A Major Brick Wall has been broken. I believe I’ve identified the parents of Ursin Augustin Sr. (1808-1901) and Jean Pierre Augustin Sr. (1806-1870), the ancestors of many African-Americans from the Avoyelles Parish area. Information gleaned from Lawsuits was instrumental in accomplishing this goal. Most of the lawsuits concerned property that members of the family acquired and fought to keep. Two White landowners who testified for the Augustin family in one of these lawsuits were Pierre P. Normand and his brother, Alcide H. Normand.
Information Already Gathered
After I’d found Lucien, my grandfather, Jacques, my great grandfather, with substantiating documents, I had come to an impasse. I hadn’t found who Jacques’ father was and didn’t know where else to look. I was advised land records, lawsuits, etc. at the Avoyelles Parish Courthouse might have more information, because I was getting back to the slavery era, where documents of the enslaved were going to be hard to find.
In my Louisiana History class in eighth grade, I’d learned the freed enslaved had taken the surnames of their owners. Therefore, my brother and I searched the conveyance records looking for White slave owners named Augustin. The records I found for Augustins were not Augustin slave owners, but were of Black Augustins after 1865, after they’d been freed.
The Acknowledgement
One of the documents was Ursin Augustin – the [1]Acknowledgement of His Natural Children dated February 16, 1872. It named his children, which included someone named Jacques.
Below is an excerpt from the Act of Acknowledgement.
The children, Gustin, Jacques, Auguste, Avit, Pavy, André, Jean Pierre, Louise, Josephine and Dorsin were born of the cohabitation of him, the said Ursin Augustin pére and Constance Desiré.
The child Ursin was born of the cohabitation of him, the said Ursin Augustin pére with Manette Sylvert.
I believed this Jacques was my great grandfather. He was what I call a “suspect,” meaning I thought that’s who he was, but had not gathered enough evidence to prove my theory. So, I continued to investigate.
The Lawsuits
Lawsuits have been extremely helpful with the research of the Augustin family. The first one I discovered was [2]Auguste Augustin et al. vs. Alfred Carmouche filed January 6, 1902.
From it, I learned that this Jacques was my great grandfather and that Ursin (1808-1901) was his father, because it gave the names of his legitimate children, which matched The Act of Acknowledgement and various other family connections. Moreover, it named Zenon Lemoine and Ceran Gremillion as two of the family’s slave owners. More about this lawsuit in the next blog.
Ursin Augustin fils et al vs. A. L. Boyer
Another lawsuit that played an important role was [3]Ursin Augustin fils et al. vs. A. L. Boyer filed December 19, 1881. This is not the same Ursin, the son, in the above acknowledgement, whose mother is Manette Sylvert.
The lawsuit gave Jean Pierre (1806-1870) and Ursin fils’ former owners’ names, Dorcineau (spelled Dorcino in the lawsuit) Armand and Pierre Belzaire Normand. It, also, gave Ursin fils’ mother’s name, which was Felicité, Felicité’s owner and other names that Jean Pierre was known by. Additionally, it established that the Ursin (1808-1901) and the Jean Pierre were brothers.
Lawsuit Background
In the lawsuit, Ursin Augustin fils is attempting to regain ownership of his deceased father, Jean Pierre Augustin’s (1806-1870) property, that he believed had been taken without cause. In French, pére means father and fils mean son, like Senior and Junior in the English language. Therefore, if a man has fils behind his name, he’s usually the son of a man with the same name. However, in this case, this Ursin Augustin fils is not the son of Ursin Augustin pére, (1808-1901) but his nephew. There are affidavits in this suit for the plaintiff, Ursin Augustin fils, from Pierre P. Normand, Alcide H. Normand, Dr. L. Rabalais, Gervais Armand and Felicien Gremillion, neighbors and distinguished White landowners in the community, all attesting that Jean Pierre was this Ursin Augustin fils’ father. This was important, because the defendants were claiming he was not the son of Jean Pierre, therefore, not a legal heir and had no right to sue.
Reiteration
I’d like to reiterate. There was an Ursin Augustin fils , who was the senior Ursin Augustin’s son by Manette Sylvert. That’s the one on the Acknowledgement (Figure 2). This Ursin Augustin fils (b. 1838) was fathered by Jean Pierre and his mother’s name was Felicité. Two different people. Below are his and his brother, Jean’s [4]baptisms records.
Testimony of Ursin Augustin, pére
In addition to the testimony of the White gentlemen above, there was, also, an affidavit by Jacques Augustin who testified that Jean Pierre (1806-1870) was his uncle. An affidavit by Ursin Augustin pére (1808-1901), attested to the same facts as the other affidavits and added that he was Jean Pierre Augustin’s brother. Below is the first page of Ursin Augustin pére’s affidavit and the transcription.
In this case, the testimony of Ursin Augustin, a witness for plaintiff is taken by consent of parties to this suit and which is to be used on the trial of this case, and who after being duly sworn says that he knew Jean Pierre Augustin during his lifetime, he being a brother of his. He went or was known under three different names, to wit Jean Pierre Augustin, Jean Augustin and Old Gustin. He being the same man who purchased the land from J. M. B. Lacour. He lived upon the same at the time of his death, the land being situated behind that of Mr. F. Gremillion on Bayou Des Glaise in this Parish. He, formerly, belonged to Mr. Dorcino Armand and married to Felicité, a woman formerly belonging to Pierre Normand. Witness does not (The following is the rest of the document from another page.) know when he died, does not recollect the year.
Witness is named Ursin Augustin. He has the following named children, to wit Jacques Augustin, Jean Pierre Augustin, Andre Augustin, Avis Augustin, Auguste Augustin, Gustin Augustin, all living, his two children who died, Dorsin and Sosthene Augustin. Sworn to and subscribed before me, this the 17th of December 1881. L. Beridon dy clerk – Ursin Augustin pére X his mark.
Early Life
Ursin and his brother Jean Pierre is found on the [5]Inventory of Charles Dufour of Pointe Coupée Parish dated April 19, 1809. Below is the heading of the document in French and the translation.
Territory of Orleans
Parish of Pointe Coupée
Inventory of the property & effects included in the succession of the late Mr. Ches Dufour, 19 April 1809. No. 3148
Today, the 19th day of the month of April 1809, the 33rd year of the Independence of the United States of America, in the morning.
At the request of Mrs. Adrienne Deshotel, Widow of the late Charles Dufour, …
The List of all the Enslaved persons on pages 13 and 14 of the Inventory is listed below.
Slaves
First, Pierre, foreman of the plantation, creole of the country, aged around forty-eight years, estimated by the said appraisers at the sum of seven hundred dollars 700
Item, Pierre, negro field hand, creole, aged around thirty years, estimated at the sum of six hundred dollars 600
Item, Augustin, creole, aged thirty-six years, estimated at the sum of five hundred dollars 500
Item, Jasmin, of the Congo nation, aged sixty years, estimated at the sum of two hundred fifty dollars 250
Item, Francois, of the Mina nation, aged around forty years, estimated at the sum of five hundred fifty dollars 550
Item, Louis, infirm, of the Congo nation, aged around fifty years, estimated at the sum of two hundred fifty dollars 250
Item, Genevieve, of the Acoua nation, infirm, aged around thirty-five years, estimated at the sum of two hundred dollars 200
Item, Francoise, infirm, aged around fifty years, estimated at the sum of one hundred fifty dollars 150
Item, Manette, creole aged (Manette is shown at the bottom of the page before this one.) around twenty-two years & her two children named Celestine, aged three years, and Ursain, aged one year, estimated together at the sum of six hundred fifty dollars 650
Item, Charlotte, creole of the country, aged around fifty-eight years, estimated at the sum of one hundred fifty dollars 150
Item, Marie, creole, aged thirty years, estimated at the sum of four hundred dollars 400
Item, Modeste, aged around thirty years, creole of the country, and her two children named Jean Pierre, aged three years & Arthemise, aged eight years, estimated together at the sum of one thousand dollars 1000
Item, Margueritte, of the Congo nation, aged thirty-eight years, estimated at the sum of four hundred dollars 400
Item, Alexis, mulatto, aged ten years, creole of the country, estimated at three hundred dollars 300Translated by Judy Riffel
Ursin Sold to Zenon Lemoine
Ursin was [6]acquired from the Succession of Charles Dufour by his son, Faustin Dufour on February 23, 1829. Three years later, on March 1, 1832, Faustin sold him to Zenon Lemoine.
Below is an excerpt from the sale, both pictured and translated, because the document is in French.
A Negro named Ursin, aged around 24 years, who the vendor owns by means of the acquisition that he made of him at the public sale of the property of the succession of Mr. Charles Dufour, his father, according to the procés-verbal dated the 23rd of February 1829.
This sale is made for and by means of the price and sum of $900 payable in the following manner: $100 in all the course of the present month of March 1831, $400 in all the course of March 1832, and the remaining $400 in all the course of March 1833. Translated by Judy Riffel.
Jean Pierre Sold to Dorcineau Armant
At the Succession sale of Charles Dufour Sr. on February 23, 1829, his son Charles Dufour acquired Jean Pierre. Over four and a half years later, on October 16, 1833, he sold[7] Jean Pierre to Dorcineau Armant (Armand).
Below is an excerpt from the sale, both pictured and translated, because the document is in French.
A Negro named Jean Pierre, aged around 27 years and guaranteed slave for life as well as from vices and maladies foreseen by the law.
Who belongs to the vendor for having purchased him at the sale of the property of the succession of the late Charles Dufour, Sr., his late father, dated 23 February 1829, as it also appears by the proces-verbal of the said sale.This sale is made for and by means of the price and sum of $800 that the vendor recognizes to have received from the acquirer prior to the passing of the present and for which sum he gives good and valuable quittance and discharge. Translated by Judy Riffel.
Clues that Match
The lawsuit, Auguste Augustin et al. vs. Alfred Carmouche, established that Ursin Augustin pére (1808-1901) had been enslaved on Zenon Lemoine’s plantation. The same family member’s names were on the Act of Acknowledgement and both lawsuits. The lawsuit, Ursin Augustin fils et al. vs. A. L. Boyer, established that Jean Pierre (1806-1870) had been enslaved on Dorcineau Armand’s plantation. It also established that Ursin and Jean Pierre were brothers. The Ursain on the Charles Dufour Inventory was sold to Zenon Lemoine and the Jean Pierre on the Charles Dufour Inventory was sold to Dorcineau Armand. Ursain was later spelled Ursin on the Zenon Lemoine Succession. So, these two people are my ancestors and were very young children on the Charles Dufour Plantation in Pointe Coupée Parish.
Parents for Ursin Augustin
Of the men on the Charles Dufour Inventory, of which there were two Pierres, I believe their father was Augustin, the thirty-six-year old creole. Because when they were freed, they and their offspring all chose the surname of Augustin. I’d wondered where the last name Augustin had come from, since I’d found no owner they’d had who was named Augustin.
Augustin would have been born about 1773. He was creole, meaning born in America. I don’t know when he died.
There were two different mothers. Ursin’s mother was named Manette, a very popular name at that time, who is on the page before her children. Her birth year was about 1787. Jean Pierre’s mother’s name was Modeste, and her birth year was about 1779. Two beautiful names, I think. Below is her death notice in the funeral register of[8] St. Paul’s Church. This is an enslaved person who died December 10, 1830 who belonged to Charles Dufour at the home of Dorcineau Armand.
Dorcineau Armand married[9] Eulalie Dufour, minor daughter of Charles (deceased) and Eulalie Decuir on April 28, 1827. So, this is Modeste, Jean Pierre’s mother.
Ursain (Ursin) was one year old in 1809, which would make his birth year 1808, instead of 1800 as stated in the burial register of St. Paul Catholic Church. Three-year-old Jean Pierre would have been born in 1806. There were also sisters. Ursin’s sister was named Celestine born about 1806 and Jean Pierre’s sister was named Arthemise, born about 1801. I don’t know whether they were whole siblings, thus I don’t know if Augustin was the father of the girls also.
Reflections
Two of the witnesses for the plaintiff, Ursin Augustin fils, (b. 1838) in the lawsuit, Ursin Augustin fils et al. vs. A. L. Boyer, were Pierre P. Normand and Alcide H. Normand. They were sons of Pierre Belzaire Normand, a former owner of my paternal ancestors, Simon Lavallé (See Simon in a Dangerous Confrontation) and Eulalie Jacob (See Eulalie Jacob-The Cause of a Lawsuit). The land Jean Pierre had purchased in that lawsuit from J. M. B. Lacour on Bayou Des Glaise, was bounded south by Felicien Gremillion (another witness), north by lands of White, east by G. Lemoine and west by Pierre Normand. On the 1870 census, Eulalie Jacob lived near Pierre Normand. Living in the same area, it seems that my maternal and paternal ancestors, probably, knew each other, either during or after slavery.
Finding Augustin was such a wonderful, exhilarating feeling. I’d been looking for the parents of Ursin Augustin for a long time, almost twenty years. Reread old files and notes you have on your brick walls. You’ve learned new things since you looked at them. A fresh look may give you an idea of where to search next.
Next Blog
Ursin and Constance’s lives continue. So, you don’t miss an installment, please subscribe in the side bar.
Sources
[1] Ursin Augustin pére Act of Acknowledgement to his Natural Children, Avoyelles Parish Courthouse, Conveyance Book LL, pages 606 and 607.
[2] Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana, Auguste Augustin et al. vs. Alfred Carmouche, Avoyelles Parish Archives, Marksville, Louisiana.
[3] Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana, Ursin Augustin fils et al. vs. A. L. Boyer, Avoyelles Parish Archives, Marksville, Louisiana.
[4] Early Baptism Records, St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, Avoyelles Publishing Company
[5] Inventory of Charles Dufour of Pointe Coupée Parish, FamilySearch.com
[6] Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana, “Faustin Dufour to Zenon Lemoine-Sale of Slave,” Conveyance Book H, pages 329-330, Clerk of Courts Office, Marksville, Louisiana.
[7] Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana, “Charles Dufour to Dorcineau Armant-Sale of Slave,” Conveyance Book J, pages 276, 277 and 278, Clerk of Courts Office, Marksville, Louisiana.
[8] Ducote, William J., Funeral Register of the Parish Church, Notre Dame of Mont Carmel of Avoyelles, page 15, Consumer Graphics, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, June 1997.
[9] Jeraldine Dufour LaCour, Brides Book of Avoyelles Parish – Louisiana, Volume 1, 1805-1855, page 26, Bunkie, Louisiana.
Thank You Jesus!!
You’re welcome, Beverly.