilia near Plattenville in June 1847; Jean Baptiste Arestile or Orestile near Pattersonville, St. Mary Parish, in February 1849; and Auguste Aurelien near Plattenville in July 1854--five children, two daughters and three sons, between 1836 and 1854.  None of Jean Baptiste le jeune's children married by 1870. 

Alexandre Simon's sixth son Alexandre Simon, fils married Augustine, also called Azéma, daughter of Adélard Verret and Augustine Gation, in a civil ceremony in St. Mary Parish in July 1832, and sanctified the marriage at the Plattenville church in April 1833.  Evidently they, too, lived in Assumption Parish before joining his brothers on lower Bayou Teche.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche and the lower Teche, included Joseph Sérpahin in Assumption Parish in December 1834; Louis Télésphore in September 1836; and Édouard in either Assumption or St. Mary Parish in the late 1830s or early 1840s--three children, all sons, between 1834 and the late 1830s or early 1840s.  Alexandre, fils's succession, naming his wife, was filed at the Franklin courthouse, St. Mary Parish, in January 1852.  He would have been age 43 that year.  One of his sons married by 1870.

Youngest son Édouard married Teresa, daughter of Auguste Trastour and ____ Barrabino, at the Charenton church, St. Mary Parish, in July 1864.  Daughter Marie Eulalie Emmo was born near Franklin in September 1870; ...

Alexandre Simon, père's seventh and youngest son Louis François married Nancy, daughter of Conrad Hartman, in a civil ceremony in St. Mary Parish in February 1843, but they returned to the upper Lafourche perhaps during the war. Their children, born on the lower Teche and the upper Lafourche, included Marie Evélina in early 1846 and baptized, age 10 1/2 months, at the Charenton church, St. Mary Parish, in May 1847; Antoine Ferdinand born near Pattersonville, St. Mary Parish, in November 1849; François Louis in September 1853; Conrad Adolphe, called Adolphe, in March 1855; Marie Corine near Brashear, now Morgan, City, St. Mary Parish, in September 1861; Alcide Didière probably near Plattenville, Assumption Parish, in February 1864 but died there at age 2 in June 1866; David born near Plattenville in February 1866; Joseph Alexandre in January 1870; ...  In December 1850, the federal census taker in St. Mary Parish counted two slaves--both males, both black, both age 40--on Louis Comeaux's farm.  He and his family were living near Brashear, now Morgan, City, on the lower Atchafalaya at the southern end of St. Mary Parish, in 1861, but the baptismal records of their children show that they returned to upper Bayou Lafourche later in the decade.  None of Louis François's children married by 1870. 

Simon's third son Pierre-Paul followed his family to New Orleans, Bayou des Écores, and upper Bayou Lafourche.  Spanish officials were still counting him there with his father in the late 1780s and early 1790s.  Pierre Paul married Marie-Clémence, called Clémence, daughter of René dit Simon Simoneaux and his first wife Isabelle Luce Daigle, an Acadian, at Assumption in the early 1800s.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Eustache in January 1808; Rosalie Féline in September 1809; Simon Rosémond in September 1811; Alexandre Hyacinthe in September 1813 but died at age 2 in August 1815; Marie Eurasie, called Eurasie, born in August 1815; and Louis Ulysse in March 1818--six children, four sons and two daughters, between 1808 and 1818.  Pierre Paul died by March 1821, when he was listed as deceased in his youngest son's baptismal record.  Daughters Rosalie and Eurasie married into the Giroir and Moïse families.  Pierre Paul's remaining sons also married, and one of them settled in Terrebonne Parish.  The others remained in Assumption Parish. 

Oldest son Eustache, in his early 40s, married Rose Adélaïde, called Adélaïde, daughter of fellow Acadians Nicolas Thibodeaux and Mélanie Basilise Lejeune, at the Houma church, Terrebonne Parish, in September 1850.  Their children, born in Terrebonne Parish, included Eustache Zémi or Ozémé, called Ozémé, at Bayou Black in August 1851; Joseph in September 1853; Gustine Aimée or Émée, called Émée, in September 1855; Alexis Octave in September 1857; Émile Adam, called Adam, in February 1860; Augustin Ernest in December 1861 but evidently died at age 1 in December 1862; Trasimond, also called Justin Trasimond, born in April 1864; and Eve probably in the 1860s--eight children, six sons and two daughters, between 1851 and the 1860s.  Eustache died in Terrebonne Parish in June 1866, age 58.  A "Petition for inventory & tutor," naming his wife and listing his children--Ozémé, Émée, Alexis, Adam, Justin Trasimond, and Eve--was filed at the Houma courthouse in December 1866.  None of his children married by 1870. 

Pierre Paul's second son Simon Rosémond married Azélie, also called Rosalie, Adèlie, and Arelite, daughter of fellow Acadians Pierre Hébert and Élisabeth Mazerolle, at the Plattenville church in December 1833.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Ursin in c1835; Marie Asélie, called Asélie and Amasélie, in August 1836; twins Marie Alexandrine and Marie Augustine, called Augustine dite Justine, in March 1838; Victorine Alphonsine, called Alphonsine, in April 1841; Adelina or Adeline n May 1843; Marie Léonine, called Léonine, in November 1846; Adolphe in January 1850; and Joseph Ulisse in July 1853--nine children, six daughters and three sons, including a set of twins, between 1836 and 1853.  Simon died near Plattenville in January 1866, age 54 (the recording priest, who gave no paernts' names or mentioned a wife, said 58).  Daughters Amasélie, Augustine, and Léonine married into the Crochet, Landry, and Campeau families by 1870.  Only one of Simon Rosémond's sons married by then and settled near Pierre Part on the north shore of Lake Verret. 

Oldest son Ursin married cousin Sidalise, daughter of Marcellin Simoneaux and his Acadian wife Mélanie Landry, at the Plattenville church in September 1855.  Their children, born in Assumption Parish, included Joseph Osémé near Paincourtville in October 1856; Élizabeth Émée in September 1858 but, called Émé, died at age 6 months (the recording priest said "3-4 months") in March 1859; Marie Odele born near Pierre Part in February 1860; Sylvestre Anatole Léonore in December 1861; Jean Baptiste Sostène in April 1864; Louise Élodie in January 1866; Marie Albertine in April 1868; Émile Albert in July 1870; ...

Pierre Paul's fourth and youngest son Louis Ulysse married Augustine dite Justine, daughter of Augustin Campos and his Acadian wife Émelie Hébert, at the Plattenville church in February 1839.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Clémentine Augustine in November 1839; Louisa Émelie in February 1843; Alexandre Merville in December 1844 but, called Meuville, died at age 23 in December 1867; Augustin Pierre born in February 1847; Honoré in December 1848; Joseph Dosilia in February 1851; and Étienne Désiré in December 1853--seven children, two daughters and five sons, between 1839 and 1853.  Louis died near Plattenville in November 1854, age 36 (the recording priest said 37).  Daughter Clémentine married a Simoneaux cousin by 1870.  None of Louis's sons married by then. 

Simon's fifth and youngest son Joseph-Marie followed his family to New Orleans, Bayou des Écores, and upper Bayou Lafourche, where, being the youngest child in his family, he probably delayed creating a family of his own to care for his aging father.  At age 37, Joseph Marie married Marie Célesie, called Célesie or Céleste, another daughter of Pierre Hébert and  Élisabeth Mazerolle, at the Plattenville church in January 1822, four years after his father died.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Marie Alexandrine in December 1822; Joseph Léon, called Léon, in January 1826 but, called Léon, died near Plattenville, age 44 (the recording priest gave no age at the time of his death), in July 1870; Alexi Gédéon born in August 1828; Marie Adélaïde in April 1832 but, called Adèlle, died at age 1 1/2 in October 1833; Jean Baptiste Duval, called Duval, born in February 1835; Élisabeth Élesie in December 1837; Marguerite Léontine in July 1841; and Alexandre Simon le jeune in May 1846, when his father was in his early 60s--eight children, four daughters and four sons, between 1822 and 1846.  Joseph Marie, called Joseph by the recording priest, died in Assumption Parish in June 1850, age 65 (the recording priest said 66).  His remaining daughters did not marry by 1870, but one of his sons did.

Third son Jean Baptiste Duval, called Duval, married Amélie, daughter of fellow Acadians Hippolyte Breaux and Hélène Duhon, at the Plattenville church in February 1859.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Marie Ugénie Miriènne in January 1860; Célina Albertine in April 1863; Joseph Albert Ernest in September 1866; ... 

Élie-Marie (1765-1815) à Jean-Baptiste à Jean le jeune dit Jean-Augustin à Pierre Comeaux

Élie-Marie, also called Charles and Louis, oldest son of Joseph Comeau and Marie Thériot, born at St.-Servan-sur-Mer near St.-Malo, France, in November 1765, followed his widowed mother and siblings to New Orleans and Bayou des Écores.  He did not remain there.  Perhaps after his mother and younger brothers died, he moved downriver to Baton Rouge, where he married Marie-Renée, also called Irène, daughter of fellow Acadians Simon-Pierre Trahan and Marie-Josèphe Granger, in April 1795.  Marie-Renée, a native of Belle-Île-en-Mer, had come to Louisiana from France in 1785 aboard an earlier vessel.  Their children, born at Baton Rouge, included Joseph-Célestin baptized at Pointe Coupée, age 11 months, in May 1801; Marie-Éloise of -Élise born in July 1802; Marie Adélaïde in February 1808; and Reine Bellonie or Mélanie, called Mélanie, in September 1811--four children, a son and two daughters, between 1801 and 1811.  Élie died probably at Baton Rouge by November 1815, when his wife remarried there.  Daughters Marie Élise and Mélanie married into the Lopez and Martinez families.  Élie's only son evidently died young, so only the blood of this family line may have endured. 

Joseph-Mathurin (1767-?) à Jean-Baptiste à Jean le jeune dit Jean-Augustin à Pierre Comeaux

Joseph-Mathurin, second son of Joseph Comeau and Marie Thériot, born at St.-Servan-sur-Mer, France, in September 1767, followed his widowed mother and siblings to New Orleans and Bayou des Écores, where he may have died young.  

Simon-Pierre (1769-?) à Jean-Baptiste à Jean le jeune dit Jean-Augustin à Pierre Comeaux

Simon-Pierre, third and youngest son of Joseph Comeau and Marie Thériot, born at St.-Servan-sur-Mer, France, in October 1769, followed his widowed mother and siblings to New Orleans and Bayou des Écores, where he also may have died young. 

.

A Comeau wife arrived with her husband and children aboard La Caroline, the last of the Seven Ships, which reached New Orleans in late December 1785.  They were among the few Acadian immigrants from France who chose to settle in the Opelousas District, where many of the wife's cousins had settled.

Cormier

Robert Cormier, born in c1610, son perhaps of Abraham Cormier and Catherine Le Mayne of Dieppe, France, became a master ship's carpenter in his native city of La Rochelle.  In January 1644, while living in that port city, Robert signed an indenture calling for three years service at 120 livres per annum with Louis Tuffet, commander of Fort St.-Pierre, a post maintained by Cardinal Richelieu's Company on Cape Breton Island.  Accompanied by wife Marie Péraud and two young sons, Thomas and Jean, Robert sailed from La Rochelle aboard Le Petit St.-Pierre and reached Fort St.-Pierre in late spring of 1644.  According to Bona Arsenault, after he fulfulled his indenture, Robert stayed on at Fort St.-Pierre, now St. Peter's, Nova Scotia, until 1650, when he took his family to Port-Royal and lived a long life there.  Family genealogist Michael Melanson speculates, however, probably more accurately, that Robert and his family, including older son Thomas, then only age 9, returned to La Rochelle with the other workers hired by Tuffet when the Fort St.-Pierre concession ended in May 1645.  They would have returned to La Rochelle aboard the 50-ton supply ship L'Étoille, which had reached Cape Breton in December of 1645 to take the engagés back home.  Arsenault, however, would have us believe that Robert remained at Port-Royal after he left Fort St.-Pierre and died there in February 1712, age 101!  It is more likely that Robert, Marie, and younger son Jean never returned to New France.  Not so older son Thomas.  He took up the trade of his father probably at La Rochelle.  Melanson speculates that Thomas would have been unable to return to the colony when he came of age because the English had seized Port-Royal in 1654, the year Thomas turned 18, effectively ending immigration from France.  What is certain is that a carpenter named Thomas Cormier, son of Robert of La Rochelle, was working at his trade at Port-Royal, and likely farming there as well, soon after the English returned Acadia to France in 1667.  In 1668, at age 32, Thomas Cormier finally started a family of his own when he married Marie-Madeleine, called Madeleine, 14-year-old daughter of François Girouard and Jean Aucoin of Port-Royal.  Between 1670 and 1688, Madeleine gave Thomas 10 children, six daughters and four sons, first at Port-Royal and then at Chignecto, which Thomas helped to pioneer in the late 1670s.  Five of their daughters married into the Boudrot, Haché dit Gallant, Cyr, and Poirier families.  All four of Thomas's sons married LeBlancs--three sisters and a first cousin--from Grand-Pré.  The sons remained at Chignecto, specifically at Ouescoque on lower Rivière La Planche, as did their sons.  The Cormiers, in fact, were among the few early Acadian families that did not branch out to other Fundy settlements.  Most, if not all, of them settled at Ouescoque, today's Amherst Point, Nova Scotia, on the east side of a bend of the Cumberland Basin southeast of the village of Beaubassin.  Not until the petit dérangement of the early 1750s did members of the family leave Chignecto to escape the chaos in the region, and even then only a few of them bothered.  Le Grand Dérangement of the 1750s scattered this large but compact family to the winds. 

The Acadians at Chignecto were the first to endure a disruption of their lives.  During the spring and summer of 1750, in response to the British building a fort at Beaubassin village, Canadian militia, assisted by Abbé Le Loutre and his Mi'kmaq warriors, burned Acadian homesteads east of Rivière Missaguash, forcing the habitants there to move to the French-controlled area west of the river.  The Cormiers at Ouescoque were among the refugees affected by this petit dérangement.  After yet another war erupted between Britain and France in 1754, Chignecto Acadians were caught in the middle of it.  When British and New England forces attacked Fort Beauséjour in June 1755, Cormiers were among the area Acadians who were serving in the fort as militia.  They, too, along with the French troupes de la marine, became prisoners of war when the fort surrendered on June 16.   Lieutenant-Governor Charles Lawrence was so incensed to find so-called French Neutrals fighting with French regulars at Beauséjour he ordered his officers to deport the Chignecto-area Acadians to the southernmost seaboard colonies. 

One of the Acadian fighters captured at Beauséjour, Pierre dit Pierrot, son of Pierre dit Palette and Cécile Thibodeau and grandson of Thomas's son Pierre, escaped from a British transport headed for South Carolina and rejoined his family at Petitcoudiac in the trois-rivières area west of Chignecto.  Pierrot led them to Ste.-Anne-du-Pays-Bas on lower Rivière St.-Jean, where they lingered.  In late 1758, after the fall of the French fortress of Louisbourg on Île Royale, British raiding parties attacked the Acadian settlements on the lower St.-Jean and drove the Cormiers and other refugees up the St.-Jean portage to Kamouraska on the lower St. Lawrence.  Pierrot and other exiles fought alongside the French and Canadians at Québec in 1759 and managed to escape capture.  By the early 1760s, Pierrot and his family had moved up the St. Lawrence to L'Islet, closer to Québec City, but they did not remain.  At war's end, Pierrot and some of his brothers moved back down the St.-Jean to Ste.-Anne-du-Pays-Bas.  They likely would have stayed there if British authorities had granted them title to their land.  After the British lost their fight against the Americans and the French in the early 1780s, American Loyalists came to the Ste.-Anne area and demanded title to the land on which the Acadians had lived for two decades.  Exiled again, Pierrot and his family, with dozens of other Acadians, returned to the trois-rivières area and settled along the lower Memramcook, not far from their old homesteads at Chignecto.  Pierrot's mother Cécile Thibodeau, in her mid- or late 70s, died "on the path between" Ste.-Anne-du-Pays-Bas and Memramcook, where descendants of Pierrot Cormier live to this day. 

While Pierrot and his family dodged British forces in the St.-Jean valley, two of his younger brothers--Joseph, age 15 in 1755; and Michel, age 14--along with an older first cousin, Jean-Baptiste, fils, age 21, became separated from the rest of the family in the chaos of displacement.  The brothers may have fallen into British hands during their immediate family's wanderings from greater Acadia to Canada and back, or, more likely, became separated early in the family's movements and joined fellow refugees in the trois-rivières area led by Joseph Broussard dit Beausoleil and his older brother Alexandre of Petitcoudiac.  The Cormier boys' relationship to the Broussards was not a tenuous one.  Joseph and Michel's mother was a Thibodeau, the family into which the Beausoleil Broussard brothers had married.  Cousin Jean-Baptiste, fils's mother was a Richard.  The Beausoleil brothers' mother also was a Richard.  So the Cormier boys may have become part of the Broussards' extended family and may even have participated with their kinsmen in the Acadian resistance in that part of greater Acadia.  In the late 1750s or early 1760s, the Cormier boys either surrendered to, or were captured by, British forces in the area and, like the Broussards and hundreds of other exiles in the region, spent the rest of the war in a prison compound in Nova Scotia.  Some of their Cormier cousins, meanwhile, like brother Pierrot, also had escaped the British at Chignecto and sought refuge on the Gulf of St. Lawrence shore or moved on to Canada. 

Not all of the Cormiers escaped the British at Chignecto or slipped quietly off a British transport.  In the fall of 1755, following Lawrence's orders, British commanders deported several Cormier families to South Carolina.  At least one family, that of Jean-Baptiste Cormier, père, brother of Pierre dit Palette and father of Jean-Baptiste, fils, ended up in Georgia with his wife and daughters and his wife's Richard kin.  In the spring of 1756, Jean-Baptiste Cormier, père and his Richard kin may have been among the exiles in the southern colonies who, with permission from the colonial governors, left Georgia and South Carolina in open boats to return to their homes in greater Acadia.  If so, Jean-Baptiste and his famliy got no farther than Long Island, New York, where, on the insistence of Charles Lawrence, the British held them for the rest of the war.  Kinsman François à Germain Cormier died in New York in January 1760.  After the war, his widow Madeleine Doucet and their children chose to resettle in Canada at L'Assomption near Montréal.  Jean-Baptiste, père and his family, along with the Richards and two other related families, left New York in 1763 and headed back south. 

According to Bona Arsenault, Anne Cyr, widow of François Cormier, now remarried, and some of her younger Cormier children, were deported to England in 1755.  Actually, most, if not all, of the Acadian exiles who ended up in England were deported from Minas, not Chignecto, and to Virginia in the fall of 1755, not to England.  Virginia authorities sent them on to England the following spring.  Arsenault's narrative is especially suspect when one considers that the widow's second husband, François Arseneau dit Brélé, died at Restigouche at the head of the Baie des Chaleurs in greater Acadia in November 1759, when she was supposed to have been in England.  In May of 1763, after prolonged negotiations between the French and British governments, the Acadians in England, including Anne Cyr and her Cormier children, if we follow Arsenault's narrative, were repatriated to France, but Anne and her children refused to remain there.  In 1764, Arsenault insists, they returned to North America and settled on the French-controlled fishery island of Miquelon off the southern coast of Newfoundland.  But there is a more likely route taken by Anne Cyr and her Cormier children to Île Miquelon:  they escaped from Chignecto in 1755; sought refuge on the Gulf of St. Lawrence shore, moved up to Restigouche, where her second husband died; were capture by, or surrendered to, British forces in the area in the early 1760s; imprisoned in Nova Scotia until war's end; and chose to resettle on Île Miquelon.  Although Le Grand Dérangement ended for most Acadians in North America by the late 1760s, this was not the case for the Acadians who chose to resettle on the Newfoundland islands.  They included not only Anne Cyr and her Cormier children, but other Cormiers who had been held in Nova Scotia prisons and chose to resettle in the French-controlled fishery.  Their troubles there began in 1767 when French officials, obeying a royal decree to relieve overcrowding on Miquelon and nearby Île St.-Pierre, sent the fisher/habitants to France.  They were allowed to return in 1768, Cormiers likely among them.  In 1778, France joined the Anglo-American struggle against their old red-coated enemy, who controlled every part of the Maritimes region except for the two French fishing islands.  The British wasted no time seizing the islands and deporting the fisher/habitants back to France.  Cormiers were among the unfortunates who endured yet another Atlantic crossing on hired British transports.  Ironically, the Cormiers deported from Miquelon landed at La Rochelle, the port from which their ancestor Robert had sailed to French Acadia 134 years earlier.  The 1778 crossing was a terrible one, as was the family's stay in the Atlantic port.  Members of the family, both young and old, died there between 1779 and 1781.  But more children were born to them during these same years, and new families were created.  After the war ended badly for the British in 1783, the island Acadians still in France were allowed to return to the North Atlantic fishery.  One wonders if any the Cormiers at La Rochelle returned to their island homes in 1784.

Two, maybe three, Cormiers ended up in France by another, earlier route.  After the fall of the French fortress at Louisbourg in July 1758, the redcoats rounded up most of the habitants on the Maritime islands and transported them to France.  Two Cormier siblings made the crossing aboard the deporation transport Duc Guillaume, which left Louisbourg in late summer and, after a mid-ocean mishap, limped into St.-Malo harbor on the first of November.  Teenaged Jacques Cormier and his older sister Marie survived the crossing despite the high death toll aboard the vessel, but Marie died in a hospital at St.-Malo a week after the ship reached port.  At the end of February 1760, Jacques embarked on the ship Prince Édouard, probably a corsair.  He was back at St.-Malo in June 1762, when he stood as godfather to a Doucet daughter at St.-Énogat, today's Dinard, across the harbor from St.-Malo.  He then disappears from the historical record.  Another Marie, this one daughter of chirurgien major Jacques Cormier, died at La Rochelle in September 1777, age 49.  One wonders when, and from where, she had come to France, or if she had been born there. 

When in the early 1780s the Spanish government offered the Acadians in France the chance for a new life in faraway Louisiana, the majority of the Acadians still in the mother country agreed to take it.  No Cormiers were among them.  Jean Cormier, native of Île Miquelon and husband of Anne Briand, died at La Rochelle on 23 Messidor, year 10 of the Revolution (12 July 1802), age 42.  His daughter Marie was born posthumously at North Bordeaux on 14 Fructidor year 10 (1 September 1802) and was baptized the same day.  Her uncle François Cormier, perhaps François, fils, stood as her godfather.  Marie died at Bordeaux five and a half years later, in May 1808.  

In North America, Acadians still in the seaboard colonies at war's end were encouraged by French officials to go to St.-Dominique.  There, like their cousins on Île Miquelon, they could live not only among fellow Roman Catholics, but also in territory controlled by France.  Although the Seven Years' War had driven them from North America, the French were determined to hang on to what was left of their shrinking empire.  A new naval base at Môle St.-Nicolas on the northwest end of the big island would protect the approaches to what was left of their possessions in the Caribbean Basin and assist in the "war of vengeance" to come.  French officials saw the exiles as a ready source of cheap labor not only for the naval contractors, but also for the colony's major planters, who hoped to supplement the work of their slaves.  To sweeten the deal, the French promised the Acadians land of their own in the sugar colony.  In the summer of 1763, most of the Cormiers in the seaboard colonies could still be found in South Carolina.  Many of them moved on to St.-Domingue to labor on the new naval base.  Those who survived the ordeal chose to remain.  When fellow exiles from Halifax and Maryland, including Cormiers, transhipped at Cap-Français in the mid- and late 1760s on their way to New Orleans, none of the Cormiers still in St.-Domingue agreed to join them.  However, judging by the number of children they lost, the price for remaining was a high one.  Beginning in the summer of 1765, after several years of what they saw as fruitless effort, Acadians sought permission to leave Môle, but French officials refused to let them go.  Some Acadians, including Cormiers, left the project anyway and settled at nearby Jean-Rabel.  Jean, son of Alexis Cormier and Madeleine de Liglen of Pointe-de-Beauséjour, Chignecto, who had come to the colony from South Carolina, married Élisabeth, daughter of Louis Morel and Agnès Danigrand of nearby Pointe-de-Paix, at Jean-Rabel in February 1783.  Their son Jean-Baptiste was born at Jean-Rabel in March 1784.  Jean and Élisabeth's daughter Marie-Renée was born at Môle St.-Nicolas, and Marie-Victoire at Jean-Rabel, in the early 1780s.  Jean, called by the priest a native of Acadia and "widower of an Acadienne," died at his father's home at Caracol in April 1785, age 30.  His and Élisabeth's daughter Rose-Marguerite or -Élisabeth, was born posthumously at Jean-Rabel in September 1785.  

After the war, most of the Cormiers who had escaped the British in 1755, and a few still languishing in the seaboard colonies, chose to resettle not in St.-Domingue but in Canada, where some of their relatives had gone as early as 1756.  Though now also a British possession, the far-northern province was populated largely by fellow French Catholics, many of them Acadian exiles.  So, in a colony nearly as old as Acadia, the majority of the family's survivors began the slow, inexorable process of becoming Canadiennes.  From the late 1760s, Cormiers could be found in the upper St. Lawrence valley at St.-Ours and St.-Antoine-de-Chambly on the lower Richelieu; and at St.-Grégoire-de-Nicolet and Bécancour on the St. Lawrence across from Trois-Rivières.  None seem to have remained on the lower St. Lawrence, but they could be found at Cascapédia, now New Richmond, and Bonaventure, British-controlled fisheries in Gaspésie on the north shore of the Baie des Chaleurs.  They also settled on the îles-de-la-Madeleine in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.  In Nova Scotia, Cormiers could be found at Chédabouctou, now Guysborough; and at Chéticamp, Grand-Étang, and Margaree on the northwest coast of Cape Breton Island, formerly Île Royale.  Some of the Cape Breton Cormiers moved north to Newfoundland, where they settled on Baie St.-George.  In present-day New Brunswick, they settled at St.-Basile and Madawaska on the upper St. John River on the boundary between New Brunswick and Maine; at Caraquet on the south shore of the Baie des Chaleurs; at Barachois, Bouctouche, and St.-Antoine down the Gulf of St. Lawrence shore; at Cormierville overlooking Mer Rouge, now Northumberland Strait; and at Memramcook, not far from Chignecto, where members of the family had begun their odyssey in the fall of 1755.  Typical of most, if not all, Acadian families, these Acadiennes of Canada lost touch with their Cadien cousins hundreds of miles away, and until the Acadian reunions of the twentieth century, may even have forgotten the others existed.  

In Nova Scotia at war's end, Jean-Baptiste, fils and his cousins Joseph and Michel Cormier, now in their early 20s, lingered in the prison compound on Georges Island in Halifax harbor, no doubt wondering what had happened to the rest of their family.  Joseph, the oldest of the cousins, had married Marguerite, daughter of Jacques Saulnier and Anne Hébert of Petitcoudiac, in c1759 during exile.  Brother Michel and first cousin Jean-Baptiste, fils were still bachelors.  With the war over, the young Cormiers in Nova Scotia, along with hundreds of fellow refugees, faced a hard dilemma.  The Treaty of Paris of February 1763 stipulated in its Article IV that persons dispersed by the war had 18 months to return to their respective territories.  However, British authorities refused to allow any of the Acadians still in the region to return to their former lands as proprietors.  If Acadians chose to remain in, or return to, Nova Scotia, they could live only in small family groups in previously unsettled areas or work for low wages on former Acadian lands now owned by New-English "planters."  If they stayed, they must also take the hated oath of allegiance to the new British king, George III, without reservation.  They would also have to take the oath if they joined their cousins in Canada and in other parts of greater Acadia.  After all they had suffered on the question of the oath, few self-respecting Acadians would consent to take it if it could be avoided.  Some Nova Scotia exiles, including Cormiers, chose to relocate to Île Miquelon.  Others considered going to French St.-Domingue, where Acadian exiles in the British colonies, including Cormiers, were going, or to the Illinois country, the west bank of which still belonged to France, or to French Louisiana, which, thanks to British control of Canada, was the only route possible to the Illinois country for Acadian exiles.  Whatever their choice, many refused to remain under British rule.  So they gathered up their money and their few possessions and prepared to leave their homeland. 

One suspects that Jean-Baptiste Cormier, fils, through the Acadian grapevine, managed to communicate with his wayward parents, who he had not seen in nearly a decade.  In his final days at Halifax, Jean-Baptiste, fils likely knew that his parents and sisters, who had been deported to Georgia in the fall of 1755, had ended up in New York the following summer.  He may have learned that his family had left that colony at war's end and made their way down to Charles Town, South Carolina, by August 1763, that they returned to Georgia later that year, and, along with 14 other kinsmen, had left Savannah in late December for Mobile, which was thought to be a part of French Louisiana.  Jean-Baptiste, fils may even have learned that, after revalidating a marriage at Mobile, his family and their kinsmen had moved on to New Orleans, which they reached in February 1764.  His father may have told him that the caretaker government in Louisiana had treated them well and would welcome other Acadians to the colony.  This may have motivated the Broussards and their related families to lease a transport at Halifax in late 1764 and head south to Cap-Français, St.-Domingue, the gateway to French Louisiana.  Of the 600 exiles who left Halifax for Cap-Français in late 1764 and early 1765, six of them, including the three cousins, were Cormiers. 

Cormiers also were among the last Acadians to emigrate to Louisiana.  Jean Baptiste, son of Jean Cormier and Élisabeth Morel of Jean-Rabel, evidently was among the St.-Domingue French who fled to Cuba during the Haitian rebellion in late 1803; he would have been age 19 that year.  As a bachelor or a newlywed, he most likely came to New Orleans with the flood of refugees from Cuba a few years later.  Oddly, some Louisiana records call him Eugène-Baptiste.  His three sisters--Marie-Renée; Marie-Victoire, called Éloise; and Rose-Élisabeth, all of whom married at New Orleans and remained there--probably came with him from Cuba.  Jean-Baptiste did not remain in the city but settled near his Cormier cousins on the Opelousas prairies.  Nicolas, son of Amand Cormier and Anastasie LeBlanc of Môle St.-Nicolas, also joined his cousins at New Orleans in the early 1800s.  He married Marie Soltero perhaps in Cuba, or he may have married her at New Orleans soon after his arrival.  Nicolas's older brother Barthélemy, born at Môle St.-Nicolas, may have accompanied him to Louisiana

Cormiers were among the earliest settlers in French Acadia and among the first Acadians to settle in Louisiana.  Jean-Baptiste Cormier of Chignecto, wife Madeleine Richard, and their five daughters, arrived at New Orleans in February 1764 from Mobile with three other families from Chignecto.  The French caretaker government sent the early arrivals to Cabahannocer on the Mississippi, above the German Coast.  During the late winter and spring of 1765, Jean-Baptiste's son Jean-Baptiste, fils and two of père's nephews, Joseph and Michel, sons of older brother Pierre dit Palette of Chignecto, reached New Orleans from Halifax via Cap-Français with, or just after, the Broussards.  Jean-Baptiste, fils, the oldest of the three cousins, remained on the river with his parents, at least for a while.  He married at Cabahannocer, on what was being called the Acadian Coast, in c1768 and then joined his cousins on the western prairies, where he remarried.  Meanwhile, Joseph and Michel settled in the Opelousas District. 

All three cousins created family lines on the southwestern prairies.  Cormier settlement patterns in Louisiana soon mirrored that of their Acadian ancestors before Le Grand Dérangement.  After Jean-Baptiste, père died at Cabahannocer in the late 1770s, no Acadian Cormier male remained on the Acadian Coast.  Even a relative of the Cormier cousins, who came to Louisiana from Haiti via Cuba in the early 1800s, moved to the Opelousas prairies, not to a settlement closer to New Orleans.  So the Cormiers concentrated in the prairie districts west of the Atchafalaya Basin much as they had done at Chignecto in old Acadia.  By the early 1800s, most of them (the majority descendants of Michel) could be found in a wide arc touching on three civil parishes in over a half dozen prairie communities--at Carencro on the northern edge of the old Attakapas District; Grand Prairie, today's downtown Lafayette, south of Carencro; Anse La Butte on the upper Vermilion, east of Grand Prairie; Beaubassin on the upper Vermilion, east of Carencro; Grand Coteau, Prairie des Femmes, Prairie Bellevue, and Opelousas, north and east of Carencro; and Grande Pointe on upper Bayou Teche, east of Carencro.  Emulating their fellow Acadians, during the antebellum period, Cormiers moved westward and southward, deeper into the prairies and coastal marshes of South Louisiana. 

Judging by the number of slaves they held during the late antebellum period, some members of the family lived comfortably on their farms, vacheries, and plantations on the western prairies.  A Cormier owned 56 slaves on his St. Martin Parish plantation in 1850.  That same year, another Cormier's widow held 24 slaves in St. Martin Parish.  A decade later, a third Cormier owned 28 slaves in St. Martin Parish, while a distant Cormier cousin held 30 slaves on his plantation near Carencro in Lafayette Parish.  The great majority of the Cormiers who owned slaves, however, owned fewer than the 20 needed to "qualify" as planters, and most members of the family held no slaves at all, at least none who appear on the federal slave schedules of 1850 and 1860. 

During the War of 1861-65, Federal armies marched three times through the Teche and upper Vermilion valleys, including the Bayou Carencro area, and burned and pillaged many farms and plantations, some of them likely owned by Cormiers.  Thanks to these Federal incursions, emancipation came early to the area, with its resulting economic and social turmoil.  Confederate foraging parties and cutthroat Jayhawkers also plagued the area where Cormiers lived, adding to the family's misery.  Dozens of Cormiers served Louisiana in uniform during the war.  Most of them served honorably and returned to their loved ones after the fall of the Southern Confederacy, but not all of them returned.  The war took the lives of at least three Acadian Cormiers, at Vicksburg, Gettysburg, and along the Teche. ...

After the war, seeking new opportunities in a free-labor Southern economy, especially as part of the burgeoning Louisiana rice industry, Cormiers moved west from their traditional enclaves into the civil prairies of Evangeline, Acadia, Jefferson Davis, and Calcasieu, especially in and around the communities of Church Point, Rayne, Lyons Point, Mermentau, Lake Arthur, and Jennings.  Some moved south into Iberia, Vermilion, and Cameron parishes, especially around Abbeville, Maurice, Kaplan, and Creole.  The oil and natural gas industry that sprang up in the region during the early twentieth century lured more Cormiers deeper into the western prairies and across the Sabine into East Texas.  A few moved to the urban centers of Baton Rouge and New Orleans.  Later in the twentieth century, as a result of military service and job opportunities in a material economy that Cajuns inevitably embraced, Cormiers became part of a new Acadian diaspora and moved to every corner of the United States.  However, according to a recent study of Louisiana families with French and Spanish surnames, most Cormiers have remained where their immigrant ancestors settled, in St. Landry, St. Martin, and especially Lafayette Parish, the heart of Acadiana.

In Louisiana, the family's name also is spelled Colmier, Comier, Cormaie, Cormié, Cornié, Cornier.09  

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Cormiers reached New Orleans as early as February 1764.  They were, in fact, among the first documented Acadian exiles--21 in all, five of them Cormiers--to settle in Louisiana: 

Jean-Baptiste, père (1709-?) à Thomas à Robert Cormier

Jean-Baptiste, second son of Pierre dit Palette Cormier and Catherine LeBlanc, born at Chignecto in c1709, married Madeleine, daughter of Martin Richard and Marguerite Bourg, at Beaubassin in August 1733.  According to Bona Arsenault, Madeleine gave Jean-Baptiste a large family at Chignecto:  Jean-Baptiste, fils born in September 1734; an unnamed infant in September 1741; Madeleine probably in the early 1740s; Anne in November 1746; Marie probably in the late 1740s; Marguerite in c1749; and Anastasie in c1753--six children, five daughters and a son, between 1734 and 1753.  Jean-Baptiste and his family endured the petit dérangement at Chignecto in 1750.  In the fall of 1755, the British deported Jean-Baptiste, Madeleine, and their daughters, along with other Chignecto-area Acadians, to Georgia.  Somehow their only son, who would have been age 21, became separated from the rest of the family and made his way into exile in today's southeastern New Brunswick, where he likely lived with relatives.  The following spring, with permission from the Georgia and South Carolina governors, Jean-Baptiste, père, Madeleine, and their daughters evidently were among the exiles in the southern colonies who attempted to return to greater Acadia by open boat but got no farther than Long Island, New York, where, on the insistence of Nova Scotia's governor, Charles Lawrence, the New Yorkers held them for the rest of war.  At war's end, perhaps with related families from Chignecto and with their five daughters in tow, Jean-Baptiste, père and Madeleine headed back south, perhaps on their way to French St.-Domingue, the destination of hundreds of exiles in the seaboard colonies, including New York and South Carolina, lured there by the French.  Jean-Baptiste, père and his family appeared on a repatriation list at Charles Town, South Carolina, in August 1763, but they did not remain.  They returned to Georgia soon after the listing.  In December 1763, with three other related Chignecto families--Landrys, Poiriers, and Richards, 21 of them in all--they left Savannah not for St.-Domingue but for eastern Louisiana aboard the Savannah Packet.  They arrived at Mobile in January 1764.  Here they learned that the eastern part of Louisiana had been ceded to the British.  After blessing the marriage of one of the couples at the Mobile church, they moved on to New Orleans, still held by the French, which they reached in February.  The French caretaker government sent them to Côte de Cabahannocer on the river above the German Coast--among the first Acadian exiles to settle in the Mississippi valley colony.  Jean-Baptiste, père and Madeleine remained on the river, where they reunited with their son a year after their arrival.  Daughters Madeleine, Marie, Marie-Anne, Marguerite, and Anastasie married into the Lemire dit Mire, Poirier, Landry, Girouard, and Bourg families at Cabahannocer.  Two of them, Madeleine and Marguerite, followed their husbands to the western prairies and settled near their brother, who had married at Cabahannocer, but the other three daughters remained on the river. 

Only son Jean-Baptiste, fils, still unmarried at age 21, became separated from his family when the British deported them to Georgia in the fall of 1755.  He likely lived with relatives during exile on the Gulf of St. Lawrence shore and in a prison compound in Nova Scotia during the early 1760s while, perhaps unknown to him, his parents and sisters lived in Georgia and New York.  He may have communicated with his family at war's end and learned that they had gone south to Louisiana.  In his early 30s, still unmarried, he reached New Orleans with the Broussards in February 1765 and either followed them to lower Bayou Teche that spring and then returned to the river to be with his family, or, more likely, he remained with his parents and sisters at Cabahannocer during the Broussard party's journey to Bayou Teche.  He was counted in Verret's Company of the Cabahannocer militia in April 1766.  Still in his early 30s, he married Marguerite, daughter of fellow Acadians Joseph Bourg and Marie Landry, probably at Cabahannocer in c1768; Marguerite was a sister of Jean-Baptiste, fils's sister Anastasie's husband.  Jean-Baptiste, fils and Marguerite's children, born at Cabahannocer, included Anastasie in c1768; Élisabeth or Isabelle, baptized, age unrecorded, in February 1772; Marie dite Manon baptized, age unrecorded, in September1773; and Jean-Baptiste III, called Mano and Baptiste, baptized, age unrecorded, in November 1775--four children, three daughters and a son, between 1769 and 1775.  In the late 1770s, perhaps after his wife died, Jean-Baptiste, fils crossed the Atchafalaya Basin to the Attakapas District, where, at age 45, he remarried to Anne, daughter of fellow Acadians Antoine Blanchard and Élisabeth Thériot of Annapolis Royal and widow of Joseph dit Vieux Richard, in January 1779; the marriage was recorded by a priest from nearby Opelousas.  They settled on the upper Vermilion at Grand Prairie, near today's downtown Lafayette.  Anne evidently gave Jean-Baptiste, fils no more children.  As was his duty, he served in the Attakapas militia.  In 1779, in his mid-40s, he may have participated with his company in Spanish Governor Galvèz's attack against the British at Manchac and Baton Rouge.  Meanwhile, he did well at Attakapas.  In April 1781, he owned 56 animals on his four-arpent farm at Grand Prairie.  In April 1785, he owned a single slave.  By the 1790s, he had accumulated a sizable holding of 350 acres at Grand Prairie as well as 560 acres on the prairie west of Bayou Nezpique in a thinly-settled quarter of the Opelousas District, later part of Calcasieu Parish, now Jefferson Davis Parish.  The church records of South Louisiana do not contain a burial record for Jean-Baptiste, fils, but he was recorded as deceased in the marriage record of son Jean-Baptiste III in May 1796.  He would have been age 62 that year.  Daughters Anastasie, Isabelle, and Manon, by his first wife, married into the Mouton, Richard, and Savoie families on the prairies.  Jean-Baptiste, fils's son also married there. 

Only son Jean-Baptiste III, also called Jean-Baptiste dit Mano and Baptiste, from first wife Marguerite Bourg, followed his widowered father and sisters to Attakapas, where he married Marie-Apolline, called Apolline, Polone, or Pauline, daughter of fellow Acadians Claude Martin and Marie Babin of La Pointe on the middle Teche, in May 1796.  Mano's father-in-law Claude was a trustee of the Attakapas church, now St. Martin of Tours in St. Martinville.  Mano and Pauline settled at Anse La Butte on the upper Vermilion and at Grand Prairie.  Their children, born there, included Jean-Narcisse, called Narcisse and Narcisse dit Mano, in February 1797; Jean-Baptiste-Luc in August 1798 but died at age 6 in August 1804; Valéry or Valière born in August 1800; Marie in October 1802; twins Célestin and Célestine or Céleste in February 1805; and Adélaïde in February 1807--seven children, four sons and three daughters, including a set of twins, between 1797 and 1807.  Mano, "of this parish, native of Cabanosse on the River," died "at his home at La grand prairie" in July 1808.  The St. Martinville priest who recorded the burial said that Jean Baptiste dit Mano was age 30 when he died.  He was closer to 33.  Daughters Marie and Céleste married into the Mouton, Breaux, and Dugas families.  Two of Mano's sons also married, but only one of the lines endured. 

Oldest son Jean Narcisse, called Narcisse and Narcisse dit Mano, married Céleste or Célestine, daughter of fellow Acadians Basile Chiasson and Marie Thibodeaux, at the St. Martinville church, St. Martin Parish, in April 1818.  Their children, born in St. Martin Parish, included Célestine Laure in May 1819; and Virginie posthumously in March 1821 but died at age 1 1/2 in September 1822.  Narcisse died at his home on Grand Prairie in February 1821, age 24, and was buried in the cemetery of the new church there, L'Église St.-Jean du Vermilion, now the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Lafayette.  His was one of the first interments there.  His succession was filed at Vermilionville courthouse, Lafayette Parish, in May 1825.  Remaining daughter Célestine Laure married into the Richard family.  Narcisse fathered no sons, so his line of the family, except for its blood, died with him. 

Jean Baptiste III's third son Valéry or Valière married Marguerite, daughter of fellow Acadians Joseph Hébert and Élisabeth Duhon, at the Vermilionville church, Lafayette Parish, in November 1825.  Their children, born in Lafayette Parish, included Valéry, fils baptized at the Vermilionville church, age 1 1/2 months, in October 1826; Belzire born in 1828 and baptized, age 5 1/2 months, in January 1829; Elvire born in November 1829; Jean Baptiste le jeune baptized at age 21 days in August 1831 but died at age 4 (the recording priest said 6) in August 1835; Élodie born in January 1833; Joseph Alexandre, called Alexandre, in December 1835 but died at age 7 1/2 in September 1843; Marie Valléry or Valie baptized at age 6 months in October 1834; Odèïde baptized at age 2 months in June 1837; Émile, also called Émile Thelesmar, born in September 1839; Louis Adolphe, called Adolphe, in May 1841; Marie Coralie in January 1843; Philippe, also called  Philippe Theseus, in December 1847; Henry Arctave in August 1850; and Marie Nezida May 1854--14 children, seven sons and seven daughters, between 1826 and 1854.  Daughters Belzire, Elvire, and Marie Valie married into the Janet (Janis), Bouchez, and Monnier families by 1870.  Two of Valéry's sons slso married by then and settled in Lafayette and St. Landry parishes.  Two of his other sons served as officers in the Virginia theatre of operations during the War of 1861-65, and one of them died in Confederate service before he could marry. 

Oldest son Valéry, fils married Martha Louisa or Louise, daughter of John and Elizabeth Montgomery, in a civil ceremony in St. Landry Parish in November 1860.  Their children, born on the prairies, included Marthe Lilia in St. Landry Parish in August 1861; Joseph Ernest in February 1863; Louis Adolphe le jeune, named after his war-hero uncle, in Lafayette Parish in November 1864 but, called Adolphe, died at age 1 in November 1865; ...  During the war, Valéry, fils served in two units--Company D of the 18th Regiment Louisiana Infantry, raised in St. Mary Parish, in which he probably was a conscript; and Company K of the 2nd Regiment Louisiana Reserve Corps, raised in Lafayette Parish, which fought against area Jayhawkers.  He survived the war and returned to his family. 

During the war, Valéry, père's fourth son Émile Thelesmar served as a lieutenant in Company C of the 6th Regiment Louisiana Infantry, raised in St. Landry Parish, which fought in Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania--one of General R. E. Lee's Louisiana Tigers.  Émile Thelesmar survived the war and returned to his family, but he did not marry.  

Valéry, père's fifth son Louis Adolphe also served as an officer in Company C of the 6th Louisiana Infantry.  From first sergeant of his company, he rose in rank to captain and company commander.  Unlike his older brothers, however, Louis Adolphe did not survive the war.  Mortally wounded in action at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on 2 July 1863, he died the following day surrounded by his comrades and some local ladies, and was buried on the Widow Wibles's farm north of Gettysburg, near the "back of the barn" in which he died, age 22.  In 1872, his remains were retrieved along with those of hundreds of other Confederate dead in the Gettysburg area and re-interred at Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia, where collateral descendants have erected a UCV stone in his honor.

Valéry, père's seventh and youngest son Henry Arctave was too young to serve in the war.  He married Mary Fanny Monnier in June 1870, probably in St. Landry Parish. ...

.

Two Cormier brothers came to Louisiana from Halifax via Cap-Français in the spring of 1765 and, perhaps after following the Broussards to lower Bayou Teche, settled up bayou in the Opelousas District.  Two robust family lines came of it.  The younger brother's line was especially prolific.  The great majority of the Cormiers of South Louisiana, in fact, descend from that brother and his five sons:

Joseph (c1740-1795) à Pierre à Thomas à Robert Cormier

Joseph, fifth son of Pierre à Palette Cormier and Cécile Thibodeau of Chignecto, born probably at Ouescoque, Chignecto, in c1740, endured the petit dérangement at Chignecto in 1750, escaped the British roundup in the Chignecto area in the fall of 1755 but, with younger brother Michel, became separated from his widowed mother and other siblings in the chaos of dispersal.  Joseph and his brother may have attached themselves to the Beausoleil Broussards' extended family; they were kin to the Broussards through their Thibodeau mother.  Moreover, still in their teens, the boys may have participated with the Broussards in the Acadian resistance in greater Acadia.  During exile, perhaps in c1759, Joseph married Marguerite, daughter of Jacques Saulnier and Anne Hébert of Petitcoudiac.  Soon after their marriage, perhaps with the Broussards, they either surrendered to, or were captured by, British forces in the Gulf of St. Lawrence region and held in a prison compound in Nova Scotia for the rest of the war.  Marguerite gave Joseph a daughter, Susanne, born in c1762.  They may have had another child, born before August 1763, when Joseph, his wife, and three "children," one of them likely his 22-year-old brother Michel, appeared on a French repatriation list at Halifax.  In late 1764, Joseph, Marguerite, their daughter Susanne, and younger brother Michel followed the Broussards to Louisiana via Cap-Français, French St.-Domingue, and reached New Orleans by the spring of 1765.  Marguerite was pregnant on the voyage and gave birth to twin daughters Félicité and Marie-Louise soon after their arrival.  If Joseph and his family followed the Broussards to lower Bayou Teche in the spring of 1765, they did not remain.  By the spring of 1766, Joseph and Marguerite had moved up bayou to Bellevue Prairie at the southeastern edge of the Opelousas District, where they remained.  Marguerite gave him no more children there.  Joseph remarried to Anne, daughter of fellow Acadians Jacques Michel and Jeanne Breau and widow of Michel Brun and Victor Comeau, at Attakapas in April 1771 but remained at Prairie Bellevue.  Their children, born there, included Anaclet in March 1772; Clémence in c1773; and Joseph, fils in c1776--at least six children, four daughters and two sons, by two wives, including a set of twins, from the early 1760s to 1776, in greater Acadia and Louisiana.  In March 1768, Joseph, along with brother Michel, was among the 11 signers of a petition addressed to Spanish Governor Ulloa requesting assistance in the form of oxen and plows to help them grow wheat in the Opelousas District.  In April, the volatile governor, now angry with all Acadians in the colony, rejected the petition.  Joseph became a cattleman instead.  In 1771, the year of his second marriage, he owned 15 head of cattle at Bellevue.  Three years later, in October 1774, he owned 78 head of cattle, 15 horses and mules, and 15 pigs.  By May 1777, he owned 150 head of cattle, 15 horses, and 20 pigs.  His fortunes increased dramatically in the 1780s.  In 1788, on his 30-arpent vacherie on Bellevue Prairie and on land he owned along Bayou Plaquemine Brûlé near present-day Church Point, Joseph ran 697 head of cattle and owned 60 horses, one of the largest herds in the district.  He also held four slaves.  The year before, he was among the prominent cattle ranchers of the Opelousas District who "renewed demands that stray cattle 'in the woods and prairies of Plaquemines Brulées' be destroyed by firearms, because a few cattle from their own pens tended to join the strays during each winter pasturage."  Meanwhile, in January 1774, Joseph was one of seven residents who urged Opelousas District commandant Gabriel Fuselier de la Claire to construct a church for the district, which was done in 1776.  As was his duty, Joseph served in the Opelousas company of militia.  In 1776, he was a fusileer, described on the militia roll as five feet, three inches tall, an inch shorter than brother Michel.  Three years later, in their late 30s, Joseph and Michel may have participated with their company in Spanish Governor Gálvez's attack against the British at Manchac and Baton Rouge.  Joseph died at Opelousas in August 1795, age 55.  Daughters Susanne, Félicité, Marie-Louise, and Clémence, by both wives, married into the Granger, Thibodeaux, Babineaux, and Arceneaux families.  Joseph's sons also married.  One of their lines died out early, and that of the other son also came close to dying out.  As a result, few Cormiers in South Louisiana descend from Joseph and his second wife Anne Michel, who died probably near Grand Coteau, St. Landry Parish, in June 1818, age 85, and outlived both of her Cormier sons.  Joseph's descendants remained at the southeastern edge of the old Opelousas District, around Grand Coteau and Arnaudville in St. Landry Parish, and at Carencro in Lafayette Parish. 

Older son Anaclet, by second wife Anne Michel, married Madeleine, daughter of fellow Acadians Victor Richard and Marie Brasseur, at Opelousas in July 1793.  They settled in the southeastern section of what became St. Landry Parish, near Grand Coteau.  Their children, born there, included Élise in August 1794 but died "as a child" in February 1799; Céleste or Célestine born in December 1796; Paul, also called Hippolyte, baptized, age unrecorded, in November 1800; Julie born in the early 1800s; Élisée, a son, baptized at age 8 months in November 1804; a daughter, name unrecorded, died 4 days after her birth in late January 1806; Philadelphe born in October 1807; and Cidalise born in October 1810--eight children, six daughters and two sons, between 1794 and 1810.  Anaclet died in St. Landry Parish in c1810, age 38.  His succession was filed at the Opelousas courthouse in January 1811 and his estate record filed there the following August.  Judging by the number of times he appeared in church records as a witness to a marriage or as godfather to a neighbor's child, Anaclet must have been a respected member of his community.  Daughters Célestine, Julie, and Cidalise married into the Patin, Guilbeau, and Melançon families, one of them, Cidalise, twice, and two of them, Célestine and Cidalise, to Patins.  Anaclet's sons also married, but not all of the lines endured. 

Older son Paul dit Hippolyte married, at age 20, cousin Adélaïde Mathurin, 17-year-old daughter of fellow Acadians Jean Baptiste Richard and Isabelle Cormier, at the Grand Coteau church, St. Landry Parish, in January 1820; Adélaïde's mother was a daughter of grandfather Joseph's first cousin, Jean Baptiste Cormier, fils.  Hippolyte and Adélaïde's children, born near Grand Coteau, included Hippolyte, fils, also called Hippolyte Valsin and Valsin Hippolyte, in c1822 and baptized at the Grand Coteau church, age 1, in April 1823; Adélaïde Irma born in December 1823; Célenie or Célanie in October 1825; and Hypolina posthumously in March 1828 but died at age 4 1/2 in August 1832--four children, a son and three daughters, between 1822 and 1828.  Hippolyte died near Grand Coteau in November 1827, age 27 (the recording priest said "age about 28").  His succession, calling him Hypolite and naming his wife, was filed at the Vermilionville courthouse in October 1829, so he must have owned property in Lafayette Parish.  Daughters Adélaïde and Célanie married into the Guidry and Broussard families.  Hippolyte's son also married. 

Only son Hippolyte, fils, also called Hippolyte Valsin and Valsin Hippolyte, married Marcellite, daughter of fellow Acadians Charles Guidry and Marie Bernard, at the Grand Coteau church in November 1846; the Grand Coteau priest and the St. Landry Parish clerk who recorded the marriage did not give the couple's parents' names.  Their children, born near Grand Coteau, included Marie Élodie, called Élodie, in January 1848; Marie Estelle in January 1850 but, called Estelle, died at age 14 1/2 in September 1864; and Hippolyte III born in April 1852--three children, two daughters and a son, between 1848 and 1852.  In November 1850, the federal census taker in St. Landry Parish counted five slaves--three males and two females, all black, ranging in age from 35 to 2--on Hippolyte Cormier's farm.  Hippolyte, fils, called Valsin Hypolite by the recording priest, died near Grand Coteau in September 1851, age 30.  His succession was filed at the Opelousas courthouse in January 1855.  Daughter Élodie married into the Bergeron family by 1870.  Hippolyte, fils's son did not marry by then. 

Anaclet's younger son Élisée, at age 18, married Marie Christine or Célestine, called Christine, daughter of William Johnson of Copenhagen, Denmark, and Thérèse Ritter, at the Grand Coteau church  in January 1822.  Their children, born near Grand Coteau, included Marie Célestine, called Célestine, in November 1822; Zéphirin in February 1825; Émilia in May 1827; Élisée, fils in January 1829 but died at age 2 1/2 in September 1831; Aurelia born in February 1831; Marie Anaïse, called Anaïse, in February 1833; Olive or Oliva in March 1835; Ladoiska in September 1838; Mary Magdalen in August 1840; and Joseph Numa in February 1843--10 children, six daughters and four sons, between 1822 and 1843.  Élisée, at age 46, remarried to Marguerite Hedwige, 50-year-old daughter of French Creoles Pierre Bergeron and Eulalie Saizan and widow of André J. Chautin, at the Grand Coteau church in August 1850.  She gave him no more children.  In November 1850, the federal census taker in St. Martin Parish counted five slaves--three males and two females, all black, ranging in age from 45 to 18--on Élisée Cormier's farm.  Élisée died near Grand Coteau in January 1879, age 75.  Evidently his marriage to non-Acadians began a marked trend towards exogamy in this family line:  Daughters Célestine, Émilia, Anaïse, Aurelia, Oliva, and Ladoiska, by his first wife, married into the Lanclos, Lalonde, Rivet, Badeaux, Burleigh, and Patin families by 1870, one of them, Célestine, twice, and two of them, Célestine and Ladoiska, to Lancloss.  One of Élisée's sons also married by then and continued the family's propensity to marry non-Acadians.  However, despite three marriages, the line, except for its blood, did not endure. 

Oldest son Zéphirin, by first wife Christine Johnson, married, at age 23, Marie Azéline, called Azéline, daughter of French Creoles Alexandre Lanclos and Azéline Bergeron, at the Opelousas church in October 1848.  Their children, born near Grand Coteau, included Marie Celimène, called Celimène, in July 1849 but, called Selimen, died at age 4 in September 1853; Anaclet le jeune born in November 1850 but died at age 10 1/2 (the recording priest said 11) in September 1861; and Marie Sélima born in November 1853 but died before September 1860, when she was not counted with her parents and brother in the federal census for St. Landry Parish--three children, two daughters and a son, between 1849 and 1853.  Zéphirin remarried to Marguerite, also called Marie Edvine or Edvise, Chautin, widow of Placide Marks, in a civil ceremony in St. Landry Parish in October 1855.  She evidently gave him no more children.  Zéphirin, at age 34, remarried again--his third marriage--to 15-year-old Marie Sidonise, called Sidonise, Bergeron, a French Creole like his first wife's mother, not a fellow Acadian, in a civil ceremony in St. Landry Parish in August 1859; they sanctified the marriage at the Arnaudville church, St. Landry Parish, in March 1888.  Daughter Marie Émelie or Émelise, called Émelise, was born near Arnaudville in November 1860--four children, three daughters and a son, by two of his three wives, between 1849 and 1860.  Despite his age--he was 36 when war broke out--Zéphirin served briefly in the Grivot Rangers Company Louisiana Partisan Cavalry, raised in St. Landry Parish, which fought in southeastern Louisiana.  Youngest daughter Émelise, by his third wife, married into the Dupuis family after 1870.  Zéphirin's son, along with his two daughters by his first wife, did not survive childhood, so only the blood of this family line may have endured. 

Joseph's younger son Joseph, fils, by second wife Anne Michel, married fellow Acadian Marie Thibodeaux probably at Attakapas in the late 1780s or early 1790s.  Their son Placide was born there in April 1792.  Joseph, fils remarried to Marguerite, daughter of fellow Acadians Charles Guilbeau and his second wife Marguerite Bourg, at Attakapas in October 1794.  They settled near Carencro.  Their daughter Marguerite Carmesile was born posthumously in October 1811.  Joseph, fils died probably at his home near Carencro in August 1811, age 34.  His successions were filed at the St. Martinville courthouse in November 1813 and at the Opelousas courthouse in February 1824, so he evidently owned property in both parishes.  Daughter Marguerite Carmesile, by his second wife, married into the Robichaux family.  Joseph, fils's only son Placide, if he survived childhood, did not marry, so this line of the family, except for its blood, did not endure in the Bayou State. 

Michel (1741-1790) à Pierre à Thomas à Robert Cormier

Michel, sixth son of Pierre à Palette Cormier and Cécile Thibodeau of Chignecto, born probably at Ouescoque, Chignecto, in January 1741, endured the petit dérangement at Chignecto in 1750, escaped the British roundup in the fall of 1755 but, with older brother Joseph, became separated from his widowed mother and other siblings in the chaos of dispersal.  Michel and his brother may have become part of the Beausoleil Broussards' extended family and may even have participated with them in the Acadian resistance in greater Acadia.  In the late 1750s or early 1760s, perhaps with the Broussards, Michel and his brother either surrendered to, or were captured by, British forces in the Gulf of St. Lawrence area and held in a prison compound in Nova Scotia for the rest of the war.  In August 1763, Joseph, his wife, and three "children" appeared on a French repatriation list at Halifax.  One suspects that one of Joseph's "children" was his bachelor brother Michel, now age 22.  In late 1764, Michel followed his brother, his sister-in-law, their daughter, and the Broussards to Louisiana via Cap-Français, St.-Domingue, and reached New Orleans by the spring of 1765.  If he and his brother followed the Broussards to lower Bayou Teche that spring, they did not remain.  By the spring of 1766, the brothers had moved up bayou to Bellevue Prairie at the southeastern edge of the Opelousas District.  Michel, in his late 20s, married Anne dite Nanette, daughter of fellow Acadians Jacques Saulnier and Anne Hébert of Petitcoudiac and widow of Basil Babin, at Opelousas in c1769; Nanette was Michel's sister-in-law Marguerite's sister.  Michel and Nanette settled at Prairie des Femmes south of the Opelousas post, not far from brother Joseph and sister Marguerite at Bellevue.  Michel and Nanette's children, born at Prairie des Femmes, included Amand in October 1770; and Michel, fils, called Pierre-Michel, in September 1772.  Anne dite Nanette died by January 1773, when her succession, naming her current husband and listing two of her four children by both of her husbands, was filed at Opelousas Post.  Michel remarried to Catherine, daughter of retired Swiss/German mercenary Johann George Stahlin, later Stelly, of Albershausen, Württemberg, southern Germany, and his German-Creole wife Christine Edelmayer of St.-Charles des Allemands on the lower German Coast, at Opelousas in c1774.  Michel and Catherine's children, born at Prairie des Femmes, included Pierre in September 1776; Louis baptized, age unrecorded, in June 1779; Marie-Victoire, called Victoire, baptized, age 6 weeks, in September 1780; and François baptized, age 8 1/2 months, in August 1783--six children, five sons and a daughter, by two wives, between 1770 and 1783.  Michel remarried again--his third marriage--to Madeleine, daughter of fellow Acadians Charles Breau and Claire Trahan and widow of Étienne Benoit, at Attakapas in February 1789.  She gave him no more children.  Like brother Joseph and their Acadian ancestors, Michel did not move from his original homestead in the Opelousas District.  In March 1768, he and brother Joseph were among the 11 signers of a petition addressed to Spanish Governor Ulloa requesting assistance in the form of oxen and plows to help them grow wheat in the district.  The governor rejected the petition.  After the revolt against Ulloa in the fall of 1768, in which Michel and his Opelousas comrades probably did not participate, he signed with his mark an unconditional oath of allegiance to Spain in December 1769.  In the years that followed, Michel, like his brother, became a cattleman, not a wheat farmer.  In August 1771, Spanish Governor Unzaga granted Michel 253.04 arpents of land, to be occupied and cultivated, on Bayou Bourbeaux between present-day Leonville and Arnaudville in southeastern St. Landry Parish.  Michel's house at Prairie des Femmes on Bayou Bourbeau, "built prior to 1773 ... on ground level with 'poteaux-en-terre, ... had bousillage walls, and a dirt floor, and a gallery or porch surrounding the house."  In 1771, the year he received his land grant, Michel owned 28 head of cattle at Prairie des Femmes.  Three years later, he owned 20 head of cattle, six horses and mules, and 16 pigs.  In May 1777, he owned 50 head of cattle, 16 horses, and 16 pigs.  Like his brother, his fortunes increased dramatically in the 1780s.  In 1788, on his vacherie at Prairie des Femmes, Michel owned a herd of 130 cattle and 15 horses.  He also owned seven slaves.  Meanwhile, as was his duty, he served in the Opelousas company of militia.  He was a fusileer in 1776, described on the militia roll as five feet, four inches tall, an inch taller than his brother Joseph.  In the summer of 1779, he and brother Joseph may have participated with their company in Spanish Governor Gálvez's attack against the British at Manchac and Baton Rouge.  Michel died at his home at Prairie des Femmes in December 1790, age 49, without benefit of sacraments.  According to family tradition, he was buried in what became the old yellow fever cemetery at present-day Washington on Bayou Courtableau in northeastern St. Landry Parish.  His successions were filed at Opelousas in July 1791 and June 1799.  Daughter Victoire, by his second wife, married into the Royer and Sutter families.  Michel's five sons also married and created vigorous lines on the southwest prairies.  Michel's descendants drifted south into what became Lafayette Parish, clustering around Carencro and Côte Gelée.  After the War of 1861-65, some of them moved even farther south, into Iberia, Vermilion, and Cameron parishes, or westward to the prairies of Acadia Parish.  An eastern contingent of Michel's descendants settled on upper Bayou Teche in St. Martin Parish.  After the war, like their Lafayette cousins, some of them moved westward, to the Vermilion and Calcasieu prairies, far from their Bayou Teche birthplaces.  The great majority of the Cormiers of South Louisiana are descended from Michel of Prairie des Femmes, his sons, and grandsons. 

Oldest son Amand, by first wife Nanette Sonnier, married Marie-Angèlle, called Angèlle, daughter of fellow Acadians Étienne Benoit and Madeleine Breaux of Carencro, at Opelousas in October 1790.  Angèlle's mother was Amand's father's third wife, so Amand married his stepsister.  They settled at Grande Pointe on upper Bayou Teche before moving west to Carencro.  Angèlle gave Amand a son, Raphaël, born on Bayou Teche in December 1792.  Amand died probably at Carencro in c1795, age 25.  His son was tutored by Amand's brother Michel, fils of Grande Pointe until the boy came of age. 

Only son Raphaël married Marie Carmélite, called Carmélite, daughter of fellow Acadians Jean Melançon and Rose Doiron, at the St. Martinville church, St. Martin Parish, in June 1811.  The settled at Grande Pointe on the upper Teche.  Their children, born there, included Amand Colin or Colin Amand in May 1812; Paulin in February 1814 but died at age 3 months the following May; Jean, also called Jean Valmont and Valmont, born in May 1815 but died at age 5 in October 1820; Pierre Philogène born in February 1818 but died at age 14 in September 1832; Joseph Théogène born in March 1820 but died at age 4 in November 1824; Marie Uranie born in March 1824; Siméon Valsin, also called Pierre Valsin, died at age 6 months in July 1828; Alphred or Alfred born in November 1832; and Eve Émelie or Amélie, called Amélie, in November 1837--nine children, seven sons and two daughters, between 1812 and 1837.  Raphaël's succession, naming his wife, was filed at the St. Martinville courthouse in January 1844.  He would have been age 51 that year.  In November 1850, the federal census taker in St. Martin Parish counted five slaves--two males and three females, all black, ranging in age from 50 to 3--on the Widow Raphaël Cormier's farm; these were Carmélite Melançon's slaves.  In June 1860, the federal census taker in St. Martin Parish counted eight slaves--two males and six females, seven blacks and one mulatto, ages 60 to 1--on the Widow Raphaël Cormier's farm.  Daughters Marie Uranie and Eve Amélie married into the Melançon and Castille families.  Raphaël's surviving sons also married. 

Oldest son Amand Colin or Colin Amand married Euphémie, daughter of fellow Acadians Alexandre Guilbeau and Céleste Poirier, at the St. Martinville church in August 1833.  Their children, born in St. Martin Parish, included Joseph Philogène in February 1835; Alexandre in May 1837; Paulin in April 1839; Aristide in September 1841; Philomène in December 1843; and Raphaël le jeune in August 1846--six children, five sons and a daughter, between 1835 and 1846.  In November 1850, the federal census taker in St. Martin Parish counted 56 slaves--30 males and 26 females, all black except for three mulattoes, ranging in age from 75 to 1--on Colin Amand Cormier's plantation.  In the same year, the federal census taker in Calcasieu Parish counted two more slaves--both black and both female, ages 40 and 18--on Colin Cormier's farm, so he must have owned land in that parish, too.  Colin Amand died in St. Martin Parish in September 1855, age 43.  One wonders what happened to his many slaves after his death.  (One also wonders who was the Colin Cormier who died "in Park," today's The Parks, near Plaquemine, Iberville Parish, in March 1861, age 60.  The Plaquemine priest who recorded the burial did not give any parents' names or mention a wife.)  Daughter Philomène married into the Huval family by 1870.  Three of Colin Amand's sons also married by then, and two of them settled on the Calcasieu prairies. 

During the War of 1861-65, third son Paulin served in Company D of the Orleans Guard Battalion Louisiana Infantry, raised in St. Martin Parish, which fought at Shiloh, Tennessee, in April 1862.  He survived the war and returned to his family.  Paulin married Marie Eusèïde or Zoïde, daughter of fellow Acadians Auguste Benoit and his second wife Marie Eusèïde Guidry, at the Abbeville church, Vermilion Parish, in August 1865.  They settled near Lake Arthur, once called Little Lake, in Calcasieu Parish.  Their children, born there, included Alexandre in April 1866; Léonie in January 1873; Paul Adonis, called Adonis, in January 1875; Joseph Artellus in April 1881; Joseph Philoges in May 1885.  Paulin's daughter married into the Gary family.  

Colin Amand's fourth son Aristide married Joséphine, daughter of fellow Acadians Marin Blanchard and Annette Broussard, at the Breaux Bridge church, St. Landry Parish, in December 1863.  Their children, born near Breaux Bridge, included Ursule in October 1864; Marie Adoisca in July 1866; Azéma in January 1868; Eve (called Azéma by the recording priest) in August 1870; Olive in c1872; Cléonise in c1876; Léonin in January 1877; René in c1879.  Aristide remarried to fellow Acadian Julie Broussard in a civil ceremony in Vermilion Parish in November 1889.  They also settled in the northwest corner of Vermilion Parish near Lake Arthur.  Aristide's succession was filed at the Abbeville courthouse in October 1893.  He would have been age 52 that year.  Daughters from his first wife married into the Babineaux, Benoit, Dufton, and Huval families after 1870.

Colin Amand's fifth and youngest son Raphaël le jeune may have married Thersile Benoit, probably a fellolw Acadian, place and date unrecorded.  Daughter Euphémie was born near Abbeville in June 1870; ...

Raphaël's seventh and youngest son Alfred married Florentine or Laurentine, daughter of fellow Acadians Charles Babineaux and Céleste Richard, at the Vermilionville church, Lafayette Parish in April 1853.  They settled near Breaux Bridge.  Their children, born there, included Alfred Jean in c1858 but died at age 2  in August 1860; Marie Alice born in March 1860; Robert in November 1861; Marie in July 1865; Joseph Ducoudret in February 1867; Marie in February 1869; Carmélite in September 1870; Alfred, fils or Albert in April 1874; Clebert in February 1876; Engelbert or Angelbert in c1877; ...  In June 1860, the federal census taker in St. Martin Parish counted a single slave--an 18-year-old black male--on Alfred Cormier's farm.  During the war, Alfred was conscripted into Confederate service from St. Martin Parish but may not have served in an organized unit.  Long after the war, at age 57, he remarried to fellow Acadian Cydalise Benoit at the Carencro church in November 1889.  He died near Carencro in April 1896.  The priest who recorded the burial said that Alfred was age 66 when he died.  He was 63.  Some of his daughters married into the Comeaux, Guilbeau, and Guidry families after 1870.  None of Alfred's sons married by 1870. 

Michel's second son Michel, fils, called Pierre-Michel, from first wife Nanette Sonnier, appeared on the list of the Opelousas Company of Militia as a fusileer in July 1789, age 16 1/2, unless this was his father, who would have been age 48, a bit long in the tooth even for the Louisiana militia (Michel, père, in fact, died a year and a half after the militia tally).  At age 20, Michel, fils married Ludivine dite Divine, 23-year-old daughter of fellow Acadians Charles Guilbeau and his first wife Anne Trahan, at Attakapas in January 1793.  Like older brother Amand, Michel, fils settled at Grande Pointe on the upper Teche.  Unlike his older brother Amand, Michel, fils remained there.  His and Ludivine's children, born at Grande Pointe, included Marie-Victoire, called Victoire, in c1793; Susanne in August 1795; Marguerite-Dionise or -Denise in September 1796; Michel-Onésime, also called Michel III, in March 1799; Louis le jeune in October 1800 but died the following February; twins Hervillien-Amand, also called Amand le jeune, and Joseph-Deterville born in December 1801; Nicolas dit Colin in September 1804; Ludivine in December 1806; Marcellite in May 1808; Éloi in September 1810; and a daughter, name unrecorded, died at birth in November 1814.  Wife Ludivine died at Grande Pointe in January 1815, age 45, perhaps from the rigors of childbirth.  At age 43, Michel, fils remarried to Agnès, 32-year-old daughter of Canadian Jean-Baptiste Rodrigues and his Creole wife Marie Josèphe Baudoin and widow of Adam Webre of St. John the Baptist Parish on the upper German Coast, in St. John the Baptist Parish in June 1816.  Their children, born at Grande Pointe, included Claire in September 1818 but died at age 1 in August 1819; and Adélaide born in September 1820--14 children, eight daughters and six sons, by two wives, between 1795 and 1820.  Michel, fils was affluent enough to hire a live-in tutor for his children and his nieces and nephew.  The tutor, Charles de Dernay Plassard of Brest, France, died at Michel, fils's home at Grande Pointe in March 1817.  Michel, fils died probably at his home on Bayou Teche in August 1833.  The St. Martinville priest who recorded the burial called him Michel of Opelousas and said he was age 65 when he died.  He was a month shy of 61.  His succession, naming his wives and children--Michel, Aman, Nicholas, Eloy, Victoire and her husband, Denyse and her husband, Divine and her husband, Marcelite and her husband, Susanne and her husband, and Joseph (deceased) by his first wife, and Adélaïde by his second wife--was filed at the Vermilionville courthouse a few days after his death, so he must have owned property in Lafayette Parish as well as St. Martin.  In November 1850, the federal census taker in St. Martin Parish counted 24 slaves--11 males and 13 females, all black, ranging in age from 85 to infancy--on Widow Michel Cormier's plantation; this was Michel, fils's second wife, Agnès Rodrigues's, slaves.  In June 1860, the federal census taker in St. Martin Parish counted 20 slaves--six males and 14 females, all black, ages 78 to 2, living in six houses--on Widow M. Cormier's plantation.  Agnès died in St. Martin Parish in November 1871, age 94.  Daughters Marie Victoire, Susanne, Marguerite Denise, Ludivine, Marcellite, and Adélaïde, by both wives, married into the Bertrand, Dautreuil, Ledoux, Allegre, and Gauthier families, and perhaps into the Guidry family as well, one of them, Victoire, twice, and two of them to Ledoux brothers from the river.  Four of Michel, fils's sons also married. 

Oldest son Michel Onésime, also called Michel III, from first wife Ludivine Guilbeau, married Céleste or Silesie, daughter of fellow Acadians Pierre Dupuis and Rosalie Monique Thériot of St. James Parish but residents of Grande Pointe, at the St. Martinville church in July 1816.  They settled at La Pointe on the upper Teche.  Their children, born there, included a daughter, age unrecorded, died in December 1817; Michel Treville, called Treville, born in November 1818; Céleste Émelina or Amelina in May 1820; Élisa in March 1822; Marie Azélie in August 1824; Marie Uranie, called Uranie, in May 1826; Madeleine Ordalie in November 1827; Sosthènes or Sosthène in October 1829 but died at age 5 (the recording priest said 6 years and 3 months) in December 1834; Marie Elmire, called Elmire, born in April 1831 but died at age 5 1/2 in September 1836; Amélie born in November 1833 but, called Émilie, may have died in St. Martin Parish, age 19, in October 1853; Marie Aminthe born in January 1838 but, called Marie Amante, died at age 5 1/2 in November 1843; Sylvain born in the 1830s but died in December 1855, age unrecorded (his succession was filed at the St. Martinville courthouse the following February); Euzèïde born in the late 1830s or 1840s; Cesar or Césaire in August 1840; and Corine near Breaux Bridge in January 1848--15 children, 11 daughters and four sons, between 1817 and 1848.  Michel Onésime, called Michel, died at his home on upper Bayou Teche in November 1853.  The St. Martinville priest who recorded the burial, and who did not give any parents' names or mention a wife, said that Michel, fils, as he called him, died "at age 60 yrs."  He was 54.  His succession, naming his wife, was filed at the St. Martinville courthouse in December 1854.  Daughters Céleste Amelina, Élisa, Madeleine Ordalie, Marie Azélie, Uranie, Amélie, and Euzèïde married into the Boudreaux, Barras, Thibodeaux, Thériot, Babineaux, Melançon, Préjean, and Wiltz families.  Michel Onésime's remaining sons also married. 

Oldest son Michel Treville, called Treville, married Marie Azéma or Azéna, also called Zéna, daughter of fellow Acadians Pierre Melançon and Marie Savoie, at the St. Martinville church in November 1838.  Their children, born on the prairies and the upper Teche, included Ernest, also called Michel Ernest, in late 1839 and baptized at the Vermilionville church, age 7 months, in April 1840; Céleste born in August 1841; Marie in August 1843; Marie Léonie in September 1845; Emma, also called Aima, baptized at the Breaux Bridge church, age 2 months [perhaps years], in April 1848; Joséphine Adolphine born in March 1850[sic, perhaps 1849]; and Camille Omer, called Omer and Homère, in the summer of 1850--seven children, two sons and five daughters, between 1839 and 1850.  Michel Treville died in St. Martin Parish in December 1850, "at age 31 or 33 yrs." (he was 32), a month after he was counted in the 1850 federal census as a 31-year-old laborer with wife Marie, age 27, four Cormier children, two sons and two daughters--Erneste, age 10; Céleste, age 8; Aima, age 4; and Homère, age 4 months--and four other dependents--two Melançons, Marie's younger brothers Dolzé, age 22; and Alfred, age 15--and two immigrants from France, A. Delisis, age 65; and Louis Delisis, age 16.  Treville's succession, calling his wife Zéna, was filed at the St. Martinville courthouse in January 1851.  Daughters Céleste and Emma married into the Periou and Barras families by 1870.  One of Treville's sons also married by then. 

Older son Ernest married Marguerite Alzima or Alzina, daughter of Clairville Lasseigne and Joséphine Allegre, at the St. Martinville church in June 1859.  Their children, born in St. Martin Parish, included Gabriel in November 1860 but may have died near Breaux Bridge at age 19 in October 1879; and Joseph Ernest, called Ernest, born in February 1863.  Ernest, père's succession, calling him Michel, was filed at the St. Martinville courthouse in March 1864.  He would have been age 24 that year.  If his succession was post-mortem, one wonders if his death was war-related.

Michel Onésime's fourth and youngest son Césaire married Séverine, daughter of Émile Castille and his Acadian wife Marie Adélaïde Thibodeaux, at the Breaux Bridge church in January 1861.  Their children, born near Breaux Bridge, included Adélaïde in October 1861; Simon, also called Sylvain Simon, in October 1862; Joseph Adela or Adélard, called Adélard and Joseph D., in April 1866; Marie Théodose in January 1868; Crejin or Crepin was baptized at the Breaux Bridge church, age unrecorded, in December 1869; ...  During the War of 1861-65, Césaire served in Company A of the Yellow Jackets Battalion Louisiana Infantry, raised in St. Martin Parish, which fought in Louisiana.  As the births of his younger children attest, he survived the war and returned to this family. 

Michel, fils's third son Joseph Deterville, a twin, by first wife Ludivine Guilbeau, married Aimée Scholastique, called Scholastique, daughter of Adam Webre and Agnès Rodrigues of St. John the Baptist Parish, at the St. Martinville church in December 1822; Aimée was Joseph Deterville's stepsister.  Their children, born in St. Martin Parish, included Joseph Émile, called Émile, in January 1824; and Marie Elmire, called Elmire, in June 1826.  Joseph Deterville died at Grande Pointe in August 1827, age 26.  His succession, naming his widow and their children, Elmire and Émile, was filed at the St. Martinville courthouse in January 1829.  Daughter Marie Elmire married a Guilbeau cousin.  Joseph Deterville's son also married. 

Only son Joseph Émile, called Émile, married Julie, daughter of fellow Acadians Sylvestre Broussard and Marie Aspasie Babineaux, at the St. Martinville church in February 1843.  Their children, born in St. Martin Parish, included Joseph Arthur, called Arthur, in September 1847; Célestine in June 1849; and Sylvain Numa, called Numa, in July 1851.  In November 1850, the federal census taker in St. Martin Parish counted four slaves--an 18-year-old male and three 16-year-old females, all black--on Émile Cormier's farm.  Wife Julie's succession, calling him Émile, was filed at the St. Martinville courthouse in January 1854.  Émile remarried to Léontine, daughter of fellow Acadians Alexandre Babin and Marie Therzile Thibodeaux, at the St. Martinville church in February 1857.  Their children, born in St. Martin Parish, included Marie in April 1858; Marie Sidonie in December 1859; Louise Berthe in July 1864; ...  In June 1860, the federal census taker in St. Martin Parish counted 13 slaves--seven males and six females, all black, ages 60 to 2, living in three houses--on Émile Cormier's farm.  Émile, at age 44, remarried again--his third marriage--to cousin Alzire, daughter of Joseph Allegre and his Acadian wife Marguerite Denise Cormier, at the St. Martinville church in October 1868. ...  Some of his daughters by his second and third wives married into the Babin, Hébert, and Thibodeaux families after 1870.  None of Émile's sons married by that date. 

Michel, fils's fourth son Hervillien Amand, also called Amand le jeune, Joseph Deterville's twin, by first wife Ludivine Guilbeau, married, at age 33, Marie Cephalie, Cephalide, or Cophalite, daughter of Furcy Hollier and Juliette Collins, at the St. Martinville church in April 1838, but they have been married civilly for several years.  Their children, born in St. Martin Parish, included Amand, fils in March 1836; Joseph Cléopha, called Cléopha, in September 1837; Émilie in November 1839; Rosémond in September 1841; Julie in June 1843; Louis Homère in August 1845; Léontine in September 1848; and Adelina in March 1850--eight children, four sons and four daughters, between 1836 and 1850.  In June 1860, the federal census taker in St. Martin Parish counted five slaves--two males and three females, three blacks and two mulattoes, ranging in age from 38 to 3--on Amand Cormier's farm.  Amand le jeune, called Hervilien, died near Breaux Bridge in October 1879.  The priest who recorded the burial said that "Hervilien" was age 79 when he died.  He was 77.  Daughters Émilie, Julie, and Léontine married into the Broussard, Periaux, and Lasseigne families by 1870.  Two of Hervillien Amand's sons also married by then. 

Second son Joseph Cléopha, called Cléopha, married Palestine, 18-year-old daughter of Alexandre Beslin and Delphine Leleux, at the St. Martinville church in April 1857.  Daughter Marie Delphine Palestine was born in St. Martin Parish in December 1858.  Wife Palestine died in St. Martin Parish in July 1859, age 20, perhaps from complications of childbirth.  During the War of 1861-65, Cléopha served in Company A of the Yellow Jackets Battalion Louisiana Infantry, raised in St. Martin Parish, which fought in Louisiana, and in Company A of the Consolidated 18th Regiment and Yellow Jackets Battalion Infantry, into which the Yellow Jackets were incorporated in late 1863, which also fought in Louisiana.  He survived the war and returned to his family.  Cléopha died in St. Martin Parish in May 1869.  The St. Martinville priest who recorded the burial, and who did not give any parents' names or mention a wife, said that Cléopha died "at age 32 yrs."  He was 31.  He evidently had not remarried, so his line of the family, except perhaps for its blood, may have died with him.  

Amand le jeune's third son Rosémond, during the war, served in the same units as his older brother Cléopha and, like his brother, survived the war and returned to his family.  Rosémond married Marie Félicie, called Félicie, daughter of fellow Acadians Joseph Théodore Babineaux and Azélie Melançon, at the St. Martinville church in January 1866.  They settled near Breaux Bridge.  Their children, born there, included Léon or Léonce in December 1868; ... 

Michel, fils's fifth son Nicolas, by first wife Ludivine Guilbeau, married Osite Delphine, called Delphine and also Joséphine, daughter of fellow Acadians David Babineaux and Osite Melançon, at the St. Martinville church in February 1828.  Their children, born in St. Martin Parish, included Nicolas, fils in April 1829; and Joseph Declemir or Declomir in December 1832.  A succession for Nicolas, not post-mortem, calling his widow Ozite Delphine, was filed at the St. Martinville courthouse in November 1838, a week or so before his remarriage to Marie Ozea, daughter of fellow Acadians Joseph Boudreaux and Félice Broussard, at the St. Martinville church late that November.  Their son Jules was born in St. Martin Parish in August 1840--three children, all sons, by two wives, between 1829 and 1840.  In November 1850, the federal census taker in St. Martin Parish counted 11 slaves--eight males and three females, all black, ages 14 to 8--on Nicolas Cormier's farm.  Wife Marie Ozea's succession, perhaps post-mortem, calling her husband Nicolas Sr., was filed at the St. Martinville courthouse in May 1854.  Nicolas, père may have died in St. Martin Parish by October 1855, when his succession was filed at St. Martinville courthouse.  He would have been age 51 that year.  His three sons married, but not all of the lines endured. 

Oldest son Nicolas, fils, by first wife Delphine Babineaux, married first cousin Émilie, daughter of Antoine Auguste Ledoux and his Acadian wife Ludivine Cormier, his uncle and aunt, at the St. Martinville church in September 1852.  Their children, born in St. Martin Parish, included Nicolas Adolphe, called Adolphe, in July 1853; Anatole in June 1855; and Joséphine in December 1859--three children, two sons and a daughter, between 1853 and 1859.  In June 1860, the federal census taker in St. Martin Parish counted 28 slaves--11 males and 17 females, 24 blacks and four mulattoes, ages 60 to 5, living in 16 houses--on Nicholas Cormier's plantation; this was Nicolas, fils.  During the war, Nicolas, fils, a captain, commanded Company C of the Yellow Jackets Battalion Louisiana Infantry, raised in St. Martin Parish, which fought in Louisiana.  He died probably at his home in St. Martin Parish in December 1863, age 34 (the recording priest said 35), perhaps from wounds suffered in Confederate service.  His succession was filed at the St. Martinville courthouse in October 1864.  Daughter Joséphine married into the Olivier family after 1870.  Neither of Nicolas, fils's sons married by 1870.  Did either of them married after?

Nicolas, père's second son Joseph Declemir, by first wife Delphine Babineaux, married Clara, daughter of Foreign Frenchman Laurent Tertron of Nantes and his French Creole wife Louise dite Louisianaise Beauvais of Pointe Coupee and Bayou Tortue, at the St. Martinville church in December 1852.  Joseph Declemir died in St. Martin Parish in October 1855, age 23.  His succession, calling him Joseph Sr., may have been filed at the St. Martinville courthouse in November.  One wonders if he fathered any children.

Nicolas, père's youngest son Jules, by second wife Marie Ozea Boudreaux, likely married fellow Acadian Marie Louise Arceneaux, place and date unrecorded.  Their son Joseph Adam was born near Vermilionville, Lafayette Parish, in November 1870; ...

Michel, fils's sixth and youngest son Éloi, by first wife Ludivine Guilbeau, "domiciled in St. Martinville," according to the priest who recorded his burial, died at the home of Alphonse Oubre at St. Gabriel, Iberville Parish, in October 1839, but he was buried at Convent in nearby St. James Parish, age 30.  He probably did not marry.  Was Éloi working for Oubre at the time of his death?  Oddly, a succession in Éloi Cormier's name (he was called Eloy) was filed at the St. Martinville courthouse in 1816, when this Éloi would have been age 6!  Another succession for Eloy Cormier, which did not mention any parents or a wife, was filed at the St. Martinville courthouse in August 1847, nearly eight years after this Éloi's death. 

Michel, père's third son Pierre, by second wife Catherine Stelly, called "Pierre of Opelousas," married, at age 18, Marianne, 18-year-old daughter of German immigrants Jacob Miller and Anne-Marie Theigen of Alsace and Maryland, at Opelousas in August 1795 (her parents had come to Louisiana in 1769 from Maryland aboard the ill-starred British transport Britannia).  Pierre and Marianne settled at Carencro at the northwestern edge of the Attakapas District.  Marianne died there in August 1796, age 19, perhaps from complications of childbirth.  Pierre, at age 21, remarried to Rosalie, 16-year-old daughter of fellow Acadians Amand Dugas and Geneviève Robichaux of nearby Anse La Butte, at Attakapas in January 1798.  Their children, born at Carencro, included Pierre, fils in March 1799; Marie in c1803 or 1804; Céleste in August 1805; Maximilien or Maxilien in September 1807; Amand le jeune in October 1809; Geneviève in c1810; Arsènne, a daughter, in November 1811; Symphorien in August 1816; and Anasthasie in December 1820 but, called Arthémise, died at age 2 in December 1822--nine children, four sons and five daughters, all by his second wife, between 1799 and 1820.  Pierre, père died at Plaquemine Point, St. Landry Parish, in June 1847, age 71 (the recording priest said 70), and was buried at nearby Grand Coteau.  His succession was filed at the Opelousas courthouse that month.  His widow Rosalie did not remarry and died at Carencro in March 1859.  The Grand Coteau priest who recorded her burial said that she died "at age 80 yrs."  She was 77.  Her succession, naming her husband, was filed at the Opelousas courthouse a week after her death.  Strangely, a succession, calling her "wid. Rosalie Dugas, had been filed at the Opelousas courthouse in January 1838, years before his as well as her death.  Daughters Marie, Céleste, Arsène, and Geneviève married into the LeBlanc, Courseau, Guilbeau, Fontenot, Gautreaux, Janis, and Thibodeaux families, three of them twice.  All four of Pierre's sons married.  The oldest son's line was especially vigorous.

Oldest son Pierre, fils, by second wife Rosalie Dugas, married, at age 19, Céleste, 25-year-old daughter of fellow Acadians Charles Dominique Babineaux and Marguerite Thibodeaux of Carencro, at the St. Martinville church in May 1818.  They settled at Carencro.  Their children, born there, included Ursin in February 1819; Émilie in November 1820; Lucien in October 1822; Pierre Rosémond, called Rosémond, in February 1824; twins Mélanie and Mélazie or Mélasie in 1825 and baptized at the Vermilionville church, age 2 months, in January 1826; Aurelia or Orelia born in January 1828; Bélisaire in July 1830; Joachim baptized at the Vermilionville church, age 3 months, in May 1832; Lasty born in late 1833 and baptized at the Vermilionville church, age 4 months, in March 1834; and Camille or Clémile baptized at the Vermilionville church, age 5 months, in May 1838--11 children, seven sons and four daughters, including a set of twins, between 1819 and 1838.  In December 1850, the federal census taker in Lafayette Parish counted 16 slaves--10 males and six females, all black, ages 40 to 4--on Pierre Cormier, fils's farm in the parish's western district.  In June 1860, the federal census taker in Lafayette Parish counted 30 slaves--15 males and 15 females, 21 blacks and 9 mulattoes, ages 59 years to 5 1/2 months, living in five houses--on Pierre Cormier's cotton plantation at Carencro.  Wife Céleste died at Carencro in August 1869.  The Grand Coteau priest who recorded the burial, and who did not to give any parents' names, said that Céleste died "at age 75 yrs."  She was 76.  Pierre, fils died at Carencro in December 1871.  The Grand Coteau priest who recorded the burial said that Pierre was age 75 when he died.  He was 72.  In his will, Pierre, fils donated land for a church and cemetery at Carencro with the stipulation that the name of the church be St. Pierre.  The land he gave, however, was exchanged for another piece of property closer to the center of the village, where St. Peter church was established in 1874.  For a time, in fact, the village of Carencro was called St. Pierre after the church.  Daughters Mélasie, Orelia, and Mélanie married into the Babineaux, Brasseaux, and Simoneaux families.  Six of Pierre, fils's sons also married, two of them after their military service.  His one son who did not marry died in the war. 

Oldest son Ursin married Marie Alexandrine, called Alexandrine, 16-year-old daughter of fellow Acadians Jean Murphy Broussard and his first wife Marie Adélaïde Prejean, at the Grand Coteau church in April 1845.  Their children, born near Grand Coteau, included Marie Osea in March 1846 but, called Ozea, died at age 14 (the recording priest said 15) in March 1860; Onésime Luma or Numa, called Numa, born in February 1848; Jean Murphy, called Murphy, in December 1849; Thelesmar in December 1851; Marie Alida in December 1855 but, called Alida, died at age 10 (the recording priest said 11) in December 1865; Pierre Neuville, called Neuville, born in February 1858; Ursin, fils in June 1860 but died age 5 in December 1865; Marie Cidalise born in August 1862; Joseph Cléomile in April 1865 but, called Clémile, died at age 8 in January 1874; Marie Laparee born in February 1869; ...  In June of 1860, the federal census taker in Lafayette Parish counted three slaves--a male and two females, all black, ages 9, 20, and 4--on Ursin Cormier's farm.  During the War of 1861-65, Ursin served in Company K of the 2nd Regiment Louisiana Reserve Corps, raised in Lafayette Parish, which fought local Jayhawkers.  He survived the war and returned to his family.  Ursin died near Carencro in April 1895, age 76.  His succession was filed at the Lafayette courthouse the following August.  Daughters ... married into the Brasseaux and Prejean families by 1870.  Two of Ursin's sons also married by then, but one of the lines did not endure. 

Oldest son Onésime Numa, called Numa, married Alexandrine, daughter of fellow Acadians Alexandre Guilbeau, fils and Françoise Savoie, at the Grand Coteau church in February 1870. ...  Onésime Numa's succession was filed at the Vermilionville courthouse in January 1881.  He would have been age 32 at the time.  

Ursin's second son Jean Murphy, at age 16, married cousin Marie, daughter of fellow Acadians Aurelien Brasseaux and Aurelia Cormier, at the Vermilionville church in June 1866.  Jean Murphy died probably at Carencro in July 1867.  The Grand Coteau priest who recorded the burial, and who did not give any parents' names or mention a wife, said that Morphy, as he called him, died "at age 19 yrs.  He was 17.  His succession, calling him Jean Morphi, was filed at the Vermilionville courthouse in July 1868.  He evidently fathered no children.

Pierre, fils's second son Lucien married cousin Céleste or Célestine, daughter of fellow Acadians Joseph dit Joson Babineaux and Céleste Comeaux, at the Vermilionville church in August 1840 (Lucien's mother and wife shared the same first and last names!)  They settled near Carencro.  Their children, born there, included Marie Onezia or Onesia in February 1843; Jean Baptiste in June 1845 (strangely, his baptism was recorded in the Grand Coteau parish's "Black Bk."); Joseph born in December 1845[sic]; Joseph Adolphe in April 1848 but died near Rayne, Acadia Parish, age 38 (the recording priest said 40), in November 1886; Aurelia born in September 1849; Pierre le jeune "in Calcasieu," but his birth was recorded at the Grand Coteau church in November 1850 or 1851; Julien born in May 1853; Louis Alcide, called Alcide, in February 1855; Placide in November 1856; Marie Céleste in November 1858 but, called Céleste, died at age 4 in December 1862; Lucien, fils born in September 1860; Edmonia in November 1862; Alice in March 1866; Alicia in February 1869; ...  Lucien, père died near Carencro in February 1892, age 69.  Daughters Marie Onesia and Aurelia married into the Benoit and Babineaux families by 1870, and some of his daughters into the Brasseaux and Hoffpauir families after 1870.  Three of Lucien's sons also married by that date, but one of the lines did not endure. 

Oldest son Jean Baptiste married Clara or Claire, daughter of French Canadian Edmond Roger and his Acadian wife Urasie Prejean, at the Vermilionville church in February 1868.  Their son Edmond Lastie, called Lastie, was born in Lafayette Parish in January 1869; ...  Jean Baptiste remarried to Célestine, daughter of Don Louis Carrière and widow of Marcel Arabie, at the Carencro church in May 1883. 

Lucien's second son Joseph married Marguerite Aspasie, another daughter of Edmond Roger and Urasie Prejean, at the Vermilionville church in November 1866.  Daughter Angena was born in Lafayette Parish in July 1869.  Joseph died in Lafayette Parish in October 1870, " at age 24 or 25."  His succession, naming his wife, was filed at the Vermilionville courthouse in November. 

Lucien's fourth son Pierre le jeune may have married French Creole Célima Lebleu, place and date unrecorded.  They settled probably near Youngsville, Lafayette Parish.  Their children, born there, included Donatille in June 1867; Martin in December 1868; ...  

Pierre, fils's third son Pierre Rosémond, called Rosémond, married cousin Cidalise, daughter of fellow Acadians Arvillien LeBlanc and Juliènne Babineaux, at the Vermilionville church in May 1851.  They settled near Carencro.  Their children, born there, included Émile in December 1852; a child, name unrecorded, died at birth in August 1854; Télesphore born in September 1855 but died at age 3 months the following January; Marie Azélie born in December 1856 but, called Azélie, died at age 1 1/2 (the recording priest said "1/2 year") in August 1858; Adam born in January 1859 but died at age 1 1/2 (the recording priest said 1) in August 1860; a child, name unrecorded, died at age 9 days in February 1861; Alcide born in February 1862; Joseph Lastie, called Lasty (named after his uncle who had just died in the trenches at Vicksburg) in August 1863; Aurelien le jeune, also called Augustin and Adrien, in October 1865; Arvillien in January 1868; Erestil, probably Aristide, in August 1870; ...  Rosémond died near Carencro in January 1887.  The priest who recorded the burial said that Rosémond was age 64 when he died.  He was 62.  A daughter married a Dugas cousin after 1870.  None of Rosémond's sons married by that date. 

Pierre, fils's fourth son Bélisaire married cousin Aurelia, daughter of fellow Acadians Joachim Dugas and Marguerite Broussard, at the Vermilionville church in January 1857.  They settled probably near Carencro.  Their children, born there, included Marie Amélie January 1858; Joachim le jeune in July 1860; Adolphina in May 1863 but died the following October; Marie Osea born in September 1864; Anatole in May 1867; Marie Idea in January 1870; ...  During the war, Bélisaire served probably as a conscript in Company D of the 26th Regiment Louisiana Infantry, raised in Lafourche Parish, which fought at Vicksburg, Mississippi.  His three younger brothers--Joachim, Lasty, and Clémile--served as volunteers in another company of that regiment.  As the birth dates of his younger children attest, Bélisaire, like brothers Joachim and Clémile, also survived the war and returned to his family.  None of his children married by 1870. 

During the war, Pierre, fils's fifth son Joachim served with his younger brothers Lasty and Clémile in Company A of the 26th Regiment Louisiana Infantry, the Lafayette Prairie Boys, raised in Lafayette Parish, which fought at Vicksburg, Mississippi.  He survived the war and returned to his family.  Joachim, at age 33, married Marie Euphémie, called Euphémie, daughter of Simonet Simoneaux and his first wife, Acadian Azélie LeBlanc, at the Vermilionville church in August 1865; Euphémie's stepmother was Mélanie Cormier, Joachim's older sister.  Joachim and Euphémie settled at Carencro.  Their children, born there, included a daughter, name unrecorded, died at age 5 days in January 1867; Eva born in July 1869; and Honoré in July 1871.  Soon after the death of his wife in the early 1880s, Joachim took up with Azélie, called Azèle, daughter of French Canadian Jean Baptiste Lantier and French Creole Christine Olivier of Grand Coteau.  Joachim and Azèle did not marry; Azèle, in fact, had borne children by Jean Broussard in the 1870s but had not married him either.  Joachim and Azèle's son Honoré Lesseus, called Lesseus or "Seaux," a deaf-mute, was born near Carencro in July 1884; and Léonce in April 1889.  Joachim died of tuberculosis at Carencro in October 1899, age 68.  "Seaux" never married, but Léonce, who took care of his older brother and became a barber in Mermentau in Acadia Parish and Jennings in Jefferson Davis Parish, created a large family with Acadia Parish native Marie Zelma Istre (the author's paternal grandparents). 

During the war, Pierre, fils's sixth son Lasty served in the same company as his older brother Joachim and his younger brother Clémile.  Unlike his brothers, however, Lasty did not survive the war.  He was mortally wounded by a shell fragment to the head during the Siege of Vicksburg in June 1863 and buried at Soldier's Rest in the city's Cedar Hill Cemetery, age 29. 

Pierre, fils's seventh and youngest son Clémile served in the same company as his older brothers Joachim and Lasty and, like Joachim, he survived the war and returned to his family.  Clémile, at age 28, married cousin Alice, also called Caliste, another daughter of Joachim Dugas and Marguerite Broussard, at the Vermilionville church in April 1866.  They settled at Carencro.  Their children, born there, included Onésiphore in January 1867; Horace in December 1868; Esdras in September 1870; ..

Pierre of Opelousas's second son Maximilien or Maxilien, also called Pierre Maximilien and Maxile, from second wife Rosalie Dugas, married Marie Mélanie, called Mélanie, daughter of fellow Acadians Joseph dit Augustin Broussard and Anne Hébert, at the Vermilionville church in April 1828.  They settled probably near Carencro.  Their children, born there, included Maximilien or Maxilien, fils, also called Maxile, fils and Onésime, in November 1829; Narcisse, also called Narcisse Marcus, in December 1831; Marie Rémise in December 1833; Rémis in late 1834 but died at age 8 months in July 1835; Émilia or Émelia, baptized at age 1 month in July 1837; Dosité, probably a son, born in July 1841 but, called Dositée, died at age 5 1/2 in June 1847; Marie Nanette born in December 1844; and a child, name unrecorded, in April 1849 but died at age 4 months the following August.  The birth of Maximilien and Mélanie's final child must have proved fatal to the mother as well as the child.  Wife Mélanie's succession, probably post-mortem, was filed at the Opelousas courthouse in July 1849.  In November 1850, the federal census taker in St. Landry Parish counted four slaves--two males and two females, ages 38 to 2--on Maximilien Cormier's farm.  At age 44, he remarried to Alexandrine or Azélie, daughter of fellow Acadians Joseph Louis Richard and his first cousin Eugénie Richard and widow of James Baugh, in a civil ceremony in St. Landry Parish in January 1852, and sanctified the marriage at the Grand Coteau church in April 1853.  They settled near Church Point on Bayou Plaquemine Brûlé, then in St. Landry but now in Acadia Parish.  Their children, born there, included Marie Flevie in July 1856; Marie Coralie in September 1859; and Octavie in December 1861.  In the summer of 1860, the federal census taker in St. Landry Parish counted a single slave--a 36-year-old black male--on Maximilien Cormier's farm.  At age 58, he remarried again--his third marriage--to Célestine, daughter of fellow Acadians Joseph Doucet and Carmélite Richard and widow of Césaire Caruthers, at the Church Point church in April 1866.  Their son Pierre le jeune was born near Church Point in April 1870; ...  Daughters Émelia and Marie Nanette, by his first wife, married into the Thibodeaux, Derosier, and Richard, one of them, Émelia, twice, by 1870.  Maximilien's remaining sons also married by then. 

Oldest son Maximilien, fils, by first wife Mélanie Broussard, married Adélaïde, daughter of fellow Acadians Antoine Boudreaux and Marie Émelie Savoie, at the Grand Coteau church in September 1851.  Their children, born on the prairies, included Marie near Church Point in June 1853; Eulalie near Grand Coteau in August 1855; Marie Adèle in May 1857; Léonal baptized at the Church Point church, age 6 months, in December 1860; François born in February 1862 but died near Church Point at age 3 months the following May; Mélanie born near Grand Coteau in March 1863 but, called Amélanie, died near Church Point at age 5 1/2 (the recording priest said 6) in August 1868; ...  Some of his daughters married into the Cormier and Mendoza families after 1870.  None of Maximilien, fils's sons married by that date.

Maximilien, père's second son Narcisse Marcus, by first wife Mélanie Broussard, married, at age 29, Marie Mélanie or Mélasie, daughter of Jérôme Janis and Marie Bellard, at the Grand Coteau church in October 1851.  They settled near Church Point.  Their children, born there, included Narcisse, fils in October 1852; Marie Mélanie, called Mélanie, in December 1854; Pierre le jeune in December 1856; Jérôme in March 1859; Marie Sélanie in September 1861; Marie in May 1863; Jeannette in July 1865; Louise Maxille in June 1867; Marie Ovilia in October 1869; ...  During the war, Narcisse served in Company K of the 29th (Thomas's) Regiment Louisiana Infantry, raised in St. Landry Parish, which fought at Vicksburg, Mississippi.  He survived the war and returned to his family.  Daughter Mélanie married into the Allemand family in 1870.  Some of Narcisse's other daughters married into the Daigle, Leger, Matte, Meche, and Spears families after 1870.  One of Narcisse's sons married by that date.

Oldest son Narcisse, fils married Marie Émilie or Amélie, daughter of Louis Lejeune, probably a fellow Acadian, in a civil ceremony in St. Landry Parish in November 1870, and sanctified the marriage at the Church Point church in January 1872. ...

Pierre of Opelousas's third son Amand le jeune, by second wife Rosalie Dugas, married, at age 23, Eurasie, 16-year-old daughter of William Wood or Woods and his Acadian wife Marguerite Brasseaux, at the Opelousas church in July 1832.  Their children, born in St. Landry Parish, included Aurelien in April 1833; Uranie baptized at age 3 months in July 1835; Terville or Treville born in March 1838; and Aurelia in March 1849--four children, two sons and two daughters, between 1833 and 1849.  Amand le jeune's succession, calling him Amanoo, was filed at the Vermilionville courthouse in June 1878.  He would have been age 68 that year.  His daughters did not marry by 1870.  One of his sons did. 

Older son Aurelien married Marianne, daughter of Augustin Frugé and Eléonore Lasage, at the Grand Coteau church in October 1851.  They settled at Pointe Émile Mouton in present-day Acadia Parish near Church Point.  Their children, born there, included Aurelien, fils, in December 1852; Elvina in December 1854; Tainville, probably Stanville, in June 1857; Auguste in January 1860; Edval Joseph or Joseph Edval in October 1862; Aristide or Aurestile in August 1865; Théodore, also called Théodose, "at P[oin]te. Em[ile]. Mouton" in September 1868; ...  Aurelien remarried to Marie Célina, called Célina, Racca in a civil ceremony probably in St. Landry Parish, and sanctified the marriage at the Church Point church in June 1871.  They settled in Lafayette and Acadia parishes.  Aurelien, père died in Acadia Parish by May 1892, when his succession was filed at the Crowley courthouse.  He would have been age 59 that year.  Daughter Elvina, by his first wife, married into the Richard family by 1870, and into the Matte family after 1870.  None of Aurelien's sons married by 1870. 

Pierre of Opelousas's fourth and youngest son Symphorien, by second wife Rosalie Dugas, married Célesie, 25-year-old daughter of Noël Vasseur and his Acadian wife Angélique Richard and widow of Thomas Bacon, at the Opelousas church in April 1837.  Their children, born in St. Landry Parish, included Rosalie in May 1838; Symphorien, fils in June 1840; Louis Alfred in February 1843; Angélique in September 1845; Marie Aima in December 1847; Pierre Mauléon in October 1849; and Céleste Eléonore near Church Point in August 1851--seven children, four daughters and three sons, between 1838 and 1851.  Symphorien, called Syphroyen by the recording priest, died near Grand Coteau in June 1853, age 36 (the recording priest said 37).  Some of his daughters married into the Clark, Sonnier, and Vasseur families after 1870.  One of his sons married by that date.  Daughter Angélique gave birth to a "natural son" during the war. 

Oldest son Symphorien, fils married Céleste, daughter of James Desales or Desaulles and Eléonore Bergeron, a French Creole, not an Acadian, at the Grand Coteau church in April 1868.  Daughter Marie Florida was born near Church Point in August 1869; ...  Symphorien, fils, who also settled near Plaisance, St. Landry Parish, died near Church Point in June 1894.  The priest who recorded the burial said he was age 58 when he died.  He was 54. 

Daughter Angélique gave birth to Symphorien le jeune, perhaps a "natural" son, named after her father and brother, near Church Point in June 1864.  The priest who recorded the boy's baptism did not give the father's name. 

Michel, père's fourth son Louis, by second wife Catherine Stelly, married Thécla or Thécle, daughter of Michel Meaux from the Saintogne region of western France and his Acadian wife Élizabeth Broussard, at Attakapas in October 1799.  They settled on the upper Vermilion north of present-day Lafayette probably in an area the Acadians called Beaubassin.  They also lived at La Pointe on the upper Teche near today's Breaux Bridge.  Their children, born there, included Ursule in October 1800 but died at age 1 1/2 in July 1802; Julie born in November 1802 but died at age 1 1/2 in September 1804; Célestin, also called Marcellin and Aurelien, born on the upper Vermilion in October 1804; Marguerite at La Pointe in January 1807 but died on the upper Vermilion, age 8 1/2, in August 1815; Alexandre born on the upper Vermilion in June 1809; Onésime dit Lésime in September 1811; Jean Baptiste in February 1814 but died at age 8 in October 1822; Marie Carmélite dite Mélite born in October 1816; and Michel le jeune in May 1819 but died at age 2 in October 1822.  Thécla died in the early 1820s.  Her succession, filed at the Vermilionville courthouse in June 1823, noted that Louis "is not in a situation to have the tutorship of his minor children due to his being in a habitual state of deafness for the last 5 or 6 years."  Thécla's brother, Athanas Meaux, offered to be the tutor of his sister's minor children, sons Alexandre and Lésime, ages 14 and 12, and daughter Mélite, age 8.  Deafness did not prevent Louis from remarrying, at age 44, to Marie, daughter of Antoine Ledoux and his Acadian wife Marguerite Gaudet of St. James Parish and widow of Joseph Clairville Melançon, at the St. Martinville church in July 1823; Marie's brother, Antoine Auguste Ledoux, had married Louis's niece, Ludivine, daughter of his half-brother Michel, fils, only three months earlier.  Louis and Marie's children, born on the upper Vermilion, included a son, name unrecorded, died within hours of his birth in October 1825; twins Joseph and Joséphine born in November 1826, but Joséphine died the following February; Adélaïde born in October 1830; and Don or Jean Louis, called Louis, fils, in c1831--14 children, six daughters and eight sons, by two wives, including a set of twins, between 1800 and 1831.  Louis died at his home along the upper Vermilion in June 1843.  The priest who recorded the burial said that Louis was age 60 when he died.  He was at least 64.  Daughters Mélite and Adélaïde, by both wives, married into the Duhon and LeBlanc families.  Five of Louis's sons also married. 

Oldest son Célestin, also called Marcellin and Aurelien, from first wife Thécla Meaux, married first cousin Marguerite, 18-year-old daughter of Augustin Royer of Illinois and his Acadian wife Victoire Cormier, his uncle and aunt, at the Grand Coteau church in May 1822.  Their children, born in Lafayette Parish, included Carmélite in October 1823; Alexandre le jeune baptized at the Vermilionville church, age 14 days, in September 1825 but died the day after his baptism; Olézime or Onésime le jeune baptized at age 2 months in February 1827; a child, name unrecorded, died at age 6 days in October 1829; Auguste or Augustin baptized at age 4 months in April 1831 but died at age 22 in April 1853; Osémé born in 1832 and baptized at age 7 1/2 months in April 1833 but died at age 3 in August 1835; a child, name unrecorded, died an hour after birth in May 1835; and another child, name unrecorded, died at age 14 days in August 1837--eight children, at least one daughter and four sons, between 1823 and 1837.  In November 1835, Célestin bought 40.17 acres of land in Lafayette Parish from the federal government.  He "signed" the land deed with an X, so he probably was illiterate.  In the summer of 1860, the federal census taker in St. Landry Parish counted eight slaves--two males and six females, all blacks, ranging in age from 65 to 2--on Célestin Cormier's farm.  Daughter Carmélite married into the Plaisance family.  One of Célestin's sons also married. 

Second son Onésime le jeune married Eurasie, daughter of French immigrant Louis Clément and German Creole Marie Anne Stelly, at the Grand Coteau church in June 1851.  Before she married Onésime, Eurasie had a daughter named Marie Virginie, born near Grand Coteau in April 1849; the priest who recorded the girl's baptism did not name the father.  Onésime le jeune and Eurasie's children, born on the prairies, included Euphémon, also called Eupremont, Fernand, and Fremont, near Grand Coteau in March 1851, so the couple may have been married civilly; and Lerima near Church Point in February 1853.  Onésime le jeune died near Grand Coteau in May 1887, age 55.  Stepdaughter Marie Virginie married into the Schexnayder family.  Onésime's son married by 1870. 

Only son Euphémon likely married fellow Acadian Aurelia or Aurelie Trahan in a civil ceremony in St. Landry Parish in March 1870. ...  Euphémon remarried to Mélasie Beard, also called Melissa Hébert, in a civil ceremony in Acadia Parish in February 1889. ...

Louis's second son Alexandre, by first wife Thécla Meaux, married cousin Susanne, daughter of Charles Alexandre Ledoux and his Acadian wife Susanne Cormier, at the Vermilionville church in January 1829; Susanne's mother was another daughter of Michel Cormier, fils.  Alexandre and Susanne's children, born on the prairies, included Alexandre, fils in Lafayette Parish in October 1829; Césaire in St. Martin Parish in May 1834; Émilie in c1835 and baptized at the Vermilionville church, age 19 months, in October 1837 but died age 2 the following in December; Amelia born in September 1837; Louis Désiré in May 1839; Azéma in February 1841; Aurelia in February 1842 but, called Amilia, died at age 11 months in January 1843; and Marie Célestine born in May 1846 but not baptized until July 1869, age 23, at Church Point, then in St. Landry but not in Acadia Parish.  In September of 1860, the federal census taker in Calcasieu Parish counted eight slaves--four males and four females, all mulattoes, age 35 years to 6 months--on Alexandre Cormier's farm, so he probably had moved west of Bayou Nezpique or owned land there during the 1850s.  Alexandre, at age 67, remarried to Marie Élisabeth, called Élisabeth, 34-year-old daughter of fellow Acadian Prosper Villejoin and his Creole wife Clémentin LaFosse and widow of Ignace Caruthers, at the Grand Coteau church in October 1876.  Son Fernest was born probably in Acadia Parish in c1878; ...  Alexandre died in Acadia Parish by January 1891, when his succession was filed at the Crowley courthouse.  He would have been age 81 that year.  The following April, another record filed in the Crowley courthouse provided for the tutorship of Alexandre's youngest son Fernest, then age 13.  Daughters Célestine and Clarisse, by his first wife, married into the Sonnier and Mire families by 1870.  None of Alexandre's sons married by then. 

Louis's third son Onésime, also called Lésime and Louis, fils, from first wife Thécla Meaux, married Marguerite, also called Arthémise and Mary, daughter of fellow Acadian Joseph Clairville Melançon and his Creole wife Marie Ledoux, at the Vermilionville church in August 1831; Marie Ledoux was Onésime's father's second wife, so he married his stepsister.  Onésime and Marguerite's children, born in Lafayette Parish, included Osémé or Onésime, fils baptized at the Vermilionville church, age 7 weeks, in October 1832; Joseph born in 1837 and baptized at age 15 months in November 1838; a daughter, name unrecorded, died at age 2 months in November 1840; Adam born in January 1842 but died two months later; a child, name unrecorded, died at age 2 months in October 1847 (the Vermilionville priest who recorded the child's burial called the father "Onézime of Queue Tortue," so Onésime probably had moved to that bayou, which runs through the prairies west of Vermilionville, now the city of Lafayette, by the late 1840s); a daughter, name and age unrecorded, died in October 1848; Mary born in late 1849 but died at age 3 months in January 1850; Jean Baptiste Adam born in September 1852; Placide Antoine, called Antoine, in July 1856; Jacques in December 1863; ...  Onésime, père, whom the Vermilionville priest recording the burial called Marcellin, died in Lafayette Parish in January 1879, age 68.  One of his sons married by 1870. 

Oldest son Osémé or Onésime, fils married Anastasie, daughter of fellow Acadian Jean Babineaux and his Anglo wife Hortense Perry, in a civil ceremony in Lafayette Parish in August 1850.  Their children, born in Lafayette Parish, included Osémé in the 1850s; Marie in April 1855; Pierre in February 1856; Angèle in April 1861; ...  None of Osémé, fils's children married by 1870. 

Louis's seventh son Joseph, a twin, from second wife Marie Ledoux, married Marie Mélanie or Mélasie, daughter of Auguste Royer and his Acadian wife Caroline Bourque, in a civil ceremony in Lafayette Parish in July 1849.  They settled near Carencro before moving to the Church Point area.  Their children, born on the prairies, included Marie Joséphine in March 1850; Louis le jeune in August 1852; Marie Natalie in January 1854; Joseph, fils in December 1855; twins Aurelia and Aurelien in January 1859; Jean Lastie in July 1861; another Joseph, fils in December 1866; Luma, probably Numa, in December 1869; ...  By the early 1870s, Joseph had moved his family to the Rayne area of what became Acadia Parish.  He died near Rayne in March 1893.  The priest who recorded the burial said Joseph was age 69 when he died.  He was 66.  Daughter Marie, probably Joséphine, married into the Caruthers/Cradeur family by 1870.  None of Joseph's sons married by then. 

Louis's eighth and youngest son Don or Jean Louis, called Louis, fils, from second wife Marie Ledoux, married Élisabeth Lock, Rauche, Roche, Rodge, Ross, or Rotche, perhaps an Anglo, in a civil ceremony in St. Landry Parish in 1855, and sanctified the marriage at the Grand Coteau church in February 1858.  They settled near Carencro.  Their children, born there, included Joseph Octave, called Octave, in October 1857; Don Louis, fils in March 1859; Marie in November 1861; William in December 1863; Joséphine in March 1866 but died at age 1 1/2 (the recording priest said 2) in December 1867; a child, name unrecorded, died at age 9 days in May 1868; Célestin le jeune born in July 1869; Joseph Atherol in May 1872; Adrien in May 1874; ...  Some of Don Louis's daughters married into the Lavergne, LeBoeuf, and Soileau families after 1870.  None of his sons married by that date. 

Michel, père's fifth and youngest son François, by second wife Catherine Stelly, followed his older brother Louis to the upper Vermilion and married Scholastique dite Colastie, daughter of fellow Acadians Simon dit Agros LeBlanc and Anne dit Manon Hébert, at Attakapas in December 1806.  They remained on the upper Vermilion.   Their children, born there, included Marie Anastasie in December 1808; Marie Eugénie, called Eugénie, in October 1810; François, fils, in December 1812; Pierre le jeune in March 1815; Maximilien, called Maxile, in August 1817; and Onésime, also called Onésime F., Onésime François, and Lésime, in August 1820--six children, two daughters and four sons, between 1808 and 1820.  Francois died at his home along the upper Vermilion in February 1835, age 53.  His succession, calling his wife Colastie, was filed at the Vermilionville courthouse the following April.  Daughter Eugénie married into the Duhon family.  All four of François's sons married. 

Oldest son François, fils married married Émilie, also called Amélie, Émilite, Mélite, Carmélite, Lise, and Umélite, daughter of fellow Acadians Benjamin Broussard and Madeleine Hébert, at the Vermilionville church in August 1830.  Their children, born in Lafayette Parish, included Marie Aureline or Coraline in July 1831; Benjamin in September 1833; François Dolzé, called Dolzé, baptized at age 2 months in April 1837; Mathilda born in May 1839 but, called Mathile, may have died at age 2 in September 1841; Jean Bélomy or Bénoni, called Bénoni or Béloni, born n March 1841; Azélie in c1843; Éloi in c1846; and Céleste in March 1849.  In September 1850, the federal census taker in Lafayette Parish counted two slaves--both females, both black, ages 50 and 11--on François Cormier's farm in the parish's western district.  François, fils, at age 40, remarried to Eugénie Simon in a civil ceremony in Lafayette Parish in January 1855.  Their children, born in Lafayette Parish, included Marie Ophelia in July 1859; ...  In July 1860, the federal census taker in Lafayette Parish counted the same two black female slaves on François Cormier's farm that had been counted in 1850.  Daughters Marie Aureline, Azélie, and Céleste, by his first wife, married into the Broussard, Hébert, and Trahan families by 1870.  Another one, by this second wife, evidently married into the Duhon family after 1870.  Two of François, fils's sons also married by 1870, both of them after their military service, but one of the lines may not have endured.

Oldest son Benjamin, by first wife Émilie Broussard, married, at age 27, Marie Belzire, called Belzire, daughter of fellow Acadians Antoine Denis Trahan and Marguerite Hébert, at the Vermilionville church in April 1860.  Their children, born on the prairies, included Marguerite in Lafayette Parish in February 1861; and Émelite near Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, in March 1863, perhaps conceived before her father went off to war the previous fall.  During the War of 1861-65, Benjamin evidently served as a conscript in Company I of the 1st Regiment Louisiana Heavy Artillery, which fought at Vicksburg, Mississippi.  According to a Confederate military record in his name, he "enlisted" in the company in October 1862 and was reported absent sick in City Hospital, Vicksburg, from about the time of his enlistment to well into the following year, so one wonders if he fought in the siege at Vicksburg in the spring and summer of 1863.  He was dropped from company rolls in early 1864, and then his military record falls silence.  Did he survive the war and return to his family?  He and his family do not appear in the federal census of any of the prairie parishes in 1870. 

During the war, François, fils's third son Jean Bénoni, by first wife Émilie Broussard, served in Company E of the 26th Regiment Louisiana Infantry, raised in Lafayette Parish, which fought at Vicksburg, Mississippi.  He survived the war, returned to his family, and married Louise, daughter of Hilaire Simon and his Acadian wife Aspasie Hébert, at the Vermilionville church in January 1867.  Jean Bénonie may have been the Jean Cormier whose succession was filed at the Vermilionville courthouse in August 1872.  He would have been age 31 that year.  If this was a post-mortem succession, did his line of the family die with him? 

During the war, François, fils's fourth and youngest son may have been the Éloi Cormier who served as a private in Company K of the 2nd Louisiana Reserve Corps, raised in Lafayette Parish, which fought local Jayhawkers.  He survived the war but did not marry by 1870. 

François, père's second son Pierre le jeune married Marie Sidalise, called Sidalise, daughter of Louis Simon and his Acadian wife Marie Louise Trahan, at the Vermilionville church in June 1834.  Their children, born in Lafayette Parish, included Marguerite in February 1835; and Siméon, also called Siméon or Simon Duplessis, baptized at the Vermilionville church, age 4 months, in April 1838.  In July 1860, the federal census taker in Lafayette Parish counted three slaves--a male and two females, all black, ages 23, 15, and 15--on Pierre Cormier's farm.  During the war, Pierre le jeune, along with younger brother Onésime, served in Company K of the 2nd Regiment Louisiana Reserve Corps, raised in Lafayette Parish, which fought against area Jayhawkers.  Pierre le jeune died in Lafayette Parish in December 1876, age 61.  Daughter Marguerite married into the Duhon family.  Pierre le jeune's son also married. 

Only son Siméon Duplessis married first cousin Célima, also called Azélima, Azélime, and Azélina, names of her younger sisters, and Julie, oldest daughter of fellow Acadians Maxille Cormier and Azélie Léger, his uncle and aunt, at the Vermilionville church in April 1855.  Their children, born in Lafayette Parish, included Mathilde in March 1856; Jules in March 1857; Siméon Duplessis, fils in December 1858; Dolzin in April 1860; Anathilde in February 1862; François Adam in September 1866; ...  Siméon Duplessis remarried to fellow Acadian Octavie Guillot at the Vermilionville church in December 1877.  They probably had married civilly before their church wedding.  Some of his daughters by both wives married into the Simon and Trahan families after 1870.  None of Siméon Duplessis's sons married by 1870. 

François, père's third son Maximilien, called Maxile, married Azélie dite Zélie, daughter of fellow Acadians Julien Léger and Marie Duhon, at the Vermilionville church in July 1836.  Their children, born on the prairies, included Neuville in Lafayette Parish August 1837; Célima in February 1840; Joseph in October 1842; Vital in 1846; Scholastique in December 1847; Azéline or Azélina in December 1849; Occuli in March 1852; Azélima in July 1859; Françoise near Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, in December 1862; ...  In September 1850, the federal census taker in Lafayette Parish counted seven slaves--four males and three females, all black, ranging in age from 30 to 3--on Maxile Cormier's farm in the parish's western district.  Maxille must have owned land in St. Martin Parish as well; in November, the federal census taker in St. Martin counted 20 slaves--11 males and nine females, all black, ages 40 to 3--on his plantation in that parish.  In July 1860, the federal census taker in Lafayette Parish counted only three slaves--two males and a female, all black, ages 14, 11, and 50--on Maxile Cormier's farm.  One wonders what happened to so many of his slaves during the 1850s.  Maxille died in Lafayette Parish in August 1877.  The priest who recorded the burial said Maxille was age 58 when he died.  He was 60.  His succession was filed at the Vermilionville courthouse the following January.  Daughters Célima and Azélina married into the Cormier and Manceau families by 1870. Three of Maxille's sons also married by then. 

Oldest son Neuville married Marguerite Azéma, daughter of fellow Acadians Jean Hébert and Marie Carmezile Landry, at the Vermilionville church in July 1855.  They settled probably near Youngsville in Lafayette Parish.  Their children, born there, included Odille in August 1856; Olise in December 1857; Joseph in December 1859; a child, name unrecorded, died at age 8 days in January 1862; Léoscar, also called Joseph, born in December 1866; Célestin, probably theirs, in April 1868.  ...  Neuville's succession, not post-mortem, was filed at the Vermilionville courthouse in September 1878.  He would have been age 41 that year.  None of his children married by 1870.  Neuville, at age 43, remarried to Eulalie Gaspard in a civil ceremony in Lafayette Parish in November 1880. ...

Third son Célestin married Eugénie, daughter of Spanish Creole Evariste Miguez, at the Abbeville church, Vermilion Parish, in December 1888.  Their son Adolph was born near Delcambre, Vermilion Parish, in October 1900.  

Maxille's second son Joseph married Mélanie, daughter of Ralph R. Hanks and Arthémise Abshire, at the Abbeville church, Vermilion Parish, in February 1867.  They settled near Rayne in what became Acadia Parish.  Their children, born there, included Marie in November 1868; Zulma in July 1870; ...

Maxille's third son Vital married Edmire or Elmire, daughter of Lessin Simon and his Acadian wife Claire Landry, at the Vermilionville church in August 1866.  Their children, born at Pointe Émile Mouton near Church Point, Acadia Parish, included Marie Eva in August 1868; Marie Agnès in December 1869; ...

François, père's fourth and youngest son Onésime, also called Onésime F., Onésime François, and Lésime, married Eugénie, another daughter of Louis Simon and Marie Louise Trahan, at the Vermilionville church in August 1841.  They settled on Bayou Queue de Tortue at the southwest edge of Lafayette Parish.  Their children, born there, included Désiré in November 1842; Marie Azéma in February 1844; a child, name unrecorded, died at age 2 months in October 1847; Sidalise born in November 1847[sic]; François le jeune in February 1850 but died at age 8 (the recording priest said 7) in March 1858; Jean Baptiste born in January 1852; Léocadie in December 1853; Nicaise in December 1855; Pierre Onésime, called Onésime, in November 1858; Eugènat, called Eugène, in December 1860; Rupert, also called Dupré, in March 1865; Joseph Alcide "at Bayou [Que de] Tortue" in August 1868; ...  In September 1850, the federal census taker in Lafayette Parish counted a single slave--a black female, age 6--on Onésime Cormier's farm in the parish's western district.  In July 1860, the federal census taker in Lafayette Parish counted only a single slave--a single black female, now age 15--on Onésime Cormier's farm.  During the war, Onésime, along with older brother Pierre le jeune, served in Company K of the 2nd Regiment Louisiana Reserve Corps, raised in Lafayette Parish, which fought against local Jayhawkers.  Daughter Marie Azéma married into the Hébert and Broussard families by 1870.  None of Onésime's sons married by then. 

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During the early 1800s, relatives of the three Cormier cousins came to Louisiana from exile in Cuba via Haiti--the last Acadian members of the family to emigrate to Louisiana.  They settled at New Orleans, where most of the Haitian exiles remained.  One of them, however, in the 1810s, moved on to the western prairies and settled near his cousins from Halifax: 

Nicolas (1779-1821) à ? à Thomas à Robert Cormier

Nicolas, son of Amand Cormier and Anastasie LeBlanc probably of Chignecto, born at Môle St.-Nicolas, French St.-Domingue, in September 1779, evidently was his parents' second son.  He married Marie Soltero perhaps in Cuba in the early 1800s after escaping the Haitian rebellion in the late 1790s or early 1800s, or he may have married her at New Orleans soon after his arrival there.  One wonders if they had any children.  Nicolas died at New Orleans in October 1821, age 42.

Jean-Baptiste (1784-1831) à Jean à Alexis à ? à Thomas à Robert Cormier

Jean Baptiste, also called Eugène Baptiste, son of Jean Cormier and Élisabeth Morel of Jean-Rabel, French St.-Domingue, born there in March 1784, started a fourth line of Acadian Cormiers in the Bayou State during the early 1800s.  This Jean Baptiste, like his Louisiana relatives, also had roots at Chignecto, but his family's experience during Le Grand Dérangement was different from his cousins'.  In his late teens, Jean-Baptiste likely was among the St.-Domingue French who fled to Cuba in late 1803 and came to Louisiana with the flood of Haitian refugees in 1809.  His sisters Marie-Renée, Marie-Victoire, and Rose probably came with him from Cuba.  New Orleans church records show a baptism for Anne-Joséphine, daughter of Jean Cornier of Jean-Rabel, Santo Domingo, and Marie-Françoise-Virginie Cazejus of Jeremie, Santo Domingo, dated 15 October 1813, so Jean-Baptiste may have been married when he came to Louisiana, or he may have married a fellow Haitian exile soon after he reached New Orleans.  Most of the Haitian/Cuban exiles, including Jean-Baptiste's sisters, remained at New Orleans.  Not Jean Baptiste.  Perhaps now a widower, he moved on to St. Landry Parish, where, at age 34, he married, or remarried to, Marie Louise or Éloise, called Lise, 15-year-old daughter of Louis DeVille II of Poste Rapides and his Acadian wife Marie Jeansonne, at the Opelousas church in June 1818.  The Opelousas priest who recorded the marriage said nothing of a previous wife for the groom.  Jean Baptiste and Marie Louise's son Jean Baptiste, fils was born in St. Landry Parish in August 1828.  Jean-Baptiste, père died in St. Landry Parish in January 1831, age 46.  The Opelousas priest who recorded the burial mentioned his wife and called him "a Frenchman," but he was as much an Acadian as his Cormier cousins, at least in heritage.  His descendants settled on the Opelousas prairie near Ville Platte, then in St. Landry but now in Evangeline Parish.  Meanwhile, at least one of Jean Baptiste, père's nephews, Pierre Mouillé, fils, son of sister Marie Victoire, settled in St. Landry Parish not far from his uncle and cousins. 

Only son Jean Baptiste, fils, by Lise DeVille, perhaps Jean Baptiste, père's second wife, married Cléonise Louise, also called Clonise C., Louise Charles, Eléonore, and Léonise, daughter of fellow Acadian Louis Charles Pitre and his Creole wife Phelonise Joubert, at the Opelousas church in January 1850.  Their children, born in St. Landry Parish, included Hermina in February 1853; Lucille near Ville Platte in December 1854; Louis Arthur in March 1857; Corrine in September 1860; Félonise in January 1863; ...  In the summer of 1860, the federal census taker in St. Landry Parish counted five slaves--three males and two females, all black, ranging in age from 26 to 2--on Jean Bte Cormier's farm.  Jean Baptiste, fils died by March 1864, when his wife Cléonise remarried at Opelousas.  One wonders if his death was war-related.  His succession, calling his wife Cléonise, was filed at the Opelousas courthouse in November 1869.  Some of his daughters married into the DeVille and Fontenot families after 1870.  His son did not marry by that date. 

Crochet

Yves Crochet of Mégrit, near St.-Malo, northeast Brittany, married Pélagie, daughter of perhaps Claude Benoit and Élisabeth Theriot of l'Assomption, Pigiguit, and Pointe-Prime, Île St.-Jean, at Louisbourg, Île Royale, in February 1758.  One wonders when Yves reached the French-controlled Maritime islands and what was his trade.  Later that year, after the fall of Louisbourg in July, the British rounded up most of the Acadians on Île Royale and deported them to France.  Yves Crochet, now an Acadian exile, and his bride landed at the naval port of Rochefort in early 1759 and then sailed around to St.-Malo, which they reached at the beginning of October.  From St.-Malo, they made the short trip to Yves's hometown area in the countryside southwest of the Breton port, where, between 1760 and 1772, Pélagie gave Yves eight children, five sons and three daughters.  Yves died at Quesny northwest of Mégrit in November 1773, age 41, and was buried at Mégrit.  Despite the size of her family, his widow Pélagie did not remarry. 

Soon after Yves died, Pélagie Benoit and her children were among the hundreds of exiles languishing in the port cities who settled on an influential nobleman's estate near the city of Châtellerault in the interior of Poitou.  Pélagie was pregnant when she left Quesny for Poitou.  Her ninth and final child, another son, was born posthumously in early May 1774, six months after her husband died, and was baptized in St.-Jacques Parish, Châtellerault.  Her youngest daughter, age 2, died a few weeks after her youngest son was born.  After the settlement venture failed, Pélagie and most of her children, along with her recently married sister, Marguerite, retreated with other Poitou Acadians down the Vienne and the Loire from Châtellerault to the port of Nantes.  Pélagie's oldest son Jean-Guillaume, who would have been age 15 in November 1775, was not on the convoy to Nantes with the rest of the family.  He may have become a sailor, perhaps like his father, and gone to sea.  Daughter Marguerite-Perrine, who would have been age 9 in 1775, also was not on the convoy with her mother and siblings.  The girl did not die young, so she probably went to Nantes with another family.  

In the early 1780s, the Spanish government offered the Acadians in France the chance for a new life in faraway Louisiana.  Pélagie Benoit and most of her Crochet children agreed to take it.  Her second son François-Louis, if he were still living, would have been age 24, and her youngest surviving son age 11 in August 1785, when the family left for Louisiana.  Neither of the two sons accompanied their mother and five siblings, three brothers and two sisters, to the Spanish colony. 

Pélagie Benoit and five of her children--Jean-Guillaume, now age 25; Françoise-Pélagie, age 21; Marguerite-Perrine, age 19; Yves-Jean, age 18; and Julien, age 15--sailed to Louisiana aboard L'Amitié, the fifth of the Seven Ships from France, which reached New Orleans in early November 1785.  Two weeks after they reached the city, daughters Françoise-Pélagie and Marguerite-Perrine married fellow passengers Tourchet dit Leonard De La Garde of Surget, France, and Joseph-Augustin Adam of La Rochelle, France, neither of them Acadian.  In mid-December, son Jean-Guillaume also married a fellow passenger at New Orleans--an Acadian.  After a period of recuperation from the long voyage, Pélagie and her expanded family followed their fellow passengers to upper Bayou Lafourche. 

Pélagie Benoit lived long enough to witness the birth of grandchildren and even great-grandchildren.  She died in Lafourche Interior Parish in August 1824, age 83.  Older daughter Françoise-Pélagie and husband Léonard De La Garde lived for a time in New Orleans and then joined her family on the upper Lafourche.  By January 1791, Françoise-Pélagie had become a widow with three young sons.  She remarried to Philippe Bruze of Genoa, Italy, at Lafourche in June 1792 and had more children by him.  They settled down bayou in what became Lafourche Interior Parish, where she died in February 1836, age 72.  Pélagie's younger daughter Marguerite-Perrine died in Lafourche Interior Parish in November 1830, age 64.  All three of her De La Garde sons married and remained on the Lafourche. 

During the early antebellum period, Pélagie Benoit's Crochet sons and their descendants spread up and down the Lafourche/Terrebonne valley, from Pierre Part north of Lake Verret in northern Assumption Parish to Montegut at the edge of the coastal marshes in lower Terrebonne Parish.  A small branch of the family also settled on the river in West Baton Rouge Parish but soon died out.  In 1860, only two Crochets--one in Assumption, the other in Terrebonne--owned a single slave apiece, so the Crochets participated only peripherally in the South's antebellum plantation-based economy.  

Meanwhile, an extended family of non-Acadians with a similar name established a western branch of the family.  By the 1850s, the Crouchette brothers of Toulouse, France, settled at the northern edge of the old Attakapas District in Lafayette Parish, where they married local girls, including some Acadians.  They owned no slaves.  Confusing the genealogical picture even more, they, or some of the priests and parish clerks who recorded their vital statistics, began to call these Foreign French Crochets. 

Acadian Crochets lived in a part of Louisiana hit hard by the War of 1861-65.  Successive Federal incursions devastated the Lafourche and Terrebonne valleys.  At least one member of the family, Prudent Crochet of West Baton Rouge Parish, died in Confederate service; he was mortally wounded in action during the Atlanta, Georgia, campaign in the summer of 1864.  Sadly, his line of the family died with him on that distant battlefield.  A handful of his Terrebonne Parish cousins also served Louisiana in uniform.  All of them survived the conflict. 

After the war, at least five families of Crochets moved from the Lafourche/Terrebonne valley to lower Bayou Teche and then out to the prairies of St. Landry Parish, creating a western branch of the Acadian family.  Today, dozens of Crochet families, most of them descendants of Yves Crochet, can still be found in the towns and cities of southeast Louisiana.  Despite its late start, members of the western branch of the family became as numerous as their eastern cousins.  Western Crochets, most of them Acadians, can be found today across the southwest Louisiana prairies as far as East Texas.  They are especially numerous in Jefferson Davis and Acadia parishes near the city of Jennings.  

In Louisiana, the family's name also is spelled Chrochet, Crochait, Crochaix, Croche, Crochiet, Croge, Crouchet.05

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All three of Pélagie Benoit's Crochet sons married and settled on Bayou Lafourche.  The younger sons' lines were especially robust: 

Jean-Guillaume (1760-1810s) Crochet

Jean-Guillaume, oldest son of Yves Crochet and Pélagie Benoit, born at Quesny near St.-Malo, Brittany, France, in September 1760, followed his widowed mother and siblings to Poitou, Nantes, and Louisiana.  He married Marie-Marthe, daughter of fellow Acadians Joseph Boudrot and Marguerite Richard, at New Orleans in December 1785 soon after reaching the city.  Marie-Marthe, a native of St.-Servan-sur-Mer near St.-Malo, where Jean-Guillaume had lived, also had crossed to Louisiana from France on L'Amitié.  After their marriage, they followed his widowed mother to upper Bayou Lafourche.  Their son Joseph-Emérant, called Emérant, was born on the upper bayou in c1800.  Jean-Guillaume died probably in Assumption Parish before July 1821, when he would have been in his early 60s.  Compared to his younger brothers, Jean-Guillaume's family was a small one--he had only one son, and only one of his two grandsons survived childhood, but that grandson married and had several sons of his own, perpetuating this line of the family.  Jean-Guillaume's son and grandson remained in Assumption Parish until after the War of 1861-65, when the grandson moved to New Iberia on lower Bayou Teche.  By the early 1890s, two of Jean-Guillaume's great-grandsons had moved out into the open prairies of eastern Calcasieu, now Jefferson Davis, Parish.  

Only son Joseph Emérant, called Emérant, married Eugénie Scholastique, daughter of fellow Acadians Joseph Marin Gautreaux and Marie Madeleine Theriot, at the Plattenville church, Assumption Parish, in July 1821.  The priest who recorded the marriage noted that the groom's father was deceased at the time of the marriage.  Their daughter Eugénie Uraline or Oraline, called Oraline, was born on the upper Lafourche in October 1822.  Emérant remarried to Adèle Arthémise, daughter of fellow Acadians Martin Thibodeaux and Marguerite Dugas, at the Plattenville church in May 1827.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Magloire Sivilien in October 1827; Marie Zéphirine, called Zéphirine, in November 1831; Pamela in the early 1830s; Domitile Elisida, called Elisida, in April 1836; Désiré Trevil or Treville in May 1838 but, called Treville, died at age 6 in September 1843; Agate Elfida born in June 1840 but, called Agathe Olfiela, died at age 2 in July 1842; and Élisabeth Élodie born in January 1843--eight children, six daughters and two sons, by two wives, between 1822 and 1843.  Emérant died in Assumption Parish in April 1845, age 45.  Daughters Oraline, Zéphirine, Pamela, and Elisida, by both wives, married into the Mire, Gautreaux, Cedotal, Dupas, and Mazerolle families by 1870.  Emérant's remaining son also married by then.

Older son Magloire Sivilien, by second wife Adèle Thibodeaux, married Honorine, daughter of Valéry Cedotal and his Acadian wife Henriette Dugas, at the Paincourtville church, Assumption Parish, in July 1851; Magloire's sister Pamela married Honorine's brother Augustin.  In the late 1860s, Magloire took his famiy to lower Bayou Teche, where some of his cousins settled.  His and Honorine's children, born on the upper Lafourche and the lower Teche, included Emérant le jeune in April 1852; Émile Homer in May 1854; Joseph Camille in March 1856; Ema Victoria in May 1858; Joachin near Pierre Part north of Lake Verret, Assumption Parish, in January 1861; Augustin Joseph near New Iberia, Iberia Parish, in March 1868; Odressi Joseph near Lydia, Iberia Parish, in September 1870; ...  None of Magloire's children married by 1870.  Two of them moved out into the Calcasieu prairies west of the Mermentau during the post-war years. 

Yves-Jean-Guillaume (1767-?) Crochet

Yves-Jean, fourth son of Yves Crochet and Pélagie Benoit, born at Quesny, Brittany, France, in December 1767, followed his widowed mother and siblings to Poitou, Nantes, New Orleans, and upper Bayou Lafourche, where he married Anne, daughter of fellow Acadians Jean-Baptiste Dugas and his third wife Anne Bourg, in c1790.  Anne, a native of La Pahorie near St.-Malo, had come to Louisiana from France in 1785 aboard the first of the Seven Ships.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Marie-Eulalie-Adélaïde in March 1792; François-Marie in January 1796; Amand-Bernard, also called Emérant, baptized, age unrecorded, in September 1796[sic]; Magloire baptized, age unrecorded, in December 1797 but died in Assumption Parish, age 36 (the recording priest said 31); in August 1834; Julien- or Jean-Baptiste born in October 1799; and Eulalie-Adélaïde in July 1801 but died the following November--six children, two daughters and four sons, between 1792 and 1801.  Yves Jean died in Assumption Parish in the early 1810s, in his mid-40s.  Daughter Marie married into the Templet family.  Three of Yves's sons also married and remained in Assumption Parish, but not all of the lines endured.  One grandson moved to West Baton Rouge Parish in 1830s, where he started a small branch of the family on the river, but it did not endure.  Another grandson moved down bayou to Terrebonne Parish in the 1840s.  After 1865, a few of his descendants moved down into Terrebonne Parish and others to lower Bayou Teche, but most of his descendants remained on upper Bayou Lafourche.

Oldest son François Marie married Eulalie, daughter of fellow Acadians Jean Baptiste Landry and Marie Madeleine Hébert, at the Plattenville church, Assumption Parish, in November 1817.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Marie Bonne Euphrasine in September 1818 but, called Marie Aimée Euphrasine, died at age 7 1/2 in May 1826; Élise Mélanie born in September 1819; Séverin François in June 1821; François Arsène, called Arsène, in August 1823; Mathilde Emérante in January 1826; Louis in January 1828 but died less than a day old; Joseph born in February 1829; Adélaïde Irma in November 1831; Vileor Lucien, also called William, in January 1834; Roséma Élegie in February 1836; Marie Angelina or Angèle, called Angèle, in March 1838; and Docilis Sylvain in June 1842 but, called Silvain, died near Pierre Part north of Lake Verret, age 23 (the recording priest said "age 22 years, 5 months"), in January 1865 (one wonders if his death was war-related)--a dozen children, six daughters and six sons, between 1818 and 1842.  François died in Assumption Parish in July 1844.  The Paincourtville priest who recorded the burial, and who did not give any parents' names or mention a wife, said that François died at "age 59 years."  François Marie would have been age 48 at the time, but who else would it have been?  Daughters Élise, Mathilde, Adélaïde, Angèle, and Roséma, ... married into the Hébert, Aucoin, Landry, Arceneaux, and Trahan families.  François Marie's four remaining sons also married. 

Oldest son Séverin François married cousin Euphrosine, daughter of Romain Friou or Freoux and his Acadian wife Pélagie Dugas, at the Paincourtville church in January 1842; they had to secure a dispensation for fourth degree of consanguinity in order to marry.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Séraphin Arsène in December 1842; Marie Clémentine, called Clémentine, in February 1844; Joseph Romain, called Romain, in March 1847; Joseph in October 1849; François in early 1850; Pierre Aurelien in July 1851; Christine Élisabeth in January 1854; Marie Adolphine in August 1856; Paul Oleus near Pierre Part north of Lake Verret in February 1859; Hélène Zélamie in December 1860; and Justilien Zéphirin in September 1862--11 children, seven sons and four daughters, between 1842 and 1862.  In late July 1860, the federal census taker in Assumption Parish counted a single slave--a 55-year-old black male--on Séverin Crochet's farm near Pierre Part in the parish's 14th Ward (Bayou Louis).  Séverin died in Assumption Parish in November 1863.  The Paincourtville priest who recorded the burial, and who did not give any parents' names or mention a wife, said that Séverin died at "age 44 years."  He was 42.  One wonders if his death was war-related.  Daughter Marie Clémentine married into the Hopgood, Ducasse or Ducas, and Tureya families by 1870.  One of Séverin's sons also married by then and moved to lower Bayou Teche after the War of 1861-65. 

Oldest son Séraphin married cousin Zélanie, daughter of fellow Acadians Leufroi Guidry and Eléonore Landry, at the Paincourtville church in November 1863; they had to secure a dispensation for fourth degree of consanguinity in order to marry.  Daughter Claire Lea was born near Pierre Part in February 1866.  Séraphin moved to St. Martin Parish after 1866 and remarried to Émilie, daughter of fellow Acadians Édouard Hébert and Madeleine Babin, at the New Iberia church, Iberia Parish, in December 1869.  They settled near Loreauville.  Their son Paul was born there in November 1870; ...

François Marie's second son François Arsène, called Arsène, married Justine, daughter of fellow Acadians Charles Dupuis and Françoise Daigle, at the Paincourtville church in February 1849.  She evidently gave him no children, at least none who survived infancy.  Arsène remarried to Eurasie, daughter of fellow Acadians François Aucoin and Scholastique Hébert, at the Paincourtville church in April 1853.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included twins Joseph François and Joséphine Mathilde in January 1855, but Joséphine died at age 3 1/2 (the recording priest, who called her Joséphine, said "18 months") in April 1858; Pierre Jean Baptiste born in September 1856; François Pierre near Pierre Part in December 1858; Helena in March 1862; Paul in March 1864 but died the following June; ...  Arsène died near Pierre Part in March 1865, age 41 (the recording priest said 43).  One wonders if his death was war-related.  None of his children married by 1870. 

François Marie's fourth son Joseph married Marie Aurelie Donatille, called Aurelie or Aureline, daughter of fellow Acadians Simon Aucoin and Marie Trahan, at the Paincourtville church in April 1850.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Justilia Victoria in March 1851; François Justinien or Justilien, called Justilien, in November 1852; Marie Clémentine in May 1854; Joseph Enoc or Enoch, called Enoch and Eno, in May 1856; Joseph Sarazin or Victorin, called Victorin and sometimes Gustave, near Pierre Part in March 1859; Juliènne Telesia in June 1860; Zélenie Élisabeth in March 1862; Marie Elda in St. Martin Parish in November 1867; ...  After the War of 1861-65, Joseph moved his family to the Bayou Teche valley.  By the 1870s, they were living near Loreauville, Iberia Parish, above New Iberia.  None of Joseph's children married by 1870, but when they did, they married fellow Acadians and remained in Iberia Parish.  One of Joseph's daughter married a Crochet cousin. 

François Marie's fifth son Vileor Lucien, also called William, married Clarisse, another daughter of Romain Friou or Freoux and Pélagie Dugas, at the Paincourtville church in August 1854.  Their children, born near Pierre Part, included Marie Aurelia in May 1855; Marie Pélagie, called Pélagie, in December 1856; Marie Amanda in April 1858; Nicolas Siphrin, called Siphrin, in November 1859; and Pierre in January 1862.  Vileor remarried to cousin Félicia, daughter of Yve Leze and Pauline Ozelitte, at the Plattenville church in February 1870; they had to secure a dispensation for fourth degree of consanguinity in order to marry.  None of Vileor's children married by 1870.  Like his older brother, Vileor also moved his family to St. Martin Parish after the war.  

Yves's second Amand Bernard, also called Emérant, married Marie Hortense, called Hortense, daughter of François Friou or Freoux and his Acadian wife Marguerite Adélaïde Gautreaux, at the Plattenville church in February 1813.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Deseada Amada, also called Marie Désirée, in December 1813; François Eugène or Hermogène, called Hermogène, in April 1816; Symphorien Tresime or Trasimond, called Trasimond, in October 1817; Romain Arsène, called Arsène and also Désiré, in January 1819; Narcisse Evremont in October 1820 but died a few days after his birth; Adeline or Adelina Henriette born in November 1821; Télésphore Valéry in January 1823; Onésime Denis, called Denis and Adonis, in November 1824; Joseph Carville in March 1826 but died at age 2 years, 2 months in May 1828; Clermont Marcillien born in February 1828 but, called Marcelien, died at age 14 1/2 in November 1842; Éligie or Élegie, a daughter, born in February 1829 but died at age 5 in July 1834; François Florentin, called Florentin, born in March 1830; and Clémence Sidonise in December 1831--13 children, four daughters and nine sons, between 1813 and 1831.  Daughters Marie Désirée and Adelina married into the Simoneaux and Blanchard families.  Six of Amand's sons also married and settled on the river and the upper Lafourche. 

Oldest son Francois Eugène or Hermogène, called Hermogène, married fellow Acadian Marie Carmélite Daigre, widow of Hippolyte Le Tullier of West Baton Rouge Parish, at the Baton Rouge church, East Baton Rouge Parish, in June 1836 and settled near Brusly, West Baton Rouge Parish.  Their children, born there, included Marianne Célene in April 1837; Prudent baptized at the Baton Rouge church, age 3 months, in June 1839; and Félix Cléofa or Cléopha Isidore born in September 1841--three children, a daughter and two sons, between 1837 and 1841.  Hermogène's daughter did not marry by 1870, but one of his sons did, before he died in Confederate service.  One wonders if the family line, except perhaps for its blood, endured. 

Older son Prudent married Adolphine, daughter of fellow Acadians Adolphe Dupuy and Eléonore Babin, at the Brusly church in January 1861.  During the War of 1861-65, Prudent enlisted in the West Baton Rouge Tirailleurs at Camp Moore in Tangipahoa Parish in May 1861.  The Tirailleurs became Company H of the 4th Regiment Louisiana Infantry, which fought in Mississippi, Tennessee, Louisiana, Georgia, and Alabama.  Prudent must have secured leave from his unit at least twice--two daughters were born to him during the war--Olymphe in c1862; and Ouida in 1864--but he never saw his second daughter.  During the Atlanta Campaign, Prudent fell mortally wounded at Ezra Church on 28 July 1864.  His comrades were forced to leave him on the field.  He either died on the field or in a Federal hospital and was buried by the enemy.  He was age 25.  His line of the family, except for its blood, died with him on that distant battlefield.  

Amand Bernard's second son Symphorien Tresime or Trasimond, called Trasimond, married fellow Acadian Eléonore Dupuis probably in Assumption Parish in the early 1840s.  She evidently gave him no children.  Trasimond remarried to Rose Aimée, daughter of fellow Acadians Zéphirin Melançon and Marie Faralie Bourgeois, at the Paincourtville church in March 1848.  Daughter Marie Olifida was baptpzed at the Paincourtville church at age 29 days in June 1849 but did not marry by 1870. 

Amand Bernard's third son Romain Arsène, called Arsène and also Désiré, married Bathilde, daughter of fellow Acadian Baptiste Landry and his Creole wife Roseline Simoneaux, at the Paincourtville church in May 1845.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Octavie, perhaps also called Dometille, near Paincourtville in February 1846; Jean Baptiste Gérôme or Jérôme, called John, baptized at the Paincourtville church at age 2 months in March 1848; Joseph Osémé Blanchard born in March 1850; Marie Adeline August 1852; Élizabeth Joséphine in December 1854; Mélanie Élisabeth in January 1857; and Romain Arsène, fils near Pierre Part north of Lake Verret in January 1859--seven children, four daughters and three sons, between 1846 and 1859.  After the war, Arsène crossed the Atchafalaya Basin to the Bayou Teche valley and settled among his kinsmen near Loreauville, Iberia Parish.  Daughters Dometille and Marie married Landry cousins by 1870.  One of Arsène's sons also married by then. 

Oldest son Jean Baptiste Jérôme married Camilla, daughter of fellow Acadians Désiré A. LeBlanc and Domitille Dugas, at the Paincourtville church in July 1867.  Their children, born near Paincourtville, included Marie Léontine in September 1868; Pierre Léon in June 1870; ...

Amand Bernard's fifth son Télesphore Valéry married fellow Acadian Céleste Boudreaux at the Thibodaux church, Lafourche Interior Parish, in January 1843.  Their children, born in either Terrebonne or Lafourche Interior Parish, included Louis Donis or Daunis, called Daunis, in February 1848; and Marie Alida in December 1852.  Daughter Marie married into the Baudoin family by 1870.  Télesphore Valéry's son also married by then and settled in Terrebonne Parish. 

Only son Louis Daunis married Eveline, daughter of fellow Acadian Cyrus Hébert and his Creole wife Emérante Malbrough, at the Houma church, Terrebonne Parish, in January 1868.  Their children, born in Terrebonne Parish, included Anna Eva in October 1868; Joseph W. near Chacahoula in June 1870; ...

Amand Bernard's sixth son Onésime Denis, called Denis and Adonis, married Clémentine or Clémence, daughter of fellow Acadians Alexis Aucoin and Rosalie Theriot, at the Paincourtville church in January 1846.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Joseph Valri or Valéry in February 1847; Nicéphore in April 1849; Jean Baptiste Alexi in January 1852 but, called Alexi, died at age 3 months the following April; Léonard born in October 1853; Drosin Jean Baptiste in January 1857 but died at age 7 in February 1864; Joséphine Hélène born near Pierre Part in April 1863; ...  One of Denis's sons married by 1870.

Oldest son Joseph Valéry married Clémentine, daughter of fellow Acadians Sylvanie Templet and Melissa Theriot, at the Pierre Part church, Assumption Parish, in August 1869. ...

Amand Bernard's ninth and youngest son François Florentin, called Florentin, married Amaselie, daughter of fellow Acadians Simon Comeaux and Azélie Hébert, at the Paincourtville church in August 1853.  Their children, born in Assumption Parish, included twins Élisabeth Veneda and Marguerite Amanda in December 1854; and Joseph Meridier in January 1858--three children, two daughters and a son, including a set of twins, between 1854 and 1858.  None of Florentin's children married by 1870. 

Yves's fourth and youngest son Julien or Jean Baptiste married Marine, daughter of fellow Acadians Pierre Landry and Rosalie Hébert, at the Plattenville church in April 1817.  The priest who recorded the marriage noted that the groom's father was deceased.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Françoise Adolphe, called Menna, in January 1819; Françoise Adèle died at age 7 months in July 1820; Marie Émiline born in April 1821; and Marie Rose or Roseline, called Roseline, posthumously in March 1823 but died at age 1 in June 1824--four children, all daughters, between 1819 and 1823.  Jean Baptiste died in Assumption Parish in November 1822, age 23.  Daughter Menna married into the Simoneaux family.  Jean Baptiste fathered no sons, so his line of the family, except for its blood, died with him.  

Julien (1770-c1820) Crochet

Julien, fifth and youngest son of Yves Crochet and Pélagie Benoit, born at Quesny, Brittany, France, in March 1770, followed his widowed mother and siblings to Poitou, Nantes, New Orleans, and upper Bayou Lafourche.  Julien married Marguerite, daughter of Creoles Nicolas Bélanger and Marguerite Lejeune of False River, Pointe-Coupée, at Baton Rouge in 1798 but settled on the upper Lafourche with his older brothers.  Julien and Marguerite's children, born there, included Marie-Marguerite born in May 1799; Nicolas Léandre, called Léandre, in December 1800; twins Émilie and Pélagie Rosalie in November 1805; Eléonor or Léonor, a son, in the late 1800s or early 1810s; Julien Romain in August 1815 but may have died at age 14 in September 1829; Paulin, also called Magloire, born in the late 1810s; and Henri or Henry probably in the late 1810s--eight children, three daughters and five sons, including a set of twins, between 1799 and the late 1810s.  Julien died in either Lafourche Interior or Terrebonne Parish by October 1822, when he was listed as deceased in a son's marriage record.  He would have been in his early 50s at the time.  Daughters Pélagie Rosalie, Émilie, and Marie Marguerite married into the Gauthier, Bonvillain, and Comeaux families within days of one another.  Four of Julien's sons also married.  During the antebellum period, his sons and grandsons moved down bayou into Lafourche Interior and Terrebonne parishes.  After the War of 1861-65, one grandson moved to the Brashear, now Morgan, City/Berwick area on the lower Atchafalaya, but most of Julien's descendants remained in Terrebonne Parish.  

Oldest son Nicolas Léandre, called Léandre, married Madeleine, daughter of fellow Acadians Charles Bergeron and Victoire Benoit, in a civil ceremony in Terrebonne Parish in October 1822.  The parish clerk who recorded the marriage noted that the groom's father was deceased.  They remained in Terrebonne Parish.  Their children, born there, included Julien Romain le jeune in June 1823; Julie Edmire in July 1824; Jules Léandre in August 1826; Émilie Célina, called Célina, in June 1828; Marie Élodie in June 1831; Elfride probably in the 1830s; Élena or Helena in August 1832; Hippolyte Nicolas in January 1835; Jean Charles in May 1837; Marie Louise in October 1839; Henri probably in the 1840s; Théophile probably in the 1840s; and Thomas Robert or Albert, called Albert, in October 1849--13 children, seven sons and six daughters, between 1823 and 1849.  In 1860, the federal census taker in Terrebonne Parish counted a single slave--a 12-year-old female mulatto--on Léandre Crochet's farm in the parish's Ward 8.  Daughters Julie, Célina, Elfride, and Helena married into the Neal, Bergeron, Robertson, Chiasson, Mazeirac, and Robichaux families, two of them, Julie and Célina, twice, by 1870.  Five of Léandre's sons also married by then. 

Oldest son Julien Romain le jeune married a young widow, Rebecca, daughter of Abel Cooper, also called Burket, in a civil ceremony in Terrebonne Parish in August 1856.  Their children, born near Montegut, included Auguste in October 1856, two months after his parent's marriage; Séverine Augustine in October 1859; Désiré Léondre, probably Léandre, in August 1862; Ada Louise in April 1865; ...  

Léandre's second son Jules Léandre married Louisiane Élisa, also called Élisa, daughter of Aaron King and Mélasie Bergeron, perhaps an Acadian, in a civil ceremony in Terrebonne Parish in February 1853, and sanctified the marriage at the Houma church in March 1856.  Their children, born in Terrebonne Parish, included Jean Baptiste in January 1854; Marie Héloise in December 1855; and Madeleine Juliènne in February 1859.  Wife Elisa died in Terrebonne Parish in May 1860, age 33.  Jules remarried to Clémence, daughter of François Lecompte and Adèle Gisclard and widow of E. Bélanger, at the Montegut church, Terrebonne Parish, in May 1867. ...  None of Jules's children married by 1870. 

Léandre's fifth son Henri married Augustine or Justine, daughter of fellow Acadian Auguste Robichaux and his Creole wife Célestine Gisclard, in a civil ceremony in Terrebonne Parish in January 1859, and sanctified the marriage at the Houma church in March 1865.  Their children, born in Terrebonne Parish, included Adam Justillien in June 1859; Alexandre Alfred in April 1861; Célestine Victoire in February 1863; Omer Franklin Clémile in November 1870; ...

Léandre's sixth son Théophile married Rosina, daughter of Anaclet Labit and Céleste Pichoff, at the Houma church in December 1869.  Their son Joseph Numa was born near Montegut in October 1870; ...

Léandre's seventh and youngest son Thomas Robert or Albert, called Albert and Alfred, married Marie, another daughter of Auguste Robichaux and Célestine Gisclard, at the Montegut church in June 1867.  Their children, born near Montegut, included Joseph Adam in October 1868; Marie Joséphine in January 1870; ...   

Julien's second son Eléonor or Léonor married Élise, daughter of Laurent Pichoff and his Acadian wife Claire Trahan, in a civil ceremony in Terrebonne Parish in July 1828.  Their children, born in Lafourche Interior or Terrebonne Parish, included Jule or Jules in December 1829; Amédée Franklin, called Franklin, in March 1834; Céleste Vellina, perhaps also called Elzélina, in January 1835; Édouard or Edward Joseph in February 1838; Julie Mélina or Émelina in December 1840; Elvire in the 1840s; Marie Azémi, perhaps also called Evéline or Evélina, in February 1846; Élisa at Bayou Cannes in Terrebonne Parish in January 1849; and Clet Emil or Émile in March 1852--nine children, four sons and five daughters, between 1829 and 1852.  Daughters Elzélina, Mélina, Evéline/Evélina, and Elvire married into the Arcement, Bergeron, Boudreaux, and Babin families, including two Bergeron brothers, by 1870.  Two of his sons also married by then. 

Second son Amédée Franklin, called Franklin, married Madeleine Lorenza, daughter of fellow Acadians François Babin and Marie Clouâtre, probably in a civil ceremony in Terrebonne Parish in the 1850s, and sanctified their marriage at the Houma church in April 1862.  Their children, born in Terrebonne Parish, included Franklin Édouard in May 1858; Jules Amédéo in June 1861; Julia Ordalie in July 1864; ...  

Léonor's third son Édouard or Edward Joseph married Evéline or Evélina, daughter of Adelin Bergeron, perhaps a fellow Acadian, in a civil ceremony in Terrebonne Parish in June 1854, and sanctified the marriage at the Houma church in November 1866.  Their children, born in Terrebonne Parish, included Joseph Aristide in September 1866; Joséphine Camilla in April 1870; ...  During the War of 1861-65, Edward served in Company H of the 26th Regiment Louisiana Infantry, raised in Terrebonne Parish, which fought at Vicksburg, Mississippi.  As the birth dates of his children reveal, he survived the war and returned to his family. 

Julien's fourth son Paulin, also called Magloire, married Clémentine, also called Thérèse, Bonvillain probably in Terrebonne Parish in the mid- or late 1830s.  Their children, born in Lafourche Interior or Terrebonne parish, included Pauline Élise, called Élise, in May 1837; Amélie or Émelie Clémentine in April 1840; Hubert Prosper, called Prosper, in August 1842; Joseph Henry in August 1844; and Paulin, fils probably in the late 1840s--five children, two daughters and three sons, between 1837 and the late 1840s.  Paulin père died in Terrebonne Parish in May 1847, probably in his late 30s.  A petition for succession inventory in his name, giving his death date and naming his wife and his children--Pauline, Émelie, Prosper, Joseph, and Paulin--was filed at the Houma courthouse in October 1849.  Daughters Élise and Émelie married into the Legrand and Labit families by 1870.  Two of Paulin's sons also married by then. 

During the War of 1861-65, oldest son Hubert Prosper, called Prosper in the Confederate records, served in Company K of the 26th Regiment Louisiana Infantry, raised in Terrebonne Parish, which fought at Vicksburg, Mississippi.  After he survived the war and returned to his family, he married Susanne, daughter of Jacques Labit and his Acadian wife Henriette Roger, at the Houma church in May 1865.  Their children, born in Terrebonne Parish, included Marie Victoria in January 1866; Emma Clémentine in April 1867; Joséphine Azera in November 1869; ...

Paulin's second son Joseph Henry married Marie, daughter of Narcisse Marcel and Céleste Rhodes, in a civil ceremony in Terrebonne Parish in June 1867, and sanctified the marriage at the Houma church in March 1869.  Their son Joseph Norbert was born in Terrebonne Parish in April 1868; ...  

Julien's fifth and youngest son Henri or Henry married Marie Thérèse, also called Myrthe, daughter of William C. Watkins and Uranie Bonvillain, in a civil ceremony in Terrebonne Parish in December 1839.  Their children, born in Terrebonne Parish, included Henry Désiré in October 1840; Eve Uranie in November 1843; Marie Lavinia in August 1846; and Pierre Adam, called Adam, in August 1848--four children, two sons and two daughters, between 1840 and 1848.  Henry died in Terrebonne Parish in December 1850, probably in his early 30s.  A "Petition for inventory" in his name, calling his wife Myrthe Watkins, and listing two of their children--Eve and Adam--was filed at the Houma courthouse in January 1851.  Neither of his daughters married by 1870, but one of his sons did and settled on the lower Atchafalaya. 

Younger son Pierre Adam, called Adam, married Joséphine, daughter of fellow Acadians Joseph Guidry and Marie Pauline Henry, at the Brashear, now Morgan, City church, St. Mary Parish, in June 1870.  By the early 1870s, Adam had moved his family to Berwick, across the Atchafalaya River from Brashear City.  Adam remarried to Gracieuse Pennison at the Morgan City church in May 1880.  He remarried again--his third marriage--to Mary, daughter of Jean La Cossette and his Acadian wife, a Gautreaux, at the Morgan City church in December 1888. ...

Daigre/Daigle

Olivier Daigre, born in France in c1643, reached Acadia by c1666, the year he married Marie, daughter of Denis Gaudet and Martine Gauthier.  Between 1667 and 1681, Marie gave Olivier 10 children, seven sons and three daughters.  Olivier died at Port-Royal before c1686, in his early 40s, and Marie remarried to a Fardel or Fredelle.  Two of Olivier's daughters married into the Sibilau, Gouzil, Poitevin dit Parisien, and Tennier or Thénière families.  Second daughter Marie bore two "natural" children, both daughters, by Gabriel Moulaison dit Recontre and Louis Blin evidently between her two marriages to Pierre Sibilau and Jacques Gouzil.  She had legitimate children--a son and three daughters--only by her second husband, Jacques Gouzil.  Olivier's youngest daughter and her family perished aboard the British transport Violet in a storm off the southwest coast of England during the deportation of the island Acadians to France in late 1758.  Only two of Olivier's seven sons, the third and fifth, created their own families by marrying into the Bourg and Blanchard families.  The third son's line was especially vigorous.  In 1755, Olivier's descendants could be found at Annapolis Royal; Grand-Pré and Pigiguit in the Minas Basin; Chignecto and the trois-rivières area west of Chignecto; and on Île St.-Jean and Île Royale in the French Maritimes.  By then, the family's name had evolved from Daigre to Daigle, though some members of the family retained the original spelling.  Le Grand Dérangement of the 1750s scattered this large family even farther. 

The Acadians at Chignecto were the first to endure a disruption of their lives.  During the spring and summer of 1750, in response to the British building a fort at Beaubassin village, Canadian militia, assisted by Mi'kmaq warriors led by Abbé Jean-Louis Le Loutre, burned Acadian homesteads in the British-controlled area east of Rivière Missaguash, forcing the habitants there to move to the French-controlled area west of the river.  Daigres may have been among the refugees in this petit dérangement.  After yet another war erupted between Britain and France in 1754, Chignecto Acadians were caught in the middle of it.  When British and New-English forces attacked Fort Beauséjour in June 1755, Daigres may have been among the hundreds of local Acadians serving in the fort as militia.  They, too, along with the French troupes de la marine, became prisoners of war when the fort surrendered on June 16.  Lieutenant-Governor Charles Lawrence was so incensed to find so-called French Neutrals fighting with French regulars at Beauséjour he ordered his officers to deport the Chignecto-areaAcadians to the southernmost seaboard colonies.  A Daigre family was transported to South Carolina aboard the transport Edward Cornwallis, which reached Charles Town on November 19.  Also aboard one of the south-bound transports was a Daigre widow and three of her sons.  The following August, the Daigres, including the widow and her sons, were sent with two dozen other Acadians from Charles Town to Prince Frederick Winyaw, a rural Anglican parish farther up the coast at present-day Plantersville, South Carolina. 

Daigres from Minas were deported to Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Massachusetts in the fall of 1755.  The many Daigres sent to Virginia suffered the indignity of being turned away by the colony's authorities.  They languished in the lower James River aboard disease-infested ships until, with winter approaching, Governor Robert Dinwiddie ordered them dispersed to Hampton, Norfolk, and Richmond, while he and the colony's political leaders pondered their fate.  The following spring, the Virginians sent them on to England, where they were packed into warehouses in several English ports.  At least one Daigre died during the crossing to England.  Most of the many Daigres in England were held at Falmouth in Cornwall, but others were held at Southampton and up in Liverpool.  The death toll among members of the family was especially pronounced at Falmouth, where the exiles were struck by a smallpox epidemic soon after reaching the Cornish port.  Others died at Liverpool and Southampton during their first year in England, but life went on, even amidst the squalor of the prison compounds.  Many Daigres married fellow Acadians, and more children were born into the family.  In Maryland, unlike in Virginia, colonial authorities held the Acadians until the end of the war with France.  At least one Daigre family was sent to Pennsylvania.  Several Daigre families were deported to Massachusetts, where they lived at Milton and Boston.  Daigres from Petitcoudiac and Minas who escaped the British roundups in 1755 or left the Maritime islands soon afterwards took refuge on the Gulf of St. Lawrence shore or moved on to Canada.  At least two married brothers and members of their families were likely victims of a smallpox epidemic that struck Acadian refugees in and around Québec from the summer of 1757 to the spring of 1758.  Daigres also married in the Canadian capital and bore more children there. 

Living in territory controlled by France, the Daigres who remained on the Maritime islands were untouched by the British roundups in Nova Scotia in the summer and fall of 1755.  Their respite from British oppression was short-lived, however.  After the fall of the French fortress at Louisbourg in July 1758, the redcoats gathered up most of the habitants on the islands, many Daigres among them, and deported them to St.-Malo and other French ports.  One Daigre family, with many of their neighbors at Malpèque on the northwest shore of Île St.-Jean, escaped the British round up, crossed Mer Rouge, and sought refuge on the Gulf of St. Lawrence shore before making their way up to the French stronghold at Restigouche at the head of the Baie des Chaleurs.  But most of the island Daigres were not so lucky.  The 1758 crossing to France devastated the family.  Daigres died on the deportation transport Duc Guillaume, which left Île Royale in late summer, suffered a mid-ocean mishap, and limped into St.-Malo harbor the first of November.  An entire family of Daigres perished aboard the deportation transport Violet, which left Chédabouctou Bay in a 12-ship convoy in late November, bound for St.-Malo, and sank in a mid-December storm off the southwest coast of England.  Most of the island Daigres crossed on one of the five deportation transports that left Chédabouctou Bay in the 12-ship convoy, survived the mid-December storm that sank the Violet and two other vessels in the convoy, and reached St.-Malo together in late January 1759.  The crossing on the Five Ships was nevertheless a terrible one.  The death toll among the 1,033 passengers aboard those vessels reached nearly 50 percent, many of them Daigres.  Another Daigre died in the crossing to St.-Malo aboard an unnamed vessel.  The many island Daigres who survived the crossing did their best to make a life for themselves in the suburbs and villages of the St.-Malo area.  They settled in the suburb of St.-Servan-sur-Mer; at Trigavou, Pleslin, Créhen, Pleurtuit, Plouër-sur-Rance, Lizenais, and Gallienne on the west side of the river south of the Breton port; and at Pleudihen-sur-Rance, Mordreuc, Les Villes Morvues, La Gravelle, and Le Coquenais across the river.  Island Daigres ended up in other French ports, including the naval port of Rochefort on the Bay of Biscay, the northern fishing center of Boulogne-sur-Mer in Picardie, and at Cherbourg and Le Havre in Normandy.  Some of the Daigres who landed in these ports joined their many kinsmen in the St.-Malo area at the first opportunity.  In the spring of 1763, after prolonged negotiations between the French and British governments, the Acadians in England who had gone there from Virginia were repatriated to France, many Daigres among them.  They landed at St.-Malo and Morlaix in northern Brittany and were especially plentiful aboard the transports Ambition and Dorothée, which took them to St.-Malo. 

In late autumn 1765, Daigres repatriated from England to Morlaix, many of them brothers, along with a Daigre cousin deported to St.-Malo from the French Maritimes, agreed to become part of a new agricultural venture on Belle-Île-en-Mer, recently freed from British occupation, off the southern coast of Brittany.  They settled in all four of the island's districts:  at Chubiguer and Kerbellec near Le Palais on the east end of the island, Kervellent and Kerson near Sauzon on the northern end of the island, Les Cosquet near Locmaria at the southeast end of the island, and at Tynever near Bangor in the island's southern interior.  Some of the Belle-Île Daigres moved on to Lorient in southern Brittany, but most who did returned to the island. 

In the early 1770s, Daigres in several port cities chose to take part in another, even larger, settlement venture, this one in the interior of Poitou.  French authorities were tired of providing for the exiles languishing in the port cities.  An influential nobleman offered to settle them on land he owned near the city of Châtellerault.  After two years of effort, however, most of the Daigres abandoned the venture and retreated with other Poitou Acadians down the Vienne and the Loire from Châtellerault to the port of Nantes, where they lived as best they could on government handouts and what work they could find.  At Nantes, they settled in the parishes of St.-Similien, St.-Nicolas, St.-Jacques, and St.-Martin de Chantenay; and at Paimboeuf, the lower port of Nantes.  Some of the Daigres who settled in the Nantes area did not come there from Poitou.  Two of the Daigre brothers who had gone to Belle-Île-en-Mer moved to Paimboeuf in the early 1780s, perhaps lured there by promises of a new life in Spanish Louisiana.

According to Acadian genealogist Bona Arsenault, one Daigre family, instead of going to Poitou from St.-Servan-sur-Mer with dozens of their fellow Acadians in 1774, joined, instead, an expedition of other exiles led by ship captain Charles Robin to the British-controlled Channel island of Jersey, the Robin brothers' home base.  From Jersey, the Acadians recrossed the North Atlantic and settled at the Robin-controlled fishery in Gaspésie on the northern coast of the Baie des Chaleurs, where, Arsenault insists, members of the family were counted in 1791 and 1792.  Daigres also settled, according to Arsenault, at St.-Basile-de-Madawaska on upper Rivière St.-Jean, and at Richibouctou on the eastern shore of New Brunswick.  Albert J. Robichaux, Jr.'s study of the Acadians in France, however, shows that the father of this family died at St.-Servan in July 1774 and that at least his oldest son remained in France.  The death of a young Daigre daughter at St.-Servan in August 1779 hints that her father's widow also remained in France with her younger children.  If any of her Daigre children "returned" to North America, they likely did not do it in the 1770s. 

During their two and a half decades in the mother country, Acadian Daigres proliferated, even prospered, despite the frustrations of living there.  Yet, in the early 1780s, when the Spanish government offered the Acadians in France the chance for a new life in faraway Louisiana, at least 58 Daigres from the St.-Malo area, Belle-Île-en-Mer, and especially from Nantes and Paimboeuf, agreed to take it.  But many other Daigres, including the majority of them still on Belle-Île-en-Mer, chose to remain in the mother country. 

In North America, Acadians being held in the seaboard colonies at war's end, theoretically, were free to go, but not until the British discerned their intentions.  Even then, colonial officials discouraged repatriation.  In June 1763, in Pennsylvania, according to a French repatriation list circulating in the colony, a Daigre family was still living there.  That July, in Maryland, Daigres appeared on a repatriation list at Newtown on the colony's Eastern Shore.  In August, in Massachusetts, at least two Daigre famililes appeared on repatriation lists in that colony.  Most of the Acadians in the upper seaboard colonies, Daigres among them, chose to resettle in Canada.  Though now also a British possession, the far-northern province was populated largely by fellow French Catholics, many of them Acadian exiles.  So, in a colony nearly as old as Acadia, descendants of Olivier Daigre began the slow, inexorable process of becoming Canadiennes.  Especially after 1766, Daigres could be found on the upper St. Lawrence at St.-Ambroise, today's Loretteville; St.-Jacques de l'Achigan north of Montréal; and St.-Ours on lower Rivière Richelieu, where they were especially plentiful.  They also could be found at Charlesbourg and Montmagny on the St.-Lawrence below Québec City; and at Bonaventure and Carleton in Gaspésie.  In present-day northeastern New Brunswick, they settled at Richibouctou and Nipisiguit, today's Bathhurst, on the Gulf of St. Lawrence shore; and at St.-Basile-de-Madawaska on upper Rivière St.-Jean on the northwestern edge of the province.  Typical of most, if not all, Acadian families, these Acadiennes of Canada lost touch with their Cadien cousins hundreds of miles away, and, until the Acadian reunions of the twentieth century, may even have forgotten the others existed. 

The few Daigres remaining in South Carolina and a Daigre family from Pennsylvania chose to go not to Canada, where the British now ruled, but to St.-Domingue, where they could live not only among fellow Roman Catholics, but also in territory controlled by France.  Although driven from North America by the Seven Years' War, the French were determined to hang on to what was left of their shrinking colonial empire.  A new naval base at Môle St.-Nicolas on the northwest end of St.-Domingue would protect the approaches to their remaining possessions in the Caribbean Basin and assist in the "war of vengeance" to come.  The exiles could provide a source of cheap labor not only for the naval contractors, but also for the colony's major planters, who hoped to supplement the work of their slaves.  To entice them to the tropical island, the French promised the Acadians land of their own there.  It must have worked out for the Daigres who went to St.-Domingue after 1763.  When fellow Acadians from Nova Scotia and Maryland, including a Daigre, came through Cap-Français in the mid- and late 1760s on their way to New Orleans, none of the Daigres in St.-Domingue chose to join them.  A Daigre also ended up at Champflore, Martinique, after the war. 

For the members of the family who had escaped the British in the late 1750s and sought refuge on the Gulf of St. Lawrence shore, conditions only got worse there.  After the fall of Québec in September 1759, the British prepared to attack the remaining French strongholds in New France, one of which was Restigouche at the head of the Baie des Chaleurs, now a major Acadian refuge.  In late June 1760, a British naval force from Louisbourg attacked Restigouche.  After a spirited fight in which Acadian militia and Mi'kmaq warriors played an important role, the French commander blew up his larger vessels and retreated up Rivière Restigouche, leaving the militia and the Indians to prevent a British landing.  Unable to capture the garrison or lay waste to the area, the British commander ordered his ships to return to their base at Louisbourg.  The following October, after the fall of Montréal, another British naval force, this one from Québec, returned to Restigouche to accept the garrison's, and the Acadians', surrender.  On 24 October 1760, on the eve of formal surrender, French officers counted the 1,003 Acadians still at Restigouche, at least one large Daigre family among them.  During the following months, most of these Acadians, along with others who had either surrendered to, or were captured by, British forces in the region, were sent to prison compounds in Nova Scotia for the rest of the war.  After the war, one of them, now an orphan, was taken to the French-controlled fishery island of Miquelon off the southern coast of Newfoundland, while his older sister joined hundreds of other Acadians in their search for a new home in the Mississippi valley--the first of the family, in fact, to emigrate to Louisiana. 

The refugees in Maryland endured life among Englishmen who, despite their colony's Catholic roots, did not care much for the French "papists" thrust upon them.  When word reached the Acadians in Maryland that the Spanish would welcome them in Louisiana, they pooled their meager resources to charter ships that would take them to New Orleans.  From 1766 to 1769, four expeditions left Baltimore and Port Tobacco for the Mississippi valley colony, but no Daigres were among them.  A Daigre and his family were among the minority of Acadians in the Cheaspeake colony who chose to remain there before moving on to Canada.  One of their sons evidently did not join them in their journey to the Montréal area.  An historian of the Acadians in Maryland notes that this Daigle became "the captain of the Baltimore-Norfolk packet line who figures so prominently in city records."

Daigres settled early in Acadia, but most of them came "late" to Louisiana.  In fact, if the Spanish government had not coaxed over 1,500 Acadians in France to emigrate to their Mississippi-valley colony, the Acadian branch of the Daigre/Daigle family would be a small one in the Bayou State today, if it existed there at all.  The first member of the family to emigrate to Louisiana--a teenage orphan from one of the prison compounds in Nova Scotia--came from Halifax via Cap-Français, French St.-Domingue, in 1765 and settled at Cabahannocer on the river above New Orleans.  After she married there, she followed her Thériot husband upriver to Baton Rouge.  Not until nearly two decades later, in 1785, did more Acadian Daigre/Daigles reach the colony--58 of them, including nearly a dozen families, aboard six of the Seven Ships from France.  They settled on the river above and below New Orleans, most of them at Manchac south of Baton Rouge; and some in the new Acadian community of Bayou des Écores in the Feliciana District north of Baton Rouge, which they abandoned in the early 1790s.  During the following decades, these river families settled along the entire length of the old Acadian Coast in what became East Baton Rouge, West Baton Rouge, Iberville, Ascension, and St. James parishes.  They were especially numerous in the Baton Rouge/Manchac area. 

Acadian Daigles from France also settled on upper Bayou Lafourche, which became a second important center of family settlement that eventually stretched all the way down into the Terrebonne country.  (The town of Daigle north of Houma attests to the family's settlement there.)  Most of the Lafourche-valley Daigles, however, remained on the upper bayou in Assumption Parish, especially around Paincourtville.  During the late antebellum and immediate post-war periods, some of them left the bayou and settled near Pierre Part north of Lake Verret.  Meanwhile, in the late 1790s, a Daigle from the river crossed the Atchafalaya Basin and settled in the Attakapas District, but his line did not endure.  During the antebellum period, Daigles from Assumption and the Baton Rouge area moved to Bayou Teche and created a small western branch of the family there.  Late in the period, a few of their cousins from Assumption moved to the Brashear, now Morgan, City area on the lower Atchafalaya, but the number of Acadian Daigles west of the Basin remained small in comparison to their cousins on the river and in the Lafourche/Terrebonne valley. 

Not all of the Daigles of South Louisiana are descendants of Olivier Daigre of Port-Royal.  Étienne dit Marlborough d'Aigle, a French-Canadian with German-Austrian roots, came to the colony in the 1720s, decades before his Acadian namesakes reached Louisiana.  He settled across from Chapitoulas just upriver from New Orleans before moving to St.-Charles des Allemands on the lower German Coast.  By the early 1800s, some of his great-grandsons had crossed the Atchafalaya Basin to the Opelousas prairies and settled along upper Bayou Plaquemine Brûlé near present-day Church Point.  Most of the Daigles of southwest Louisiana are descended from these French Canadians, some of whom took Acadian wives soon after they reached the prairies.  Other non-Acadian Daigles may have lived on the river and in the Bayou Lafourche valley during the antebellum period, further complicating the family's genealogical picture in South Louisiana. 

Dozens of Daigres and Daigles, both Acadian and French Canadian, served Louisiana in uniform during the War of 1861-65.  At least two of them died in Confederate service, both from disease. ...

In Acadia and during Le Grand Dérangement, the family's surname evolved from Daigre to Daigle, though many members of the family, especially in the Baton Rouge area, retained the original spelling, pronounced DEG.  In Louisiana, the family's name also is spelled Aigle, D'aigle, D'aigre, D'aigrin, Daigue, Daygle, Deagle, Degg, Degle, D'egle, Deglet, Degre, Degue, Degues, Deigue, Desgre, Deygle, Diegle, Digue.06

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The first Acadian Daigre in Louisiana was a 14-year-old orphan who reached the colony in 1765 from Halifax via Cap-Français.  Agnès-Marie, a native of Malpèque, Île St.-Jean, married into the Thériot family at Cabahannocer on the lower Acadian Coast in April 1771 and died at Baton Rouge on the upper Acadian Coast four decades later.

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The great majority of the Acadian Daigre/Daigles who emigrated to Louisiana--at least 58 of them in nearly a dozen families--reached the colony aboard six of the Seven Ships from France in 1785 and settled on the river above New Orleans and on upper Bayou Lafourche. 

The first of them--a childless elderly couple--came to Louisiana from France aboard Le Bon Papa, the first of the Seven Ships, which reached New Orleans in July 1785.  They settled on the river and upper Lafourche.  No family line came of it:

Charles (1731-?) à Bernard à Olivier Daigre

Charles, fils, second son of Charles Daigre and Françoise Doucet, born at Pigiguit in August 1731, evidently moved to Île St.-Jean after August 1752 and married Anne-Marie, daughter of Joseph Vincent and ____, on the island in c1758.  The British deported them to St.-Malo, France, soon after their marriage.  They settled at Trigavou on the west side of the river south of St.-Malo, where Charles worked as a ploughman and a pulley maker.  They were that rare Acadian couple who had no children.  They likely were among the hundreds of Acadians in the port cities who went to the interior of Poitou in 1773 and, after two years of effort, retreated with other Poitou Acadians down the Vienne and the Loire from Châtellerault to the port of Nantes.  A Spanish official counted them there in September 1784.  They emigrated to Spanish Louisiana the following year and followed their fellow passengers to Manchac south of Baton Rouge.  At age 54, Charles remarried to Marie-Françoise or Françoise-Marie, 48-year-old daughter of fellow Acadians Paul Boudrot and Madeleine- or Marie-Josèphe Doiron and widow of Joseph Clossinet and Marin Dugas, at Manchac in February 1786.  She also gave him no children.  During the late 1780s, they moved on to upper Bayou Lafourche, where they appeared in Spanish census records as late as January 1798.  Charles died probably on the upper bayou not long after the census.  His line of the family died with him. 

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Eleven more Daigres--a bachelor, two female orphans, three wives, a widow, and a small family--came to Louisiana from France aboard La Bergère, the second of the Seven Ships, which reached New Orleans in mid-August 1785.  They followed their fellow passengers to upper Bayou Lafourche, which became the first center of Daigre family settlement in the colony: 

Eustache (1728-1790s) à Bernard à Olivier Daigre

Eustache, fourth son of Bernard Daigre, fils and Angélique Richard, born at Grand-Pré in May 1728, was deported to Virginia in 1755 and to England in the spring of 1756.  In 1759, at age 31, he married Madeleine, daughter of fellow Acadians Charles Dupuis and Marie-Madeleine Trahan of Rivière-aux-Canards, at Southampton, England.  Madeleine gave Eustache two children there:  Pierre born in c1760; and Marie-Marguerite in September 1761.  The family was repatriated to St.-Malo, France, in May 1763 aboard L'Ambition and settled at Plouër-sur-Rance on the west side of the river south of the Breton port, where Eustache worked as a day laborer and carpenter.  Madeleine gave him four more children there:  Madeleine-Marguerite born at nearby Liznais in February 1765 but died there at age 5 1/2 in June 1771; Victoire-Marie born in January 1767 but died at Lizenais in August 1773, age 6 1/2; Jean-Joseph born in January 1770; and Charles-Marc in February 1772.  The family did not follow other Acadians repatriated from England to Belle-Île-en-Mer off the southern coast of Brittany in November 1765.  In 1773, they went, instead, to the interior of Poitou with hundreds of other Acadians from the St.-Malo area.  In March 1776, after two years of effort, they retreated with other Poitou Acadians down the Vienne and the Loire from Châtellerault to the port of Nantes.  Madeleine gave Eustache four more sons in St.-Nicolas Parish, Nantes:  Fabien born in August 1776 but died at age 15 months in November 1777; Joseph-Grégoire born in February 1779 but died the following August; Isaac-Joseph born in September 1780 but died at age 1 in November 1781; and Étienne born in December 1784--10 children, seven sons and three daughters, between 1760 and 1784, in England and France.  Oldest daughter Marie-Marguerite married into the Hébert family in St.-Nicolas Parish in July 1780.  Eustache, Madeleine, and three of their sons, one of them an infant, along with their married daughter and her family, emigrated to Spanish Louisiana in 1785.  Oldest son Pierre, who would have been age 25 in 1785, if he were still living, did not follow his family to Louisiana.  From New Orleans, Eustache and his family followed their fellow passengers to upper Bayou Lafourche.  Madeleine gave him no more children there.  Eustache died on the upper bayou in the early 1790s, in his early 60s.  Madeleine did not remarry.  She died in Assumption Parish in September 1816, in her mid-70s.  Two of her and Eustache's sons married on the upper bayou, but only one of the lines endured. 

Second son Jean-Joseph followed his family to Poitou, Nantes, New Orleans, and upper Bayou Lafourche, where he married Anne-Françoise, daughter of fellow Acadians Simon Mazerolle and his first wife Marguerite Trahan, in April 1792.  Anne-Françoise, a native of St.-Servan-sur-Mer near St.-Malo, also had come to Louisiana aboard La Bergère.  Jean died in Assumption Parish in December 1829, a month shy of age 60.  He and his wife may have been that rare Acadian couple who had no children.  

Eustache's third son Charles-Marc followed his family to Poitou, Nantes, New Orleans, and upper Bayou Lafourche.  He died there in December 1799, age 27.  He did not marry. 

Eustache's seventh and youngest son Étienne followed his family to New Orleans and upper Bayou Lafourche, where he married Marie-Marguerite, called Marguerite, daughter of fellow Acadians Joseph Landry and Osite Landry, in February 1804.  Marguerite was a native of Louisiana whose parents had come to the colony from Maryland in 1766.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Joseph Étienne in November 1804; Marcellite Osite in March 1806; Constance Élise in October 1807 but drowned in Bayou Lafourche at age 16 1/2 (the priest said 15) in July 1824; Elias Joseph born in February 1810 but died at age 3 1/2 in August 1814; Ursin Raymond born in April 1811; Valéry Tibaut or Tibodau, called Tibodau, in July 1813 but died at age 19 (the recording priest said 21) in June 1833; Adélaïde Zépherine or Zépheline born in December 1814 but died at age 5 1/2 in September 1820; Marcellin Auguste born in April 1817 but died at age 17 1/2 (the recording priest said 20) in August 1834; and Romain Emérant born posthumously in February 1820--nine children, six sons and three daughters, between 1804 and 1820.  Étienne died in Assumption Parish in June 1819, age 34.  Daughter Marcellite married into the Trahan family.  Three of Étienne's sons also married and remained in Assumption Parish.  Some of his descendants settled at Pierre Part on the north shore of Lake Verret in the northwest corner of the parish. 

Oldest son Joseph Étienne married cousin Céleste or Célestine, daughter of fellow Acadian Jean Baptiste Daigle and his Creole wife Marguerite Simoneaux, at the Plattenville church, Assumption Parish, in April 1823.  They settled on the upper Lafourche near the boundary between Assumption and Ascension parishes.  Their children, born there, included Vincent de Paul Balsain or Valsin, called Valsin, in July 1824 but died at age 9 in June 1833; Blaise Sylvain born in February 1826; Urbain or Urbin Amédé in July 1828 but died at age 2 1/2 in March 1831; Marie Céleste or Célestine Rosela, called Célestine, born in May 1830; Elmire Marguerite in July 1832 but, called Hermine by the recording priest, died at age 1 (the recording priest said 15 months) in June 1833; and Marcellin born in the c1833.  Wife Céleste died in Assumption Parish in June 1834, age 27.  Joseph remarried to Eugénie, also called Virginie, daughter of André Kent, Carle, Karne, Kerne, or Querne and Madeleine Burt and widow of ____, at the Plattenville church in August 1841.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included twins Félix and Joseph Romain near Plattenville in May 1842, but Joseph Romain may have died at age 3 in August 1845; Marie died at age 4 months in June 1844; Joseph Victor, called Victor, baptized at Paincourtville, age unrecorded, in May 1844; Sead Gilbert born in July 1847; Étienne Alzé or Alcée, called Alcée, in August 1849; Marie Genie Anastasie, called Anastasie, in November 1851; and Marie Zulma in March 1854--14 children, nine sons and five daughters, by two wives, including a set of twins, between 1824 and 1854.  Daughters Célestine and Anastasie, by both wives, married into the Foret and Daigle families by 1870, and the younger one settled near Brashear, now Morgan, City on the lower Atchafalaya.  Two of Joseph Étienne's remaining sons also married by then.  One of them settled near Pierre Part on the north shore of Lake Verret. 

Fourth son Marcellin, by first wife Céleste Simoneaux, married Joséphine, daughter of Hursin, probably Ursin, Querne or Kerne and his Acadian wife Adèle Boudreaux, at the Paincourtville church in July 1858.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Marie Élizabeth near Attakapas Canal, Assumption Parish, in August 1859; Élise Anastasie near Labadieville in December 1862; ...

Joseph Étienne's fifth son Félix, a twin, by second wife Virginie Kerne, married cousin Célina, daughter of fellow Acadians Valéry Blanchard and Augustine Thériot, at the Pierre Part church, Assumption Parish, in April 1866; they had to secure a dispensation for third degree of consanguinity in order to marry. ...

Étienne's third son Ursin Raymond married Carmélite, daughter of fellow Acadians Jean Chrysostôme Trahan and Madeleine Guidry of Assumption Parish, at the Donaldsonville church, Ascension Parish, in October 1830.  Their son Charles Firmin was born on the upper Lafourche in September 1832 but died at age 2 (the recording priest said 3) in November 1834.  Ursin remarried to Mathilde or Bathilde, daughter of fellow Acadians François Theriot and Marie Bourg, at the Plattenville church in January 1834.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Eusilien François in September 1834; Joseph Étienne le jeune died at age 6 weeks in October 1836; Étienne Désiré, perhaps called Désiré, born in February 1838; Marie Adellina, called Adelisca, in October 1839; Ursin Crepin, called Crepin, near Plattenville in July 1841; Victor near Paincourtville in September 1844; Marie Ophelia, called Ophelia, in November 1845; Marie Zulma in January 1848; Joseph Uzère in November 1849; Étienne Diogène in September 1852; Marie Ermina in November 1855 but, called Ermina, died at age 1 in November 1856; Marie Alise born in January 1858; and Joseph Elphége in October 1860--14 children, nine sons and five daughters, by two wives, between 1832 and 1860.  Ursin died near Pierre Part in February 1864, age 52.  Daughters Adelisca and Ophelia, by his second wife, married into the Dugas and Maroir families by 1870.  Four of Ursin's sons also married by then, but not all of the lines endured.

Second son Eusilien, by second wife Mathilde Theriot, married Augustine, daughter of fellow Acadians Alexandre Dugas and Adeline Babin, at the Paincourtville church in January 1856.  Their children, born near Paincourtville, included Marie Séraphine in September 1860 but, called Séraphine, died at age 5 in October 1865; Israël Eusilien born in May 1863; Marie Zulma in January 1866; Augustin in January 1869; ... 

Ursin Raymond's fourth son Désiré, by second wife Mathilde Theriot, may have married cousin Fideline or Fidelia Daigle, place and date unrecorded.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Joseph Alcé near Attakapas Canal, Assumption Parish, in October 1861; twins Marie Elizabeth Julie and Marie Marguerite Julia in June 1866, but Marie Elizabeth Julie, called Julia, died at age 3 in July 1869; ... 

Ursin Raymond's fifth son Crepin, by second wife Mathilde Theriot, married Clémentine, daughter of Romain Friou and his Acadian wife Adeline Dupuis, at the Plattenville church in April 1861.  During the War of 1861-65, Crepin served in Company D of the 18th Regiment Louisiana Infantry, raised in St. Mary Parish, so he probably was a conscript, and in Company E of the 18th Consolidated Louisiana Infantry, which served in Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, and Arkansas.  He survived the war, returned to his family, and died near Paincourtville in October 1869.  The priest who recorded the burial said that Crepin died at "age ca. 25 years."  He was 28.  One wonders if his death was war-related.  Did he father any children? 

Ursin Raymond's sixth son Victor, by second wife Mathilde Theriot, married Julie, daughter of fellow Acadian Sylvain Hébert and his Creole wife Marie Juno, at the Paincourtville church in January 1869.  Their son Joseph Crepin was born near Paincourtville in October 1870; ...

Étienne's sixth and youngest son Romain Emérant married Marie Azélie, called Azélie, daughter of fellow Acadians Joseph Dugas and Marie Landry, at the Plattenville church in May 1839.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Marie Phildeline in May 1840; Marie Élisa in August 1842 but, called Mélize, died at age 10 1/2 in March 1853; Joseph Gervais born in June 1846; and Marie Aimée in August 1848.  Romain remarried to Louise, daughter of fellow Acadians Étienne Giroir and Adèle Hébert, at the Plattenville church in May 1852.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Marie Veneda in September 1853; Joseph Alcide in August 1856; Marguerite Félicie in December 1859; Marie in August 1862; Marie Adeline in October 1865; Aimée died, age unrecorded, in October 1867; Louise Medora born in February 1869 but, called Louise Modra, died at age 1 1/2 in September 1870; ...  None of Romain's children married by 1870. 

Alexis-Jean-Mathurin (1763-1815) à Pierre à Bernard à Olivier Daigre

Alexis-Jean-Mathurin, called Mathurin, third son of Alexandre Daigre and Élisabeth Granger of Pigiguit and Île St.-Jean, born at Boulogne-sur-Mer, France, in January 1763, followed his family to St.-Malo in May 1766 and settled with them at nearby St.-Servan-en-Mer.  He followed them to Poitou in 1773 and to Nantes in early 1776, where he became an engraver.  In 1785, still a young bachelor, he emigrated to Spanish Louisiana with four of his siblings, most of whom took other ships, and followed them from New Orleans to upper Bayou Lafourche, where he married Marie-Josèphe-Françoise, daughter of fellow Acadians Michel Levron and Marguerite Trahan, in January 1788.  Marie, also a native of Boulogne-sur-Mer, had come to Louisiana from France in 1785 aboard a later ship.  The baptismal record of a daughter at the St.-Louis church, New Orleans, dated 18 March 1797, describes Alexis and his wife as "residents of this parish," so they evidently lived in the city during the mid-1790s before returning to the upper Lafourche, where they were counted again April 1797.  Their children, born on the upper bayou, included Joseph-Alex in November 1788; Charles-Marie in March 1790; Jean-Baptiste in April 1792; Sylvestre-Joseph in September 1794; Marie-Claire, called Claire, in January 1797 and baptized at New Orleans the following March; Mathurin, fils born in March 1799; Pierre-Michel or Michel-Pierre in November 1800; Marie-Scholastique dite Colastie in July 1803; and Thomas in 1814 and died at age 11 months in March 1815--nine children, seven sons and two daughters, between 1788 and 1814.  A succession for Mathurin Daigle, perhaps him, was filed at what became the Interior Parish courthouse in November 1806.  A succession inventory, doubtlessly his, calling his wife Françoise LeBlanc[sic], was filed at the Lafourche Interior Parish courthouse in June 1815.  Mathurin died in Assumption Parish in October 1815.  The Plattenville priest who recorded the burial said that Mathurin was age 50 when he died.  He was 52.  Daughters Claire and Marie Scholastique married into the Malbrough family.  Four of Mathurin's sons also married.  Unlike their cousins, most of whom remained on the upper Lafourche in Assumption Parish, Mathurin's sons and grandsons moved down bayou into Lafourche Interior and Terrebonne parishes. 

Oldest son Joseph Alex married Marie Marguerite, called Marguerite, daughter of fellow Acadians Charles Richard and Marie Trahan of Lafourche, at the Plattenville church in March 1818.  Their children, born on the Lafourche, included Alexandre Joseph or Joseph Alexandre, called Alexandre, in Assumption Parish in February 1819; Marie Claire or Clarisse in August 1821; Matherne or Mathurin Magloire in October 1825; Rosalie dite Rose in April 1828; Joseph Joachim, called Joachim, in Lafourche Interior Parish in March 1830; Charles Henry or Henri, called Henri, in May 1832; and Joseph Émile in May 1842--seven children, five sons and two daughters, between 1819 and 1842.  Wife Marie Marguerite died in January 1850, in her early 50s.  A petition for succession inventory, in her name, listing her husband and most of their children--Henry, Alexandre, Mathurin, Joachim, Marie Clarisse and her husband, and Rose and her husband--was filed at the Houma courthouse, Terrebonne Parish, in May.  Daughters Marie Clarisse and Rosalie married into the Deoux and Lamoureaux families by 1870.  Four of Joseph's sons also married by then. 

Oldest son Alexandre Joseph or Joseph Alexandre, called Alexandre, married Odile Victorine, called Victorine, daughter of Auguste Bernon, Berland, Bernar, or Bernou and his French-Canadian wife Anne Arcenot of Terrebonne Parish, at the Thibodaux church, Lafourche Interior Parish, in August 1841.  Their children, born on the Lafourche, included Marie Anne in June 1842; Joseph Alcé, called Alcé, in April 1845; Augustin, also called Sylvain, in June 1847; and Marie Alexina, called Alexina or Alezzina, and perhaps also Eveline and Evelina, in August 1849--four children, two daughters and two sons, between 1842 and 1849.  Alexandre died in Lafourche Parish in November 1855, age 36.  A petition for succession inventory in his name, calling his wife Victoire Daigle and listing his children--Odilia, Elce (Alcée), Sylvain, and Alezzina--was filed at the Thibodaux courthouse on Christmas Eve 1855.  Daughters Marie Anne and Eveline/Evelina married into the Ribbeck and Daigle families by 1870.  None of Alexandre's sons married by then.

Joseph Alex's second son Matherne or Mathurin Magloire married Marie Elesida, Elisida, Elizida, or Lesida, daughter of fellow Acadians Ambroise Dugas and Marcellite Bourgeois, in a civil ceremony in Terrebonne Parish in July 1847.  Their children, born in Lafourche Interior and Terrebonne parishes, included Louise Elvina or Luvinia, called Luvinia, in Lafourche Interior Parish in July 1848; Marie Helena in May 1850; Célestine Octavie in May 1852; Marie Alfrina in July 1854; Mathurin Octave in March 1857; Joseph Augustin Paulin near Chacahoula, Terrebonne Parish, in May 1859; Pierre Edgard in October 1861; Joséphine Franklina in May 1864; ...  Daughter Luvinia married into the Breaux family by 1870.  None of Mathurin's sons married by then. 

Joseph Alex's third son Joseph Joachim, called Joachim, married Joséphine, also called Delphine, daughter of fellow Acadians Aubin Bénoni Thibodaux, a son of the former governor, and Eugénie Hébert, at the Thibodaux church in December 1849.  Their children, born on the Lafourche, included Joseph le jeune in September 1850; Edgar died four days after his birth in October 1854; Henriette born in June 1853; Marie in May 1856; twins Alfrida Louise and Louis Alfred in October 1859, but Louis Alfred, called Louis, died at age 9 months in August 1860; and Adam born in May 1863.  Joachim remarried to Marie, also called Uranie and Ulalie, daughter of Creoles Zéphirin Olivier and Delphine Chichenouch and widow of Louis Pontiff, at the Thibodaux church in May 1867.  A year or so after their wedding, they moved to the Abbeville area in Vermilion Parish.  Their children, born on the Lafourche and the western prairies, included Cécile in Lafourche Parish in March 1868; Dominique on the prairies in July 1870; ...  None of Joachim's children married by 1870. 

Joseph Alex's fourth son Charles Henri, called Henri, married Ophelia, daughter of fellow Acadian Joseph Noël Boudreaux and his Creole wife Aimée Caroline Olivier, at the Thibodaux church in August 1855; the marriage also was registered in Terrebonne Parish.  Their children, born on the Lafourche, included Joseph Pierre in June 1856; Henri Edgard in January 1858 but evidently was the unnamed child who died the day of his birth; Marie Elvina born in December 1859; Marie Ociana in December 1861; Marie died "at age 24 hrs." in December 1863; twins Joseph and Pierre born in October 1865; ... 

Alexis Jean Mathurin's third son Jean Baptiste married Marie Carmélite, also called Josèphe, daughter of fellow Acadians Joseph Lejeune and Marie Bonne Adélaïde Landry, at the Plattenville church in June 1816.  Their children, born on the Lafourche, included Marie Josèphe Pauline, called Pauline, in Assumption Parish in July 1819; Joseph in Lafourche Interior Parish in January 1821; Jean Baptiste Onésime or Olésime, called Olésime, in January 1824; Mélanie Madeleine in May 1825; Séraphin in September 1826; and Barthélémy Adam in November 1831--six children, two daughters and four sons, between 1819 and 1831.  Daughters Pauline and Mélanie married into the Richoux and Leonard families by 1870.  One of Jean-Baptiste's sons also married by then. 

Second son Jean Baptiste Onésime or Olésime, called Olésime, married Angèlle Modeste, called Modeste, daughter of fellow Acadian Eugène Bourgeois and his Creole wife Angélique Barrios, in a civil ceremony in Lafourche Interior Parish in October 1850.  Their children, born on the lower Lafourche, included Emmanuel Eugène near Lockport in December 1851; Marie Angèle in March 1854; Augustine Eveline in April 1855; Charles Désirée near Raceland in October 1857; Adam in January 1860; Marguerite Myrthée near Lockport in April 1866; ...  None of Olésime's children married by 1870. 

Alexis Jean Mathurin's fifth son Mathurin, fils, at age 21, married Eméranthe, daughter of fellow Acadians François Marie Gautreaux and Félicité Hébert, at the Plattenville church in January 1822.  A son, name and age unrecorded, died in Assumption Parish in October 1822.  Mathurin, fils, at age 27, remarried to Marie Élise, called Élise or Lise, 15-year-old daughter of Nicolas Lirette and Marie Josèphe Malbrough, at the Thibodauxville church in April 1826; the marriage also was registered in Terrebonne Parish.  Their children, born on the Lafourche, included Lessin in April 1827; Emérante dite Méranthe Phelonise in April 1829; Leufroi Ulgère in August 1831; Aureline in May 1834; Marguerite Delphine in January 1837 but, called Marguerite, died at age 16 (the recording priest gave no age) in February 1853; Alexandrine Evelina or Eveline, called Eveline, born in February 1839; Octave in March 1841; Joseph A., probably Alcé, in June 1843; Marie Aurore in September 1845; Azélie in January 1848; Mathurin Ferdinand in March 1851; and Joseph in July 1854 but died there at age 3 1/2 (the recording priest said 4) in May 1858--13 children, seven sons and six daughters, by two wives, between 1822 and 1854.  According to Terrebonne Parish court records, in June 1842, Mathurin, fils assumed tutelage of his niece Emérente Malbrough, daughter of his sister Marie Scholastique dite Colastie, who had married Joseph Guillaume Malbrough.  Mathurin, fils's daughters Emérante dite Méranthe Phelonise, Aureline, Eveline, Marie, and Azélie by his second wife, married into the Louvière, Labie or Labit, Delaune, Adoue or Adoux, Navarre, and Dugas families, two of them, Méranthe and Aureline, twice by 1870.  Four of Mathurin, fils's sons also married by then. 

Second son Lessin, by second wife Lise Lirette, married Marie Pamela, called Pamela, daughter of fellow Acadians Jean Valéry Gautreaux and Théotiste Louvière, at the Thibodaux church in February 1849.  Their children, born on the Lafourche, included Treville Noël in December 1849; Marie Zulma in March 1852; Marie Irma in November 1854; Orvile in November 1856; Marie Odilia in September 1859; Marie Émilie in January 1862; Marie Marguerite in March 1866; Julie Marie in March 1869; ...  None of Lessin's children married by 1870. 

Mathurin, fils's third son Leufroi, by second wife Lise Lirette, married Rosalie or Eulalie, daughter of fellow Acadians Eugène Thibodeaux and Rosalie Henry, at the Thibodaux church in June 1854; the marriage also was registered in Terrebonne Parish.  Their children, born on the southeastern bayous, included Marie Osea in Lafourche Parish in March 1855; Alae Calix in October 1856; Joseph Ellis in Terrebonne Parish in February 1859; Alfred Camille in Lafourche Parish in May 1860; and Joseph Elfége in June 1862.  Leufroi remarried to Marie, daughter of fellow Acadians Augustin Babin and Marguerite Breaux of Terrebonne Parish, at the Houma church, Terrebonne Parish, in February 1865.  Their children, born in Lafourche Parish, included Marguerite in November 1866; Louisa Célina in August 1868; ...  None of Leufroi's children married by 1870. 

Mathurin, fils's fourth son Octave, by second wife Lise Lirette, married Marie Zulema or Zulma, daughter of fellow Acadian Forestal Dugas and his Creole wife Marie Adèle Bernon, at the Thibodaux church in September 1861.  Daughter Marie Elida was born in Lafourche Parish in March 1862.  Octave remarried to cousin Marie Evélina, Evéline, Exelina, or Alexina, daughter of fellow Acadian Alexandre Joseph Daigle, his first cousin, and his Creole wife Victorine Bernon, in a civil ceremony in Terrebonne Parish in February 1865, and sanctified the marriage at the Houma church in April 1866.  Their children, born in Lafourche Parish, included Joseph Camille in September 1867; Elvire Mirtille in January 1869; Marie Octavie in February 1870; ...

Mathurin, fils's fifth son Joseph Alcé, called Alcé, from second wife Lise Lirette, married Evéline or Evélina, daughter of fellow Acadian Jean Baptiste Boudreaux and his Creole wife Rosalie Malbrough, at the Thibodaux church in March 1864.  Their children, born in Lafourche Parish, included twins Alcé, fils and Marie Malvina in January 1865, but Alcé, fils died at age 2 months (the recording priest said 4 months) the following March; ... 

Alexis Jean Mathurin's sixth son Pierre Michel or Michel Pierre married Marie Rosalie, daughter of fellow Acadians Joseph Benoît Gautreaux and Élisabeth Bergeron, at the Plattenville church in February 1821.  She evidently gave him no children, at least none who survived infancy.  Pierre Michel remarried to Marie Carmélite, called Carmélite, another daughter of Nicolas Lirette and Marie Josèphe Malbrough, at the Thibodauxville church in October 1823; the marriage was registered in Terrebonne Parish also.  Their children, born on the southeastern bayous, included Joseph Michel in Lafourche Interior Parish in July 1825; Froisine or Euphrosine Éloise in November 1827; Césaire Odile or Odile Cézaire, a daughter, in August 1830; Marie Sivenine or Séverine in October 1833; Marcel Gervais in June 1836; Marcellin Théodule in February 1839; Émile Auguste in January 1842; Joseph Artur in November 1845; and Marcelline Victorine, called Victorine, in January 1851 "at Bayou Cannes"--nine children, five sons and four daughters, between 1825 and 1851.  Daughters Euphrosine, Odile Cézaire, Marie Séverine, and Victorine, by his second wife, married into the Gautreaux, Bergeron, Boudreaux, Porche or Poché, and Levron families by 1870.  Four of Pierre Michel's sons also married by then, but not all of the lines endured. 

Oldest son Joseph Michel, by second wife Carmélite Lirette, married Marcelline Delphine, called Delphine, daughter of François Michel Bouquet and his Acadian wife Marie Anne Henry, in a civil ceremony in Terrebonne Parish in June 1848, and sanctified the marriage at the Houma church in June 1849.  Their children, born at Bayou Cannes, included Edmond Uter in November 1849; Adam Thalma in April 1852; and Frank in December 1854--three children, all sons, between 1849 and 1854.  One of Josesph Michel's sons married by 1870. 

Oldest son Edmond married Émelie or Émilia, daughter of Jean Marie LeBoeuf and his Acadian wife Joséphine Babin, at the Houma church in August 1867.  Their children, born in Terrebonne Parish, included Marie Ovila in June 1868; Joséphine Eda in September 1870; ...

Pierre Michel's third son Marcel Gervais, by second wife Carmélite Lirette, married Ada, daughter of Philippe Darce and Marie Emelina Dupré of Terrebonne Parish, at the Houma church in June 1856.  Their children, born in Terrebonne Parish, included William Wiley in April 1857; Amélie Camilla in March 1858; Marceline Melicier in January 1860; Marie Louise Amanda in November 1861; Ernestine Alida near Montegut in May 1864; Clovis Ulysse in November 1868; ...

Pierre Michel's fourth son Marcellin Théodule, by second wife Carmélite Lirette, married Edmire or Elmire, daughter of Urbain Picou and his Acadian wife Marguerite Babin, at the Montegut church, Terrebonne Parish, in October 1866.  Their children, born in Terrebonne Parish, included Marguerite Elisea baptized at the Houma church, age unrecorded, in January 1868; and Marie Félicia born in September 1869.  Marcellin died in Terrebonne Parish in November 1870.  The Houma priest who recorded the burial said that Marcelin, as he called him, died "at age 35 yrs."  He was 31. 

Pierre Michel's fifth son Émile Auguste, by second wife Carmélite Lirette, married Cécilia Antonita, Antoniata, or Autin, daughter of Fursi Porché and his Acadian wife Justine Aucoin, at the Houma church in May 1865.  Their children, born in Terrebonne Parish, included Marie Cécilia in November 1866; Pierre Furri in August 1869; ... 

.

Thirty-one more Daigres--six families, one led by a widow, another by a widower; an orphan; and a wife--one of the largest single Acadian family groups to reach the colony, came to Louisiana from France aboard Le Beaumont, the third of the Seven Ships, which reached New Orleans in late August 1785.  They followed their fellow passengers to Manchac south of Baton Rouge and created another center of Daigre family settlement.  Some of their descendants moved out to the western prairies during the early antebellum period and founded a third center of Acadian family settlement there: 

Olivier IV (1732-1787) à Olivier, fils à Olivier Daigre

Olivier IV, second son of Olivier Daigre III and Françoise Granger, born at Rivière-aux-Canards in September 1732, married Marie, daughter of Pierre Landry and Marie-Josèphe LeBlanc, there in August 1755, on the eve of their deportation to Virginia, from which colonial officials sent them on to Falmouth, England, in the spring of 1756.  Marie died soon after their arrival, a victim, perhaps, of smallpox.  Olivier IV remarried to Marie-Blanche, daughter of fellow Acadians Charles LeBlanc and Élisabeth Thibodeau of Rivière-aux-Canards, at Falmouth in November 1758.  Marie-Blanche gave Olivier IV a son, Victor, born there in c1761.  Olivier IV, his wife, and son were repatriated to Morlaix, Brittany, France, in the spring of 1763.  She gave him another son, Michel, born at Morlaix in c1764.  In November 1765, they followed his family to Belle-Île-en-Mer, where they settled at Chubiguer near Le Palais on the east coast of the island.  Marie-Blanche gave Olivier IV seven more children there:  François born in December 1765; Simon-François in December 1767; Jean-Baptiste in February 1770; Marie-Geneviève in July 1773; Pélagie in June 1775; Eulalie in March 1779; and twins Honoré le jeune and Marguerite in August 1781.  Second son Michel died on the island, age 30 months, in May 1766.  In 1776, Olivier IV bought his younger brother Jean-Charles's land concession at Le Palais.  However, in the early 1780s, Olivier sold his concessions to older brother Honoré and took his family to Paimboeuf, the lower port for Nantes, where youngest son Jean-Baptiste-Toussaint was baptized in November 1783--11 children, seven sons and four daughters, all by his second wife, between 1761 and 1783, in England and France.  Marie-Blanche died soon after the birth of their youngest son, perhaps from the rigors of childbirth.  A Spanish official counted Olivier and 10 children, six sons and four daughters, at Paimboeuf in September 1784.  Olivier IV was still a widower.  He did not remarry.  Daughter Marguerite, a twin, died at Paimboeuf, age 3 1/2, in November 1784.  In June 1785, Olivier IV and eight of his children, five sons and three daughters, emigrated to Spanish Louisiana aboard one of the ships that sailed from the lower port.  Son Jean-Pierre-Toussaint, who had been baptized at Paimboeuf two years earlier, did not sail with them, so he likely had died soon after his birth.  From New Orleans, Olivier and his children followed their fellow passengers to Manchac south of Baton Rouge.  Olivier died there in August 1787, age 55.  Daughters Pélagie, Marie-Geneviève, and Eulalie married into the Aucoin, Breaux, Landry, and Aid families on the river.  Olivier IV's five remaining sons also married, two of them to sisters, and settled on the river.  Youngest surviving son Honoré le jeune died in Iberville Parish in December 1852, among the last of the Acadian exiles in Louisiana to join his ancestors.

Oldest son Victor, by second wife Marie-Blanche LeBlanc, followed his family to Morlaix, Belle-Île-en-Mer, and Paimboeuf and worked as a carpenter in the lower Loire port.  Still a bachelor in his early 20s, he followed his widowered father and siblings to New Orleans and Manchac, where he married Marguerite-Josèphe, daughter of fellow Acadians Jean Doiron and Anne Thibodeau, in May 1786.  Marguerite-Josèphe, a native of St.-Énogat, today's Dinard, across the harbor from St.-Malo, also had come to Louisiana in 1785 aboard Le Beaumont.  Their children, born at Manchac, included Joseph in May 1787; and Jean-Bellony or -Delauny in October 1788.  Victor died probably at Manchac in December 1788, age 27.  His two sons married and settled in what became West Baton Rouge Parish. 

Older son Joseph married Marie, daughter of Andrés Lopes de Acuna and his Acadian wife Catherine Broussard, probably at Manchac in the late 1800s.  They settled in what became West Baton Rouge Parish.  Their children, born there, included twins Jean Thomas and Marie Paulite in December 1810; Pierre Joseph Thomas in December 1812; Oportine Alexandrine, called Alexandrine, in April 1816; and Marie Aureline in January 1819--five children, two sons and three daughters, including a set of twins, between 1810 and 1819.  Daughters Alexandrine and Marie Aureline married into the Tullier and Breaux families.  Neither of Joseph's sons married, but the blood of the family line endured.  

Victor's younger son Jean Bellony, Béloni, or Delauny married cousin Anne Marie or Marie Anne, daughter of fellow Acadians Jean Baptiste Trahan and Anne Geneviève Daigle, probably at Manchac in the 1800s.  Their children, born in West Baton Rouge Parish, included Marie Modeste, called Modeste, in April 1810; Marie Carmélite in early 1815; Marie Céleste in December 1816; another Marie Céleste in May 1819; Marie Adeline in December 1821; Marie Aureline, called Aureline, in September 1825; Marie Doralise, called Doralise, in November 1827; Pierre Aristide in December 1829; and Jean Deossilys in June 1832.  Jean Bellony remarried to Modeste Prospere, place and date unrecorded, and settled near Baton Rouge by the late 1830s.  Their children, born in West Baton Rouge Parish, included Félicienne in late 1838 and baptized at Baton Rouge, age 7 months, in June 1839; Émelie Adolisca or Adoliska, called Adoliska, born in June 1842; and Jean Ulysse in January 1845--a dozen children, nine daughters and three sons, by two wives, between 1810 and 1845.  Jean Bellony, called Béloni by the recording priest, who gave no parents' names or mentioned a wife, died near Brusly, West Baton Rouge Parish, in November 1853.  The priest said that Béloni died at "age 58 yrs."  He was 65.  Daughters Marie Modeste, Marie Carmélite, Doralise, Aureline, and Adoliska, by both wives, married into the Tullier, Labauve, Crochet, Hébert, LeBlanc, Doiron, Aillet, and Francis families, four of them twice, by 1870.  None of Jean Bellony's sons married by then.

Olivier IV's third son François, by second wife Marie-Blanche LeBlanc, followed his family to Paimboeuf, also became a carpenter, and followed his widowered father and siblings to New Orleans and Manchac, where he married Servanne-Laurence, also called Honoriènne, Loraine, Laurire, and Marie, daughter of fellow Acadians René Landry and Marguerite Babin, in June 1793.  Loraine, a native of St.-Servan-sur-Mer near St.-Malo, was a sister of François's brother Simon-François's wife and had come to Louisiana in 1785 aboard a later ship.  François and Servanne's children, born at Manchac, included Olivier-François in October 1793; Jean-Baptiste in January 1795 but died at age 6 months the following July; Joseph born in November 1796 but died at age 13 in October 1809; Laurent born in May 1798; and Angèl died at Manchac eight days after his birth in May 1803--five children, all sons, between 1793 and 1803.  François died near Baton Rouge in January 1839, age 73.  Two of his son married, but only one of them fathered sons of his own. 

Oldest son Olivier François married cousin Carmélite, daughter of fellow Acadians Paul Olivier Daigre and Marie Richard, at the Baton Rouge church, East Baton Rouge Parish, in January 1816.  One wonders if he was the Olivier Daigre "from the highlands" who died near Baton Rouge, age unrecorded, in July 1843.  If so, he would have been age 49 at the time of his death.  Carmélite, called "Mrs. Olivier Daigre," died near Baton Rouge in September 1855, age 59.  Did she and Olivier François have any children? 

François's fourth son Laurent married Céleste, daughter of fellow Acadians Joseph Trahan and Marguerite Doiron, at the Baton Rouge church in April 1821.  Their children, born near Baton Rouge, included a child, name and age unrecorded, died in May 1823; Idèlle Célestine born in April 1824; Lawrence Turiaf in July 1826 but died at age 11 (the recording priest said 12) in August 1837; Alphonse Forester, called Forester, born in January 1829; Marie Coralie in September 1830; Forestine Azélie or Azélie Florestine in May 1832; Ernest Nicolas in December 1833; Ernestine in the 1830s; Marie Augustine in September 1835; Hortense Victorin or Victoria, called Victoria, in March 1837; and Octave in May 1839--11 children, at least six daughters and four sons, between 1823 and 1839.  Laurent died by October 1850, when he was listed as deceased in a daughter's marriage record.  Daughters Marie Coralie, Azélie Florestine, Ernestine, and Victoria married into the Hébert, Estevan, Henry, Cointment, and Testard families, one of them, Ernestine, twice, by 1870.  One of Laurent's sons married by then.

Second son Alphonse Forester, called Forester, married Marie Adeline, daughter of fellow Acadian Janvier Allain and his Creole wife Marie Élise Bush, at the St. Gabriel church, Iberville Parish, in October 1850.  Their son Alphonse Désiré was born near St. Gabriel in May 1852.  Forester died near St. Gabriel in January 1868.  The priest who recorded the burial said that Florestan, as he called him, died at "age 37 years."  He was 39.  His son did not marry by 1870. 

Olivier IV's fourth son Simon-François, by second wife Marie-Blanche LeBlanc, followed his family to Paimboeuf, became a wet cooper there, and followed his widowered father and siblings to New Orleans and Manchac, where he married Anne-Marie-Jeanne, called Marie, another daughter of René Landry and Marguerite Babin, in November 1794; Anne-Marie-Jeanne was a sister of Simon's older brother Francois's wife Servanne.  Like her sister Servanne, Anne-Marie-Jeanne also was a native of St.-Servan-sur-Mer had come to Louisiana in 1785 aboard La Ville d'Archangel.  She and Simon-François settled at Manchac.  Their son Simon-Baptiste was born there in October 1794.  Simon died probably at Manchac in October 1795, age 28.  Widow Marie remarried to a Guidry.  Her and Simon François's son settled in Iberville Parish, married twice, and had sons by his second wife.  

Only son Simon Baptiste married cousin Constance, daughter of Isidore Tullier and his Acadian wife Marie Daigre, at the St. Gabriel church in April 1822.  She evidently gave him no children.  Simon, living in East Baton Rouge Parish, remarried to Marie Élisabeth, called Élisabeth, daughter of Michel Gareuil and Hélène Lopez and widow of Pierre Aucoin, at the St. Gabriel church in February 1833.  Their children, born near St. Gabriel, included Félix in October 1833; an infant, name and age unrecorded, died in December 1835; Élisabeth born in December 1836 but died at age 4 1/2 (the recording priest said 6) in June 1841; Ernest born in October 1838; Marie Célina in September 1840 but, her name unrecorded, died at age 3 in October 1843; and another Élisabeth born in July 1843--six children, at least two sons and three daughters, by one of his two wives, between 1833 and 1843.  Daughter Élisabeth, the second with the name, by his second wife, married into the Gomes family by 1870.  One of Simon's sons also married by then. 

Older son Félix, by second wife Élisabeth Gareuil, married Théotiste or Théodice, daughter of Rosémond Capdevielle and Arthémise Hernandez, at the St. Gabriel church in February 1864.  Their children, born near St. Gabriel, included Joseph Ernest in December 1864; Jean Baptiste Nepler in December 1866; ... 

Olivier IV's fifth son Jean-Baptiste, by second wife Marie-Blanche LeBlanc, followed his family to Paimboeuf and his widowered father and siblings to New Orleans and Manchac, where, at age 23, he married Marie-Julie, called Julie, 22-year-old daughter of fellow Acadians Joseph Trahan and Anne dite Nanette Granger, in June 1793.  Julie a native of Bangor, Belle-Île-en-Mer, also had come to Louisiana in 1785 on Le Beaumont, so one wonders if they had known one another since childhood.  Their children, born at Manchac, included Mathilde in September 1793; Jean-Baptiste-Barbier, -Beauvier, -Beauvière, -Beauville, -Bouvier, -Bouvière, or -Bovière in January 1795; Mélanie-Clothilde in April 1796; Constance-Élise, called Élise, in May 1798; Joseph-Léger or -Lezin in c1799 or 1800 and baptized, age 1 1/2 years, in August 1801; an unnamed daughter died five days after her birth in May 1802; Jean Zénon, called Zénon, born in September 1805; and Marie Adeline in January 1808--eight children, five daughters and three sons, between 1793 and 1808.  Daughters Mélanie, Élise, and Adeline married into the Ledoux, Souchon dit Aubin, Theriot, and Arbour families.  Jean Baptiste's three sons also married and settled in West Baton Rouge and Iberville parishes, but not all of the lines endured. 

Oldest son Jean Baptiste Barbier or Bouvière married Marie Marthe, daughter of fellow Acadians Isaac Landry and Anne Aucoin, at the St. Gabriel church in April 1817.  They settled in West Baton Rouge Parish.  Their children, born there, included Marie Edeleine, perhaps called Elvina, in December 1819; Virginie Céleste in November 1821; Eléonore Olive in January 1824; Jean Baptiste, fils in October 1826; Julie Carmélite in January 1829; and Marie Célina or Célima posthumously in May 1831--six children, five daughters and a son, between 1819 and 1831.  Jean Baptiste, père died probably in West Baton Rouge Parish in October 1830, age 35.  Daughters Elvina, Virginie, Eléonore, and Marie Célima married into the Lejeune, Lemoine, Trahan, Richard, and Thibodeaux families.  Did Jean Baptiste Barbier's son also marry?  If not, this line of the family, except for its blood, did not endure. 

Jean-Baptiste's second son Joseph Léger or Lezin married cousin Modeste, daughter of fellow Acadians Jean Paul Trahan and Marie Josèphe Lejeune, at the Baton Rouge church in April 1826.  They settled in West Baton Rouge Parish.  Their children, born there, included Émilie Eléonore dite Léonore in November 1829; and Victorine in November 1831.  Daughter Eléonore married a Lejeune cousin.  Joseph Léger evidently fathered no sons, but the blood of the family line endured.   

Jean-Baptiste's third and youngest son Jean Zénon, called Zénon, married cousin Éloise or Héloise, daughter of Joseph Martinez and Marguerite Lopez, at the Baton Rouge church in February 1827; they had to secure a dispensation for third degree of consanguinity in order to marry.  Their children, born near Baton Rouge, included Saturnin or Saturin Zénon, called Zénon, fils and perhaps also Zénon D., in November 1827; Jean Sostènes or Sosthène, called Sosthène, in November 1829; Joseph Alfred, called Alfred, in November 1830; François Aristede or Aristides, called Aristide, in January 1833; Marie Odile in April 1834; Simon Diogènes or Diogène, called Diogène, in February 1836; and Pauline Joséphine, called Joséphine, in June 1837--seven children, five sons and two daughters, between 1827 and 1837.  Zénon died "suddenly" near Baton Rouge in January 1842.  The priest who recorded the burial said that Zemand, as he called him, died at "age 35 yrs."  He was 36.  Daughters Marie Odile and Joséphine married into the Persac and Heude families by 1870.  Zénon's sons also married by then and settled in Iberville Parish, some near Plaquemine on the west side of the river, others near St. Gabriel east of the river, and also near Baton Rouge.  Not all of the lines endured. 

Oldest son Saturin Zénon, also called Zénon, fils, married Marie Emma, daughter of fellow Acadians Joseph Blanchard and Delphine LeBlanc, at the St. Gabriel church in June 1853.  Saturnin Zénon, called Zénon D. by the recording priest, evidently remarried to Élise, perhaps a daughter of W. F. C. Duplessis and Célestine Vives, at the St. Gabriel church in May 1859.  Zénon worked as an overseer on the plantation of Widow John Hagan in Iberville Parish.  His and Élise's children, born there, included Odile in March 1860; Marie Cécile in January 1862; Joseph in August 1866; an infant, name and age unrecorded, died in July 1867; twins Marie Joséphine and Marie Philomène born in March 1869; Jean Alphonse in August 1870; ...

Zénon's second son Sosthène married Caecilia or Cécile, another daughter of W. F. C. Duplessis and Célestine Vives, at the St. Gabriel church in February 1854.  Their children, born near Baton Rouge, included Joseph Jean in February 1855; William Charles Barromee in October 1856; Marie Mathilde in November 1863; and Marie Anne in February 1866.  Sosthène remarried to cousin Odilia, daughter of Éloi Martinez and Victoire Heude, at the Baton Rouge church in June 1869. ...  None of Sosthène's children married by 1870. 

Zénon's third son Joseph Alfred, called Alfred, married Céleste Mary or Marie, called Mary, daughter of Jean Baptiste, called J. B., Rils and his Acadian wife Émelite Dupuy, at the Plaquemine church, Iberville Parish, in October 1857.  Joseph Alfred worked as a merchant in East Baton Rouge Parish.  His and Mary's children, born there, included Jean Alfred in August 1858; Marie Amilda, called Amilda, in November 1859; Joseph Aristide in February 1862; Éloise Emérite in September 1864; ...

Zénon's fourth son François Aristides, called Aristide, married Mary Mathilda, another daughter of Jean Baptiste Rils and Émelite Dupuy, at the Plaquemine church in October 1856.  Aristide died near Baton Rouge in January 1858, age 25.  Did he father any children? 

Zénon's fifth and youngest son Diogène married Marie, perhaps yet another daughter of W. F. C. Duplessis and Célestine Vives, place unrecorded, but it probably was in Iberville Parish, in the late 1850s.  Their son Charles Auguste was born near St. Gabriel in May 1860; ...

Olivier IV's sixth son Honoré le jeune, a twin, by second wife Marie-Blanche LeBlanc, followed his family to Paimboeuf and his widowered father and siblings to New Orleans and Manchac, where he married Marie Adélaïde, also called Adélaïde and Madeleine, daughter of fellow Acadians Paul Hébert and Marguerite Breaux, in January 1802.  Adélaïde was a native of Louisiana whose parents had come to the colony from Maryland in 1767.  Their children, born at Manchac, included Joseph-Hélebert in January 1803; Marie Eugénie, called Eugénie, in August 1804; Joseph Ursin, called Ursin, in September 1806; Marie Domitille, called Domitille, in October 1809; Julien or Joseph Édouard, called Édouard, in June 1812; Pierre Honoré in December 1814 but may have been the Pierre Daigre who died near Brusly, West Baton Rouge Parish, age 41 (the recording priest said 43), in November 1855; Marie born in 1815 but died at age 9 months in July 1816; Marie Célestine, perhaps also Christine, born in April 1817; Théodiste Adélaïde in June 1820; Marguerite Orelin or Aureline in July 1823 but died at age 9 (the recording priest said 10) in June 1832; Paul Olivier, called Olivier, born in January 1826; Victoire Célina in the 1820s; and Marie Colina in December 1828--13 children, five sons and eight daughters, between 1803 and 1828.  Honoré died near St. Gabriel in December 1852, age 71 (the recording priest said 72).  Daughters Eugénie, Christine, Théotisse Adélaïde, Marie Domitille, and Victoire Célina married into the Comeaux, Martinez, Capdevielle, and Landry families, two of them to Martinez brothers.  Three of Honoré's sons also married and settled in Iberville Parish, one of them on the west bank of the river near Plaquemine. 

Second son Joseph Ursin, called Ursin, married Marie Adeline, called Adeline and Adveline, daughter of Edmond Capdeville and his Acadian wife Marie Madeleine Brasset, at the St. Gabriel church in February 1832; Ursin's sister Marie Domitille married Adeline's brother M. Lasain.  Ursin and Adeline's children, born near St. Gabriel, included Marie Malvina, called Malvina, in January 1833; Marie Pamela in June 1835; Joseph Adrien in March 1837; Honoré Roman in March 1839; Marie Emma in August 1842; and Jean Baptiste Émile in May 1844--six children, three daughters and three sons, between 1833 and 1844.  Daughter Malvina married into the Simmons family by 1870.  None of Ursin's sons married by then. 

Honoré's third son Julien or Joseph Édouard, called Édouard, married Marie Annette, Fanette, Finette, or Ginette, also called Joséphine, daughter of fellow Acadians Jérôme LeBlanc and Clémence Comeaux, at the St. Gabriel church in February 1839.  Their children, born near St. Gabriel, included Aloysia in the late 1830s; Marie Aloysia in March 1841 but died at age 16 in April 1857; Omer Honoré, perhaps also called Joseph Omer and Omer, born in January 1843; Joseph Octave in December 1847; and Simon Honoré in November 1849 but died at age 1 in December 1850--five children, two daughters and three sons, between the late 1830s and 1849.  Daughter Aloysia married into the Hébert family by 1870.  Two of Édouard's sons also married by then and settled in Iberville Parish.

Oldest son Joseph Omer married Sidonia, daughter of Paul Napoléon Danos and his Acadian wife Marie Eugénie Comeaux of Iberville, at the Plaquemine church in February 1867.  Daughter Mary Ella was born near Plaquemine in August 1869; ... 

Édouard's second son Joseph Octave married Lidoria, daughter of fellow Acadians Pierre Renard dit Enos Rivet and Lidoria Comeaux, at the St. Gabriel church in November 1866. ...

Honoré's fifth and youngest son Paul Olivier, called Olivier, married Marie Véronique, called Véronique and Véronie, daughter of Alexandre Hotard and Euphémie Lorio, at the St. Gabriel church in June 1849.  Their children, born near Placquemine, included Augustine Olivia in August 1850; Marie Albertine in February 1853; Joseph Delma in October 1854; Adélaïde Alice in December 1856; Marie Véronique in June 1858 but died the following August; Paul Olivier, fils born in August 1859; and Marie Célima in September 1861.  Paul Olivier remarried to Mary Delia, daughter of Thomas Brown and his Acadian wife Constance Landry, at the St. Gabriel church in October 1869. ...  None of Paul Olivier's children married by 1870.

Simon-Pierre (1735-1792) à Olivier, fils à Olivier Daigre

Simon-Pierre, third son of Olivier III and Françoise Granger, born at Rivière-aux-Canards in August 1735, followed his family to Virginia in 1755 and to Falmouth, England, in the spring of 1756.  He married Marie-Madeleine, daughter of fellow Acadians Jean Thériot and Marie Landry, at Falmouth in c1758.  Marie-Madeleine gave him two children there:  Marie-Marguerite born in October 1759; and Anne-Geneviève in July 1761.  Simon-Pierre and his family were repatriated to Morlaix, France, in the spring of 1763.  Marie-Madeleine gave him a son, Édouard, born at Morlaix in January 1764.  They followed members of Simon-Pierre's family to Belle-Île-en-Mer in November 1765 and settled at Kervellant near Sauzon at the north end of the island.  French officials counted them at Bortemont near Bangor in the southern interior of the island in 1776.  Marie-Madeleine gave Simon-Pierre five more children on Belle-Île-en-Mer:  Simon-Pierre, fils born at Sauzon in June 1766; Jean-Pierre in c1769 or 1770; Élisabeth in c1772; Marie-Madeleine, called Madeleine, in July 1774; and Joseph-Michel at Bangor in April 1776.  Two years later, Simon-Pierre sold his land to a local sieur named Perron and moved to Paimboeuf, the lower port of Nantes, where he worked as an inkeeper and a ship's carpenter and where Marie-Madeleine gave him another son, François, born in May 1779 but died the following November--nine children, four daughters and five sons, between 1759 and 1779, in England and France.  Second son Jean-Pierre died at Paimboeuf, age 13 1/2, in February 1783.  Wife Marie-Madeleine died at Paimboeuf in January 1784, age 45.  A Spanish official counted Simon-Pierre and his remaining children, three sons and four daughters, at Paimboeuf in September 1784.  At age 49, Simon-Pierre remarried to Anne, 50-year-old daughter of fellow Acadians Louis Michel and Marguerite Forest of Ste.-Famille, Pigiguit, and widow of Joseph-Ange Dubois, Félix Landry, and Jean Landry, at Chantenay near Nantes in February 1785.  She gave Simon-Pierre no more children.  Later that year, Simon-Pierre, Anne, and his seven children followed his older brother Olivier IV to Spanish Louisiana.  From New Orleans, he followed his brother and their fellow passengers to Manchac.  Daughter Madeleine died at Manchac, age 11, in October 1785, soon after their arrival.  Wife Anne either died on the crossing from France or soon after they reached Manchac.  At age 52, Simon-Pierre remarried again--his third marriage--to Rosalie, daughter of fellow Acadians Charles Thériot and Françoise Landry and widow of Alexandre Aucoin, at Manchac in January 1788.  She gave him no more children.  He died at Manchac in October 1792, age 57.  Daughters Marie-Marguerite, Anne-Geneviève, and Élisabeth, all by his first wife, married into the Lemire dit Mire, Provenché, and Trahan families, including two Trahan brothers, at Manchac and Baton Rouge.  Simon Pierre's three sons also married and settled at Baton Rouge and Cabahannocer on the river and out on the prairies, but the western line did not endure. 

Oldest son Édouard, by first wife Marie-Madeleine Thériot, followed his family to Belle-Île-en-Mer, Paimboeuf, New Orleans, and Manchac, where he married Marie-Josèphe, daughter of fellow Acadians Charles Henry and Marguerite-Josèphe Trahan, in October 1786.  Marie-Josèphe, a native of St.-Servan-sur-Mer near St.-Malo, had come to Louisiana from France in 1785 aboard a later vessel.  They were counted at Baton Rouge in 1788 and 1792, away from his family.  They may have lived for a time at Assumption on upper Bayou Lafourche before settling in West Baton Rouge Parish.  A baptismal record, dated November 1795, at St.-Louis church, New Orleans, notes that Édouard and Marie-Josèphe were "residents of this parish," so they may have lived in the city in the mid-1790s before returning to Manchac.  Their children, born on the river and the upper Lafourche, included Édouard, fils at Manchac in August 1787; Zéphirin in April 1789; Florentin in June 1791; Marie in October 1793 and baptized at New Orleans in November 1795; Émilie-Rosalie or Rosalie-Émilie born on the upper Lafourche in January 1800; Fleuriana in the early 1800s; and Marie Pauline in March 1804--seven children, three sons and four daughters, between 1787 and 1804.  Édouard died probably in West Baton Rouge Parish in June 1823, age 59.  Daughters Marie, Fleuriana, and Rosalie Émilie married into the Allain, Martin, and Babin families, and perhaps into the Hébert family as well.  Two of Édouard's sons also married. 

Oldest son Édouard, fils married Agathe, daughter of Michel Betancourt and his Acadian wife Victoire Lavergne, at the Baton Rouge church, East Baton Rouge Parish, in January 1816.  Their children, born near Manchac, included Jean Treville, called Treville, in March 1819; Marie Sarille or Félasie in July 1821; and Augustine in September 1829--three children, a son and two daughters, between 1819 and 1829.  Daughters Marie Félasie and Augustine married into the Labauve family.  Édouard, fils's son also married, but the line may not have endured. 

Only son Jean Treville, called Treville, married Marie or Mary Elizabeth, daughter of Evan D. Yates and Frances Roach, at the Baton Rouge church in January 1851; she may also have been called Mary Jane Roddy.  Their children, born near Baton Rouge, included Martha Mathilda in December 1851; and Mary Susan, perhaps theirs, in January 1861.  Treville Daigle died near Baton Rouge in February 1867.  The priest who recorded the burial did not give any parents' names, mention a wife, or give Treville's age at the time of his death.  This Treville would have been age 47.  His daughters did not marry by 1870. 

Édouard, père's second son Zéphirin married Marguerite, another daughter of Michel Betancourt and Victoire Lavergne, at the Baton Rouge church in February 1810.  Their children, born near Manchac, included Marguerite in March 1811; Marie Éloise, called Éloise, in February 1812; Adeline in February 1820; Ursule in October 1823; and Zéphirin, fils posthumously in May 1825--five children, four daughters and a son, between 1811 and 1825.  Zéphirin, père died probably at Manchac in November 1824.  The Baton Rouge priest who recorded the burial did not give any parents' names, mention a wife, or give Zéphirin's age at the time of his death.  He would have been age 35.  Daughters Marguerite, Éloise, and Adeline married into the Landry, Deslors, Dupuy, and Hébert families.  Zéphirin's son also married.

Only son Zéphirin, fils married, at age 41, Azéma, daughter of Édouard Bossier and Joséphine Hotard, at the Plaquemine church, Iberville Parish, in November 1866. ...  One wonders if this was Zéphirin, fils's first marriage. 

Simon-Pierre's second son Simon-Pierre, fils, by first wife Marie-Madeleine Thériot, followed his family to Paimboeuf, New Orleans, and Manchac, but did not settle there.  In the 1790s, he crossed the Atchafalaya Basin and married Françoise, daughter of fellow Acadians Michel Trahan and Anne-Euphrosine Vincent and widow of Jacques Fostin, at Attakapas in February 1798.  A Simon Daigle, "instituteur [a teacher] at Benjamin Broussard's, inhabitant on the Lake at Baigneux," died at Agricole Landry's home on the Vermilion River in January 1816.  The priest who recorded the burial did not give Simon's parents' names, his age at the time of his death, or mention a wife.  One wonders if this was Simon Pierre Daigle, fils.  If it was, he would have died at age 50.  He and his wife, who died in the late 1820s, seem to have had no children, so this line of the family did not endure.  

Simon-Pierre, père's third son Joseph-Michel, by first wife Marie-Madeleine Thériot, followed his family to Paimboeuf, New Orleans, and Manchac.  He married Marie-Madeleine, called Madeleine, daughter of fellow Acadians Joseph LeBlanc and his first wife Marguerite LeBlanc, at St.-Jacques de Cabahannocer downriver from Manchac in November 1800.  Madeleine was a native of Louisiana whose parents had come to Louisiana in 1765 from Nova Scotia.  Joseph-Michel and Madeleine settled at Ascension just above Cabahannocer and lived on upper Bayou Lafourche before returning to St. James Parish, formerly Cabahannocer.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche and the river, included Leufroi in Ascension Parish in September 1801; Lucien in March 1803; Séraphine in March 1805; Mélanie Marcellite in September 1806; Duval in Assumption Parish in October 1811 but died near St. Gabriel, Iberville Parish, age 31, in August 1843; Edesie born in the 1810s; Marcel in St. James Parish in January 1815; and Marie Madeleine born in April 1817--eight children, four sons and four daughters, between 1801 and 1817.  Joseph-Michel died in Ascension Parish in August 1833, age 57 (the recording priest said 58).  Daughters Séraphine and Edesie married into the Melançon, LeBlanc, Allemand, and Savoie families.  One of them, Edesie, settled near Raceland in lower Lafourche Parish.  Two of Joseph Michel's sons married, but not all of the lines endured.  The one who may have had sons of his own settled not on the river but on Bayou Lafourche. 

Oldest son Leufroi married cousin Eméranthe, daughter of fellow Acadians Paul Melançon and Osite Barbe LeBlanc, at the Convent church, St. James Parish, in May 1821; they had to secure a dispensation for fourth degree of relationship in order to marry.  Leufroi died in Ascension Parish in September 1832, age 31 (the recording priest said "ca. 32 yrs.").  Did he father any children?

Joseph Michel's fourth and youngest son Marcel may have been the Marcellus or Marcelle Daigle, also called Degro and Degre, who married Marie or Maria Hernandez, place and date unrecorded, and settled near Plattenville, Assumption Parish, by the late 1840s before moving farther down Bayou Lafourche.  Their children, born in Lafourche Parish, included Marguerite Aveline (the recording priest called her father Macellus Degro) near Plattenville in February 1849; Alise or Alice Harmine (the recording priest called her father Marcellus Daigle) in April 1850; Marie Madeleine (the recording priest called her father Marcellus Degre) in March 1852; Joseph near Lockport in November 1853; Nazaire Ozémé near Raceland in July 1855; Prudent Foedora near Lockport in May 1858; Cécilia near Raceland in October 1860; and Joséphine in February 1863--eight children, five daughters and three sons, between 1849 and 1863.  Daughters Alice and Marie married into the Barrilleaux and LeBlanc families by 1870.  None of Marcellus's sons married by then.

Jean-Baptiste, fils (c1740-1790s) à Olivier, fils à Olivier Daigre

Jean-Baptiste, fils, third son of Jean-Baptiste Daigre and Marguerite Thériot and first cousin of Olivier IV and Simon-Pierre, born probably at Rivière-aux-Canards in c1740, evidently followed his family to Virginia in 1755, to England in the spring of 1756, and to Morlaix, France, in 1763.  He may have been the Jean-Baptiste Daigle, ploughman, who, at age 43, married Marie-Claudine, daughter of French locals Guillaume Valet and Ursule-Perrine Catot of Quimperlé, France, probably at Nantes, France, in c1783.  Marie-Claudine gave Jean-Baptiste a son, Jean-René, born in St.-Jacques Parish, Nantes, in April 1784.  Jean-Baptiste and Marie-Claudine emigrated to Spanish Louisiana in 1785.  However, their year-old son Jean-René died at sea.  The now childless couple followed their fellow passengers to Baton Rouge, where they had no more children.  Jean-Baptiste died at Baton Rouge by March 1795, in his mid-50s, when his wife remarried there.  His line of the family died with him. 

François-Marie (c1740-1780s) à Bernard à Olivier Daigre

François-Marie, fourth son of Abraham Daigre and Anne-Marie Boudrot, born probably at l'Assomption, Pigiguit, in c1740, followed his family to Île St.-Jean and was counted with them at Havre-de-la-Fortune on the east side of the island in August 1752.  The British deported him to Cherbourg, France, in late 1758.  In January 1761, he married Jeanne, daughter of locals Thomas Holley and Scholastique LeGentilhomme, in Très-Ste.-Trinité Parish, Cherbourg.  Jeanne gave François-Marie at least five children there and across the Baie de Seine at Le Havre:  François-Alexandre, called Alexandre, born at Cherbourg in February 1763; Louis-, also called Isidore,-François, in August 1766; Marie-Jeanne-Jacqueline in September 1769; Flore-Adélaïde at Le Havre in c1770; and Marie-Louise in c1775--two sons and three daughters, between 1763 and 1775.  François-Marie's oldest son married in c1782, place unrecorded.  No member of the family participated in the settlement venture in Poitou in the early 1770s.  By September 1784, however, François-Marie and his family, including his married son, had moved from coastal Normandy to the lower Loire port of Nantes in southeastern Brittany, perhaps in anticipation of emigrating to Spanish Louisiana.  François-Marie, Jeanne, and their four unmarried children, a son and three daughters, along with their married son and his family, emigrated to the Spanish colony the following year.  From New Orleans, they followed their fellow passengers to Manchac.  François-Marie and Jeanne had no more children in the colony.  He died probably at Manchac by September 1790, in his mid- or late 40s, when he was listed as deceased in a daughter's marriage record.  Daughters Flore-Adélaïde, Marie-Louise, and Marguerite-Jeanne-Jacqueline married into the LeTullier and Arbour families at Baton Rouge, two of them to brothers from Cherbourg.  François-Marie's sons also married, in France and Louisiana, and created vigorous lines in the Baton Rouge area. 

Older son François-Alexandre, called Alexandre, while in his late teens, married Rose-Adélaïde, called Adélaïde, 16-year-old daughter of fellow Acadians Charles-Joseph Bourg and Rose Doiron, in c1782 at Le Havre or Nantes.  Adélaïde was a native of Le Havre, so they may have married there on the eve of their going to Nantes.  Alexandre worked as a plowman.  Adélaïde gave him two children at Chantenay near Nantes:  Émilie-Adélaïde born in November 1783; and François-Joseph in April 1785.  Two months later, Alexandre, Adélaïde, and their children followed his family to Spanish Louisiana and settled near them at Manchac.  Alexandre and Adélaïde had more children on the river, including Jeanne-Scholastique born in July 1787; Marie-Christine in December 1789; André-Joseph or Joseph-André, also called Béloni, downriver at Cabahannocer in November 1791; Daniel at Manchac in January 1795; Sara-Dorothée in December 1796; Jean-Baptiste, called John B., in c1799 and baptized, age 2 1/2, in November 1801; Marceline-Eulalie born in c1800 and baptized at age 1 1/2 in October 1802; Thomas baptized, age 5 weeks, in October 1802; and another Thomas born in 1814 but died at Manchac, age 11 months, in March 1815--11 children, five daughters and six sons, between 1783 and 1814, in France and Louisiana.  Daughters Émilie Adélaïde, Jeanne Scholastique, and Marie Christine married into the Hébert, Bossel, and Henry families.  Three of Alexandre's sons also married and settled near Baton Rouge.  One of them married on the western prairies before rejoining his brothers on the river, and a grandson moved to Bayou Teche in the late 1830s.  Two other grandsons settled downriver in Ascension Parish. 

Oldest son François Joseph, called Joseph, followed his family to New Orleans and Manchac and married Brigitte, daughter of Thomas Courtin and Geneviève Bonvillain, at the Baton Rouge church, East Baton Rouge Parish, in November 1814.  Their children, born near Manchac, included Treville in July 1816; Valentin in November 1817; and Joséphine in June 1819.  François Joseph remarried to Modeste, daughter of fellow Acadians Simon Magloire Babin and his second wife Anne Louise Quimine, at the Baton Rouge church in June 1824.  Their children, born at Manchac, included Arthémise Caroline in April 1824; François Augustin, called Augustin, in August 1826; twins Aurelie or Aureline and Honorine in November 1827; and Athelie or Anathalie in February 1835--eight children, three sons and five daughters, by two wives, including a set of twins, between 1816 and 1835.  Joseph died by April 1852, when he was listed as deceased in a daughter's marriage record.  Daughters Joséphine, Aureline, Arthémise, and Anathalie, by both wives, married into the Munios, Lerey, Delaune, and Blanchard families by 1870.  Two of Joseph's sons also married by then and settled in Ascension Parish. 

Oldest son Treville, by first wife Brigitte Courtin, married Marthe Delaune, place and date unrecorded, and settled near Baton Rouge by the early 1840s.  One wonders if Marthe was a sister of Edward Delaune, who married Treville's sister Arthémise.  If so, Marthe was a daughter of Louis Nicolas Delaune of Baton Rouge, a Foreign Frenchman, not an Acadian, and his Anglo wife Elizabeth Philips.  Treville and Marthe's children, born on the river, included Léocadia Malvina near Baton Rouge in March 1845; Joseph Nicholas baptized at Donaldsonville, Ascension Parish, age 2, in October 1848; Treville Lonzo born near Baton Rouge in January 1849; Élizabeth Rose in March 1853; Augustin Buchannon in October 1856; Charles Forest Lee near Gonzales, Ascension Parish, in December 1864; Marie Cora Alexina in September 1866; Joseph Edgard in August 1870; ...  None of Treville's children married by 1870. 

Joseph's third and youngest son François Augustin, called Augustin, from second wife Modeste Babin, married cousin Marie Amelia or Eurelia, daughter of fellow Acadians Simon Landry and Anne Velerente Babin, at the Donaldsonville church in October 1848.  Their children, born on the river, included Félicité Déolize in Ascension Parish July 1849; Anne Clémentine in December 1850; François Leufroid in June 1853; Luce Elixina in December 1854; Simon Ernest near Baton Rouge in August 1856; Isidore Adélard probably near Gonzales in April 1858; Amédé René in March 1860; Agnès Honora in January 1862; Marie Alzire in September 1866; Silvère Olivier in January 1869; ...  Daughter Anne Clémentine married into the Decoteau family by 1870.  None of François Augustin's sons married by then. 

Alexandre's second son André Joseph or Joseph André, also called Béloni, married Adélaïde, daughter of Isleño André Martin of Tenerife and his Acadian wife Marie Anne Landry, at the Baton Rouge church in May 1816.  Their children, born at Manchac, included Lucien in May 1818; and Joseph Maximilien, called Maximilien, Maxillien, and Maxille, in the late 1810s or 1820s.  The younger son moved to Bayou Teche in the the late 1830s, married, and created a vigorous line there. 

Younger son Joseph Maximilien, called Maximilien, Maxillien, and Maxille, married cousin Marie Aurore, daughter of fellow Acadians Jean Baptiste Henry and Marie Daigle, at the Baton Rouge church in May 1837.  Their son Jean Baptiste, called Baptiste and Ldomenie, was born at either Baton Rouge or New Iberia in the late 1830s or early 1840s.  Joseph Maximilien remarried to Marcellite Ida, daughter of fellow Acadians Anaclet Melançon and Anne Doralise Thibodeaux, at the New Iberia church, then in St. Martin but now in Iberia Parish, in May 1845.  From New Iberia, they moved up the Teche to the Breaux Bridge area of St. Martin Parish later in the decade.  Their children, born on the Teche, included Joseph near New Iberia in March 1846; Jean Baptiste in August 1847; François Numa near Breaux Bridge in March 1849; and Ovide near St. Martinville in September 1851.  Maximilien, probably in his late 40s, remarried again--his third marriage--to Oliva, daughter of Jean Caillier or Cayet and Marie Picou and widow of Ursin Bijeaux, fils, at the St. Martinville church, St. Martin Parish, in April 1857.  Their children, born near Breaux Bridge, included Maximilien, fils in November 1859; St. Cyr in January 1860; Henry in July 1861; Luc in March 1863; Oliva in March 1865; Anissette in July 1867; ...  Neither of Maximilien's daughters married by 1870, but one of his sons did.  Most of the Acadian Daigles west of the Atchafalaya Basin descend from Maximilien and his sons. 

Oldest son Jean Baptiste, by first wife Marie Aurore Henry, married Émelie or Amelia, daughter of fellow Acadians Léonard Thibodeaux and Ordalie Cormier, at the Breaux Bridge church in April 1868.  Their children, born near Breaux Bridge, included Amélie in February 1869; Idolise in September 1870 but, called simply "child," died the following months; ...

Alexandre's fourth son Jean-Baptiste, called John B., crossed the Atchafalaya Basin and, at age 24, married Marie, daughter of fellow Acadians Joseph Haché and Geneviève LeBlanc of Fausse Pointe, at the St. Martinville church in September 1823.  They lived in recently-created Lafayette Parish before returning to the river.  Their children, born on the prairies and the river, included Jean Baptiste, fils in Lafayette Parish in October 1825 but, called Clelie, died "at the home of Donat Brau at la fausse pointe," age 4 1/2 (the recording priest said 5), in May 1830; Marie born in February 1826; Treville le jeune baptized at the Vermilionville church, age 27 days, in November 1829; Enoch born near St. Gabriel, Iberville Parish, in July 1832 but, called Emeau, died there at age 1 in September 1833; Marie Athalie born near St. Gabriel in May 1835; Pauline near Baton Rouge in October 1837; and Joseph Jean Baptiste in June 1840--seven children, four sons and three daughters, between 1825 and 1840.  Daughter Pauline married into the Horsler and Sovano families on the river by 1870.  One of John B.'s sons may have married by then. 

Second son Treville le jeune may have married Mary Cull, place and date unrecorded.  Daughter Mary Elizabeth was born near Baton Rouge in November 1860.  Treville Daigle died near Baton Rouge in February 1867.  The priest who recorded the burial did not give Treville's parents' names, mention a wife, or give his age at the time of his death. 

François Marie's younger son Louis-, also called Isidore-, and François, became a calker in France.  He followed his family to Nantes, New Orleans, and Manchac, where he married Marie-Rose, called Rose, daughter of fellow Acadians Jacques Molaison, père and Marie-Blanche Doiron, in July 1790.  Marie-Rose, a native of Cenan, Poitou, France, also had come to Louisiana in 1785 aboard Le Beaumont.  They remained at Manchac before crossing the river to what became West Baton Rouge Parish.  Their children, born at Manchac, included Marie-Rose in July 1791; Josèphe- or Joséphine-Luce in August 1792; Marcelline in the 1790s; Marie-Élise in December 1795; Jacques-Louis in October 1797 but died at age 11 months in October 179[8]; Sophie born in c1799 and baptized at age 1 in November 1800; Amélie-Léonore in c1801 and baptized at age 19 months in October 1802; Louis-Isidore, called Isidore, born in September 1802; François Joachim, called Joachim, in January 1804; Hortense Marcelline in December 1806; Marie Apolline, called Apolline, in June 1809; Marie Orilly or Aureline, called Aureline, in June 1810; and Louis in the 1810s--13 children, nine daughters and four sons, between 1791 and the 1810s.  Daughters Marie Rose, Joséphine, Marcelline, Sophie, Hortense, Apolline, and Aureline married into the Hébert, Thomas, Landry, Esnard, Dupuis, Rappelet, and Demonceaux families.  Three of Louis François's sons also married and settled in West Baton Rouge Parish, but not all of the lines endured.  The middle son's line was especially robust.

Second son Louis Isidore, called Isidore, married, at age 28, cousin Delphine Céleste or Célestine, daughter of fellow Acadian Jacques Molaison, fils and his Creole wife Céleste Bernard du Montier, at the Baton Rouge church in February 1831; they had to secure a dispensation for second degree of relationship in order to marry.  Their children, born in West Baton Rouge Parish, included Céleste Cephaline or Chephalide in November 1832; Natalie Rosalie in December 1834, but, according to a Baton Rouge church record, called Natalie, she died at age 14 1/2 in January 1849; Rose Léontine born in February 1837; Rosa, also called Marie Rose, in January 1842; Isidore, fils near Brusly in February 1846; and Marie Amelia in September 1848--six children, five daughters and a son, between 1832 and 1848.  Daughters Céleste Cephalide, Nathalie Rosalie (despite the 1849 burial record), and Marie Rose/Rosa married into the Blanchard, Aillet, Grass, and Woodruff families, one of them, Rosa, twice, by 1870.  Isidore's son did not marry by then. 

Louis François's third son François Joachim, called Joachim, married, at age 19, Dortille or Dorsille, daughter of fellow Acadians Marcel Dupuis and Marie Josèphe LeBlanc, at the St. Gabriel church in May 1823.  They settled in West Baton Rouge Parish.  Their children, born there, included Marie Orellie or Oreline, called Oreline, in October 1825; Estelle in November 1827; Théodore in February 1830; Joachim, fils in January 1833; Amédée Ferdinand in October 1834; twins Louis and Louise in November 1836; Prudent in September 1839; Marie Olympe near Brusly in January 1842 but, called Olympe, died at age 5 1/2 (the recording priest said 7) in April 1847; and Joseph Isidore born in February 1844--10 children, four daughters and six sons, including a set of twins, between 1825 and 1844.  François Joachim, called Joachim by the recording priest, died near Brusly in April 1855, age 51 (the priest who recorded the burial, and who did not give any parents' names or mention a wife, said 52).  During the War of 1861-65, four of Joachim's sons served honorably in the same company, which saw much action in the western theatre of operations, but one of them did not survive the war.  Daughters Oreline, Estelle, and Louise married into the Hébert, Blanchard, and Landry families by 1870.  One, perhaps two, of Joachim's sons also married by then, one of them after his war service. 

A "Mrs. Théodore Daigle" died "at Natchez" in June 1855; she was "ca. 19 years" old.  The Brusly priest who recorded her burial did not give her name, so one wonders if her husband was Théodore, oldest son of Joachim, and if Théodore and his wife settled at Natchez, Mississippi, which was a good distance from West Baton Rouge Parish.  Perhaps "Natchez" was the name of a community near Brusly. 

During the war, Joachim's second son Joachim, fils served in Company H of the 4th Regiment Louisiana Infantry, raised in West Baton Rouge Parish, which fought in Mississippi, Tennessee, Louisiana, Georgia, and Alabama.  In May 1861, at age 28, Joachim enlisted with younger brother Prudent at Camp Moore, Tangipahoa Parish (brothers Louis and Joseph Isidore joined the company later, Louis as an officer).  Joachim's Confederate service did not last long.  He fell sick at New Orleans the month of his enlistment but returned to his unit.  The following winter of 1861-62, he contracted pneumonia at Berwick City on the lower Atchafalaya and was sent to a hospital in New Orleans.  Evidently he did not recuperate.  He was sent home, where he died, age 29.  He did not marry. 

Joachim, père's fourth son Louis served in two companies that fought in different theatres of operations.  He enlisted first as a private in Company F of the 1st (Dreux's/Rightor's) Battalion Louisiana Infantry, raised at New Orleans, which fought in Florida and Virginia.  Louis's Confederate service record says he was age 23 when he enlisted in the company at New Orleans in April 1861.  He was 24.  The record also says he was a resident of Brusly Landing, West Baton Rouge Parish, had a dark complexion, dark hair, hazel eyes, and stood five feet, eight inches tall.  He followed his unit to Pensacola and then to Richmond, Virginia, that spring and summer.  He probably fought at Big Bethel near Newport News, Virginia, in early July 1861, one of the first battles of the war.  Louis's longest service was in neither Dreux's Battalion or in Virginia.  After his battalion was incorporated into another unit, he returned to Louisiana.  In August 1862, at Port Hudson, he enlisted in Company H of the 4th Regiment Louisiana Infantry, raised in West Baton Rouge Parish, which fought in Mississippi, Tennessee, Louisiana, Georgia, and Alabama.  Also in the company were his younger brothers Prudent and Joseph Isidore.  Older brother Joachim, fils also had served in the company but had died at home, probably of pneumonia, earlier in the year.  Louis, perhaps because of his combat experience, was elected junior second lieutenant of his company three months after his enlistment.  He remained with his regiment until he was captured at Nashville, Tennessee, in December 1864.  The Federals sent him to the military prison at Louisville, Kentucky, and from there to the prison compound on Johnson's Island, Ohio, where Confederate officers were held.  Louis remained at Johnson's Island until June 1865, when, after taking the oath of allegiance to the United States government, the Federals released him.  He made his way home via Sandusky and Cincinnati, Ohio.  If he married, he did so after 1870. 

Joachim, père's fifth son Prudent served in Company H of the 4th Regiment Louisiana Infantry with three of his brothers.  Prudent enlisted at Camp Moore in May 1861, age 21.  Prudent remained with his company until July 1864, when he was wounded at Ezra Church, Georgia, in the Atlanta campaign.  He remained in the Confederate hospital at Forsyth, Georgia, probably until the Confederates evacuated the area that autumn.  Prudent's Confederate service record then falls silent.  Federal forces paroled him as an end-of-the-war prisoner at Baton Rouge in June 1865, so he survived the war and probably returned to his family.  If he married, he did so after 1870. 

Joachim, père's sixth and youngest son Joseph Isidore served in Company H of the 4th Regiment Louisiana Infantry with three of his older brothers.  Joseph Isidore did not enlist in the company until August 1862, after he turned 18.  He signed up at Baton Rouge only a few weeks after the battle there.  He was present with his company until he went on sick furlough at Calhoun Station, Lownes County, Alabama, in late spring of 1864.  He returned to his unit in August and surrendered with it at Meridian, Mississippi, in May 1865.  None of his brothers were still with the unit when it surrendered at Meridian; Joachim, fils had died, Prudent had been wounded in Georgia and spent months in a hospital there, and Louis had been captured at Nashville and spent the rest of the war in a prison camp on an island in Lake Erie.  After the end-of-war surrender, Joseph Isidore returned to his family and married Marie Adonia, called Adonia, daughter of fellow Acadians Jean Baptiste Doiron and Rosalie Lejeune, at the Brusly church in June 1867.  Daughter Marie Carola was born near Brusly in October 1869; ...

Louis, perhaps Louis François's fourth and youngest son, married Marie Seguin at the Baton Rouge church in February 1832.  The priest who recorded the marriage did not give the couple's parents' names.  One of the witnesses to the marriage was Isidore Daigle, perhaps Louis Isidore Daigre, the groom's oldest brother.  Did Louis and Marie have any children? 

Paul-Olivier (1767-1833) à Olivier le jeune à Pierre à Bernard à Olivier Daigre

Paul-Olivier, oldest son of Miniac dit Olivier Daigre and his first wife Marie Melanson, born at Les Cosquet near Locmaria on Belle-Île-en-Mer, France, in May 1767, followed his father and stepmother to Lorient in southern Brittany, but he did not remain there.  By 1785, he was working as a laborer probably in the lower Loire port of Nantes, southeast of Lorient.  Called a "minor" and an orphan on the ship's passenger list, Paul-Olivier emigrated to Spanish Louisiana with widower Jean Doiron and his kinsman's unmarried daughter.  From New Orleans, he followed them and their fellow passengers to Manchac, where he married cousin Marie-Jeanne, daughter of fellow Acadians Pierre Richard and his second wife Françoise Daigre, in September 1788.  Marie-Jeanne, also a native of Belle-Île-en-Mer, had come to Louisiana in 1785 aboard Le Beaumont.  Their children, born at Manchac, included Rose, also called Marie Rose, in November 1789; Jean-Baptiste in December 1790 but died at Manchac, age 23 (the priest said 21), in February 1814; Pélagie born in February 1793 but died at age 1 1/2 in September 1794; Geneviève born in April 1794 but died in October; Marie-Josèphe or -Joséphine born in August 1795; Carmélite in February 1797; Joseph in September 1798; Gilbert in c1800 and baptized at age 1 1/2 in August 1801; Paul, fils born in February 1802; Louis in November 1804; Adélaïde in October 1806; Apollonie in February 1810; and Augustine Joséphine in November 1813--14 children, nine daughters and five sons, between 1789 and 1813.  Paul-Olivier died at Baton Rouge in November 1833, age 66 (the recording priest said 69).  Daughters Marie Rose, Carmélite, Marie Joséphine, Adélaïde, and Augustine Joséphine married into the Templet, Babin, Daigre, Brown, and Kleinpeter families, two of them to Kleinpeter brothers.  Three of Paul Olivier's sons also married, at Manchac, Baton Rouge, and in Pointe Coupee Parish, and settled in the Baton Rouge area.  Not all of the lines endured. 

Third son Gilbert married, in his late 30s, Marie Caroline, called Caroline, daughter of Abrah, probably Abraham, Bird, a major planter in the area, and Marie Bowie, at the Baton Rouge church, East Baton Rouge Parish, in April 1838.  Their children, born near Baton Rouge, included Marie Christine, also called Mary E., in 1839 and baptized, age 10 months, in May 1840; Abraham Lucien Gilbert, perhaps called Gilbert, fils, born in October 1841; and Lucie Marie in December 1846--three children, two daughters and a son, between 1839 and 1846.  Gilbert, père died near Baton Rouge in August 1859, age 59.  Daughter Mary E. married into the Von Phul family by 1870.  His son also seems to have married by then.

Only son Abraham Lucien Gilbert may have married Louise Galveston, place and date unrecorded.  Their son Georges Frank was born near St. Gabriel, Iberville Parish, in January 1870;  ...

Paul Olivier's fourth son Paul, fils may have married Ann Thompson, also called Gomes, at Manchac in the 1820s.  Their children, born near Baton Rouge, included Paul Dava in c1829 and baptized at the Baton Rouge church, age 11, in April 1840; and William born in c1831 but died near St. Gabriel, age 9, in August 1839.  Paul, fils died near Baton Rouge in December 1856.  The priest who recorded the burial, and who did not give any parents' names of mention a wife, said that Paul died at "age ca. 50 years."  He was 54.  His remaining son did not marry by 1870, if he married at all. 

Paul Olivier's fifth and youngest son Louis married Isabelle, daughter of Benjamin Jewell and Sara Prevot, at the Pointe Coupee church, Pointe Coupee Parish, in May 1832.  Their son Benjamin M. was born probably in Pointe Coupee in c1836 and baptized at the Baton Rouge church, age 17, in July 1853.  Louis's son married and settled on the river.

Only son Benjamin M. married cousin Pauline, daughter of fellow Acadian Dennis Daigre and his Anglo wife Geneviève Buckner, at the Baton Rouge church in June 1859; they had to secure a dispensation for third degree of consanguinity in order to marry.  Their children, born near Baton Rouge, included Louisa in November 1860; Isabelle in December 1861; Violet Mary in December 1863; Mary Lila in November 1865; Charles Allain in January 1868; David in February 1870; ...

Joseph dit Joson (1770-1836) à Pierre à Bernard à Olivier Daigre

Joseph dit Joson, a twin, fifth son of Alexandre Daigle and Élisabeth Granger and younger brother of Alexis-Jean-Mathurin of La Bergère and Jean-Baptiste-Alexandre of Le St.-Rémi, born at St.-Servan-sur-Mer near St.-Malo, France, in March 1770, followed his family to Poitou and Nantes.  He came to Louisiana not with his older siblings but with his uncle Charles Granger, who he followed from New Orleans to the Baton Rouge area, but he did not remain.  In the late 1780s and early 1790s, he was living with his married sister Isabelle-Luce and her husband René Simoneaux at Lafourche, where his two older brothers also had settled.  In December 1795, Joseph was living on the upper Lafourche with the family of Lucas Landry, probably as an engagé.  At age 30, he married cousin Marie-Marthe, 30-year-old daughter of fellow Acadians Chrysostôme Trahan and Anne-Françoise Granger, at Assumption in October 1800.  Marie-Marthe, a native of Belle-Île-en-Mer, had come to Louisiana from France in 1785 aboard a later vessel and literally was the girl next door.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Joseph-Clet in April 1802; Jean Baptiste Léon in April 1804 but, called Baptiste, died at age 9 1/2 (the recording priest said 10) in October 1813; Alexandre Simon born in December 1807; Marie Reine in February 1810; and Pierre Clovis, also called Henri, in January 1812--five children, four sons and a daughter, between 1802 and 1812.  Wife Marie-Marthe died near Plattenville, Assumption Parish, in November 1832, age 62.  Joseph did not remarry.  He died in Assumption Parish in July 1836, age 66.  Daughter Marie married into the Breaux family.  Three of Joson's remaining sons also married and remained in Assumption Parish. 

Oldest son Joseph Clet married Hortense or Octavie Mélanie, called Mélanie, daughter of fellow Acadians Joseph Duhon and Adélaïde Landry, at the Plattenville church in January 1827.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Luce Edelvina in December 1829; and Marie Eremise in February 1832.  Joseph Clet remarried to Bathilde or Mathilde, daughter of Maurice Simoneaux and his Acadian wife Geneviève Landry, at the Plattenville church in January 1834.  Their children, born on the Lafourche, included Jean Baptiste Basil or Basile in March 1836; Louis in August 1837, Marie Élise Aglaïde, called Élise, in September 1839; Désiré in the late 1830s or early 1840s; Léonide or Eléontine Désirée, called Eléontine, in May 1841; Marie Adeline, called Adeline, in December 1842; Marie Joséphine in December 1845; and Ozémé in the 1840s--10 children, six daughters and four sons, by two wives, between 1829 and the 1840s.  Joseph Clet, called Joseph by the recording priest, who did not give any parents' names or mention a wife, died in Lafourche Parish in December 1862, age 60.  One wonders if his death was war-related.  Daughters Élise, Eléontine, and Adeline, by his second wife, married into the Dugas, Vegas, and LeBlanc families by 1870.  Two of Joseph Clet's sons also married by then. 

Third son Désiré, by second wife Bathilde Simoneaux, married Flavie, also called Claire, daughter of fellow Acadians Cyrille Landry and Marie Marcellite Gravois, at the Paincourtville church, Assumption Parish, in September 1858.  They settled on the upper Lafourche near the boundary between Assumption and Ascension parishes.  Their children, born there, included Denas Désiré in October 1859 but, called Désiré, died at age 7 months in May 1860; Marie Odalie born in October 1860 but, called Adeline, died at age 8 months in June 1861; Marie Léontine born in December 1861; Lubin Evariste in March 1863 but died at age 14 month in early 1864; Désiré Anatole born in July 1866; Louise Emma in August 1867; Joseph Jules in March 1869; ...

Joseph Clet's fourth and youngest son Ozémé, by second wife Bathilde Simoneaux, married Virginie, daughter of fellow Acadians Narcisse Guidry and Virginie Savoie, at the Paincourtville church in June 1868.  Their children, born near Paincourtville, included Marie Angéline in September 1869; Éloyse Telcide in November 1870; ...

Joson's third son Alexandre Simon married Justine, another daughter of Maurice Simoneaux and Geneviève Landry, at the Plattenville church in January 1835.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Olive or Oliva Marie in January 1836; Alexandre Cyriague in August 1838; Marie Justine or Justina, called Justina, in November 1840; Aristide Joseph in February 1843; Hélène Elmire in May 1845 but, called Ermine, died at age 4 1/2 in August 1849; Eugène Raimond born in November 1847 but, called Ulgère, died at age 5 in December 1852; and Joseph Laurent born in February 1850 but, called Laurent, died at age 2 1/2 (the recording priest said 3) in December 1852, on the same day his older brother Eugène Raimond died (did they drown together or die of the same contagious disease?)--seven children, three daughters and four sons, between 1836 and 1850.  Alexandre Simon died near Paincourtville in October 1850, age 42 (the recording priest said 43).  Daughters Oliva and Justina married into the Berthelot and Verret families by 1870.  Two of Alexandre Simon's remaining sons also married by then. 

Oldest son Alexandre Cyriague married Carmélite, daughter of Antoine Sanchez and Henriette Sauvain, at the Paincourtville church in September 1862.  They settled near Pierre Part on the north shore of Lake Verret.  Their son Désiré Alexandre was born there in February 1865.  An Alexandre Daigle died near Paincourtville in January 1867.  The priest who recorded the burial said that Alexandre died at "age 27 years," but the priest did not give Alexandre's parents' names or mention a wife.  This Alexandre would have been age 28 at the time, so it probably was him. 

Alexandre Simon's second son Aristide Joseph married cousin Armentine, daughter of Honoré Simoneaux and Arselie Simoneaux, at the Paincourtville church in February 1867.  Daughter Corine Ursule was born near Paincourtville in October 1868; ...

Joson's fourth and youngest son Pierre Clovis, also called Henri, married Marguerite Susanne, daughter of fellow Acadians Simon Pierre dit Simonet Boudreaux and Céleste Babin of St. James Parish, at the Plattenville church in January 1834.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Pierre Camil or Camille, called Camille, in October 1835; Adelina in the late 1830s; Marguerite in January 1838; Marie Eusile in March 1840; Simon Oleus, called Oleus, in November 1844; and Édouard Calix in October 1842 but, called Calix, died at age 5 in October 1847--six children, three sons and three daughters, between 1835 and 1842.  Daughter Adelina married into the Bourgeois family by 1870.  Two of Pierre's sons also married by then. 

Oldest son Pierre Camille, called Camille, married Adorestine or Adolestine, daughter of fellow Acadians Simon Bourgeois and Léonise Breaux, at the Plattenville church in February 1857; Adorestine's brother Simon, fils married Camille's sister Adelina.  Camille and Adorestine's children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Marie Léonise Ernestine in January 1858; Marguerite Victoria in June 1859; Marie Camilla in January 1862; Donis Camille in October 1867; ...

Pierre Clovis's second son Simon Oleus, called Oleus, married Elmire, daughter of fellow Acadians Onésime LeBlanc and Eulalie LeBlanc, at the Paincourtville church in November 1869. ...

Jean-Louis (1774-1811) à Pierre le jeune à Bernard, fils à Bernard à Olivier Daigre

Jean-Louis, son of Jean-Baptiste-Louis Daigle and Marguerite-Ange Dubois, born at Pouthumé, Châtellerault, Poitou, France, in October 1774, followed his family to Nantes when he was still an infant.  At age 11, he came to Louisiana with his widowed mother and followed her and their fellow passengers from New Orleans to Manchac.  His mother remarried twice.  Jean-Marie followed her to upper Bayou Lafourche, where, at age 24, he married Marie-Isabelle, called Isabelle, 24-year-old daughter of fellow Acadian Joseph Richard and his French wife Marie-Jeanne Daniel of Roscoff, Brittany, at Assumption in August 1799.  Marie-Isabelle, a native of Roscoff north of Morlaix, had come to Louisiana from France in 1785 on a later vessel.  They may have lived at New Orleans in the early 1800s.  Their son Louis, evidently their only child, born in September 1800 and baptized at the New Orleans church in March 1801, died on the upper Lafourche, age 1 1/2, in February 1802.  Jean Louis remarried to Marie Josèphe, daughter of fellow Acadians Joseph François Michel and Geneviève LeBlanc, at Assumption in January 1804.  Marie Josèphe was a native of Louisiana whose parents had come to the colony from France in 1785.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Mélanie Clothilde, also Mélanie Clet or Cletigue, in March 1806; Bardelis or Ordalise Clémence in July 1807; Urbain or Urbin in May 1809; and Céline Henriette or Henriette Célanie in March 1811--five children, two sons and three daughters, by two wives, between 1800 and 1811.  Jean Louis died in Assumption Parish in November 1811, age 37.  Daughters Mélanie Clet, Ordalise, and Henriette, all by his second wife, married into the Faits, Gros, and Boudreaux families.  Jean Louis's remaining son also married and settled in Assumption Parish. 

Second son Urbain or Urbin, by second wife Marie Josèphe Michel, married Doralise, also called Rosalie, daughter of fellow Acadians Pierre Boudreaux and Marie Duhon, at the Plattenville church in May 1832.  Their childrn, born on the upper Lafourche included Pierre Rosémond, called Rosémond, in March 1833; Marie Sélanie in July 1834; Zéloïde Angelina in February 1836; Marie Carmélite, called Carmélite, in March 1838; Ursin in September 1839; Malvina Roséma, called Roséma, in October 1841; and Antoinette Célina in November 1843--seven children, two sons and five daughters, between 1833 and 1843.  Daughters Carmélite and Roséma married into the Aucoin, Bonnamour, and Bergeron families by 1870.  One of Urbin's sons also married by then. 

Older son Pierre Rosémond, called Rosémond, married Zulma, also called Roséma, daughter of Rosémond Fremin and his Acadian wife Aglée Thibodeaux, at the Labadieville church, Assumption Parish, in October 1866.  Their son Abel Augustin was baptized at the Labadieville church, age unrecorded, in August 1867; ... 

.

Seven more Daigres--a small family, a bachelor, two wives, and a widow--came to Louisiana from France aboard Le St.-Rémi, the fourth of the Seven Ships, which reached New Orleans in early September 1785.  They followed their fellow passengers to upper Bayou Lafourche, where two new family lines emerged:

Jean-Baptiste (1733-1780s) à Bernard à Olivier Daigre

Jean-Baptiste, fifth and youngest son of Bernard Daigre, fils and Angélique Richard and younger brother of Eustache of La Bergère, born at Grand-Pré in January 1733, was deported to Virginia in the fall of 1755 and to England in the spring of 1756.  He married Marie-Flavie, daughter of Jean dit Lami Boudrot and Agathe Thibodeau, at Southampton in c1758.  Marie-Flavie gave Jean-Baptiste a daughter, Madeleine, born in England in 1763.  In May of that year, they were repatriated to St.-Malo, France, aboard L'Ambition and settled at Plouër-sur-Rance on the west side of the river south of St.-Malo.  Marie-Flavie gave Jean-Baptiste five more children there:  Joseph-Baptiste, fils born at nearby Lizenais in October 1765 but died at age 1 1/2 in March 1767; Joseph-Marie born in July 1767 but died at Lizenais at age 4 1/2 in December 1771; Anne-Marie born in September 1769; an unnamed child, baptized and died the same day at Lizenais in December 1771; and Joseph-Marc born in January 1773.  Meanwhile, older daughter Madeleine died at Lizenais in February 1767, age 4.  In 1773, Jean-Baptiste, Marie-Flavie, and their two remaining children went to the interior of Poitou, where Marie-Flavie gave Jean-Baptiste another son, Jean-Pierre, born in St.-Jean l'Evangeliste Parish, Châtellerault, in July 1775.  In March 1776, after two years of effort, they retreated with other Poitou Acadians down the Vienne and the Loire from Châtellerault to the port of Nantes, where Marie-Flavie gave Jean-Baptiste another son, Jean-Augustin, born in St.-Similien Parish in July 1781, but he died at age 2 1/2 in April 1784--eight children, at least two daughters and five sons, between 1763 and 1781, in England and France.  Meanwhile, son Jean-Pierre died in St.-Similien Parish, age 3 1/2, in May 1779.  When the family emigrated to Spanish Louisiana in 1785, Jean-Baptiste and Marie-Flavie took with them only two of their many children, a daughter and a son.  The others had died in France.  From New Orleans, they followed their fellow passengers to upper Bayou Lafourche.  Marie-Flavie gave him no more children there.  She and Jean-Baptiste died on the Lafourche by January 1788, in their early 50s, when their children were listed without parents in a Valenzuela District census.  Daughter Anne-Marie married into the LeBlanc and Landry families on the upper bayou.  Jean Baptiste's remaining son also married and created a vigorous line on the Lafourche.  

Third son Joseph-Marc followed his family to Poitou, Nantes, New Orleans, and upper Bayou Lafourche, where he married Georgine-Victoire, called Victoire, daughter of fellow Acadians Pierre Bourg and Anne-Marie Naquin, in January 1794.  Victoire, a native of La Rochelle, France, also had come to Louisiana in 1785 on Le St.-Rémi.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Joseph, fils in August 1795; Marie-Victoire in July 1797; Victor-Maxille, called Maxille, in December 1798; Eulalie-Carmélite, called Carmélite, in October 1800 but died at age 5 in October 1805; Hubert-Pierre born in November 1801; Timothée dit Mathé in July 1803; Henri Landry in November 1805; Jean-Baptiste in January 1808 but died at age 24 (the recording priest said 25)  in November 1832; Lubin born in January 1810 but died the following November; Émilie born in October 1812 but died six days after her birth; and Napoléon, also called Hippolyte, born in November 1816--11 children, eight sons and three daughters, between 1795 and 1816.  Joseph Marc died in Assumption Parish in January 1829, age 56.  Daughter Marie Victoire married into the Simoneaux family.  Six of Joseph Marc's sons also married and settled in Assumption Parish, but not all of the lines endured.  

Oldest son Joseph, fils married cousin Marie Marguerite, called Marguerite, daughter of fellow Acadians Simon Dugas and Marie Geneviève Bourg, at the Plattenville church, Assumption Parish, in May 1821.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Joseph Trasimond, called Trasimond, in December 1822; twins Geneviève Emérante and Simonet Sylvain in September 1824, but Simonet died 16 days after his birth, and Geneviève Emérante two weeks later; Justine Céleste, called Céleste, born in November 1825; Simonet Henri, also called Henri Joseph and Henri J., in January 1828; and Emérant Lubin in March 1830--six children, four sons and two daughters, including a set of twins, between 1822 and 1830.  Joseph, fils died in Assumption Parish in April 1835, age 39 (the recording priest said 38).  Daughter Céleste married into the Cedotal family.  Three of Joseph, fils's sons also married and settled in Assumption Parish, two of them near Pierre Part north of Lake Verret. 

Oldest son Trasimond married Rufine, Rufina, or Angéline Marthe, daughter of Antoine Rivero or Rivera and Constance Dominguez, at the Paincourtville church, Assumption Parish, in May 1847.  Their children, born near Paincourtville, included Marie Delphine in February 1848 but, called Adolphine, died at age 11 1/2 (the recording priest said 12) in August 1859; Marie Adeline born in September 1849; Matilde in April 1851; Françoise Clarissa in December 1852 but, called Françoise, died at age 7 1/2 in February 1860; Eugénie born in February 1854 but died in September; Marguerite Fedilise born in October 1856; and Trasimond Martin posthumously in November 1860--seven children, six daughters and a son, between 1848 and 1860.  Trasimond died near Paincourtville in August 1860, age 38.  Daughters Marie and Mathilde married into the Landry and St. Germain families by 1870.  Trasimond's son did not marry by then. 

Joseph, fils's third son Henri Joseph married cousin Christine, daughter of fellow Acadian Hilaire Bourg and his Creole wife Zepheline Simoneaux, at the Paincourtville church in January 1853.  Their children, born in Assumption Parish, included Joseph Hylaire in February 1854; Luc Clebert in April 1855; Louis Joseph in August 1857; Augustin Léon near Pierre Part in May 1860; Clenie Pierre in November 1861; and Marie Mélanie in December 1864.  Henri Joseph remarried to Lodoiska, daughter of fellow Acadians Treville Landry and Clarisse Blanchard, at the Pierre Part church, Assumption Parish, in September 1866.   Their children, born in Assumption Parish, included Marie Adriènne in August 1867; Marie in August 1868; Marie Alcidie in March 1870; ...  None of Henri Joseph's children married by 1870. 

Joseph, fils's fourth and youngest son Emérant Lubin married Élisabeth, daughter of fellow Acadians Pierre Mazerolle and Élisabeth Gautreaux, at the Paincourtville church in May 1857.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Marie Ema near Paincourtville in May 1858; Élisabeth Alice near Pierre Part in August 1860; Marie Olive in January 1865 but, called Olive, died at age 2 1/2 in August 1867; Anna Mathilde born in July 1867; ... 

Joseph Marc's second son Victor Maxille, called Maxille and also Baptiste, married cousin Jeanne dite Jeanette, daughter of fellow Acadian Jean Baptiste Daigle and his Creole wife Marguerite Simoneaux, at the Plattenville church in October 1821.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Jean Baptiste in c1822 but died at age 18 months in May 1824; Arsène Valère, called Valère, born in October 1824 but died at age 3 1/2 in July 1828; Urseline Victoire, called Victoire, born in July 1826 but died at age 11 in August 1837; Clarisse Célestine, called Célestine, born in May 1828 but died at age 1 1/2 in September 1829; Jean Baptiste Gervais, called Gervais, born in June 1829; and Félicité Aglace, called Egladie, in January 1833.  Wife Jeanne died in Assumption Parish in July 1834, age 30.  Maxille remarried to Carmélite, daughter of fellow Acadians Charles Aucoin and Marguerite Noël and widow of Simon Landry, at the Plattenville church in November 1834.  Daughter Clémentine Rosalie was born on the upper bayou in September 1835 but died at age 1 in October 1836--seven children, three sons and four daughters, by two wives, between 1822 and 1835.  Daughter Egladie, by his first wife, married a Daigle first cousin.   Maxille's remaining son also married and settled on the upper Lafourche. 

Third and youngest son Gervais, by first wife Jeanette Daigle, married Arthémise, daughter of fellow Acadians Marcellin LeBlanc and Arthémise Dugas, at the Paincourtville church in February 1853.  Their children, born near Paincourtville, included Marie Léocadie in December 1853; Joseph Oscar in August 1855; Jeanette Juliènne in January 1857; Joseph Lanzon in February 1859; Louise Adea in August 1861; Octavie Victoria in July 1864; ...  None of Gervais's children married by 1870. 

Joseph Marc's third son Hubert Pierre married cousin Marie, another daughter of Simon Dugas and Marie Geneviève Bourg, at the Plattenville church in January 1827; they had to secure a dispensation for third degree of relationship in order to marry.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Victorin Sosthène in November 1827; Sylvestre in December 1828 but, called Sylvain, died near Plattenville, age 33 (the recording priest said 36), in September 1862 (was his death war-related?); Élisabeth Justine, called Justine, born in September 1831; and Joseph E. in c1833 but died at age 1 in October 1834--four children, three sons and a daughter, between 1827 and 1833.  Hubert died near Plattenville in October 1853.  The priest who recorded the burial, and who gave no parents' names nor mentioned a wife, said that Hubert died at "age 50 years."  He was a month shy of 52.  Daughter Justine married into the Blanchard family by 1870.  None of Hubert's remaining sons married by then, if they married at all.   

Joseph Marc's fourth son Timothée dit Mathé, married Marcellite, daughter of Simon Simoneaux and his second wife, Acadian Rosalie Hébert, at the Plattenville church in February 1826.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Léon Dorville, called Dorville, in February 1827; Lucien Timothée in July 1828; Édouard in October 1829 but may have died near Plattenville, age 30 (the recording priest said 27), in March 1859; Paul Gervais born in June 1831 but, called Gervais, died at 8 months in February 1832; and Constant Auguste born in November 1832--five children, all sons, between 1827 and 1832.  Timothée died in Assumption Parish in July 1836, a widower.  The priest who recorded the burial said that Timothée was age 30 when he died.  He was 33.  Three of his sons married, and one of them settled near Pierre Part north of Lake Verret. 

Oldest son Léon Dorville, called Dorville, married first cousin Egladie, daughter of fellow Acadians Maxille Daigle and Jeanne dite Jeanette Daigle, his uncle and aunt, at the Paincourtville church in September 1852; they had to secure a dispensation for second degree of consanguinity in order to marry.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Éduard or Édouard le jeune near Plattenville in November 1852; Jean Baptiste Wilfride in May 1855; Juliènne in January 1858; Marcellite Edma near Paincourtville in August 1860 but, called Edma, died at age 7 in October 1867; Marie Jeanette born in June 1864; Théréza Ella in October 1866 but, called Therza Hela, died at age 8 days in early November; Odalie Victorine born in February 1868; Joseph Paul in March 1870; ...  None of Dorville's children married by 1870. 

Timothée's second son Lucien married cousin Irène, daughter of Jean Baptiste Cedotal and his Acadian wife Constance Daigle, at the Paincourtville church in April 1853.  Their children, born near Paincourtville, included Lucien, fils in March 1854; Anatol in February 1856; Valère Camile in March 1859; Constance Adeline in December 1860; Oleus Aurelien in September 1862; and Cordelia Elizabeth in May 1865--six children, four sons and two daughters, between 1854 and 1865.  Lucien, père died near Paincourtville in March 1870.  The priest who recorded the burial said that Lucien died at "age ca. 38 years."  He was 41.  None of his children married by 1870. 

Timothée's fifth and youngest son Constant married Eglantine, daughter of fellow Acadian Jean Charles Gautreaux and his Creole wife Élisabeth Coupelle, at the Pierre Part church, Assumption Parish, in May 1860.  Their children, born in Assumption Parish, included Justine Virginie near Pierre Part in September 1861; Jean Baptiste Maurice Optime in April 1866; Jean Baptiste Ebrard near Paincourtville in June 1868; Fortune Saturnin in November 1870; ...

Joseph Marc's fifth son Henri Landry married Eméranthe Eléonore, also called Marie, daughter of fellow Acadian Jean Baptiste Dugas and his Creole wife Constance Simoneaux, at the Plattenville church in November 1831.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Marie Élisabeth, called Élisabeth, in September 1833; Joseph le jeune, also called Joseph S., in August 1835; Clémentine Élodie in October 1837; Ponati Léonard, called Léonard, in March 1840; Jean Baptiste Honoré in June 1843; Charles Théogène near Paincourtville in November 1845; Constance Claire, called Claire, in August 1848; Olivia or Oliva Hélène in August 1851; and Joseph Hilaire died 3 days after his birth in February 1854--nine children, four daughters and five sons, between 1833 and 1854.  Henri died near Paincourtville in March 1865, age 56 (the recording priest said 57).  Daughters Élisabeth, Claire, and Oliva married into the Simoneaux, Landry, and Blanchard families by 1870.  Two of Henri's sons also married by then. 

 Oldest son Joseph S. married Delphine, daughter of Firmin Friou and his Acadian wife Marine Landry, at the Paincourtville church in April 1857.  Their children, born near Paincourtville, included Nazere Léo in July 1858; Marie Evelia Noémi in January 1860 but, called Evelia, died at age 1 1/2 in September 1861; Marine Léonelle born in June 1861 but died the following September; Joseph Adam Hébert born in September 1862; Lidi Adriènne in March 1866; Fanny Cécilia in November 1867 but, called Fannie, died at age 4 months in April 1868; Cécile Angèle born in May 1869; ... 

Henri Landry's fourth son Charles Théogène, called C. Théogène by the recording priest, married Noémie M., daughter of fellow Acadians Valéry LeBlanc and Clémence Melançon, at the Donaldsonville church, Ascension Parish, in August 1869. ...

Joseph Marc's eighth and youngest son Napoléon, also called Hippolyte, married Zéolide, daughter of Pierre Cedotal and his Acadian wife Marie Hébert, at the Paincourtville church in February 1847.  Their daughter Marie Egladie, called Egladie, was born near Paincourtville in January 1848.  Hippolyte died near Paincourtville in July 1848.  The priest who recorded the burial said that Hippolyte died at "age 33 years."  He was 31.  Daughter Egladie married into the Solard family, so the blood of the line may have endured. 

Jean-Baptiste-Alexandre (1765-1805) à Pierre à Bernard à Olivier Daigre

Jean-Baptiste-Alexandre, fourth son of Alexandre Daigle and Élisabeth Granger, younger brother of Alexis-Jean-Mathurin of La Bergère and older brother of Joseph dit Joson of Le Beaumont, born at Boulogne-sur-Mer, France, in May 1765, followed his family to St.-Servern-sur-Mer near St.-Malo, Poitou, and Nantes and emigrated to Spanish Louisiana as a young bachelor in 1785.  (One wonders why he did not cross with either of his brothers, who came on earlier ships.)  From New Orleans, he followed his fellow passengers to upper Bayou Lafourche, where he married Marie, daughter of fellow Acadians Joseph Dugas and his first wife Anastasie Henry, in June 1786.  Marie, a native of St.-Suliac near St.-Malo, also had come to Louisiana in 1785 aboard Le St.-Rémi.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Marie baptized, age unrecorded, in May 1787; Jean-Baptiste, called Baptiste, born in February 1789; Anne in May 1791; Marie-Françoise, called Françoise, in November 1793; Jean-Pierre baptized, age unrecorded, in August 1796; Joseph born in September 1798; Marguerite in February 1801; and twins Alexandre and Théotiste in September 1803, but Théotiste died at age 1 1/2 in July 1805--nine children, five daughters and four sons, between 1787 and 1803.  Jean Baptiste Alexandre died at Assumption on the upper Lafourche in October 1805, age 40.  Daughters Marie, Françoise, and Anne married into the Breaux, Friou, Aucoin, and Doiron families, and one of them settled on lower Bayou Teche.  Jean Baptiste Alexandre's four sons also married and settled in Assumption Parish.  A grandson settled down bayou in Terrebonne Parish before returning to Assumption, and two other grandsons moved to the Brashear, now Morgan, City, area on the lower Atchafalaya on the eve of the War of 1861-65. 

Oldest son Jean Baptiste, called Baptiste, married Rosalie, daughter of fellow Acadians Suliac Blanchard and Marie Hébert, at the Plattenville church, Assumption Parish, in January 1812.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Élise Rosalie in December 1812; Marie Adeline in October 1815 but died the following March; Rosalie Dionese born in May 1816; Jean Baptiste Urbain in April 1818; Joseph Arvillien, also called Aurelien and Eusilien, in October 1819; Henriette in March 1822 but, called Marie Henriette, died at age 9 months in January 1823; and Marie Julie, called Julie, born in May 1824--seven children, five daughters and two sons, between 1812 and 1824.  Jean Baptiste may have been the Baptiste, "age 40, nat. of New Orleans," buried by a Pointe Coupee priest in February 1825.  This Baptiste would have been age 36 at the time.  If this was him, one wonders what a resident of the upper Lafourche was doing in Pointe Coupee Parish; also, he was not a native of New Orleans.  Daughters Élise and Julie married into the Aucoin and Delaune families.  Both of Baptiste's sons also married and settled on the Lafourche.

Older son Jean Baptiste Urbain married Michelle Léonise, called Léonie, 21-year-old daughter of fellow Acadian Pierre Lambert III and his second wife, Creole Marie Daunis, at the Houma church, Terrebonne Parish, in July 1851.  Their children, born in Terrebonne and Assumption parishes, included Jean Baptiste Olissippe in Terrebonne in January 1853; Jean Baptiste Pierre Leufroy near Labadieville, Assumption Parish, in September 1855; Joseph Alfred in February 1857; and Mathurin died a day after his birth in February 1859--four children, all sons, between 1853 and 1859.  None of Jean Baptiste Urbain's sons married by 1870. 

Baptiste's younger son Joseph Arvillien, Aurelien, or Eusilien married Théotiste Madeleine, called Madeleine, daughter of fellow Acadians François Trahan and Josette Aimée Thibodeaux, at the Plattenville church in October 1849.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Clovis in July 1850; Joseph Aristide in July 1852; Auguste Léopolde in March 1854; Léo Cletus in December 1856; Émelina Rosalie Marguerite in December 1860; Aimée Julie in February 1865; ...  Joseph died by July 1865, when he was listed as deceased in a daughter's baptismal record.  He may have been the Joseph Daigle who died near Paincourtville in June 1865.  The priest who recorded the burial gave no parents' names, did not mention a wife, nor did he give the age of Joseph at the time of his passing.  This Joseph would have been in his mid-40s at the time.  Was his death war-related?  None of his children married by 1870. 

Jean Baptiste Alexandre's second son Jean Pierre married Marie Modeste, also called Mathé, daughter of fellow Acadians Eusèbe Arceneaux and Rosalie Bergeron, at the Plattenville church in May 1816.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Marie Amélise or Émelise in August 1817; Pierre Eusèbe in February 1820; Marie Rosalie in October 1822; Marie Clémence or Clémentine, called Clémentine, in May 1825; Marie Pauline, called Pauline, in February 1827; Marie Artémise in December 1831; Marie Soraline or Seraline, called Seraline, in September 1835; Evélina in c1838; and Azéma in c1840--nine children, eight daughters and a son, between 1817 and 1840.  Daughters Marie Amélise, Marie Rosalie, Clémentine, Pauline, and Evélina married into the Bourg, Boudreaux, Aucoin, Simoneaux, Caps, and Albert families, one of them, Evélina, twice.  Three of them settled in St. Mary Parish on lower Bayou Teche.  Jean Pierre's son also married, twice, and settled on the Lafourche and the lower Teche. 

Only son Pierre Eusèbe married Rosalie, daughter of Auguste Verret and his Acadian wife Marie Rose Bourg, at the Plattenville church in September 1841.  She evidently gave him no children.  Pierre Eusèbe remarried to cousin Euphémie, daughter of fellow Acadians Narcisse Trahan and Marcellite Daigle, at the Paincourtville church, Assumption Parish, in August 1845.  Pierre took his family to the Brashear, now Morgan, City, area on the lower Atchafalaya during the late 1850s.  They were still there a decade later, though they evidently returned to Assumption Parish briefly during the mid-1860s. Their children, born on the upper Lafourche and the lower Atchafalaya, included Joseph Trasimond, called Trasimond, in June 1846; Joseph Désiré in September 1848; Joseph Ozémé in October 1852; Marie Lucina in January 1855; Marie Ophelia near Brashear, now Morgan, City on the lower Atchafalaya in April 1862; Célina Eve near Pierre Part, Assumption Parish, in November 1866; Marie Emma near Morgan City in March 1869; ...  None of Pierre's daughters married by 1870, but one of his sons did and settled on the lower Atchafalaya.

Oldest son Trasimond, by second wife Euphémie Trahan, married cousin Anastasie, daughter of fellow Acadian Joseph Daigle and his Creole wife Virginie Kerne, at the Plattenville church in February 1867; they had to secure a dispensation for third or fourth degree of consanguinity in order to marry.  They did not remain on the upper Lafourche.  Their son Joseph Alcé was born near Brashear, now Morgan, City in February 1868; ...

Jean Baptiste Alexandre's third son Joseph married Éloise or Louise Ursule Élisabeth, called Louise or Louise Ursule, daughter of fellow Acadians Jean Baptiste Giroir and Isabelle Landry, at the Plattenville church in March 1821.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Joseph Théodule in December 1821 but, called Théodule, died at age 4 1/2 in July 1826; Alexandre le jeune born in February 1823; Pierre Sylvain in November 1824 but, called Sylvanie, died at age 2 1/2 in April 1827; Marie Reine born in April 1826; Joseph Victor in November 1828 but, called Victor, died at age 11 months in October 1829; and Marie Joséphine born in May 1830--six children, four sons and two daughters, between 1821 and 1830.  Neither of Joseph's daughters married by 1870, but his remaining son did and settled on the upper Lafourche and the lower Atchafalaya. 

Second son Alexandre le jeune married cousin Phelisene or Félicie Anazade, daughter of fellow Acadians Auguste Doiron and Marianne Daigle, at the Plattenville church in June 1844.  The marriage was registered in St. Mary Parish also, so they lived for a while on the lower Atchafalaya.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche and the lower Atchafalaya, included Marie Aurelie near Plattenville in February 1845; Élisabeth Aureline in November 1846; Edmond in November 1848; Marie Alexandrine in March 1851; Marie Aurelia in July 1853; Eugénie Augustin near Brashear, now Morgan, City, St. Mary Parish, in January 1864; ...  None of Alexandre le jeune's children married by 1870. 

Jean Baptiste Alexandre's fourth and youngest son Alexandre, a twin, married Marie Élise or Élisabeth, daughter of fellow Acadians Pierre Hébert and Élisabeth Mazerolle, at the Plattenville church in February 1824.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Joséphine Élisabeth in November 1824; Antoinette Élise in June 1827; Louis in the late 1820s or early 1830s; Marie Éliza or Élise in March 1830 but died the following June; Marguerite Adelina or Adeline, called Adeline, born in September 1831; Edmond Augustin, called Augustin, in July 1837; and Adrien Alexandre in January 1841--seven children, four daughters and three sons, between 1824 and 1841.  Alexandre died near Plattenville in April 1841.  The priest who recorded the burial said that Alexandre died at "age ca. 39 yrs."  He was 37.  Daughters Joséphine, Antoinette, and Adeline married into the Guillot, Campeaux, and Aucoin families by 1870.  Alexandre's three sons also married by then, and one of them settled near Pierre Part on the north shore of Lake Verret. 

Oldest son Louis married first cousin Émelie, daughter of Auguste Campeaux and his Acadian wife Émelie Hébert, at the Plattenville church in July 1854; they had to secure a dispensation for second degree of consanguinity in order to marry; Louis's sister Antoinette married Émelie's brother Merville.  Louis and Émelie's children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Camille Paule in April 1855; Émeline Félicité in June 1857; Louisa Apoline in June 1862; Marie Eugénie in October 1866; Joseph Léonard in November 1870; ...  None of Louis's children married by 1870. 

Alexandre's second son Edmond Augustin, called Augustin, married cousin Élisabeth, daughter of fellow Acadians Jean Baptiste Hébert and Françoise Landry, at the Paincourtville church in January 1858.  They settled near Pierre Part.  Their children, born in Assumption Parish, included a daughter in c1857 but, her name unrecorded, died at age 3 in July 1860; Joseph Uselien born in December 1858; Joseph Justilien in January 1861 but, called Justilien, died at age 3 (the recording priest said 4) in May 1864; Joseph Élie born in May 1863; Joseph Oreste baptized at the Pierre Part church, age unrecorded, in March 1865; Marie Adriènne born in January 1868; Marie Adeline in March 1870; ... 

Alexandre's third and youngest son Adrien Alexandre married Elmire, daughter of fellow Acadians Joseph Moïse and Eurasie Comeaux, at the Plattenville church in January 1866.  Their children, born near Plattenville, included Étienne Wichless in August 1866; Marie Adriènne in February 1868; Marie Palmire in April 1870; ...

.

Three more Daigres--another small family--evidently came to Louisiana from France aboard L'Amitié, the fifth of the Seven Ships, which reached New Orleans in early November 1785.  They joined their many kinsmen on upper Bayou Lafourche:

Jean-Baptiste (1759-1829) à Abraham à Bernard à Olivier Daigre

Jean-Baptiste, oldest son of Jean Daigle and Marie-Judith Lacroix dit Durel, born at Cherbourg, Normandy, France, in December 1759, followed his family to Poitou and Nantes.  He married Marie, daughter of fellow Acadians Pierre LeBlanc and Marie Landry, at Chantenay near Nantes in March 1783.  Marie, a native of Bristol, England, had come to France with her family in 1763.  Marie gave Jean-Baptiste two daughters at Chantenay:  Marie-Judith born in April 1784; and Marguerite-Louise in April 1785.  Four months later, the family emigrated to Spanish Louisiana from Paimboeuf, the lower port of Nantes.  (Jean-Baptiste's name does not appear on L'Amitié's embarkation roll, but he does appear on its debarkation roll, which lists the implements he received from the Spanish after his arrival).  His daughters survived the crossing, but wife Marie may not have, or she may have died soon after reaching the colony.  Jean-Baptiste and his daughters followed their fellow passengers from New Orleans to upper Bayou Lafourche, where his daughters also died, in January 1789 and after January 1791.  Meanwhile, Jean-Baptiste remarried to Marguerite, daughter of François Simoneau of Lorraine, France, and his Acadian wife Marie-Osite-Anne Corporon of Annapolis Royal, in April 1786.  Marguerite had come to Louisiana from Maryland in 1766 when she was very young.  She and Jean-Baptiste remained on the upper Lafourche, where she gave him more children, including Marete, perhaps Marie-Osite, baptized, age unrecorded, in March 1787; Marie-Claire baptized, age unrecorded, in September 1788; Anne dite Manette born in c1789; Louis-Maurice born in April 1790; Joseph in March 1792 but died at age 1 1/2 in November 1793; Marie-Françoise, called Françoise, born in March 1794; Constance-Éloise-Marguerite baptized, age unrecorded, in November 1796; Jeanne-Cléotiste born in January 1798; Joseph-Paul, called Paul and Hippolyte, in September 1801; Eugène in the early 1800s; Célestine or Céleste Marie in January 1806; and Baptiste Drosin in c1810 but died at age 3 in August 1813--14 children, nine daughters and five sons, by two wives, between 1784 and 1810, in France and Louisiana.  Jean Baptiste died in Assumption Parish in March 1829.  The Plattenville priest who recorded the burial said that Jean, "husband of Marguerite Samoneau," died at "age 76 yrs."  He was 70.  Daughters Anne, Marie, Constance, Marie Françoise, Jeanne, and Céleste, all by his second wife, married into the Trahan, Bourque, Cedotal, Dupuis, and Daigle families.  Three of Jean Baptiste's sons also married.  The oldest moved to lower Bayou Teche in the 1810s, creating a western branch of the family, but the others remained on Bayou Lafourche.  

Oldest son Louis Maurice, by second wife Marguerite Simoneaux, married Madeleine Anastasie, called Anastasie, daughter of fellow Acadians Joseph Breaux and Marie Madeleine Bourg of St. James Parish, at the Plattenville church, Assumption Parish, in November 1812.  In the late 1810s, they moved from the Lafourche to lower Bayou Teche, where they helped establish a western branch of the family in St. Mary Parish.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche and in St. Mary Parish, included Almeria Constance in Assumption Parish in August 1813; Adeline Carmélite or Carmélite Amelina, called Carmélite, in July 1815; Louis, fils in St. Mary Parish in February 1821 but may have died in his late 30s, when a succession in his name was filed at the Franklin courthouse in January 1861; Jean Onésime, called Onésime, born in September 1823; and Marcelien or Marcellin in December 1828--five children, two daughters and three sons, between 1813 and 1828.  Louis's succession was filed at the Franklin courthouse, St. Mary Parish, in January 1861.  He would have been age 71 that year.  Daughter Carmélite married into the Broussard and Richard families on the lower Teche.  Two of Louis's sons also married and settled on the lower Teche, but only one of the lines seems to have endured. 

Second son Jean Onésime, called Onésime, married Pamela, daughter of fellow Acadian Nicolas Broussard and his Creole wife Marie Élisabeth Bertrand, at the Pattersonville church, St. Mary Parish, in August 1853.  Onésime's succession was filed at the Franklin courthouse in November 1853, a few months after his marriage.  He would have been age 30 that year.  Did he father any children? 

Louis, père's third and youngest son Marcellin married Adelina Palaskki or Polowski, perhaps a Polish immigrant, at the Pattersonville church in July 1852.  Their children, born near Pattersonville, included Cléophas in August 1853; Mary Sevilla in July 1858; ... 

Jean Baptiste's third son Joseph Paul, called Paul and Hippolyte, from second wife Marguerite Simoneaux, married Rosalie, daughter of fellow Acadians Étienne Dupuis and Marie Osite Dugas, at the Plattenville church in November 1820.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included a daughter, name unrecorded, died three hours after her birth in May 1821; Eléonore Osite dite Léonore born in October 1822; Louis Basile in June 1825; Jean Baptiste le jeune in February 1828 but died at age 10 months the following December; Eugène Edmond born in December 1829; and Azéma in July 1835 but died at age 12 1/2 (the recording priest said 13) in September 1847--six children, three daughters and three sons, between 1821 and 1835.  Hippolyte, as the Plattenville priest called him, died in Assumption Parish in November 1837, age 36.  Daughter Léonore married into the LeBoeuf family by 1870.  One of Hippolyte's sons also married by then. 

Oldest son Louis Basile married Doralise, daughter of Norbert LeBoeuf and Ursule Rodriguez, at the Paincourtville church, Assumption Parish, in July 1846; Louis Basile's sister Léonore was Doralise's brother Louis's wife.  Louis Basile and Doralise's children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Marie Emma in February 1848; Joseph Lusignon in December 1849; Norbert Hippolyte in March 1852; Uranie Azéma in July 1854; Marie Eléonore baptized at age 22 days in February 1857; and Désiré Léonard born in June 1859--six children, three daughters and three sons, between 1848 and 1859.  None of Louis Basile's children married by 1870. 

Jean Baptiste's fourth son Eugène, by second wife Marguerite Simoneaux, married Rose or Rosalie, daughter of fellow Acadians Charles Templet and Mélanie Hébert, at the Plattenville church in May 1825.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Marie Ovide in August 1826; Jean Baptiste D'orville, called Dorville, in June 1829; and Rosalie in August 1831.  Eugène remarried to fellow Acadian Carmélite Blanchard probably in Assumption Parish in the early 1830s.  Their son Drozin or Drosin was born in Assumption Parish in January 1834--four children, two daughters and two sons, by two wives, between 1826 and 1834.  Eugène's daughters, by his first wife, married into the Breaux and Landry families.  Both of his sons also married and settled on the upper Lafourche. 

Older son Jean Baptiste D'orville, called Dorville, by first wife Rosalie Templet, married Célestine, daughter of fellow Acadians Émile LeBlanc and Arthémise Gravois, at the Paincourtville church in February 1852.  Their children, born near Paincourtville, included Flora Lavina in November 1853; Marie Luciana in October 1854 but, called Osiana, died at age 4 1/2 (the recording priest said 4) in August 1859; Joseph Émile born in October 1856; Joseph Eugène in late 1858 but died at age 6 months in May 1859; Marie Alice born in March 1860; and a second Joseph Eugène posthumously in January 1862 but died at age 1 1/2 in July 1863--six children, three daughters and three sons, between 1853 and 1862.  Dorville died near Paincourtville in November 1861, age 32.  None of his children married by 1870. 

Eugène's younger son Drosin, by second wife Carmélite Blanchard, married Amelia, daughter of fellow Acadians Auguste Landry and Irène Landry, at the Paincourtville church in January 1859.  Their children, born near Paincourtville, included Louise Élodie in June 1860; Jean Baptiste Adrien in October 1861 but, called Adrien, died at age 13 months in November 1862; Gervais born in September 1863 but, called Gegi, died at age 1 1/2 in March 1865; Amilton Wilfrede born in October 1865 but, called Milton, died at age 1 1/2 in August 1867; Marguerite Virginia born in November 1867; Marguerite Eugénie in January 1870; ...

.

Six more Daigres--most of them wives married into the Bourg, Clossinet, Hébert, and Pitre families--came to Louisiana from France aboard La Ville d'Archangel, the sixth of the Seven Ships, which reached New Orleans from St.-Malo in early December 1785.  They followed their husbands and their fellow passengers to the new Acadian community of Bayou des Écores in the New Feliciana District north of Baton Rouge, but they did not remain.  Two hurricanes devastated the settlement in the early 1790s.  Most of the Acadians there moved elsewhere, including the Daigres, who joined their kinsmen on upper Bayou Lafourche, but no new Daigre family lines came of it.

Dantin

Louis Dantin dit La Joye, born in Paris in c1702, married Marguerite, 25-year-old daughter of surgeon Bernard Marres dit La Sonde of Bordeaux and Judith Petitpas of Port-Royal, probably at Port-Toulouse, Île Royale, in c1741.  Marguerite's parents were long-time residents of Port-Toulouse, and she and Louis dit La Joye settled there.  In February 1752, a French official counted Louis, Marguerite, and five of their children--Gabriel, age 10; Jeanne, age 9; Louis, fils, age 7; Barthélémy, age 4; and Joseph, age 2--at Port-Toulouse.  After the counting, Marguerite gave Louis dit La Joye five more children on the island--Marguerite, Michel, Jean, Anne, and Agathe, birth years unrecorded--at least 10 children, six sons and four daughters, between 1742 and the 1750s.  Louis dit La Joye died probably at Port-Toulouse by late 1758.  He would have been age 56 that year. 

Living in territory controlled by France, Marguerite Marres dit La Sonde, widow Dantin, and her many children escaped the roundups in Nova Scotia in the fall of 1755.  Their respite from British oppression was short-lived, however.  After the fall of the French fortress at nearby Louisbourg in July 1758, the British rounded up most of the habitants on Île Royale and deported them to France.  The crossing was a disaster for the Dantin family.  Marguerite and nine of her children crossed on the transport Queen of Spain, which left Île Royale probably in August.  When the ship reached St.-Malo in late November, sons Louis, fils, age 13, and Barthélémy, age 10, were still alive, but Marguerite and her seven other children had died at sea!   

Louis, fils and Barthélémy lived first at St.-Thual in the Breton interior between Dinan and Rennes, south of St.-Malo, away from other exiles, and then in St.-Malo itself.  In early 1766, Barthélémy, now age 18 and still unmarried, agreed to go to Guinea in west Africa, perhaps as a sailor.  Older brother Louis, fils, who was age 21 and also unmarried, did not go with him.  Barthélémy traveled from St.-Malo to Le Havre, from which he departed in May 1766 aboard La Tamire.   Remaining in France proved to be a wise choice for Louis, fils, and going to Guinea a fatal one for his younger brother.  According to Captain Thomas Domet of La Tamire, Barthélémy died in Guinea.  

Louis, fils became a house carpenter in France.  He moved to Bécherel south of St.-Thual, even farther from his fellow exiles in the Rance valley, and lived at Bécherel from 1766 to 1767.  In January 1767, at age 22, he married Jeanne, 21-year-old daughter of locals Gilles Gesmier and Maurille Beaupied, at St.-André-des-Eaux on the upper Rance south of St.-Malo and northwest of St.-Thual.  Jeanne was a native of Tressaint on the upper Rance between St.-André-des-Eaux and the medieval stronghold of Dinan.  She gave Louis, fils four children in the St.-André-des-Eaux area:  three sons and a daughter, including a set of twins.  Two of the sons did not survive infancy.  In 1773, Louis, fils and Jeanne were among the hundreds of Acadians in Brittany who ventured to the interior of Poitou.  In March 1774, another daughter was born to them there.  In December 1775, after two years of effort, Louis, fils, Jeanne, and their three remaining children, a son and two daughters, retreated with other Poitou Acadians down the Vienne and the Loire from Châtellerault to the port of Nantes, where, between 1776 and 1781, Jeannne gave Louis, fils three more daughters--eight children, two sons and six daughters, between 1768 and 1781.  Jeanne died at Nantes in the early 1780s, not quite age 40.  One of their daughters born at Nantes also died there, as did their remaining son.  In November 1784, at age 39, Louis, fils remarried to Hélène, 41-year-old daughter of fellow Acadians Antoine Aucoin and Élisabeth Amireau and widow of Alexis-Gégoire Doiron, at Nantes.  The marriage brought two more children into the family: stepdaughters Françoise-Josèphe and Marie-Victoire Doiron.  When, in the early 1780s, the Spanish government offered the Acadians in France the chance for a new life in faraway Louisiana, Louis, fils and his new wife agreed to take it.

When he came to Louisiana from France in 1785 and followed his fellow passengers to upper Bayou Lafourche, Louis Dantin, fils was middle-aged, married to a middle-aged widow, and had buried all three of his sons and a daughter back in France.  The Acadian branch of this family, then, except for its blood, could have died with him on the upper bayou, but that did not happen.  Less than two years after coming to the Spanish colony, Louis, fils, at age 42, married a third time, to a woman half his age, who gave him 10 more children, including six more sons, every one of whom created families of their own.  During the early antebellum period, Louis, fils and his descendants moved down bayou into what became Lafourche Interior and Terrebonne parishes, some as far down Bayou Lafourche as the coastal marshes, where they can still be found today. 

When federal census takers counted slaves in Lafourche Interior and Terrebonne parishes during the late antebellum period, no Dantin appeared on the lists of slaveholders in 1850 and 1860.  Louis Dantin, fils's descendants, then, participated only peripherally in the South's antebellum plantation-based economy.  At least three members of the family, two grandsons and a great-grandson of Louis Dantin, fils, served Louisiana in uniform during the War of 1861-65.  They survived the war.  Nevertheless, they and their kinsmen lived in a part of the state that was especially hard hit by the conflict.  Successive Federal invasions devastated the Lafourche/Terrebonne valley early in the war, and Union forces occupied most of the region after 1862.  Confederate foragers also plagued the area when the Federals were not around. ...

Thanks to Louis, fils's fecund sons and grandsons, Dantin is a common surname in Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes today.  It is rare, however, in other parts of today's Acadiana.  In Louisiana, the family's name also is spelled Dantein, D'Antin, Dautin, Dentin, Denton.07

Louis, fils (c1745-1826) Dantin

Louis, fils, second son of Louis Dantin dit La Joye and Marguerite LaSonde, born at Port-Toulouse, Île Royale, in c1745, was counted with his large family there in February 1752.  In late 1758, when he was in his early teens, he was deported with his widowed mother and eight of his siblings aboard the British transport Queen of Spain from Île Royale to St.-Malo, France.  His mother and seven of his siblings died in the crossing!  Louis, fils worked in France as a house carpenter, and, from 1766 to 1773, lived in Breton towns far from other exiles.  He married twice in France, first to Jeanne, daughter of locals Gilles Gesmier and Maurille Beaupied, at St.-André-des-Eaux on the upper Rance south of St.-Malo in January 1767.  She gave him four children there:  twins Louis III and Jeanne born in August 1768, but Louis III died 12 days after his birth; another Louis III born at nearby La Ville de la Deavrie in December 1770 but died at age 3 months the following March; and Florian-Gilles born in May 1772.  In 1773, Louis, fils and Jeanne were among the hundreds of Acadians in Brittany who ventured to the interior of Poitou to settle on land owned by an influential French nobleman near the city of Châtellerault.  Daughter Marie-Anne was born in St.-Jean l'Evangeliste Parish, Châtellerault, in March 1774.  After two years of effort, Louis, fils, Jeanne, and their three remaining children retreated with other Poitou Acadians down the Vienne and the Loire from Châtellerault to the port of Nantes, where Anne gave Louis, fils three more daughters:  Anne born in c1776; Judith- or Julie-Geneviève in Ste.-Croix Parish in June 1778; and Perrine in August 1781.  Wife Jeanne died at Nantes in the early 1780s, not quite age 40.  Youngest daughter Perrine and remaining son Florian-Gilles died at Nantes before September 1784.  At age 39, Louis, fils remarried to Hélène, 41-year-old daughter of fellow Acadians Antoine Aucoin and Élisabeth Amireau and widow of Alexis-Grégoire Doiron, in St.-Similien Parish, Nantes, in November 1784.  She gave him no more children.  Louis, fils took his wife, four unmarried daughters, and two unmarried stepdaughters to Spanish Louisiana aboard L'Amitié, the fifth of the Seven Ships, which reached New Orleans in early November 1785.  From the city, they followed their fellow passengers to upper Bayou Lafourche.  Second wife Hélène died at Lafourche in August 1786, age 38, less than a year after reaching the colony.  Louis, fils, at age 42, remarried again--his third marriage--to Marguerite-Blanche, 20-year-old daughter of fellow Acadians Alexis Breau and Marie-Josèphe Guillot, at Lafourche in July 1787.  Marguerite-Blanche, a native of Trigavou southwest of St.-Malo, also had come to Louisiana in 1785 aboard L'Amitié, so he may have known her from the voyage over.  She gave him 10 more children on the upper Lafourche, including Louis-François baptized, age unrecorded, in December 1788; Marguerite born in November 1789; Joseph in September 1791; Fabien-Sébastien in December 1793; Marie-Louise in August 1795; Charles in c1797; Jean-Baptiste in February 1799; Modeste-Carmélite in May 1801; Marie-Carmélite, called Carmélite, in August 1803; and Paul in June 1806--18 children, nine sons and nine daughters, by his first and third wives, between 1768 and 1806, in France and Louisiana.  Louis, fils lived to a ripe old age, surrounded by many children and grandchildren.  He died in Lafourche Interior Parish in December 1826, in his early 80s.  His succession inventory, naming his three wives and listing some of his children and some of his daughters' spouses--Marie Carmélite and her husband; Anne and her husband; Louis François; Joseph, Fabien; Charles; Jean Baptiste; Marguerite; Marie Louise; Modeste, deceased; and Jeanne and her husband--was filed at the Thibodaux courthouse in April 1827.  Daughters Jeanne, Marie Anne, Anne, Julie Geneviève, Marguerite, Marie Louise, Marie Carmélite, and Modeste Marcelite, from his first and third wives, married into Pitre, Hébert, Achée, Levron, Sanchez, Este, Leonard, Boye or Boyer, and Maronge families in New Orleans and on the upper Lafourche.  All of Louis's sons by his third wife married.  The Acadian Dantins in South Louisiana descend from Louis, fils and these youngest sons. 

Fourth son Louis François, by third wife Marguerite Blanche Breaux, married Anne or Jeanne Rosalie, called Rosalie, daughter of fellow Acadians Pierre Hébert and Anne Comeaux, at the home of Rosalie's uncle Joseph Ignace Hébert in Ascension Parish in October 1808.  They settled on Bayou Lafourche.  Their children, born there, included Constance Pélagie in June 1809; Léandre in March 1811; Basilise Adeline or Adeline Basilise in August 1816; Louis Dufroi or Leufroi, called Leufroi, in June 1819; Jean Charles in January 1822 but died at age 2 in March 1824; Marie Rosalie Emesida born in September 1825; and Joséphine Auveline or Aureline in March 1829--seven children, four daughters and three sons, between 1809 and 1829.  Louis François died in Lafourche Interior Parish in October 1840.  The Thibodaux priest who recorded the burial said that Louis François died at age 54.  He was 51.  A succession inventory in his name, listing his wife and most of their children--Aimée Euresida; Joséphine Aureline; Louis Leufroy; Constance Pélagie and her husband; Basilice Adeline and her husband; and Léandre, who the clerk noted was deceased (he was in fact only two months in his grave)--was filed at the Lafourche Interior Parish courthouse in March 1841.  Daughters Constance Pélagie, Adeline Basilise, and Marie Rosalie Emesida married into the Lana, Legendre, and Boutary families.  Daughter Marie Rosalie Emesida, called Marie Emesida or Emesida, lost her husband, Antoine Boutary, in June 1847, when he was age 31.  She gave birth to a son in Lafourche Interior Parish in December 1851 and named him Cléopha Dantin, so she may not have remarried before the boy's birth.  Louis François's remaining sons also married and settled on the Lafourche, but not all of the lines endured. 

Oldest son Léandre married Rosalie, 25-year-old daughter of Balthasar Triche and Susanne Helfer of St. John the Baptist Parish, at the Thibodaux church, Lafourche Interior Parish, in September 1839.  Léandre died in Lafourche Interior Parish in January 1841, age 30.  He fathered no children, at least none who appeared in area church records, so his line of the family died with him.  

Louis François's second son Louis Leufroi, called Leufroi, married Marie Solidele or Fidelle, daughter of fellow Acadians Joseph Clouâtre and Marie Molaison, at the Thibodaux church in May 1840.  Their children, born on the southeastern bayous, included Louisa or Louise in Lafourche Interior Parish in August 1842; Marie died, age unrecorded, in June 1844; Adam André born in April 1847; Marie Alzelia in July 1849; Justin Gustave in Terrebonne Parish in April 1853; Rosela Marceline in July 1855; Rosa Marguerite in October 1857; and Rositte Joséphine in May 1860--eight children, six daughters and two sons, between 1842 and 1860.  Daughter Louise married into the Pichoff family by 1870.  One of Louis Leufroi's sons also married by then. 

Older son Adam married Creole Virginia Deroche in a civil ceremony in Terrebonne Parish in March 1869. ...

Louis, fils's fifth son Joseph, by third wife Marguerite Blanche Breaux, married Marie Clothilde, called Clothilde, daughter of fellow Acadians Pierre Janvier Guidry and Marie Josèphe Lebert, at the Plattenville church, Assumption Parish, in July 1811.  Their children, born on the Lafourche, included Scholastique in c1812; Adeline or Adèle in Assumption Parish in May 1816; Joseph Firmin, also called Joseph, fils, in January 1818; Dufrois or Leufroi in Lafourche Interior Parish in March 1820; Marie Joséphine Carmélite, perhaps also called Émelite dite Mélite, in February 1822; Charles Omer, also called C. Omer and Omer, in July 1824; Marie Odile in July 1826; Jean David in late 1828 but, called David, died at age 25 (the recording priest said 22) in October 1853; and Joseph Sirode or Livodé, called Livodé, born in January 1833--nine children, four daughters and five sons, between c1812 and 1833.  Joseph, père died in a yellow fever epidemic in Lafourche Parish in October 1853.  The Thibodaux priest who recorded the burial called him "J." and said he was age 66 when he died.  He was 62.  Wife Clothilde and one of their grown sons also died in the same epidemic.  A petition for succession inventory, giving his death date, noting his wife's name and her recent death, and listing their children, including some of their spouses--David, including details of his death; Adeline and her husband; Joseph, Jr.; Scholastique and her husband; Leufroi; Omer; Livaudais; and Marie Odille--was filed at the Thibodaux courthouse in January 1854.  Daughters Scholastique, Adèle/Adeline, and Émelie dite Mélite married into the Boutary, Bourg, and Guillot families.  Four of Joseph's sons also married and settled in the Lafourche valley, and a son and a grandson served the Southern Confederacy in uniform. 

Oldest son Joseph Firmin, also called Joseph, fils, married Carmélite, 18-year-old daughter of fellow Acadians Valéry Bourgeois and Rosalie Marguerite Richard, at the Thibodaux church in March 1840.  Their children, born on the Lafourche, included Zoé Agathe in February 1841; Magloire Alfred in April 1843; Marie Ossiana or Oceana in May 1846; Théophilia Agladie in March 1848 but, called Agladie, age at 4 1/2 (the recording priest said 5), in January 1853; Marie Amanda born in May 1850 but, called Amanda, died at age 1 1/2 (the recording priest said 3) in January 1852; Marie Angelina born in February 1852 but died at age 6 in February 1858; Marie Alida born in April 1854 but, called Alida, died at age 8 1/2 (the recording priest said 9) in January 1863; Marie Léonide born in February 1856; Joseph Augustin in August 1858; Laura Joséphine in March 1861; and Henry Valéry in January 1864 but, called Henri, died the following July.  Joseph Firmin, at age 48, remarried to Marie, another daughter of Valéry Bourgeois and Rosalie Marguerite Richard and widow of Joseph Molaison, at the Thibodaux church in April 1866. ...  Daughters Zoé and Oceana, by his first wife, married into the Rossignol and Chappuis families by 1870, within days of one another.  One of Joseph Firmin's sons served in the War of 1861-65.  None of his sons, included that one, married by 1870. 

During the War of 1861-65, Joseph Firmin's oldest son Magloire served in Company G of the 18th Regiment Louisiana Infantry, raised in Lafourche Parish, which fought in Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana.  One wonders if he survived the war, returned to his family, and married. 

Joseph's second son Leufroi married Théotilde, daughter of Jean Louis Daunis and his Acadian wife Célesie Carret, at the Thibodaux church in November 1849.  Daughter Marie Louisiana was born in Lafourche Interior Parish in November 1850.  Leufroi remarried to Marie Thérèse Caillouet, place and date unrecorded.  Daughter Mathilda was born in Terrebonne Parish in November 1863; ...  Neither of Leufroi's daughters married by 1870.  Did he and his wives have any sons? 

Joseph's third son Charles Omer, also called C. Omer and Omer, married Marcelline, daughter of fellow Acadians Édouard Bergeron and Marie Rassicot, in a civil ceremony in Lafourche Interior Parish in January 1845 or 1846.  Their children, born on the Lafourche, included Marie Ermina in April 1847 but, called Marie Ema, died at age 3 1/2 in January 1851; Joseph Théophile born in December 1848; Gustave Aubin in January 1851; Marie Azéma in March 1853; Charles Omer, fils in July 1856; twins Louise Clothilde and Louisiane Thérèse in December 1858, but, called Thérèse Louisiane, Louisiane Thérèse died the following April; Albert Beauregard born in April 1861; Edmire Victoria in May 1862; Joseph Édouard in January 1865; ...  Evidently none of Charles Omer's children married by 1870. 

Joseph's fifth and youngest son Joseph Livodé, called Livodé and Livaudais, married Élisabeth, daughter of Célestin Guyot and Marie Elizabeth Ferguson, in a civil ceremony in Lafourche Interior Parish in September 1852, and sanctified the marriage at the Thibodaux church in September 1854.  Their children, born on the Lafourche, included Joseph le jeune in October 1855 but, called Joseph Arthur, died at age 2 months in December; Joseph Arthur, perhaps the second with the name, born in September 1857 but died at age 2 1/2 months in December; a child, name unrecorded, born in c1858 but died in Lafourche Parish, age 2, in May 1860; Eve Amanda born in May 1859; Philippe Anatole in November 1861; Joseph Léon in November 1864; Marie Cécile in July 1866; Clothilde Élisabeth in April 1869; ...  During the War of 1861-65, Livodé, called Livaudais in Confederate records, served in Company D of the 26th Regiment Louisiana Infantry, raised in Lafourche Parish, which fought at Vicksburg, Mississippi.  He evidently survived the fighting there and returned to his family.  None of his remaining children married by 1870. 

Louis, fils's sixth son Fabien Sébastien, by third wife Marguerite Blanche Breaux, married Marie Eugénie or Virginie, called Virginie, 16-year-old daughter of fellow Acadians François Régis Part and Constance Bourgeois, at the Thibodauxville church in January 1822.  Their children, born on the Lafourche, included Mélite in November 1822; Fabien D. in March 1824 but died at age 2 in February 1826; Marie Alise or Alice, called Alice, born in October 1826; Louis Soastin or Sosthène, called Sosthène, in April 1828; Marguerite Aiméloee, perhaps also called Mélasie, in February 1833; Charles Bienvenu in September 1837; Forestide Schuyler, called Schuyler, in January 1840; and Marie Elvina, called Elvina, in April 1848--eight children, four daughters and four sons, between 1822 and 1848.  Fabien, père remarried to fellow Acadian Marguerite Breaux, place and date unrecorded, but it probably was in Lafourche Parish in the 1850s or early 1860s.  She died there, age 70, in October 1865, having given him no more children.  He died in Lafourche Parish in September 1869.  The Thibodaux priest who recorded the burial said that Fabien was age 84 when he died.  He was 75.  Daughters Mélite, Alice, Mélasie, and Elvina, by his first wife, married into the Ledet, Lirette, Hébert, Putnam, and Adam families, one of them, Alice, twice, by 1870.  One of Fabien Sébastien's sons also married by then. 

Second son Louis Sosthène, called Sosthène, by first wife Virginie Part, married Louisa, daughter of Jean Baptiste Rodrigue and Françoise Arabie, at the Thibodaux church in February 1852.  They settled near Raceland on the lower Lafourche.  Their children, born there, included Odile in August 1853 but died the following April; and Odilia born in June 1855. Sosthène's remaining daughter did not marry by 1870. 

Louis, fils's seventh son Charles, by third wife Marguerite Blanche Breaux, married, at age 23, Claire, 15-year-old daughter of fellow Acadians Simon François Guillot and his second wife Rose Comeaux, at the Thibodauxville church in June 1820.  Their children, born on the Lafourche, included Marie Rose Émillessère or Mélissaire, called Mélissaire, in January 1821; Jean Charles Louis, called Louis, in January 1824; Mélite Aveline, perhaps also called Émilie, in December 1826; and Joseph Leclaire in February 1828--four children, two daughters and two sons, between 1821 and 1828.  Charles died in Lafourche Interior Parish in March 1851.  The Thibodaux priest who recorded the burial, and who did not mention a wife or give any parents' names, said that Charles died "at age 50 yrs."  He was in his early 50s.  Daughters Émilie and Mélissaire married into the Farez or Savez and Benoit families before 1870.  Both of Charles's sons also married by then and settled on the Lafourche. 

Older son Jean Charles Louis, called Louis, married Aurelia, daughter of John Newell or Noel and Marie Denise Morvant, at the Thibodaux church in March 1851.  Their children, born in Lafourche Parish, included Marie Célina, also called Estelina, in October 1851; Denise in September 1864; ...  Daughter Estelina married into the Boudreaux family by 1870. 

Charles's younger son Joseph Leclaire married Azéma Pamela, called Zema, daughter of Cadet Sevin and his Acadian wife Marie Hébert, at the Thibodaux church in June 1851.  Their children, born on the Lafourche, included Marie in June 1852; Joseph Théophile in February 1854 but, called Théophile Hyppolite, died at age 3 1/2 (the recording priest said 3) in May 1857; Marie Zelma born in October 1855; Alcide Arthur in July 1857; Joacin Aristide in March 1859; Donathilde Lacraise Osea in February 1861; Joseph, fils in February 1863; Félicien Nicolas in July 1865; Amanda Joséphine in January 1868; Eve Roséma in March 1870; ...  None of Joseph Leclaire's children married by 1870. 

Louis, fils's eighth son Jean Baptiste, by third wife Marguerite Blanche Breaux, married Marie Ange, Angèle, or Angélique, daughter of Urbin Achete, Chete, Eschete, or Este and Anne Madeleine Aman of Lafourche, at the Plattenville church in April 1819.  Their children, born on the Lafourche, included Jean Baptiste, fils in February 1820 but died at age 9 in March 1829; Marie Clémentine born in March 1822; Marie Téovine or Zéolide, called Zéolide, in March 1824; Anne Phelonise in September 1826; Jean Octave, called Octave, in October 1828; Marie Aveline in January 1831; Elia Gerasime, called Gerasime, in December 1833; Marie Adeline in May 1836; Marie Célina in January 1840; and Marie Éloise in March 1841--10 children, three sons and seven daughters, between 1820 and 1841.  Daughter Zéolide married into the Plaisance family by 1870.  Jean Baptiste's remaining sons also married by then.  One wonders why so many of his daughters did not marry by 1870. 

Second son Jean Octave, called Octave, married Eugénia or Eugénie Darbonne or Terrebonne probably in Lafourche Interior Parish in the early 1850s.  Their children, born on the lower Lafourche, included Louise Joséphine in June 1850; Marie Antoinette in February 1851; Osessy Cléophas near Raceland in December 1853; Octave Grégoire near Lockport in February 1868; ...  

Jean-Baptiste, père's third and youngest son Elia Gerasime, called Gerasime, married Joséphine Moran probably in Lafourche Interior Parish in the early 1850s.  Their children, born on the lower Lafourche, included Clara in August 1851; Georges Louis near Lockport in July 1863; ...  Neither of Gerasime's children married by 1870. 

Louis, fils's ninth and youngest son Paul, by third wife Marguerite Blanche Breaux, married Azélie or Éliza Élisabeth or Isabelle, called Élisabeth, 17-year-old daughter of fellow Acadians Joseph Benoît Richard and Anne Isabelle Rassicot, at the Thibodauxville church in October 1833.  Their children, born on the Lafourche, included Joseph Paul in June 1836; Céleste Joséphine, called Joséphine, in April 1838; Marie Célina or Célima, called Célima, in April 1840; Louis Jules, called Jules, in April 1842; Joseph Alfred, called Alfred, in April 1844; Alsace or Alces Valéry in July 1846; Evariste Ernest, called Ernest, in August 1848; Marie Julia Joséphine, called Julia, in February 1851; and Léo or Léon in March 1855--nine children, six sons and three daughters, between 1836 and 1855.  Paul died in Lafourche Parish in December 1856.  The priest who recorded the burial said that Paul was age 46 when he died.  He was 50.  A summons for a "Family meeting," calling his wife Élizabeth and listing their children--Célima, Julie (probably Jules, perhaps a dit), Aldred, Alces, Ernest, Julia, and Léon--was filed at the Thibodaux courthouse in December 1860.  Daughter Joséphine married into the Baye family by 1870.  Three of Paul's sons also married by then. 

Oldest son Joseph Paul married cousin Justine, daughter of Étienne Bénoni Boutary and his Acadian wife Scholastique Dantin, at the Thibodaux church in January 1864; Justine's mother was a daughter of Joseph Paul's uncle Joseph Dantin and Joseph Paul's first cousin.  Joseph Paul and Justine's children, born in Lafourche Parish, included Joseph died in Lafourche Parish three days after his birth in November 1864; Marie Justine born in February 1868 but, called Justine, died the following July; ...  

During the War of 1861-65, Paul's second son Louis Jules, called Jules, born in Lafourche Interior Parish in April 1842, served in Company I of the 26th Regiment Louisiana Infantry, raised in Lafourche Parish, which fought at Vicksburg, Mississippi.  He survived the war, returned to his family, and married Roséma, daughter of John Brown and Justine Pontiff, in a civil ceremony in Lafourche Parish in May 1867.  Their children, born near Raceland, included Joseph Edgard in February 1868; Marie Louisiènne in December 1869; ... 

Paul's third son Joseph Alfred, called Alfred, married Euphrasie Webre in a civil ceremony in Lafourche Parish in December 1866.  Their children, born near Raceland, included Marie Emma in January 1868; Marie Élizabeth in October 1869; ...

David

Jean-Pierre David dit Saint-Michel, born in c1699 or 1700 in the parish of St.-Nazaire on the north side of the Loire estuary below Nantes, probably was no kin to the other Davids of greater Acadia.  He emigrated to Canada from France probably soon after Queen Anne's War and worked as a master blacksmith.  He married Marie-Madeleine, daughter of Jean-Baptiste Monmellian dit Saint-Germain and Hélène Juineau of Haute-Ville, Québec, probably at Québec in c1717, and settled at Louisbourg, Île Royale, in greater Acadia, where he worked his trade.  There, he was addressed as Sr. David.  According to Bona Arsenault, between 1718 and 1743, Marie-Madeleine gave the blacksmith 13 children, nine sons and four daughters, most, if not all of them, born in the French fortress at Louisbourg.  After the British seized Louisbourg in June 1745, they deported Jean-Pierre and his family, along with 1,900 other inhabitants of Louisbourg and the surrounding area, to the French naval port of Rochefort.  Second son Étienne-Michel, called Michel, having married and settled in British-controlled Nova Scotia, was not among the members of his family deported to France.  Michel and his family remained at Minas, while his parents and younger siblings returned to Louisbourg in 1749 after the French resumed control of Île Royale.  Michel's mother Marie-Madeleine Monmellien died at the fortress in the spring of 1755, on the eve of Le Grand Dérangement. 

Living in territory controlled by France, the blacksmith's family escaped the fate of their fellow Acadians, including son Étienne-Michel, on peninsula Nova Scotia.  Their respite from British oppression was short-lived, however.  In late 1758, after Louisbourg fell again, the redcoats deported most of the fisher/habitants on the Maritime islands to France.  Widower Jean-Pierre, two of his daughters, and their families landed at La Rochelle on the Bay of Biscay.  Jean-Pierre, in his late 50s, died at the local hospital soon after they reached the military port and was buried in the hospital cemetery.  Daughter Jeanne did not remain in France.  In 1764, after the war had ended, she followed other exiles to the new French colony of Guiane on the northeastern coast of South America.  That December, in St.-Sauveur Parish in the Cayenne district, she married Sr. Pierre, "major, master wheelwright, living in this city for several years...," son of Sr. Théodore LeClerc and Marguerite Duquesnois of Armoy, Diocese of Senlis, France.  Three and a half years later, in May 1768, Jeanne remarried to M. Guillaume, "habitant of the coastal district, parish of Remiré, native of Virelade, diocese of Bordeau," son of M. Arnauld Paquenault and Pétronille Blaugan.  The marriage record did not reveal Guillaume's profession.  Meanwhile, Jeanne's younger brother Louis married, at age 30, fellow Acadian Anna, also called Jeanne, Trahan in c1762 probably at La Rochelle.  Louis also left France, but he did not follow his sister to Guiane.  In 1765, he and his family returned to North America and settled on Miquelon, a French-controlled fishery island off the southern coast of Newfoundland.  In 1778, during the American Revolution, after France became an ally of the United States, the British captured Miquelon and nearby Île St.-Pierre and rounded up this family along with the other French fisher/habitants and deported them to La Rochelle, where Louis's father lay buried for 20 years.  One wonders if Louis and his family remained in France after 1784, when the Newfoundland islands reverted to France and the islanders were allowed to return.  One thing is certain:  if they remained in France, they did not go to Spanish Louisiana in 1785 with most of the Acadians still in the mother country. 

Born at Louisbourg in c1720, brother Étienne-Michel, his father's second son, married Geneviève, 18-year-old daughter of Michel Hébert and Marguerite Gautrot, at Grand-Pré in January 1744.  The recording priest described him as "age ca 20[sic], resident of Louisbourg."  How a young man from the island citadel hooked up with a girl from the Minas Basin is anyone's guess.  Geneviève gave Michel four children at Minas, a daughter and three sons.  In the fall of 1755, the British deported them to Maryland.  Between 1756 and 1761, Geneviève gave Michel four more children there, two daughters and two sons.  In July 1763, they appeared on a French repatriation list at Snow Hill on Maryland's Eastern Shore.  Another daughter was born to them in c1765.  By then, for an entire decade, Michel and his family had endured life among Englishmen who, despite their colony's Catholic roots, did not care much for the French "papists" thrust upon them.  When word reached the Acadians in Maryland that the Spanish would welcome them in Louisiana, they pooled their resources to charter ships that would take them to New Orleans.  Michel had no David relatives in the colony, but wife Geneviève Hébert, a member of one of the largest Acadian families, probably had many kinsmen there.  In the early summer of 1766, the first contingent of Maryland Acadians left Oxford for Louisiana, where many of their relatives from the prison compounds of Nova Scotia had settled the year before.  Michel, a master blacksmith like his father, in spite of being an Acadian exile, must have been a man of means even during the Great Upheaval.  He booked passage for New Orleans on his own sometime that summer, and he and Geneviève, with eight of their children in tow, reached the river city by early October, a week behind the others.

Another, unrelated David family from Minas suffered a similar fate.  Jean-Baptiste, son of Jean David and Jeanne Bell, born at Château-Richer near Québec in c1693 and probably no kin to the other Davids in greater Acadia, married Marguerite, daughter of Acadians François Lapierre and Jeanne Rimbault, at Grand-Pré in March 1715.  They lived at Annapolis Royal, formerly Port-Royal, in 1716-17 but returned to Minas in 1718.  Marguerite gave Jean-Baptiste 10 children, seven daughters and three sons, at Minas.  Two of their daughters married into the Richard and Dugas families there.  All three of their sons married, into the Landry, Thériot, and Belliveau families at Minas.  In the fall of 1755, the British deported members of the family to Pennsylvania.  Son Jean-Baptiste, fils died in that colony before June 1763, when his widow and four children appeared on a repatriation list there.  His widow, Marguerite Landry, did not remain in Pennsylvania.  In August 1763, she had moved on to Massachusetts, probably to Boston, with the family of cousin Paul Landry.  There were only two persons left in her household, so not all of her children followed her there.  Son Jean-Baptiste III evidently was among the Acadians in Pennsylvania who moved south to Maryland in the 1760s.  He married Marie Ritter or Kidder of Germany in c1770 probably in the Chesapeake colony.  (One wonders who was the Jean David, with wife Marie-Josette ____, son Joseph-Marie, and orphan Marie-Rose ____, listed on a repatriation list at Lower Marlborough, Maryland, in July 1763; Jean-Baptiste III would have been age 15 at the time, too young to have a wife and child.  Perhaps the Jean at Lower Marlborough was a kinsman of the blacksmith Michel or from an entirely different branch of Davids.  They did not go to Louisiana.)  Jean-Baptiste III's son Jean-Baptiste IV, also called Baptiste, fils, was born in c1774.  Bona Arsenault does not say if the boy was born in Maryland or Louisiana, but the baptismal record of one of Jean-Baptiste IV's daughters calls him "native of Maryland."  The last contingent of Maryland Acadians departed for Louisiana from Port Tobacco on the lower Potomac in January 1769.  Evidently Jean-Baptiste David III, like Michel David, went to Louisiana on his own hook, taking his family there sometime after 1774--recruited perhaps in the early 1790s by agents sent to the American seaboard colonies by Spanish Governor Carondelet to lure Europeans settlers, perferrably Roman Catholics, to immigrant-starved Louisiana.

Davids settled in every part of South Louisiana.  The presence of French Creoles, Acadians, Foreign French, Anglo Americans, and even an Irishman bearing this surname created a complex and often confusing pattern of settlement in what became the Bayou State.  Non-Acadian Davids probably outnumbered their Acadian namesakes, but the latter nevertheless created lasting lines in South Louisiana.  Master blacksmith Étienne-Michel David from Louisbourg, Minas, and Maryland came not with an expedition of extended families, as did most of his fellow Louisiana-bound exiles, but sailed to New Orleans at his own expense.  He and his family lingered in the city for a few years before moving upriver to Cabahannocer on the lower Acadian Coast, where Étienne-Michel became a farmer as well as a blacksmith.  Only two of his six sons created families of their own.  One son's descendants remained in St. James Parish, but the line died out during the antebellum period.  Meanwhile, two of Étienne-Michel's grandsons moved to the middle Bayou Teche valley, where their lines flourished in St. Martin Parish.  During the late colonial period, Jean-Baptiste David III of Minas, with his German wife, came to Louisiana from Maryland with only one child, son Jean-Baptiste IV, called Baptiste, fils.  They settled in the Opelousas District, where Baptiste, fils married a fellow Acadian in May 1798 and created a vigorous line of his own on the western prairies.

Judging by the number of slaves they owned, some Davids, both Acadian and non-Acadian, lived well on their vacheries, farms, and plantations during the late antebellum period.  However, none of them rose to the ranks of the great planters.  In 1850, an Acadian David on Prairie Mamou, then in St. Landry but now in Evangeline Parish, held 18 slaves.  His older brother owned eight in another part of St. Landry Parish.  In 1860, the widow of an Acadian David held 12 slaves on her farm in St. Martin Parish.  Her David brother-in-law held 10 slaves on his farm in St. Landry Parish, not far from his 26-year-old David nephew, who also owned 10 slaves. 

Dozens of Davids, Acadians and non-Acadians, served Louisiana in uniform during the War of 1861-65.  Over a dozen of them served in a single unit--Company K of the 2nd Regiment Louisiana Cavalry, raised in Pointe Coupee Parish, so they were not Acadians.  Two sets of brothers, one Acadian, the other French Creole, served with the Army of Northern Virginia as General R. E. Lee's Louisiana Tigers.  Confederate service records show that the great majority of the Davids who wore the gray and butternut survived the experience. 

In Louisiana, the family's name also is spelled Devid, Devis, St. Michel.08

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Two Acadian David families, probably not kin to one another, came to Louisiana from exile in Maryland decades apart.  The first of them reached New Orleans in October 1766 and settled at Cabahannocer on the Acadian Coast: 

Étienne-Michel dit Saint-Michel (c1720-?) David

Étienne-Michel, called Michel, dit Saint-Michel, second son of master blacksmith Jean-Pierre David dit Saint-Michel and his wife Marie-Madeleine, called Madeleine, Monmellian dit Saint-Germain of Louisbourg, Île Royale, was born probably at Louisbourg in c1720.  He married Geneviève, daughter of Michel Hébert and Marguerite Gautrot, at Grand-Pré in January 1744 and became a master blacksmith like his father.  Geneviève gave Michel four children at Minas:  Anne born in November 1744; Michel-Luc in c1746; Joseph in November 1748; and Paul in c1754.  In the fall of 1755, the British deported the family to Maryland.  Between 1756 and 1761, Geneviève gave Michel four more children there, two daughters and two sons:  Marie born in c1756; Marie-Madeleine, called Madeleine, in c1757; Jean-Baptiste in c1759; and Claude in c1761.  According to a French repatriation list circulating in the colony, Michel, Geneviève, and their eight children were living at Snow Hill on Maryland's Eastern Shore in July 1763.  Daughter Angélique was born in c1765, probably at Snow Hill.  Three years later, Michel, Geneviève, and eight of their children emigrated from Maryland to Louisiana on their own hook and reached New Orleans probably via Cap-Français, French St.-Domingue, in October 1766.  Oldest son Michel-Luc, who had been listed with them at Snow Hill in 1763 and who would have been age 20 in 1766, did not go with them to New Orleans, so he may have remained in the Chesapeake colony.  If so, one wonders if he married.  The family was still at New Orleans in July 1767, receiving food supplies from the Spanish.  Geneviève gave Michel more children at New Orleans, including Pierre born in March 1770; Rosalie in c1772; and another Marie in c1774--a dozen children, six daughters and six sons, between 1744 and 1774, in greater Acadia, Maryland, and Louisiana.  In the early 1770s, Michel moved his family upriver to Cabahannocer, where they lived among fellow exiles on the lower Acadian Coast.  Spanish officials counted him, Geneviève, and their unmarried children on the left, or east, bank of the river at Cabahannocer in January 1777 and March 1779.  The latter census reveals that, although Michel may have been a blacksmith like his father, he also had become a successful farmer; in 1779, he had stored 10 quarts of rice and four quarts of corn (a quart of that day weighed 160 pounds).  Daughters Marie, Madeleine, and Angélique married into the Chauffe, Jousson, and Oubre families on the river.  Youngest sons Claude and Pierre were counted with the family at Cabahannocer in January 1777, Claude age 16, Pierre, age 9, and then disappear from the local church and civil records, so only three of Michel's sons seem to have married in Louisiana, and two of those lines died out early.  In the 1820s, one of Michel's grandsons moved to the old Attakapas District and settled near St. Martinville on Bayou Teche.  A decade later, a second grandson followed.  This western branch of the family thrived, but the one that remained in St. James Parish did not.  By 1840, no male descendants of Étienne-Michel David remained on the river.  

Second son Joseph followed his family to Maryland and New Orleans.  He was living at 3 Ste.-Anne Street in New Orleans in 1770, employed as a blacksmith.  He married Agathe Pens probably in New Orleans in the early 1770s.  Joseph, described as a "native of Acadia" and "master blacksmith," died at New Orleans in January 1773.  The priest who recorded the burial said that Joseph died at age "26 yr."  He was 24.  Daughter Louise Cirila was born posthumously in the city in April 1773.  Joseph and Agathe may have had no sons, so this line of the family, except perhaps for its blood, died with him.  

Michel's third son Paul followed his family to Maryland, New Orleans, and Cabahannocer, where he married Marie-Pélagie, called Pélagie, daughter of André Oubre and Marie-Élisabeth Bonvillain of St.-Charles des Allemands on the lower German Coast, in February 1775; Pélagie's brother was Paul's sister Angélique's husband.  Paul and Pélagie's children, born at Cabahannocer, included Marie-Dorothée baptized, age unrecorded, in October 1775; Félicité baptized, age unrecorded, in November 1778; Henri baptized, age unrecorded, in June 1780; Élisabeth or Isabelle born in c1781; another Félicité born in February 1787 but died at age 18 in September 1805; Marie-Ursule, called Ursule, born in January 1789; Marcelle in December 1790; and Paul, fils in June 1793.  Paul, at age 40, remarried to Marguerite, daughter of David Rome and Marie Barbe of St.-Jean-Baptiste des Allemands on the upper German Coast, at Cabahannocer in July 1794.  Their children, born at Cabahannocer, included David in April 1795; Justine in September 1796; Alexis in October 1798 but died in St. James Parish at age 13 in March 1812; another Paul, fils born in c1799; Eugène in February 1800; yet another Paul, fils in June 1802 but died in St. James Parish at age 13 1/2 in January 1816; a son, name unrecorded, died, age unrecorded, in December 1805; Ulgère born in November 1806; and Jean Baptiste in October 1809 but died at age 2 in September 1811--17 children, seven daughters and 10 sons, by two wives, between 1775 and 1811.  Paul, père died in St. James Parish in October 1815.  The priest who recorded the burial said that Paul was "age about 58 yrs." when he died.  He probably was a few years older.  Daughters Isabelle, Marie, Ursule, and Justine, by both wives, married into the Rome, Arceneaux, Clairaut, LeRoy, and Rodrigue families.  Only two of Paul's many sons married, and both of them settled on the western prairies.  

Fifth son Paul, fils, the second with the name, by second wife Marguerite Rome, married Renée or Irène Marcelline or Marcellite, daughter of fellow Acadians Charles Vincent and Céleste Labauve, at the St. James church, St. James Parish, in February 1821.  They crossed the Atchafalaya Bastin to St. Martin Parish later in the decade.  Their children, born on the river and the Teche, included Paul III near Convent, St. James Parish, in December 1821; Théodule in March 1823; Hilaire, also called Paul Hilaire, in June 1824; Éliza near Convent in November 1825; Carmélite Elvina, perhaps also called Marie Carmélite, in St. Martin Parish in May 1827; Marie Hirène, perhaps also called Marie Poupon, in August 1829; Henriette Amelie or Émilie, called Émilie, in May 1832; Raphaël Lucien or Lucien Raphaël in December 1833 but died at age 11 in September 1845; Arthémise born in September 1835; Marie Zulma or Irma, called Irma, in November 1837; and Charles Ovide in December 1839--11 children, five sons and six daughters, between 1821 and 1839.  Paul, fils died in St. Martin Parish in March 1849, age 50.  His succession, calling him Paul Sr., was filed at the St. Martinville courthouse in May.  Daughters Marie Carmélite, Marie Poupon, Émilie, and Irma married into the Louvière, Labauve, LeBlanc, and Leming families by 1870.  Three of Paul, fils's sons also married by then. 

Oldest son Paul III married Zulma or Zulmée, daughter of fellow Acadians Nicolas Amand Broussard and his second wife Céleste Comeaux, in a civil ceremony in St. Martin Parish in November 1845, and sanctified the marriage at the St. Martinville church the following January.  Their children, born on the prairies and the upper Lafourche, included Jules in St. Martin Parish in August 1846; Mathilda in February 1848 but, called Matilde, died at age 1 1/2 (the recording priest said 2) in October 1849; Louis Hippolyte Duclise born in May 1850; Simon in Lafourche Interior Parish in November 1852; Pierre in Lafayette Parish in September 1855; Pierre D. in c1857 but died at age 2 in February 1859; Ignace born in September 1859; Gustave T., probably Toutant, Beauregard in March 1862; ...  During the War of 1861-65, Paul may have served as a sergeant in Company K of the 2nd Regiment Louisiana Reserve Corps, a local-defense unit raised in Lafayette Parish that fought area Jayhawkers.  He survived the war and returned to his family.  His daughter did not survive infancy, but two of his sons married by 1870.

Oldest son Jules married Arcade, daughter of Louis Albert Aube or Aulie and his Acadian wife Juliènne Trahan, at the Vermilionville church, Lafayette Parish, in April 1869.  Their son Alcibiade was born in Lafayette Parish in January 1870; ...

Paul III's second son Louis Hippolyte Duclise married Félicia, daughter of Manuel Domingue and Arméline Plaisance, at the Vermilionville church in April 1869; the marriage was not recorded civilly at the Lafayette Parish courthouse until April 1870. ...

Paul, fils's second son Théodule may have married Marie Schexnayder, place unrecorded, in the early 1850s.  Their children, born near Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, included Marie Marguerite in September 1854; Charles in October 1856 but died at age 4 1/2 in June 1861; and Célestin born in October 1858--three children, a daughter and two sons, between 1854 and 1858.  None of Théodule's children married by 1870. 

Paul, fils's third son Hilaire married Joséphine, 20-year-old daughter of Louis Langlinais and his Acadian wife Aspasie Boudreaux, at the Vermilionville church in May 1844.  Hilaire, like his paternal ancestors, was a blacksmith.  His and Joséphine's children, born on the prairies, included Julien Hilaire near New Iberia, then in St. Martin but not in Iberia Parish, in March 1845; Marie Edille or Edite, called Edite, in January 1847; Louis Hilaire in February 1849 but, called Louis, died at age 10 (the recording priest said 8) in February 1859; Marie Latetia born in June 1851 but, called Lutitia, died at age 5 1/2 (the recording priest said 4) in November 1856; Adrien born in c1853; Paul le jeune in c1856 but, called Charles, died near Abbeville at age 4 1/2 years in June 1861; Jean Baptiste born near Youngsville, Lafayette Parish, in August 1858; and Victor Hilaire in July 1860--eight children, six sons and two daughters, between 1845 and 1860.  Hilaire's remaining daughter did not marry by 1870, but one of his sons did.

Oldest son Julien Hilaire married cousin Eugénie, daughter of fellow Acadians Aurelien Hébert and Azéma Boudreaux, at the Youngsville church in March 1869.  Their son Hilaire le jeune was born near Youngsville in January 1870; ...

Paul, père's sixth son Eugène, by second wife Marguerite Rome, married, in his late 30s, Marie Caroline, daughter of André Oubre and his Acadian wife Rosalie Vincent of St. James Parish, at the St. Martinville church in January 1839.  They settled in St. Martin Parish near his older brother Paul, fils.  Their children, born there, included Marie Philomèle in February 1840; Callixte in June 1841; Alexandre Clebert near New Iberia in September 1843; Céleste Ordalie in March 1847; Lucile in May 1849; Louis in c1851 but died at age 8 in February 1859; Marie Clelie born in December 1853; Eugène Omer in August 1855; Joseph Albert in March 1858 but, called Albert, died at age 4 1/2 in August 1862; ...  Surprisingly, none of Eugène's children married by 1870, at least not in South Louisiana. 

Michel's fourth son Jean-Baptiste, called Jean, followed his family to New Orleans and Cabahannocer, where he married Hélène, daughter of fellow Acadians Joseph Haché and Marie Dumont of Île St.-Jean, in October 1788.  Hélène, a native of St.-Servan-sur-Mer near St.-Malo, came to Louisiana from France in 1785.  Their children, born at Cabahannocer, included Jean-Louis in August 1790 but, called Louis, died at age 25 in August 1815; Michel le jeune born in January 1791; Élisabeth in September 1792; Apolline-Éloise in November 1795; Aurore in c1796; an unnamed son, "recently  born," died in October 1799; Jean-Baptiste-Claude born in March 1802 but, called Claude, died at age 1 in March 1803; and Joseph born in October 1804 but died at age 2 in November 1806--eight children, five sons and three daughters, between 1790 and 1804.  Jean Baptiste died near Convent, St. James Parish, in June 1810.  The priest who recorded the burial said that Jean, "nat. Acadia," as he called him, was age 45 when he died.  He was closer to 51.  Daughter Aurore married into the St. Pierre family.  Only one of Jean's sons seems to have married, and he fathered no sons of his own, so this line of the family, except perhaps for its blood, did not endure in the Bayou State. 

Second son Michel le jeune married Marie Louise, daughter of Louis Denis and Marie Boucher and widow of Joseph LaRose, at the Convent church in January 1816.  Their children, born near Convent, included Marguerite in March 1816; and Carmélite in March 1819.  Michel remarried to Elizabeth, daughter of Dr. Joseph Wikiam of Baltimore, Maryland, and his Acadian wife Rosalie Hébert, at the Convent church in Marcy 1821.  She gave him no more children.  Michel died near Convent in August 1823, age 32.  Daughters Marguerite and Carmélite, by his first wife, married Arceneaux brothers.  Michel le jeune evidently fathered no sons, so this family line, except perhaps for its blood, evidently died with him. 

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A second, unrelated David family also came from Maryland--in the 1770s or 1780s, not in the late 1760s.  They settled not on the river but on the Opelousas prairies, where they flourished: 

Jean-Baptiste III (1748-?) à Jean-Baptiste David

Jean-Baptiste III, son of Jean-Baptiste, fils and Marguerite Landry, born at Grand-Pré in May 1748, followed his family to Pennsylvania in the fall of 1755.  In the late 1760s, after he came of age, he moved south to Maryland, where he married Marie Ridder or Kidder, a German, in c1770.  She gave him a son, Jean-Baptiste IV, born in the Chesapeake colony in c1774.  The year of their arrival in Spanish Louisiana is anyone's guess.  Perhaps they were recruited by agents sent to the American seaboard colonies in the early 1790s by Spanish Governor Carondelet to lure Europeans settlers, perferrably Roman Catholics, to Louisiana.  From New Orleans, Jean-Baptiste III took his family to the Opelousas prairies, where his son married a fellow Acadian there and created a vigorous line.

Only son Jean-Baptiste IV, also called Baptiste, fils, followed his parents to New Orleans and the Opelousas District, where he married Scholastique dite Scolastie, daughter of fellow Acadians Pierre Savoie and Louise Bourg, in May 1798--the first appearance of Jean-Baptiste III's family in South Louisiana church records.  Their children, born at Opelousas, included Gilbert in April 1799; Caroline baptized, age unrecorded, in May 1801; Hippolyte born in March 1803; Emérante in December 1805; Jean-Baptiste V in May 1807; Émilie dite Émeliènne or Émeline in June 1809; a child, name unrecorded, died at age 3 days in October 1811; Arvillien, also called Arville, Ervillien, Hervillien, Ives, and Ive born in February 1813; Azélie, also called Azéline and Adeline, in May 1816; and François or Françisque in the 1810s or early 1820s--10 children, at least five sons and four daughters, between 1799 and the late 1810s or early 1820s.  Baptiste, fils served as treasurer of the Opelousas church in the 1810s.  His estate record was filed at the Opelousas courthouse in February 1823, and his first succession, listing his wife and minor children--Hypolite, Emérante, Jean Baptiste, Émeliènne, Arville, and Azélina--and his major children--Gilbert, and Caroline and her husband--was filed there the following August.  Jean Baptiste IV would have been in his late 40s that year.  Another succession, mentioning heirs, was filed at the Opelousas courthouse in July 1833.  Daughters Caroline, Emérante, Émilie, and Azélie married into the Dupré, Chachere, Foux or Fux, and Rulong families, one of them twice and two of them to Dupré brothers.  Moreover, none of them married fellow Acadians--not unusual for Acadians in St. Landry Parish.  All five of Jean Baptiste IV's sons married, most of them to fellow Acadians, but not all of the lines endured.  Most of his sons remained in St. Landry Parish, but a younger one settled in Lafayette and St. Martin parishes. 

Oldest son Gilbert married Caroline, daughter of German Creoles Jean Taylor or Teller and Marie Ritter and widow of Lasty Lagrand and Éloi Andrus, at the Opelousas church, St. Landry Parish, in April 1839.  Their children, born in St. Landry Parish, included Félicia in August 1841; and Michel Théojeune baptized at the Opelousas church, age 4 months, in May 1843 but evidently died by December 1862, in his late teens, when a succession for Théogène David was filed at the Opelousas courthouse (if this was him, and he died in 1862, one wonders if his death was war-related).   In October 1850, the federal census taker in St. Landry Parish counted eight slaves--five males and three females, all black, ranging in age from 40 to 2--on Gilbert David's farm.  In July 1860, the federal census taker in St. Landry Parish counted 10 slaves--four males and six females, all blacks except for one mulatto, ages 62 years to 5 months, living in two houses--on Gilbert David's farm not far from his nephew Eugène David.  Daughter Félicia married into the Ledoux family.  Gilbert's son evidently did not marry, so this line of the family, except perhaps for its blood, did not endure. 

Jean-Baptiste IV's second son Hippolyte married Céleste or Célestine Josèphe, 18-year-old daughter of fellow Acadians Joseph Victor Richard and Marie Louise Richard, at the Opelousas church in June 1833.  Their children, born in St. Landry Parish, included Eugène in November 1834; Hippolyte, fils in October 1836; Eugénie in March 1839; Joseph in February 1844; Marie Célina, called Célina or Céline, in October 1846; Baptiste, Jr. in July 1849; Scholastique in December 1853; Rodolphe in May 1857; and Numa near Church Point, then in St. Landry but now in Acadia Parish, in May 1860--nine children, six sons and three daughters, between 1834 and 1860.  Daughter Célina married into the Daigle family by 1870.  Two of Hippolyte's sons also married by then.

In July 1860, the federal census taker in St. Landry Parish counted 10 slaves--six males and four females, seven blacks and three mulattoes, ranging in age from 24 years to four months, living in two houses--on Eugène David's farm not far from his uncle Gilbert David.  Eugène married Octavie, 20-year-old daughter of Alexandre Baptiste Fontenot and Hyacinthe Joubert, at the Opelousas church in April 1861.  Their children, born in St. Landry Parish, included Joseph Eugène in July 1862 but, called Eugène, died "at gde. [Grande] prairie," age 4, in June 1866; Marie Blanche born in July 1863; ...  During the War of 1861-65, Eugène served as a second lieutenant in Company B of the 8th Regiment Louisiana Cavalry, raised in St. Landry Parish, which fought in Louisiana.  He survived the war and returned to his family. 

Hippolyte, père's second son Hippolyte, fils married Virginie Segura at the New Iberia church, then in St. Martin but now in Iberia Parish, in December 1856.  She evidently gave him no children.  Hippolyte, fils remarried to Élisa or Élise, daughter of Théophile Landvalo, also called Sandval and Sandvall, and Élise Gameter, at the Grand Coteau church, St. Landry Parish, in April 1867.  Their children, born near Grand Coteau, included Marie Eva in June 1868; Marie Françoise in March 1870; ...

Jean-Baptiste IV's third son Jean Baptiste V married Marguerite Elmire, called Elmire, daughter of fellow Acadian Agricole Breaux and his Creole wife Scholastique Picou, at the St. Martinville church, St. Martin Parish, in April 1832.  They settled probably near Church Point.  Their children, born there, included Marie Élodie in July 1834; Scholastique Odille in October 1836; Marguerite Doralise in April 1838; Jules in March 1840; Céline, also called Marie Célima, in May 1842; Lucius B. in July 1844; Joseph Amer in October 1848; Octave in October 1850; and Evélina or Evéline in January 1854--nine children, five daughters and four sons, between 1834 and 1854.  In November 1850, the federal census taker in St. Landry Parish counted 18 slaves--eight males and 10 females, 13 blacks and five mulattoes, ranging in age from 50 to 2--on Baptiste David's farm.  Jean Baptiste died "at Prairie Mamou," then in St. Landry but now in Evangeline Parish, in November 1855, age 48.  His succession was filed at the Opelousas courthouse later that month.  In 1860, the federal census taker in St. Landry Parish counted two slaves--a 33-year-old black female, and an 18-year-old black female--on Marguerite David's farm; this probably was Baptiste's widow Marguerite Breaux's slaves.  Daughters Marguerite Doralise, Marie Célima, and Evélina/Evéline married into the Richard and McCormick families, two of them to Richards, by 1870.  Two of Jean Baptiste V's sons also married by then, after they completed their war service. 

Oldest son Jules, along with younger brother Lucius B., served in Company F of the 8th Regiment Louisiana Infantry, raised in St. Landry Parish, which fought in Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania--one of General R. E. Lee's Louisiana Tigers.  Jules did not join the company until March 1862.  His enlistment papers said he was a clerk.  Soon after he joined the regiment in Virginia, he fell ill and reported to a general hospital.  He rejoined his regiment in time for the Maryland campaign of September 1862 and was wounded and captured at Sharpsburg on September 17.  The Federals sent him to a general hospital at nearby Frederick until he was well enough to travel to Fort McHenry at Baltimore, where he also spent time in a general hospital.  He was exchanged at Aikens Landing, Virginia, on the lower James River, in November 1862, furloughed, and returned to Louisiana, too disabled to return to his unit.  He signed his end-of-war parole at Washington, Louisiana, in June 1865.  Jules "of CP [Church Point], Plaquemine Brûlé," married cousin Marie Laperle, called Laperle, daughter of fellow Acadians Jean Baptiste Breaux and Madeleine Guidry, at the Grand Coteau church in April 1869.  Daughter Philomène was born near Church Point in April 1870; ...  Jules died at Church Point in September 1892, age 52, and is buried in Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery there. 

During the war, Jean Baptiste V's second Lucius B., along with older brother Jules, served in Company F of the 8th Regiment Louisiana Infantry--another of Lee's Louisiana Tigers.  Lucius, who also was a clerk, enlisted in June 1861, nine months before his brother did.  He served continuously with his regiment through its many marches, campaigns, and battles from 1861 to the fall of 1864.  He was wounded in action at Cedar Creek, Virginia, in October 1864 but did not fall into enemy hands.  Evidently he also was too disabled to remain with his unit and was sent home to recuperate.  He also signed his end-of-war parole at Washington, Louisiana, in June 1865.  A notation in a record kept at Confederate Memorial Hall in New Orleans declares that Lucius was a "Good soldier."  He married Agnès, daughter of Jean Barousse and Caroline Fontenot, at the Church Point church in July 1869. ... 

Jean-Baptiste IV's fourth son Arvillien, also called Arville, Ervillien, Hervilier, Hervillien, Ives, and Ive, married Élisa, Élise, or Lise, daughter of fellow Acadians Olivier Guidry and Victoire Semere, at the St. Martinville church in June 1834.  Their children, born on the prairies and the upper Teche, included Ives in the 1830s; Azélie in February 1836; Homère or Omaire baptized at the Vermilionville church, age 8 months, in December 1839; Marguerite Olzina or Alzina, called Alzina, born in St. Martin Parish in November 1840; Marguerite in October 1842 but, called Emma, may have died near Breaux Bridge, age 6 1/2 (the recording priest said 7), in March 1849; Treville born in Lafayette Parish in c1845 but died near Breaux Bridge, age 4, in March 1849; Joséphine born in St. Martin Parish December 1845; and Anastasie posthumously near Breaux Bridge in February 1848--eight children, five daughters and three sons, between 1830s and 1848.  Arvillien died in St. Martin Parish in December 1847.  The St. Martinville priest who recorded the burial said that "Ervillien," as he called him, died "at age 36 yrs."  He was 34.  In November 1850, the federal census taker in St. Martin Parish counted two slaves--a 50-year-old black male, and a 32-year-old black male--on Zélie David's farm; one wonders if these were Arvillien's widow Lise Guidry's slaves.  In June 1860, the federal census taker in St. Martin Parish counted 12 slaves--four males and eight females, all black, ages 63 to 2, living in two houses--on Widow David's farm, between Lullin Guidry and the Widow Louis Guidry; these probably were Lise Guidry's slaves.  Her and Arvillien's daughters Azélie, Alzina, and Anastasie married into the Durio, Gillard, and Champagne families by 1870.  Neither of Arvillien's remaining sons seems to have married by then. 

In November 1850, the federal census taker in St. Landry Parish counted three slaves--two males and a female, all black, ages 42, 16, and 10--on oldest Ives David's farm.  In 1860, the federal census taker in St. Landry Parish counted six slaves--one male and five females, all black, ages 60 to 3--on Ive David's farm.  Was this a son of Arvillien and Lise?  If so, he would have been probably in his late 20s at the time.  If he married, he did not do so by 1870. 

During the War of 1861-65, Arvillien's second son Homère served in Company B of the 18th Regiment Louisiana Infantry, raised in St. Landry Parish, which fought in Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana.  Homère enlisted at Camp Moore, Tangipahoa Parish, in October 1861 and served with his unit through late February 1862, when his Confederate service record ends.  Did he survive the war and return to his family?  If so, he did not marry by 1870.   

Jean-Baptiste IV's fifth and youngest son François or Françisque married Sélima, 16-year-old daughter of fellow Acadian Pierre Comeaux, fils and his Creole wife Louise Durio, in a civil ceremony in St. Landry Parish in February 1842.  Daughter Célima was born in St. Landry Parish in March 1843 and did not marry by 1870.  Did they have anymore children? 

Delaune

Christophe Delaune, born at Periers, Avranches, Normandy, France, in c1705, evidently no kin to Jean Delaunay of northern Brittany, came to the French Maritime islands by c1729 probably as a young fisherman.  Christophe married Marguerite, daughter of Acadians Jean Caissie and his second wife Cécile Hébert of Chignecto, on Île St.-Jean in c1738.  In August 1752, a French official counted Christophe, Marguerite, and five of their children, four sons and a daughter, ages 13 years to 30 months, at Havre-de-la-Fortune on the east coast of Île St.-Jean.  Christophe, père died on the island by 1758, in his early 50s, having given Marguerite 10 children, seven sons and three daughters, on the island between 1740 and 1757. 

In the autumn of 1755, the Delaunes, still on Île St.-Jean, escaped the British roundups in Nova Scotia, but their respite from British oppression was short-lived.  After the fall of the French fortress at Louisbourg in July 1758, the British rounded up most of the habitants on Île St.-Jean, including Marguerite Caissie and her Delaune children, and deported them to France.  They landed at Cherbourg in Normandy, where Marguerite remarried to fellow Acadian and widower Joseph Le Prieur dit Dubois of Annapolis Royal in c1759.  Marguerite's son Jean Delaune married Marie-Anne, daughter of fellow Acadians Eustache Part and Anastasie Godin dit Bellefontaine, at Cherbourg in February 1773.  Marie-Anne's mother and three of her siblings had been murdered by New-English rangers on Rivière St.-Jean in early 1759.  Marie-Anne and her father, who also survived the massacre, were held in the prison compound on Georges Island, Halifax, before the British deported them to Cherbourg via England later in the year.  Jean became a sailor and a carpenter in the Norman port.  His younger brother Christophe, fils became a navigator and a ship's carpenter at Cherbourg.  

In 1773, the year of his marriage, Jean Delaune and brother Christophe, fils became part of the major Acadian settlement effort in the interior of Poitou.  Christophe, fils married Marie, daughter of fellow Acadians Pierre Boudrot and Cécile Vécot, at Archigny south of Châtellerault in June 1774.  Each of the brothers fathered a son in the area.  In October 1775, after two years of effort, Jean, Christophe, fils, and their families retreated with other Poitou Acadians down the Vienne and the Loire from Châtellerault to the port of Nantes.  Both families expanded dramatically at nearby Chantenay.  Four more children were born to Jean and Marie-Anne there, and four more to Christophe, fils and Marie, all baptized at St.-Martin de Chantenay, but most of the children died young.  In the early 1780s, the Spanish government offered the Acadians in France the chance for a new life in faraway Louisiana.  The Delaune brothers and their families were among the majority of Acadians in the mother country who took up the offer.  They crossed to Louisiana aboard the last of the Seven Ships in late 1785. 

If the Spanish government had not coaxed over 1,500 Acadians in France to emigrate to Louisiana, there probably would be no Acadian Delaunes in the Bayou State today.  From New Orleans, the brothers were among the few Acadian exiles from France who chose to settle at Cabahannocer on the river, where Acadians had first gone in 1764 and where they settled in even larger numbers in 1765 and 1766.  The younger brother, Christophe, fils, remained there, but the older brother, Jean, joined the exodus of river Acadians to upper Bayou Lafourche in the late 1780s or early 1790s.  During the early antebellum period, Jean Baptiste, the oldest son of the brother who stayed on the river, joined his cousins on the upper Lafourche, where most of the Acadian exiles from France had gone.  He fathered 12 sons by his two wives.  All of the Acadian Delaunes in Louisiana spring from these sons.  No Acadian Delaune settled west of the Atchafalaya Basin before the War of 1861-65.  By the end of the antebellum period, they could be found only along the river and on the upper Lafourche, where the largest center of family settlement remained in Assumption Parish.  After the war, at least one Acadian Delaune appeared in St. Mary Parish on lower Bayou Teche. 

Meanwhile, non-Acadian Delaunes--who spelled their surname DeLaunay, DeLauney, and Delone, as well as Delaune--settled at Old Mobile, Baton Rouge, in Ascension and Iberville parishes, at New Orleans, and on Bayou Teche, but their numbers never came close to their Acadian namesakes.  However, one line that settled in East Baton Rouge and Ascension parishes was a fairly vigorous one, and some of them took Acadian wives. 

Judging from the number of slaves they owned during the late antebellum period, the Delaunes, both Acadian and French Creole, participated only peripherally in the South's antebellum plantation-based economy.  The largest slave holder in the family was Acadian Christophe Delaune of Assumption Parish, who owned seven slaves in 1860.  

Nearly a dozen Delaunes, Acadian as well as French Creole, served Louisiana in uniform during the War of 1861-65.  At least three of them, all non-Acadians from East Baton Rouge Parish, died in Confederate service.  The Acadians survived.  The war hit hard those areas where Delaunes lived.  Even before Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation went into effect in January 1863, Federal commands along the lower Mississippi freed the slaves on every farm and plantation their forces could reach.  Meanwhile, Union navy gunboats shelled and burned dozens of towns and plantation houses along the river.  Successive Federal incursions devastated the Bayou Lafourche valley, which remained under Federal control after 1862, and Confederate foragers plagued the area when the Federals were not around. ...

In Louisiana, the family's name also is spelled Delaney, Delanne, Delannois, Delanue, Delaunais, De Launay, De Laune, De L'Aune, Delauny, Delone, Delonne, Delhonde, Desaunay, Launay.11

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Six Delaunes in two families led by brothers came to Louisiana from France in 1785 aboard La Caroline, the last of the Seven Ships, which reached New Orleans in late December.  The brothers chose to settle at Cabahannocer on the lower Acadian Coast above New Orleans.  The younger brother's line was especially robust.  The older brother's line, in fact, died out by the third generation: 

Jean (1743-?) Delaune

Jean, older son of Christophe Delaune of Periers, Avranches, Normandy, France, and Marguerite Caissie dit Roger of Chignecto, born on Île St.-Jean in November 1743, was counted with his famiy at Havre-de-la-Fortune on the east coast of the island in August 1752.  In late 1758, still in his teens, he followed his widowed mother and siblings to Cherbourg in Normandy and became a sailor and a carpenter there.  At age 30, he married Marie-Anne, daughter of fellow Acadians Eustache Part and Anastasie Godin dit Bellefontaine, at Cherbourg in February 1773.  Marie-Anne's mother and three of her siblings had been murdered by New-English rangers on Rivière St.-Jean in early 1759.  Marie-Anne and her father, who also survived the massacre, were held in the prison compound on Georges Island, Halifax, before the British deported them to Cherbourg via England later in the year.  Soon after their marriage, Jean and Marie-Anne ventured to the interior of Poitou as part of a major Acadian settlement scheme.  Marie-Anne gave Jean a son, Jean-Baptiste, also called Jean, fils, born at La Chapelle-Roux southeast of Châtellerault in July 1774.  In October 1775, after two years of effort, they retreated with other Poitou Acadians down the Vienne and the Loire from Châtellerault to the port of Nantes, where, at nearby Chantenay, Marie-Anne gave Jean more children:  Christophe le jeune born in September 1776 but died before 1785; Pierre-Basile born in December 1779 but died at age 2 in February 1782; Louis-Auguste born in October 1782 but died in August 1783; another Pierre, born in c1784; and Marie-Céleste in February 1785.  Their oldest son Jean-Baptiste also died at Chantenay before 1785.  That year, Jean, Marie-Anne, and their two remaining children--Pierre, age 1; and Marie-Céleste, still an infant--emigrated to Spanish Louisiana.  Son Pierre probably died on the crossing.  Jean and his family chose to settle in the established Acadian community of Cabahannocer on the river above New Orleans.  Marie-Anne gave Jean more children there, including Marguerite born in June 1787; Joseph-Alexandre, called Alexandre, in the late 1780s; and Rosalie in December 1791--nine children, six sons and three daughters, between 1774 and 1791, in France and Louisiana.  During the late 1780s or early 1790s, they joined the Acadian exodus from the river to upper Bayou Lafourche.  Daughters Marie-Céleste and Rosalie married into the Aucoin and Rousseau families.  Only one of Jean's sons, born in Louisiana, survived childhood and married, in Lafourche Interior Parish.  Except for its blood, however, this line of the family did not endure in the Bayou State.

Sixth and youngest son Jean Alexandre, called Alexandre, followed his family to Bayou Lafourche.  In his late 20s or early 30s, he married Marie Julie, called Julie, daughter of fellow Acadians Joseph Hébert and Marie Thibodeaux, at the Thibodauxville church, Lafourche Interior Parish, in May 1820.  Their children, born on the bayou, included Marie Célestine, called Célestine, in December 1822; Adélaïde in c1823; Rosalie Clémence in September 1824; a son, name unrecorded, died four hours after his birth in November 1827; and Séraphine Eve born in March 1830.  Alexandre remarried to Rosalie, daughter of Jean Olivier and Dorothée Lagrange of St. John the Baptist Parish and widow of Dominique Boudreaux, at the Thibodauxville church in May 1837.  Their son Jean Augustin was born on the Lafourche in February 1838 but died at age 7 1/2 in November 1845--six children, four daughters and two daughters, by two wives, between 1822 and 1838.  Daughters Adélaïde, Séraphine, and Célestine, by Alexandre's first wife, married into the Boudreaux, Peltier, and Chouabe families.  Neither of his sons survived childhood, so this family line, except for its blood, did not endure. 

Christophe, fils (1750-1780s or 1790s) Delaune

Christophe, fils, younger son of Christophe Delaune and Marguerite Caissie dit Roger, born on Île St.-Jean in June 1750, was counted with his family at Havre-de-la-Fortune on the east coast of the island in August 1752.  In late 1758, he followed his widowed mother and siblings to Cherbourg, France.  After he came of age, he became a navigator and ship's carpenter in the Norman port.  In 1773, he followed his older brother Jean and his family to Poitou and married Marie, daughter of fellow Acadians Pierre Boudrot and his first wife Cécile Vecot, at Archigny south of Châtellerault in June 1774.  Marie gave Christophe, fils a son, Jean-Baptiste, born at La Chapelle-Roux near Archigny in July 1775.  That October, after two years of effort, Christophe, fils and his family retreated with brother Jean, his family, and other Poitou Acadians to the lower Loire port of Nantes, where Christophe, fils and Marie also had more children:  Michel born in St.-Nicolas Parish in January 1777 but died at nearby Chantenay the following December; Marie-Céleste born at Chantenay in September 1779 but died at age 2 in February 1782; Christophe III born in October 1782 but died before 1785; and Louis-Augustin, called Augustin, born in June 1784.  In 1785, Christophe, fils, Marie, and their two remaining children--Jean-Baptiste, age 11; and Louis-Augustin, age 1--followed his brother Jean and his family to Spanish Louisiana and settled with them at Cabahannocer on the river, where Marie gave Christophe, fils another daughter, Marie, born in April 1786--six children, four sons and two daughters, between 1775 and 1786, in France and Louisiana.  Christophe, fils died probably at Cabahannocer by September 1793, in his early 40s, when his wife remarried to a Norman immigrant at Cabahannocer.  Both of Christophe, fils's remaining sons married.  The older one settled on the upper Lafourche, but the younger one remained on the river, where his line may not have endured.  Most, if not all, of the Acadian Delaunes of South Louisiana are descendants of Christophe, fils's oldest son.  

Oldest son Jean-Baptiste followed his family to Nantes, Chantenay, New Orleans, and Cabahannocer, where he married Marie-Hyacinthe, called Hyacinthe and Jacinthe, daughter of Joseph Michel, a German Creole, not a fellow Acadian, and Marie Falgout of St.-Jean-Baptiste des Allemands on the upper German Coast, in June 1794.  They settled at Cabahannocer, lived briefly at New Orleans in the early 1800s, returned to Cabahannocer, lived for a while near St. Gabriel in the early 1800s, and then settled on upper Bayou Lafourche.  Their children, born on the river and the upper Lafourche, included Clarisse at Cabahannocer in January 1795 but died the following December; Christophe le jeune born in December 1796; Jean-Pierre in c1798 or 1799 and baptized at the New Orleans church, age 18 months, in June 1800; Auguste, also called Louis Auguste and Augustin, born at Cabahannocer in March 1800; Ursin at New Orleans in April 1803; Jean-Baptiste, fils at Cabahannocer in April 1805 but died in Assumption Parish, age 10, in July 1815; Sosthène or Faustin born in St. James Parish in May 1807; Azélie or Mélite Dartille near St. Gabriel, Iberville Parish, in February 1810; Arthémise in July 1812; and Théodule in Assumption Parish in February 1815.  Jean Baptiste remarried to Marie, daughter of fellow Acadians Jean Hébert and Nathalie Aucoin, at the Plattenville church, Assumption Parish, in April 1816.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Joseph in December 1818; Simon Ursin in February 1821; Ferdinand in March 1823; Arsène in November 1826; and Jean Baptiste, fils, the second with the name, in September 1829--15 children, three daughters and 12 sons, by two wives, between 1795 and 1829.  Jean Baptiste, père died in Assumption Parish in August 1855, age 80--one of the last of the Acadian immigrants to Louisiana to join his ancestors.  Daughters Azélie and Arthémise, by his first wife, married into the Bergeron and Boudreaux families.  Nine of Jean Baptiste's sons married and settled on the upper Lafourche, but not all of the lines endured.  The Acadian Delaunes of Louisiana are descended from Jean Baptiste's many sons, especially the eldest.  

Oldest son Christophe le jeune, by first wife Hyacinthe Michel, married Marie Madeleine, daughter of fellow Acadians François Marie Gautreaux and Félicité Hébert, at the Plattenville church in September 1817.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Jean Baptiste le jeune in December 1818; François Onésime in October 1820; Marie Marcellite in November 1822; Domitille in June 1825 but died at age 9 1/2 in September 1834; Joseph le jeune born in September 1827; and Mathurin Sylvain in November 1830.  Christophe le jeune remarried to Léocadie Marguerite, daughter of fellow Acadians Pierre Aucoin and Rosalie Gautreaux, at the Plattenville church in October 1834.  Their children, born on the bayou, included Eugène Christophe Uselien or Eusilien in July 1836 but, called Eusilien, died at age 18 (the recording priest said "age ca. 15 years") in June 1854; Alexis Sostain or Sosthène born in December 1837; Maxilien or Marcellin Jean Baptiste, also called Jean Baptiste, in January 1840; Victorine in November 1841; and Désiré Aristide Théodule, called Aristide, in December 1845--11 children, eight sons and three daughters, by two wives, between 1818 and 1845.  In July 1850, the federal census taker in Assumption Parish counted seven slaves--five males and two females, all black, ranging in age from 32 years to 1 month--on Christophe Delonde's farm in the parish's Second Congressional District.  In July 1860, the census taker in Assumption Parish counted nine slaves--seven males and two females, all black, ages 57 years to 4 months, living in two houses--on Christophe Delaune's farm between Arsène Delaune and Widow Azélie Delaune in the parish's Ward 6.  Daughters Victorine, by his second wife married into the Lerille family by 1870.  Seven of Christophe le jeune's sons also married by then and settled in the Lafourche valley. 

Oldest son Jean Baptiste le jeune, by first wife Marie Madeleine Gautreaux, married cousin Julie, daughter of fellow Acadians Jean Baptiste Daigle and Rosalie Blanchard, at the Plattenville church in February 1842; they had to secure a dispensation for third degree of consanguinity in order to marry.  Was he the Jean Baptiste Delaune whose "infant son," name unrecorded, died in Assumption Parish, age 1, in August 1854?  Did they have anymore children? 

Christophe le jeune's second son François Onésime, by first wife Marie Madeleine Gautreaux, married Azélie, daughter of Jean Baptiste Colonne and his Acadian wife Marie Blanchard, at the the Plattenville church in October 1842.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Apollinaire François in August 1843; Sylvestre Donable Ariele in September 1844; Marie Léontine, called Léontine, in October 1848; Marie in March 1850; Ulysse in June 1852; and Octave Numa in March 1859--six children, four sons and two daughters, between 1843 and 1859.  Daughter Léontine married a Bergeron cousin by 1870.  One of François Onésime's sons also married by then.

Oldest son Apollinaire François married cousin Elmire, daughter of fellow Acadians Simon Ursin Delaune and Mathilde Boudreaux, at the Labadieville church, Assumption Parish, in March 1868; they had to secure a dispensation for consanguinity in order to marry.  Their son Auber Savigné was born near Labadieville in September 1868; ... 

Christophe le jeune's third son Joseph le jeune, by first wife Marie Madeleine Gautreaux, married Marie Adélaïde, called Adélaïde, daughter of fellow Acadians Rosémond Hébert and Marie Templet, at the Paincourtville church, Assumption Parish, in February 1848.  Their children, born near Labadieville, included Marie Adoliska, called Adoliska, in July 1856; a son, name and age unrecorded, perhaps theirs, died in October 1858; André Étienne Philoclet born in October 1860; Ovillia died at age 4 months, 10 days, in July 1862; Alcée Amoléo born in February 1863; Marie Alice in November 1864; Louise Valérie in September 1869; ...  None of Joseph le jeune's children married by 1870. 

Christophe le jeune's fourth son Mathurin, by first wife Marie Madeleine Gautreaux, married fellow Acadian Aureline Daigle, place and date unrecorded.  Their son Alfred was born in Lafourche Interior Parish in March 1851.  Mathurin died in Lafourche Interior Parish in December 1852, age 22.  His son did not marry by 1870. 

Christophe le jeune's sixth son Alexis, by second wife Léocadie Aucoin, married Louise, daughter of Louis Lerille and his Acadian wife Célestine Poirier, sister of his sister Victorine's future husband Louis, at the Labadieville church in February 1858.  Did they have any children? 

Christophe le jeune's seventh son Marcellin, also called Marcilien and Jean Baptiste, from second wife Léocadie Aucoin, married Armentine or Émelie, daughter of fellow Acadian Rosémond Bergeron and his Creole wife Augustine Barras, at the Labadieville church in April 1866, but they were living together years before their church wedding.  Their children, born on the Lafourche, included Marie Mathilde in Lafourche Parish in March 1861; Marie Elvira near Lockport on the lower bayou in February 1870; ...  

Christophe le jeune's eighth and youngest son Aristide, by second wife Léocadie Aucoin, married Amanda, daughter of fellow Acadians Homer C. Savoie and Honorine Guidry, at the Thibodaux church, Lafourche Parish, in April 1869; the marriage also was recorded at the Lockport church the following month.  Their son Homère Félicien was born near Lockport in September 1870;  ...

Jean-Baptiste's third son Auguste le jeune, called Louis-Auguste and Augustin, by first wife Hyacinthe Michel, married Carmélite, daughter of fellow Acadians Jacques Theriot and Françoise Guérin, at the Plattenville church in June 1825.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Auguste Carville or Clairville, called Clairville, in September 1822; Augustine in the early 1820s; Auguste, fils in March 1829; Basile Théodule, called Théodule le jeune, in January 1831; Marie Juliènne in May 1833; Amédée Séraphin in September 1835; Joseph Justinien in July 1838; Azémia Françoise in April 1841; and Désiré Octave, called Octave, in December 1846--nine children, six sons and three daughters, between 1822 and 1846.  Auguste, père died near Labadieville, Assumption Parish, in October 1858, age 56.  Daughters Augustine, Azémia, and Marie married into the Bolotte, Perque, and Bourg families by 1870.  Three of Auguste le jeune's sons also married by then, and one may have died in Confederate service.

Oldest son Clairville married Azéma or Irma Arceneaux, perhaps a fellow Acadian, probably in Assumption Parish in the late 1840s.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included François Numa in October 1850; Gustave Joseph in October 1852 but, called Gustave, died near Labadieville, age 18 (the recording priest said 16), in December 1870; twins Clément Octave and Clémentine Octavie born in December 1854, but one of the twins, unnamed, evidently died at age 5 1/2 (the recording priest said 5) in August 1860; Marie Louisane born in May 1859; Victor died near Labadieville a day after his birth in December 1861; Marie Judith Elidia born in March 1865; Eve Cécilia in August 1870; ...  During the War of 1861-65, despite his age, Clairville served in Company A of the 18th Regiment Louisiana Infantry, raised in St. James Parish, which fought in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana.  He enlisted at Camp Pratt near New Iberia in October 1862, age 40, and was captured on Bayou Teche in April 1863.  His Confederate record then falls silent.  As the birth dates of his youngest children attest, he survived the war and returned to his family.  None of his children married by 1870. 

Auguste le jeune's third son Théodule le jeune married Roséma, daughter of Olivier Cancienne and his Acadian wife Felonise Landry, at the Labadieville church in May 1856.  Their son Xavier Pierre was born near Labadieville in June 1858.  Was he their only child? 

During the war, Auguste, le jeune's fourth son Amédée served in Company C of the 26th Regiment Louisiana Infantry, raised in Assumption Parish, which fought at Vicksburg, Mississippi.  His first cousins Clodimir and François Delaune also served in the same unit.  Was Amédée the J. Delaune who died on 15 June 1862, no place recorded? 

Auguste, le jeune's fifth son Joseph Justinien married Eliska, daughter of fellow Acadians Vincent Landry and Élise Arceneaux, at the Paincourtville church in April 1861.  Their children, born near Paincourtville, included Félicité Amélina in May 1866; Félix Octave in January 1869; ... 

Jean-Baptiste's fourth son Ursin, by first wife Hyacinthe Michel, married Clarisse Mélisaire, called Mélisaire, another daughter of Jacques Theriot and Françoise Guérin, at the Plattenville church in May 1826.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Théophile in February 1830; Marie died at age 2 months in November 1832; François Clodonier or Clodimir, called Clodimir or Clodomir, born in October 1833; Marie Léonie in December 1837; and François Léon, also called Léonie, in April 1843--five children, three sons and two daughters, between 1830 and 1843.  Daughter Marie married into the Landry family on the lower Atchafalaya River by 1870.  Ursin's sons also married by then.  The oldest son moved to lower Bayou Teche after the War of 1861-65. 

Oldest son Théophile married Caroline, daughter of Jean Laulan, Lollan, or Lovland and Irène Falteman, at the Plattenville church in January 1853.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche and the lower Teche, included Théophile Eugène in November 1853; Joseph in late 1855 but died near Labadieville, age 7 months, in April 1856; Ernestine Anne born near Franklin, St. Mary Parish, in December 1870; ... 

Ursin's second son Clodimir married cousin Zulma, daughter of Pierre Cancienne and his Acadian wife Rosalie Thériot, at the Labadieville church in February 1858.  Daughter Marie Zulmée was born near Labadieville in November 1858  During the war, Clodimir served in Company C of the 26th Regiment Louisiana Infantry, raised in Assumption Parish, which fought at Vicksburg, Mississippi.  His first cousins Amédée and François Delaune also served in the same unit.  Clodimir, called Cledomir by the recording priest, remarried to Clémentine, daughter of Charles Bolotte and his Acadian wife Marie Landry, at the Labadieville church in April 1864 probably while waiting for his unit to be exchanged.  Their son Victor Clebert Charles was born in Assumption Parish in March 1865; ...  Cloidimir evidently survived the war and returned to his family. 

Ursin's third and youngest son Léonie married Odile, daughter of Olivier Cancienne and Marie Louise Hunot, at the Labadieville church in January 1867.  Daughter Rosela Avelie was born near Labadieville in February 1868; ...

Jean Baptiste's sixth son Sosthène or Faustin, by first wife Hyacinthe Michel, married Marie Marguerite, called Marguerite, daughter of fellow Acadian Michels Aucoin and Marguerite Bourque, at the Plattenville church in June 1828.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Marie Marguerite in February 1830; Azélie Mélasie in December 1832; and Marie Angèle or Angéline, called Angéline, posthumously in August 1834--three children, all daughters, between 1830 and 1834.  Faustin died in Assumption Parish in July 1834.  The Plattenville priest who recorded the burial said that Faustin was age 24 when he died.  He was 27.  Daughters Azélie Mélasie and Angéline married into the Boudreaux and Blanchard families by 1870.  He evidently fathered no sons, but the blood of the family line endured. 

Jean Baptiste's seventh son Théodule, by first wife Hyacinthe Michel, married Marie, daughter of fellow Acadians Jean Baptiste Arceneaux and Mélanie Gautreaux, at the Plattenville church in February 1841.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Jean François, called François, in January 1842; Euzelien in March 1846; Alida Valentine in October 1848; Cyprien in January 1850; Pélagie Louise in May 1852; Placide Patrice in February 1857; Étienne Octave in November 1859; Appolone Oleus Octave in April 1862; Norbert Justilien in November 1864; ...  Neither of Théodule's daughters married by 1870, but one of his sons did, after completing his war service. 

During the War of 1861-65, oldest son François served in Company C of the 26th Regiment Louisiana Infantry, raised in Assumption Parish, which fought at Vicksburg, Mississippi.  His first cousins Amédée and Clodimir Delaune also served in the same unit.  François survived his war service, returned to his family, and married Noémie, daughter of Jean Baptiste Gebelin and Julie Sibille, at the Labadieville church in September 1866.  Daughter Julie Philomène was born near Labadieville in February 1868; ...

Jean Baptiste's eighth son Joseph, by second wife Marie Hébert, married Marie Azélie, called Azélie, daughter of fellow Acadians Basile Boudreaux and Clémence Dugas, at the Plattenville church in January 1842.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Marie in the early 1840s; Simon Joseph Oncel or Oville, called Oville and Onil, in October 1845; Alcide Ferdinand in June 1848; Théodore Joseph in December 1850; Élizabeth in November 1852; Victor Augustain in July 1854; Pierre Camille in April 1856; and a newborn son, name and age unrecorded, perhaps theirs, died in October 1858--eight children, six sons and two daughters, between 1842 and 1858.  Joseph died near Labadieville in November 1858, age 40.  In July 1860, the federal census taker in Assumption Parish counted two slaves--a 19-year-old black male, and a 17-year-old black female, living in one house--on Widow Azélie Delaune's farm in the parish's Ward 6 next to Christophe Delaune and near Arsène Delaune; these were the slaves of Joseph's widow Azélie Boudreaux.  Daughters Marie and Élizabeth married into the Venissat and Arceneaux families by 1870.  One of Joseph's sons also married by then.

Oldest son Oville married Léontine, daughter of fellow Acadian Magloire Bourgeois and his Creole wife Azélie Himel, at the Labadieville church in October 1867.  Their son Arthur Joseph was born near Labadieville in September 1868; ... 

Jean Baptiste's ninth son Simon Ursin, by second wife Marie Hébert, married fellow Acadian Mathilde Boudreaux probably in Assumption Parish in the late 1840s.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Joseph Émile in October 1849; Elmire Sedalise in March 1851; Léon baptized at the Plattenville church, age unrecorded, in March 1853; Aman Octave born in February 1855 but, called Octave, died at age 1 1/2 in November 1856; Eulalie Victoria born in October 1856; Léonelle Clémence Stella in November 1861; Emma Clémence in November 1863; ...  Daughter Elmire married a Delaune cousin by 1870.  None of Simon Ursin's sons married by then. 

Jean Baptiste's eleventh son Arsène, by second wife Marie Hébert, married Marie or Marine, daughter of fellow Acadians Florentin Blanchard and Marie Émilie Arceneaux, at the Plattenville church in January 1851.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Anatole in July 1852; Augustin in October 1854; Marie Odile in December 1856; Oleus Félix in September 1863; Charles Oscar Octave near Labadieville in December 1864; Sylvestre Joseph in December 1868; ...  In July 1860, the federal census taker in Assumption Parish counted two slaves--a 26-year-old black female and a 2-month-old black male, living in one house--on Arsène Delaune's farm in the parish's Ward 6 next to Christophe Delaune and near Widow Azélie Delaune.  None of Arsène's children married by 1870. 

Jean Baptiste's twelfth and youngest son Jean Baptiste, fils, the second with the name, by second wife Marie Hébert, may have married fellow Acadian Denise Daigle in Assumption Parish, date unrecorded.  Their children, born in Assumption Parish, included an "infant son," name unrecorded, perhaps theirs, died at age 1 in August 1854; Marie Zulma born in May 1854; and Amanda Louisiana in July 1856--three children, a son and two daughters, between 1853 and 1856...  None of Jean Baptiste, fils's daughters married by 1870. 

Christophe, fils's fourth and youngest son Louis-Auguste or Augustin, called Auguste, followed his family to New Orleans and Cabahannocer.  He married Geneviève, daughter of fellow Acadians Joseph Simon Dupuis and Ludivine Landry, at the St. Gabriel church, Iberville Parish, in October 1809.  Their children, born in Iberville Parish, included Marie Geneviève in February 1811; Marie Sélima in March 1813 but, called Célina, died at age 15 1/2 in October 1828; Auguste, fils born in August 1815 but died near St. Gabriel, age 24, in November 1839; Cydalie born in December 1817 but died at age 25 in March 1843; and Jean, also called Jean Théodule, born in June 1821.  Auguste, père remarried to Clotilde, also called Éliza, daughter of fellow Acadians Isaac LeBlanc and Félicité Melançon and widow of Alexis LeBlanc, at the St. Gabriel church in April 1827.  Their son Louis Alexandre baptized at the St. Gabriel church, age unrecorded, in April 1829--six children, three daughters and three sons, by two wives, between 1811 and 1829.  Auguste died near St. Gabriel in March 1851, age 66 (the recording priest said 68).  In July 1860, the federal census taker in Iberville Parish counted seven slaves--four males and three females, all black, ranging in age from 90 to 5, living in one house--on Widow Au. Delaune's farm; these were the slaves of Auguste's second wife, Clotilde LeBlanc.  Daughter Marie Geneviève, by his first wife, married into the Viel family.  Two of Auguste's sons also married.  One wonders if the lines endured. 

Second son Jean Théodule, by first wife Geneviève Dupuis, married Armélise Rose, daughter of fellow Acadians Sylvain Landry and Bathilde Babin of Ascension Parish, at the St. Gabriel church in February 1844.  She evidently gave him no children, at least none who survived infancy.  Jean Théodule, called Juan Théodule by the recording priest, died near St. Gabriel in April 1858, age 36.  His line of the family, except for its blood, may have died with him.  In July 1860, the federal census taker in Iberville Parish counted eight slaves--two males and six females, all black, ranging in age from 21 years to 3 months, living in one house--on Widow T. Delaune's farm; this was Armélise Rose Landry.  

Auguste, père's third and youngest son Louis Alexandre, by second wife Clotilde LeBlanc, married Malvina, daughter of fellow Acadians Narcisse Bujole and Adeline Orillion, at the St. Gabriel church in December 1850.  Did they have any children? 

Deroche

Louis, Julien, and Herbe DesRoches of Carolle, Avranches, Normandy, probably not kin to the other DesRochess in greater Acadia, came to the French Maritimes in c1730 when they were still in their teens.  (Herbe may have been a cousin, not a brother, of Louis and Julien.)  Louis and Julien settled on Île St.-Jean, and Herbe on Île Royale.  Louis married Marguerite, daughter of Acadians Pierre Arseneau and Marie-Anne Boudrot, in c1731 and worked as a fisherman/habitant at Malpèque, on the northwest shore of Île St.-Jean.  Marguerite gave him at least eight children there:  Rosalie born in c1732; Eustache in c1736; Marie-Josèphe in c1738; Alexandre in c1740; Marie-Anne in c1742; Joseph in c1743; Henriette in c1747; and Anne in c1750.  Julien, a farmer, married another Arseneau, Marie, daughter of Jacques Arseneau and Marie Poirier, in c1743 probably at Malpèque. They had at least six children, born probably at the isolated settlement:  Julien, fils in c1745, Félix in c1747, Joseph in c1750, Jean in c1754, Basile in c1755, and Mathurin in c1756.  Meanwhile, Herbe married Marie, daughter of surgeon Georges Barbudeau or Berbudeau of Île d'Oléon, France, and Françoise Vrigneau of Plaisance, Newfoundland, probably at Louisbourg in November 1742.  They settled at St.-Esprit, a fishing village on the Atlantic shore, down the coast from Louisbourg, where Herbe worked as a fisherman.  Marie gave him at least five children, all born probably at St.-Esprit:  Marguerite in c1743; François in c1744; Hervé in c1745; Jean in c1749; and Pierre in c1752.  In February 1752, a French official counted the family, sans son Hervé, still at St.-Esprit.  In the household was a 14-year-old female servant from Louisbourg, as well as three hired fishermen.  Herbe and Marie were living next to her parents, who evidently were dependent on them.  The following August, the same official, now on Île St.-Jean, counted Julien, Louis, and their families at Malpèque.  Julien and wife Marie died of disease in c1757, on the eve of the island's dérangement, and their children were raised by family members. 

Living on islands controlled by France, the DesRoches escaped the British roundups in Nova Scotia in 1755, but their respite from British oppression was short-lived.  After the fall of the French fortress at Louisbourg in July 1758, the British deported most of the island habitants to France.  However, the DesRochess--Louis and Julien's families at least--were among the minority of island Acadians who slipped through the British dragnet on Île St.-Jean.  Louis, Marguerite, and their children, as well as Julien and Marie's orphaned children, escaped from the island's northwest shore, crossed Mer Rouge to the mainland, and made their way up to Restigouche at the head of the Baie des Chaleurs, which soon became a major Acadian refuge.  In late June 1760, a British naval force from Louisbourg attacked Restigouche, disabled a small French flotilla there, but failed to capture the garrison.  They nonetheless cut the place off from the rest of New France.  In October, after the fall of Montréal, another British naval force, this one from Québec, returned to Restigouche to accept the garrison's, and the Acadians', surrender.  On 24 October 1760, on the eve of formal surrender, French officers compiled a list of 1,003 Acadians still at Restigouche.  No DesRoches family appears on the list, but there was at least one young member of the family who was counted with Arseneau relatives.  Other DesRochess may have eluded yet another British roundup and taken refuge in Gaspésie, on the north shore of the Baie des Chaleurs.  Most of the Acadians at Restigouche ended up in prison compounds in Nova Scotia, where they remained for the rest of the war.  After the war, DesRochess returned to St. John Island, formerly Île St.-Jean, where they became one of the largest families in the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island.  They were especially numerous at Miscouche on the western side of the province, not far from the family's original settlement at Malpèque.  Typical of most, if not all, Acadian families, these Acadiennes of Canada lost touch with their Cadien cousins hundreds of miles away, and, until the Acadian reunions of the twentieth century, may even have forgotten the others existed. 

One of Julien DesRoches younger sons, Basile, was only age 3 in 1758 when the British struck Île St.-Jean.  He was raised by his maternal aunt Judith Arseneau, 19 years older and still unmarried when she took her nephew into her care.  Judith and her charge were among the island Acadians who made it to Restigouiche.  She married Charles dit Jean-Charles, son of fellow Acadians François Savoie and Marie-Josèphe Richard of Annapolis Royal and widower of _____ and Marie-Madeleine Richard, there in January 1761, so some of the exiles at Restigouche were not sent to prison compounds in Nova Scotia until weeks after their surrender.  In August 1763, Cherl Savois, his unnamed wife, and three unnamed children appeared on a French repatriation list circulated at Halifax.  Basile DesRoches, now age 8, likely was one of the children. 

Acadians being held in Nova Scotia at war's end faced a hard dilemma.  The Treaty of Paris of February 1763 stipulated in its Article IV that persons dispersed by the war had 18 months to return to their respective territories.  However, British authorities refused to allow any of the Acadian prisoners in the region to return to their former lands as proprietors.  If Acadians chose to remain in, or return to, Nova Scotia, they could live only in small family groups in previously unsettled areas or work for low wages on former Acadian lands now owned by New-English "planters."  If they stayed, they must also take the hated oath of allegiance to the new British king, George III, without reservation.  They would also have to take the oath if they joined their cousins in Canada or in other parts of greater Acadia.  After all they had suffered on the question of the oath, few self-respecting Acadians would consent to take it if it could be avoided.  Some Nova Scotia exiles chose to relocate to Miquelon, a French-controlled fishery island off the southern coast of Newfoundland.  Others considered going to French St.-Domingue, where Acadian exiles in the British seaboard colonies were going, or to the Illinois country, the west bank of which still belonged to France, or to French Louisiana, which, thanks to British control of Canada, was the only route possible to the Illinois country for Acadian exiles.  Whatever their choice, many refused to remain under British rule.  So they gathered up their money and their few possessions and prepared to leave their homeland.  Of the 600 exiles who left Halifax in late 1764 and early 1765 bound for Cap-Français, St.-Domingue, one was a DesRoches.

Basile DesRoches came to Louisiana from Halifax via Cap-Français in 1765 as a 10-year-old orphan.  He followed relatives to Cabahannocer on the river above New Orleans, where he married twice, both times to German-Creole widows.  During the early antebellum period, he and his family joined the Acadian exodus from the river to Bayou Lafourche, where the family who raised him had settled.  Basile's only son created a family of his own on the Lafourche.  The son's six married sons moved down bayou to Terrebonne Parish, some of them settling in the Montegut area at the edge of the coastal marshes, where they probably worked as trappers and fishermen as well as farmers. 

No Deroche/DesRoches appears as an owner on the slave schedules compiled by the federal census bureau in 1850 and 1860, so these families participated only peripherally in the South's antebellum plantation-based economy.   Moreover, no descendant of Basile DesRoches appears in Louisiana or Confederate service records during the War of 1861-65.  The four Desroches who did serve the Confederacy in uniform likely were French Creoles from St. James Parish and New Orleans.  ...

In South Louisiana, the family's name evolved from DesRoches to Deroche.  In Louisiana, the family's name also is spelled DeRoche, DesRoches, Duracheor, Duroche, Durocher, and Durochet.  The Acadian family should not be confused with the non-Acadian families, Frenchmen and Spaniards, bearing similar surnames who settled at New Orleans, Pointe Coupee, Iberville, St. James, Opelousas, Attakapas, and on upper Bayou Lafourche, where the Acadian Deroches did not settle.12

Basile (c1755-?) Deroche

Basile, fifth son of Julien DesRoches and Marie Arseneau, born probably at Malpèque, Île St.-Jean, in c1755, was orphaned at a young age and raised by a maternal aunt, who, during exile, married a Savoie widower of Annapolis Royal.  While still a boy, Basile ended up in the prison compound at Halifax during the early 1760s.  He came to Louisiana from Halifax via Cap-Français with the Savoies in 1765 and followed them to Cabahannocer, where he married German Creole Marie Edelmayre, widow of Louis ____lante, in September 1778.  Their children, born at Cabahannocer, included Agathe baptized, age unrecorded, in March 1780; Marie-Angélique, called Angélique, baptized, age unrecorded, in September 1781; and Pierre born in the 1790s--three children, two daughters and a son, between 1780 and the 1790s.  Basile, in his mid-40s, remarried to Marguerite, daughter of Mathurin Legant or Legau and Marguerite Clairaut of St.-Jean-Baptiste des Allemands on the upper German Coast, at Cabahannocer in November 1801.  She gave him no more children.  During the early antebellum period, Basile settled in Lafourche Interior Parish, down bayou from where his aunt and uncle had settled in the early 1790s, perhaps after his uncle died.  Daughter Angélique, by his first wife, married into the Barbier family.  All of the Acadian Deroches of South Louisiana, many of them still living in Terrebonne Parish, are descended from Basile's son and his many grandsons. 

Only son Pierre, by first wife Marie Edelmayre, married Clémence Pélagie, called Pélagie, daughter of Joseph Baye or Boyer and his Acadian wife Jeanne Marguerite Vincent, at the Thibodauxville church, Lafourche Interior Parish, in September 1821.  Their children, born in Lafourche Interior Parish, included Pierre Antoine, called Antoine, in January 1823; Joseph in the 1820s; Florian in the 1820s; Marie Oseglia in February 1828; François in July 1830; Usilien or Eusilien Omère in September 1835; Marie Aimée in October 1838; Émile Théodule in August 1840; Marie Aimée Eveline in September 1842; and Léonard Banon or Banon Léonard, in October 1845--10 children, seven sons and three daughters, between 1823 and 1845.  Daughter Marie Aimée Evéline married into the Aucoin family by 1870.  Six of Pierre's sons also married by then and settled in Terrebonne Parish, but not all of the lines endured.  

Oldest son Pierre Antoine, called Antoine, married Marie Eve Trosclair in a civil ceremony in Terrebonne Parish in September 1848.  Their children, born in Terrebonne Parish, included Eveline Selemee in July 1851; Virginie or Virginia C. in December 1853; and Olyneza in February 1856--three children, all daughters, between 1851 and 1856.  Daughters Evéline and Virginia married into the Bourg and Dantin families by 1870.  

Pierre's second son Joseph married Marie Adeline, called Adeline, daughter of fellow Acadian Stanislas Boudreaux and his Creole wife Mélanie Fortunée Dupré, at the Houma church, Terrebonne Parish, in August 1854.  Their children, born in Terrebonne Parish, included Marie Rose in December 1856; Joseph Onésime in February 1858; Pierre Théodule in February 1860; Odillia in December 1863; Marie Rosina near Montegut in February 1867; Jean Joseph Prosper in January 1870; ...

Pierre's third son Florian married Joséphine Rivas, place and date unrecorded.  Their son Amédée Antoine, called Antoine, was born near Raceland, Lafourche Parish, in March 1855 but died at age 1 1/2 in September 1856.  Did they have anymore children? 

Pierre's fourth son François married fellow Acadian Rosalie Boudreaux in a civil ceremony in Terrebonne Parish in June 1862.  Their children, born in Terrebonne Parish, included Jean Baptiste Ozémée in November 1861; Jean Olésipe in February 1864; Victorin Pierre Joseph near Montegut in March 1869; ...  

Pierre's fifth son Eusilien Omère married Scholastique Victoire or Victorine, daughter of Jérôme Dupré and his Acadian wife Victoire Aucoin of Terrebonne Parish, at the Houma church in June 1862. ...

Pierre's seventh and youngest son Léonard Banon or Banon Léonard married Armélise, daughter of fellow Acadians Leufroi Thibodeaux and Thersile Gautreaux, at the Montegut church, Terrebonne Parish, in February 1866.   Their children, born near Montegut, included Marie Emélie Léonise in November 1866; Angelina Rosalie in February 1869; ... 

Doiron

Jean Doiron or Douaron, native of perhaps St.-Martin, Île de Ré, near La Rochelle, France, reached Acadia with his wife Marie-Anne Canol perhaps aboard L'Oranger in 1671.  They moved from Port-Royal to the Minas Basin in the early 1680s and were counted on Rivière-de-l'Ascension there in 1701.  By 1714, they had moved up the basin to Pigiguit.  Between 1672 and c1690, Marie-Anne gave Jean 11 children, eight sons and three daughters.  Their daughters married into the Hébert, Testard dit Paris, Boisseau, and Vincent families.  Middle daughter Marie and her Testard husband settled at Louisbourg on Île Royale by the 1720s.  Seven of Jean and Marie-Anne's sons married, into the Babin, Gaudet, LeBlanc, Doucet, Guédry, Henry, and Barrieau families.  After Marie-Anne died, Jean remarried to Marie, daughter of Guillaume Trahan and Madeleine Brun, probably at Minas in c1693.  She was 23 years younger than Jean and, between the early 1690s and 1709, gave him eight more children, four daughters and four sons, all of whom created families of their own--19 children, by two wives, between 1672 and 1709.  Jean and Marie's daughters married into the Girouard, Guillot dit L'Angevin, Nogues, and Turcot families.  Jean and Marie's sons married into the Girouard, Doucet, Vincent, and Breau families.  Jean died at Ste.-Famille, Pigiguit, between April 1735 and June 1736, in his late 80s.  By 1755, his descendants could be found in the Minas Basin at Pigiguit and Cobeguit, at Chignecto, and in the French Maritimes on Île Royale and especially on Île St.-Jean.  Le Grand Dérangement of the 1750s scattered the family even farther. 

The Acadians at Chignecto were the first to endure a disruption of their lives.  In the the spring and summer of 1750, in response to the British building a fort at Beaubassin village, Canadian militia, assisted by Mi'kmaq warriors led by Abbé Jean-Louis Le Loutre, burned Acadian homesteads in the British-controlled area east of Rivière Missaguash, forcing the habitants there to move to the French-controlled area west of the river.  Doirons may have been among the refugees.  After yet another war erupted between Britain and France in 1754, Chignecto-area Acadians were caught in the middle of it.  When British and New-English forces attacked Fort Beauséjour in June 1755, Doirons may have been among the 300 Acadians serving in the fort as militia.  They, too, along with the French troupes de la marine and the Canadians, became prisoners of war when the fort surrendered on June 16.  Lieutenant-Governor Charles Lawrence was so incensed to find so-called French Neutrals fighting with French regulars at Beauséjour he ordered his officers to deport the Chignecto Acadians to the southernmost British seaboard colonies.  Doirons were among the locals the British deported to South Carolina in the fall of 1755.  The following spring, the governors of Georgia and South Carolina allowed the Acadians in their colonies who were not under arrest to return to their homeland as best they could.  After purchasing or building small vessels, hundreds of them headed up the coast.  Some made it all the way back to the Bay of Fundy and found refuge on lower Rivière St.-Jean.  Most did not.  In late August, after weeks of effort, 78 exiles came ashore on Long Island, New York, and were detained by colonial officials.  On a list of "names of the heads of the French Neutral families, number of their Children returned from Georgia and distributed through the counties of Westchester and Orange," dated 26 August 1756, were two families of Doirons.  One family moved on to Pennsylvania in c1760 before continuing on to Maryland in the early 1760s.  Back in South Carolina, a Doiron wife remarried to a Lambert widower in c1761, and a Doiron widower remarried to a Lord widow, so other Doirons sent to the southern colony remained.  A Doiron family from Pigiguit was deported to Maryland in 1755, and they were still there in the summer of 1763. 

Doirons from Chignecto escaped the British roundup there in 1755 and sought refuge on the Gulf of St. Lawrence shore.  One of them married a Bourgeois in exile.  By 1760, they had made their way up to the French stronghold at Restigouche at the head of the Baie des Chaleurs.  Other Doirons who had escaped the deportations in greater Acadia moved on to Canada.  A large family, counted by a French official on Île Madame south of Île Royale in February 1752, escaped the roundup on Île Royale by leaving the island before the fall of Louisbourg in July 1758.  The decision to seek refuge in Canada, however, proved a fatal one for some members of the family.  In early January and late February 1758, at least two of them died at Québec, victims, perhaps, of a smallpox epidemic that killed hundreds of their fellow refugees in and around the Canadian capital from the summer of 1757 to the spring of 1758. 

Living in territory controlled by France, the many Doirons on Île St.-Jean and Île Royale were untouched by the British roundups in Nova Scotia in 1755.  Their respite from British oppression was short-lived, however.  After the fall of the French fortress at Louisbourg in July 1758, the British rounded up most of the habitants on the islands and deported them to France.  The crossing devastated the family, ending a number of lines.  Doirons died aboard Le Duc Guillaume, which left Île Royale in late summer and, after a mid-ocean mishap, limped into St.-Malo harbor the first of November.  The greatest loss of life in the family occurred aboard the transport Duke William, which left Chédabouctou Bay in a 12-ship convoy in late November, filled with exiles from Pointe-Prime, Île St.-Jean, bound for St.-Malo.  The Duke William was one of the three transports sunk by a storm off the southwest coast of England during the second week of December.  Most of Noël Doiron's extended family--five of his children and their families, his grandchildren, and even some of his great-grandchildren--went down with the ship.  Doirons also died aboard one or more of the five deportation transports that left Chédabouctou in the same convoy with the Duke William and, despite the mid-December storm, reached St.-Malo together in late January 1759.  Others crossed on the Supply, which left Chédabouctou Bay in the 12-ship convoy, survived the storm that sank Duke William, put in at Bideford, England, for repairs, and did not reach St.-Malo until early March 1759.  Island Doirons also crossed to France aboard other vessels that landed them at Le Havre and Cherbourg in Normandy, and at Boulogne-sur-Mer up in Picardie.  They also ended up at La Rochelle and Rochefort on the Bay of Biscay.  However, most of them settled in the St.-Malo area, including the suburbs of St.-Servan-sur-Mer next to St.-Malo and St.-Énogat, today's Dinard, across the harbor from St.-Malo; St.-Suliac and Pleudihen-sur-Rance on the east side of the river south of St.-Servan; and Pleurtuit, Pleslin, and Plouër-sur-Rance on the west side of the river south of St.-Énogat.  In November 1765, two Doiron brothers living at St.-Énogat followed dozens of fellow exiles, most of them repatriated from England, to Belle-Île-en-Mer off the southern coast of Brittany and remained there until the 1770s.  One brother took his family back to greater Acadia via the Channel Island of Jersey to work in a British-controlled fishery, while the other moved on to the lower Loire port of Nantes.  In 1773, most of the Doirons in the St.-Malo area and their cousins in other coastal cities became part of a major settlement scheme in the interior of Poitou.  After two years of effort, most of them retreated with other Poitou Acadians down the Vienne and the Loire from Châtellerault to Nantes.  When, in the early 1780s, the Spanish government offered the Acadians in France the chance for a new life in faraway Louisiana, 30 Doirons--nearly all of the ones remaining in the mother country--agreed to take it.

Meanwhile, in North America, things got only worse for the Acadians who had escaped the redcoats in the late 1750s and took refuge on the Gulf of St. Lawrence shore.  After the fall of Québec in September 1759, the British gathered their forces to subdue the remaining French strongholds in New France, one of which was the Acadian refuge at Restigouche, which a naval force from Louisbourg attacked in late June 1760.  After a spirited fight in which Acadian militia and Mi'kmaq warriors played an important role, the French commander blew up his larger vessels and retreated up Rivière Restigouche, leaving the militia and the Indians to oppose a British landing.  Unable to capture the garrison or lay waste to the area, the British commander ordered his ships to return to Louisbourg.  Three months later, after the fall of Montréal, another British naval force, this one from Québec, appeared at Restigouche to accept the garrison's, and the Acadians', surrender.  On 24 October 1760, on the eve of formal surrender, French officers counted 1,003 Acadians still at Restigouche.  On the list was a small Doiron family.  The British held them, along with hundreds of other exiles who had been captured by, or surrendered to, British forces in the area, in prison compounds in Nova Scotia for the rest of the war.  In July and October 1762, British officials at Fort Edward, Pigiguit, counted members of the famly near their old homesteads there.  In August 1763, Fort Cumberland, formerly French Fort Beauséjour, two families of Doirons appeared on a French repatriation list circulating at the fort, not far from the family's old homesteads at Chignecto. 

After the war, some of the Doirons in the Nova Scotia compounds chose to remain in greater Acadia or join their kinsmen in Canada, where some had gone as early as 1756.  Though now also a British possession, the far-northern province was populated largely by fellow French Catholics, many of them Acadian exiles.  So, in a colony nearly as old as Acadia, descendants of Jean Doiron began the slow, inexorable process of becoming Canadiennes.  By the early 1770s, Doirons from greater Acadia and exile in France could be found on the upper St. Lawrence at Nicolet; at St.-Ours on lower Rivière Richelieu; at Napanne in present-day Ontario; on the lower St. Lawrence on Île d'Orléans and at Beaumont, St.-Charles de Bellechasse, and St.-Michel de Bellechasse near Québec city; at Richibouctou in present-day eastern New Brunswick; at Rustico on the north shore of St. John Island, formerly Île St.-Jean, now Prince Edward Island; and on Baie Ste.-Marie, today's St. Mary's Bay, on the western coast of Nova Scotia.  Typical of most, if not all, Acadian families, the Acadiennes of Canada lost touch with their Cadien cousins hundreds of miles away, and, until the Acadian reunions of the twentieth century, may even have forgotten the others existed. 

At war's end, Acadians held in the seaboard colonies, theoretically, were free to go, but not until the British discerned their intentions.  Even then, colonial authorities discouraged repatriation.  In June 1763, a Doiron family who had arrived from New York appeared on a repatriation list circulating in Pennsylvania.  They soon moved on to Maryland.  In July 1763, in Maryland, other Doirons appeared on repatriation lists at Oxford on the colony's Eastern Shore and at Baltimore.  In August 1763, four Doiron families appeared on repatriation lists circulating in South Carolina. 

Urged on by French officials, Doirons from South Carolina emigrated not to Canada but to French St.-Domingue, where they could live not only among fellow Roman Catholics, but also in territory controlled by France.  Although driven from North America by the Seven Years' War, the French were determined to hang on to what was left of their shrinking colonial empire.  A new naval base at Môle St.-Nicolas on the northwest end of the big island would protect the approaches to their remaining possessions in the Caribbean Basin and assist in the war of vengeance to come.  Moreover, the exiles could provide a source of cheap labor not only for the naval contractors, but also for the island's major planters, who hoped to supplement the work of their slaves.  To entice them to the sugar colony, the French promised the Acadians land of their own there.  The promises did not work for at least one member of the family.  When fellow Acadians from Nova Scotia and Maryland came through Cap-Français in the mid- and late 1760s on their way to Louisiana, a Doiron and her family followed one of the parties to New Orleans.  The other Doirons were among the majority of Acadians who remained in the sugar colony. 

Doirons being held in Nova Scotia at war's end faced a hard dilemma.  The Treaty of Paris of February 1763 stipulated in its Article IV that persons dispersed by the war had 18 months to return to their respective territories.  British authorities refused to allow any of the Acadian prisoners in the region to return to their former lands as proprietors.  If Acadians chose to remain in, or return to, Nova Scotia, they could live only in small family groups in previously unsettled areas or work for low wages on former Acadian lands now owned by New-English "planters."  If they stayed, they must also take the hated oath of allegiance to the new British king, George III, without reservation.  They would also have to take the oath if they joined their cousins in Canada.  After all they had suffered on the question of the oath, no self-respecting Acadian would consent to take it if it could be avoided.   Some Nova Scotia exiles chose to go to Miquelon, a French-controlled fishery island off the southern coast of Newfoundland.  Others considered going to French St.-Domingue, where Acadian exiles in the seaboard colonies, including Doirons, were going, or to the Illinois country, the west bank of which still belonged to France, or to French Louisiana, which was the only route possible to the Illinois country for Acadians.  Whatever their choice, many refused to remain under British rule.  So they gathered up their money and their few possessions and prepared to leave their homeland.  Of the 600 exiles who left Halifax in late 1764 and early 1765 bound for Cap-Français, St.-Domingue, four were Doirons. 

For a dozen years, the Doirons in Maryland endured life among Englishmen who, despite their colony's Catholic roots, did not care much for the French "papists" thrust upon them.  When word reached the Acadians there that the Spanish would welcome them in Louisiana, where hundreds of their fellow exiles had gone, they pooled their meager resources to charter ships that would take them to New Orleans.  The Doirons had few relatives in the Spanish colony, but they chose to go therer anyway.  One family led by a widow followed a party of 150 exiles who left Port Tobacco on the lower Potomac in late December 1767 and reached New Orleans via Cap-Français the following February.  At least one Doiron family--the one that had ventured from South Carolina to New York to Pennsylvania and finally to Maryland--chose to remain in the Chesapeake colony when their cousins moved on to Spanish Louisiana.  In 1773, these stay-behinds were among the first Acadians at Baltimore to secure a lot in the city's French Town Quarter.  Within a generation or two, they were using the surname Gold, an English iteration of Doiron.

Descendants of Jean Doiron came early to Louisiana, in 1765 from Halifax and 1768 from Maryland, but if the Spanish government had not coaxed over 1,500 Acadians in France to emigrate to Louisiana in 1785, there probably would be no Acadian Doirons in the Bayou State today.  The one male Doiron who came to the colony from Halifax had only one son, who died young.  The three Doirons who came from Maryland were three sisters who married on the river, but, again, no Doiron family lines came of it.  Not until the late 1780s were Doiron families established in Louisiana that survived beyond the second generation there.  By the mid-1790s, three centers of Doiron family settlement had emerged in the colony:  the first and largest along the river around Baton Rouge, especially in what became West Baton Rouge Parish; a second along upper Bayou Teche; and a third on upper Bayou Lafourche that eventually spread south into the Terrebonne country.  During the antebellum and post-war periods, several Doiron families moved from the Lafourche and the river to lower Bayou Teche, while others from the Teche valley moved out into the prairies and marshes of Vermilion, Calcasieu, and Cameron parishes.  However, the largest center of Doiron family settlement remained around Baton Rouge.  

No non-Acadian Doirons appear in Louisiana church records during the colonial and antebellum periods.  Most, if not all, of the Doirons of South Louisiana, then, are descendants of Jean of Minas, perhaps the only exception being Afro Creoles once owned by members of the family who chose to retain the family's name after they were free.  

Judging by the number of slaves they held during the late antebellum period, the Doirons participated only peripherally in the South's plantation-based economy.  One Doiron in West Baton Rouge Parish owned 10 slaves in 1850, and several of his kinsmen who lived nearby owned a few bondsmen, but no Doirons appear as slave holders in the 1860 federal slave census.  None of the Doirons in the Lafourche/Terrebonne valley, in fact, appear to have owned slaves.  Only one of their cousins on the western prairies held bondsmen during the period.  

Nearly a dozen Doirons served Louisiana in uniform during the War of 1861-65, and four of their cousins, probably brothers from Calcasieu Parish, served in a Texas cavalry unit.  At least two Doirons, one from the upper Lafourche and the other from the river, lost their lives in Confederate service.  Édouard Doiron, probably from Assumption Parish, was conscripted into Company C of the 1st Regiment Louisiana Heavy Artillery in October 1862.  When his unit surrendered at Vicksburg, Mississippi, in July 1863, Édouard, along with most of the other conscripts in the regiment, refused parole.  The Federals sent them to St. Louis, Missouri, and then to the prisoner-of-war compound at Camp Morton, Indiana.  Édouard did not make it to Indiana.  He died at the prison in St. Louis in late July and was buried at nearby Jefferson Barracks Cemetery.  Meanwhile, Louis Oscar Doiron of West Baton Rouge Parish was serving in the 4th Regiment Louisiana Infantry when he died of disease in the hospital at Lauderdale Springs, Mississippi, in July 1863.  Unlike cousin Édouard, several Doirons from the river and the Lafourche survived their time in Federal prisoner-of war-camps after being captured in Mississippi, Georgia, Louisiana, and Tennessee.

The war took a heavy toll on the Doirons' economic status, no matter where they settled.  Even before Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation went into effect in January 1863, Federal commands controlling the lower Mississippi freed the slaves on every farm and plantation their forces could reach.  Union gunboats shelled and burned dozens of plantations houses along the lower Mississippi.  Successive Federal incursions into the Bayou Lafourche valley devastated that region, and Confederate foragers plagued the area when the Federals were not around.  On the western prairies, Federal armies marched three times through the Teche-Vermilion valley and burned and pillaged many farms and plantations, some of them perhaps owned by Doirons.  Thanks to these Federal incursions, emancipation came early to the area, with its resulting economic and social turmoil.  Confederate foraging parties and cutthroat Jayhawkers also plagued the area where Doirons lived, adding to the family's misery.  ...

In Louisiana, the family's name also is spelled Darzoin, Deuaron, Doiran, Doirant, D'Oiron, Douairon, Douaison, Douaron, Douerand, Doyron, Duaron, Duarron, Duron, Louaron.13

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A small family of three Doirons came to Louisiana from Halifax via Cap-Français, French St.-Domingue, in 1765 and settled at Cabahannocer on the river above New Orleans.  No Doiron family line came of it: 

Pierre (c1733-?) à ? à Jean Doiron

Pierre Doiron, born perhaps at Chignecto in c1733, eluded the British in 1755, sought refuge on the Gulf of St. Lawrence shore, and married Marie Bourgeois probably in exile.  Later in the decade, they made their way to the Acadian refuge at Restigouche at the head of the Baie des Chaleurs.  In late October 1760, the couple appeared on a list of 1,003 Acadian refugees still at Restigouche.  The British held Pierre and his family in the prison compound at Fort Edward, Pigiguit, for the rest of the war.  The couple came to Louisiana in 1765 with a daughter, Marguerite, born probably at Fort Edward, and a son, Olivier, born there or on the voyage to Louisiana.  They had no more children in the colony.  In April 1766, a Spanish official counted Pierre in Verret's Company of the Cabahannocer militia.  With him was a wife, a son, and a daughter.  Three years later, Pierre, wife Marie, and only one of their children, son Olivier, occupied lot number 93 on the left, or east, bank of the river at Cabahannocer.  Son Olivier then disappears from the historical record.  Pierre and Marie's daughter Marguerite evidently had died between April 1766 and September 1769, so not even the blood of this family line endured in the colony. 

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Perhaps also in 1765, Marie, daughter of Jean Doiron and Anne LeBlanc of Chignecto, her second husband Pierre Lambert, a daughter from her first marriage to Pierre Boucher, and a stepson, came to Louisiana directly from French St.-Domingue.  They also settled at Cabahannocer on the river.  No new Doiron family line came of it. 

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In February 1768, the widow of Alexandre Doiron and her three daughters from Pigiguit reached New Orleans from Port Tobacco, Maryland.  The daughters married into the Amache, St. Pierre, and Rodriguez families at Fort San Luìs de Natchez, where Spanish Governor Ulloa forced them to settle.  One of them remarried into the LeBlanc family at Cabahannocer, where they resettled after Ulloa's ouster.  No new Doiron family line came of it. 

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In 1785, two decades after the first of their cousins reached the colony, at least 30 Doirons came to Louisiana from France on five of the Seven Ships.  Only then did Doiron family lines take root in the Spanish colony. 

The first of them--seven Doirons in one family, and a Doiron wife married to a Lejeune--arrived aboard Le Bon Papa, the first of the Seven Ships, which reached New Orleans in July.  They followed their fellow passengers to Manchac on the river below Baton Rouge.  A robust family line came of it: 

Alexandre (c1739-1793?) à Jean Doiron

Alexandre le jeune, fourth son of Thomas Doiron and Anne Girouard, born at l'Assomption, Pigiguit, in c1738 or 1739, followed his family to Île St.-Jean in c1750 and was counted with them at Rivière-du-Moulin-à-Scie in the interior of the island in August 1752.  In his late teens, he was deported with them to France aboard the transport Duc Guillaume, which reached St.-Malo the first of November 1758.  A mid-ocean mishap aboard the vessel killed many passengers, including Alexandre's father and five of his siblings.  Alexandre, his widowed mother, and his four remaining siblings survived the crossing.  After a short stay in a local hospital to recuperate from the rigors of the voyage, they lived in the St.-Malo suburb of St.-Servan-sur-Mer in 1758 and 1759 and at St.-Suliac on the east side of the river south of St.-Servan from 1759 to 1763, where Alexandre worked as a laborer and a carpenter.  He married Ursule, daughter of fellow Acadians François Hébert and Isabelle Bourg of Cobeguit and Pointe-à-la-Jeunesse, Île Royale, at Pleslin, across the river from St.-Suliac, in January 1763.  Ursule gave Alexandre five children at Pleslin:  Marie-Rose born in November 1763; Madeleine-Ursule in August 1765; Isaac-Alexandre in October 1767; Charles-Adrien in April 1770 but died at nearby Ville au Conte, age 3 1/2, in October 1773; and Mathurin-Luc born in October 1772.  In late 1773 or early 1774, they followed other exiles to the interior of Poitou.  Ursule gave him another son there, Marin, born at Bonneuil-Matours south of Châtellerault in February 1775.  In March 1776, after two years of effort, the family retreated with other Poitou Acadians down the Vienne and the Loire from Châtellerault to the port of Nantes.  Ursule gave Alexandre two more sons at nearby Chantenay:  Joseph born in November 1777; and Jean-Baptiste in 1783.  Meanwhile, son Marin died at Chantenay in November 1777, age 2 1/2.  In 1785, Alexandre, Ursule, and their remaining six children, two daughters and four sons, emigrated to Spanish Louisiana.  From New Orleans, they followed their fellow passengers to Manchac on the river south of Baton Rouge, where Ursule bore another son, Rémi, in May 1789--nine children, two daughters and seven sons, between 1763 and 1789, in France and Louisiana.  An Alexandre Doiron died at Manchac in October 1793.  The San Gabriel priest who recorded the burial did not give any parents' names, mention a wife, or give the age of the deceased, so one wonders if this was him.  If it was, Alexandre le jeune of l'Assomption, Pigiguit, would have died in his mid-50s.  Wife Ursule, who did not remarry, died at Manchac in October 1798, age 56.  Daughters Marie-Rose and Madeleine-Ursule married into the Templet and Benoit families and remained on the river.  Five of Alexandre's sons married, and most of them remained in the Baton Rouge area.  The oldest son joined his cousins on upper Bayou Lafourche.  Most of the Doirons of South Louisiana are descended from Alexandre and his sons.

Oldest son Isaac-Alexandre followed his family to Poitou, Nantes, Chantenay, New Orleans, and Manchac.  At age 44, he married Renée Eulalie, daughter of fellow Acadians Isaac Hébert and Marie Daigre, at the Baton Rouge church, East Baton Rouge Parish, in May 1812.  Renée, a native of Nantes, come to Louisiana from France in 1785 aboard a later ship.  They moved on to upper Bayou Lafourche, returned to the Baton Rouge area in the late 1810s, and then moved back to the bayou by the early 1820s.  Their children, born on the river and the Lafourche, included Élise near Baton Rouge in May 1813; Auguste in Assumption Parish in May 1816; twins Eulalie and Marie near Baton Rouge in April 1818; and Ursin Isaac in January 1822--five children, three daughters and two sons, between 1813 and 1822.  Isaac-Alexandre died by January 1827, when wife Renée remarried at Plattenville on the Lafourche.  Daughter Élise married into the Trahan family.  One of Isaac Alexandre's sons also married and settled on the Lafourche.

Older son Auguste married Céleste or Célestine, daughter of fellow Acadians Jean Joseph Marie Trahan and Anne Adélaïde Lejeune of Lafourche Interior Parish, at the Thibodaux church, Lafourche Interior Parish, in May 1841.  Their children, born on the bayou, inclulded Cléophas in December 1841; Auguste Cléodonly or Clodmire, called Clodomire, in February 1842[sic]; and Jean in January 1846--three children, all sons, between 1841 and 1846.  Two of Auguste's sons married by 1870, one of them after his war service. 

Oldest son Cléophas married Maltese Creole Elvire Lancon in a civil ceremony in Terrebonne Parish in February 1870. ...

During the War of 1861-65, Auguste's second son Clodomire served in Company K of the 26th Regiment Louisiana Infantry, raised in Terrebonne Parish, which fought at Vicksburg, Mississippi.  He survived the war, returned to his family, and married Evéline, daughter of fellow Acadians Auguste Giroir and Rosalie Comeaux, at the Houma church, Terrebonne Parish, in February 1866.  Their children, born in Terrebonne Parish, included Adam in February 1869; Élizabeth Eve in October 1870; ...  Daughter Elizabeth Eve married into the Leany family.  A son and a daughter settled on lower Bayou Teche.  

Alexandre's third son Mathurin-Luc followed his family to Poitou, Nantes, Chantenay, New Orleans, and Manchac, where, at age 27, he married Marguerite, daughter of fellow Acadians Jean-Baptiste Hébert and Marguerite Richard, in June 1800.  Their children, born at Manchac, included Rémi-Valéry, called Volney, in January 1802; Marie Elvire in May 1803; Marie Angélique in November 1804; Valentin Onésime, called Onésime, in August 1806; Virginie, perhaps also called Azélie, in December 1807; and Fergus, perhaps also called Valmon, in January 1811--six children, three sons and three daughters, between 1802 and 1811.  Mathurin died probably at Manchac in November 1824.  The Baton Rouge priest who recorded the burial did not give any parents' names, mention a wife, or give Mathurin's age at the time of his death.  He was would have been 52.  Daughter Azélie married into the Morgan family.  Mathurin's sons also married on the river, but not all of the lines endured. 

Oldest son Rémi Valéry married Marcelline Rosalie, daughter of fellow Acadians Charles Dupuis and Marguerite Bourg, at the Baton Rouge church in March 1825.  Daughter Marguerite Dartille was born near Baton Rouge in December 1825 and did not marry by 1870, if she married at all.  Did the family line endure? 

Maturin Luc's second son Valentin Onésime, called Onésime, married, at age 30, Marguerite Séraphine, called Séraphine, daughter of fellow Acadian Grégoire Alexis Lejeune and his Creole wife Marie Tardit of West Baton Rouge Parish, at the Baton Rouge church in April 1837.  Their children, born in West Baton Rouge Parish, included Marie Audile in January 1838; Marie Azélia or Azélie, called Azélie, in January 1840; Ignace Thérèse Léontine, a daughter, in October 1841; Maturin Oscar, called Oscar, in September 1843; and Joseph Joinville, called Joinville, in January 1846--five children, three daughters and two sons, between 1838 and 1846.  In August 1850, the federal census taker in West Baton Rouge Parish counted three slaves--a 34-year-old black female, a 12-year-old black female, and a 10-year-old black male--on O. Doirron's farm next to Mathurin Lejeune; this probably was Onésime.  Onésime died near Brusly, West Baton Rouge Parish, in April 1855.  The priest who recorded the burial said that Onésime was age 38 when he died.  He was 48.  Daughter Azélie married into the Sarradet family by 1870.  Onésime's two sons also married by then, after their war service. 

During the War of 1861-65, older son Oscar served in Company F of the 4th Regiment Louisiana Infantry, raised in West Baton Rouge Parish, which fought in Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia.  He was captured near Franklin, Tennessee, in December 1864 and spent the rest of the war at Camp Douglas, Illinois, as a prisoner of the Federals.  He survived the war and returned to his family.  In the late 1860s, Oscar married fellow Acadian Marie Anna Cécile Bujole and settled in West Baton Rouge Parish.  Daughter Marie Constance Anaïse was born there in December 1870; ...

During the war, Onésime's younger son Joinville served as a third corporal in Company H of the 4th Regiment Louisiana Infantry, raised in West Baton Rouge Parish, which fought in Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia.  Joinville was captured at Jonesboro, Georgia, in August 1864 during the Atlanta campaign and ended up at Camp Chase, Ohio, as a prisoner of war.  He survived the war, returned to his family, and married Zenobie, daughter of Jules Trichard and Hermance Revault, at the Brusly church in April 1866. ...

Maturin Luc's third and youngest son Fergus, called Valmon by the recording priest, married Mathilde, daughter of fellow Acadians Joseph Ephrème Babin and Anne Marine Hébert of West Baton Rouge Parish, at the Baton Rouge church in February 1829.  Daughter Marie was born in 1831 and baptized at the Baton Rouge church, age 7 months, in March 1832 but did not marry by 1870, if she married at all.  The couple evidently had no sons. 

Alexandre's fifth son Joseph followed his family to New Orleans and Manchac, where he married Marie-Modeste, called Modeste, daughter of fellow Acadians Antoine Labauve and Anne Vincent, in the late 1790s.  They settled in what became West Baton Rouge Parish.  Their children, born there, included Joseph, fils in November 1800; Marie baptized, age 3 months, in April 1801; Joseph-Élie, called Élien and Élian, born in June 1802; Augustin in January 1804; Alexandre le jeune in July 1805; Célestin in January 1808; Céleste, also called Célestine, in July 1812; Marcellin in February 1814; Gédéon in September 1815; and Rosalie in January 1820--10 children, seven sons and three daughters, between 1800 and 1820.  In August 1850, the federal census taker counted three slaves--all females, all black, ages 60, 38, and 35--on Joseph Doirron's farm.  This was either Joseph, père or Joseph, fils.  Joseph, père's daughters Rosalie and Céleste/Célestine married into the Clément and Hébert families.  Five of Joseph, père's sons also married. 

Oldest son Joseph, fils married Julie Émelie, daughter of fellow Acadians François Marie Lejeune and Marguerite Marie Lebert, at the Baton Rouge church in February 1827.  Their son Joseph III was born probably at Manchac in December 1827.  Joseph, fils remarried to Rosalie, daughter of fellow Acadians Pierre Bourg and Théotiste Templet of West Baton Rouge Parish, at the Baton Rouge church in May 1843.  Their children, born near Brusly, included Joseph Albert, called Albert, in March 1844; Rosalie Émilisaire or Amilisser in December 1845; Louis Oscard or Oscar in April 1848; Pierre Armand in October 1850; and Alexandre Prudent in November 1852--six children, five sons and a daughter, by two wives, between 1827 and 1852.  Daughter Rosalie Amilisser married into the Babin family by 1870.  None of Joseph, fils's sons married by then.  Two of his sons served Louisiana in uniform, and one of them died in Confederate service. 

During the War of 1861-65, second son Albert, by second wife Rosalie Bourg, served in Company H of the 4th Regiment Louisiana Infantry, raised in West Baton Rouge Parish, which fought in Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia.  He was wounded at Shiloh, Tennessee, in April 1862 and was sent home.  The Federals captured him there in December 1864 and sent him to New Orleans and then to the prisoner-of-war compound at Ship Island, Mississippi, where he spent the last days of the war.   He did not marry by 1870. 

Joseph, fils's third son Louis Oscar, by second wife Rosalie Bourg, served in Company F of the 4th Regiment Louisiana Infantry, also raised in West Baton Rouge Parish.  Louis must have lied about his age when he enlisted at Baton Rouge in September 1862; he was 14.  His service was cut short when he died of disease at Lauderdale Springs, Mississippi, in July 1863, age 15.   

Joseph, père's second son Joseph Élie, called Élien and Élian, married Hélène, also called Clarisse, daughter of fellow Acadian Julien Lejeune and his Anglo wife Elizabeth Gibson of West Baton Rouge Parish, at the Baton Rouge church in October 1833.  They settled in West Baton Rouge Parish.  Their children, born there, included Élisabeth Helena, also called Élina, in December 1836; Joséphine Adonis baptized at the Baton Rouge church, age 4 months, in June 1839; Marie Amelia in January 1841; Joseph Lami in April 1844; Carmélite Virginie in May 1845; Eugène near Brusly in April 1847; Eugénia or Eugénie in September 1849; Marie Anastasie in March 1852; and Victorin François in October 1854--nine children, six daughters and three sons, between 1836 and 1854.  Élien died near Baton Rouge in January 1859.  The priest who recorded the burial said that Élien was "from Livingston Parish," gave no parents' names or mentioned a wife, and said he died at "age 55 years."  He was 56.  Daughters Élina, Carmélite, and Eugénie married into the Paul, Gaille, and Lejeune families by 1870.  None of Élien's sons married by then. 

Joseph, père's fourth son Alexandre le jeune married Adélaïde, daughter of fellow Acadian Grégoire Alexis Lejeune and his Creole wife Marie Tardit, at the Brusly church in January 1848.  Did they have any children? 

Joseph, père's sixth son Marcellin married Caroline, daughter of fellow Acadians Étienne Hébert and Ermeline Daigre, at the Baton Rouge church in November 1836.  They settled in West Baton Rouge Parish.  Their children, born there, included Marcellin, fils in October 1837; Gédéon Balthazar, called Balthazar, in June 1839; Théodore near Brusly in July 1846; René Philippe in May 1850; and Helena in August 1855--five children, four sons and a daughter, between 1837 and 1855.  Marcellin's daughter did not marry by 1870, but one of his sons did and settled on the western bank of the river.

Second son Balthazar married Marie Lauzanne, also called Lozama, daughter of fellow Acadian Zéphirin LeBlanc and his Creole wife Gertrude Voisin, at the Plaquemine church, Iberville Parish, in June 1862. ...

Joseph, père's seventh and youngest son Gédéon, while living in West Baton Rouge Parish, married Marie Alzire, called Alzire, daughter of fellow Acadians Placide Babin and Arthémise Templet, at the Baton Rouge church in January 1846.  They settled near Brusly in West Baton Rouge Parish.  Their children, born there, included Marie Victoria in December 1846 but, called Victoria, died at age 4 (the recording priest said 3) in December 1850; Joseph Jules, called Jules, born in August 1848; Apauline Julia in June 1850; Modeste Arthémise in March 1852; Philomène Armantine in August 1853; Jean Roman in June 1855; Élisabeth Louisa in January 1857; Marie Olivia in February 1859; Placide Émile in February 1861; Eugénie Rhema in July 1868; ...  None of Gédéon's children married by 1870. 

Alexandre's sixth son Jean Baptiste followed his famliy to New Orleans and Manchac, where he married Angélique, also called Angela and Angelina, another daughter of Jean Baptiste Hébert and Marguerite Richard, in August 1804.  They moved from Manchac to West Baton Rouge Parish by the 1830s.  Their children, born at Manchac, included Jean Baptiste, fils in June 1805 but died at age 2 in October 1807; another Jean Baptiste, fils born in October 1813; Marguerite Virginia in the 1810s; Marguerite Uranie in the 1810s; Alexandre Hermogène, called Hermogène and Armogène, in August 1817; Émiline in May 1821; and Octave in September 1823--seven children, four sons and three daughters, between 1805 and 1823.  In August 1850, the federal census taker in West Baton Rouge Parish counted 10 slaves--four males and six females, all black, ranging in age from 60 to 15--on John Doirron's farm next to Armejean Doirron and near John B. Doirron, so this was probably Jean-Baptiste, père.  He died near Brusly in July 1851.  The priest who recorded the burial said that Jean Baptiste was age 66 when he died.  He was 68--among the last of the Acadian immigrants in Louisiana to join his ancestors.  Daughters Marguerite Virginia and Marguerite Uranie married into the Aillet and Hébert families.  Two of Jean Baptiste's sons also married and settled in West Baton Rouge Parish, but one of the lines may not have endured.

Second son Jean Baptiste, fils, the second with the name, married Rosalie, daughter of fellow Acadians Mathurin Lejeune and Amélite Trahan, at the Baton Rouge church in February 1836.  They settled in West Baton Rouge Parish.  Their children, born there, included Jean Baptiste III in December 1836; Jules baptized at the Baton Rouge church, age 5 months, in December 1838; Marie Aspasie born in June 1840; Théodore in September 1842; Maria Adonia, called Adonia, in December 1844; Rosalie Augustine in January 1847; Marie Amanda in June 1849; and another Jean Baptiste III in March 1852--eight children, four sons and four daughters, between 1836 and 1852.  In August 1850, the federal census taker in West Baton Rouge Parish counted a single slave--a 34-year-old black male--on John B. Doirron's farm next to Armejean Doirron and near John Doirron, so this probably was Jean Baptiste, fils.  He died near Brusly in April 1855.  The priest who recorded the burial said that Jean Baptiste was age 43 when he died.  He was 41.  Daughter Adonia married into the Daigre and Tullier families by 1870.  Two of Jean Baptiste, fils's sons also married by then, after their war service. 

Second son Jules was a resident of Shelby County, Tennessee, and still unmarried when war broke out in 1861.  One wonders what he was doing there.  Back in Louisiana in September 1862, at Port Hudson on the river above Baton Rouge, he enlisted, at age 24, in Company H of the 4th Regiment Louisiana Infantry, raised in West Baton Rouge Parish--the same unit in which his younger brother Théodore had been serving for a year and a half.  Jules, who remained a private, was present with the company for the next two years.  He was captured at Hollow Tree Gap near Franklin, Tennessee, in December 1864 and spent the rest of the war at Camp Douglas, Illinois, as a prisoner of the Federals.  He returned home to his family and married Laure, daughter of fellow Acadians Onésiphore Bernard and Zélamie Blanchard, at Brusly in February 1870 and died at Brusly in 1896, age 58. ...

In May 1861, Jean Baptiste, fils's third son Théodore, at age 18, enlisted as a private in Company H of the 4th Regiment Louisiana Infantry, raised in West Baton Rouge Parish, which fought in Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia; older brother Julies also served in the company.  Théodore was wounded in action three times, first at Shiloh, Tennessee, in April 1862; then at Jackson, Mississippi, in July 1863 during the Vicksburg campaign.  While recovering from his second wound, he was promoted to fourth sergeant.  He was wounded again in the battle of Jonesboro near Atlanta in September 1864.  His wounds led to a medical discharge at Meridian, Mississippi, in January 1865.  He returned to his family and married Olivia, daughter of fellow Acadians Jean Baptiste Labauve and Marie Daigle, at the Brusly church in September 1870.  She gave him eight children.  He died at Brusly. 

Jean Baptiste, père's third son Alexandre Hermogène, called Hermogène, married, at age 30, Marie Aureline or Auralise, daughter of fellow Acadians Jean Béloni Daigre and Marie Trahan, at the Brusly church in October 1847.  Daughter Marie Armina was born near Brusly in December 1849 but, called Ermina, died at age 6 in December 1855.  In August 1850, the federal census taker in West Baton Rouge Parish counted a single slave--an 8-year-old black male--on Armejean Doirron's farm between John Doirron and John B. Doirron, his father and older brother.  Hermogène died near Brusly in September 1852.  The priest who recorded the burial gave no parents' names nor mentioned a wife and said that Arrmogène, as he called him, was age 29 when he died.  He was 35.  His line of the family died with him. 

Alexandre's seventh and youngest son Rémi, the only one of his father's children born in Louisiana, married, at age 21, Marie Julie, called Julie, teenage daughter of fellow Acadians Joseph Richard and Perpétué Aucoin, at the Baton Rouge church in November 1810.  Unlike his older brothers, Rémi remained on the east bank of the river.  His and Julie's children, born at Manchac, included Clonisa or Cléonise in August 1811; Marie Héloise or Éloise in January 1816; Fergus le jeune in October 1819; Jean Villeneuve, also called Vijean, in February 1821; twins Eugène and Eugénie in November 1824; Doralise Virginie in December 1826; Félicité Azélie in February 1829; and Julia Zéolide in January 1831--nine children, six daughters and three sons, between 1811 and 1831.  In November 1850, the federal census taker in East Baton Rouge Parish counted seven slaves--two males and 5 females, all black, ranging in age from 56 years to 1 month--on Remé Doiron's farm in the parish's Ward 10.  Wife Marie Julie died near Baton Rouge in February 1853, age 60.  Rémi did not remarry and died near Baton Rouge in December 1856.  The priest who recorded the burial, and who did not give any parents' names or mention a wife, said that Rémi was "age ca. 60 years" when he died.  He was 67.  Daughters Cléonise, Marie Éloise, Doralise Virginie, and Julie Zéolide married into the Rivas, Babin, Comeaux, and Aucoin families.  Two of Rémi's sons also married and settled in East Baton Rouge Parish. 

Second son Jean or Vijean Villeneuve married Émelie Octavine, called Octavine, daughter of François Souchon dit Aubin and his Acadian wife Mélanie Daigre, at the Baton Rouge church in January 1846.  Their children, born near Baton Rouge, included Henriette Malvina in January 1846; Marie Lotitia in September 1850; Joseph Amédée in January 1854; Adélaïde Angelina in December 1855; Odilia Amanda in April 1858; Eudora Léontine in December 1860; Rosa Elvina in January 1864; Francis George Villeneuve in April 1869; ...  None of Jean Villeneuve's children married by 1870. 

Rémi's third and youngest son Eugène, a twin, married, at age 31, Marie Delphine, daughter of fellow Acadians Charles Comeaux and Carmélite Hébert, at the Baton Rouge church in April 1855.  Their children, born near Baton Rouge, included Nager Josiah in February 1856; Marie Julie in September 1857; Emma Phorestine in January 1859; Anne Marie Louise in late 1861 but died at age 3 months in January 1862; Talbert Eugène born in September 1863; ...  None of Eugène's children married by 1870. 

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Five more Doirons--a single family--crossed on La Bergère, the second of the Seven Ships, which reached New Orleans in mid-August 1785.  Although the head of this family was a younger brother of the Doiron who had gone to Manchac, this family followed their fellow passengers to upper Bayou Lafourche, where they created a second center of family settlement: 

Jacques dit Jacob (c1742-1810) à Jean Doiron

Jacques dit Jacob, fifth and youngest son of Thomas Doiron and Anne Girouard and brother of Alexandre of Le Bon Papa, born at l'Assomption, Pigiguit, in c1742, followed his family to Île St.-Jean in c1750 and was counted with them at Rivière-du-Moulin-à-Scie in August 1752.  In his early teens, he followed them to France aboard the transport Duc Guillaume, lived with his widowed mother and his remaining siblings at St.-Servan-sur-Mer near St.-Malo from 1758-59 and at St.-Suliac on the east bank of the river south of the Breton port, where he married Anne-Josèphe, daughter of fellow Acadians Joseph Breau and Ursule Bourg of Cobeguit, in July 1765.  They lived at St.-Suliac until 1766, at St.-Servan-sur-Mer from 1766-72, and returned to St.-Suliac.  Anne-Josèphe gave Jacques four children at St.-Servan and St.-Suliac:  Jean-Jacques, called Jacques, born at St.-Servan in August 1768; Simon-Joseph, called Joseph, in April 1770; Ursule-Olive in December 1771; and Jacques-François at St.-Suliac in April 1774.  Jacques and his family went to Poitou soon after the birth of their son, who died at Archigny, south of Châtellerault, in March 1775, age 11 months.  That October, months ahead of his older brother, Jacques and his family retreated with other Poitou Acadians to the lower Loire port of Nantes.  Anne-Josèphe gave Jacques four more children in St.-Nicolas Parish there:  Jean-Baptiste born in January 1776 but died at age 20 months in September 1777; Eulalie-Élisabeth born in February 1778 but died at age 5 in August 1783; Benjamin born in April 1780 but died at age 2 1/2 in January 1783; and another Jean-Baptiste born in November 1783 but died a month later.  Jacob, Anne-Josèphe, and their three remaining children, two sons and a daughter, followed his older brother Alexandre and his family to Spanish Louisiana on a later ship.  Anne-Josèphe was pregnant when they left Paimboeuf, the lower port of Nantes, in May 1785, and a daughter was born in June during the crossing.  At her baptism at the New Orleans church in late August, they named her Martine in honor of her godfather, Spanish intendente Martin Navarro, who did so much for the new arrivals.  Sadly, Martine did not survive infancy.  Jacques and Anne-Josèphe chose to settle not on the river below Baton Rouge near his older brother, but on upper Bayou Lafourche, where most of their fellow passengers chose to go.  They had more children there, including Marie-Madeleine baptized at Ascension, age unrecorded, in January 1788; and Auguste or Augustin born in January 1791--11 children, seven sons and four daughters, between 1768 and 1791, in France and Louisiana, most of whom died young.  Jacques dit Jacob died in Assumption Parish in October 1810.  The Plattenville priest who recorded the burial said that Jacques was age 68 when he died.  Daughters Ursule-Olive and Marie-Madeleine married into the Boudreaux and Bergeron families.  Two of Jacques's sons also married.  One of them moved to lower Bayou Teche by the 1840s. 

Oldest son Jean-Jacques, called Jacques dit Janot, followed his family to Poitou, Nantes, New Orleans, and upper Bayou Laforuche, where he married Marguerite-Josèphe, daughter of fellow Acadians Ambroise Dugas and Marie-Victoire Pitre, in April 1792.  Marguerite-Josèphe, a native of Nantes, also had come to Louisiana in 1785 aboard La Bergère, so they may have known one another for years.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Ursule in July 1793 but died in Assumption Parish in February 1830, unmarried and age 37, "after receiving the sacraments of the church"; Marie-Françoise, called Françoise, baptized, age unrecorded, in June 1796 but died the following December; Geneviève-Amélie born in February 1799; Jean-Louis, called Louis, in July 1802; Marie in May 1804; Germain, also called Fermin, in April 1807; twins Anne Marie and Étienne in April 1810; Angèl died 15 days after his birth in November 1812; Céleste Doralise, called Doralise, born in August 1814; and Marguerite Azélie born in November 1820--11 children, seven daughters and four sons, including a set of twins, between 1793 and 1820.  Daughters Geneviève, Doralise, Marie, and Anne Marie married into the Mars, Gros, Moresco, and Aucoin families.  Jean Jacques's remaining sons also married and settled in the Bayou Lafourche valley, but not all of the lines endured. 

Oldest son Jean Louis, called Louis, married Marie, daughter of Antoine Cuvillier and Jositte Gaspard, at the Plattenville church, Assumption Parish, in January 1827.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Jean Baptiste in November 1828[sic]; and Louis Carvil or Clairville, called Clairville, in December 1828[sic].  One of Louis's sons married by 1870. 

Second son Clairville married Aurelie, daughter of fellow Acadians Pierre Barrilleaux and Marcelline Foret, at the Labadieville church, Assumption Parish, in July 1856.  Did they have any children? 

Jean Jacques's second son Germain, also called Firmin, married Marguerite Basilise, daughter of Laurent Élie Fremin and his Acadian wife Marguerite Céleste Bourg, at the Thibodauxville church, Lafourche Interior Parish, in August 1829.  They settled on the upper bayou near the boundary between Lafourche Interior and Assumption parishes.  Their children, born there, included Maurice in September 1830; Azélie Eugénie in April 1833; Joseph Sylvère in March 1836 but, called Silvère, died in Assumption Parish, age 7 1/2, in September 1843; Justin died at age 8 days in October 1839; Germain Edmond born in May 1841; Émile Trasimond in November 1843; and Thomassile Maxille in December 1846--seven children, six sons and a daughter, between 1830 and 1846.  Germain died near Labadieville in August 1856, age "49 years, 4 months."  Daughter Azélie married into the LeBlanc family by 1870.  Two of Germain's sons also married by then, one before his war service, the other after.

Oldest son Maurice married Marie, daughter of fellow Acadian Narcisse Thibodeaux and his Creole wife Angélique Malbrough, at the Labadieville church in July 1855.  Their children, born near Labadieville, included Adèle Marie in August 1857; Léa Eximia in December 1859; Anatole Audressy in August 1861; Marie Odilia Lesima in December 1865; Joseph Augustin in January 1867; Joseph Camille Aléo in November 1868; Modeste Hostilia in March 1870; ...  During the War of 1861-65, Maurice, with younger brother Émile and other men from Assumption Parish, served as a conscript in Company C of the 1st Regiment Louisiana Heavy Artillery, which fought at Vicksburg, Mississippi.  When his unit surrendered at Vicksburg in July 1863, Maurice, along with his brother and most of the conscripts in the regiment, refused parole.  Maurice spent most of the rest of the war at Camp Morton, Indiana, as a prisoner of the Federals.  As the birth of two of his sons reveal, he survived the war and returned to his family--something that could not be said for many of his fellow conscripted cannoneers. 

During the war, Germain's fifth and youngest son Émile, with older brother Maurice, served as a conscript in Company C of the 1st Regiment Louisiana Heavy Artillery, which fought at Vicksburg, Mississippi.  When his unit surrendered at Vicksburg in July 1863, Émile, along with his brother and most of the conscripts in the regiment, refused parole.  He spent most of the rest of the war at Camp Morton, Indiana, as a prisoner of the Federals, returned home, and married Marie, daughter of fellow Acadian Drausin Naquin and his Creole wife Artémise Gros, at the Labadieville church in February 1870. ...

Jean Jacques's third son Étienne, a twin, married Marie Louise, daughter of fellow Acadians François Trahan and Josette Aimée Thibodeaux, at the Thibodauxville church in September 1832.  Their children, born on the Lafourche, included Joseph Jean Baptiste, called Jean Baptiste, in September 1833; Marie Louise in 1834 but died at age 11 months in August 1835; Étienne Amédée born in July 1836 but died at age 3 in October 1839; Avelline born in November 1837 but, called Evéline, died at age 10 1/2 (the recording priest said 11) in April 1848; Marie Victorine born in June 1839 but, called Victorine, died at age 8 1/2 in April 1848; Marcellite Céline or Célina, called Célina, born in January 1842; Louise Azéma in January 1844 but died at age 3 1/2 (the recording priest said 4) in November 1847; Joseph died in Assumption Parish, age 4 months, in November 1847; Philomène Rosa, called Rosa, born in January 1850; and Louis Lusinien near Labadieville in January 1856--10 children, four sons and six daughters, between 1833 and 1856.  Daughters Rosa and Célina married into the LeBlanc and Pensano families by 1870.  One of them settled at Brashear, now Morgan, City, St. Mary Parish, on the lower Atchafalaya.   One of Étienne's sons also married by then. 

Oldest son Jean Baptiste married Marie, daughter of fellow Acadians Pierre Barrilleaux and Marcelline Foret, at the Labadieville church in May 1859.  Their children, born near Labadieville, included Lucie Helena Adolia in September 1861; Adrien Jean Baptiste in December 1862; Léo Auguste Valère in December 1864; ... 

Jacques's second son Simon-Joseph, called Joseph, followed his family to Poitou, Nantes, New Orleans, and upper Bayou Lafourche.  He died in Assumption Parish in December 1824.  The Plattenville priest who recorded the burial said that Joseph was age 56 when he died.  He was 54.  He did not marry.   

Jacques's seventh and youngest son Auguste or Augustin married Anne Marie dite Nanette, daughter of fellow Acadians Jean Baptiste Daigle and Marie Dugas, at the Plattenville church in January 1812.  They moved from the upper Lafourche to lower Bayou Teche by the 1840s.  Their children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Jean Baptiste Auguste in December 1812; Marie Théotiste in August in 1814; Azéline or Azélie in December 1816; Marie Adèle in March 1819; Faustine or Fortine Louise, called Fortine, in February 1821; Anne Agathe Félicissine, called Félicissine or Phelisène, in August 1823; Augustin Pierre in March 1826; Felanise Françoise in August 1827; and Anne Marie in January 1831--nine children, two sons and seven daughters, between 1812 and 1831.  Auguste's succession, naming his wife, was filed at the Franklin courthouse, St. Mary Parish, in January 1845.  He would have been in his mid-50s that year.  Daughters Marie Théotiste, Azélie, Marie Adèle, Fortine, and Phelisène married into the Aucoin, Comeaux, Bertrand, and Daigle families, two of them to Aucoins, and at least one of them settled on lower Bayou Teche, by 1870.  One of Auguste's sons also married by then and settled on the Teche. 

Older son Jean Baptiste Auguste married Basilise, daughter of fellow Acadians Louis Aucoin and Victoire Arcement, at the Plattenville church in April 1834; Jean Baptiste Auguste's sister Marie Théotiste married one of Basilise's brothers.  Jean Baptiste Auguste and Basilise's children, born on the upper Lafourche, included Désiré Ugère or Ulgère in March 1836; and Augustave in April 1839.  They evidently followed his father to lower Bayou Teche in the 1840s.  Jean Baptiste Auguste died near New Iberia, Iberia Parish, in January 1868.  The priest who recorded the burial, and who did not give any parents' names or mention a wife, said that Jean Baptiste died "at age 53 yrs."  Jean Baptiste Auguste would have been age 55.  His succession was filed at the St. Martinville courthouse, St. Martin Parish, later that month.  Neither of his sons married by 1870. 

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Fourteen more Doirons--a widower with his two daughters, one married, one not; three wives married to a LaGarenne, a Moulaison, and a Loiseleur, one of them without her husband; two widows of a Dugas and a Lalande; and a good-sized family, including four siblings--crossed on Le Beaumont, the third of the Seven Ships, which reached New Orleans during the third week of August 1785.  The widower (whose only surviving son joined him later), the wives, and the widows followed their fellow passengers to Manchac on the river, but the head of the good-sized family chose to settle in the Attakapas District, where he created a western branch of the family: 

Jean (1730-1786) à Jean Doiron

Jean, younger son of Louis Doiron and Marguerite Barrieau, born at l'Assomption, Pigiguit, in March 1730, followed his family to Île St.-Jean in the late 1740s or early 1750s.  He married Anne, daughter of Alexandre Thibodeau and Françoise Benoit, on the island in January 1752.  A French official counted the newlyweds living next to his older brother Alexis and widowed mother at Grande-Anse on the south shore of the island in August 1752.  Anne gave Jean four children on the island:  Gervaise born in c1754; Simon in c1755; and twins Modeste and Dorate in c1758.  Later that year, the British deported Jean, Anne, and their children to St.-Malo, France.  Jean and Anne survived the crossing on one of the so-called Five Ships, but all of their children died at sea.  Jean and Anne settled first at St.-Suliac on the east side of the river south of St.-Malo and then at St.-Énogat, today's Dinard, across the harbor from the Breton port, close to his older brother Alexis.  Anne gave Jean four more children at St.-Énogat:  Jean-Baptiste born in April 1760; Anne-Dorothée in June 1761; Pierre in August 1762; and Marguerite-Josèphe in February 1764--eight children, five daughters and three sons, between 1754 and 1764, in greater Acadia and France.  In November 1765, Jean and his family were among the few island Acadians who chose to go to Belle-Île-en-Mer off the southern coast of Brittany with other exiles, most of them recently repatriated from England.  They settled near his older brother Alexis at Bortereau near Locmaria on the east side of the island.  Jean sold his concession at Bortereau to a local, Luc Bédex, in 1777 and, like his brother earlier in decade, left the island.  Jean and his family moved to Paimbouef, the lower port of Nantes, where wife Anne died in December 1783, age 53.  Younger daughter Anne-Dorothée married at Paimboeuf in March 1784.  Jean, his two daughters, one married, the other single, and a teenage orphan crossed to Louisiana aboard the same ship in 1785.  Jean's older remaining son Jean-Baptiste, now age 25 and still unmarried, also went to the Spanish colony that year but on a later vessel.  If his youngest son Pierre, who would have been age 23 in 1785, was still alive, he chose to stay in the mother country.  From New Orleans, Jean and his daughters followed their fellow passengers to Manchac, and son Jean-Baptiste joined them there.  Jean did not remarry.  He died at Manchac in July 1786, age 56, less than a year after he reached Louisiana.  Daughters Anne-Dorothée and Marguerite-Josèphe married into the Hébert, Daigre, and Trahan families in France and Louisiana.  Jean's son also married and settled at Baton Rouge.

Third son Jean-Baptiste followed his family to Belle-Île-en-Mer and Paimboeuf, where he became a sailor.  His widowered father and two sisters sailed to Spanish Louisiana aboard the third of the Seven Ships from France in 1785, but Jean-Baptiste, still a bachelor, crossed on the last of the Seven Ships, La Caroline, which reached New Orleans in the third week of December 1785--the last Doiron to go to Louisiana.  He joined his family at Manchac, where, at age 27, he married Anne-Laurence, daughter of fellow Acadians Charles Guédry and his first wife Adélaïde Hébert, in December 1787.  Anne-Laurence had been born aboard the transport her family had taken from Île St.-Jean to St.-Malo in 1758-59 and came to Louisiana in 1785 aboard the same ship on which Jean-Baptiste's family had crossed.  Her and Jean-Baptiste's children, born at Manchac, included Alex in November 1788; Joseph-Hippolyte in December 1789; Josèphe in June 1791; Théodore in August 1792 but died at age 1 in November 1793; and Marguerite born in August 1793--five children, three sons and two daughters, between 1788 and 1793.  Only one of Jean-Baptiste's sons married.  After the War of 1861-65, some of his descendants joined their cousins on Bayou Teche.  

Second son Joseph Hippolyte married Marie Catherine, called Catherine, daughter of Jean Paye or Pays and Jeanne Morale, at the St. Gabriel church, Iberville Parish, in April 1815.  Their children, born in Iberville Parish, included Marie Clara or Claire in February 1816; Joseph Hippolyte Merol, called Hippolyte, in February 1818; and Pamela in April 1829--three children, two daughters and a son, between 1816 and 1829.  Daughter Marie Clara married into the Achée family.  Joseph Hippolyte's son also married and created a vigorous line on the river.  In the post-war period, most, if not all, of his descendants moved from the river to the Bayou Teche valley. 

Only son Hippolyte married fellow Acadian Marie or Marguerite Domitille, called Domitille, Dupuy in a civil ceremony probably at St. Gabriel in the 1830s.  Their children, born there, included Marie Féliciènne or Féliciana in August 1838; Marguerite Domitille in November 1839; Catherine in December 1840; Adolphe in January 184[3] but died at age 1 1/2 in August 1844; Hippolyte, fils born in April 1844 but died at age 3 12 in July 1847; Hermogène born in April 1846; Augustave in September 1847; Félix Dewint in July 1849; Louis Cass in October 1851; and John, called Johny, in January 1854--10 children, three daughters and seven sons, between 1838 to 1854.  Daughters Marie Féliciana and Catherine married into the Suarez and Gueho families by 1870, one of them on Bayou Teche.  Three of Hippolyte's sons also married by then, and, after the War of 1861-65, settled on Bayou Teche.  

Third son Hermogène married Marguerite Alzina, called Alzina, daughter of Clairville Lasseigne and Joséphine Allegre and widow of Ernest Cormier, at the St. Martinville church, St. Martin Parish, in July 1867.  They settled on Bayou Teche.  Their children, born in St. Martin Parish, included Marie Aurelia in July 1868; Paul Hippolyte in September 1870; ...

Hippolyte's sixth son Louis Cass married Angèle or Angelina Roy, perhaps a fellow Acadian, at the St. Martinville church in January 1873.  They also settled on Bayou Teche.  

Hippolyte's seventh and youngest son John dit Johny married Clothilde Fels, place and date unrecorded.  They settled on lower Bayou Teche. 

Jean-Baptiste (c1743-1809) à Pierre l'aîné à Jean Doiron

Jean-Baptiste, second son of Paul dit Grand Paul Doiron and Marguerite Michel, born probably at Pigiguit in c1744 or 1745, followed his family to Île St.-Jean in c1750.  In August 1752, a French official counted him with his family on Rivière du Nord-Est in the interior of the island.  In late 1758, he was deported with them to Le Havre, Normandy, France, where he became a carpenter.  He married Marie-Blanche, called Blanche, daughter of fellow Acadians René Bernard and Marguerite Hébert of Chignecto, at Le Havre in January 1766.  Blanche gave Jean-Baptiste three daughters in Notre-Dame Parish there:  Émilie born in October 1766; Marie-Honorine-Hypolithe or Marie-Hypolithe-Honoré in July 1768; and Rose-Luce or -Lucie in c1772.  In 1773, Jean-Baptiste took his family to the interior of Poitou as part of the settlement venture there.  Blanche gave him a son, Jean-Baptiste-Cesar, born at Cenan southeast of Châtellerault in May 1775.  The following October, after two years of effort, they retreated with other Poitou Acadians down the Vienne and the Loire from Châtellerault to the port of Nantes and settled at nearby Chantenay.  By then, oldest daughter Émilie had died.  Blanche gave Jean-Baptiste four more children at Nantes and Chantenay:  Jean-Louis born in St.-Nicolas Parish in March 1777 but died the following December; Amable-Ursule, called Ursule, born at Chantenay in May 1779; Louis-Toussaint, called Toussaint, in November 1781; and Jean-Charles in July 1784.  Their oldest son Jean-Baptiste-Cesar, still a child, died probably at Chantenay before 1785, when Jean-Baptiste, Blanche, and their five remaining children, three daughters and two sons, emigrated to Spanish Louisiana.  From New Orleans, instead of following their fellow passengers to Manchac on the river, they chose to go to the Attakapas District, where Blanche had family.  They settled at La Pointe on upper Bayou Teche and had more children there, including Marie born in August 1786; and Cyprien in August 1789--10 children, four daughters and six sons, between 1766 and 1789, in France and Louisiana.  Jean Baptiste died at his home on Bayou Teche in March 1809.  The St. Martinville priest who recorded the burial said that Jean Baptiste was age 66 when he died.  Daughters Marie-Honorine, Rose-Lucie, Ursule, and Marie married into the Begnaud, Melançon, Landry, Durio, and Bonin families.  Only two of Jean Baptiste's sons married.  They settled on upper Bayou Teche and out on the southwestern prairies.  

Third son Toussaint followed his family to New Orleans and Bayou Teche.  He died probably at La Pointe on the upper Teche in August 1800, age 19, before he could marry.

Jean-Baptiste's fourth son Jean Charles followed his family to New Orleans and Bayou Teche, where he married Louise dite Lise, daughter of fellow Acadians Claude Broussard dit Beauseoleil and his first wife Louise Hébert of lower Vermilion, in May 1806.  They settled at La Pointe on the upper Teche.  Their children, born there, included Edmond in March 1807; Marie Carmélite in April 1809 but, called Carmélite, died at age 1 1/2 in November 1810; Rosémond born in July 1811; Célestine, also called Marie Célestine, in January 1814; and Édouard in January 1816 but died at age 20 in November 1836--five children, three sons and two daughters, between 1807 and 1816.  Jean Charles's succession was filed at the St. Martinville courthouse, St. Martin Parish, in January 1845.  He would have been age 61 that year.  Daughter Marie Célestine married into the Bergeron family.  Two of Jean Charles's sons also married and settled on the prairies and in the coastal marshes. 

Oldest son Edmond married Marie Arsène, called Arsène, Bennet, Bonner, or Bonnet, place and date unrecorded.  They settled in Calcasieu Parish and had sons named Cyprien le jeune, Michel, and Valéry.  They may also have had sons named Charles, Edward, and Valmond, most of whom married during the post-war years and settled in what became Cameron Parish. 

Jean Charles's second son Rosémond may have married fellow Acadian Louisa Dugas by the 1850s, place unrecorded.  Their children, born on the prairies, included Élizabeth in Lafayette Parish in April 1855; Louisa near Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, November 1867; ...  

Jean-Baptiste's fifth and youngest son Cyprien "married" Annette _____, place and date unrecorded.  Their son Gérard or Girard was born in St. Martin Parish in c1848.  Cyprien also "married" Marie Rose, called Rose, Landry, place and date unrecorded.  They had a son named Victor.  Their daughter married into the Roy family.  In November 1850, the federal census taker in St. Martin Parish counted four slaves--four males and a female, all black, ranging in age from 35 to 12--on Cyprien Doyron's farm.  In June 1860, when Cyprien would have been in his early 70s, the federal census taker in St. Martin Parish counted three slaves--two males and a female, all black, ages 50, 23, and 20--on his farm.  One of his sons married by 1870. 

Older son Gérard or Girard, by first wife Annette, married Angélique, also called Célestine Louise, Pierre at the Breaux Bridge church, St. Martin Parish, in May 1868. ... 

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Two Doiron sisters accompanying their mother, stepfather, and four stepsisters, crossed to Louisiana aboard L'Amitié, the fifth of the Seven Ships, which reached New Orleans in early November 1785.  They followed their fellow passengers to upper Bayou Lafourche, where they married into the Baudoin and Hébert families.  One of them moved on to Attakapas in the 1790s. 

Doucet

Germain Doucet, sieur de La Verdure, of Couperans-en-Brie, today's Coubron, east of Paris, France, was born there in the mid-1590s.  A minor nobleman and "captain at arms" in his late 30s, he came to French Acadia with Isaac de Razilly and the sieur d'Aulnay in 1632, four years before French families, including his own, first arrived in the colony.  Germain served as a master at arms at Pentagouët, present-day Castine, Maine, in 1640 and testified in an inquiry against former governor Charles La Tour that year.  Germain was mentioned in the will of Governor d'Aulnay, written in 1649, the year before the governor died.  In 1654, when the English seized Port-Royal, Germain commanded the post and was a guardian of d'Aulnay's children.  Germain is not listed in the first Acadian census of 1671 because he likely returned to France after the English seized the colony.  According to Bona Arsenault, if Germain had been listed in the first census, he would have been age 76 that year.  Germain married twice, but the names of both of his wives have been lost to history.  According to Stephen A. White, Germain married his first wife in c1620 probably in France, a dozen years before he came to Acadia, probably without her.  According to White, Germain and his first wife had four children, two sons and two daughters, all of whom created families of their own.  Their daughters married into the Dugas and Lejeune dit Briard families.  The capitulation papers Germain presented to English officer Robert Sedgwick in 1654 said Germain left his "brother-in-law" and lieutenant, Jacques Bourgeois, as hostage with the English to insure that the commandant fulfilled the terms of surrender, so Germain's second wife, who, according to White, he married in c1654, may have been a younger sister of Jacques Bourgeois's wife Jeanne, daughter of Guillaume Trahan and his first wife Françoise Corbeneau, but her name also has been lost to history.  According to White, no children by Germain's second wife can be traced.  Sieur Germain's older son Pierre, by his first wife, born in France in c1621, came to Acadia probably in the late 1630s with his mother and sisters and settled at Port-Royal, where he worked as a mason.  According to White, he did not marry until c1660, when he was nearly 40.  His wife Henriette, daughter of Simon Pelletret and Perrine Bourg, was 20 years his junior and gave him 10 children.  Pierre died at Annapolis Royal, formerly Port-Royal, in June 1713, age 92.  His four daughters married into the Hébert, Bernard, Doiron, Chênet Dubreuil, and Comeau families.  Five of his six sons, all born at Port-Royal, married into the Caissie dit Roger, Blanchard, Bourgeois, Broussard, and Lord families.  Sieur Germain's younger son, Germain, fils, born in c1641, was, according to White, from Sieur Germain's first wife.  However, according to recent yDNA evidence garnered from nearly a dozen Doucet descendants, Germain, fils may not have been a son of Sieur Germain at all but rather a Mi'kmaq who the captain at arms adopted, perhaps when he married the boy's mother in c1654.  Germain, fils married Marie, daughter of René Landry l'aîné and Perrine Bourg, at Port-Royal in c1664.  They had nine children, seven sons and two daughters.  Germain, fils died at Port-Royal in the late 1690s, in his late 50s.  One of his daughters married into the Loppinot family.  Five of his sons, all born at Port-Royal, married into the Guérin, Corporon, Babin, Pellerin, and Comeau families.  By 1755, descendants of Germain Doucet de La Verdure and his two wives could be found at Annapolis Royal, Minas, Cap-Sable, Chignecto, Chepoudy in the trois-rivières area west of Chignecto, on Île Royale and Île St.-Jean, and in Canada.  Le Grand Dérangement of the 1750s scattered this large family even farther. 

The Acadians at Chignecto were the first to endure a disruption of their lives.  During the spring and summer of 1750, in response to the British building a fort at Beaubassin village, Canadian militia, assisted by Mi'kmaq warriors led by Abbé Jean-Louis Le Loutre, burned Acadian homesteads in the British-controlled area east of Rivière Missaguash, forcing the habitants there to move to the French-controlled area west of the river.  Doucets may have been among the refugees in this petit dérangement.  After yet another war erupted between Britain and France in 1754, the Chignecto-area Acadians were caught in the middle of it.  When British and New-English forces attacked Fort Beauséjour in June 1755, Doucets may have been among the area Acadians serving in the fort as militia.  They, too, along with the French troupes de la marine, became prisoners of war when the fort surrendered on June 16.  Lieutenant-Governor Charles Lawrence was so incensed to find so-called French Neutrals fighting with French regulars at Beauséjour he ordered his officers to deport the Chignecto Acadians to the southernmost seaboard colonies, Doucets among them. 

At least one Doucet family from Grand-Pré was transported to Maryland in the fall of 1755.  A Doucet family shipped to Virginia endured a fate worse than most of the other refugees deported from the Minas basin.  In mid-November, when five transports appeared unexpectedly at Hampton Roads, Virginia's governor Robert Dinwiddie protested their deportation to his colony without his consent.  Exiles languished in the lower James River aboard disease-infested ships while the colony's political leaders pondereed their fate.  With winter approaching, the governor ordered the refugees to be dispersed to Hampton, Norfolk, and Richmond.  The following spring, the Virginia authorities sent them on to England, where they were packed into warehouses in several ports.  The Doucets who survived the Virginia debacle ended up at Southampton, where their ordeal only worsened.  By 1763, more than half of the exiles in England were dead.  That April, a young Doucet married a fellow Acadian at Southampton on the eve of repatriation. 

At Annapolis Royal, where most of the Doucets still lived in 1755, several hundred haute-rivière Acadians, including Doucets, escaped deportation by hiding in the hills above the Fundy shore, where they spent a hard winter.  The following spring, they crossed the bay to Chepoudy and sought refuge on the mainland.  Nevertheless, in mid-October and early December 1755, the British were able to send off half a dozen transports filled with Annapolis Acadians to Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, and North Carolina.  The ship bound for North Carolina, the Pembroke, fell into the hands of its Acadian "passengers," who took it to the mouth of Rivière St.-Jean, escaped upriver, and joined fellow exiles from Annapolis Royal in the lower St.-Jean settlements.  Meanwhile, the five New England- and New York-bound ships that made it out of the Bay of Fundy sailed on to their destinations.  Many Annapolis Doucets were on these vessels.  

Doucets who escaped the roundups at Chignecto and Annapolis Royal found refuge on the upper Petitcoudiac and at Cocagne, Shediac, Miramichi, and other points on the Gulf of St. Lawrence shore.  In 1756, hundreds of exiles from Chignecto and the trois-rivières gathered on Rivière Miramichi, which had boasted only a hand full of Acadians before Le Grand Dérangement, while others moved on to Canada.  During the second winter of exile, 1756-57, food, clothing, and shelter were in short supply, and many of the refugees perished at ironically-named Camp Espérance--Camp Hope, on Boishébert's, today's Beaubears, Island in the middle of the Miramichi estuary.  When spring finally came, some families moved farther up the shore or followed their kinmen to the St. Lawrence valley, where the Canadiennes treated them with contempt.  Most of the Gulf-shore exiles, including a Doucet family, remained at Miramichi and tried desperately to create a permanent settlement there despite thin soil, harsh winters, and a short growing season.  In late 1758, after the fall of the French fortress at Louisbourg in July, the British sent search-and-destroy missions to the Gulf shore to protect their lines of communication there.  Unable to tend their fields or maintain their pitiful shelters, the Acadians at Miramichi faced another starvation winter before retreating north to the French stronghold at Restigouche at the head of the Baie des Chaleurs. 

Living in territory controlled by France, the Doucets on the French Maritime islands escaped the British roundups in Nova Scotia in 1755, but their respite from British oppression was short-lived.  After the fall of the French fortress at Louisbourg in July 1758, the redcoats rounded up most of islands' habitants, including Doucets, and deported them to France.  Not all of them survived the crossing to St.-Malo, Le Havre, La Rochelle, and Rochefort.  Doucets who made it to St.-Malo settled in the suburbs of St.-Énogat, across the harbor from St.-Malo, and at St.-Servan-sur-Mer just below St.-Malo.  Meanwhile, after the fall of Louisbourg, British forces, for a second time since 1756, struck the Acadian enclave in the Cap-Sable area and captured more Acadians there, including a family of Doucets.  The British held them in the prison compound on Georges Island, Halifax, before deporting them to Le Havre late in the year.  There, in January 1759, the Cap-Sable Doucets joined their cousins who had just arrived from the Maritime islands.  In the spring of 1763, after prolonged negotiations between the French and British governments, the Acadians in England were repatriated to France.  In May, the Doucets at Southampton sailed to St.-Malo aboard the transport Ambition and settled at St.-Servan-sur-Mer near their cousins from Île St.-Jean.  In November 1765, the repartriated Doucets followed other exiles from England to Belle-Île-en-Mer, recently liberated from the British, off the southern coast of Brittany.  In 1773, several Doucet families became part of an even larger settlement venture, this one in the interior of Poitou.  An island Doucet, in fact, Augustin dit Justice of St.-Servan-sur-Mer, was one of the Acadian leaders in the St.-Malo area invited by the Marquis de Pérusse des Cars to inspect his lands near Châtellerault and then to coax his fellow Acadians to go there.  Augustin reported favorably on what he saw.  He, in fact, depite his dit, may have been paid to exaggerate the quality of the soil on the marquis's estate.  Hundreds of fellow Acadians followed him to Poitou, but the venture failed.  After two years of effort, several Doucet families retreated with most of the Poitou Acadians down the Vienne and the Loire from Châtellerault to the port of Nantes.  Other Doucets who had gone to Poitou, including Augustin dit Justice, were among the 300 Acadians who remained in the province.  By September 1784, Justice's widow and other Doucets who had remained in Poitou joined their fellow Acadians at Nantes.  Meanwhile, Doucets ended up in France by a different route.  After the war with Britain ended in 1763, some of the Doucets being held in Nova Scotia chose to resettle on Miquelon, a French-controlled fishery islands off the southern coast of Newfoundland.  In 1778, during the American Revolution, soon after France joined the Americans in their struggle against their old red-coated enemies, the British captured the Newfoundland islands and deported the fisher/habitants there to La Rochelle and other French ports, Doucets among them.  When, in the early 1780s, the Spanish government offered the Acadians in France the chance for a new life in faraway Louisiana, 13 of the Doucets still in the mother country agreed to take it.  Other Doucets, perhaps the majority, chose to remain in the mother country.  

In North America, things only got worse for the Acadians who had escaped the British in the late 1750s and took refuge on the Gulf of St. Lawrence shore.  After the fall of Québec in September 1759, the British gathered their forces to subdue the remaining French strongholds in New France, including Restigouche, now a major Acadian refuge.  In late June 1760, a naval force from Louisbourg attacked Restigouche.  After a spirited fight in which Acadian militia and Mi'kmaq warriors played an important role, the French commander blew up his larger vessels and retreated up Rivière Restigouche, leaving the militia and the Indians to oppose a British landing.  Unable to capture the garrison or lay waste to the area, the British commander ordered his ships to return to their base at Louisbourg.  In October, after the fall of Montréal, another British naval force, this one from Québec, appeared at Restigouche to accept the garrison's, and the Acadians', surrender.  On 24 October 1760, on the eve of formal surrender, French officers counted 1,003 Acadians still at Restigouche.  Among them were two Doucet families.  The British held them and other exiles captured or surrendered in the region in prison compounds in Nova Scotia for the rest of the war.  In 1761 and 1762, British officials at Fort Edward, Pigiguit, counted a Doucet there.  In August 1763, a Doucet family that had surrendered at Restigouche appeared on a French repatriation list circulating in the prison compound at Halifax. 

At war's end, Acadians being held in the seaboard colonies, theoretically, were free to go, but not until the British discerned their intentions.  Even then, colonial officials discouraged repatriation.  Doucets were still living in Massachusetts in August 1763.  That same year, several Doucet families also appeared on a French repatriation list in Connecticut.  Doucets were still in New York that year.  In June 1763, a Doucet widower with four children were listed in Pennsylvania.  In August 1763, the largest concentration of Doucets in the seaboard colonies could be found in South Carolina, where they also appeared on repatriation lists.  In June 1766, officials in Massachuetts counted Doucets still lingering in that colony who wished to be repatriated to Canada. 

Most of Doucets in the northern seaboard colonies chose to resettle in Canada, where some of their kinsmen in greater Acadia had gone as early as 1756.  Though now also a British possession, the far-northern province was populated largely by fellow French Catholics, many of them Acadian exiles.  So, in a colony nearly as old as Acadia, descendants of Sr. Germain Doucet began the slow, inexorable process of becoming Canadiennes.  Especially after 1766, Doucets could be found on the upper St. Lawrence at Trois-Rivières, Bécancour, Pointe-du-Lac, La-Prairie-de-la-Magdeleine, St.-Pierre-du-Sorel, Île Dupas, Batiscan, Pointe-aux-Écureuils, St.-Pierre-les-Becquets, St.-Grégoire-de-Nicolet, Nicolet, Maskinongé, Rivière-du-Loup now Louiseville, Deschambault, L'Assomption, Cap-Santé, and Yamachiche; at St.-Ours on the lower Richelieu; at Québec City; on the lower St. Lawrence at Charlesbourg, Beauport, Rivière Ouelle, Ste.-Anne-de-la-Pocatière, St.-Francois-de-la-Rivière-du-Sud, St.-Pierre-de-la-Rivière-du-Sud, and Kamouraska; at Bonaventure in Gaspésie on the north shore of the Baie des Chaleurs; and on the îles-de-la-Madeleine in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.  In what became eastern New Brunswick, they settled at Nipisiguit, now Bathurst, and on Île Miscou on the far northeastern shore.  In Nova Scotia, they could be found on Baie Ste.-Marie, today's St. Mary's Bay, not far from their old homes at Annapolis Royal; at Yarmouth south of Baie Ste.-Marie not far from their old habitants in the Cap-Sable area; and at Windsor in the Minas Basin, once the Acadian settlement of Pigiguit.  They also settled on French-controlled Île Miquelon before moving on to Rustico on the north shore of Prince Edward Island, formerly Île St.-Jean, near the old Doucet homesteads at Malpèque.  Typical of most, if not all, Acadian families, these Acadiennes of Canada lost touch with their Cadien cousins hundreds of miles away, and, until the Acadian reunions of the twentieth century, may even have forgotten that the others existed.  

While the end-of-war treaty was being negotiated, Acadians still in the seaboard colonies were encouraged by French officials to go to St.-Dominique, where they could not only live among fellow Catholics but also escaped British rule.  Although driven from North America by the Seven Years' War, the French were determined to hang on to what was left of their shrinking empire.  A new naval base at Môle St.-Nicolas on the northwest end of the big island would protect the approaches to what was left of their possessions in the Caribbean basin and help in the "war of vengeance" to come.  French officials saw the exiles as a ready source of labor not only for the naval contractors, but also for the colony's major planters, who hoped to supplement the work of their slaves.  To sweeten the deal, the French promised the exiles land of their own in the sugar colony.  And so Doucets from South Carolina emigrated to French St.-Domingue in 1763 and 1764.  Their experience there must have been tolerable, at first.  When Doucets from Halifax came through Cap-Français in 1765 on their way to New Orleans, only one member of the family in the sugar colony may have joined them.  Nevertheless, beginning in the summer of 1765, after several years of what they saw as fruitless effort, Acadians sought permission to leave the naval base, but French officials refused to let them go.  Some Acadians, including Doucets, left the project anyway and settled at nearby Jean-Rabel, but most of the Doucets remained at Môle St.-Nicolas.  Doucets also settled on the French-controlled islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique after the war. 

Doucets being held in Nova Scotia at war's end faced a hard dilemma.  The Treaty of Paris of February 1763 stipulated in its Article IV that persons dispersed by the war had 18 months to return to their respective territories.  However, British authorities refused to allow any of the Acadian prisoners in the region to return to their former lands as proprietors.  If Acadians chose to remain in, or return to, Nova Scotia, they could live only in small family groups in previously unsettled areas or work for low wages on former Acadian lands now owned by New-English "planters."  If they stayed, they must also take the hated oath of allegiance to the new British king, George III, without reservation.  They would also have to take the oath if they joined their many cousins in Canada.  After all they had suffered on the question of the oath, few self-respecting Acadians would consent to take it if it could be avoided.  Some Nova Scotia exiles, including Doucets, chose to relocate to Île Miquelon.  Others considered going to French St.-Domingue, where Acadian exiles in the British colonies, including Doucets from South Carolina, were going, or to the Illinois country, the west bank of which still belonged to France, or to French Louisiana, which, thanks to British control of Canada, was the only route possible to the Illinois country for Acadian exiles.  Whatever their choice, many refused to remain under British rule.  So they gathered up their money and their few possessions and prepared to leave their homeland.  Of the 600 exiles who left Halifax in late 1764 and early 1765 bound for Cap-Français, St.-Domingue, nine were Doucets. 

Compared to the number of Doucets who resettled in Canada and greater Acadia after Le Grand Dérangement, relatively few descendants of Sieur Germain Doucet emigrated to Louisiana, but those who did were among the earliest Acadians to seek refuge in the Spanish colony.  The first of them came to Louisiana from Halifax with the Broussards in early 1765 and followed them to lower Bayou Teche.  Later that year, more Doucets, one of them a young bachelor, arrived from Halifax and settled at Cabahannocer on the river above New Orleans.  Soon afterwards, an Acadian Doucet probably from French St.-Domingue settled at San Gabriel on the river, but his only surviving son moved to the western prairies during the 1810s.  A dozen or so Doucets came to Louisiana from France in 1785.  Most of them settled on upper Bayou Lafourche, creating a third center of family settlement in the colony.  By the antebellum period, Acadian Doucets had disappeared from the river parishes, but they could still be found on Bayou Lafourche as far down as Lockport, and they were especially numerous in the prairie parishes west of the Atchafalaya Basin.  

Doucets from Alabama--Allibamonts, their fellow colonists called them--left Mobile after the British took over eastern Louisiana in early 1764.  They settled on the river above New Orleans before moving to the Opelousas District west of the basin about the time the first Acadians arrived there.  By the 1780s, Acadian as well as Allibamont Doucets were living on the Opelousas prairies, somewhat complicating the family's genealogical picture there.  Many of the Acadian Doucets at Opelousas took Creole brides, but their Creole namesakes tended to marry their own kind, especially fellow Allibamonts.  During the antebellum period, the Creole Doucets lived mainly in St. Landry Parish and in the Ville Platte area of today's Evangeline Parish.  The Acadian Doucets on the prairies, more numerous and more scattered, could be found around Church Point in present-day Acadia Parish, near Grand Coteau and Carencro in St. Landry and Lafayette parishes, in the Bois Mallet area of St. Landry Parish, along upper Bayou Teche in St. Martin Parish, and farther down the Teche in St. Mary Parish. 

Judging from the slave schedules compiled by federal census takers during the late antebellum period, the great majority of the Doucets of South Louisiana participated only peripherally in the South's plantation-based economy.  Two of them, however, one a Creole, the other an Acadian, owned enough slaves by 1860 to qualify as planters.  Creole François Doucet of St. Landry Parish owned 11 slaves in 1850 and 20 in 1860.  In 1850, his older brother Hubert, who lived next to François, owned 15 slaves.  Acadian Pierre Zéphirin Doucet of Lafayette Parish held the most bondsmen.  In 1850, Pierre Z., as he was called, held 19 slaves on his farm in the parish's western district.  A decade later, he held 36 slaves on his Lafayette Parish plantation.  In contrast, only a few of his cousins in the prairies parishes owned more than one or two slaves, and no Doucet who lived on Bayou Lafourche appeared on either of the federal slave schedules.  As a result of the families' participation in the South's peculiar institution, Afro-Creole Doucets could be found on the western prairies during the late antebellum and immediate post-war periods. 

Dozens of Doucets, both Acadian and Creole, served Louisiana in uniform during the War of 1861-65, and at least two of them died in Confederate service, one an Acadian, the other a Creole.  Ursin, son of Acadian Anselme Doucet, was age 30 and married when he joined a local militia unit, the Prairie Rangers Company, also called Todd's Prairie Rangers, raised in St. Landry Parish early in the war.  With him were two of his brothers, Paulin and Narcisse.  Ursin died probably of disease at Opelousas in December 1862, four months after his unit was transferred to Confederate service.  François, fils, a Creole, also from St. Landry Parish, was among the dozens of men from South Louisiana who were conscripted into the 1st Regiment Louisiana Heavy Artillery and ended up in the trenches at Vicksburg.  Although his Confederate service record says he survived the siege as well as the war, an Opelousas church record shows that he died during the siege in June 1863, age 18

During the war, successive Federal offensives devastated the regions where Doucets lived.  The Lafourche valley suffered early in the war and remained under the hard hand of Federal occupation for most of the conflict.  Federal armies marched three times through the Teche and upper Vermilion valleys in 1863 and 1864, burning and pillaging many farms and plantations, some of them no doubt owned by Doucets.  Thanks to these Federal incursions, emancipation came early to the area, with its resulting economic and social turmoil.  Confederate foraging parties and cutthroat Jayhawkers also plagued the area where Doucets lived, adding to the family's misery. ...