Note WorthyPousson family changed it’s name to Clay - page 262
Two sets of twins with same names - Donald and Ronald Pousson - page - 258 and 290 - born 18 Jan 1938 and born 23 Sept. 1953
Quadruplets - Charles, Chelsea, Meagan, and Justine Riley born 25 Oct. 1987 (mother is Freda Claire Pousson) - page 299
Children of Eli Pousson and Christine Simar have all three of the first three POUSSONS that came to Louisiana as their direct ancestors:
Eli Pousson is a son of G. Arcade and Maria Trumps. G. Arcade is a descendant of Jean Bertrand Pousson - page 255
Eli Pousson’s mother - Maria Trumps is a daughter of Joseph Trumps and Ophelia Pousson who is a daughter of Bertrand Cadet Pousson - page 287
Eli Pousson married Christine Simar, daughter of Joseph Frank Simar and Lucy Akers, Joseph is the son of John Simar and Clotilde Pousson and Clotilde is a daughter of Mathieu Pousson - page 297
Mayfel Rose Trumps, daughter of Anna (Nanette) Pousson and Raymond Trumps, born 1911. Her first and only husband was Joseph Lavergne - they married October 1st 1998 - when Mayfel was 87 years old - married in Crowley Guest House - Crowley, La. - page 287
Thursday, August 30, 2012
LIST OF EXHIBITS
LIST OF EXHIBITS:
Exhibit # Description of exhibits
1 Picture - left to right - Willmer (Willie) Pousson, Hermina Guillory Pousson, Leland Pousson, Eunice Blanchard Pousson, Philip Pousson, Marjorie Pousson Richard, Joseph Harry Richard, Michael Olan Pousson, and Cecilia Fay Guillory Pousson (page 4)
2 Descendants of Joseph Pousson and Hattie Harwood - NOT descended from the three "Louisiana" Poussons (page 4)3 Rice School building - Lacassine, La. and 1908 Map of S.W. La. (page 5)
4 Letter 24 March 1998 - from Archives of Haute Garonne Dept. Toulouse, France (page 7)
5 English translation of exhibit 4 (page 8)
6 Death record of Jean (Jeannet) Pousson (page 9)
7 Passenger list - Bertrand Cadet Pousson (page 12)
8 Passenger list - Mathieu Pousson and Jeanne Pousson (page 13 & 14)
9 Map of France showing different departments in the Midi-Pyrenees area of France - department #31 is the department of Haute Garonne - the location of the towns of St. Gaudens, Villeneuve de Riviere, Lespiteau, and Bordes de Riviere (page 20)
10 Map of St. Gaudens area showing Lespiteau, Villeneuve de Riviere, and Bordes de Riviere (page 20)
11 Picture - St. Gaudens church - built in the 11th century (page 22)
12 Chart showing descendants of Jeannet Pousson and Marie Lafosse - Common ancestors of ALL Louisiana Poussons (revised chart and added different type of
descendant chart) (page 24 and 25) 13 Birth record of Mathreiie Pousson (page 28)
14 Birth record of Annie Pousson (page 29)
15 Letter 23 Sept. 1996, from Archives of Haute Garonne Dept. - Toulouse, France - sending Dominique Pousson's birth record (page 30)
16 Birth record of Dominique Pousson (page 31)
17 Birth record of Dominique Pousson (page 32)
18 Letter 12 Dec. 1995, from Archives of Haute Garonne Dept. - Toulouse, France - sending Mathieu Pousson's birth record (page 33)
19 Birth record of Mathieu Pousson (page 34)
20 Birth record of Mathieu Pousson (page 35)
21 Birth record of Jean Pousson (page 36)
22 Birth record of Jean Francois Pousson (page 37)
23 Death record of Mathieu Pousson (page 38)
24 Marriage record of Dominique Pousson and Francoise Puissegur (page 39)
25 Birth record of Gaudens Pousson (page 39)
26 Birth record of Guillaume Pousson (page 40)
27 Marriage record of Guillaume Pousson and Anna Dupuy (page 41)
28 Letter 18 July 1995, from town of Lespiteau, France (French and English) showing the birth record of Jean Bertrand Pousson - 13 May 1815 (page 42)
29 Birth record of Jeanne Pousson (page 43)
30 Birth record of Bertrand Cadet Pousson (page 44)
31 Miscellaneous Acts - St. Landry Court House No.3038 (English translation of part of document) (page 45)
32 Miscellaneous Acts - St. Landry Court House No. 3038 - Power of Attorney to administer the succession of Guillaume Pousson and Anne Dupuis (page 46)
33 Death record of Jeanne Marie Fitte (page 47)
34 Birth of Jean Simon Pousson (page 48)
35 Marriage record of Gaudens Pousson and Jeannette Dupuy - 6 June 1836 (ref. exhibit 38 for French) - town of Villeneuve de Riviere (page 49)
36 Marriage record of Gaudens Pousson and Anna Save (page 50)
37 Marriage record of Gaudens Pousson and Anna Save - English - (page 51)
38 Marriage record of Gaudens Pousson and Jeannette Dupuy (page 52)
39 Birth record of Mathieu Pousson (page 53)
40 Birth record of Jacques Pousson (page 54)
41 Birth record of Gaudense Pousson (page 55)
42 Birth record of Jeanne Marie Pousson (page 56)
43 Birth record of Jeannette Pousson (page 57)
44 Birth record of Marie Pousson (page 58)
45 Death record of Gaudens Pousson (page 59)
46 Census - 1850 St. Landry Parish page 105 (page 60)
47 Census - 1860 St. Landry Parish page 139 and 140 (page 61)
48 Marriage record of Jean Bertrand Pousson and Josephine Guillory - Church and Parish records (page 62) - exhibit 48a and 48b marriage bond and civil marriage of Jean Bertrand Pousson and Josephine Guillory (page 63 and 64)
49 Jean Bertrand Pousson citizenship record - 17 May 1855 - District Court Minutes - St. Landry Court House (page 65)
50 Jean Bertrand Pousson - land purchased from U.S. Government (page 67)
51 Land Donation for church in Chataignier - 17 Apr. 1866 - File Number 7062 Book U-1 page 112/113 (page 67 and 68)
52 Picture - current use of land donated to church in Chataignier (page 69)
53 Picture - grave site of Jean Bertrand Pousson and Josephine Guillory (page 71)
54 Homestead Claim - Jean Bertrand Pousson (page 72)
55 Land purchase from U.S. Government (ref. exhibit 50) (page 73)
56 Physician Book - Opelousas Court House Dr. Espargilier (page 76)
57 Pictures - Eva Espargilier with son - Philbert Simon Jr. and picture of Philbert Simon, husband of Eva (page 77)
58 Picture - Philomene Pousson and Paulin Fontenot (page 78)
59 Picture - Latitie (Tecia) Pousson (page 80)
60 Picture - Alexandre Lanclos (page 81)
61 Picture - Arthur Lanclos (page 82)
62 Picture - Josephine Carma Lanclos and Noelie Lanclos (page 82)
63 Succession of Jean Bertrand Pousson and Josephine (page 83)
64 Succession of Jean Bertrand Pousson and Josephine (page 84)
65 Succession of Jean Bertrand Pousson and Josephine (page 85)
66 Succession of Jean Bertrand Pousson and Josephine (page 86)
67 Pictures - Guilliam (Beon) Pousson and Melinda Broussard (page 87)
68 Picture - Guilliam (Beon) Pousson - 14 years old and as old man (page 87)
69 Homestead Claim - Guilliam Pousson (page 90)
70 Land purchase from U.S. Government (page 91)
71 Picture - Guillaume Arcade Pousson and Maria Trumps (page 93)
72 Picture - left to right -standing- Sister Therese, Eli, Michael, Andrew, Sister Rose (Eunice), Sister Carola (Olive), Sylvia, and Leon -sitting- G. Arcade and Maria Trumps (page 93)
73 Picture - Eliska Pousson and Oscar Sensat (page 94)
74 Picture - Marie Anna Pousson (page 94)
75 Picture - Gustave Simon husband of Marie Anne Pousson (page 95)
76 Picture - August E. Simon (page 95)
77 Picture - Rose Anne Simon (page 95)
78 Picture - Oliza Pousson and Desere Henry (page 96)
79 Picture - Honerine Pousson and Adam Kenny (page 96)
80 Picture - Adras Pousson and Rosie Regan (page 97)
81 Picture - left to right-Wallace, Collins, Hayes, Irvin, Maurice, and Eric Pousson (page 97)
82 Picture - Mathieu Pousson and Ellia Broussard (page 97)
83 Picture - Eric Pousson, Maurice Pousson, Hayes Pousson, Irvin Pousson, and Euna Mae Pousson (page 98)
84 Picture - Maxime Pousson and Ella Thibodeaux (page 99)
85 Picture - Maxime Pousson and Dolores Kibodeaux with Clinton Pousson (page 99)
86 Picture - Maxime Pousson and Azema Quebodeaux (page 99)
87 Picture - left to right 1953 - Abby, Anthony, Maxime, Walter, Guilliam, Clinton, Elias, Egnas, Whitney, Philip, August, Abner, Ellis, and Lloyd in front. Picture left to right 1940 - standing - August, Abby, Ellis, Elias, Egnas, Anthony and Walter - Seated - Abner, Guilliam, Maxime, Philip, and Whitney Pousson (page 100)
88 Picture - Celima Pousson with Clarence, Beulah, and Clenes (page 101)
88a Picture - Celima Pousson, Lucien Hebert, Clarence, Beulah, and Clenes (page 101)
89 Picture - Cerenic Pousson and Leonore Richard (page 101)
90 Picture - left to right - Lovina P. Crenshaw, Edwin, Gaston, and Abel Pousson (page 101)
91 Picture - Bernice Rachel, Abel Pousson, Lee Arthur Crenshaw, Lovina Leona Pousson, Edwin John Pousson, Margurette Truax, Muriel Stone, and Gaston Pousson (page 102)
92 Picture - Louise Alphonsine Pousson and Sidney Guidry (page 103)
93 Picture - left to right - top row - Chester Guidry, Wilfred Guidry, Clifton Guidry, and John Ravis Guidry - bottom row - Velma Guidry Romero, Louise Pousson Guidry, Betty Lou Guidry Hardee, and Vivian Hazel Guidry Broussard (page 103)
94 Picture - Jean Durel Pousson and Virginie Fontenot (page 104)
95 Land purchase from U. S. Government - Jean Durel Pousson (page 107)
96 Picture - left to right - Jean Bernard Pousson, Jean Durel Pousson Jr., Jean Pasqual Pousson, Jean Bertrand Pousson, Melinda Pousson Reed, Julia Pousson Gary, Mathilda Pousson Hebert, Aimea Pousson Bourgeois, Marie Dora Pousson LeLeaux, and Merita Pousson Begnaud (page 106)
97 Picture - Marie Beaufort (original picture damaged by water) (page 108)
98 Homestead Claim - Isaiah (Isaie) Pousson (page 110)
99 Picture - left to right - Theogian Fontenot, Vincent Bertrand, Louise Honorine Pousson, Marcelia Manuel, Gilbert Pousson, Adam Pousson, Azena Marie Pousson, Marie Cormier, and Louisa Ida Pousson (page 109)
100 Picture - Albert Pousson (page 109)
101 Pictures - Tonice Pousson and his wife - Mary Peloquin (page 111)
102 Homestead Claim - Stanislaus (Tonice) Pousson (page 113)
103 Marriage record of Bertrand Cadet Pousson and Adele Guillory - Church and Parish records (page 115)
104 Census - 1860 St. Landry Parish page 58 (page 116)
105 Bertrand Cadet Pousson citizenship record - 30 May 1859 - District Court Minutes - St. Landry Court House (page 117 - This page also has misspelled Pousson names on the 1870 census
) 106 Homestead Claim of Adele Pousson - 12 pages of documents received from the National Archives and Records Administration in Washington, DC (page 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, and 130)
107 Grave of Adele Guillory - Iota, La. (page 131)
108 Picture of Lespiteau, France - birth place of Jean Bertrand, Bertrand Cadet, and Jeanne Pousson (page 131)
109 Picture - Maxille Pousson and Joachin Hebert (page 132)
110 Homestead Claim of Maxille Pousson (page 133)
111 Picture - Bertrand Pousson (page 135)
112 Picture - Bernard (Joseph) Pousson (page 135)
113 Picture - Anna Pousson & Arnold LeJeune with (corrected - Ruby & Ralph)
(page 136) 114 Picture - Pierre Pousson (page 136)
115 Picture - Alice Pousson and Martha Pousson (page 137)
116 Picture - William Pousson (page 137)
117 Picture - Mark, Martha, and Martin Pousson (page 138)
118 Picture - Martin Pousson (page 138)
119 Picture - Mark Pousson (page 138)
120 Picture - Alicia Pousson (page 139)
121 Picture - Agatha Pousson (page 139)
122 Maps - (four) - 1890’s of Acadia Parish showing homestead locations for various family members - Pousson, Simar, Hebert, Trumps, and Espargilier (page 140, 141, 142, and 143)
123 Homestead Claim of Alcide Simar (page 145)
124 Homestead Claim of Joseph Trumps (page 147)
125 Picture - Maria (Marie) Trumps - also see page 93 (page 148)
126 Picture - Remi J. Trumps (page 148)
127 Picture - Jarazine Pousson and Elroy Joseph Pousson (page 149)
128 Picture - Marie Elvia LeJeune (page 149)
129 Homestead Claim of Jarazine Pousson (Gerasim Ponsson) (page 151)
130 Picture - Marie Simentie Pousson and Felix Andrepont (page 152)
131 Picture - Henry Pousson and Lucia LeJeune (page 152)
132 Picture - Ehbrar (Eberhard) Pousson (page 153)
133 Picture - Willis Pousson and Ambroise Pousson (page 153)
134 Picture - Therese Pousson (page 153)
135 Picture - Alcide Pousson and Madie Dietz (page 154)
136 Picture - Jeremiah Pousson and Rosie Dietz (page 154)
137 Picture - Marie Lidia Pousson and Sulice Leger (page 154)
138 Homestead Claim of Pierre Hebert Jr. (page 156)
139 Marriage record of Mathieu Pousson and Euphrosine Guillory - Church and Parish records (page 157)
140 Mathieu purchased land at auction 21 Oct. 1871 (page 158)
141 Homestead Claim of Mathieu Pousson (page 159)
142 Land donation to Church in Iota (Point aux Loups) (page 161)
143 Land donation to Church in Iota (Point aux Loups) (page 162)
144 W.W. Duson donation of land - $1.00 (page 163)
145 W.W. Duson donation of land - $1.00 (page 164)
146 Mathieu's Power of Attorney to his brother in France Miscellaneous Acts - St. Landry Court House Book 5 - 18 Feb. 1871 to 29 Jun. 1874 page 146 (page 165)
147 Mathieu's citizenship request (page 166)
148 Mathieu's citizenship request (page 167)
149 Mathieu's citizenship request (page 168)
150 50th wedding anniversary - Father Hebert's Immigration File (page 170)
151 Sister Paula's transcribed letter - 18 Aug. 1870 - English (page 171)
152 Sister Paula's transcribed letter - 20 Apr. 1871 - English (page 172)
153 Sister Paula's transcribed letter - August 1872 - English (page 173)
154 Sister Paula's transcribed letter - August 1872 - French (page 174)
155 Sister Paula's letter to Madam Leon Pousson - 24 Oct. 1931 (page 175)
156 Marie Pousson's letter to Sister Paula - 23 Dec. 1932 (page 176)
157 Ambroisine Caperan's letter to Sister Paula - 15 Dec. 1935 (page 177)
158 (also 158a, 158b, 158c, 158d, 158e, 158f, and 158g) Succession of Mathieu Pousson and Euphrosine Guillory (page 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, and 185)
159 Marker to honor Mathieu and Euphrosine - Iota, La. (page 185)
160 Picture of Villeneuve De Riviere, France - birth place of Mathieu (page 185)
161 Picture - Sylver Simar (page 186)
162 Picture - Family of Sylver - Mariette, Maxime, Gilbert & Mathias Simar (page 186)
163 Picture - Mariette Simar (page 187)
164 Picture - Paul Miller and “Uncle Henry” (page 187)
165 Homestead Claim of Sylver (Silver) Simar (page 188)
166 Pictures - Clotilde Pousson (sitting), John Simar (sitting - both pictures), Clothilde Simar - Sister Mary Sebastian, Christine Simar - Sister Mary Florence, Theresa Simar - Sister Mary Adolphe, and Simeon Simar (page 189)
167 Picture - Joseph Frank Simar and Lucy Akers (page 189)
168 Homestead Claim of John (Joseph) Simar (page 191)
169 Homestead Claim of Mathias Pousson (page 193)
170 Picture - Mathias Pousson and Felicia Reed (page 194)
171 Picture - Timothy Pousson and Mary Bourgeois (page 194)
172 Picture - Emily, Mattie and Rosa Pousson (page 195)
172a Picture - Rosa Pousson (page 195)
173 Picture - Mathieu Pousson Jr. (page 196)
174 Homestead Claim of Mathieu Pousson Jr. (page 198)
175 Picture - Armond Pousson and Evia Young (page 199)
176 Picture - left to right - standing Armond Antony Pousson, Marie Pousson, Gilbert Neal Pousson - front - left to right - Francis Pousson, Evia Young Pousson, and Leon Pousson (page 199)
177 Picture - Raymond Pousson and Lelia Cart (page 200)
178 Picture - Lucie Pousson (page 200)
179 Picture - Arnold Pousson husband of Angella Young (page 201)
180 Picture - Angella Young wife of Arnold Pousson (page 201)
181 Picture - Lina Pousson and Conrad W. King (page 202)
182 Picture - Joseph Dewey Pousson Sr. and Rena Mae Lejeune (page 202)
183 Picture - Nicholas Ledoux, husband of Laura Pousson and Joseph Dewey Pousson Sr. (page 202)
184 Picture - left to right - Sister Alexis (Pieusse Pousson), Gaudens Pousson, and Sister Paula (Ella Pousson) (page 203)
185 Homestead Claim of Gaudens Pousson (page 205)
186 Picture - Anna (Nanette) Pousson wife of Raymond Trumps (page 206)
187 Picture - Marie Nora Pousson wife of Butler Ritter (page 206)
188 Picture - Family of Marie and Butler Ritter (page 206)
189 Picture - Isaac Pousson and Aimee Reed (page 207)
190 Picture - Herbert (Isaac) Pousson and Ignace Pousson (page 208)
191 Picture - Agnes Pousson and Josien LeJeune with daughters "Bobbie and Teeny" - Note: I show daughters as Ludie Rose, Lula Mae and Amy Norma. (page 209)
192 Picture - left to right - Marie Anne Pousson, Marie Elvina Pousson and Susanne Veronique Pousson (page 209)
193 Picture - Germaine Pousson and Jesse Leger (page 210)
194 Picture - Germaine Pousson and Paul Elmer Pousson (page 210)
195 Picture - left to right - Marie Mea Pousson, Herbert (Isaac) Pousson, and Germaine Pousson (page 211)
196 Picture - Ethan Mathew Pousson (page 211)
197 Picture - Jacques Pousson and Johanna Frey (page 212)
198 Picture - left to right - Frank (Francis Joseph) and Thomas J. Pousson (page 214)
199 Picture - Mary Edna Pousson wife of Francis Derbes (page 214)
200 Picture - John James Pousson (page 215)
201 Picture - Ivy Raphael Arceneaux wife of John James Pousson (page 215)
202 Picture - Stella Pousson and Rowland Landers (page 216)
203 Picture - Bernadette Pousson and John Ernest Francois (page 216)
204 Picture - Lawrance Justin (Juste) Pousson (page 216)
205 Picture - Galbert Pousson (page 217
206 Picture - Maria Pousson and Joseph R. Sensat (page 219)
207 Descendants of Francois Guillory (page 220)
208 Descendants of William (dit Billy/Johnson) Jeansonne (page 221)
209 Pedigree of Siphroy Guillory - father of Josephine, Adele, and Euphrosine (page 227, 228, 229, 230, 231, and 232) - with additional information
210 Pedigree of Euphrosine (Johnson) Jeansonne - mother of Josephine, Adele, and Euphrosine (page 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, and 242) - with additional information
211 Baptism records of Jeanne Monfort - 8 Feb. 1693 (page 223)
212 Lineage from Adam and Eve to Louis I Duc d’Orleans (page 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, and 248
Most common surnames - Source U.S.Census Bureau 1990 Census Name Files http://www.census.gov/genealogy/names/
rank name
1 Smith
2 Johnson
3 Williams
4 Jones
5 Brown
6 Davis
7 Miller
8 Wilson
9 Moore
10 Taylor
27243 Pousson
POUSSON is the 27,243rd most popular surname in the United States out of 88,799 names in the 1990 Census.
Exhibit # Description of exhibits
1 Picture - left to right - Willmer (Willie) Pousson, Hermina Guillory Pousson, Leland Pousson, Eunice Blanchard Pousson, Philip Pousson, Marjorie Pousson Richard, Joseph Harry Richard, Michael Olan Pousson, and Cecilia Fay Guillory Pousson (page 4)
2 Descendants of Joseph Pousson and Hattie Harwood - NOT descended from the three "Louisiana" Poussons (page 4)3 Rice School building - Lacassine, La. and 1908 Map of S.W. La. (page 5)
4 Letter 24 March 1998 - from Archives of Haute Garonne Dept. Toulouse, France (page 7)
5 English translation of exhibit 4 (page 8)
6 Death record of Jean (Jeannet) Pousson (page 9)
7 Passenger list - Bertrand Cadet Pousson (page 12)
8 Passenger list - Mathieu Pousson and Jeanne Pousson (page 13 & 14)
9 Map of France showing different departments in the Midi-Pyrenees area of France - department #31 is the department of Haute Garonne - the location of the towns of St. Gaudens, Villeneuve de Riviere, Lespiteau, and Bordes de Riviere (page 20)
10 Map of St. Gaudens area showing Lespiteau, Villeneuve de Riviere, and Bordes de Riviere (page 20)
11 Picture - St. Gaudens church - built in the 11th century (page 22)
12 Chart showing descendants of Jeannet Pousson and Marie Lafosse - Common ancestors of ALL Louisiana Poussons (revised chart and added different type of
descendant chart) (page 24 and 25) 13 Birth record of Mathreiie Pousson (page 28)
14 Birth record of Annie Pousson (page 29)
15 Letter 23 Sept. 1996, from Archives of Haute Garonne Dept. - Toulouse, France - sending Dominique Pousson's birth record (page 30)
16 Birth record of Dominique Pousson (page 31)
17 Birth record of Dominique Pousson (page 32)
18 Letter 12 Dec. 1995, from Archives of Haute Garonne Dept. - Toulouse, France - sending Mathieu Pousson's birth record (page 33)
19 Birth record of Mathieu Pousson (page 34)
20 Birth record of Mathieu Pousson (page 35)
21 Birth record of Jean Pousson (page 36)
22 Birth record of Jean Francois Pousson (page 37)
23 Death record of Mathieu Pousson (page 38)
24 Marriage record of Dominique Pousson and Francoise Puissegur (page 39)
25 Birth record of Gaudens Pousson (page 39)
26 Birth record of Guillaume Pousson (page 40)
27 Marriage record of Guillaume Pousson and Anna Dupuy (page 41)
28 Letter 18 July 1995, from town of Lespiteau, France (French and English) showing the birth record of Jean Bertrand Pousson - 13 May 1815 (page 42)
29 Birth record of Jeanne Pousson (page 43)
30 Birth record of Bertrand Cadet Pousson (page 44)
31 Miscellaneous Acts - St. Landry Court House No.3038 (English translation of part of document) (page 45)
32 Miscellaneous Acts - St. Landry Court House No. 3038 - Power of Attorney to administer the succession of Guillaume Pousson and Anne Dupuis (page 46)
33 Death record of Jeanne Marie Fitte (page 47)
34 Birth of Jean Simon Pousson (page 48)
35 Marriage record of Gaudens Pousson and Jeannette Dupuy - 6 June 1836 (ref. exhibit 38 for French) - town of Villeneuve de Riviere (page 49)
36 Marriage record of Gaudens Pousson and Anna Save (page 50)
37 Marriage record of Gaudens Pousson and Anna Save - English - (page 51)
38 Marriage record of Gaudens Pousson and Jeannette Dupuy (page 52)
39 Birth record of Mathieu Pousson (page 53)
40 Birth record of Jacques Pousson (page 54)
41 Birth record of Gaudense Pousson (page 55)
42 Birth record of Jeanne Marie Pousson (page 56)
43 Birth record of Jeannette Pousson (page 57)
44 Birth record of Marie Pousson (page 58)
45 Death record of Gaudens Pousson (page 59)
46 Census - 1850 St. Landry Parish page 105 (page 60)
47 Census - 1860 St. Landry Parish page 139 and 140 (page 61)
48 Marriage record of Jean Bertrand Pousson and Josephine Guillory - Church and Parish records (page 62) - exhibit 48a and 48b marriage bond and civil marriage of Jean Bertrand Pousson and Josephine Guillory (page 63 and 64)
49 Jean Bertrand Pousson citizenship record - 17 May 1855 - District Court Minutes - St. Landry Court House (page 65)
50 Jean Bertrand Pousson - land purchased from U.S. Government (page 67)
51 Land Donation for church in Chataignier - 17 Apr. 1866 - File Number 7062 Book U-1 page 112/113 (page 67 and 68)
52 Picture - current use of land donated to church in Chataignier (page 69)
53 Picture - grave site of Jean Bertrand Pousson and Josephine Guillory (page 71)
54 Homestead Claim - Jean Bertrand Pousson (page 72)
55 Land purchase from U.S. Government (ref. exhibit 50) (page 73)
56 Physician Book - Opelousas Court House Dr. Espargilier (page 76)
57 Pictures - Eva Espargilier with son - Philbert Simon Jr. and picture of Philbert Simon, husband of Eva (page 77)
58 Picture - Philomene Pousson and Paulin Fontenot (page 78)
59 Picture - Latitie (Tecia) Pousson (page 80)
60 Picture - Alexandre Lanclos (page 81)
61 Picture - Arthur Lanclos (page 82)
62 Picture - Josephine Carma Lanclos and Noelie Lanclos (page 82)
63 Succession of Jean Bertrand Pousson and Josephine (page 83)
64 Succession of Jean Bertrand Pousson and Josephine (page 84)
65 Succession of Jean Bertrand Pousson and Josephine (page 85)
66 Succession of Jean Bertrand Pousson and Josephine (page 86)
67 Pictures - Guilliam (Beon) Pousson and Melinda Broussard (page 87)
68 Picture - Guilliam (Beon) Pousson - 14 years old and as old man (page 87)
69 Homestead Claim - Guilliam Pousson (page 90)
70 Land purchase from U.S. Government (page 91)
71 Picture - Guillaume Arcade Pousson and Maria Trumps (page 93)
72 Picture - left to right -standing- Sister Therese, Eli, Michael, Andrew, Sister Rose (Eunice), Sister Carola (Olive), Sylvia, and Leon -sitting- G. Arcade and Maria Trumps (page 93)
73 Picture - Eliska Pousson and Oscar Sensat (page 94)
74 Picture - Marie Anna Pousson (page 94)
75 Picture - Gustave Simon husband of Marie Anne Pousson (page 95)
76 Picture - August E. Simon (page 95)
77 Picture - Rose Anne Simon (page 95)
78 Picture - Oliza Pousson and Desere Henry (page 96)
79 Picture - Honerine Pousson and Adam Kenny (page 96)
80 Picture - Adras Pousson and Rosie Regan (page 97)
81 Picture - left to right-Wallace, Collins, Hayes, Irvin, Maurice, and Eric Pousson (page 97)
82 Picture - Mathieu Pousson and Ellia Broussard (page 97)
83 Picture - Eric Pousson, Maurice Pousson, Hayes Pousson, Irvin Pousson, and Euna Mae Pousson (page 98)
84 Picture - Maxime Pousson and Ella Thibodeaux (page 99)
85 Picture - Maxime Pousson and Dolores Kibodeaux with Clinton Pousson (page 99)
86 Picture - Maxime Pousson and Azema Quebodeaux (page 99)
87 Picture - left to right 1953 - Abby, Anthony, Maxime, Walter, Guilliam, Clinton, Elias, Egnas, Whitney, Philip, August, Abner, Ellis, and Lloyd in front. Picture left to right 1940 - standing - August, Abby, Ellis, Elias, Egnas, Anthony and Walter - Seated - Abner, Guilliam, Maxime, Philip, and Whitney Pousson (page 100)
88 Picture - Celima Pousson with Clarence, Beulah, and Clenes (page 101)
88a Picture - Celima Pousson, Lucien Hebert, Clarence, Beulah, and Clenes (page 101)
89 Picture - Cerenic Pousson and Leonore Richard (page 101)
90 Picture - left to right - Lovina P. Crenshaw, Edwin, Gaston, and Abel Pousson (page 101)
91 Picture - Bernice Rachel, Abel Pousson, Lee Arthur Crenshaw, Lovina Leona Pousson, Edwin John Pousson, Margurette Truax, Muriel Stone, and Gaston Pousson (page 102)
92 Picture - Louise Alphonsine Pousson and Sidney Guidry (page 103)
93 Picture - left to right - top row - Chester Guidry, Wilfred Guidry, Clifton Guidry, and John Ravis Guidry - bottom row - Velma Guidry Romero, Louise Pousson Guidry, Betty Lou Guidry Hardee, and Vivian Hazel Guidry Broussard (page 103)
94 Picture - Jean Durel Pousson and Virginie Fontenot (page 104)
95 Land purchase from U. S. Government - Jean Durel Pousson (page 107)
96 Picture - left to right - Jean Bernard Pousson, Jean Durel Pousson Jr., Jean Pasqual Pousson, Jean Bertrand Pousson, Melinda Pousson Reed, Julia Pousson Gary, Mathilda Pousson Hebert, Aimea Pousson Bourgeois, Marie Dora Pousson LeLeaux, and Merita Pousson Begnaud (page 106)
97 Picture - Marie Beaufort (original picture damaged by water) (page 108)
98 Homestead Claim - Isaiah (Isaie) Pousson (page 110)
99 Picture - left to right - Theogian Fontenot, Vincent Bertrand, Louise Honorine Pousson, Marcelia Manuel, Gilbert Pousson, Adam Pousson, Azena Marie Pousson, Marie Cormier, and Louisa Ida Pousson (page 109)
100 Picture - Albert Pousson (page 109)
101 Pictures - Tonice Pousson and his wife - Mary Peloquin (page 111)
102 Homestead Claim - Stanislaus (Tonice) Pousson (page 113)
103 Marriage record of Bertrand Cadet Pousson and Adele Guillory - Church and Parish records (page 115)
104 Census - 1860 St. Landry Parish page 58 (page 116)
105 Bertrand Cadet Pousson citizenship record - 30 May 1859 - District Court Minutes - St. Landry Court House (page 117 - This page also has misspelled Pousson names on the 1870 census
) 106 Homestead Claim of Adele Pousson - 12 pages of documents received from the National Archives and Records Administration in Washington, DC (page 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, and 130)
107 Grave of Adele Guillory - Iota, La. (page 131)
108 Picture of Lespiteau, France - birth place of Jean Bertrand, Bertrand Cadet, and Jeanne Pousson (page 131)
109 Picture - Maxille Pousson and Joachin Hebert (page 132)
110 Homestead Claim of Maxille Pousson (page 133)
111 Picture - Bertrand Pousson (page 135)
112 Picture - Bernard (Joseph) Pousson (page 135)
113 Picture - Anna Pousson & Arnold LeJeune with (corrected - Ruby & Ralph)
(page 136) 114 Picture - Pierre Pousson (page 136)
115 Picture - Alice Pousson and Martha Pousson (page 137)
116 Picture - William Pousson (page 137)
117 Picture - Mark, Martha, and Martin Pousson (page 138)
118 Picture - Martin Pousson (page 138)
119 Picture - Mark Pousson (page 138)
120 Picture - Alicia Pousson (page 139)
121 Picture - Agatha Pousson (page 139)
122 Maps - (four) - 1890’s of Acadia Parish showing homestead locations for various family members - Pousson, Simar, Hebert, Trumps, and Espargilier (page 140, 141, 142, and 143)
123 Homestead Claim of Alcide Simar (page 145)
124 Homestead Claim of Joseph Trumps (page 147)
125 Picture - Maria (Marie) Trumps - also see page 93 (page 148)
126 Picture - Remi J. Trumps (page 148)
127 Picture - Jarazine Pousson and Elroy Joseph Pousson (page 149)
128 Picture - Marie Elvia LeJeune (page 149)
129 Homestead Claim of Jarazine Pousson (Gerasim Ponsson) (page 151)
130 Picture - Marie Simentie Pousson and Felix Andrepont (page 152)
131 Picture - Henry Pousson and Lucia LeJeune (page 152)
132 Picture - Ehbrar (Eberhard) Pousson (page 153)
133 Picture - Willis Pousson and Ambroise Pousson (page 153)
134 Picture - Therese Pousson (page 153)
135 Picture - Alcide Pousson and Madie Dietz (page 154)
136 Picture - Jeremiah Pousson and Rosie Dietz (page 154)
137 Picture - Marie Lidia Pousson and Sulice Leger (page 154)
138 Homestead Claim of Pierre Hebert Jr. (page 156)
139 Marriage record of Mathieu Pousson and Euphrosine Guillory - Church and Parish records (page 157)
140 Mathieu purchased land at auction 21 Oct. 1871 (page 158)
141 Homestead Claim of Mathieu Pousson (page 159)
142 Land donation to Church in Iota (Point aux Loups) (page 161)
143 Land donation to Church in Iota (Point aux Loups) (page 162)
144 W.W. Duson donation of land - $1.00 (page 163)
145 W.W. Duson donation of land - $1.00 (page 164)
146 Mathieu's Power of Attorney to his brother in France Miscellaneous Acts - St. Landry Court House Book 5 - 18 Feb. 1871 to 29 Jun. 1874 page 146 (page 165)
147 Mathieu's citizenship request (page 166)
148 Mathieu's citizenship request (page 167)
149 Mathieu's citizenship request (page 168)
150 50th wedding anniversary - Father Hebert's Immigration File (page 170)
151 Sister Paula's transcribed letter - 18 Aug. 1870 - English (page 171)
152 Sister Paula's transcribed letter - 20 Apr. 1871 - English (page 172)
153 Sister Paula's transcribed letter - August 1872 - English (page 173)
154 Sister Paula's transcribed letter - August 1872 - French (page 174)
155 Sister Paula's letter to Madam Leon Pousson - 24 Oct. 1931 (page 175)
156 Marie Pousson's letter to Sister Paula - 23 Dec. 1932 (page 176)
157 Ambroisine Caperan's letter to Sister Paula - 15 Dec. 1935 (page 177)
158 (also 158a, 158b, 158c, 158d, 158e, 158f, and 158g) Succession of Mathieu Pousson and Euphrosine Guillory (page 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, and 185)
159 Marker to honor Mathieu and Euphrosine - Iota, La. (page 185)
160 Picture of Villeneuve De Riviere, France - birth place of Mathieu (page 185)
161 Picture - Sylver Simar (page 186)
162 Picture - Family of Sylver - Mariette, Maxime, Gilbert & Mathias Simar (page 186)
163 Picture - Mariette Simar (page 187)
164 Picture - Paul Miller and “Uncle Henry” (page 187)
165 Homestead Claim of Sylver (Silver) Simar (page 188)
166 Pictures - Clotilde Pousson (sitting), John Simar (sitting - both pictures), Clothilde Simar - Sister Mary Sebastian, Christine Simar - Sister Mary Florence, Theresa Simar - Sister Mary Adolphe, and Simeon Simar (page 189)
167 Picture - Joseph Frank Simar and Lucy Akers (page 189)
168 Homestead Claim of John (Joseph) Simar (page 191)
169 Homestead Claim of Mathias Pousson (page 193)
170 Picture - Mathias Pousson and Felicia Reed (page 194)
171 Picture - Timothy Pousson and Mary Bourgeois (page 194)
172 Picture - Emily, Mattie and Rosa Pousson (page 195)
172a Picture - Rosa Pousson (page 195)
173 Picture - Mathieu Pousson Jr. (page 196)
174 Homestead Claim of Mathieu Pousson Jr. (page 198)
175 Picture - Armond Pousson and Evia Young (page 199)
176 Picture - left to right - standing Armond Antony Pousson, Marie Pousson, Gilbert Neal Pousson - front - left to right - Francis Pousson, Evia Young Pousson, and Leon Pousson (page 199)
177 Picture - Raymond Pousson and Lelia Cart (page 200)
178 Picture - Lucie Pousson (page 200)
179 Picture - Arnold Pousson husband of Angella Young (page 201)
180 Picture - Angella Young wife of Arnold Pousson (page 201)
181 Picture - Lina Pousson and Conrad W. King (page 202)
182 Picture - Joseph Dewey Pousson Sr. and Rena Mae Lejeune (page 202)
183 Picture - Nicholas Ledoux, husband of Laura Pousson and Joseph Dewey Pousson Sr. (page 202)
184 Picture - left to right - Sister Alexis (Pieusse Pousson), Gaudens Pousson, and Sister Paula (Ella Pousson) (page 203)
185 Homestead Claim of Gaudens Pousson (page 205)
186 Picture - Anna (Nanette) Pousson wife of Raymond Trumps (page 206)
187 Picture - Marie Nora Pousson wife of Butler Ritter (page 206)
188 Picture - Family of Marie and Butler Ritter (page 206)
189 Picture - Isaac Pousson and Aimee Reed (page 207)
190 Picture - Herbert (Isaac) Pousson and Ignace Pousson (page 208)
191 Picture - Agnes Pousson and Josien LeJeune with daughters "Bobbie and Teeny" - Note: I show daughters as Ludie Rose, Lula Mae and Amy Norma. (page 209)
192 Picture - left to right - Marie Anne Pousson, Marie Elvina Pousson and Susanne Veronique Pousson (page 209)
193 Picture - Germaine Pousson and Jesse Leger (page 210)
194 Picture - Germaine Pousson and Paul Elmer Pousson (page 210)
195 Picture - left to right - Marie Mea Pousson, Herbert (Isaac) Pousson, and Germaine Pousson (page 211)
196 Picture - Ethan Mathew Pousson (page 211)
197 Picture - Jacques Pousson and Johanna Frey (page 212)
198 Picture - left to right - Frank (Francis Joseph) and Thomas J. Pousson (page 214)
199 Picture - Mary Edna Pousson wife of Francis Derbes (page 214)
200 Picture - John James Pousson (page 215)
201 Picture - Ivy Raphael Arceneaux wife of John James Pousson (page 215)
202 Picture - Stella Pousson and Rowland Landers (page 216)
203 Picture - Bernadette Pousson and John Ernest Francois (page 216)
204 Picture - Lawrance Justin (Juste) Pousson (page 216)
205 Picture - Galbert Pousson (page 217
206 Picture - Maria Pousson and Joseph R. Sensat (page 219)
207 Descendants of Francois Guillory (page 220)
208 Descendants of William (dit Billy/Johnson) Jeansonne (page 221)
209 Pedigree of Siphroy Guillory - father of Josephine, Adele, and Euphrosine (page 227, 228, 229, 230, 231, and 232) - with additional information
210 Pedigree of Euphrosine (Johnson) Jeansonne - mother of Josephine, Adele, and Euphrosine (page 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, and 242) - with additional information
211 Baptism records of Jeanne Monfort - 8 Feb. 1693 (page 223)
212 Lineage from Adam and Eve to Louis I Duc d’Orleans (page 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, and 248
Most common surnames - Source U.S.Census Bureau 1990 Census Name Files http://www.census.gov/genealogy/names/
rank name
1 Smith
2 Johnson
3 Williams
4 Jones
5 Brown
6 Davis
7 Miller
8 Wilson
9 Moore
10 Taylor
27243 Pousson
POUSSON is the 27,243rd most popular surname in the United States out of 88,799 names in the 1990 Census.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
SECTION #1 - Introduction
(page 1)
SECTION # 1 - Introduction
Several years ago I undertook a project to show that ALL Poussons in the United States are related - with a common ancestor. This proved to be easier than I thought due to the fact that the three original Poussons that came to Louisiana married three sisters - Jean Bertrand Pousson married Josephine S. Guillory, his brother Bertrand "Cadet" Pousson married Adele Guillory and their cousin Mathieu Pousson married Euphrosine Guillory. The three Guillory sister's parents are Siphroy (Leufroy) Guillory and Euphrosine (Johnson) Jeansonne - common grandparents to ALL Louisiana Poussons.
Early Pousson oral history tells us that there were two brothers and their cousin that came to America back in 1840's and 1850's. I then decided to find a common POUSSON ancestor in France, I did not know how many generations back I had to go before I could tie the two families together but I knew that they had to have a common ancestor since they were cousins. After many letters to France, trips to Iota, Lacassine, Opelousas, Chataignier, Crowley, Baton Rouge, Lake Charles, Franklin, etc., I now have the information that connects our families.
I am Willmer (Willie) Pousson (ref. exhibit 1) and I am a descendant of Jean Bertrand Pousson. I have tried to give credit to all those who furnished me with information, stories, pictures, maps, etc. If I overlooked anyone, I am sorry. If I have information that you know is incorrect, please let me know. My address is: 101 Wilbourn #307, Lafayette, Louisiana 70506 (phone 337 989 1361).
Section one - (A) - Introduction and design of this book (updated 2002) and possible reasons why and how the Poussons moved from France to Louisiana - this section has pictures and information for the time period of our ancestors move from France to Louisiana.
Section two will show our ancestors in France - this section will have records showing the "tie in" of the two families - this section will have maps, marriage records, birth records, death records, pictures, letters, charts, etc.
Section three, four, and five - due to the fact that we have three separate Pousson families in this book, I have given each family one section. Each section will have birth records, death records, marriage records, pictures, letters, etc.
Section six has information concerning the Guillory and Jeansonne families - our common grandparents here in the United States.
Section seven shows the descendants of Jeannet Pousson and Marie Lafosse - these are the common ancestors of ALL Louisiana Poussons. This list has MOST of the Poussons in the United States (ref. exhibit 2) - descendants of Joseph Pousson and Hattie Harwood - this family is not descendant of the three Poussons that came to Louisiana. I have found approximately 30 - 40 Poussons in the New York area that are not descendants of the three Louisiana Poussons.
Note : Several place and/or location names referred to in this book have changed over the years. I will use the current common names for each location with a reminder every now and then of it's old name or names.
l - St. Landry Parish was established on 10 Apr. 1805 and included most to southwest Louisiana. The present parishes of Acadia, Evangeline, Jefferson Davis, Beauregard, Allen, Calcasieu and Cameron were all part of St. Landry Parish.
(page 2)
2 - Calcasieu Parish - "Imperial Calcasieu" was organized as a parish on 24 Mar. 1840 "Calcasieu" which means "crying eagle" is said to have been the name of an Attakapas chief. Calcasieu was part of St. Landry Parish.
2 - Calcasieu Parish - "Imperial Calcasieu" was organized as a parish on 24 Mar. 1840 "Calcasieu" which means "crying eagle" is said to have been the name of an Attakapas chief. Calcasieu was part of St. Landry Parish.
THE DIVISION OF ‘IMPERIAL’ CALCASIEU PARISH - from Southwest Louisiana Genealogical Society, KINFOLKS Vol. # 25 Issue # 2 - used with permission - How did “Imperial” Calcasieu Parish come into existence? The story is an interesting one, and it goes something like this:
In 1803, at the time of the Louisiana Purchase, the area that we now call Imperial Calcasieu, lay on the western border of the huge empire that the United States was lucky enough to be allowed to purchase from France under Napoleon Bonaparte. This purchase was a very hasty one: so much so that at the time neither the seller (France), the buyer (the United States), nor the western neighbor (Spanish Mexico), was sure what the western border of the purchase actually was. Seeking to get all of the land that it could out of its purchase, the United States took the position that the western boundary was the Sabine River, or possibly some river even farther to the west. Spain, on the other hand, took the position that the boundary was the Calcasieu River or a river east of the Calcasieu, such as the Mermentau. To prevent conflicts until an agreeable boundary was established, in 1806 the United States and Spain agreed that the land between the Calcasieu and the Sabine Rivers, in other words the western half of what was later to become Imperial Calcasieu, would be a “no man’s land.” This agreement lasted until 1819 when the western boundary was set at the Sabine River.
In the meantime, in 1812 Louisiana became a state, and southwest Louisiana was organized as St. Landry Parish and its seat of government in Opelousas. Almost three decades later, in 1840, when the population of St. Landry Parish had grown sufficiently to require division, Calcasieu Parish (old Imperial Calcasieu) was organized and named for this region’s principal river. The boundaries at the time were set at the Sabine River on the west and the Mermentau River on the east. The new parish comprised a huge area - over 5,000 square miles - and was made up of varied terrain that ranged northward from the Gulf of Mexico from coastal marshes, to grassy prairies, and then to dense forests in the central and northernmost parts. At this time the parish seat was established at a place on the Calcasieu River called Marion. In the years that followed a number of other changes were made in the political organization of old Calcasieu Parish that eventually transformed it into the five parishes - Cameron, Allen, Jefferson Davis, Beauregard, and Calcasieu Parish.
3 - Acadia Parish was established as the 59th parish on 11 Oct. 1886. Acadia was part of St. Landry Parish.
4 - Jefferson Davis Parish was formed on 12 Jun. 1912. Prior to this date is was part of "Imperial Calcasieu" Parish and as per item 2 above, Calcasieu was part of St. Landry Parish.
5 - Egan, La. - Crowley Signal 22 Aug. 1903 - "Post Office announces that the town of Abbott, formerly known as Canal Switch, will be known as Egan after 1 Oct. 1903, the town is named for William M. Egan, of Crowley, president of the Egan Rice Milling Co., who has large interest there". Note: Before the place was called Canal Switch the name was Jonas Point.
6 - Iota, La. - area was known as Pointe aux Loups (place of the wolves) and also Cartville (Location of a post office). In 1894 the railroad, from Midland to Eunice, bypassed Cartville and Pointe aux Loups. The railroad built a depot and named the station and area Iota, the Cartville post office was moved and the name was changed to Iota on l May 1900. Iota was incorporated as a village in 1902.
7 - Lacassine, La. - This was the name of a very large area of this part of southwest Louisiana (most of current Jefferson Davis Parish, and small portions of Cameron and Calcasieu Parishes). "La Cassine" is an Indian word meaning "hunting ground". After the railroads came through the
(page 3)
area in the 1880's, a station in the area was called Rice Station and the local school was also called Rice (ref. exhibit 3). I also found an old map of Southwest Louisiana, dated 1908, showing the town of Rice - see exhibit 3. In the early 1900's the name Lacassine came to apply only to the current town and the name Rice was gradually dropped.
(page 3)
area in the 1880's, a station in the area was called Rice Station and the local school was also called Rice (ref. exhibit 3). I also found an old map of Southwest Louisiana, dated 1908, showing the town of Rice - see exhibit 3. In the early 1900's the name Lacassine came to apply only to the current town and the name Rice was gradually dropped.
Mr. Jim Bradshaw, Advertiser Columnist - The Daily Advertiser, Lafayette, Louisiana, wrote the following in his “Acadiana Diary”;
Was Lacassine named for a hut, swans, or an ugly black drink?
I’d always thought that the name Lacassine, which refers to a bayou and a community in Jefferson Davis Parish, was the name of an Indian chief. But some other theories have recently come to hand.
Linguist WILLIAM READ discusses the name in his classic 1931 study, “Louisiana-French,” and gives it the Indian origin.
“Lacasine was an Attakapas chief whose memory is perpetuated by the name of a large bayou in Southwest Louisiana, now spelled Lacassine, bur formerly Lacasine, Lacacene, and Cassine,” Read says. But he wonders how the Indian chief got the name.
He thinks it ultimately may have come from the Louisiana French name for the Yaupon Shrub, cassinier. The shrub thrives in Louisiana and the Indians used its leaves, according to Read, “to prepare a famous black drink for use on all festive and ceremonial occasions. This black drink … was held in such esteem by the Southern tribes that they never went to war without drinking it in huge quantities.”
Read quotes an early traveler named Bossu, who in 1771, wrote “Travels Through That Part of North America Formerly Called Louisiana.” According to Bossu, the drink was called Cassine.
“This is the leaf of a little tree which is very shady: the leaf is about the size of a farthing, but dentated on its margins. They toast these leaves as we do coffee, and drink the infusion of them with great ceremony. When this diuretic potion is prepared, the young people go to present it in Calabashes (gourds) formed into cups, to the chiefs and warriors, that is the honorable, according to their rank and degree. That same order is observed when they present the Calumet to smoke out of: whilst you drink they howl as loud as they can and diminish the sound gradually; when you have ceased drinking, they take their break, and when you drink again, they set up their howls again. These sorts of orgies sometimes last from six in the morning to two o’clock in the afternoon.”
Read suggests that the Indian chief Lacassine was given the name by the French “because he was a noted drinker of cassine, or because his village was situated among yaupon trees.”
But the linguist and others say that the name could have simpler origins. It may have derived from la cassine, French for a little shack, and at first denoted the place where someone build a hut on the bayou.
And a regular reader says that he’s always heard that the place name is a derivation of lac a cygne (swan lake), because swans once gathered at a little lake formed by a widening of the bayou. Read does note that the Whistling Swan was once common in Louisiana and that swan feathers were once used for the headbands of Indian chiefs. Did Lacassine get his headband from lac a cygne? Who’s got it right?
(Article used with permission from Mr. Jim Bradshaw - The Daily Advertiser - Lafayette, La.)
(page 4)
{exhibit 1}
left to right - Willmer (Willie) Pousson, Hermina Guillory Pousson, Leland Pousson, Eunice Blanchard Pousson, Philip Pousson, Marjorie Pousson Richard, Joseph Harry Richard, Michael Olan Pousson, and Cecilia Fay Guillory Pousson
Joseph Pousson m. Hattie Harwood
I. Chester Alden Pousson b. 1 Oct 1909, Manhattan, NY, m. 10 Jun, Anna Marie Obermeuer, b. 4 Mar 1908, d. 15 May 1987, buried: Shelter Island, NY. Chester died 11 Feb 1984, buried: Shelter Island, NY.
B. Robert Andre Pousson b. 29 May 1932, m. 10 Aug 1956, Joan Kapian.
2. Karen Ruth Pousson b. 8 Dec 1967, Port Jefferson, NY, m. 14 July 1990, in E.Setauket, NY, Donald Edward D'Apolito.
3. Ronald James Pousson b. 5 Apr 1972, Port Jefferson, NY.
4. Thomas Glen Pousson b. 21 Jul 1975, Port Jefferson, NY.
{exhibit 2}
Descendants of Joseph Pousson and Hattie Harwood - NOT descended from the three "Louisiana" Poussons
(page 5)
{exhibit 3}
Early map of Southwest Louisiana (1908) showing the town of Rice
Rice School House - Lacassine, Louisiana
Some names - standing - L to R back row - Durel Pousson, Jack Dugas, Alcie Bertrand, next 4 unknown, Adia Bourgeois, Elodie Andie Ardoin Daigle, Aline Louvien, two teachers, etc. etc. Dora Pousson is also shown in this picture
Monday, August 27, 2012
SECTION 1A - Introduction and design of this book (updated 2002)
(page 6)
Section 1A - Introduction and design of this book (updated 2002) and possible reasons why and how the Poussons moved from France to Louisiana
I would like to thank all of you who purchased my first book - The Pousson Families of Louisiana - printed in 1997. I had 250 copies printed - one copy was given to the Acadia Parish Library in Crowley, Louisiana, I kept two copies for myself, and 247 copies were sold to our Pousson family, cousins, and friends.
I now have enough new Pousson family information (documents, pictures, etc.) to justify printing a second book - The Pousson Families of Louisiana - Updated 2002. This second book has ALL the information found in the first book plus the new family information I have assembled in the last few years. I have tried to keep the arrangement (format) of this book the same as the first book:
Copyright page (i)
Contents (ii)
List of Exhibits (iii) (iv) (v) (vi) (vii) (viii) (new exhibits will be highlighted)
Section 1 Introduction
Section 1A Introduction and design of this book (Updated 2002) and possible reasons why and how the Poussons moved from France to Louisiana
Section 2 Early Pousson family in France
Section 3 Jean Bertrand Pousson
Section 4 Bertrand Cadet Pousson
Section 5 Mathieu Pousson
Section 6 Guillory and Jeansonne (Johnson)
Section 7 List of descendants of Jeannet Pousson and Marie Lafosse
In order to help find the new information (documents, pictures, etc.) I have highlighted (bold and italic) the new exhibits in the “List of Exhibits”.
Section 1 Introduction
Section 1A Introduction and design of this book (Updated 2002) and possible reasons why and how the Poussons moved from France to Louisiana
Section 2 Early Pousson family in France
Section 3 Jean Bertrand Pousson
Section 4 Bertrand Cadet Pousson
Section 5 Mathieu Pousson
Section 6 Guillory and Jeansonne (Johnson)
Section 7 List of descendants of Jeannet Pousson and Marie Lafosse
In order to help find the new information (documents, pictures, etc.) I have highlighted (bold and italic) the new exhibits in the “List of Exhibits”.
One of the first new exhibits is the bad news I received in March 1998 (ref. exhibit 4 and 5). The civil records for the city of St. Gaudens were burned at the end of the last century - most of the records before 1737 were destroyed.
Due to this fire, I do not know of any way of doing any additional genealogy research for the time before 1737. Perhaps someone will be able to find additional information by going to St. Gaudens and/or Toulouse and researching land records, notary documents, etc. I have written to the Archives in Toulouse, France requesting additional information concerning Jeannet Pousson and Marie Lafosse - I hope they may have married in a town near St. Gaudens such as Bordes de Riviere.
(page 7)
(page 7)
{exhibit 4}
Letter, 24 March 1998, from Director General - Archives department - Haute Garonne - Toulouse, France - see exhibit 5 for English translation
Director General
Archives department
Haute Garonne
Toulouse - 24 March 1998
(page 8)
Mr. Willmer Philip Pousson
101 Wilbourn #307
Lafayette, La. 70506 USA
Mr.
Following your last letter, I regret to inform you that microfilms previous to 1737, for the city of Saint Gaudens, do not exist.
Unfortunately, the archives for the civil (state records) of this city (St. Gaudens) were burned at the end of the last century and the documents reveal very many gaps.
The photocopy you attached to your letter concerns a death - the age of about 65 years of Jean Pousson widower of Marie Lafosse, he was a tenant farmer on a small farm called “the poor/needy” this death took place October 3rd of the year above. The witness did not sign because they did not know how to sign. The act was recorded by Barthe.
I ask you to accept, Mister, the expression of my distinguished greetings.
The Director,
s/Bernadette Suau
Note - The attached document referenced to in this letter is from microfilm the Latter Day Saints Church sent me - Family History Center film 2062446 (4E 1865).
Part of this film was from the year 1782 - “the year above” referenced to in this letter. See exhibit 6 - for the microfilm document showing the death of our common ancestor Jean (Jeannet) Pousson.
Part of this film was from the year 1782 - “the year above” referenced to in this letter. See exhibit 6 - for the microfilm document showing the death of our common ancestor Jean (Jeannet) Pousson.
{exhibit 5}
English translation of exhibit 4 - letter of 24 March 1998
(page 9)
(page 9)
{exhibit 6} see arrow - seven lines
St. Gaudens (Toulouse Archives)
Parish registers - Haute Garonne - France
Family History Center film 2062446 - (4E 1865)
Item 3 - 1781 - 1791
Year 1782
Jean Pousson, widower of Madam (Marie) Lafosse, of Bordes - died at the age of about 65 - he was a tenant farmer on a small farm called “the poor/needy” his death took place October 3rd of the year above (1782). He was exposed and taken to the cemetery. The witness did not sign because they did not know how to sign. The act was recorded by Barthe.
(page 10)
Possible reasons why and how the Poussons moved from France to Louisiana
The actual events, conditions, travels, etc. of our ancestor’s reasons for coming to Louisiana may never be known. The following is my best guess as to why they may have migrated to Louisiana and how they traveled and under what conditions based on historical events and conditions of the times.
Conditions in France in the 1840’s and 1850’s - at the time of our ancestor’s migrating to Louisiana and possible reasons for their move:
Working our way to the 1840’s and the 1850’s of French history we will start with Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821), his selling of the Louisiana Territory to the US, his defeat at Waterloo, his exile to St. Helena, and his death in 1821. In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson sent James Monroe to Paris to assist Ambassador Robert Livingston in his attempt to buy from France (Napoleon Bonaparte) the then-French port of New Orleans. To their astonishment, they were offered the entire “Louisiana Territory” of more than 800,000 square miles. Although lacking the authority to do so, Livingston and Monroe made the purchase and were backed later by Jefferson and finally the Congress. In so doing they had practically doubled the size of the United States at a cost of roughly five cents per acre.
Believing that Russia was planning an alliance with England, Napoleon invaded Russia, defeating the Russians at Bordolino, before entering Moscow, but was forced to retreat, his army broken by hunger and the Russian winter. In 1813 his victories over the allied armies continued at Lutzen, Bautzen, and Dresden, but he was routed at Leipzig, and France was invaded. Forced to abdicate, he was given the sovereignty of Elba (1814). The unpopularity which followed the return of the Bourbon King motivated him to return to France in 1815. He regained power for a period known as the Hundred Days, but was defeated by the combination of Wellington’s and Blucher’s forces at Waterloo. He fled to Paris, abdicated, surrendered to the British, and was banished to the remote south Atlantic island of St. Helena where he died in 1821.
After Napoleon abdicated, the Bourbon monarchy was restored with Louis XVIII as king. Louis XVIII died in 1824 and was succeeded by his brother, Charles X. In July of 1830 Charles X issued an ordinance aimed at ending representative government and abolishing liberty of the press. That move enraged the people of Paris and for three days barricades choked the narrow streets. The King fled, to settle ultimately in Edinburgh. When Charles X abdicated, Lafayette had taken over the Hotel de Ville (City Hall). Although republicans had directed the new revolution, France remained a monarchy. Europe would not tolerate a French republic so the Duke of Orleans, a distant cousin of Charles X and a descendant of Louis XIII was urged to accept the vacant throne. He was proclaimed Louis-Philippe I, King of France in August of 1830. Despite eighteen years of peaceful and prosperous rule, the “July Monarchy” had failed to establish a broad base of support with the French population. Only the French bourgeoisis supported the constitutional monarch, but this support was undermined by the self-serving and reactionary administration of Minister Francoise Guizot, who alienated Louis-Philippe’s main constituency. Coinciding with this loss of political support was the onset of the economic crisis of 1846 and widespread human suffering that it engendered.
The result was the Revolution of 1848, which toppled the “July Monarchy” and replaced it with a
(page 11)
weak and indecisive provisional government. A new constitution was produced by the National Assembly providing for universal male suffrage and an elected president. In 1852 Louis Napoleon (future Napoleon III and nephew of Napoleon I) captured the French Presidency. Louis Napoleon was elected for a single four-year term of office but he said his election was a mandate for political change in the form of a type of constitutional monarchy, with himself as “prince-president,” Louis Napoleon, acting through the National Assembly, attempted to amend the constitution to extend his term to ten years. The conservatives, who controlled the National Assembly, defeated the proposed amendment. Louis Napoleon dissolved the National Assembly and ordered the arrest of approximately 26,000 political opponents. Another election was held to approve Louis Napoleon’s elevation as emperor of France. Ninety-seven percent of the voters approved the elevation and in December of 1852 Louis Napoleon officially assumed the title Napoleon III, and the Second Empire was born.
(page 11)
weak and indecisive provisional government. A new constitution was produced by the National Assembly providing for universal male suffrage and an elected president. In 1852 Louis Napoleon (future Napoleon III and nephew of Napoleon I) captured the French Presidency. Louis Napoleon was elected for a single four-year term of office but he said his election was a mandate for political change in the form of a type of constitutional monarchy, with himself as “prince-president,” Louis Napoleon, acting through the National Assembly, attempted to amend the constitution to extend his term to ten years. The conservatives, who controlled the National Assembly, defeated the proposed amendment. Louis Napoleon dissolved the National Assembly and ordered the arrest of approximately 26,000 political opponents. Another election was held to approve Louis Napoleon’s elevation as emperor of France. Ninety-seven percent of the voters approved the elevation and in December of 1852 Louis Napoleon officially assumed the title Napoleon III, and the Second Empire was born.
We must remember that during and between each monarchy, empire, republic, etc., clashes between these groups kept tensions high and a need for each group to have their own armies. We can assume, most of the soldiers were “recruited” from the peasant population.
The political turmoil produced corresponding instability in the national economy, for it retarded France’s industrialization and the creation of a growing job base.
The pace of industrialization was slowest in the South of France largely due to the area’s economic conservatism and primitive communications system. Only in the region’s inefficient textile industry was their rapid change, often at the workers’ expense. In mills that were unable to compete effectively, workers were forced to endure longer working hours for less pay: in mills which attempted modernization, workers were displaced by machines. These deteriorating working conditions sparked violet labor disputes in Aude (1828) and Lodeve (1839). This economic instability was felt most intensely in the country’s agricultural sector. As late as the 1860’s, over sixty percent of all French workers were employed in agriculture. Agriculture, however, was in a state of crisis. In the late 1840’s and early 1850’s, France’s peasant population was the largest in western Europe, and the countryside was inhabited more densely than it had ever been. This dense farming/agricultural population was subjected not only to intense competition for land and jobs caused by overpopulation, was also to the tremendous economic pressures. The problems/trials of 1846-50 were among the most severe that European agriculture had ever experienced. After 1850 “vast numbers” of French peasants, most of whom were landless sharecroppers, consequently began to leave French farming areas. Many of these migrants went to nearby towns and cities, but many others eventually made their way across the Atlantic to American Ports of entry.
Bertrand Cadet is shown as a “farmer” on the ship passenger list (ref. exhibit 7), Mathieu is shown as a “laborer”, and Jeanne is shown as a “band box maker” (ref. exhibit 8). As of today, I have not located Jean Bertrand on any passenger list. The parents and grandparents of the Poussons that came to Louisiana, according to birth and death records, are shown as farmers, tenant farmers, laborers, spinners, and weavers (ref. exhibit 13, 14, 17, etc.). One of the death records, death of Jeannet Pousson widower of Marie Lafosse, shows he was a tenant farmer on a small farm called “the poor/needy” (ref. exhibit 6) . We can therefore assume the reason for their move must have been for economic reasons and/or to get away from some type of military service.
(page 12)
{exhibit 7}
Film M 259 roll 35
USL - Lafayette, Louisiana
Ship - Radius
Port of Bordeaux to
Port of New Orleans
Arrival - 20 March 1852
Passenger 8 - B. Pousson age 22 - Farmer. “Our” Bertrand Cadet was born 7 May 1829, this would make him 22 in 1852
Passenger 8 - B. Pousson age 22 - Farmer. “Our” Bertrand Cadet was born 7 May 1829, this would make him 22 in 1852
(page 13)
{exhibit 8 - also see next page}
(page 14)
(page 14)
{exhibit 8}
Film M 259 roll 42
USL - Lafayette, Louisiana
Ship - Minnesota
Port of Bordeaux to
Port of New Orleans
Arrival - 22 Nov 1855
Passenger 32 - Jeanne Pousson age 35 - Bandbox maker. This Jeanne Pousson is listed as a “male” but Jeanne is a feminine name in French. I think this is Jean Bertrand and Bertrand Cadet’s sister - “Our” Jeanne was born on 25 May 1818 and would make her about 37 in 1855. (Note: Band box - a light paper box for collars, caps, hats, muffs, or other light articles.)
Passenger 34 - Mathieu Pousson age 29 - Laborer. “Our” Mathieu was born on 27 Dec 1826, this would make him 29 in 1855.
Our ancestors traveled from the St. Gaudens area of Haute Garonne to Bordeaux, a distance of about 100 miles. From the port of Bordeaux, France they traveled to the port of New Orleans.
Sailing from Bordeaux, France to New Orleans, Louisiana:
The devastation of French agriculture contributed to the torrent of European emigration. A total of 1,486,758 European immigrants are known to have entered the United States between 1849 and 1852. As during the 1840’s, New York and New Orleans were the leading ports of entry for European immigrants, but, because of the persistence of its large Francophone community, New Orleans attracted a large number of French immigrants.
The devastation of French agriculture contributed to the torrent of European emigration. A total of 1,486,758 European immigrants are known to have entered the United States between 1849 and 1852. As during the 1840’s, New York and New Orleans were the leading ports of entry for European immigrants, but, because of the persistence of its large Francophone community, New Orleans attracted a large number of French immigrants.
The floodtide of French immigration, augmented by refugees from the Revolution of 1848, continued unabated into the early 1850’s. The French immigrants of the early 1850’s sought a haven from the economic and political instability of their native land following the wake of France’s 1848 revolution.
French immigrants generally traveled to the Crescent City by one of three routes. The vast majority sailed to New Orleans directly from three French ports: Le Havre, Bordeaux, and Marseilles. Two-thirds of these immigrants, however, sailed from Le Havre alone.
Note: Missing passenger manifests for the months of February 1850, June 1851, and December 1851 would have had about 700-900 immigrants. Compounding the loss of pertinent ship lists is
(page 15)
the perennial problem of undercounting by federal immigration authorities. It is estimated that in 1854 fully one half of all immigrants at the port of New Orleans went unreported.
This was part of a report given before a Parliamentary Committee, London in 1844 when conditions had, unbelievably, improved. "It was scarcely possible to induce the passengers to sweep the decks after their meals or to be decent in respect to the common wants of nature; in many cases, in bad weather, they would not go on deck. Their health suffered so much that their strength was gone, and they had not the power to help themselves. Hence the between decks were like a loathsome dungeon. When hatchways were opened under which people were stowed the steam rose and the stench was like that from a pen of pigs. The few beds they had were in a dreadful state, for the straw, once wet from the sea water, soon rotted, besides which they used the between decks for all sorts of filthy purposes. Whenever vessels came back from distress, all these miseries and sufferings were exhibited in the most aggravated form. In one case it appeared that the vessel, having experienced rough weather, the people were unable to go on deck and cook their provisions: the strongest maintained the upper hand over the weakest, and it was even said that there were women who died of starvation. At that time the passengers were expected to cook for themselves and from their not being able to do this, the greatest suffering arose. It was naturally at the commencement of the voyage that this system produced its worst effects, for the first days were those in which the people suffered most with sea-sickness…"
The levee at New Orleans in the 1850’s, from Charles MacKay, Life and Liberty in America (New York, 1859).
(page 16)
New Orleans from the Lower Cotton Press, lithograph by D. W. Moody from sketches by J. W. Hill & Smith, 1852.
Travel from New Orleans to Opelousas - Waterways were the first ‘highways’ in Louisiana
After our ancestors arrived from France, they had to travel from the port of New Orleans to the Chataignier/Opelousas/Washington area. Jean Bertrand Pousson originally lived in Chataignier and Bertrand Cadet and Mathieu Pousson married ladies from the Chataignier area so we can assume they may have stayed there before they settled in the Iota area.
Back in the 1840’s and 1850’s the journey from New Orleans to the town of Opelousas was not very easy. The most common mode of travel was by boat due to the fact that most of the roads were nothing more than mud trails. The town of Washington, only a couple of miles from Opelousas, was once the most important steamboat port between New Orleans and St. Louis. For nearly 70 years, between 1832 and 1900, passengers heading for the American West disembarked there to climb onto Wells Fargo stage coaches for the rest of the journey.
We can assume our ancestors made the trip from New Orleans to Washington/Opelousas by boat.
As the Opelousas area flourished, merchants needed reliable navigation between the Opelousas prairies and the Mississippi River, the highway to the outside world. The water route east from St. Martinville and other places in the Attakapas district to the south of Opelousas was Bayou Teche. It flowed into Berwick Bay at what is now Morgan City, and gave access to the Mississippi through Lake Chitimacha. Some steamers also used the Atchafalaya River, which intersects the Teche in lower St. Mary Parish.
(page 17)
But the Tech was too far south for the people in the Opelousas district, and it was not reliably navigable north of Breaux Bridge. They had to take Bayou Courtableau, which ran into the Atchafalaya, and then connected to a maze of rivers, bayous, lakes, and bays that would finally give access to the Mississippi or to the Gulf.
In 1818, geographer William Darby published an “Emigrant’s Guide,” an early version of a road map for people coming to south Louisiana. Darby’s “Guide No. 14, New Orleans to Opelousas by Water,” described one of the routes used by to cross the Atchafalaya Basin by boat during the early days of steamboats. According to his guide, points along the way were:
*Efflux of Bayou Plaquemine
*Blake’s (this was probably a store)
*Mouth of Plaquemine into Atchafalaya
*Outlet into Lake Chetimacha (sic) (now called Grand Lake)
*Outlet of Lower Tensaw (probably the outlet of Big Tensas, though it could be Little Tensas or even Bayou Pigeon)
*Cow Island Lake (the lake was bigger then than it is today)
*Lower raft (This is apparently the barrier raft that was to be removed though it may have been moved enough to no longer be a problem.)
*Mouth of Courtableau River
*Mouth of Bayou Bigras (probably Bayou de Grasse)
*Efflux of Bayou Fordoche
*Efflux of Bayou Fusilier (Today’s Bayou Fuselier does not run out of Bayou Courtableau and may not be the same one the Darby names here. Fuselier de La Claire, first commandant at the post (Opelousas), had extensive land holdings in the area and this may have been a stream named for him or one running across his land.)
*Bayou Derbane (Bayou Darbonne)
*Barre’s first Prairie and settlement (Port Barre)
*Wickoff’s Prairie north, and Alabama Prairie south
*Mouth of Bayou Wauksha
*Bayou Carron (an extension of Bayou Courtableau named for the Carron family plantation)
*Opelousas Landing (This is Washington today. From here, traffic had to go overland to what is now Opelousas)
*Opelousas Town
The trip from New Orleans to Opelousas usually took three or four days but things did not always go as planned. Consider the travails of the editor of the St. Landry Whig, who took 13 days to get from New Orleans to Opelousas in November 1844. He told his readers:
“It is notorious to every one that Opelousas in certain seasons is almost entirely shut out from the world, and nearly inaccessible, either for business or pleasure. We were so unfortunate as to be absent from the Parish a few weeks since, and in our return left New Orleans expecting to reach home in three or four days from the time we embarked. The sequel proved that the time was exactly thirteen days!
“After leaving New Orleans, we got going pretty well until we reached the mouth of Red River, where the current runs with such felicity, and the water usually is so low, that it is impossible for boats to get up. (Note: During very low water, boats could not use Bayou Plaquemine and had to ascend the Mississippi River to the Red River, pass through Old River, and then descend the Atchafalaya.) Seven steamers lay within a half mile of each other at the same time, - none of which could get through the current and mud, without the help of hawsers, which were spliced
(page 18)
together and cast a mile ahead, by which means, and all the steam that could be put on, the boats, one by one, pulled over by their windlasses. The current very often was so great as to break the lines, and the boat was driven over into the mud. Not one crossed however without dragging.
“Having finally overcome this difficulty, and passed through the Atchafalaya with much trouble, we were brought up at the mouth of the Courtableau in no water: or next to it for navigable purposes, and were again forced to work through the mud with rope and steam. After getting in, it was almost as bad to get up further. But by dint of perseverance the boat was enabled to reach as high as the Wakshee. From thence to Washington, skiffs were
our conveyances.
“No person, unless on the boats, could conceive of the trouble and inconvenience of such travel. Luckily for us, our captain was a determined man, else we should have been dropped at the mouth of Courtableau, as were some of our friends before us from another boat.”
Another story tells us of men shooting alligators from the decks of steamboats as they traveled through the Louisiana swamps and bayous.
(page 19)
Sketch of the Opelousas courthouse - our ancestors made several trips to this building - record marriages, record purchase and sale of land and slave, record citizenship papers, etc.
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