Who are you descended from?
At its monthly meeting on March 14th the Imperial St. Landry Genealogical & Historical Society’s guest speaker, John Francois, spoke about the commemoration that the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) plans to have on Saturday, the 25th of April, 2020, regarding the Opelousas Post Militia historical marker at the Vieux Village Historical Park in Opelousas.
The immediate question was: What did the men of colonial Opelousas have to do with the American colonies’ fight for independence from Britain that would prompt the Sons of the American Revolution to put up a historical marker?
Surprisingly for this researcher–and probably for many of our readers who are interested in St. Landry parish history—there were many men, outside of New Orleans, of various backgrounds, ethnicities and enslaved status who fought in the American colonies’ revolution.
According to John Francois, in the summer of August 1779 the men of the Opelousas post militia joined in the Spanish effort to drive the British forces from the lower Mississippi Valley at Natchez and Baton Rouge. Later in 1780 many of these same men went with Spanish general Bernardo de Galvez to attack the British at Mobile and later at Pensacola. Their efforts were crucial in gaining the political and economic independence of the American colonies from Great Britain in the American Revolution of 1775 – 1783.
The lists of those who participated during the American Revolution are provided here and are available from the Imperial St. Landry Genealogical Society and from the Louisiana Society of the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution.
Many of you will recognize your family surnames in these lists. Please note: the names and descriptions are as they appeared on the original documents.
This is a fascinating part of the history of the Attakapas and Opelousas regions of Louisiana and one that is not widely known or shared among those who descend from these men.
According to Mr. Francois, all people listed as Southwest Militiamen during the American Revolution are eligible for inclusion in the Sons of the American Revolution organization. All descendants are invited and encouraged to attend the ceremony Saturday, April 25th at Le Vieux Village, Opelousas, 1:00 pm. However, this event may be postponed depending on the situation with Covid-19 and isolation/social distancing.
Lenora Gobert
Ms. Lenora, Until 2 yrs ago, I kept looking for info on Militia lists from the “Florida campaign of the American Revolution” in Florida….not taking into account that back in the Colonial days, Florida butted up to the Mississippi River. Then, I came across information on the Baton Rouge battles of the American Revolution. I can not find the source, but I am told that the DAR/SAR will accept one who can trace their lineage back to any male 14 or older residing in Louisiana because there was a Spanish edit demanding that all males 14 and older be armed to defend the Spanish Territory against the British.
Patty,
If you can trace your blood line to any militiamen listed in the 1776 or 1777 rosters listed in “Louisiana Soldiers in the American Revolution,” by Winston De Ville, you are eligible for membership in the DAR, and your sons and daughters, if any, in the SAR and DAR.
Attakapa militia monument @ DeTours CHURCH in St Martinville . Paul Bonin is my 4th x greatgrandfather also Claude Broussard, Michael Meaux.
My ancestor is also Claude Broussard .
My family is from Donatto Bello
Donatto Bello is one of mine too. He is one of my ancestors for The Sons of the American Revolution. Francois Mercantell is also. 5 total from the Opelousas Militia
Could you tell me where you found this document? Currently there is an issue with the proof used for the service of Francois Marcantel in the DAR Patriot database and new proof will be required. He is my 6th great grandfather.
Thank you!
Theressa, I am a Horton descendant. I am just learning of my Broussard cousins in my genetic genealogy. Would you please email me at arturo.shivers@gmail.com to connect. I would like to ask some questions.