Ninth Generation


376. Antoine BORDELON Iwas likely born in 1732 but a baptismal record has not been located for him. His father does not appear with his mother in the January 1732 New Orleans census which would seem indicate that Anne (Roland) was pregnant with him by that date (and that his father, Gabriel, had died in late 1731). There are four children with Anne (Roland) in the January 1732 New Orleans Census. I believe that these are her three living children by Nicolas Sarrazin and her first child by Gabriel Laurent Thomas Bordelon - Nicolas. If this is accurate, it would confirm that Anne was pregnant with Antoine at the time of the census.1264 He appeared in the census in 1745 in (Pointe Coupée Parish), Louisiana, USA with his mother and step-father, Jean Stephan dit Roquancourt. Antoine was listed as age 12. Prior to his first marriage to Marie Anne Decuir in April 1759, the couple signed a marriage contract at Pointe Coupée. Antoine gave his wife 1000 livres and the bride's dowry consisted of 2511 livres, 5 sols including a sum of 1247 livres, 5 sols due her from the succession of her father. These were fairly substantial sums for such a young couple. Antoine purchased three arpents of land from 'Sieur and Dame Pierre Le Doux' in (Pointe Coupée Parish), Louisiana, USA on 31 July 1767.

At the baptism of his son in 1771, his occupation was listed as Assistant Regimental Adjutant (Aide Major) of the Militia. In the 1783 marriage record of his son, Pierre, he was listed as a "Major in the Pointe Coupee militia". Antoine is considered to be a Revolutionary War patriot by virtue of his service with Galvez in the Pointe Coupée Militia during the American Revolution. In a 6 November 1783 Spanish colonial document entitled "Liste des Officiers de milice du Poste de La Pte. Coupée" signed by Nicolas Delassize, captaine gradué d’infanterie, commandant civil et militaire du poste de la Pointe Coupée, Antoine is listed as a 'Second Adjutant' ("Grade de Sous-lieutenant" which is Second Lieutenant). A date written below his name appears to indicate that he was promoted to Second Adjutant on 12 February 1770. Also on the document, Delassize 'begs S. M. (could this be reference to Esteban Miró - Spanish colonial Governor?) to grant him (referring to Antoine Bordelon) the grade of Lieutenant of the [Pointe Coupée] Militia'. Mostly interestingly, however, the document states the following: "Cet officier a fait la campagne du Baton rouge et depuis cette des natchez." This translates to: "This officer was in the Baton Rouge campaign and since that Natchez." The short Battle of Baton Rouge took place in September 1779 at which time the British surrendered after a fierce three-hour battle. The terms of the British surrender insisted upon by Galvez included the surrender of Fort Panmure - present-day Natchez. This defeat of the British cleared the lower Mississippi River of British forces and put the mighty river totally under allied control. ..... (NOTE: This document also contains the names and ranks of Jean François Allain, père and fils, as well as Augustin Allain. I suspect that the document was initially generated due to the impending retirement of Allain, père, which would have resulted in the need to re-assign those involved in the militia and post leadership positions. The document makes reference to his retirement and "ses grandes infirmitiés" [his great illnesses] and also requests changes to the assignments of the other two men. It is confusing, however, because Allain, père, had actually died in April 1782 - more than a year and a half before this document was signed. I suspect that Allain was preparing to retire but died before the retirement took place and, for some reason, the document was not completed and signed until November 1783. Therefore, it is logical to conclude that the three remaining men were likely operating in their new capacities before the promotions were approved.)

Antoine appeared in the census in 1785 at Avoyelles Post in (Avoyelles Parish), Louisiana, USA. Living with Antoine was his second wife (Marie Marguerite Frederic dite Leonard) and four children. The couple owned three slaves and farmed 50 arpents of land. This is the first major proof of Antoine's presence in Avoyelles. I believe that this 50 arpents of land described in the 1785 Avoyelles Census was actually referring to land granted to Antoine by the Spanish government - likely for Antoine's military service. According to land documents associated with the land claim of his son, François, a land grant of 1000 (square) arpents (50 x 20) was given to Antoine by the Spanish Government. The grant was located in the area of Avoyelles now described as township/range T2NR4E. An 1826 document associated with François' land claim of François Bordelon states that his claim was "...founded on a concession by the Spanish Government upwards of thirty years ago, in favour of Antoine Bordelon, together with occupancy and cultivation over since that time ...". This statement, however, is obviously inaccurate because Antoine Bordelon had died in November 1785 indicating that the concession by the Spanish government to Antoine had likely occurred more than 40 years prior (and this lends credence to the belief that the 50 arpents mentioned in the 1785 Avoyelles Census was, indeed, the Spanish grant). It is interesting to note that the Spanish concession to Bordelon appears to have extended beyond the boundaries of the François Bordelon claim as shown in the early land claim maps of T2NR4E.

(Portion of 1826 land record which mentions Antoine Bordelon's land concession from the Spanish government)

He died on 24 November 1785. The St. Francis Church burial record states that he "mort le veille muni de sacremens" (died the previous evening after having received the sacraments). 1,1265 Antoine's burial was recorded on 25 November 1785 at Pointe Coupée. However, based on the 1785 Avoyelles census, we know that he was living in Avoyelles by that time. An entry found in Corinne Saucier's book, "The History of Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana" confirms that Antoine died in Avoyelles: "August 12, 1792. Inventory of Antoine Bordelon: a trunk, a hat, a fine negligee, six and one-half aunes of material, a handkerchief of fine linen, a good linen shirt, and a "ginga" shirt, 9 pair of trousers, both good and bad, a vest, and a 'roupe'. Antoine Bordelon had died at the home of Pierre Mayeux, who had bought medicine for him during his illness and had nursed him. The alcaldes then judged it right to let Mayeux have the articles mentioned above."1,1265 The 1792 inventory, however, was the 2nd inventory of his property. According to De Ville's Book "Pointe Coupée Documents, 1762-1803...", a "inventory and sale in the succession of deceased Antne. Bordelon..." took place there on 23 December 1785. Marie Marguerite LEONARD (FRÉDÉRIC dite LEONARD) and Antoine BORDELON I842 signed a marriage contract on 17 July 1779 in (Pointe Coupée Parish), Louisiana, USA.1569 They were married on 20 July 1779 in (Pointe Coupée Parish), Louisiana, USA. Antoine's first wife, Marie Anne Decuir, had died in December 1778.1570

[Note: Antoine's 1st marriage was to Marie Anne Decuir on 23 April 1759 (marriage contract dated 20 April 1759) and 2nd marriage was to Marie Marguerite Leonard (Frédéric dite Leonard) on 20 July 1779 (marriage contract dated 17 July 1779). Both marriages took place at Pointe Coupée.]

17 July 1779 Marriage Contract - Antoine Bordelon & Marie Marguerite Frédéric dite Leonard - Pointe Coupée


377. Marie Marguerite LEONARD (FRÉDÉRIC dite LEONARD) was baptized on 20 February 1746 in New Orleans (Orleans Parish), Louisiana, USA as 'Marie Marguerite Leonard'.2747 On 20 March 1782 in (Pointe Coupée Parish), Louisiana, USA, she sold a negress named Junon, a Creole about 25 years of age, from her community with Bordelon to Francois Samson for the price of 600 piastres. According to the sale document, the payment was to be made in installments. The sale was guaranteed and a certificate was provided to the buyer.1505 She was buried on 23 September 1792 in (Pointe Coupée Parish), Louisiana, USA under the name "Marguerite Frédérick".1506

NOTE: Marie Marguerite's family surname is believed to have originally been LEONARD although the surname appears to have slowly migrated to 'Frédéric Leonard' or 'Frédéric dit(e) Leonard' which becomes obvious in the records of Marie Marguerite LEONARD - above - who was often referred to by the surname FRÉDÉRIC dite LEONARD.

[Note: Marguerite was married twice. Her first marriage was to Simon Lacour on 16 June 1761 at Pointe Coupée. The couple had signed a marriage contract there on 13 June 1761. Her second marriage was to Antoine Bordelon as outlined above.]

Children were:

i.

Felicite BORDELON was born on 26 March 1780 in (Pointe Coupée Parish), Louisiana, USA.1571 She was baptized on 28 May 1780 in (Pointe Coupée Parish), Louisiana, USA.1571

ii.

Victoire BORDELON was born about 1781 in (Pointe Coupée Parish), Louisiana, USA. She was baptized on 20 May 1781 in (Pointe Coupée Parish), Louisiana, USA.

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iii.

Zenon BORDELON I.

iv.

Charles BORDELON was born about October 1782 in (Pointe Coupée Parish), Louisiana, USA.1571 He was baptized on 29 March 1783 in (Pointe Coupée Parish), Louisiana, USA.1571

v.

Valery BORDELON was born between 1780 and 1783 in (Pointe Coupée Parish), Louisiana, USA. War of 1812 Military service: in 1812.1572 He was buried on 7 August 1858 at Saint Paul the Apostle Catholic Cemetery & Mausoleum in Mansura (Avoyelles Parish), Louisiana, USA.1573