To show his possession.

I have granted this land and designate the aforesaid tract of land as “San Pedro de Los Adais.”

Claim of Edward Murphy

Don Edwardo Murphy, petitioner from the post at Natchitoches, states that on a creek La Petit St. Jean and Reo Hondo I find advantageous to collect my cattle, I humbly ask of you to give me possession of this land.

Nacogdoches, October 17, 1791. In consequence of petitioner and that the land solicited is in the province of Texas and vacant I do grant in due best form and that it may so appear.

(Note: This tract of land was in the area of southwest from the Country Club of Natchitoches on Highway 1 North).

Claim of Edward Murphy for the Firm of Murphy, Smith, Barr and Davenport

Edward Murphy, Leander Smith, William Barr, Samuel Davenport. (District Judge William Murray heard the plea of the Firm of Murphy, Smith, Davenport and Barr).

August 1, 1798, Don Jose Guadiana, Governor at Nacogdoches, granted to Don Edward Murphy a grant of land named “La Nana Prairie” located seven leagues east of the Rio Sabinas on the road to Natchitoches, 144 sections of land astraddle El Camino Real (a 12 square mile land grant, extending eastward from Bayou Lana and could have very well taken the townsite of Many, Louisiana. Murphy transferred this land to the above mentioned firm, November 3, 1798).

Claim of Michel Crow

Michel Crow, son of Isaac Crow, who wed the widow Chabineau of the Post at Natchitoches, bought the land of Miguel Viciente which has been granted to Miguel Viciente in 1769 by Governor Hugo O’Connor, who was at that time Governor of Los Adais and all of the Texas country. The grant was listed as San Miguel de Los Rio Patrice and was located on the Sabine River and Patrice Creek in the northwest portion of Sabine Parish.

One incident in which an arrest and the results of which served as evidence in favor of the victim occurred while Lieutenant Zebulon M. Pike was in command of a police patrol of the Neutral Strip in 1806, when he arrested Michel Crow and brought him to the post at Natchitoches, accusing him of contraband operations to and from the Texas country. Captain Bernardino Mantero, leading a Spanish patrol with the assistance of Lieutenants Pike and McGee, came to the ranchero of Michael Crow and upon questioning Crow’s wife and her two sons, learned of the actions of Lieutenant Pike previously. Captain Mantero went to Natchitoches and declared that Crow was innocent of such charges and that the unfortunate Crow was only engaged in farming and ranching; further the Spanish did not have Crow’s name on the list of traders in contrabrand known to the Spanish at Nacogdoches, thus, when Michel Crow registered his claim for land, he had proof of the length of time he had resided there taken from the arrest papers.

Claim of the Heirs of Widow Tontin

In 1791 Anthanase De Mezieres granted to Julian and Pierre Bisson land called Ecore Rouge (Red Hill) located at the present day hamlet of Allen between Robeline and Powhattan, Louisiana, one hundred ninety square arpents of land on each side of Topelcot Bayou. The widow Tontin, nee Possiot, wed Julian Bisson (Note: The store at Allen and the home of Leroy—Dobber—Anderson are located atop Ecore Rouge).

Claim of the Heirs of Anthanase Poissot

In 1792, Anthanase De Mezieres, Governor of the Texas region at Natchitoches Post, granted land to Anthanase Poissot in recognition of his claim of having bought the land of La Tres Cabanes (Three Cabins) from Chief Antoine of the Hyatasses (Yatassee Indians) on Bayou Pierre.

1. Mess Hall

2. Enlisted Men’s Quarters

3. Officers’ Quarters

Claim of the Firm of Murphy, Smith, Davenport and Barr

The Los Ormegas Land Grant of Jacinto Mora contained two hundred seven thousand three hundred sixty acres bordering on the east bank of the Sabine River and astradle El Camino Real. The grant was issued by Jose Cayeleno de Zepeda, Governor at Nacogdoches and was sold to the above mentioned firm in 1805. The land was transferred under the title of Santa Marie Adelaide Ormegas, but was not recognized by the United States Government until 1842.

Claim of the Heirs of Pierre Gainnie (Pedro Gane) (Pier Gagnier) Hipolite Bordelon Francois Grappe (Francisco Grebb) (Franquis Grebbe)

These three men bought the land of the Chescher Indians (The area comprises the Mibermel Ranch near Powhattan, Louisiana, and the area of Three League Bayou or Nine Mile Bayou).

This grant was recognized by Anthanase DeMezieres of the Post at Natchitoches.

Families of the Neutral Strip (1805)

Records of Diago Maria Morfil, representing the Spanish of that area, in lieu of Jacinto Mora, directive of the Governor at Nacogdoches of the Texas Region, presented this record of families considered under the jurisdiction of Presidio Neustra Senora Del Pilar de Los Adais to the United States Land Agents in 1816:

Don Marcelo de Soto, farmer, wife, Dona Maries Baillio, Frenchwoman, two sons, two daughters, resided on Los Pedro Creek (Bayou Pierre).

Pedro Lafita, Spanish, wife, Louise Gainnie, Frenchwoman, resided on Bayou Los Tres Leagues.

Luis Beltran, Frenchman, resided on Rio Hondo (Young’s Bayou) or Bayou La Jeune. (Unmarried)

Vincente Rolan, Frenchman, wed Melanie Vascoque, Frenchwoman, residing on Bayou Durange. (This bayou drains Cypress Swamp and empties into Topelcot Creek, also known as Cypress Swamp, Hall Break area, north of Marthaville, Louisiana).

Don Antainse Possiot, Frenchman, wed to Juanna Elena Pabi, Frenchwoman. Note: This is the Anthanase Poissot who bought land from the Chescher Indians on Three League Bayou, which extended westward to Bayou Pierre.

Michael Rambin, Frenchman wed to Theresa Baillio (Theresa Baillio, sister to Maria Baillio who wed Marcelo De Soto) resided on Los Pedros Creek (Bayou Pierre). There was one hired hand on this farm, Jose Crafon, Spanish.

Jean Balbado, Frenchman wed to Lenore Tessier, Frenchwoman, resided on Arroyo Hondo (Hagewood or Coldwater vicinity between Robeline and Natchitoches, Louisiana).

Jean Tessier, Frenchman and widower, resided in the same area as above.

Louis Fortin, Frenchman, wed to Manuella Aragon, Spanish, resided on land of Francois Prudhomme which was among the Adais Indians, at Los Adais.

Francisco Prudhomme, Frenchman wed to Anne Marie Rambin, Frenchwoman, two sons and seven daughters. Prudhomme in 1805 was 74 years old. This land among the Adais Indians was granted to Prudhomme by DeMezieres in 1771. Francois Prudhomme was a trader among the Indians and at the same time had a Spanish co-partner, Antonio Gil y Barbo, who traded among the Spanish along El Camino Real. Manuel Flores was another partner of Prudhomme, also Miguel Viciente who later sold his grant to Isaac Crow. It is very likely that Viciente at his out of the way home on Sabine River was a trader in contraband merchandise supplied by Prudhomme. The trail leading from Sabine River and the home of Miguel Viciente on Bayou San Patrice and eastward to the Red River via Converse, Pleasant Hill and to Bayou Pierre was a contraband trail. In 1723 Paul Muller established Post du Bayou Pierre, with contraband trade with the Spanish as his aim. Post du Bayou Pierre developed into the Town of Bayou Pierre. This trail was traveled by Gutierrez and his followers when they were pursued by the Royalists, Spanish Troops. Post du Bayou Pierre, The Town of Bayou Pierre, King Hill and Jordan Ferry are all one and the same.

Pierre Dole (Pedro Dolet or Peter Dolet), Frenchman mentioned earlier wed Dona Rose Duprez, Spanish woman, resided on Bayou Adais (Winn Creek, west of Robeline, Louisiana).

Andria Valentine (Andria Balentine) Frenchman, wed Angela Molis, French woman, resided on Bayou La Jeune (Youngs’ Bayou) near Coldwater vicinity.

Elina Wales, widow, American, three sons, Jacob, Thomas and Benjamin, resided on Bayou La Jeune.

Jacinto Gane (Jacinto Gannie, Gainnie, Gagnier), evidently a son of Pierre Gainnie, resided on land grant mentioned before.

Bacitio Gane of the same family mentioned above, Frenchman, wed Marie Lafita, Spanish woman.

Miguel Viciente, Spanish, mentioned before, wed Elena Roubeaux French woman, is the same land grant sold to Isaac Crow, which was being claimed by his son, Michel.

Pedro Roblo, Pierre Roubeaux, Frenchman, wed Magdelina Baptiste, Spanish woman, resided on Durango Creek.

Francisco Moran, Frenchman, wed Anna Maria, an Apache mestizo, the word mestizo in Spanish refers to a half-breed offspring of Spanish and Indian parents. Moran was an Indian trader for Anthanaze De Mezieres and operated along El Camino Real with a certified passport. He was said to speak French, Spanish and thirty-eight Indian dialects. He often accompanied DeMezieres as an interpreter. He asked for and received three acres of land on El Camino Real in the vicinity of Robeline, Louisiana. In 1805 Moran was seventy-eight years old.

Santiago Christine, Frenchman wed Marie D’Ortigeaux, French woman, resided on Bayou Pierre.

Antonio Rocquier, Frenchman, wed Marrianne, an English woman. This grant by De Mezieres has already been mentioned as to location.

Michel Crow, Englishman, wed Margarita La Fleur (LaFleur-Flores) Spanish woman, resided, as before mentioned in the claim of the firm, Murphy, Smith, Barr and Davenport.

In 1806 the following had applied for homesteads and received quarter sections of land: William Eldridge, George Mac Tier, Manuel Flores, John Cartez, Asa Becherson, Stephen Wallace and Seaborne Maillard.

Peter Belieu, who had been living on Bayou Pierre for fifty years, declared squatters’ rights, as did Walter Weathersby, Francois Dubois, David Chase, Jean Pierre Grappe, Joseph Teanriz, Mickel Chasneau, Benjamin Boullett, William Cockerville, Denise Dies (Diez).

In the area of Cypress, Flora Provincal and Kisatchie, Louisiana, the land was granted by Athanase De Mezieres in 1771-1776, to: Pierre Joseph Maises, at Cypress, Louisiana, on Lago Acasse; Baptiste Prudhomme, also near Cypress; Madam Marie Palagie on Drunkard’s Bayou near Flora, Louisiana; Thomas Vascoque near Provincal, Louisiana; Joseph Procell, a Spaniard, west of Bayou Derbonne, west of Melrose, Louisiana; Pierre Sanscalier on Bayou Kisatchie near Kisatchie, Louisiana, who used the fresh spring water of Kisatchie and made the finest corn whiskey on the whole Neutral Strip; and, Leander Lasso on Petite Bayou Pierre, south and west of present-day Cloutierville, Louisiana.

Within the area of present day Sabine Parish were these settlers in 1805: Joe Leaky, John Wadell, Christopher Anthony, Thomas Hicks, Jacob Winfree, Jose Rivers, Peter Patterson, David Weathersby, David Walters, John Gordon, Benjamin Winfree, James Kirklin, Andres Galinto, Jose Procell, James Denny, Manuel Bustamento, John Yocum, Jessy Yocum and Michel Crow. E. Dillon, A. Davidson, Barbe, Beebe, Cartinez, Slocomb and Addington.

FAMILY TREE OF ST. DENIS
(Born Sept. 17, 1676, Died June 11, 1744.)

BAPTISMAL RECORDS OF NATCHITOCHES
1734 TO 1740

SOLDIERS IN NATCHITOCHES—1742

Louis Juchereau De St. Denis, Commandante.

Captains: Cesar De Blanc also a son-in-law of St. Denis. Cesar Borme, Jean Gainard, Baltazar Villars and Louis Pablo Villenfev.

Lieutenants: Jacques De La Chase, Bernardo Dortolen, (Dortigeux), Jacques Terpeux, Vincent Perrier, Jean Baptiste Derbonne, and Jean Baptiste De Duc, Anthanase DeMezieres and Philippe Coubiere.

Sergeants: Gureilleon Lavespere, Michael Gallion, Joseph Lattier, Joseph Trichell (Trichel), Nicholas Tournier, Guiellerno Lestage, Alexis Grappe, Remi Possiot, Louis Possiot, Bartholme Rachal and Angelus Challettre (Schellette—Chellette-Schellet) Alarge Chabineux.

Corporals: Antonio Le Noir, Jean Dubois, Antonio Distin, Jean Dupuy, Allarge Dupuy, Nicholas Pent, Christopher Perault, Felix Jeanot and Olivere Fredieu and Entoine Desadier.

Musketeers: Louis Moinet, Francois Hugue, Bartholme Monpierre, Andries Compiere, Pierre Renaudiere, Luis Antee (also Town Crier), Regimigo Tontin, Marino de Muy, Domingo St. Primo, Everiste Possiot, Gaspard Toil, Antonio de St. Denis, Louis Bertrand, Jean Prudhomme, Henri Barbarousse, Louis Pierre La Cour, Armand Beaudoin, Pierre Baillio and Jean and Nicholas Layssard (brothers who were the sons of Antoin Nicholas Layssard who in 1723 established “Post Du Rapides” The town of Colfax Louisiana is on the Land Grant of Jean and Nicholas Layssard who had established a trading post in that area in 1747), Siveran Le Roy, Francois Beaudoin and Andries La Cour.

MERCHANTS, FARMERS AND TRADERS IN NATCHITOCHES—1742

Traders

Pierre Bisson, Joseph Blancpain, Jean Basquet, Pierre Blot, Jean Chapuis (Traded as far west as New Mexico, Jean Chapuis Jr., the son, later became known as the Father of Oklahoma he developed the largest chain of Trading Posts which was never equalled. The territory covered the Missouri River Area, the upper Red River Area and as far west as the Colorado River). Pierre Gaignee (Gainnie) (Gane) (Gainiee) (Gaignie) had a trading post on Bon Dieu Falls which was at that time on Rigilet de Bon Dieu was later called Creola Landing and now Montgomery, La.

Merchants

Sieur Barme, Nicholas Fazinda, Antoin Rambin (Tailor Shop), Louis Lemee, Estabin Pavie, Dominec Mancheca (Tavern Owner), Michel de Chasne, Louis Bonnafons, Luis Caesar Barme, Mathais La Courte, and Pierre Joans.

Horse Traders

Nicholas Chef, Nicholas La Mathie, Brognard, D’Autherive, Duviviere, DuBuche and Pierre DuPain.

Farmers

Jacques Bacquet, Ezeb Mercer, Charles de Blanc, Gailier Gallion, and Jean Baptiste Brevel. And Soldier-Farmer, Pierre Brosset.

Soldier Farmers

Bartholme Charbonet, Louis Moinet, Andries La Cour, Bernardo Dartigo, Jean Baptiste Derbonne, Guiellerno Lestage, Remi Poissoit, Angelus Chellettree, Joseph Lattier and Alexis Grappe.

Priests at Nachitoches were Father Vitree and Dagobare.

Merchants at Los Adais

Antonio Flores, Edwardo Nugent, Jose LaLima, Luis De Qundise and Joseph Antonio Bonetis.

SOLDIERS AT LOS ADAIS—1742

Jose Maria Gonzalez, Captain and Commandante second to Governor.

Captain Eucibia Luis Cazrola.

Lieutenants: Bernardo Dortolan, Franciscio Garcia and Ensigne, Jauquine Cardova.

Soldiers: Jose Duprez, Hortego Cardova, Geronimo Gallardo, Thoribolo de La Fuentes, Fernando Rodriguez, Franciscio Uque, Antonio y Barbo (Father of Gil y Barbo), Luis Garcia, Antonio Barbarjo De Vargez, Estaban Bonites, Elonzo Bustimento, Pedro Chacon, Greganzoto Martinez, Surrento Flores, Felix Solis, Luis Solis and Phillippe Hernandex.

Farmers

Durango y Oconna, (Ocon) Sanchez, Alberto Cartinez, Jose Guierre, Manuello Flores, Gregory Procell and Salvadore Bano, Sanchez, Juan De More, Pedro Pasquell, Gaspardo Conterio, Patrice Lopez, Cadet Toro, Mechell La Rouex and Antonie Sepulvado.

REFERENCES

Baptismals and Death Registers, 1704-1740, Cathedral Archives, Mobile, Alabama.

Concessions, Louisiana Historical Society Library, Tulane Library, New Orleans. Transcripts.

French MSS., Mississippi Valley, 1676-1869, Louisiana Historical Society Library, Tulane Library, New Orleans.

Notes and Docquements Historiques de la Louisiane, Tulane Library, New Orleans.

Hennepin, Louis A., Description of Louisiana, Paris 1683, edited and translated by J. G. Shea, New York 1880.

Joutel, A journal of the last voyage performed by Monsr. De la Salle to the Gulf of Mexico to find the Mouth of the Mississippi River, Written in French by M. Joutel, a commander in the expedition. Caxton Club, London, 1896.

Kelerec, Report of 1758, New Orleans Library.

LePage du Pratz, Historie de la Louisiane, 3 vols Paris, 1758.

The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, edited by R. G. Thwaites, 71 vols, Cleveland 1896-1901.

Colonial Records of North Carolina, edited by William L. Saunders, 10 vols, Raleigh, N. C. 1896-1901.

La Harpe, Bernard de, Journal Historique de l’Establissement des Francais a la Louisiane, Nouvelle-Orleans 1831. New Orleans Library.

Le Gac, Charles (Director of the Company of the Indies) Memorie d’apris les Voyages sur la Louisiana, la Geographie, La situation de la Colonie Francois ou 25 Anust 1718 au 5 Mars 1721 et des moynesd de l’ameliorer, 1722. Boston Public Library.

Blanchard, Rufus, History of Illinois, Chicago 1883.

Breese, Sidney, The early history of Illinois, from its Discovery by the French, in 1673, until its concession to Great Britain in 1763, including the Narration of Marquette’s Discovery of the Mississippi, Chicago 1884.

Bunner, E., History of Louisiana from its first discovery and settlement to the present time, New York 1841.

Bureau of American Ethnology, Bulletin 43, Indian Tribes of the Lower Mississippi Valley Adjacent to the Coast of the Gulf of Mexico, Washington 1911.

Speed, Thomas, The Wilderness Road. A description of the route of travel by which the pioneers and early settlers first came to Kentucky. In Filson Club Publication, No. 2, Louisville, Kentucky. 1886.

Thwaites, Ruben Gold, Wisconsin, The Americanization of the French Settlements, American Commonwealths, Boston and New York 1908.

B. F. French, Editor, Historical Collections of Louisiana, 5 parts, New York 1869-1875.

B. F. French, Historical Collections of Louisiana and Florida, New Series, 2 vols 1869-1875.

Gayarre, Charles, History of Louisiana, The French Dominion, 4 vols, New Orleans 1885.

Gayarre, Charles, Histoire de la Louisiane, 2 vols, Nouvelle Orleans 1846-1847.

Gayarre, Charles, Louisiana, Its History as a French Colony, New York, 1852.

Hienrich, Pierre, La Louisiane sous la Compaignie des Indies, 1717-1731.

Louisiana Conservationist, January 1957, A map drawn by Simon Le Page du Pratz of the Lower Mississippi Valley, showing the location of numerous Indian Tribes.

Delisle’s Map, 1718, New York Public Library.

Fleur de Lys and Calumet, by Richebourg Gaillard McWilliams.

Analysis of Indian Village Sites from Louisiana and Mississippi. Anthropological Study No. 2. By John A. Ford.

Cavalier in the Wilderness. By Ross Phares.

Alexandria and Old Red River Country, by Harry and Elizabeth Eskew.

A History of the Red River Watershed, by J. Fair Hardin.

Northwestern Louisiana, by J. Fair Hardin.

History of Sabine Parish, by John G. Belisle, Many, Louisiana, 1912.

History of Louisiana, by Alcee Fortier, 4 vols.

A History of Louisiana, by Charles Gayarre, 4 vols.

History of Natchitoches, Louisiana, by Milton Dunn (Louisiana Historical Quarterly, 111 (January 1920) Pages 26-56).

Our Catholic Heritage in Texas, by Carlos E. Castaneda, 7 vols.

French Civilization and Culture in Natchitoches (Peabody College Bulletin No. 310 Nashville 1941) by Portre-Bobinski.

Natchitoches the Up-to-Date Oldest Town in Louisiana, by Clara Mildred Smith and Portre Bobinski, New Orleans 1936.

Natchitoches, Oldest Settlement in the Louisiana Purchase, published by The Association of Natchitoches Women, 1958. Printed by the Natchitoches Times.

Ride the Red Earth, by Paul I. Wellman.

A History of Louisiana, by Elizabeth Grace King and J. R. Ficklen.

Commerce of Louisiana During the French Regime by Surry.

History of the Caddo Indians. A Thesis by William B. Glover of the University of Texas 1932.

The History of Louisiana Agriculture, by Williamson.

Historical and Biographical Notes by B. F. French. Published by J. Sabine 1869.

Pichardo’s Limits of Louisiana and Texas. 4 vols by Charles W. Hackett. Published by the University of Texas Press 1941.

Louisiana and Florida by B. F. French.

Discovery and Explorations of the Missisisppi, by John G. Shea, Published by Clinton Hall, New York City, 1852.

Source Material on the History and Ethnology of the Caddo Indians, Louisiana State University Press.

Mississippi Provincal Archives, 3 vols French Dominion by Albelt Godfrey Sanders, M.A., Millsaps College, published Jackson, Mississippi, Department of Archives of History 1932.

Athanase DeMezieres Books 1 and 2 of the Louisiana and Texas Frontier 1768 to 1780. By Herbert Eugene Bolton. Published by The Authur H. Clark Co., Cleveland, 1914.

The Sword was their Passport, by Harris Gaylord Warren. Published by the Louisiana State University Press. Baton Rouge, La. 1943.

PERSONALITIES

(The names with stars are descended from early ancestors mentioned in the text or listed in the early records of El Camino Real area)

Here are some short biographies of individuals who have each in his or her own way contributed to the progress of our El Camino Real upper territory.

Many of them are descendants of the earliest settlers, and their families have been in Louisiana for nearly 250 years. Very few in Louisiana can claim such distinction, for even the founders of New Orleans came later.

The families of others written about here settled in this area years afterward, some in modern times. But they have adopted the land as their own and are just as proud of its history and traditions as the “old timers.”

All have, by living up to the standard of older days, added to the well being of the community and improved it socially, economically and politically. They have made it attractive to tourists and visitors, and new permanent residents find it a most attractive place in which to live. The people of today who live along El Camino Real are worthy of their sires.

Clifton Robert Ammons

Clifton Robert Ammons of Many, La., wed Ethel Jeanne Matherne of Houma, La. Their children are: Robert Dale, L.S.U.; Dianna Drew, Centenary College; Kenneth Ellis, Larry Wayne and Suzanne Jeanne. Mr. Ammons truly exemplifies our modern-day citizen of the El Camino Real area. He is a Farmer and Stockman, a School teacher and State Representative of Sabine Parish. The Toledo Bend Dam, one of his pet projects, shall some day prove its value to this Louisiana and Texas area. Mr. Ammons’ work with the F.F.A. is second to none other in the State. He is truly an excellent community worker.

Bernice C. Arthur

Bernice C. Arthur, owner of the Many Insurance Agency, wed Miss Helen E. Fuglaar of Alexandria, La. Their children are Thomas C. and James R.. Mr. Arthur is a descendant of the families Roberds and Dollarhide who had settled near Sabine Town in 1829. Camp Sabine, Sabine Town and Sabine Blockhouse were one and the same—Camp Sabine established by Gen. Wilkinson in 1811, Sabine town by the settlers and Sabine Blockhouse by Gen. Gaines in 1828.

John Milton Belisle

John Milton Belisle for 30 years was editor and publisher of the Sabine Index at Many, La. He was a member of the Town Council for 4 years, Mayor of Many for 16 years and State Representative for 8 years. He was the son of John Graves Belisle who wrote the first History of Sabine Parish. John Milton wed Alice Wagley of Many. Their daughter, Hanna Jane, wed W. Carlie Brumfield. Their children are Alicia and Juliannah.

Jack and Albert Bell

Jack and Albert Bell own and manage the Bell Brothers General Store at the corner of Texas and Clark Streets in Robeline, La. This business location is on what was at one time the Joe Robeline farm which pre-dates the founding of Robeline, La. Joe Robeline had a Way-Station at this location during the Neutral Strip period.

Jack Bell wed Carolyne Elizabeth Powell of Pleasant Hill, La. Their children are Roy Patrick and Don Gregory. Mrs. Jack Bell is a teacher at the Robeline Elementary School.

Albert Bell wed Mildred Marie Tooke of Homer, La. They have one child, Judieth Carrol. Mrs. Albert Bell is the Home Economics Teacher at the Robeline High School.

Lloyd Vernon Blunt

Lloyd Vernon Blunt wed Miss Lynn L. Haynes. They own and operate the L&L Cafe in Many, La., which is located on the main street of Many. This street is a portion of El Camino Real. Their children are: Mary Joan who wed Harold Lloyd Southards, and Lloyd Wallace who is in the U. S. Marines. Mr. Blunt is a Marine veteran of the Nicaraguan campaign. Mr. and Mrs. Blunt are natives of Virginia and have become a very definite asset to the El Camino Real area of Many, La.

Sidney Williams Bright

Sidney Williams Bright, Co-owner of Bright and Son Laundry and Cleaners at 224 Amulet St. in Natchitoches, La., wed Beatrice Williams of Bronson, Tex. Their children are: Sidney Williams, Jr., who wed Etheline St. Andre (their children are Elizabeth Ann, Rhonda Jean and Sarah Lou); Mary Francis Bright wed Stephen Melou Brown, Jr. (their children are Stephen Melou III, Cheryl Anne and William Dudley). Mr. Bright, Sr., originally was a native of Hemphill, Tex., where he was at one time Clerk of Court for Sabine County.

Joseph Frederick Brosset★

Joseph Frederick Brosset, Overseer on the Bayou Camite Plantation at Derry, La., wed Eva Moreau. Their children are (a) Mary Jo, wed to Doctor Elwin Adams of Belmont, La.; (b) Lester Roy, Lt., U. S. Army; (c) Billy Jean, wed Lawrence M. Carnahan, Jr.

Mrs. Eli Houston Butts★

Mrs. Eli Houston Butts, neé Eleanor Irene Lovell, route 2, Colfax, La., is a typist, clerk and saleswoman for Blair Products. Children are Bonnie Lynn and Marilyn Louise. Mrs. Butts is a descendant through the Baillio Chellettre family to Jean Layssard, who was a son of Etoinne Layssard who established Post Du Rapides in 1723, the beginning of Alexandria, La. The present Town of Colfax, La., is on the French land grant of Jean Nicholas Layssard.

James Coco

James Coco, Mortician and manager of the First National Funeral Home at Natchitoches, La. He wed Clara Belle Stringer of Midland, Texas. Their children are: James Gary, Lucy Dolores, Charles Anthony and Elizabeth Anne.

Mr. Coco is a son of Albert F. Coco and Rhoda Escude.

Albert F. Coco is a descendant of Dominic Baldonide who came to America with Lafayette to fight with the American Revolutionary Army. After the Revolution he migrated to Pointe Coupee, La. and from there to the Alexandria area near Marksville, La.

There are several versions of how the name Baldonide changed to Coco. This is not unusual in this section of Louisiana. For example: LeBrun, nickname for Jean Bossier; Duprez, nickname for Francois Dion Derbonne; and Dauphine, nickname for Charles Bertrand.

These above three nicknames are now family names in the central Louisiana area.

Fred Litton Cooper
Mrs. Dottie Dee Cooper

Fred Litton Cooper, owner of Cooper’s Pharmacy at Robeline, Louisiana, wed Miss Dottie Dee Scarborough. There are two children: Norman Otto who married Doris Jordan of Robeline, and Margaret Sue who wed Aubry Ralph Barnette of Robeline. Mr. Cooper is by far the leading historian of the Robeline area. He and Mrs. Cooper have kept alive the value of Robeline historywise. Cooper’s Pharmacy is a must-stop for all tourists who travel into Robeline.

Mrs. Dottie Dee Cooper is a member of the N W P H N (Association of Natchitoches Women for the Preservation of Historic Natchitoches). She has taken upon herself to be the Official Greeter for tourists who visit this section.

In relating the history of the Robeline vicinity Mrs. Cooper has the statements of these historians to refer to: John Belisle’s History of Sabine Parish as well as earlier authorities.

Cabeza De Vaca in his book written in 1540, declares that he was among the Adais Indians in 1530. De Vaca, a survivor of the Panfillio Narvez expedition into Florida in 1528. De Vaca spelled the name Adais. (Atyas) exactly as later Spaniards spelled the name.

B. F. French in his interpretations of early Spanish documents, placed the Hernando De Soto expedition among the Adais Indians. French translated the writings of Gonzado Quadrado Charmillio who was the Chronnicalor for the De Soto expedition. Charmillio wrote: “This Wednesday, March 21, 1540 we came to a place called Toalli.”

Lloyd Earl Dean

Lloyd Earl Dean, Stockman, Planter and Co-owner of the Boyce Gin Co., at Boyce, La. Mr. Dean resides on the Dean Plantation south of Colfax, La. He wed Sarah Florence Beall of Pineville, La. Their children are Sarah Frances, William Burkett, George Carlton and Albert Lloyd.

Mr. Dean is a son of Garland Carlton Dean and Leona Creed. Garland Carlton Dean is a son of Albert Allen Dean and Clara Price. Albert Allen Dean founded Fairmount Landing on the Red River between Colfax and Boyce. Shipping ledgers now in the possession of Lloyd Earl Dean show that the Fairmount Landing did business with the Steamboats Garland, Valley Queen, Laura Lee, Keokuk, Peninah, Halliette, Jesse K. Bell, G. W. Sutree, Decotah, E. B. Wheelock, The John D. Scully and the Nat F. Dortch. With Steamboat Captains John J. Dodd, F. T. Aucoin, H. J. Brinker, G. Scully, S. J. Bozaman, A. G. White, William Gillin and James T. O’Rey.

Albert Allen Dean was the steamboat agent for the Red River and Coastline Steamship Co., The Red River Packet Co., and the T&P Railway Company which had the Steamboats E. B. Wheelock and the C. W. Sutterlee.

Lloyd Earl Dean traces his ancestry to Abraham Alexander who signed the “Mecklinburg Declaration” of North Carolina just prior to the Declaration of Independence.

The Dean family dates back to 1608, the birth date of Nathanial Dean who came to America on the ship Paul in 1635.

Alvin J. DeBlieux, Sr.★

Alvin J. DeBlieux, Sr., owner of the New Drug Store at corner of St. Denis and Second Sts., and DeBlieux’s Drug in Broadmore Shopping Center, wed Miss Anette Block of Bunkie, La. Their children are Alvin, Jr. and Margaret Ann who wed Robert Ross Anderson of Chicago, Ill. Mr. DeBlieux is a fifth generation Natchitochan. His great-great grandfather settled land on the east bank of Red River opposite the Bluffs at Grand Ecore, La.

Jack Lestan DeBlieux★

Jack Lestan DeBlieux, Planter, Stockman and Agent 1 of the Enforcement Division of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, wed Eloise Adkins of Coushatta, La. Their children are: Freddy, Barry Freeman, Molly Darla and Dan David. The Gaines Military Road from Fort Jesup to Arkansas borders the DeBlieux property. The River-crossing was just arear of the DeBlieux residence. Jack Lestan’s ancestors saw the coming of Yankee Gunboats up the Red River.

Mrs. Lawrence Cleveland DeLatin★

Mrs. Lawrence Cleveland DeLatin, neé Florence Adeline Case, owns and manages Florence’s Beauty Shop at 575 West Main Street, Many, La. She was born in Palatka, Florida. Mr. DeLatin is a descendant of Durango y Oconna (Ocon), who, after having served his required tenure as a Spanish soldier, acquired and settled land in the Robeline area. There are many descendants today branching from Durango Oconna.

Mrs. Percy Roberts Dillon★

Mrs. Percy Roberts Dillon, neé Caroline Eloise Brook. From her marriage are these children: Percy Roberts, Jr., wed Kathleen Lambert, their son is Michael John; and Rilla Diana wed Garland Carlton.

Mrs. Percy Roberts Dillon is a Beautitian and owns and manages the Petite Beauty Shoppe at 435 San Antonio St., which is a portion of El Camino Real and is the Main Street in Many, Louisiana.

Mrs. Herbert Dorfer, Ph.★

Mrs. Herbert Dorfer, Ph., neé Ada Trichel of Fairview Alpha, La., taught school in Natchitoches Parish for 25 years before studying and becoming a pharmacist. Her business establishment, Campti Drug Store, is on Edenborne Street. Her children by her first marriage are Blanche McElwee, who wed Dr. A. L. Hushey of Opelika, Ala., and Ray McElwee who wed Rosemary Peters of Austin, Texas.

Edenborne Street in Campti, La., is named for a famous steamboat captain.