Etienne Burel

In 1656, amidst the cobblestone streets of St. Severin, Paris, Isle de France, Etienne Burel took his first breath, nestled in the embrace of Pierre Burel and Jeanne Vanier. The aroma of pastry dough soon captivated him, leading him into the delicate craft of a pastry cook.

In 1682, Etienne’s adventurous spirit carried him across the seas to Cap St. Ignace in Canada, where he found love anew with Marguerite Roussel, widow of Mathurin Ducheron dit Deslauriers. However, the allure of distant horizons beckoned, and around the turn of the century, Etienne steered his family back to Paris.

Fate, however, had another journey in store. Whispers of opportunity echoed through the streets, heralding the call for settlers in Louisiana by St. Vallier. Etienne, ever one to seize opportunity, embarked with his beloved family aboard the illustrious Pelican, alongside the famed “Pelican girls,” who were destined to marry single men in Old Mobile.

On the balmy shores of the New World, they landed on Isle de la Massacre on July 24, 1704, among the pioneer settlers of French Louisiana.

Etienne wasted no time in planting roots, establishing what likely was the first tavern in Old Mobile. Within its humble walls, he served libations and delicacies, crafting a sanctuary amidst the wilderness.

By August 1, 1706, the census of Mobile bore witness to Etienne’s presence, alongside his cherished wife Marguerite Roussel and their children. Among them were their three daughters Jeanne, Genevieve, and Marguerite, and son Louis, a testament to their familial unity amidst the unfamiliarity of their new home.

Etienne hailed as Mobile’s inaugural grandfather, a testament to his early establishment in the burgeoning community.

Etienne’s tale echoes through the annals of family lore, a testament to resilience, fortitude, and the enduring bonds of kinship amidst the uncharted territories of the New World, all aboard the storied Pelican ship.