At this time of year, when families gather together and offer thanks for the many blessings bestowed upon them, it is an appropriate time to recognize a few Creole matriarchs. These dutiful wives, mothers, and grandmothers were incredibly strong and served as the backbones of their families. Briefly profiled below are matriarchs from four communities – New Orleans, Mobile, Lafayette, and Opelousas.
Mrs. Odile Gibson Collins (Mon Louis Island)
Odile Gibson was born on 26 October 1860 at Mon Louis Island, Alabama. Mon Louis Island is a beautiful Creole community situated on an island along the Alabama Gulf Coast in Mobile Bay. Her mother, Mary Chastang, was belonged from one of the oldest families in the Mobile area. The Chastangs descend from Dr. Jean-Baptiste Chastang and his longtime partner, Louison, négresse libre. As a young woman, Odile worked as a seamstress while residing with her relatives, the Petites. Odile was married to Francis Xavier Collins on 17 February 1885 at Saint Vincent de Paul Church. Her husband, “Frank,” as he was called, was the son of Jean Colin (anglicized to Collins) and Leonine Durette. Frank spent his entire life working as a ship carpenter in the boat yard owned by his family. Odile and Frank were among the first members of Saint Rose de Lima Parish on Mon Louis Island, which was dedicated in 1892. Together they had children Dennis A. Collins; Ernest Collins; Laurida “Rita” Collins (Mrs. Walter Chastang); Agnes Olivia Collins (Mrs. Walter Barial); Nettie Veronice Collins; Percy A. Collins; Perry Collins; Mary Margaret Collins (Mrs. Rudolph English); Rupert Collins; and Elisabeth Odile Collins (Mrs. Eugene Barnum). Her husband died in 1916, leaving her to complete the rearing of the three youngest children, Margaret, Rupert, and Odile. At the time of her death on 5 September 1947, Mrs. Collins was the oldest surviving inhabitant of Mon Louis Island. She had attained the venerable age of eighty-seven years. She was survived by six children, thirty-six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. She was laid to rest in the cemetery of Saint Rose de Lima Parish on Mon Louis Island.
Mrs. Marie-Louise Mouton Bourges (Lafayette)
Marie-Louise Mouton was born on 10 December 1882 at Lafayette, Louisiana. She was the second oldest of seven surviving children born to Antoine Mouton and Azélie Jolivette. Louise was married to Arthur Bourges on 1901. Initially, they resided in Scott, a small town about five miles outside of Lafayette. Arthur worked on his own account as a very successful painter and paper hanger in the Lafayette area. Together, they maintained a comfortable home for their children at 416 South Washington Street in Lafayette. They opened their home often to visiting friends, who dubbed it the “White House” of Lafayette. They were early members of Saint Paul’s Parish in Lafayette. Their son, the Reverend Anthony Bourges, S.V.D., was one of the first four African-American Divine Word Missionaries. They had the joy of seeing him return to Lafayette in 1934 as the first pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish. Their other children were: Laura Bourges (Mrs. Louis Benjamin); Arthur, Bourges Jr.; Felix Bourges, and Benedict. Mrs. Bourges died on 8 August 1951 at the age of sixty-eight years old. Her husband of fifty years, Arthur Bourges, Sr., died on 14 November 1966.
Mrs. Marie-Arthemise Donatto Chachere (Opelousas)
Marie-Arthemise Donatto was born in Opelousas, Louisiana on 16 March 1882 to George Donatto and Marie Giron. Through her mother and father’s families, she was tied to nearly all of the major Creole families in the Opelousas section. Her father died early in life, which forced her to add the task of assisting her mother with her younger seven siblings to her duties as a wife and mother. She attended Saint Joseph’s Academy maintained in Opelousas by the Sisters of the Holy Family. In 1898, she married Ernest Chachere, the son of Louis Ernest Chachere and Leontine Collins. Their union was blessed with twelve children, nine boys and three girls – Loither, Lancelot, Carl, Carmen George, Earl Lawrence, Raymond Louis, Marion, Alton Alphonse, Aloysius, Dorothy (Mrs. Howard Mack), Claudian (Mrs. Henry Finks), and Gertrude Chachere. Mrs. Chachere had the great joy of seeing two of her sons raised to the priesthood, the Reverend Carmen George Chachere, S.V.D. and the Reverend Earl Lawrence Chachere, M.S.S.T. Mrs. Chachere remained the center of her large and loving family until her death on 28 June 1970 at the venerable old age of eighty-eight years.
Mrs. Marie-Alexandrie Lyons Broyard (New Orleans)
Marie Alexandrie Lyons was born in New Orleans on Roman Street near Columbus Street on 16 February 1885. Her father was William Lyons. Her mother was the former St.-Elia Marguerite Baquet, an early member of the famed family of restaurateurs. Mary Alexandrie attended the school conducted by the Sisters of Perpetual Adoration and Saint Mary’s Academy in the Vieux Carré. Like so many of the children of the old Creole families, she made her First Communion within the venerable old Saint Louis Cathedral. On 24 April 1906, “Dedine,” as she was called, was married to Mr. Henry Bernard Broyard within the Church of Saint Katherine on Tulane Avenue. To their union were born ten children, eight of whom lived to adulthood. These children were: Private Randolph Broyard, Staff Sergeant Paul Broyard, Corporal St. Clair Broyard, Corporal Samuel Broyard, Private William Broyard, Miss Cornelia Broyard, and Sister Mary Clarisse Broyard, S.S.F. As featured in a previous article, five of Mrs. Broyard’s sons served in the armed forces during World War II. Mrs. Broyard died on 1 August 1966 at eighty-one years old.
Jari C. Honora
Sources: The Claverite (May 1943), page 3; (October 1947), page 11; (May 1947), page 9.
Nice article, Jari.
Thank you for the background of the Mouton/Jolivette families who are connected to my Daigle/Doucet families and St. Paul Catholic Church and elementary school, of which me and my siblings grew up as members. I do have a family tree with ancestry.com. I am the same person who made a comment about “The rebuilding of an orphanage.” Keep up the good work.
Our family spent many weekends on Mon Louis Island with the Chachere, Collins and English families. Great memories !
Hey, Bobby. Missed you at our 60th reunion last month.
Numa
Hi Numa, I had planned to go to the reunion but it just didn’t work out. I know it was a success ! Hope all is well.
Bobby, my grandfather is Aloysius Chachere. We’ve been doing some research on our family history. If you would ever want to share any information or memories of the Chachere’s with us that would be amazing!
Jari,thanks for this article on one of my Collins family relatives.
Marie-Louise Mouton Bourges was my Grandmother and thanks for the detail background on her history. She died when I was a year old and my father was Felix Bourges a successful Pharmacist that was self employed in New Orleans, LA until his death. I am Amanda Louise Bourges Duffy now Barker and my brother is Arthur Anthony Bourges both living in Louisiana. Our Cousin child of Laura Bourges Benjamin is Louis Benjamin Jr. We always knew she was a Mouton but nothing else. Seems our family is larger than we imagined.
Amanda
This is Edward LeBlanc. Lyman Newsham was my Uncle and Pauline Newsham was my Grandmother. I have not heard from you or Bubby in over 50 years.
I am the grandaughter of Marie-Artemis Chachere. I am her daughter Gertrude’s daughter. Gertrude married Willie Alvin Sittig.
WOW, Wonderful, I am a Creole from Mon Luis Island. It is refreshing to know that there are those who continue to preserve our heritage and history. Raymond Collins
My grandmother was a Chastang. I attended high school with Leroy, Diane, and with you, Raymond at Most Pure Heart of Mary. Also with Sybil Chastang, Lois Gobin, and Gary Detiege.
Hi Ray, I am the granddaughter of Odile Collins, PERCY Collins’ daughter. I was told that Odile was on a ship and it was seized by pirates and Odile was a baby taken by maybe some woman, not her real mother and raised. Your info says she was born on Mon Louis Island which surprises me. Where did you get your information?
I need some help with this ancestry research. It seems that there are a lot of “repeat” names in the Chachere family tree.
Above it is stated that Marie-Arthemis Donatto Chachere was married to Ernest Louis Chachere. My great-grandmother, Marie Chenier Chachere, was also married to an Ernest Louis Chachere. I have a photograph of my great-grandmother as well as a copy of her marriage certificate.
Also, I remember Marie-Arthemis Donatto Chachere’s daughter, Dorothy Chachere Mack, and her son, Earl Chachere. My parents were very close to them, and I have photos of Dorothy and Earl.
Peace and Love, Family!!
Hi,
I am researching also. My Father may be connected to the family of Dorothy Chachere Mack. I would love to see pictures of Dorothy and Earl if possible.
Thanks,
My wife is a Donato and I am also a descendent of the Chachere family. Do you have any additional pic or info or a family tree ?
Hello my Great great grandmother is Marie Chenier Chachere (Sinclair) From St.Landry Opelusas. Moved to Crowley La. Married to Marcelin St.Clair or Sinclair. Choctaw Indian.
Dorothy Chachere Mack is my grandmother. Her brother was Earl. My mother was Rio Rita Mack, Dot’s Daughter.
Bonjour Mrs. Kaufman!
There were two Ernest Chachere’s, a father and a son. The older Ernest was married to Marie Chenier in 1865. Their son, Ernest Chachere, Jr., born about 1878, married Marie-Arthemise Donatto. – Ernest Chachere, Jr. has a grandson who is still living, in New Orleans, and his name is also Ernest Chachere.
WOW!! I’ve looked at my ancestry research so much that I simply overlooked this. Incredible! Therefore, Marie-Arthemise Donatto Chachere was my grandmother’s sister-in-law; Marie was married to my grandmother’s brother.
Do you know if there are any Chachere Family Reunions or is there a way to get in touch with Ernest Chachere?
Hi Anita,
My great-grandmother was Marie Arthemise Chachere. My grandfather is the baby of her 12 children, Al Chachere. I would love to learn about his father’s side of the family. We’ve been doing some research as well and it has been pretty interesting so far! Let me know if you want to swap stories!
I am the granddaughter of Dorothy Chachere Mack. I remember my grandmother talking about the Kaufman’s.
Hi Jessica,
I am doing DNA research tracing my Father’s heritage. There’s a possibility that he is connected the family of Dorothy Chachere Mack.
Could you contact me?
Naurine
Hello, I am Anthony Chachere. My grandfather was Lancelot Chachere. I know a lot of Chacheres in New Orleans and Mobile and California. Research says that his mother was Marie Arthemise (Donato) Chachere but I am looking for any confirmation or information. Do you know any info on the Donato side?
Marie Chenier Chachere was married again to Marcelin St.Clair or Sinclair, my Great- great grandfather and grandmother. Opelousas to Crowley.
Are you on Ancestery.com? Have you submitted your DNA?
If so under what name?
Hello Sir,
I think you are the gentleman who asked if I was on Ancestry. My full name is Anthony Chachere Dow.
I have submitted DNA. My mother is Bernadette Chachere. I have been researching the Chachere/Donatto line. I am also trying to find more information on Faustina Beach. It was a beach on Mon Luis Island in Alabama that many Blacks/Creoles went to a long time ago.
I wish you well.
Thank you,
Anthony Chachere Dow
Glad to be a descendant of the Chachere Family Tree
Hello,
I am Anthony Chachere Dow and would like to access your site.
What do I need to do?
Thanks,
Hello, I know this post hasn’t been updated for a while, but I just found it 🙂
My 2xGreat Grandmother is Marie Hermina Chachere of New Iberia, but also My 7th great grand father was Nicholas Bodin Dit Miragouine who was supposedly deeded Mon Louis in 1710 when it was refered to as Grossee Point. If anyone has any information on the Bodin family I would love for them to reach out. Thank you
I’m a nephew of Preston Rene Collins. I believe he is the grandson of Odie, as Preston told me his father’s name was Dennis and mother’s name was Alice, shortly before his passing in 2013.
Here’s a link to his obituary. If anyone recognizes him, please let me know.
https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/preston-collins-singing-bricklayer-obituary?pid=179075134