We are so pleased that another of our readers, Pamela Jack, submitted her ancestral story to be shared. Pamela was born and raised in New Orleans. She spent most summers in Los Angeles where her thirst for genealogy was born out of stories told by her great aunt Rosetta Moret Francis. Rosetta captivated her imagination and filled her head with fanciful stories of family intrigue and tantalizing tales. Pam has a great enthusiasm for family and enjoys helping others discover and define their own.
On Wednesday July 24, 1850 at the office of Alex Brette, notary public, Franklin, Louisiana in the parish of St. Mary, a young Negro slave woman named Eliza along with her 7 mulatto children was being auctioned off to the highest bidder.
Eliza and her children in “The Planters Banner” newspaper (Franklin, Attakapas Co., LA), to be sold on 24 Jul, 1850
Eliza, age about 35 years and her children; Philomene age 16, Myrtil age 14, Marie Cloe, age 12, Estelle, age 9, Camille, age 6, Napoleon, age 3 and an un-named infant were all “property” of the deceased Adrien de Viville (also, Veville). De Viville had died at his home in St. Mary Parish, LA on November 5, 1849.
De Viville, a native of Metz, Moselle, France had immigrated to the United States in 1835. He is identified as entering the US on July 8, 1835 at the Port of New York along with his eldest son, Evariste age 16 and another young man, who appears to have been his nephew, Pierre Mathieu also age 16. De Viville had left a wife and 5 other children at their home in France. He settled in St. Mary Parish sometime after 1835 and lived on lands owned by Martial Sorrel, also a French emigre. He was one of many “Foreign French” who had come to Louisiana during the early 19th century apparently seeking a different way of life. They had come to Louisiana and become farmers, tutors, shopkeepers, civil servants and landowners. He may have farmed as he had shown an interest in farming while in France. “Adrien Viville has been sowing for five years only the eyes of potatoes, removed with a small conical instrument, and his harvest is still as abundant as that of his neighbors who sacrifice the whole tuber.” 
He may have been a tutor since the inventory of his estate showed that he owned over 400 books. In 1841 de Viville was appointed Postmaster of Jeanerette in St. Mary.
It is unclear de Viville’s exact reason for leaving France, where his family was French nobility, “la noblesse.” His father Claude Phillipe de Viville had been awarded the French Legion of Honor and had been afforded the title of Nobel by King Louis in 1816.
Adrien De Viville’s father Claude Phillipe de Viville awarded the French Legion of Honor and afforded the title of Noble by King Louis in 1816
Louis par la Grâce de Dieu, Roi de France et de Navarre, à tous présents et à venir Salut. Voulant donner à notre amé le Sieur Claude Philippe Viville, Secrétaire général de la Préfecture du Département de la Moselle, Membre de la légion d’honneur, une preuve de notre satisfaction, et récompenser son dévouement à notre personne, nous l’avons par notre ordonnance du 24 janvier dernier (1816) décoré du titre de Noble. En conséquence et en vertu de cette décision, Notre amé le Sr Viville, né à Metz, Département de la Moselle le 15 janvier 1770, désirant profiter de la faveur que nous lui avons accordée, s’est retiré pardevant notre garde des Sceaux, Ministre Secrétaire d’Etat, à l’effet d’obtenir nos lettres patentes nécessaires pour jouir de son titre et en faire jouir ses descendants. A ces causes, nous avons, de notre grâce spéciale, pleine puissance et autorité royale, Anobli, et par ces présentes signées de Notre main, Anoblissons le dit Sr Viville, voulons qu’il soit réputé Noble, tant en jugement que dehors, ensemble les enfants, postérité et descendants mâles et femelles nés et à naître en légitime mariage ; Que comme tels, ils puissent prendre en tous lieux et en tous actes la Qualité d’Ecuyer, et jouir des rangs et honneurs réservés à Notre Noblesse, et qu’il soit inscrit en la dite qualité aux registres ouverts à cet effet par Notre Commission du Sceau. Permettons audit Sr Viville, à ses enfants, postérité et descendants, de porter les armoiries timbrées. (Archives nationales).
Louis by the Grace of God, King of France and Navarre, to all present and future Salut. Wanting to give our friend Sieur Claude Philippe Viville, General Secretary of the Prefecture of the Department of the Moselle, Member of the Legion of Honor, a proof of our satisfaction, and reward his dedication to our person, we have it by our Order of January 24 (1816) decorated with the title of Noble. As a result and by virtue of this decision, Our Friend Sr. Viville, born in Metz, Department of the Moselle on January 15th, 1770, wishing to take advantage of the favor we have granted him, has retired by our Minister of the Seals, Minister Secretary of State, to obtain our letters patent necessary to enjoy his title and enjoy his descendants. To these causes, we have, with our special grace, full power and royal authority, Anobli, and by these present signs of Our hand, Let us ennoble Sister Viville, want it to be deemed noble, both in judgment and outside, together children, posterity and descendants, male and female born and to be born in a legitimate marriage; That as such, they may take in all places and in all acts the Quality of Squire, and enjoy the ranks and honors reserved to Our Nobility, and that it be registered in the said quality in the registers opened for this purpose by Our Commission of the Seal. Allow Sr. Viville, her children, posterity and descendants, to wear the stamped coat of arms. (National Archives, Paris France).
(Translation and transcription compliments of Robert Davoine, descendant of Josephine de Viville Protche)
Adrien had been working a government job as the “secretary inspector of civil hospitals of the city of Metz.”
It was not unusual for a slave auction to occur in the Parish of St. Mary, nor was it unusual for that auction to include a slave woman and her children. What makes this auction significant is that Adrien de Viville, owner of Eliza and father of these children, had written a will 7 years earlier that stated his intentions regarding their freedom. On the 1st of May, 1842 de Viville’s handwritten will [Viville Will 1842] stated he wished his slave Eliza and her children be given to his son Edouard on condition that Edouard move and settle in the US and that he never sell them. If Edouard should decline the gift, then Eliza and her children should be freed as long as his estate was able to cover his debts. This will was witnessed by Baptiste Menard and Pierre Gigleux also residents of St. Mary Parish.
Parish Saint Mary the first one of May, 1842.
If a premature death came to strike me, I ask my two good friends Pierre Gigleux and Baptiste Menard to be willing to make execute [sic?] the following wills.
1 ° to leave my slave Paÿsa, her daughter Philomène Mytil and Cloé free until the arrival of one of my sons named Edouard de Viville to whom I gave her on condition that he will settle in the country and will never sell them, should the opposite occur they are free and as long as my debts will be paid by the coverings) to be made who owe more that to be enough they will give (M.M. Baptiste Menard and Pierre Gigleux) the rest of my furniture to Paÿsa to enjoy it peacefully, as for François also my slave ……? of …….. ? brother he will be sold and paid with his product. If the payment is not made. Such are the arrangements that I ask my two friends … ? to make … ? As a mark of gratitude I give to Pierre Gigleux all my books and to Baptiste Menard a cellar or a cabaret with liqueur as well as a porcelain service which they will find in my furniture.
Made on May 1, 1842.
PS: but in case my son Edouard come we would be held in the first terms of the present, but the gifts made for Misters Baptiste Menard and Gigleux will have their effect.”
(Translation compliments of Robert Davoine, descendant of Josephine de Viville Protche)
This contradiction of circumstance is perplexing and puzzling. As I continue to research Eliza and her children I can only hope that a credible explanation comes to light.
Eliza and Adrien de Viville are my 3rd great-grandparents.
I have been researching my family history and genealogy for over 20 years. I’ve identified ancestors who fought in the War of 1812 and the Civil War. I’ve been able to read books and songs written about another rather infamous ancestor. I’ve learned about the history of Saint Domingue and why so many of our ancestors who were Free People of Color had to flee first to Cuba and then to Louisiana. I have been surprised, shocked, excited and dismayed by many of my findings. But the most significant and disturbing finding has been Eliza’s sale and de Viville’s will.
Eliza, the five younger children and Myrtil were purchased by Charles Grevemberg, owner of Albania, a large sugar plantation in St. Mary Parish. They were purchased for a grand total of $2420.00 on July 24, 1850. No mention is made of Philomene.
Prior to my identifying Eliza and Adrien I had been able to identify several relatives who shared common ancestry with me. We all shared the common surname of Viville or a variation of such in our ancestry. Utilizing the great equalizer, DNA testing, I was able to identify them as the descendants of Marie Cloe, Estelle and the un-named infant, Sedalise aka Clara my own 2nd great grandmother.
Estelle Viville married John Garrett also of St. Mary and had at least 3 children. Many of the descendants remained in the Louisiana area, but several moved to California during the Second Great Migration. (1940 – 1970).
Marie Cloe married Louis Grammar a carpenter on January 5, 1879 in St. Mary. Together they had 8 children. They too, had offspring that remained in the Louisiana area and others who migrated to other areas of the country.
Sedalise (Clara) Viville married Jules Lucien Francis on August 1, 1867 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in New Orleans. They were married by Fr. E. J. Foltier. Together they had 14 children.
Camille Bonaparte Viville married Elise Fuselier. I have identified 7 children born to this union. Camille who had become a Justice of the Peace in St. Mary Parish left Louisiana with his family first for Indiana and then for Minnesota.
Napoleon Bonaparte Viville married 3 times. His wives were, Viola Wallace, Martha Washington and Anna Manuella Beck. I could find no children from any of his marriages.
These children of a slave and a French nobleman led separate but oddly similar lives. There are colorful stories associated with each of these families that I intend to share. Some showing a great deal of courage in the face of adversity, others whose stories show weakness and contempt for their own situations.
It has now become my goal to continue identifying and work to unite the descendants of Eliza and Adrien. As I continue this journey I will submit their stories.
Pamela M. Jack
Sources: New York, Passenger and Immigration Lists, 1820-1850, 2003, ancestry.com; Momoires De L’academie Royale De Metz, Metz, Mme. Thiel, Libraire, Rue Du Palais. 1836-1837; French Archives, 59 Rue Guynemer, 93383 Pierrefitte-sur-Seine, France; Bergerie, Maurine (2000) “They Tasted Bayou Water,” Pelican Publishing; U.S., Appointments of U. S. Postmasters, 1832-1971, 2010 ancestry.com; St. Mary Parish Clerk of Court, F-2, Franklin, LA.
Thank you, Pamela Jack, for sharing your story. Genealogy is a fascinating pastime. It is also so true that DNA testing is the “great equalizer.” White families often took considerable care to eliminate any documents linking them to black family members. Oral history was the only source of confirmation. The excuse for erasing this history often was that the white family’s social status would be negatively affected. Today, DNA Testing Services like Ancestry.com make an effort to tie families together through DNA.
Through, at first, correspondence and later DNA testing, I was proud to find last year that Pamela and I are third cousins. I’m 55 now and just about everyone I could ever ask about the whats-and-whys of these situations has passed away. Never did my father nor his brother ever mention one iota of all of the FACTS that Pamela has shared with me. I really want to know why.
As you mentioned, Elaine, maybe there were documents destroyed. Maybe they never knew. I realize that growing up in Louisiana (or anywhere in the South) in the 1930s and 1940s was very difficult in a situation like this, but it makes me feel ashamed of my family for never mentioning a word.
I’d have to go back and read again the correspondences Pamela and I had last year, but I do believe our great-grandmothers were sisters, with mine being the mother of my paternal grandfather. As I said above, not once was she ever mentioned, but maybe they didn’t know themselves.
Pamela also found the birth certificate of my paternal grandmother who was not related to her. She did the research out of the kindness in her heart. That document mentioned my grandmother as being Creole, at least part, but that’s another fact that was kept a secret forever. My father and uncle always identified her as being French.
Mind you, as much as I disliked my father (my uncle was great), I never knew them to be racists nor bigots. Not once did I ever hear them disparage anyone based on the color of their skin. Was just always told that their side of the family was Italian and French. Go figure.
Thank you, Pamela Jack, for EVERYTHING! Cannot imagine the hours you’ve put into all of this…and I’m sure you’ve spent a modest amount of money to obtain documents as well.
WOW! It reads like a move. What a blessing. You have to get this to your Aunt Van. She would love it. GREAT WORK.
Great and very interesting story. Thank you for sharing
A wonderfully well researched work. Thank you for sharing. Many FPOC families have these stories that are factual and well documented. Our history is unfolding…..
Pamela Jack is a distant cousin of mine, on my grandfather L Meyi’s side, and I agree, she is great with researching genealogy! She did some research for me a few years ago, and I learned so much about my family, the Labat’s!
What wonderful research you have done. I too do ancestry work on my family. I am so impressed by your findings. I await your next chapter.
Merci beaucoup pour ce partage. Grâce à vous, je découvre très concrètement tout un pan de l’histoire américaine sur lequel je n’avais que de lointaines notions.
Very creative writing, Pamela Jack. Thank you for sharing Eliza’s story. I am also a genealogy researcher of more than 20 years, and your writing has given me encouragement to go on discovering even more.
Wonderful work, Pamela! I am still grateful for the work you did on my family, the Labats of New Orleans.!
Keep up the good work.
Louis
Thank you, Louis. Our families are so intertwined! So glad our cousin Louis Meyi introduced us. His help was invaluable with this project. He was the first to point me to St. Mary I believe in 2010. Nothing happens overnight.
“Our history is unfolding” Indeed it is. I too look forward to more on this story. Thank you for your time and efforts.
You maybe related to my wife whose mother was a Francis. Would love to correspond.
This is a very interesting story. I look forward to seeing how the story unfolds, and reading further chapters of this story. Keep up the great work!
Thank you Pamela. I was born and raised in Lafayette, LA and have many relatives in the state. During the 1940s and 1950s I attended school with a Clara Jack who lived on Cameron St. I have not forgotten many classmates and would be glad to share my ‘family tree’ as a part of your research.
Thank you Shirley Daigle-Johnson! I appreciate your offer! My Jack family was originally from New Roads, St. John the Baptist Parish. Although I’ve been able to complete some research, that side is still a struggle! I’m always looking for data and will certainly reach out to you!
I am constantly amazed at the meticulous and valuable work Pamela continues to produce on our family ancestry. She has put in days, months and years with her research. Eliza’s story is a very small snippet of the total research that she has accumulated.
Pamela is an excellent writer and you will be totally immersed in the stories she will share.
I won’t be surprised if a few relatives are discovered on this site.
Keep up the good work!!
Your Brother,
Dennis
Thank you to Dennis Jack. You may be a little biased, but I appreciate your thoughts and agree new relatives are there to be discovered and uncovered. This family “gumbo” is just being deconstructed.
Pamela has also been so kind to help me with my family research. She is so kind and knowledgeable!!! Eliza would be proud bringing her story alive!!!!!!!!
Shannon thank you! I can’t wait to meet with you next month!
Thank you so much Pamela for putting my mind at ease as you have told the story as I have heard it from Anatole for 68 years.
Laura, thank you so much for reading the article. I look forward to speaking with you soon!
Excellent article that shows the dedication and perseverance required when doing genealogical research.
Pamela, I was just made aware of your story about Eliza. It seems we are distant relatives. Eliza had Estelle and Estelle had Camille, Mary and Mathilde. I am a descendent of Mary, who married Edd Armelin. They had 6 children: George, Fannie, Wilbur, Edgar, Sterling and Effie. The only one who had children was Effie, who had Earnestine, Joseph (my father) and Mary Louise.
I am new to the world of genealogy and am very appreciative of the work you have done. Please contact me for further discussions.
Love the Eliza story……you have a lot of talent to be able to follow this chain of events….have to think hard about it because not a lot of written records could be left by people who were forbidden to have books, to read and write. Great job and keep up the good work.
Your story brought joy to my heart. I think that Eliza maybe my great great grandmother. The name that I have is somewhat different. On my great grandmother’s death notice her mother’s name is Liazza Cornelious and great grandfather’s name is Victor Viville. On my grandmother’s baptisimal certificate her father’s name is Victor Viville. On my grandmother’s Baptisimal Certificate is where I found her sister.. Whose name was Sydalis Viville; a few days later, I found a copy of her marriage certificate to Luc Francis on Family search.
Helen! I just came across this comment! Sysalise is surely my Sedalise! I didn’t see an email in the comments. Here is mine pamjack@bellsouth.net. Please contact me!
I think I was so excited after reading you story, I made a mistake in my comments. On my grandmother’s Baptismal certificate her father name is Louis Grammant which was latter changed to Grammar.
The email address was incorrect in my comment of 10-16-2019- The corrected address has been placed today. 10/30/2019
Hello all, I am Freda. I was in touch with Pam a while back. My side was Eliza’s daughter Estelle. Estelle married John Garrett and we are from that line.
I still have family in St Mary Parish. My mom is still in Morgan City, La. I wanted to thank Pam for letting me know our history a few years ago. I have not been on the family much, but I have started back to find out more about my grandmother, Estelle and her husband, John Garrett.
My mom, and I have done a dna test that went back to Pam. I contacted Pam and she unselfishly told me about our family..
Thank you