Creole Chronology

Important dates in Louisiana Creole History

Creoles fought in the FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR

MARIE THERESE COINCOIN was born in Isle Breville, La. of slave parents from Gold Coast, AFRICA Died circa 1816.

CLAUDE PIERRE THOMAS METOYER, Frenchman, was born in LaRochelle, FRANCE and died circa 1815

Jacques V. OGE’, free Haitian Creole, educated in France, organized military camp in U.S. and returned to Haiti to lead a slave revolt in 1791; was executed following his surrender. “Early American Writers”, Chapel Hill Univ., North Carolina Press (1935)

Claude Pierre Thomas METOYER formed a union with Marie Therese COINCOIN and created         
the first Creoles of Color in Isle Breville, La. (now described as Cane River) Nine children

First children of the union of 1767 were twins AUGUSTIN METOYER and SUZANNE METOYER

Second birth of children of Claude and Coincoin: LOUIS METOYER - died 1832 

PIERRE METOYER also born to union - died 1833

DOMINIQUE METOYER also born to union - died 1839

EULALIE METOYER born to union - died circa 1788 - 1801

ANTOINE JOSEPH METOYER born to union - died 1838

MARIE FRANCOISE ROSELIE METOYER born to union - died 1783

PIERRE TOUSSAINT METOYEr born to union -
died 1863

FRANCOIS METOYER born to union - died 1862

Creoles fought in the AMERICAN REVOLUTION

Creoles fought in the HAITIAN REVOLUTION 

FRANCE PROCLAIMED FREEDOM for all living under the French flag. Louisiana was then under Spanish rule

AUGUSTIN METOYER, twin son of Claude Metoyer & Coincoin along with Louis his brother donated the land for the first CATHOLIC CHURCH on Isle Breville, La. (now known as Cane River MARIE THERESE COINCOIN was a very hardworking woman who with Claude Pierre’s help purchased the freedom of all of her children, exported cotton and jute to Africa and the West indies, amassed acres of property, owned slaves, all with the help of her sons.

SPANISH LOUISIANA TERRITORY was CEDED back to France from Spain (Treaty of San Ildefonso)

FRENCH LOUISIANA TERRITORY was SOLD to the United States on April 30th for $15,000,000, Rights. At that time the La. Territory comprised of more than 900,000 acres or l/3 of the United States

The UNITED STATES thereafter RENEGED on all of the CIVIL RIGHTS granted to the inhabitants and CREOLES when it signed the Treaty between the French Republic and itself

ANDREW JACKSON promises freedom to all Creoles who fought in the Battle of New Orleans and RENEGED

Creoles fought in the BATTLE of NEW ORLEANS                                                                   

Sr. HENRIETTE DeLILLE (DeLisle) was born in New Orleans of wealthy Creole parentage

EUGENE WARBOURG- 1825 - 1861 - Noted Sculptor, taught by Gabriel, a Frenchman under duress. Most outstanding works: “The Fisherman” and “The First Kiss”

PAUL TRAVIGNE was born; he was a teacher for 40 years in New Orleans, Editor in Chief ofNEWSPAPER L’UNION and LA TRIBUNE until 1869 and reported on contraversial issues of his time
LUCIEN MANSION (nicknamed Lolo Mansion - renown Poet. His words published in LA TRIBUNE
and LE CRUSADER, Told of PERSECUTION of Creoles in 1855. He helped many escape the
prejudice financially to flee to Mexico, Northern U.S., France and the West Indies

SISTERS OF THE HOLY FAMILY founded by Creole women - HENRIETTE DeLILLE (DeLisle) JULIETTE GAUDIN and JOSEPHINE CHARLES

First CREOLE PUBLICATION

Rudolph Lucien Desdunes, Noted Writer and Creole Historian - Author of “Nos Hommes et Notre Histoire” (Our People and Our History) His book was translated from French to English by Sr.
Dorothea McCants /Quoted from his book.--”Creoles of Color played an extraordinary role in both the cultural & political history of Louisiana - they excelled in all the major professions. Some amassed considerable fortunes, and some as other Black and White Americans owned slaves

CREOLES fought their 5th war in the CIVIL WAR under General Benjamin Butler

CREOLES PETITIONED President LINCOLN for Civil Rights which were granted under
Civil Rights and Political Recognition in La. Legislature

Creoles DENIED voting rights

Creoles GAINED voting rights, full equality and school integration

Lt. Gov. P.B.S. PINCHBACK became Governor of Louisiana (lasted only two months) His grandson, Jean TOOMER was noted author

C.C. Antoine became Lt. Governor of Louisiana

LAFCADIO HEARN noted author, wrote “Gombo Zhebes” Dictionary of Creole proverbs