Louisiana Trepagnier Family
Iberville in 1697, fought a significant naval battle near James Bay with the English. The Iberville‘s French warship Pelican, equipped with 50 guns, sank the Hampshire, which had 56 guns, and captured the Hudson Bay, which had 32 guns. The Derring, another English ship with 36 guns, fled. Among those on the Pelican was Bienville, who was injured during the fight.
At Fort Louis de Plaisance, Claude and Jean Trepagnier, along with other Canadians, were recruited to join the French forces. In 1698, the group departed from La Rochelle, later joined by another ship, the Francois. They received intelligence from Spanish allies in Port-au-Prince about French ships heading toward Pensacola, prompting the Mexican leader in Vera Cruz to dispatch two warships to protect the area.
Tragically, on New Year’s Eve of 1699, four of Iberville’s men including Jean Trepagnier perished. The French continued their voyage up the Florida coast, reaching Pensacola Bay on January 26, 1700. They found a Spanish fort flying the Spanish flag, and though they were offered supplies, they were not permitted to land by the Spanish warships. The French, led by Iberville, sailed westward, eventually reaching Mobile Bay on February 5. There, they discovered an island with 60 skeletons, which Iberville named Massacre Island (now Dauphin Island).
The French then anchored in Biloxi Bay, where they began their exploration. By March 2, they reached the banks of the Mississippi River. Iberville, suspecting it was the Mississippi, searched for a letter left by Henri de Tonti (assisted La Salle with exploration) with the Quinipissa chief in 1686 to confirm it.
As they navigated the river, the French found fewer Indians than expected due to British influence and raids. Bienville, while exploring, encountered the Bayougoula Indians, who welcomed the French, mistaking them for previous visitors. The Bayougoulas became crucial allies.
The Canadians played a vital role in establishing the colony, building Fort Maurepas under the supervision of Bienville and Chateaugue. They cleared land, constructed defenses, and set up a new settlement, including gardens and mounted cannons.
In March 1700, some settlers were dismissed for misconduct, while others joined the colony. Among the new settlers were Claude Trepagnier who was committed to making the new colony his home.
In 1704, the Pelican brought 100 young women from France to the colony, including Genevieve and Jeanne Burel from Quebec.
Genevieve married Claude Trepagnier, and they settled in Nouvelle Orleans, buying land where Muriel’s in Jackson Square is now located. They had seven children: Ignace, Marguarite, Genevieve, Marie-Anne, Marie-Francoise, Francois, and Barbe Ursule.
Marguerite Trepagnier Carriere and Barb Ursula Trepagnier Dubuisson were sisters over seeing neighboring plantations Carriere and Dubuisson Plantations on Bonfoua.
The Legacy of Claude and Genevieve Trepagnier
Claude Trepagnier passed away in 1724, leaving an estate worth 27,000 livres. His widow, Genevieve, continued to manage their land and business, becoming a prominent plantation owner in St. Charles Parish. By 1732, Genevieve was among the twenty-four women who owned property in New Orleans, a testament to her success and resilience.
Genevieve remarried Joseph de Lassus, a surveyor for the India Company of Louisiana, in 1726. She continued to thrive as a merchant until her death on April 6, 1739. Her land was later purchased by Jean Baptiste Destrehan, who built a new house and decorated it with luxurious items from Paris.
The Trepagnier Family’s Continued Influence
Pierre Trepagnier, Claude and Genevieve’s son, built the Ormond Plantation house around 1790 near Destrehan, LA. He received the land as a reward from the Spanish Governor Brenardo de Galvez for his bravery in battles against the English. Pierre’s success in growing indigo and sugar cane, however, ended mysteriously in 1798 when he disappeared after a secretive meeting with a stranger. His wife, Elisabeth Julie, sold the house to the Butler family, who renamed it Ormond Plantation.
The Trepagnier family continued to thrive in Louisiana. In 1779, Pierre Trepagnier fought as a sub-lieutenant in the German Coast Militia, contributing to several significant victories. He and Elisabeth Julie had ten children, who continued the family legacy.
In 1787, Pierre oversaw the construction of their new home in the West Indian style, completed in 1789. He and his family moved into the house, which featured meticulous craftsmanship and comfortable accommodations. Pierre’s brother, Jean-Francois, also built a house nearby, called Myrtleland.
The history of the Trépagnier Plantation, a.k.a. Myrtleland, begins with its establishment by Francois Trépagnier. Despite flourishing for years, the plantation faced decline after the construction of the Bonnet Carré Spillway in 1882. However, the original house remained intact.
In 1876, Myrtleland was sold to Thomas Sellers, leading to the area’s renaming as Sellers, present-day Norco. Sellers eventually consolidated neighboring Roseland Plantation into Diamond Plantation, which was sold to Leon Godchaux in 1897.
During his time on the Mississippi River, Thomas Sellers crossed paths with Samuel B. Clemens, known as Mark Twain, marking the beginning of a close and enduring friendship. Twain frequented the Sellers plantation as a guest.
Thomas J. Sellers enlisted with Ogden’s Calvary Regiment during the Confederacy in 1862 but returned to the German Coast after the war. The Sellers family briefly moved to New Orleans in 1882 before returning to the west bank in 1889, settling at the Lone Star Plantation.
“Colonel” Sellers passed away in 1915 and was laid to rest in the family plot at St. Charles Borromeo Cemetery in Destrehan. His legacy, intertwined with the rich history of Myrtleland and its transformation into Sellers and Diamond Plantations, remains a testament to the era’s cultural and historical significance.
The Trepagniers and their descendants maintained influential positions in Louisiana, intermarrying with other prominent families and continuing to shape the region’s history.
Conclusion
The Trepagnier family’s history is marked by bravery, resilience, and significant contributions to the development of Louisiana. From their early involvement in French colonial efforts to their establishment as prominent plantation owners, the Trepagniers left an indelible mark on the region’s history. Their story is a testament to the enduring legacy of early settlers who helped shape the cultural and economic landscape of Louisiana.