It’s truly remarkable to discover just how many of these early colonists are my ancestors. But there’s something deeper brewing beneath the surface. As I trace their footsteps, I realize they were more than just settlers; they were comrades in arms, facing battles, sickness, and even death together. The sheer courage and resilience they must have possessed is almost unimaginable.
And as the story unfolds, I can’t help but feel there’s more to it than meets the eye. Perhaps the key to their strength lies in the formidable women who stood by their sides as wives. As we journey deeper into their lives, let’s prepare to uncover the untold stories of bravery and endurance that bind us to these extraordinary individuals.
Iberville was a French-Canadian naval hero and one of Britain’s most difficult New World foes. Iberville, who grew up in Montreal, was sent to France as a young man to serve in the Navy. While there, the combination of his New World roots and French nationalism nurtured his growing anti-British sentiments.
In 1690, Iberville captured a number of English sailing vessels, and returned to Quebec with prisoners and their stashes of furs. This is where our Trepagnier ancestors begins the journey to the Gulf Coast and ultimately Louisiana.
As Iberville turned his efforts to the south, most notably to the southern Mississippi River region. In 1699, he explored the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico and established Fort Maurepas, near present-day Ocean Springs, Mississippi. The following year, he established Fort La Boulaye, near present-day New Orleans.
I’berville
Some of the soldiers who were with François Le Moyne de Bienville at Fort Maurepas included French military personnel, as well as settlers and workers who were involved in establishing and maintaining the fort.
The these individuals included soldiers from Iberville’s expeditions, as well as craftsmen, laborers, and other personnel necessary for building and operating the fort. Names like Laurent, Dubuisson, Trepagnier, Krebs, Lapointe, Cousin, Rouquette and Pelican Girls Genevieve Burel and Casket Girls Marie Jeanne Mahou.
Iberville died suddenly in July of 1706 in Havana of an unknown illness, the day prior to a major expedition against the British in Carolina
This area would remain under French influence until the Louisiana Purchase negotiated by American President Thomas Jefferson in 1803.
I found myself drawn to certain people in the family tree. I also wanted to keep this as simple as possible by focusing exclusively on direct blood grandparents.
When you look at the “family timeline” that is what you will find but people like Trepagnier, Krebs, Dubuisson and others have brothers/sisters that are also related to us. These family members are extraordinary people in Louisiana history but beyond my scope of this blog.
Also if you haven’t figure it out yet, when you go to a linked family member in the “time line” make sure you click on their “Show BIO” to learn more about them.
Many high ranking French colonist were exiled here in Louisiana because of the turmoil in their homeland.