APPENDICES

Acadians Who Found Refuge in Louisiana, February 1764-early 1800s

PRÉJEAN

[PRAY-jzhon]

ACADIA

Jean Préjean dit Le Breton, born probably in Brittany, France, in c1651, came to Acadia soon after the first census was taken in 1671.  In c1683, in his early 30s, he married Andrée, daughter of François Savoie and Catherine Lejeune, at Port-Royal.  He died at Annapolis Royal in June 1733, in his early 80s.  He and Andrée had a dozen children.  Their four daughters married into the Thibodeau, Pitre dit Nordest, Boudrot, Doucet, and Mius d'Azy families. All eight of Jean's sons also married and settled in a number of Acadian communities: 

Oldest son Pierre l'aîné, born in c1690, married Marguerite, daughter of Claude Doucet and Marie Comeau, at Beaubassin, Chignecto, in February 1722. 

Jean-Baptiste, born in c1692, married Marie, daughter of Pierre Gaudet le jeune and Marie Blanchard, at Annapolis Royal in February 1716.  He died in 1760, in his late 60s, during exile.

François, born n c1695, married Marie-Madeleine, daughter of François Vrignaud and Jeanne Aubert, at Port-Toulouse, Île Royale, now Cape Breton Island, in c1722. 

Joseph, born in c1700, married Marie-Louise, daughter of Abraham Comeau and Marguerite Pitre, at Annapolis Royal in September 1723.  They settled at Chepoudy.  Joseph died in late 1756, in his late 50s, during exile.  

Nicolas, born in July 1704, married three times, first to Marguerite, daughter of Pierre Broussard and Marguerite Bourg and widow of Michel dit Miquetau Boudrot, probably at Annapolis Royal in c1733; then to Anne, daughter of Michel Samson and Anne Testard dit Paris, at Port-Toulouse, Île Royale, in c1752; and then to Euphrasie, or Euphrosine, daughter of Antoine Labauve and Catherine Lejeune and widow of Jacques Beaulieu dit Convenance, at St.-Servan-sur-Mer, France, in January 1760 during exile.  Nicolas died at Landivisiau, southeast of Morlaix, Brittany, France, in March 1765, age 61.

Charles, born in July 1706, also married three times, first to Catherine-Josèphe, daughter of François Broussard and Catherine Richard, and widow of Charles dit Charlot Landry, at Annapolis Royal in February 1729; then to Françoise, daughter of Michel Boudrot and Cécile LeBlanc, at Grand-Pré in August 1732; and then to Marguerite, daughter of André Simon dit Boucher and Marie Martin dit Pelletret, at Annapolis Royal in January 1739.  

Pierre le cadet, born in December 1708, married Marguerite, daughter of Jean Brun and Anne Gautrot, at Annapolis Royal in November 1743.  Pierre le cadet died at Québec in May 1768, age 59, during exile.

Youngest son Honoré, born in December 1711, married Marie, another daughter of Pierre Broussard and Marguerite Bourg, at Port-Toulouse, Île Royale, in c1740.  

[For more of this family in pre- and post-dispersal Acadia and Canada, see Book Three]

In 1755, descendants of Jean Préjean dit Le Breton could be found at Annapolis Royal, Chepoudy in the trois-rivières area west of Chignecto, and at Port-Toulouse on Île Royale. 

LE GRAND DÉRANGEMENT

[For the family's travails during the Great Upheaval, see Book Six]

LOUISIANA:  WESTERN SETTLEMENTS

Préjeans were among the earliest Acadians to find refuge in Louisiana.  The first of them arrived in February 1765 with the party from Halifax via Cap-Français, St.-Domingue, led by the Broussard dit Beausoleil brothers: 

Cécile Préjean of Port-Royal, age 33, whose mother was a Broussard, came with husband Grégoire Pellerin of Port-Royal, age 41, and no children.  After a short respite at New Orleans, they followed the Broussards to the Attakapas District, where they helped created La Nouvelle-Acadie on the banks of Bayou Teche.  Cécile died a widow "at the home of Joseph Sorel" in St. Martin Parish in January 1808; the priest who recorded her burial said that she died "at age 80 yrs." 

~

In the 1770s, Préjeans from the river crossed the Atchafalaya Basin and settled in the Attakapas District, creating a western branch of the family.  By the antebellum period, more Prejeans lived on the western prairies than in any other region of South Louisiana:

The succession of Eléonore Prejean, wife of Nicolas Thibodeaux, was filed at the St. Martinville courthouse, St. Martin Parish, in December 1817.  She would have been in her late 40s that year. 

Marie-Josèphe Prejean, widow of Charles Duhon, died "at the home of Hippolyte Guédry at Vermilion" in June 1818, age 81.  The priest who recorded her burial noted that she died "d'une maladie pestilentielle (of a deadly disease)," which required a quick burial at the home where she died.  Hippolyte Guidry was her son-in-law.  Amand Prejean was her first cousin. 

Anastasie Prejean, widow of Jean Jeansonne, died in St. Landry Parish in November 1829.  The priest who recorded her burial said that she was age 80 when she died and that "she received the sacraments of the church."  Her estate record was filed at the Opelousas courthouse in 1831. 

Anne Prejean, widow of Blaise Brasseaux, died in St. Landry Parish in May 1841.  The Opelousas priest who recorded her burial said that she died "at age 97 yrs."; she was closer to 90.  Her succession was filed at the Opelousas courthouse in January 1842. 

Descendants of Amand PREJEAN (c1726-1787; Jean dit Le Breton)

Amand, eldest son of Joseph Préjean and Marie-Louise Comeau, born at Chepoudy in c1726, married Madeleine, daughter of René Martin, at Annapolis Royal in July 1749.  They escaped the British roundup of 1755 in the trois rivières and found refuge on the Gulf of St. Lawrence shore.  They were at Restigouche at the head of the Baie des Chaleurs in 1759-60 and ended up as prisoners of war in Nova Scotia during the early 1760s.  British authorities counted Amand and his family at Fort Edward, Pigiguit, in October 1762.  They and three of his brothers followed other fellow prisoners from Halifax to Louisiana in 1765.  They settled at Cabanocé/St.-Jacques, where Spanish officials counted them on the right, or west, bank of the river in 1766 and 1769.  They were living on the west bank of the river at nearby Ascension in 1770.  Amand remarried to fellow Acadian Marie Thériot, widow of Paul Melançon, probably at Ascension in c1773.  In c1776, Amand "solicited" for a grant of land from the Spanish at the northern edge of the Attakapas District.  "In 1778 Amand received from the Spanish ... some 425 acres fronting on Bayou Vermilion" at a place the Acadians called Beaubassin, east of Carencro.  Amand's daughters by his first wife married into the Brasseaux, Jeansonne, Melançon, and Neraut families.  His daughter by his second wife married into the Hébert family.  Amand died at Beaubassin "in the presence of Joseph Landry and Jean Jeansonne, sons in law," in December 1787; the priest who recorded the burial said that Amand was age 66 when he died.  Many of his descendants remained in the Carencro-Grand Coteau area for generations.  Others settled at Plaisance, north of Opelousas; on upper Bayou Teche in St. Martin Parish; and on the prairie near Abbeville in Vermilion Parish.  Most of the Prejeans of southwest Louisiana are descendants of Amand and three of his sons.

1

Oldest son Marin, by his father's first wife, born in Acadia in c1750, married Marie-Rose, daughter of fellow Acadians Pierre-Olivier Benoit and his first wife Susanne Boudrot, probably at Attakapas in the late 1770s.  Marie-Rose was a native of Port Tobacco, Maryland, and had come to Spanish Louisiana with her parents in 1769.  Their child, name unrecorded, died at Opelousas a day after its birth in April 1781, and Joseph le jeune was born in April 1786.  Their daughters married into the Andrews or Andrus, Babineaux, Derouen, and Savoie families.  Marin died at Attakapas in January 1798; the priest who recorded the burial said that Marin died "at age 50 yrs."; his first succession was filed at what became the St. Martinville courthouse, St. Martin Parish, in 1799 and another one at the St. Martinville courthouse in May 1814.  According to one authority, in 1812 Marin (probably his descendants) "claimed two tracts of 2 x 40 arpents along the Vermilion located in R5E, T8S," "situated just east of Carencro and about five miles north of present Lafayette"--which was Beaubassin.  His surviving son also had a single surviving son.  The grandson married twice, but his only son died young.  As a result, this line of the family may not have survived beyond the third generation. 

Joseph le jeune married Aspasie, daughter of fellow Acadians Sylvestre Mouton and Susanne dite Susette Comeaux, at the St. Martinville church, St. Martin Parish, in May 1813.  They settled near Carencro.  Their son, name unrecorded, died at age 3 weeks in November 1816, and Joseph Dupré, called Dupré, was born in November 1824.  Their daughter married into the Roger (French Canadian, not Acadian) family.  In September 1850, the federal census taker in Lafayette Parish counted 3 slaves--a 35-year-old black male, a 30-year-old black female, and a 19-year-old black female--on Joseph Prejean's farm in the parish's western district; this probably was Joseph le jeune.  He died probably at Carencro in January 1857; the Grand Coteau priest who recorded the burial said that Joseph died "at age 74 yrs."; he was 70; his succession was filed at the Vermilionville courthouse, Lafayette Parish, the following April. 

Joseph Dupré married Émelie, daughter of fellow Acadians Charles Dominique Babineaux, fils, and Marguerite Melançon, at the Grand Coteau church, St. Landry Parish, in July 1848.  Their son Alexandre was born near Grand Coteau in February 1850 but died at age 3 1/2 months the following June.  Joseph Dupré remarried to Céleste Essida, daughter of fellow Acadians Alexandre Babineaux and Marie Cléonise Dugas, in a civil ceremony in Lafayette Parish in January 1851, and sanctified the marriage at the Vermilionville church, Lafayette Parish, in March 1852.  She may not have given him anymore sons, so this line of the family may not have endured. 

2

Joseph le jeune, by his father's first wife, born at Restigouche in December 1759, married Élisabeth- or Isabelle-Eulalie, called Isabelle, daughter of fellow Acadians Joseph Dugas and Anastasie Henry, at Attakapas in June 1786.  Isabelle had come to Louisiana from France in 1785.  They settled on the Vermilion and at Carencro.  Their son Édouard was born in June 1789.  Their daughter married into the Broussard family.  Joseph le jeune died by October 1793, when his wife remarried at Carencro. 

Édouard married Marie, daughter of fellow Acadians Olidon Broussard and Anne Bernard of Bayou Vermilion, at the St. Martinville church, St. Martin Parish, in February 1813.  They settled at Carencro.  Their son Édouard Ursin, called Ursin and Édouard, fils, was born in May 1815, Émilien in March 1817, Joseph Dupré le jeune in September 1830, André Valérien in October 1832, Onésime in November 1835, and Olidon in September 1837.  Their daughters married into the Baden and Broussard families.  In 1860, the federal census taker in Vermilion Parish counted 2 slaves--a 52-year-old black male, and a 17-year-old black male, living in 1 house--on Edward Preshon's farm in the parish's western district.  Édouard may have died in Vermilion Parish in August 1861; if so, he would have been age 72. 

Émilien married Anastasie Mélanie or Mélasie, daughter of fellow Acadians Athanase Landry and Adélaïde Girouard, at the Vermilionville church, Lafayette Parish, in January 1838.  Their son Émilien, fils was baptized at the Vermilionville church, age 40 days, in May 1839, a child, name unrecorded, died at age 3 weeks in August 1841, Joseph was born in February 1844, Alcide Simon in April 1847, Émile Adonis in January 1848, Séverin in February 1850, and Silvestre Densard perhaps posthumously in December 1851.  Their daughter married a Girouard cousin.  Émilien's succession was filed at the Vermilionville courthouse, Lafayette Parish, in October 1851.  He would have been age 34 that year.

Émilien, fils married Ursule Primeaux, also called Trahan, at the Abbeville church, Vermilion Parish, in February 1862.  Their son Joseph was born near Abbeville in June 1867.

During the War of 1861-65, Alcide served in Company E of the 26th Regiment Louisiana Infantry, raised in Lafayette Parish, which fought at Vicksburg, Mississippi.  Alcide married cousin Celima, daughter of Washington Campbell and his Acadain wife Céleste Prejean, at the Youngsville church, Lafayette Parish, in December 1868. 

Édouard Ursin married cousin Marie Sidalise, called Sidalise, daughter of fellow Acadians Aurien Prejean and Anne Leger, at the Grand Coteau church, St. Landry Parish, in February 1839.  Their son Joseph Aurelien was born near Grand Coteau in April 1843 but died at age 11 in June 1854, Édouard Sevin was born in August 1845, and Don or Jean Louis in January 1848.  Marie Sidalise died near Grand Coteau in January 1848, perhaps from complications of giving birth to son Don Louis; she was in her mid-20s; her succession was filed at the Opelousas courthouse, St. Landry Parish, in April 1849.  Their daughter married into the Bourque family.  Édouard Ursin remarried to Eurasie, daughter of fellow Acadians Antoine Boudreaux and Marie Émilie Savoie and widow of Daniel Boone, at the Grand Coteau church in August 1849.  Their son Honoré was born in St. Landry Parish in May 1850 but died "at age 20 yrs. [probably months]" in Lafayette Parish in February 1852, Émile was born in St. Landry Parish in October 1854, and Jean O'Neal in December 1855.

Don Louis married Marie Anne Delzine, daughter of fellow Acadian François Arvillien Hébert and his Creole wife Pélagie Dartes, at the Abbeville church, Vermilion Parish, in February 1868.  Their son Aurelien was born near Abbeville in June 1870. 

Édouard Sevin married Julie Eleuzie or Elensia Julie, daughter of fellow Acadians Don Louis Richard and Célestine Richard, at the Opelousas church, St. Landry Parish, in September 1868.  Their son Jean Emare was born in St. Landry Parish in September 1869. 

André Valérien married cousin Odile or Odite Broussard in a civil ceremony in Lafayette Parish in October 1851.  Their son Éloi was born in Lafayette Parish in December 1853, and Rémi near Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, in September 1857.  André Valérien remarried to Olympe, daughter of fellow Acadians Narcisse Thibodeaux and his Creole wife Euranie Callier, at the Breaux Bridge church, St. Martin Parish, in December 1865.  Their son Félix was born near Abbeville in November 1870. 

Joseph Dupré le jeune, called Dupré Joseph by the Vermilionville priest who recorded the burial, died in Lafayette Parish in January 1852, age 21.  He did not marry. 

Olidon married German Creole Marie Delphine, called Delphine, Frederick at the Abbeville church, Vermilion Parish, in January 1860.  Their son Onésime was born near Abbeville in November 1860. 

3

André-Joseph, by his father's first wife, born at sea in October 1765 and baptized at New Orleans in December, married Marie, daughter of fellow Acadians Michel Bernard and Marie dite Manon Guilbeau, at Attakapas in January 1793.  They settled at Carencro.  Their son Alexandre was baptized at Attakapas, age 5 months, in June 1795 but died at age 3 1/2 in June 1798, André-Maximilien, called Maximilien, Maxilien, and Maxille, was born in November 1797, Jean-Lessin in June 1801, Leufroi, also called Syphorien and Cyprien, in July 1809, and Louis Gustave in July 1812.  Their daughters married into the Benoit, Peck, and Richard families.  André died at Carencro in August 1813, age 48; his successions were filed at the St. Martinville courthouse, St. Martin Parish, in February 1819 and December 1820, and at what became the Vermilionville courthouse, Lafayette Parish, in December 1820. 

3a

André Maximilien married Joséphine, daughter of fellow Acadians Joseph Athanase Breaux and Rosalie Arceneaux, probably at Carencro in the late 1810s.  Their son André was born in c1820 but died at age 6 in August 1826, Pierre André was born in February 1823, Valéry Joseph in March 1827, Valérien in December 1828, Valsin in April 1831, Valmond in January 1833, Valcourt in October 1834, and Marcelle Villeré, called Villeré and Villerest, was baptized at the Vermilionville church, Lafayette Parish, age 3 months, in April 1838 but died at age 15 in January 1853.  Their daughters married into the Arceneaux, Boudreaux, Broussard, and Richard families.  In June 1860, the federal census taker in Lafayette Parish counted 8 slaves--6 males and 2 females, all black except for 1 mulatto, ranging in age from 35 to 1, living in 1 house--on Mrs. André Prejean's farm between Valéry Prejean and Louis G. Prejean; these likely were Joséphine Breaux's slaves.  Three of André's sons married sisters. 

Valéry Joseph married Marie Zéopha, called Zéopha, daughter of fellow Acadian Pierre Arceneaux and his Creole wife Aglaé Carmouche, at the Vermilionville church, Lafayette Parish, in February 1848.  Their son Ignace was born near Grand Coteau, St. Landry Parish, in July 1851, Eraste in November 1852, a child, name unrecorded, died in Lafayette Parish at age 5 days in March 1854, Oculi was born in c1855 but died at age 7 in June 1862, Joseph was born in June 1856, Alcée in September 1858 but died at age 1 1/2 in July 1859, and a child, name unrecorded, died at birth in February 1860.  In June 1860, the federal census taker in Lafayette Parish counted a single slave--a 16-year-old black female--on Valéry Prejean's farm next to Mrs. André Prejean; this probably was Valéry Joseph.  Valéry remarried to first cousin Evelina, daughter of fellow Acadians Jean Lessin Prejean and Céleste Thibodeaux, his uncle and aunt, widow of Eusèbe Comeaux, at the Vermilionville church in November 1869. 

Valcourt died in Lafayette Parish in February 1853, age 18.  He did not marry. 

Valérien married Céleste, daughter of Alexandre Begnaud and Elisa Constantin, at the Vermilionville church, Lafayette Parish, in December 1856.  Their son Pierre Arthur was born in Lafayette Parish in November 1857, Joseph in March 1868, and Théophile in December 1869.  During the War of 1861-65, Valérien served probably as a conscript in Company D of the 18th Regiment Louisiana Infantry, raised in St. Mary Parish, which fought in Mississippi, Tennessee, and Louisiana, and in Company D of the Consolidated 18th Regiment and Yellow Jacket Battalion Infantry, which fought in Louisiana. 

Valsin married Mathilde, another daughter of Alexandre Begnaud and Elisa Constantin, at the Vermilionville church, Lafayette Parish, in July 1858.  Their son Alexandre was born in Lafayette Parish in October 1857, Edmond in December 1858, and Valéry or Villeret le jeune in March 1864 but died at age 1 in July 1865  During the War of 1861, Valsin served probably as a conscript in Company K of the Consolidated 18th Regiment and Yellow Jacket Battalion Louisiana Infantry, which fought in Louisiana; two of his brothers served in Company D of the same regiment.  Valsin's succession was filed at the Vermilionville courthouse, Lafayette Parish, in November 1865; he would have been age 34 that year.  If this was a post-mortem succession, was his death war-related? 

Valmont married Marie Azélie, called Azélie, yet another daughter of Alexandre Begnaud and Elisa Constantin, at the Vermilionville church, Lafayette Parish, in January 1861.  Their son Israël was born in Lafayette Parish in January 1862, and Alexandre in January 1869.  During the War of 1861-65, Valmont served probably as a conscript, with older brothers Valérien and Valsin, in Company D of the Consolidated 18th Regiment and Yellow Jacket Battalion Louisiana Infantry. 

3b

Jean Lessin married Marie Céleste, called Céleste, daughter of fellow Acadians Paul Thibodeaux and Louise Cormier, at the Grand Coteau church, St. Landry Parish, in September 1821.  Their son Jean, fils was born in Lafayette Parish in August 1826 but died at age 3 in October 1829, a few months after his mother died.  Their daughter married into the Roger (French Canadian, not Acadian) family.  Jean Lessin remarried to Julienne, daughter of fellow Acadians Baptiste Richard and Isabelle Cormier, at the Vermilionville church, Lafayette Parish, in September 1833.  Their son Jérôme was baptized at the Vermilionville church, age 1 month, in October 1834, Charles Despanet, called Despanet, was born in December 1836, Adolphe near Grand Coteau in January 1842, Joseph in November 1842 but died the following January, Honoré was born in March 1844, and twins Louis Neuville and Pierre Dupré in April 1858.  Their daughter married into the Comeaux and Prejean families.  In September 1850, the federal census taker in Lafayette Parish counted 2 slaves--a 50-year-old black female, and a 30-year-old black male--on Jean Prejean's farm in the parish's western district; this probably was Jean Lessin.  In June 1860, the federal census taker in Lafayette Parish counted a single slave--a 45-year-old black male--on Lessin Prejean's farm. 

Jérôme, by his father's second wife, married Marguerite, daughter of fellow Acadians Calixte LeBlanc and Marguerite Bernard, at the Vermilionville church, Lafayette Parish, in February 1858.  Their son Jean Despanet was born near Grand Coteau, St. Landry Parish, in February 1869.  During the War of 1861-65, Jérôme served in Company E of the 26th Regiment Louisiana Infantry, raised in Lafayette Parish, which fought at Vicksburg, Mississippi. 

Charles Despanet, by his father's second wife, married Euphrosine, daughter of fellow Acadians Rosémond Mouton and Estelle Comeaux, at the Vermilionville church, Lafayette Parish, in January 1860.  Charles Despanet died in Lafayette Parish in March 1863; the priest who recorded the burial said that Despanet died "at age 28 yrs."; he was 26; his succession was filed at the Vermilionville courthouse in January 1866.  One wonders if his death was war-related.  He and his wife had no sons, so his line died with him. 

Honoré, by his father's second wife, married Émilie, daughter of fellow Acadians Onésime Babineaux and Julienne Benoit, at the Vermilionville church, Lafayette Parish, in May 1865.  Their son Agricole was born near Grand Coteau, St. Landry Parish, in March 1866, Paul Oscar in December 1867, and Émilien Orphie in July 1869. 

3c

Syphorien married Marie Eugénie, called Eugénie, daughter of fellow Acadians Hippolyte Breaux and Adélaïde Dugas, at the Vermilionville church, Lafayette Parish, in July 1828.  Their son Edgard was baptized at the Vermilionville church, age 6 months, in October 1834 but died 2 days after his baptism, Émile was born in October 1835, Louis Sosthène, called Sosthène, in November 1837, and André in September 1841.  Their daughters married into the Begnaud, Chiasson, and Comeaux families.  Syphorien, at age 46, remarried to Marie Azélie, daughter of fellow Acadians Dosité Blanchard and Azélie Dupuis, in a civil ceremony in St. Landry Parish in July 1855.  Their son Pierre Clerfait was born in Lafayette Parish in July 1858.  Syphorien died by February 1862, when he was listed as deceased in a son's marriage record; he would have been in his late 40s or early 50s then. 

Émile, by his father's first wife, married Céleste, daughter of fellow Acadians Séverin Hébert and Marcellite Babineaux, at the Vermilionville church, Lafayette Parish, in February 1856.  Their son Joseph Alcée was born in Lafayette Parish in February 1858, Séverin in February 1860, Aristide near Arnaudville, St. Landry Parish, in December 1861 but died near Grand Coteau, age 4 1/2, in January 1866, and Joseph was born in Lafayette Parish in December 1869. 

Sosthène, by his father's first wife, married Eulalie, daughter of fellow Acadians Calixte LeBlanc and Marguerite Bernard, at the Vermilionville church, Lafayette Parish, in October 1858.  Their child, name unrecorded, died near Grand Coteau, age 2 months, in December 1860, son Elphége was born in January 1865, and Edval in March 1868 but died at age 2 in July 1870.  During the War of 1861-65, Sosthène served with younger brother André in Company E of the 26th Regiment Louisiana Infantry, raised in Lafayette Parish, which fought at Vicksburg, Mississippi.  Sosthène enlisted in March 1862 and served as a regimental teamster until he, along with his regiment, surrendered at Vicksburg in July 1863.  As the birth of his younger sons reveal, he survived the war and returned to his family. 

André, by his father's first wife, married Marie Céleste, called Céleste, daughter of fellow Acadians Gérard Babineaux and Eugènie Bourg, at the Vermilionville church, Lafayette Parish, in February 1862.  Their son Charles Adam was born in Lafayette Parish in November 1867, and Pierre Gérard in December 1869.  During the War of 1861-65, André served with older brother Sosthène in Company E of the 26th Regiment Louisiana Infantry.  As the birth of his sons reveals, he also survived the war and returned to his family. 

3d

Louis Gustave married cousin Julienne, also called Julie and Marie Sulima or Zulima, daughter of fellow Acadian François Bernard and his second wife Creole Julienne Carmouche, at the Vermilionville church, Lafayette Parish, in February 1836.  Their son Evariste Agerin was born near Grand Coteau, St. Landry Parish, in March 1839, a child, name unrecorded, died at birth in June 1845, a son, name unrecorded, died at age 3 weeks in September 1846, and Louis Honoré was born in December 1847.  In August 1850, the federal census taker in Lafayette Parish counted 2 slaves--a 15-year-old black female, and a 5-year-old black female--on Louis G. Prejean's farm in the parish's western district.  In June 1860, the federal census taker in Lafayette Parish counted 4 slaves--all female, 2 black and 2 mulatto, ages 23 to 1, living in 1 house--on Louis G. Prejean's farm next to Mrs. André Prejean. 

Evariste Agerin may have married fellow Acadian Marie Philomène, called Philomène, Foret in the 1850s.  Their child, name unrecorded, died at birth near Grand Coteau, St. Landry Parish, in June 1863.  In 1860, the federal census taker in St. Landry Parish counted 2 slaves--a 35-year-old black female, and a 10-year-old black female--on Evariste Prejean's farm.  During the War of 1861-65, Evariste may have served in Company A of the 29th (Thomas's) Regiment Louisiana Infantry, raised in St. Landry Parish, which fought at Vicksburg, Mississippi. 

Louis Honoré married Corinne, daughter of fellow Acadians Charles Adolphe Guidry and Clémentine Guilbeau, at the Grand Coteau church, St. Landry Parish, in April 1870.

4

Louis, by his father's first wife, baptized at St.-Jacques, age unrecorded, in January 1771, probably died young. 

5

Dominique, by his father's second wife, born at Ascension in October 1774, married Marie, daughter of fellow Acadians François-Joseph Savoie and his fourth wife Marie-Jeanne Martin dit Barnabé, at Attakapas in October 1793.  They settled near Grand Coteau in what became St. Landry Parish.  Their son Maximilien, also called Maxilien, was born in January 1797, Aurien, called Aurelien, Drosin, Orien, and Orient, in January 1801, Gérard or Gérand was baptized at Opelousas, age 15 months, in December 1806, and Jean Achilles, called Achille, was born in St. Martin Parish in July 1811.  Their daughters married into the Broussard, Caruthers/Credeur, Lavergne (French Canadian, not Acadian), Meche, Melançon, and Stelly families.  Dominique died near Grand Coteau in February 1846; the priest who recorded the burial said that Dominique died "at age 74 yrs."  He was 71.  His successions were filed at the Opelousas courthouse, St. Landry Parish, in April 1848 and September 1849.  

5a

Maximilien married Marie Tarsile, called Tarsile, daughter of fellow Acadians Jean Baptiste Breaux and Henriette Blanchard of St. James Parish and La Pointe, at the St. Martinville church, St. Martin Parish, in July 1816.  Their son Joseph Séverin was born near Grand Coteau in November 1821.  Their daughter married a Savoie cousin.  Maximilien remarried to Marie Phelonise, called Phelonise, daughter of fellow Acadians Paul Thibodeaux and Marie Louise Cormier, at the Grand Coteau church, St. Landry Parish, in November 1822.  Their son Joseph Laurent was born probably near Grand Coteau in c1824, Paul Dupréville in August 1827, Ursin Téonide, Téonille, or Théomille, called Ursin T., in November 1831, and Clairville in November 1833.  Their daughter married into the Bourgeois family.  Maximilien died near Grand Coteau in January 1834, age 37; his succession was filed at the Opelousas and Vermilionville courthouses, St. Landry and Lafayette parishes, in March 1836.  In October 1850, the federal census taker in Lafayette Parish counted 13 slaves--5 males and 8 females, all black, ranging in age from 29 years to 2 months--on Widow Maximilien Prejean's farm in the parish's western district; these were Phelonise Thibodeaux's slaves. 

Joseph Laurent, by his father's second wife, married Euphrasie, called Phrasie, 17-year-old daughter of fellow Acadian Pierre Cyprien Arceneaux and his Creole wife Aglaé Carmouche, at the Vermilionville church, Lafayette Parish, in December 1843.  Their son Pierre Cyprien was born near Grand Coteau, St. Landry Parish, in September 1848, François Maurice in Lafayette Parish in October 1855, and Joseph Saleme in March 1858.  In June 1860, the federal census taker in Lafayette Parish counted 2 slaves--a 15-year-old black female, and a 4-year-old black male--on Jh. L. Prejean's farm next to Francious Arceneaux; this probably was Joseph Laurent. 

Paul Dupréville, by his father's second wife, married Marie Eveline, called Eveline, daughter of Jean Baptiste Neraut and Marie Arthémise Credeur, at the Vermilionville church, Lafayette Parish, in January 1850.  Their son Stanislas Désiré was born near Grand Coteau, St. Landry Parish, in May 1856, and Onésime in Lafayette Parish in October 1860 but died at age 1 in October 1861.   During the War of 1861-65, Paul D., as he was called in Confederate records, served probably as a conscript in Company E of the Miles' Legion Louisiana Infantry, which fought in Louisiana and Mississippi.  Paul D. was in his mid-30s when his Confederate service began.  He was captured with his command at Port Hudson, Louisiana, in July 1863, paroled and exchanged, and then served in Company D of the 15th Battalion Louisiana Sharpshooters, which fought in Louisiana.  His daughter married into the Jenkins family.

Ursin T., by his father's second wife, married Adenisa or Denise, daughter of fellow Acadian Augustin Leger and his Creole wife Eméranthe Meche and widow of François Miller, at the Grand Coteau church, St. Landry Parish, in November 1854.  Their son Ursin, fils was born near Grand Coteau in September 1855, François in December 1856 but died at age 1 in November 1857, Joseph Lessin, called Lessin, was born in January 1860 but died at age 4 1/2 in August 1864, Paul Lucius was born in February 1866, and Lorenzo in March 1869.  In 1860, the federal census taker in St. Landry Parish counted 11 slaves--5 males and 6 females, all black except for 1 mulatto, ranging in age from 48 years to 6 months, living in 1 house--on Ursin T. Prejean's farm next to Zifirin Leger.  During the War of 1861-65, Ursin T., along with younger brother Clairville, served in the Grivot Rangers Independent Company Louisiana Cavalry, raised in St. Landry Parish, which fought in Louisiana.  Ursin T. enlisted for the war in August 1862 at age 31 but was discharged for physical disability soon afterwards. 

Clairville, by his father's second wife, married Anastasie, daughter of fellow Acadian Onésime Richard and his Creole wife Arthémise Caruthers, at the Grand Coteau church, St. Landry Parish, in February 1855.  Their son Adolphe was born near Grand Coteau in December 1855, Adolphe Delphine in September 1857, a child, name unrecorded, died at birth in February 1860, and Cléopha was born in August 1861.  In 1860, the federal census taker in St. Landry Parish counted 2 slaves--a 19-year-old black female, and a 2-month-old black female, living in 1 house--on Clerville Prejean's farm.  During the War of 1861-65, Clairville served with older brother Ursin T. in the Grivot Rangers Independent Company Louisiana Cavalry. 

5b

Aurien, residing at Grand Coteau, married Marie Anne, called Anne and Annette, daughter of fellow Acadians Paul Leger and Constance Potier, at the Grand Coteau church, St. Landry Parish, in April 1820.  Their son Aurien, fils was born near Grand Coteau in October 1824, Dominique le jeune in January 1830, and Paul in July 1833.  Their daughter married a Prejean cousin.  Aurien, père died near Grand Coteau in November 1835, age 34. 

Aurien, fils, called Aurelien by the priest and the parish clerk who recorded his marriage, married fellow Acadian Marie Eugénie Benoit at the Grand Coteau church, St. Landry Parish, in December 1848.

Dominique le jeune married cousin Emérite, daughter of fellow Acadian Augustin Leger and his Creole wife Méranthe Meche, at the Grand Coteau church, St. Landry Parish, in July 1850.  Their son Adolphe was born near Grand Coteau in September 1851, Théomille in May 1854, Placide in January 1857, a child, name unrecorded, died at age 1 month in November 1864, and son Alcide was born in July 1869.  During the War of 1861-65, Dominique le jeune served probably as a conscript in Company D of the 18th Regiment Louisiana Infantry, raised in St. Mary Parish, which fought in Mississippi, Tennessee, and Louisiana, and in Company E of the Consolidated 18th Regiment and Yellow Jacket Battalion Infantry, which fought in Louisiana. 

Paul married cousin Marie Constance, called Constance, daughter of fellow Acadian Joachim Leger and his Creole wife Eliza Andrus, at the Grand Coteau church, St. Landry Parish, in February 1858.  Their son Aurelien was born near Grand Coteau in February 1866, and Joseph in July 1869. 

5c

Gérard, residing at Opelousas, married Scholastique dite Colastie, another daughter of Paul Leger and Constance Potier, at the Grand Coteau church, St. Landry Parish, in November 1827.  Their son Gérard, fils was born near Grand Coteau in December 1829 but died at age 1 1/2 in September 1831, and Gerasin was born in June 1831.  Their daughter married into the Bourgeois family.  In November 1850, the federal census taker in St. Landry Parish counted 8 slaves--2 males and 6 females, 4 blacks and 4 mulattoes, ranging in age from 30 to 2--on Gérard Prejean's farm.  In 1860, the federal census taker counted 8 slaves again--2 males and 6 females, 3 blacks and 5 mulattoes, ages 40 to 1, living in 2 houses--on Gérard Prejean's farm next to Marguerite Prejean.  Gérard died near Grand Coteau in June 1869, age 63.  His succession was filed at the Opelousas courthouse, St. Landry Parish, in July. 

Gerasin married Emérite, daughter of Villeneuve Joubert and Louise Ledoux, at the Opelousas church, St. Landry Parish, in April 1852.  Their son Christoval was born in St. Landry Parish in December 1856, and Gerasin, fils in October 1862, two months after his father's began his Confederate service.  Gerasin, called Gerazime in Confederate records, served in Company K of the 3rd (Harrison's) Regiment Louisiana Cavalry, also called Todd's Prairie Rangers, raised in St. Landry Parish, which fought in Louisiana and southern Arkansas.  Gerasin died "in Alexandria, La.," in December 1864, probably of disease, age 33.  His succession was filed at the Opelousas courthouse, St. Landry Parish, in February 1865. 

5d

Jean Achille married Marie Élise, Elisa, or Eliza, daughter of fellow Acadian Augustin Boudreaux and his Creole wife Françoise Ritter, in a civil ceremony in St. Landry Parish in April 1830, and sanctified the marriage at the Grand Coteau church, St. Landry Parish, in April 1831.  Their son Louis Stainville, called Stainville, was born near Grand Coteau in June 1832, Evariste in January 1834, Augustin or Auguste in October 1835, Joseph Dupréville in April 1838, Jean Dominique, called Dominique, in March 1843 but died at age 15 in March 1858, a child, name and age unrecorded, died in December 1844, and Jean Achille, fils was born in c1844 but died at age 4 in December 1848.  Their daughter married into the Castille family.  Jean Achille, père's succession was filed at the Opelousas courthouse, St. Landry Parish, in February 1849; he would have been age 38 that year. 

Evariste married cousin Marie Onesia, called Onesia, daughter of fellow Acadians Raphaël Richard and Marie Adélaïde Boudreaux, at the Grand Coteau church, St. Landry Parish, in November 1850.  Their child, name unrecorded, died near Grand Coteau at age 8 days in October 1851.  Evariste may have remarried to fellow Acadian Philomène Foret in the 1850s.  Their child, name unrecorded, died at birth near Grand Coteau in June 1863.  In 1860, the federal census taker in St. Landry Parish counted 2 slaves--a 35-year-old black female, and a 10-year-old black female--on Evariste Prejean's farm.  During the War of 1861-65, Evariste may have served in Company A of the 29th (Thomas's) Regiment Louisiana Infantry, raised in St. Landry Parish, which fought at Vicksburg, Mississippi. 

Louis Stainville married Marie Anaïs, daughter of Alexandre Stelly and Célestine Delhomme, at the Grand Coteau church, St. Landry Parish, in November 1851.  During the War of 1861-65, Stainville, called Stenville in Confederate records, served in Company K of the 29th (Thomas's) Regiment Louisiana Infantry, raised in St. Landry Parish, which fought at Vicksburg, Mississippi. 

Augustin married Marie Eusèïde, called Eusèïde, daughter of fellow Acadians Michel Onésime Cormier and Céleste Dupuis, at the Breaux Bridge church, St. Martin Parish, in June 1859; the marriage also was recorded in St. Landry Parish.  Their son Joseph Dupréville was born near Grand Coteau, St. Landry Parish, in April 1864, Jean D. in January 1869 but died the following August, and Jean was born in August 1870.  During the War of 1861-65, Augustin served in Company D of the 7th Regiment Louisiana Cavalry, raised in Lafayette and St. Landry parishes, which fought against local Jayhawkers. 

6

Youngest son Isidore, by his second wife, baptized at Attakapas, age 15 months, in January 1780, probably died young. 

Descendants of Charles PREJEAN (c1736-1805; Jean dit Le Breton)

Charles, third son of Joseph Préjean and Marie-Louise Comeau, born at Chepoudy in c1736, escaped the British roundup of 1755 and took refuge on the Gulf of St. Lawrence shore with his family, but they ended up as prisoners of war in Nova Scotia during the early 1760s.  British authorities counted him at Fort Edward, formerly the Acadian settlement of Pigiguit, in October 1762.  Charles married Marguerite Richard probably in Nova Scotia in the early 1760s.  In 1765, they followed his three brothers to Louisiana, where their marriage was certified and blessed by a New Orleans priest in February 1766.  They settled at Cabanocé/St.-Jacques on the river, where Spanish authorities counted them on the right, or west, bank of the river in 1766 and 1769.  In 1770 and 1777, they were living on the west bank at nearby Ascension.   In the late 1770s, Charles and Marguerite followed his oldest brother Amand to the Attakapas District, where Spanish authorities counted them in 1781.  They settled at Côte Gelée south of present-day Lafayette.  Their daughters married into the Comeaux, Eaten, Sauluise or Solle, and Taylor families.  Charles died at Côte Gelée in November 1805; the priest who recorded the burial said that Charles was age 72 when he died.  Only one of his five sons married, and he failed to produce a male heir.  Except for its blood, then, this line of the family did not survive in the Bayou State.  The Prejeans west of the Atchafalaya Basin descend from Charles's older brother Amand.

1

Oldest son Charles-Amand, born probably at New Orleans in August 1765 and baptized there in December, probably died young.

2

Aimable, born probably at St.-Jacques in c1769, died at Attakapas in December 1787, age 18.  He did not marry. 

3

Simon-Pierre, born at Ascension in December 1773, died in Lafayette Parish in September 1832.  The Vermilionville priest who recorded the burial said that Simon was age 55 when he died; he was 58.  He probably did not marry. 

4

Célestin, born at Attakapas in September 1782, married Marie Marcellite, called Marcellite, daughter of fellow Acadians Joseph Landry and Marie Melançon of Côte Gelée, at the St. Martinville church, St. Martin Parish, in August 1809.  They settled at Côte Gelée.  Their daughters married into the Campbell, Duhon, Landry, and Melançon families.  Célestin died in Lafayette Parish in September 1847; the Vermilionville priest who recorded the burial said that Célestin died "at age 74 yrs."; he was 65.  He and Marcellite had no sons, so this line of the family, except for its blood, died with him. 

5

Youngest son Telence, perhaps Terence, born probably at Attakapas in c1787, died in Lafayette Parish in January 1847, age 60.  He evidently did not marry. 

~

A Préjean wife was among the last of the Acadian exiles to find refuge in Louisiana:

Rosalie Préjean, age unrecorded, reached New Orleans from Haiti by 1805 with husband François Pecot or Pecaud of Nantes, France, and four children, ages unrecorded.  They settled at Attakapas near her many cousins.  Rosalie died "at the home of Joseph Sorel on lower Bayou Thyche (Teche)" in February 1813.  The St. Martinville priest who recorded her burial called her "inhabitant at Mirbalais, at St. Domingue" and said she died "at age 72 yrs."  She was a widow. 

~

Other PREJEANs on the Western Prairies

Area church and civil records make it difficult to link some Prejeans in the western parishes with known lines of the family there:

Anathalie, probably Nathalie, Prejean, "widow Raclar," died "at age 75 years at the home or farm of Mr. Pellerin in St. Mary Parish" in November 1822.  She was buried "in the cemetery at the farm of Mr. Pellerin in St. Mary Parish, being unable to bring the body to the church of St. Martin" in St. Martinville.  If Anathalie was age 75 when she died, she would have been born in c1747.  Was she Acadian?  If so, who were her parents?  She does not appear on the Acadian Memorial's Wall of Names. 

Marie Eurasie Prejean's "natural son" Pierre was baptized at the Vermilionville church, Lafayette Parish, age 2 1/2 months, in November 1833.  Pierre died the day after his baptism.  The priest who recorded the boy's baptism and burial did not name the father or give the mother's parents' names. 

Amelie Prejean married fellow Acadian Déogène Savoy at the Grand Coteau church, St. Landry Parish, in December 1845.  Neither the parish clerk nor the priest who recorded the marriage revealed the couple's parents' names. 

Mrs. Célestine Prejean, as the recording priest called her, died in Lafayette Parish in January 1852, age 60.  The Vermilionville priest who recorded the burial did not give any parents' names or mention a husband.  So who were they? 

A succession for Christine Prejean was filed at the Opelousas courthouse in January 1853.  Who were her parents?  Was she married?  How old was she at the time of the filing?

Dupré, son of Alexandre Prejean, died near Grand Coteau, St. Landry Parish, age 14 months, in October 1853.  Who was Alexandre Prejean?

Uranie Prejean died near Grand Coteau in October 1853, age 21.  The priest who recorded the burial did not give the parents' names or mention a husband. 

Marie, daughter of Stainville Prejean, died near Grand Coteau, age 38, in February 1856.  The priest who recorded the burial did not give Marie's mother's name.  One wonders who was her father.   

Marie Modeste Prejean, wife of ____ Stelly, died near Grand Coteau, age 56, in August 1860.  The priest who recorded the burial did not give her parents' names. 

In 1860, the federal census taker in St. Landry Parish counted 4 slaves--1 male and 3 females, 2 blacks and 2 mulattoes, ranging in age from 40 to 11--on Marguerite Prejean's farm next to Gérard Prejean. 

Lessain, son of Ursin Prejean, died at age 13 in November 1862.  Which Ursin Prejean was this?

Edoire Prejean married Eurasine Clément, place and date unrecorded.  Daughter Tharsine was born in St. Landry Parish in February 1870.   

Valérien Prejean died in Lafayette Parish, age 4, in August 1870.  The Vermilionville priest who recorded the boy's burial did not give his parents' names. 

.

A Prejean family that lived in St. Landry Parish during the immediate post-war period cannot be linked by area church and civil records to other members of the family in the area:

Descendants of Jean Baptiste PREJEAN (?-;Jean dit Le Breton?)

Jean Baptiste Prejean married fellow Acadian Julie Leger, place and date unrecorded. 

Jean Baptiste, fils married Anastasie, daughter of Similien McCarty, at the Opelousas church, St. Landry Parish, in July 1869; Anastasie's mother was a LeBlanc.

LOUISIANA:  RIVER SETTLEMENTS

In 1765, four Préjean brothers, three of them with families, and two Préjean wives, reached New Orleans from Halifax via Cap-Français, French St.-Domingue.  They settled at Cabanocé/St.-Jacques on the river above New Orleans where 20 Acadians from Georgia had settled a year before:

Amand Préjean of Chepoudy, age 41, came with wife Madeleine Martin, age 37, and five children--Marin, age 15; Anastasie, age 14; Marie-Anne, age 13; Joseph le jeune, age 4; and André-Joseph, born at sea and baptized in New Orleans soon after they reached the colony.  Amand and Madeleine had more children in Louisiana.  After Amand remarried at nearby Ascension, he took his family to the Attakapas District and created a western branch of the family. 

Joseph Préjean of Chepoudy, age 33, Amand's brother, came with wife Marguerite Durel of Île St.-Jean and daughter Victoire, age 4.  Marguerite also was pregnant on the voyage; son Jean-Baptiste was born and baptized in New Orleans soon after they arrived.  Joseph and Marguerite also had more children in Louisiana, but they remained on the river.  Daughter Victoire married into the Roger family and settled on upper Bayou Lafourche. 

Anne Préjean, age 30, sister of Amand et al., came with husband Joseph Savoie of Minas, age 38, and a 5-year-old daughter.  Anne was pregnant on the voyage and gave birth to a son at New Orleans soon after they reached the colony.  They remained at St.-Jacques, where she soon remarried. 

Charles Préjean of Chepoudy, age 29, Amand's and Joseph's brother, came with wife Marguerite Richard, age 20.  She, too, was pregnant on the voyage and gave birth to son Charles-Amand in New Orleans.  They had many more children in Louisiana and followed his older brother to Attakapas. 

Basile Préjean of Chepoudy, age 21, brother of Amand et al., remained on the river. 

Marie-Josèphe Préjean, age 28, came with husband Charles Duhon of Port-Royal, age 29, and two children, ages 5 and 1.  They settled at Attakapas in the 1770s.

.

Two Prejean family lines developed on the Acadian Coast, that of brothers Joseph, fils and Basile, but they did not remain there.  Joseph's sons moved to upper Bayou Lafourche, and Basile's line, except for it blood, did not survive beyond the second generation.  As a result, Prejeans disappeared from the river by the middle antebellum period: 

Descendants of Joseph PREJEAN, fils (c1732-1770s; Jean dit Le Breton)

Joseph, fils, second son of Joseph Préjean and Marie-Louise Comeau, born at Chepoudy in c1732, escaped the British roundup there in 1755 and took refuge on the Gulf of St. Lawrence shore, where he married Marguerite, daughter of Charles Lacroix dit Durel and Judith Chiasson of Île St.-Jean, in c1758.  They ended up as prisoners of war in Nova Scotia during the early 1760s.  British authorities counted them at Fort Edward, formerly the Acadian settlement of Pigiguit, in October 1762.  They followed his three brothers to Louisiana in 1765 and settled with them at Cabanocé/St.-Jacques.  Their daughters married into the Robichaux and Roger families.  Joseph died at St.-Jacques or nearby Ascension by June 1772, when his wife remarried at St.-Jacques.  His two sons moved to upper Bayou Lafourche, creating a third center of family settlement. 

1

Older son Jean-Baptiste, born probably at New Orleans in August 1765 and baptized there in December, married Marie Clémence, called Clémence, daughter of fellow Acadians Joseph Gravois and Louise-Françoise Saint-Julien de Lachaussée, at St.-Jacques in April 1803.  They moved to upper Bayou Lafourche. 

2

Younger son Basile le jeune, born probably at St.-Jacques in the late 1760s or early 1770s, married Rosalie, daughter of fellow Acadian Philippe de Saint-Julien Lachaussée, a surgeon, and his third wife Rose Bourgeois, at St.-Jacques in May 1792.  They also moved to upper Bayou Lafourche. 

Descendants of Basile PREJEAN (c1744-1823; Jean dit Le Breton)

Basile, also called Pierre, sixth and youngest son of Joseph Préjean and Marie-Louise Comeau, born at Chepoudy in c1744, escaped the British roundup of 1755 and took refuge on the Gulf of St. Lawrence shore with his family.  Like his older brothers, he ended up a prisoner of war in Nova Scotia during the early 1760s.  He followed his three brothers to Louisiana in 1765 and settled with them at Cabanocé/St.-Jacques, where he married fellow Acadian Marie-Josèphe Godin dit Lincour, widow of Pierre Arceneaux, in c1768.  They settled at nearby Ascension, where Basile was jailed for three days as punishment for assault against a Creole neighbor in February 1774, and where Spanish officials counted them on the right, or west, bank of the river in 1777, next to his older brother Charles.  Their daughters married into the Himel and Thibodeaux families.  One of his daughters moved to the western prairies.  Basile died in Ascension Parish in January 1823; the priest who recorded the burial said that Basile was age 90 when he died, but he probably was closer to 80.  Only one of his two sons married but failed to produce male heirs.  This line of the family, then, except for its blood, did not survive in the Bayou State. 

1

Older son Louis, born at Ascension in January 1773, probably died young. 

2

Younger son Antoine-Célestin or Célestin-Antoine, born at St.-Jacques in September 1777, married cousin Marie, daughter of fellow Acadians Sylvain LeBlanc and Marguerite Gaudin, at the Convent church, St. James Parish, in April 1812.  Célestin Antoine died in St. James Parish in September 1822; the priest who recorded the burial said that Célestin was age 40 when he died; he was 45.  He and wife may have been that rare Acadian couple who had no children, so his line of the family died with him. 

LOUISIANA:  LAFOURCHE VALLEY SETTLEMENTS

During the early antebellum period, Préjean brothers from the river settled on upper Bayou Lafourche, creating a third center of family settlement.  Only the younger brother, Basile le jeune, produced a family line that endured there:

Victoire Prejean, widow of Jean Roger, died in Lafourche Interior Parish in June 1847.  The Thibodaux priest who recorded her burial said that she died "at age 101 years," but she was closer to 86.  A petition for her succession inventory was filed at the Thibodaux courthouse, Lafourche Interior Parish, a few days after her death. 

Jean-Baptiste PREJEAN (1765-1840; Jean dit Le Breton, Joseph)

Jean-Baptiste, elder son of Joseph Prejean, fils and Marguerite Durel, born probably at New Orleans in Auguste 1765, married Marie Clémence, called Clémence, daughter of fellow Acadians Joseph Gravois and Louise-Françoise Saint-Julien de Lachaussée, at St.-Jacques in April 1803.  They moved to upper Bayou Lafourche.  Jean Baptiste died in Lafourche Interior Parish in January 1840, age 74; his succession public sale was filed at the Thibodaux courthouse, Lafourche Interior Parish, the following November.  He and his wife may have been that rare Acadian couple who had no children of their own. 

Descendants of Basile PREJEAN le jeune (c1770-c1818; Jean dit Le Breton, Joseph)

Basile le jeune, younger son of Joseph Prejean, fils and Marguerite Durel, born probably at St.-Jacques in the late 1760s or early 1770s, married Rosalie, daughter of fellow Acadians Philippe de Saint-Julien de Lachaussée, a surgeon, and his third wife Rose Bourgeois, at St.-Jacques in May 1792.  In the 1810s, they moved from St. James Parish to upper Bayou Lafourche, creating a third center of family settlement.  Their daughters married into the Bernard (German Creole, not Acadian), Boyer, Naquin, and Rinton families, and perhaps into the Hébert family as well.  Basile's succession inventory was filed at the Thibodauxville courthouse, Lafourche Interior Parish, in June 1818; he would have been in his late 40s that year.  In July, his older brother Jean Baptiste, who had no children of his own, was named "curator" of Basile's minor children.  All five of Basile's sons married, and four of them created family lines that endured.  Most of Basile's descendants remained in Lafourche Interior Parish, but some of them settled up bayou in Assumption Parish and others briefly in Terrebonne Parish near Houma and Chacahoula. 

1

Oldest son Valéry, born at St.-Jacques in April 1793, married Marie Josèphe, daughter of fellow Acadians Pierre LeBlanc and Anne Boudreaux, at the Plattenville church, Assumption Parish, in September 1812.  Their son Basile le jeune, also called Valsin, was born in Assumption Parish in May 1813, Gerasin Arsène in c1818, Valéry, fils in Lafourche Interior Parish in January 1820, Louis in February 1822 but died at age 3 1/2 in December 1825, Ludin or Lubin, also called Aubin, was born in Assumption Parish in August 1826, Hermogène Victor, called Victor, in Lafourche Interior Parish in August 1832, and Théophile in c1833.  Their daughters married into the Ayo, Naquin, and Portier families.  Valéry, père died in Lafourche Interior Parish in April 1849; the Thibodaux priest who recorded the burial said that Valéry died "at age 58 yrs."; he was 56.  In December 1850, the federal census taker in Lafourche Interior Parish counted 10 slaves--2 males and 8 females, all black, ranging in age from 30 to 2--on Widow Valéry Prejent's farm along Bayou Lafourche; these were Marie Josèphe LeBlanc's slaves.  Two of Valéry's sons lived briefly in Terrebonne Parish, but the others remained in Lafourche Interior Parish. 

1a

Valsin/Basile le jeune married Élisabeth Eveline, called Eveline, daughter of fellow Acadians Ambroise Naquin le jeune and Carmelite Boudreaux, at the Thibodaux church, Lafourche Interior Parish, in January 1845.  Their son Basile Léon, called Léon, was born in Lafourche Interior Parish in January 1846, Valsin Pierre near Labadieville, Assumption Parish, in September 1856, and Paul Léonie in July 1861.  Their daughter married into the Lesage family.  Valsin died in Lafourche Parish in November 1869; the Thibodaux priest who recorded the burial, and who did not give any parents' names or mention a wife, said that Bazile, as he called him, died "at age 55 yrs."; Valisn/Basile le jeune would have been 56.   

Léon married Ovilia, daughter of fellow Acadian Paulin Barrilleaux and his Creole wife Pauline Friou, at the Labadieville church, Assumption Parish, in September 1867; the marriage was recorded also in Lafourche Parish.  Their son Joseph Léonce Oville was born near Labadieville in August 1868. 

1b

Gerasin Arsène married first cousin Pauline Élodie, called Élodie, daughter of fellow Acadians Joseph Naquin and Céleste Prejean, his uncle and aunt, at the Thibodaux church, Lafourche Interior Parish, in June 1845.  Gerasin and Élodie's son Jean Gerasin, called Gerasin, was born near Labadieville in May 1848, and Gustave Aubin in Lafourche Interior Parish in March 1852.  Gerasin, called Arsène by the Thibodaux priest who recorded the burial, died in Lafourche Interior Parish "during [a] yellow epidemic" in September 1853, age 35; letters of tutorship for his children, all minors, were filed at the Thibodaux courthouse in March 1856. 

Jean Gerasin married Marie or Mary V., daughter of Charles Pontiff and his Acadian wife Marie Richard, at the Thibodaux church, Lafourche Parish, in February 1869.

1c

Aubin married Pauline Joséphine, daughter of Mathurin Ayo and his Acadian wife Rosalie Anne Bourg, at the Thibodaux church, Lafourche Interior Parish, in February 1846.  Their son Paul Justilien was born in Lafourche Interior Parish in May 1848, and Basile Claiborne near Labadieville, Assumption Parish, in November 1853.  Aubin remarried to Amélie, daughter of Jean Baptiste Kerne and Céleste Vicknair, at the Thibodaux church in August 1860.  Their son Jean Baptiste Vincent was born near Labadieville in July 1861, and Émile Aubin in September 1868. 

1d

Théophile married Armance, Hermence, or Élisabeth, daughter of Éloi Levert and his Acadian wife Scholastie Robichaux, at the Thibodaux church, Lafourche Parish, in April 1856.  Their son Éloi Hector was born near Houma, Terrebonne Parish, in January 1863, and Joseph Émile near Chacahoula in January 1865.  Théophile died in Lafourche Parish in March 1866, age 33; a petition for his succession inventory was filed at the Thibodaux courthouse in January 1870. 

1e

Victor married Clara, daughter of Cyprien Keller and Delphine Trosclair, at the Thibodaux church, Lafourche Parish, in February 1858.  Their son Joseph Davis was born near Houma, Terrebonne Parish, in June 1861, and Victor Eusèbe in Lafourche Parish in August 1866.  During the War of 1861-65, Victor served in the Lafourche Parish Regiment Militia.  He was captured at the Battle of Labadieville, Assumption Parish, in October 1862 and paroled at Thibodaux a month later. 

2

Eugène, born at St.-Jacques in February 1799, married Émilie dite Mélite, daughter of Louis Exnicios and Marie Pontiff of St. John the Baptist Parish, at the Plattenville church, Assumption Parish, in January 1816.  Their son Eugène Louis was born in Assumption Parish in April 1818, Basile le jeune in Lafourche Interior Parish in July 1822, Éloi Neuville, called Neuville, in August 1824, and Édouard in October 1839.  Their daughters married into the Fremin, Hébert, Trosclair, and Usé families.  Eugène père died in Lafourche Interior Parish in March 1841; the Thibodaux priest who recorded the burial said that Eugène died "at age 32 yrs."  He was 42.  Most of his sons settled up bayou into Assumption Parish. 

2a

Neuville married fellow Acadian Élise Boudreaux probably in Assumption Parish in the late 1840s.  Their son Émile was born near Labadieville, Assumption Parish, in February 1852, and Joseph Alfred in December 1853. 

2b

Eugène Louis married Marie, daughter of Michael Kelly and Joséphine Waise, at the Thibodaux church, Lafourche Interior Parish, in July 1850.  Their son, name unrecorded, died near Labadieville, Assumption Parish, a day after his birth in August 1852, and Adam Sylvère was born in Lafourche Parish in September 1868.  By the 1880s, Eugène Louis's family had settled near Larose on lower Bayou Lafourche. 

2c

During the War of 1861-65, Édouard served in Company C of the 26th Regiment Louisiana Infantry, raised in Assumption Parish, which fought at Vicksburg, Mississippi.  Édouard married Marguerite, daughter fellow Acadians Jean Baptiste Boudreaux and Marie Boudreaux, at the Labadieville church, Assumption Parish, in April 1864, perhaps while waiting for his unit to be exchanged.  Their son Sylvanie was born near Labadieville in May 1870. 

3

Louis-Saintville, called Saintville, born at St.-Jacques in May 1802, married Marie Élisabeth, 19-year-old daughter of fellow Acadians Pierre Richard and Élisabeth Melançon of Convent, St. James Parish, at the Thibodauxville church, Lafourche Interior Parish, in April 1825.  Saintville died in Lafourche Interior Parish in September 1844; the Thibodaux priest who recorded the burial said that "Cinville" died "at age 44"; he was 42.  Did he and his wife have any children?  If not, his line of the family died with him. 

4

Pierre Arsène, called Arsène, born at St. James in February 1804, married Marie Carmélite, called Carmélite, 20-year-old daughter of fellow Acadians Eustache Carret and Marie Adélaïde Boudreaux, at the Thibodauxville church, Lafourche Interior Parish, in May 1824.  Their son Pierre Eugère or Ulgère, called Ulgère, was born in Lafourche Interior Parish in February 1826, and Joseph Telesphore, called Telesphore, in August 1834.  Their daughters married into the Boudreaux, Kerne, and Robichaux families.  Pierre Arsène died in Lafourche Interior Parish in January 1852, age 48; a decree for a family meeting was filed at the Thibodaux courthouse the following May. 

Ulgère married Carmélite Aurelie, called Aurelie, 18-year-old daughter of Jean Baptiste Kerne and Marie Céleste Vicknair, at the Thibodaux church, Lafourche Interior Parish, in June 1846; Carmélite's brother Cyprien was the husband of Ulgère's sister Zulma.  Ulgère and Aurelie's son Elphége Ludgère was born in Lafourche Interior Parish in December 1849, Joseph Octave in May 1852, Sylvère Jean near Labadieville, Assumption Parish, in April 1855, Philippe Abel in Lafourche Parish in April 1859, and Arthur Augustin in May 1868. 

5

Youngest son Charles Ursin, called Ursin, baptized at the St. James church, St. James Parish, age 2, in January 1808, married Maire, also called Eurasie, daughter of Joseph Levert and his Acadian wife Anne Comeaux of St. James Parish, at the Thibodauxville church, Lafourche Interior Parish, in March 1829.  Their son Jean Baptiste Elphége was born in Lafourche Interior Parish in August 1831 but died at age 1 in October 1832, Urbin Auguste, called Auguste, was born in November 1833, and Alexandre Éloi Léo in February 1845.  Their daughters married into the Boudreaux family.  In September 1860, the federal census taker in Lafourche Parish counted 2 slaves--a 33-year-old mulatto female, and a 7-year-old mulatto male--on Ursin Prejean's farm in the parish's Sixth Ward. 

Auguste married Ursinie or Ursuline, daughter of fellow Acadians Rosémond Boudreaux and Carmélite Landry, at the Thibodaux church, Lafourche Parish, in September 1856.  Their son Augustave was born in Lafourche Parish in March 1862 but died at age 1 1/2 in November 1863, Arthur Clairfait was born near Labadieville, Assumption Parish, in February 1864, and Alphonse Gustave in August 1866. 

~

Other PREJEANs in the Lafourche Valley

Local church and civil records make it difficult to link some Prejeans in the Bayou Lafourche valley with known lines of the family there:

Céleste Azélie Prejean married fellow Acadian Jean Hébert, place and date unrecorded.  She died in Lafourche Parish, age 44, in June 1852.  The priest who recorded her burial gave her husband's name but not the names of her parents.   

Mrs. Jean Baptiste Prejean died "during [a] yellow fever epidemic" in Lafourche Parish in October 1853.  The Thibodaux priest who recorded her burial did not give her parents' names or her age at the time of her death.  Was she Clémence, daughter of fellow Acadian Joseph Gravois, who married Jean Baptiste, son of Joseph Prejean, fils, at Cabahannocer, later St. James Parish, in April 1803, before moving with him to Bayou Lafourche? 

Gerasime Prejean married Marie Borne, place and date unrecorded.  Their son Ernest died in Lafourche Parish at age 11 in August 1855. 

NON-ACADIAN FAMILIES in LOUISIANA

A Préjean family was living in Louisiana in the early 1730s, decades before their Acadian namesakes reached the colony, but they produced no family line:

Jean-Baptiste Préjean died at New Orleans in August 1731, age "cir. 4 yr." old.  The priest who recorded the boy's burial did not give the parents' names. 

CONCLUSION

Préjeans settled early in Acadia, and they were among the earliest Acadians to find refuge in Louisiana.  In 1765, four brothers from Chepoudy--Amand, Charles, Joseph, fils, and Basile--came to the colony from Halifax via Cap-Française, St.-Domingue, and settled at Cabanocé/St.-Jacques on the river with dozens of their fellow exiles.  In the mid-1770s, Amand and Charles crossed the Atchafalaya Basin to the Attakapas District, creating a western branch of the family.  In c1805, a Prejean wife came to Louisiana with other refugees from Haiti and settled on lower Bayou Teche not far from her cousins.  During the early antebellum period, two Prejean brothers from St. James Parish, Jean-Baptiste and Basile le jeune, sons of Joseph, fils, moved to upper Bayou Lafourche and created a third center of family settlement there.  By the middle antebellum period, Prejeans had disappeared from the river.  One of the lines on the prairies--that of Charles--also died out during that period, and a single line remained on Bayou Lafourche, but it was a prolific one. 

Most, if not all, of the Prejeans of South Louisiana spring from these two surviving families--that of Amand and his sons in the western parishes, and of Basile le jeune on Bayou Lafourche.  The western Prejeans were especially numerous in the Carencro area of northern Lafayette Parish, but they also settled at nearby Grand Coteau and in the Plaisance area north of Opelousas in St. Landry Parish, on upper Bayou Teche in St. Martin Parish, and near Abbeville in Vermilion Parish.  According to one authority, Prejeans did not move farther out into the southwestern prairies or on to East Texas until the early twentieth century.  Meanwhile, their cousins on Bayou Lafourche settled near present-day Thibodaux in Lafourche Parish, but some of them lived up bayou in Assumption Parish, down bayou near Larose, and near Houma and Chacahoula in Terrebonne Parish. 

Church records reveal that a Prejean family, who were not Acadians, lived at New Orleans during the early colonial period.  No non-Acadian Prejeans appear in South Louisiana church records during the rest of the colonial period nor in the antebellum period that followed.  All of the Prejeans of South Louisiana, then, are descendants of Jean dit Le Breton of Port-Royal.

Judging by the number of slaves they owned during the late antebellum period, a few members of the family lived comfortably on their prairie and bayou-side farms.  The largest family slaveholder was Ursin T. Prejean, who held 11 slaves on his St. Landry Parish farm in 1860.   A decade before, Valéry Prejean's widow owned 10 slaves on her farm in Lafourche Interior Parish.  Gérard Prejean owned eight slaves in St. Landry Parish in 1850 and 1860, but other slaveholders in the family held only a few bondsmen apiece, or none at all, in the late antebellum period. 

Dozens of Prejeans served Louisiana in uniform during the War of 1861-65, many of them in units that fought at Vicksburg, Mississippi.  Confederate records hint that all but one of them returned home from the war. ...

The family's name also is spelled Bregean, Prechant, Pregant, Pregean, Pregeant, Pregen, Pregent, Pregon, Prejan, Prejant, Prejen, Prejent, Prenaul, Prephant, Presan, Present, Pressan.  [For the Acadian family's Louisiana "begats," see Book Ten]

Sources:  1850 U.S. Federal Census, Slave Schedules, Lafayette, Lafourche Interior, & St. Landry parishes; 1860 U.S. Federal Census, Slave Schedules, Lafayette, Lafourche, St. Landry, and Vermilion parishes; Arsenault, Généalogie, 733-36, 1568-69, 1663, 2570-73; BRDR, vols. 1a(rev.), 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11; De La Roque, "Tour of Inspection," Canadian Archives 1905, 2A:19, 22; "Fort Cumberland, 24 Aug 1763"; "Fort Edward, 1761-62"; Hébert, D., Acadian Exiles, 370; Hébert, D., South LA Records, vols. 1, 2, 3, 4; Hébert, D., Southwest LA Records, vols. 1-A, 1-B, 2-A, 2-B, 2-C, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9; Jehn, Acadian Exiles in the Colonies, 17, 78, 80, 95, 119, 176, 263, 268; NOAR, vols. 1, 2; <perso.orange.fr/froux/St_malo_arrivees/Reine_d_Espagne.htm>, Family Nos. 2, 5, 6; "Ristigouche, 24 Oct 1760"; West, Atlas of LA Surnames, 120-21, 185; White, DGFA-1, 1351-52; White, DGFA-1 English, 286.  

Settlement Abbreviations 
(present-day civil parishes that existed in 1861 are in parentheses; hyperlinks on the abbreviations take you to brief histories of each settlement):

For a chronology of Acadian Arrivals in Louisiana, 1764-early 1800s, see Appendix.

The hyperlink attached to an individual's name is connected to a list of Acadian immigrants for a particular settlement and provides a different perspective on the refugee's place in family and community. 

NOTES

01.  Wall of Names, 24, calls him Amand PRÉJEAN; Arsenault, Généalogie, 2570, the LA section, says he was born in 1726; Hébert, D., Southwest LA Records, 1-A:636 (SM Ch.: v.4, #3), his death/burial record, calls him Aman PREJEAN, "of Canada," says he died "at age 'Sesenta y seis (66 years)," but does not give his parents' names or mention a wife; Hébert, D., Southwest LA Records, 1-A:636 (SM Ct.Hse.: OA-v.5, #24), his succession inventory record, calls him Amand PREJEAN, "from the Cotteau du Beau Bassin 'nomme' (called) Grande Prairie," & says he "Died in the presence of Joseph LANDRY, Jean JEANSONNE, sons in law."  See also Bourgeois, Cabanocey, 164, 174; De Ville, Southwest LA Families, 1777, 11.  

The Cabanocé census of 1766 & the Attakapas census of 1777 disagree with Arsenault's birth year.  The Cabanocé census of 1769 seems to miss the mark by several years.  The birth year given in Arsenault, 1568, 2570, is followed here. 

02.  Wall of Names, 24, calls her Anastasie PRÉJEAN; Arsenault, Généalogie, 2517, profile of her husband in the LA section, says that she & Jean were married at Opelousas in c1774; Hébert, D., Southwest LA Records, 2-B:516, 761 (Opel. Ct.Hse.: Succ. #265), her husband's succession record, dated Mar 1822, calls her Anastasie PREJEAN m. Jean JEANSONNE & "wid. is Anastasie PREJEAN"; Hébert, D., Southwest LA Records, 2-C:624 (Opel. Ch.: v.2, p.11), her death/burial record, calls her Anastasie PREJEAN, "spouse of dec. Jean JEANSONNE," says she died "at age 80 years," & that "she received the sacraments of the church," but does not give her parents' names; Hébert, D., Southwest LA Records, 3:526 (LSAR: Opel.: 1831), her estate record, calls her Anastasie PREJEAN m. Jean JEANSONNE, but does not give her parents' names.

The Ascension census of 1770 disagrees with Arsenault's marriage date.  The Cabanocé census of 1769 was taken in Sep, the Ascension census of 1770 in Aug, so they could have married in late 1769 or early- to mid-1770, certainly not 1774.  Although their marriage record has been lost, Opelousas church and civil records prove beyond question that they were married. 

03.  Wall of Names, 24, calls him André-Joseph PRÉJEAN; NOAR, 2:231 (SLC, B5, 110), his birth/baptismal record, calls him André-Joseph PRÉJEAN, gives his parents' names, & says his godparents were André-Joseph BARBIER [after whom he evidently was named] & Jeanne BARROIS; Hébert, D., Southwest LA Records, 1-A:56, 636 (SM Ch.: v.4, #66), his marriage record, calls him André PREJEAN, calls his wife Marie BERNARD, gives his & her parents' names, says his parents were "of New Orleans," & that the witnesses to his marriage were André JOHNSON [probably JEANSONNE], Marin PREJEAN [his older brother], Michel BERNARD, & Frédéric LEBLANC; Hébert, D., Southwest LA Records, 2-A:764 (SM Ch.: v.4, #838), his death/burial record, calls him André PREJEAN, "resident at Carencros, native of the parish of Canterelle [St. James]," says he died "at age 48 years at his home," & that he was buried "in the parish cemetery," but does not give his parents' names or mention a wife; Hébert, D., Southwest LA Records, 2-B:762 (SM Ct.Hse.: Succ.#320), his first succession, calls him André PREJEAN m. Marie BERNARD; Hébert, D., Southwest LA Records, 2-B:762 (Laf. Ct.Hse.: Succ.#400), his second succession, calls him André PREJEAN m. Marie BERNARD; Hébert, D., Southwest LA Records, 3:526 (Laf. Ct.Hse.: Succ. #400), his third succession, calls him André PREJEAN m. Marie BERNARD. 

For some reason, Wall of Names omits his other brother Joseph, perhaps confusing the 2 because of their similar names.  Arsenault, Généalogie, 2570, 2571-72, the LA section, says that Amand PRÉJEAN had sons named Joseph & André, the first born in 1759 (probably 1760), the other in 1765.  The Cabanocé censuses of 1766 & the Attakapas census of 1777 lists these 2 sons separately.  See Bourgeois, Cabanocey, 164; De Ville, Southwest LA Families, 1777, 11.  So Joseph really existed.

For reference to his birth "at sea," see the baptismal record of daughter Marie Tarsille, dated 28 Dec 1806, in Hébert, D., Southwest LA Records, 1-B:589 (SM Ch.: Folio E, p.30). 

04.  Wall of Names, 25, calls her Anne PRÉJEAN; Arsenault, Généalogie, 2589, the LA section, says she was born in 1728 & that she married her first husband in c1752, no place given; White, DGFA-1, 1461, gives her & her first husband's parents' names & says she married him in c1758, no place given; Bourgeois, Cabanocey, 171, & Voorhies, J., Some Late Eighteenth-Century Louisianians, 424, the record of her second marriage, calls her Anne PRÉJEAN, widow SAVOY, calls her husband Joseph HÉBERT, but gives no witnesses to her marriage.  See also Bourgeois, 173; De Ville, St. James Census, 1777, 7; J. Voorhies, 443. 

The Cabanocé/St.-Jacques censuses of 1769 & 1777 disagree with Arsenault's birth year.  The later census is followed here because of the closer ages of Joseph & Anne.  

05.  Wall of Names, 24, calls him Basil PRÉJEAN, & lists him singly; BRDR, 4:464 (ASC-4, 165), his death/burial record, calls him Bazile PREJEAN, "age 90 yrs.," but does not give his parents' names or mention a wife.  

Jobb, The Cajuns, 202-03, relates the following story about Basile:  "The Creoles saw the Acadians as perfect candidates to occupy the bottom tier of Louisiana's White society, peasant farmers who were one rung above freed Blacks and well below 'their betters,' the aristocracy of European-born and Creole planters and merchants.  This social pressure-cooker erupted into disputes over cattle and property lines that often turned violent.  One Acadian hothead, Basile PRÉJEAN, broke into a commandant's office to attack a Creole neighbor who was in the process of swearing a complaint alleging an earlier assault at PRÉJEAN's hands."  So Basile was not a man to mess with.  Jobb does not give the date of this incident, nor does he document it.  Still, it's a good story.  Brasseaux, Founding of New Acadia, 173, says the incident occurred in Commandant Louis JUDICE's office in late Feb 1774 & provides documentation.  Professor Brasseaux adds that Basile was "an Acadian leader at Cabannocé, who had previously quarreled with Commandant Nicolas VERRET," & that "PRÉJEAN was duly sentenced by the governor [UNZAGA] to three days' imprisonment," but does not mention Basile's victim. 

06.  Wall of Names, 23, calls her Cécile PRÉJEAN; Hébert, D., Southwest LA Records, 1-B:587 (SM Ch.: v.4, #494), her death/burial record, calls her Cécile PREJEAN, "wid. of dec. Grégoire PELLERIN," says she died "at the home of Joseph SOREL ... at age 80 yrs.," does not give her parents' names, & says the witnesses to her burial were A. FRERE, Frédéric PELLERIN [her son], Nicholas LOISEL, & ___ OGER.

07.  Wall of Names, 24, calls him Charles PRÉJEAN; NOAR, 2:231-32, 238-39 (SLC, B5, 189), the blessing of his marriage, calls him Charles PRESENT, "Acadian," calls his wife Margueritte RICHARD, "Acadian," says they were married "previously in Acadia with the consent of the spouses' parents, in the presence of many witnesses, in the absence of a priest," that the marriage was "ratified and blessed, Feb. 3, 1766," but gives no parents' names or witnesses to the blessing; Hébert, D., Southwest LA Records, 1-B:587 (SM Ch.: v.4, #414), his death/burial record, calls him Charles PREJEAN, "of la Côte Gelée and native of Acadia," but does not give his parents' names or mention a wife.   

08.  Wall of Names, 24, calls him Charles-Amand PRÉJEAN; NOAR, 2:231 (SLC, B5, 110), his birth/baptismal record, calls him Charles-Amand PREJEAN, gives his parents' names, & says his godparents were Amand PRIJEANT [his uncle] & Catherine BLANCHARD; Hébert, D., Southwest LA Records, 1-A:636 (SM Ch.: v.4, #150), probably his death/burial record, calls him Amable PREJEAN, "natural de esta colonia de edad de ___ y ocho anos (native of this colony, at age ___ and eight years)," says he was "sortero(?) (probably single)," that he "Received no sacraments because of not being advised," but does not give his parents' names.  

Why is he not listed in the Cabanocé censuses of Apr 1766 or Sep 1769 with his parents?  See Bourgeois, Cabanocey, 164.  Was the priest who recorded his burial saying that "Amable" was 18 years old when he died?  Why did he remain single?  Was he sickly?

09.  Wall of Names, 24, calls him Jean-Baptiste [PRÉJEAN], & lists him as a child of Joseph PRÉJEAN & Marguerite DUREL; Arsenault, Généalogie, 2431, profile for Joseph BOURG in the LA section, says that Jean-Baptiste & his siblings were children of Joseph BOURG & Marguerite DUREL; Arsenault, Généalogie, 2570-71, profile for his father Joseph PREJEAN in the LA section, gets it right; Arsenault, Généalogie, 2572, his profile in the LA section, calls him Jean-Baptiste PREJEAN, says he was born in c1765, that he probablement was son of Joseph [PREJEAN] & Marguerite BOREL, that he married Marie BABIN in c1785 but gives no place of marriage, & lists his children as Constance, born in 1786, but gives no birthplace; NOAR, 2:231 (SLC, B5, 108), his birth/baptismal record, calls him Jean-Baptiste PREJEAN, calls his parents Joseph [PREJEAN], "Acadian, & Margueritte DURELLE, & says his godparents were Jean-Baptiste NICOLLET (NICOLET), "merchant," & Jeanne DUBUISSON; BRDR, 2:333, 608 (SJA-2, 68), his marriage record, calls him Juan-Baptista PREJEAN, calls his wife Clémencia GRAVOIS, gives his & her parents' names, says his parents were "of New Orleans" & hers "of this Parish," & that the witnesses to his marriage were Joseph BOURQUE/BOURGEOIS & Alexis BRAUX; Hébert, D., South LA Records, 1:441 (Thib.Ch.: v.1, #887), his death/burial record, calls him Jean Baptiste PREJEAN, gives his parents' names, says he died "at age 75 yrs.," but does not mention a wife; Hébert, D., South LA Records, 1:441 (Thib. Ct.Hse.: Succ.: Year 1840), his succession public sale record, calls him Jean Baptiste PREJEAN m. Marie Clémence GRAVOIS, says he died on 9 Jan 1840, & lists his "children."  See also Bourgeois, Cabanocey, 164, 174, 191; De Ville, St. James Census, 1777, 19; Robichaux, Bayou Lafourche, 1770-98, 1.    

The St.-Jacques census of 1777 calls Joseph, husband of Margueritte DUREL, a BOURG, not a PRÉJEAN, which is probably where Arsenault got the name.  However, Jean-Baptiste's baptismal record, cited above, states clearly who his parents were.  The Cabanocé census of 1766 links Victoire with Jean-Baptiste & says that they were the children of Joseph PREJEAN & Marguerite BOREL[sic, obviously DUREL], not Joseph BOURG.  The Cabanocé census of 1769 & the Ascension census of 1770 verify this.  

Where did Arsenault get the idea that Jean-Baptiste PREJEAN married Marie BABIN?  Where is the baptismal record for daughter Constance?  His marriage record, cited above, gives no hint that he was a widower when he married Clémence.  One does have to wonder, though, why Joseph waited until his late 30s to marry. 

His succession record lists not his "children" but his heirs, most of whom were his siblings.  Evidently he & his wife were that rare Acadian couple who had no children. 

10.  Wall of Names, 24, calls him Joseph PRÉJEAN.  

His younger son Basile le jeune created a vigorous family line on Bayou Lafourche.  It was, in fact, the only PREJEAN line that survived there. 

11.  Not in Wall of Names.  Arsenault, Généalogie, 1663; Hébert, D., Southwest LA Records, 1-A:271-72, 638 (SM Ch.: v.3, #122), his marriage record, calls him Joseph PREJEAN "de l'Acadie," calls his wife Élisabeth DUGA "de St. Suliac de St. Malo en Bretagne," gives his & her parents' names, says he was a minor son & she a minor daughter, but gives no witnesses to his marriage.  See also Bourgeois, Cabanocey, 164; De Ville, Southwest LA Families, 1777, 11. 

Perhaps Wall of Names confused him with his younger brother André-Joseph, who is included on the Acadian Memorial's Wall of Names.  Arsenault, Généalogie, 2570, 2571-72, says Amand PRÉJEAN had sons named Joseph & André, the first born in 1759, the other in 1765.  The Cabanocé censuses of 1766 & the Attakapas census of 1777 lists these 2 sons separately, so Joseph really existed.

One wonders what led to his early death. 

12.  Wall of Names, 24, calls her Anne PRÉJEAN; Arsenault, Généalogie, 2570, a profile of her father, calls her Marie-Anne PRÉJEAN; Hébert, D., Southwest LA Records, 4:400 (Opel. Ch.: v.2, p.26), her death/burial record, calls her Anne PREJEAN m. Blusre BRASSEUR, says she died "at age 97 yrs.," but does not give her parents' names; Hébert, D., Southwest LA Records, 4:400 (Opel. Ct.Hse.: Succ. #1014), her succession record, calls her Anne PREJEAN m. Blaze BRASSEUR.  See also Bourgeois, Cabanocey, 164, 174; Robichaux, Bayou Lafourche, 1770-98, 1.  

What happened to her marriage record?

13.  Wall of Names, 16, calls her Marie-Josèphe PRÉJEAN; Hébert, D., Southwest LA Records, 2-A:764 (SM Ch.: v.4, #1187), her death/burial record, calls her "____ (probably Marie Josèphe)" PREJEAN, "wid. of dec. Charles DUHON, native of Acadie," says she died "at the home of Hypolite GUÉDRY at Vermillion, 'd'une maladie pestilentielle' (of a deadly disease) which only permitted the body of the deceased to be brought to the church," & that she was buried "at the home of Hypolite GUÉDRY at Vermillion," but does not give her parents' names or her age at the time of her death.  See also Bourgeois, Cabanocey, 164, 174; De Ville, Southwest LA Families, 1777, 15.  

Since the 3 censuses cited above--Cabanocé 1766, 1769, & Attakapas 1777--indicate different birth years (c1740, c1736, & c1737), the third date will be used here.  Arsenault, Généalogie, 735, the Port-Royal section, gives her parents' names, says she was born in c1737, & hints that a sister, Anne, was her twin. 

Hippolyte GUIDRY was a son-in-law. 

14.  Wall of Names, 24, calls him Marin PRÉJEAN; Arsenault, Généalogie, 2571; Hébert, D., Southwest LA Records, 1-A:640 (SM Ch.: v.4, #136), his death/burial record, calls him Marin PREJEAN, "of Acadia ... m. to Marie-Rose BENOIT, says he died "at age 50 yrs.," & gives his parents' names; Hébert, D., Southwest LA Records, 1-A:639-40 (SM Ct.Hse.: OA-19-11), his succession estate record, calls him Marin PREJEAN, "widr. of Marie-Rose BENOIT," but does not give his parents' names.  See also De Ville, Southwest LA Families, 1777, 11. 

At least 2  church records, dated 14 Mar 1808 & 1 Nov 1809, call him Joseph or Joseph Marin.  See, e.g., D. Hébert, 1-B:226, 228 (SM Ch.: v.6, #650; SM Ch.: v.6, #472), the baptismal records of 2 of his DEROUEN grandchldren.  One wonders if this was a priestly reference to Marin's paternal grandfather Joseph.  Both records were made by Attakapas's priest, Fr. Gabriel Isabey or 1 of his assistants. 

Arsenault says that Marin & Marie-Rose were married in c1775, but this makes no sense in light of the Attakapas census of 1777, which places him still in the household of his father & stepmother.  

15.  Wall of Names, 23, calls her Rosalie PRÉJEAN; Hébert, D., Acadians in Exile, 347, 370, the record of her second marriage, which names her first husband; Hébert, D., Southwest LA Records, 2-A:769 (SM Ch.: v.4, #808), her death/burial record, calls her Rosalie PREJEAN, "native of Acadie, wid. of François PECOT, inhabitant at Mirbalais, at St. Domingue," says she died "at age 72 yrs. at the home of Joseph SOREL on lower Bayou Thyche (Teche)," & that she was buried "in the parish cemetery," but does not give her parents' names. 

Two of her brothers, Anselme & Charles, fils died at Mirebalais, ages 25 & 23, respectively, in Jan & Apr 1765, before her marriage, so her family evidently emigrated to the sugar colony in 1763 or 1764 from 1 of the British seaboard colonies. 

She & her family probably were part of the large migration of whites from Haiti during the final stages of the revolution there in the early 1800s.  The baptismal record of granddaughter Cécile Rosalie PELLERIN, daughter of Marie-Anne PECOT, dated Oct 1809, in Hébert, D., Southwest LA Records, 1-B:573 (SM Ch.: v.6, #636), says that the maternal grandfather, François PECOT, was deceased at the time of the baptism, so he did not live long after the family came to LA. 

16.  Wall of Names, 24, calls her Victoire PRÉJEAN; Hébert, D., South LA Records, 2:307 (Thib.Ch.: v.2, #370), her death/burial record, calls her Victoire PREJEAN m. Jean ROGER, says she died "at age 101 yrs." on 11 Jun 1847, but does not give her parents' names; Hébert, D., South LA Records, 2:307 (Thib. Ct.Hse.: Succ. #51), petition for her succession inventory, calls her Victoria PREJEAN m. Jean ROGER, says she died on 10 Jun 1847, & lists her children & their spouses. 

She was closer to age 86 when she died. 

Where is her marriage record?  The baptismal record of daughter Marie-Céleste ROGER, dated 28 Dec 1782, in BRDR, 2:645 (SJA-1, 64), calls her Marie-Victoire PREJEAN.

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