Marie Jeanne Mahou

Jeanne’s Journey: From Saint-Dizier, France to the Shores of Louisiana

In the annals of family lore, there are often tales that transcend time, echoing through the ages with whispers of resilience, love, and a pioneering spirit. Such is the story of Jeanne, a woman of mystery whose journey from the cobbled streets of Saint-Dizier to the bustling shores of Louisiana is as captivating as it is enigmatic.

Jeanne’s origins remain shrouded in the mists of time, her date of birth and parentage lost to the vagaries of history.

Yet, her presence in the annals of the past emerges from the shadows in a most unexpected manner – through the records of the Salpêtrière hospital in Paris.

It was here, in the year 1719, that Jeanne’s existence becomes tangible, a fleeting glimpse into a life that would soon embark on an extraordinary odyssey.

The year 1719 marked a turning point for Jeanne, as she found herself aboard the “La Mutine,” bound for the distant shores of Louisiana. In the dim confines of the ship’s hold, she endured the arduous journey across the vast expanse of the Atlantic, arriving at Massacre Island, known today as Dauphin Island, in the early days of 1720.

It was here, amidst the salt-tinged air and the whispering palms, that Jeanne’s fate intertwined with that of Laurent Laurent, a man hailing from St. Pol de Léon in Brittany. In the quaint surroundings of Mobile, on March 12, 1720, they exchanged vows, pledging their lives to one another in the face of the unknown.

Their union bore fruit as they established roots in the fertile soil of Fort Toulouse, nestled near a Native American village known as “les Alibamons.” For 17 years, Jeanne and Laurent toiled side by side, tending to their farm and nurturing a family that would become the cornerstone of their legacy.

Among their offspring were five known children – Marie, Simon, Joseph, and two daughters named Marie Jeanne, each a testament to the enduring bond between Jeanne and Laurent. The eldest daughter, Marie, embarked on her own journey of love, marrying Henry Kolb, a Swiss soldier, in the year 1736.

Yet, life’s journey is often fraught with twists and turns, and tragedy struck the Laurent family with unforgiving swiftness. In the throes of illness, Laurent bid farewell to this world on August 13, 1737, leaving Jeanne to navigate the uncertain waters of widowhood.

But Jeanne was not one to be deterred by adversity. Armed with her literacy and a tenacious spirit, she meticulously managed the affairs of the estate, ensuring that her family’s welfare remained secure even in the absence of her beloved Laurent. Her adeptness at navigating the labyrinthine corridors of French bureaucracy stood as a testament to her resourcefulness and determination.

In the wake of Laurent’s passing, Jeanne found solace in the arms of Jacques Dureau, a carpenter hailing from Poissy, France. United in matrimony on January 27, 1738, they embarked on a new chapter of their lives, one that would see them venture forth to the vibrant tapestry of New Orleans.