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title: Joseph Maison oral proceeding, 1768 February 1.
Subject: Colonial administrators, Louisiana, New Orleans, History, 18th century, French, Louisiana, History, 18th century, African Americans, History, 18th century, Free African Americans, Louisiana, New Orleans. Land tenure, Louisiana, New Orleans, African American women, Louisiana, New Orleans, Legal documents
Date created ms: 1768-02-01
Abstract: A certified copy of the procès-verbal (proceeding) concerning the attempt by Joseph Maison, bailiff of the Superior Council of Louisiana, to seize the property of Villars Dubreuil in New Orleans. In accordance with the Superior Council's orders of August 23, 1766 and November 10th and May 2, 1767, Maison visited the Royal Street residence of Villars Dubreuil to seize the property. There he was met by an elderly free woman of color, who informed him that all belongings and enslaved persons had been removed from the house.

Subsequently, he went to the Villars residence on the other side of the Mississippi, one league from the city, where he was met by Villars Dubreuil and armed men. Villars denied having any dealings with de Villemont and demanded to see copies of documents he had allegedly signed. In French.

title: Gilberto Leonard certificate, 1800 May 6.
Subject: Colonial administrators, Louisiana, New Orleans, History, 19th century, Spanish, Louisiana, History, 19th century, Free African Americans, Louisiana, New Orleans. Creoles, Louisiana, New Orleans, Choctaw Indians, Louisiana, New Orleans, Lake Pontchartrain (La.), Financial instruments, Legal documents
Date created ms: 1800-05-06
Abstract: Certificate issued by Gilberto Leonard (also known as “Gilbert), comptroller general of the Province of Louisiana, to Joseph Bogy. He certified that his office owed Joseph Bogy 228 reales in silver (28 Pesos 4 reales) for services rendered. Bogy had transported Juan (described as a free mulatto) and sixty Choctaw Indians from the north side of Lake Pontchartrain to the bridge at the Bayou Saint John and had supplied 4 1/2 barrels of corn to them. In Spanish.

title: Estevan Miro order to pay, 1787 March 16.
Subject: Governors, Louisiana, 18th century, Spanish, Louisiana, History, 18th century, African Americans, History, 18th century, Free African Americans, Louisiana, New Orleans. Fugitive slaves, Louisiana, Creoles, Louisiana, New Orleans, Negotiable instruments
Date created ms: 1787-03-16
Abstract: Order to pay issued by Governor [Estevan] Miró of Louisiana in favor of Robert, who is described as a free mulatto of New Orleans. Governor Miró ordered City Alderman Francisco María de Reggio to pay Robert the sum of six pesos from the city's fund allocated for the pursuit of runaway slaves (cimarrones). In Spanish.

title: Leonardo Mazange financial record, 1782 February 15.
Subject: Colonial administrators, Louisiana, New Orleans, History, 18th century, Spanish, Louisiana, History, 18th century, Free African Americans, Louisiana, New Orleans. Fugitive slaves, Louisiana, Soldiers, Black, Louisiana, Financial instruments
Date created ms: 1782-02-15
Abstract: Statement of accounts and order to pay signed by Leonardo Mazange, clerk of the Cabildo. The statement of accounts was for salaries in the amount of seventeen pesos six reales a day for company of sixteen mulatto and free black militiamen, who were dispatched by Pedro Piernas, Commandant of Louisiana, to capture a group of fugitive slaves (cimarrones). The company was led by Lieutenant Pierre Thomas, a free man of color. Leonardo Mazange ordered the City Treasurer to pay the Captain of the black militia thirty-five pesos five reales, as authorized by the Cabildo. In Spanish.

title: Beltran Gravier petition, before 1797
Subject: Spanish, Louisiana, History, 18th century, Women landowners, Louisiana, New Orleans, African Americans, History, 18th century, Free African Americans, Louisiana, New Orleans. African American women, Louisiana, New Orleans, Land titles, Registration and transfer, Louisiana, New Orleans, San Juan, Maria (Landowner), Trials, litigation, etc, Gravier, Beltran, died 1797, Trials, litigation, etc, African American landowners, Louisiana, New Orleans
Date created ms: 1788, 1796
Abstract: Petition submitted by mayor Beltran Gravier (i.e., the elder), to [the Governor of the Province of Louisiana?]. Gravier submitted a petition in connection with a suit that he had instituted against Maria San Juan, who is described as a free negro. In an effort to collect money owed to him he had attached a property belonging to her. Gravier named Próspero Prieur as the appraiser to represent his interests in the proceedings. He indicated that the other appraisers should pay particular attention to the deteriorated state of the house and grounds, which had stood abandoned for months. He disagreed with the statements of attorney Felipe Guinault who, according to Gravier, had placed entirely too high a value on the house and the auxiliary buildings. The house was poorly constructed of ships' planks and the shed and kitchen were built with rotten wood. In Spanish.

title: Francisco Bouligny memorandum, 1776 September 1.
Subject: Colonial administrators, Louisiana, New Orleans, History, 18th century, Spanish, Louisiana, History, 18th century, African Americans, Legal status, laws, etc, Louisiana, Free African Americans, Louisiana, African American women, Louisiana, Creoles, Louisiana, Slaves, Louisiana, Social conditions, 18th century, Concubinage, Louisiana, Fugitive slaves, Louisiana
Date created ms: 1776-09-01
Abstract: Memorandum regarding the instructions for the Governor-General of Louisiana, presented to Charles III at La Granja on the 1st of September 1776. Incomplete, unsigned copy, [written in the hand of Francisco Bouligny]. Captain Francisco Bouligny, then on official leave in Spain, discusses the depressed state of the economy in the Province of Louisiana, where he had served in His Majesty's army since 1769. He also made suggestions for improving the situation and for defending the colony against the threats of the English. The third section relates to reforms and improvements. Labor control was an important concern, for "the happiness of all the inhabitants depends upon the exact discipline that is imposed upon the Negroes," the document stated. The Governor was to prohibit public dances of enslaved persons and to capture and punish fugitives. He was to admonish masters to not treat their slaves with excessive severity, and those who persisted in acting in an inhumane manner were to be banished from the Province and their slaves sold. He was to ship out of the colony those free mulatto women who lived in public concubinage. He was to encourage the marriage of enslaved persons by Catholic ritual. In Spanish with English translation.

title: Matthew Flannery model form for census, 1805 May 11.
Subject: African Americans, Louisiana, History, 19th century, Slaves, Louisiana, New Orleans, Free African Americans, Louisiana, New Orleans. Slave records, Louisiana, New Orleans, Census, New Orleans (La.), Population
Date created ms: 1805-05-11
Abstract: Model form for census, submitted by Matthew Flannery to the City Council of New Orleans. The model was the form that Flannery proposed to use in compiling data for a census of New Orleans. He planned three categories of inhabitants--whites, free people of color, and enslaved persons--further dividing each of these into males over sixteen years and under sixteen, and females over sixteen and under sixteen.

title: J. Roffignac order to pay, 1821 March 19.
Subject: African Americans, Louisiana, History, 19th century, Free African Americans, Louisiana, New Orleans. Free blacks, Louisiana, New Orleans, African American soldiers, Louisiana, New Orleans, Creoles, Louisiana, New Orleans, Haitian Americans, Louisiana, New Orleans, Mayors, Louisiana, New Orleans, Financial instruments
Date created ms: 1821-03-19
Abstract: Mandat de Payment (order to pay) $132 to Mr. (Joseph?) Savary, Jr., a free man of color, for the rental of a cart to the City for three months. The Mayor of New Orleans, J. Roffignac, issued these pay bills or cash vouchers to authorize the City Treasurer to remunerate individuals for services rendered to the City. The mandats were printed forms with pertinent data filled in. Each was signed by the Mayor and usually by the person to whom it was issued, or a designated representative. In French.

title: James Johnston personal letter, 1849 June 1.
Subject: African Americans, Louisiana, History, 19th century, Free African Americans, Louisiana, Opelousas, Trials (Assault and battery), Louisiana, Opelousas, Johnston, James, active 1849, Trials, litigation, etc, Hinckley, Orramel, 1813-1868, Letters, Race relations
Date created ms: 1849-06-01
Abstract: Personal letter from J[ames] Johnston of New Orleans to Captain O[rramel] Hinckley in New Albany, Indiana. Johnston gives an account of his recent trial in Opelousas in which he was acquitted of charges of having whipped a free man of color.

title: Matthew Flannery census of New Orleans, 1805 August 5.
Subject: African Americans, Louisiana, History, 19th century, Free African Americans, Louisiana, New Orleans. Slave records, Louisiana, New Orleans, Slaves, Louisiana, New Orleans, Census, New Orleans (La.), Population
Date created ms: 1805-08-05
Abstract: Census of New Orleans, 1805, submitted by Matthew Flannery to the City Council of New Orleans. The data sheets, compiled by census-taker Matthew Flannery, are arranged by streets, according to the model form he submitted to the City Council on May 11. The total number of inhabitants in the city was 8,475 - 3,551 whites; 1,566 free persons of color; 3,105 enslaved persons; and 253 other free people. In French.

title: James Sullivan passport, 1807 July 13.
Subject: Governors, Louisiana, Governors, Massachusetts, African Americans, History, 19th century, Free African Americans, Massachusetts, Free African Americans, Louisiana, New Orleans. African American families, Louisiana, New Orleans, Colbert, John, active 1807, Colbert, Teenah, active 1807, African American children, Louisiana, New Orleans, Passports, Claiborne, William C. C., 1775-1817
Date created ms: 1807-07-13
Abstract: Passport issued by Sullivan, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, to John Colbert, a free man of color. John Colbert along his wife, Teenah, and their three children, citizens of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, were to be allowed to travel freely to New Orleans. On the reverse side, Governor William C.C. Claiborne wrote and signed the following note: "The within Passport has been exhibi[ted] to the undersigned, and is entitled to full credit."

title: Council of the First Municipality of New Orleans bonds, 1843 May 8-1844 April 10.
Subject: Bonds, Louisiana, New Orleans, Free African Americans, Louisiana, New Orleans. African Americans, History, 19th century, African Americans, Legal status, laws, etc, Louisiana, New Orleans, New Orleans (La.), Emigration and immigration, Government policy, New Orleans (La.), Population policy, African Americans, Population
Date created ms: 1843, 1844
Abstract: Bonds of free people of color, who were permitted to reside in the First Municipality of New Orleans, 1843 May 8-1844 April 10. Fifty documents bound together. In the decades prior to the Civil War, government officials of Louisiana became more and more concerned with what they perceived as being the disproportionate growth of the number of free people of color, as Louisiana law designated them, in the total population of the state. The Legislature consequently sought to restrict the size of the free black population by enacting laws of increasing stringency. Early state laws prohibited the immigration of free blacks from other states or the Caribbean islands and declared that those already in Louisiana who did not fulfill certain residency requirements were ineligible to live in the state and had to leave. Many remained, one must presume, for in March of 1843, an Act of the Legislature allowed free people of color, who had been living in Louisiana continuously since 1838, to remain in the state subject to their securing an authorization from their local government body. In May of the same year, the Council of the First Municipality of New Orleans added restrictions of its own with its own with an ordinance that required the petitioner to post a bond of $1,000.

The documents in this volume consist of bonds posted by free people of color listed in the form of Name, Date, Page, Guarantor: Baley, James, 1843 June 1, page 18, E.H. Hornsby.; Barnes, William, 1843 June 3, page 24, P.E. Livaudais.; Baron, Prudence, 1843 June 12, page 35, John Taylor.; Blake, George, 1843 June 14, page 38, François Prados.; Boler, Lucinda, 1843 June 13, page 36, Edmond Murphy.; Bond, Reuben, 1843 May 31, page 14, Jean Jonau.; Bridges, Lewis, 1843 June 13, page 37, Danial Fetter, Jr..; Buckner, Norvel, 1843 May 31, page 16, Joseph Dyer.; Burdon, John, 1843 Ma 11, page 10, William Johnson, St. Louis Gebare.; Butler, William H., 1843 June 6, page 30, William Long, John Stanton.; Campbell, Somerville, 1843 May 8, page 5, Joseph Theodore Bauduc.; Campbell, Susanne Anne, 1843 May 8, page 4, Joseph Theodore Bauduc.; Campbell, William, 1843 May 8, page 6, James M. Vandegriff.; Chamber, Caroline, 1843 June 1, page 20, Willis Main.; Coco, Dolores, 1843 June 2, page 23, Manuel Morenati.; Cromwell, Cyrus, 1843 May 11, page 9, Bartholomew Ougatte.; Dansberry, Ann, 1843 June 3, page 26, George W. Haygood.; Deborah Ann, 1843 June 5, page 27, Louis François Maureau.; Dounlop, Mariane, 1843 June 12, page 34, John Taylor.; Downden, Mathias, 1843 July 8, page 44, Michel Meilleur.; Edwards, John, 1843 May 12, page 11, Stephen D. McNeil.; Fox, David William, 1844 April 10, page 51, John Henry Brown.; Francis, Hannah, 1843 June 8, page 32, Jethro B. Bailey.; Gaines, Sarah, 1843 June 10, page 33, John Crosby, Joseph Landis.; Gibson, Jacob, 1844 February 3, page 2, Bartholomew Ougatte.; Jackson, Edward G., 1843 November 11, page 50, Joaquin Capaz.; Johnson, John B., 1843 June 14, page 39, John Galpin.; Jones, Charles, 1843 May 31, page 13, Joseph Dyer.; McRuder, William, 1843 July 7, page 43, Edward Crevon.; Moore, James, 1844 March 7, page 3, Philip Vidick.; Price, Frances, 1843 May 10, page 7, C.A. Labuzan, Eneas Smith.; Robinson, Marian, 1843 May 31, page 15, Manuel Pados.; Schooley, Barney, 1843 June 1, page 19, R.T. Kendall, William Porter.; Scott, Comfort, 1843 October 21, page 49, L. Vivant.; Scott, John, 1843 June 6, page 29, Pierre Monette.; Sedden, Churchill, 1843 May 31, page 17, Manuel Prados.; Shorter, James, 1843 August 2, page 47, John Henry Brown.; Spelman, William, 1843 June 16, page 40, A.F. Cockran.; Spelman, Susan, 1843 June 3, page 14, Virgile Fonvergne.; Stars, Thomas, 1843 July 24, page 46, Jean Vidichi.; Stevenson, Samuel, 1843 June 1, page 21, T. Duberalle.; Taylor, Sanford A., 1843 July 12, page 45, John B. Grayson, Thomas M. Wadsworth.; Thomas, Samuel, 1844 February 1, page 1, Joseph Dyer.; Thomas, Sandy F., 1843 June 2, page 22, Jourdan B. Noble.; Thompson, John, 1843 May 19, page 12, L. Rousseau.; Waldron, William, 1843 June 27, page 41, Joseph Swiler; Williams, William, 1843 June 7, page 31, Philippe Young, Edmond Labat.; Wood, Spencer, 1843 May 11, page 8, Marc Dodart.; Wormby, Samuel, 1843 June 6, page 28, L.C. Hornsby, Charlotte Diggs.

title: William Freret depositions, 1842 January 21.
Subject: African Americans, Louisiana, History, 19th century, Free African Americans, Louisiana, New Orleans. African American women, Louisiana, New Orleans, Depositions, Louisiana, New Orleans, Mothers, Louisiana, New Orleans, Mayors, Louisiana, New Orleans, Legal documents
Date created ms: 1842-01-21
Abstract: Depositions of J. B. Ducoing and Jean André Grasse on behalf of Ace Pierre, a free man of color of New Orleans. Jean Baptiste Ducoing appeared before William Freret, Mayor of New Orleans, and swore that he had known Ace Pierre, and his mother, the woman, Adelaïde (described as a negress), who had always been regarded as a free woman of color. Jean André Grasse swore that he had seen Ducoing, as a child, play with Ace Pierre and that the latter and his mother were considered by all to have been born free. In French.

title: Nicholas Girod order to pay, 1814 October 20.
Subject: African Americans, Louisiana, New Orleans, History, 19th century, Free African Americans, Louisiana, New Orleans. Slaves, Louisiana, New Orleans, Municipal government, Louisiana, New Orleans, Mayors, Louisiana, New Orleans, African American women, Louisiana, New Orleans, African American slaveholders, Louisiana, New Orleans, Creoles, Louisiana, New Orleans
Date created ms: 1814-10-20
Abstract: Mandat de Payment (order to pay) $6.50 to Julie Robert, described as a free mulatto woman, for the twenty-six days that her enslaved person Blaise worked on the municipal chain gang. The Mayor of New Orleans, N. Girod, issued these pay bills or cash vouchers to authorize the City Treasurer to remunerate individuals for services rendered to the City. The mandats were printed forms with pertinent data filled in. Each was signed by the Mayor and usually by the person to whom it was issued, or a designated representative. In French.

title: Edward Turner docket book, 1813 April 13-1817 January 11.
Subject: Free African Americans, Mississippi, African Americans, History, 19th century, Law reports, digests, etc, Mississippi
Date created ms: 1813, 1817
Abstract: Docket book of Magistrate Edward Turner of Natchez, Mississippi Territory. The volume contains the docket for cases Numbers 1-879. Each entry gives the names of litigants, a summary of the case, and the final settlement or sentence. A number of the cases involved, as defendants, enslaved persons or free people of color who were brought before the magistrate on various charges. Also includes two separate alphabetical indices, one of plaintiffs and the other of defendants.

title: James Mather residency permit, 1807 November 24.
Subject: Mayors, Louisiana, New Orleans, African Americans, History, 19th century, Free African Americans, Louisiana, New Orleans. African American families, Louisiana, New Orleans, Colbert, John, active 1807, Colbert, Teenah, active 1807, Mather, James, 1750?-1821, African American children, Louisiana, New Orleans, Licenses, Louisiana, New Orleans
Date created ms: 1807-02-24
Abstract: Residency permit issued by Mayor James Mather, New Orleans, to John Colbert, who is described as a free negro. Mayor Mather certified that he had examined the papers presented him by John Colbert and had found them to be in order. Colbert, his wife Teenah (described as a free negress), and their three children (described as free children) were therefore to be permitted to travel freely and reside within the city limits and to enjoy the fruits of their labor. In French with an unsigned English translation.

title: James Mather order to pay, 1807 November 12.
Subject: African Americans, Louisiana, History, 19th century, Free African Americans, Louisiana, New Orleans. African American soldiers, Louisiana, New Orleans, African American slaveholders, Louisiana, New Orleans, Municipal government, Louisiana, New Orleans, Mayors, Louisiana, New Orleans, Negotiable instruments
Date created ms: 1807-11-12
Abstract: Mandat de Payment (order to pay) $30 to Valfroy Trudeau (described as a free mulatto) for services rendered in the "Grandjean affair." The Mayor of New Orleans, James Mather, issued pay bills or cash vouchers to authorize the City Treasurer to remunerate individuals for services rendered to the City. The mandats were printed forms with pertinent data filled in. The document is signed by the Mayor and usually by the person to whom it was issued, or a designated representative. In French.

title: James Thornton petition, 1852 January 28 and February 11.
Subject: Petitions, Louisiana, New Orleans, Free African Americans, Louisiana, New Orleans. African Americans, History, 19th century, Slaves, Louisiana, New Orleans, McDonogh, John, 1779-1850, Estate, Slaves, Emancipation, Louisiana, New Orleans, Executors and administrators, Louisiana, New Orleans
Date created ms: 1852
Abstract: Petition submitted by E. Rawle, on behalf of James Thornton, to the Fifth District Court of New Orleans; answer of M[aurice] Grivot, representing the executors of John McDonogh, to the Thornton petition. James Thorton, an enslaved person, represented by E. Rawle, stated that John McDonogh, his deceased master, in his will had bequeathed to him and to several other enslaved persons their freedom. Thornton now petitioned the executors of the succession to emancipate him. The executors, represented by Maurice Grivot, responded that they had no objection to manumitting Thornton or the others named in the will, but they had been unable to do so on account of the suits filed by the State of Louisiana and Maryland and the heirs at large and the writ of sequestration issued by the court, which covered both real estate and slaves. The executors asked that the court inform the plaintiffs of the suits of Thornton's petition and their answer thereto, and they pledged that they would abide by the court's decision in the matter.

title: Augustin Macarty order to pay, 1816 February 1
Subject: African Americans, Louisiana, New Orleans, History, 19th century, Free African Americans, Louisiana, New Orleans. Mayors, Louisiana, New Orleans, Macarty, Augustin Francois de, 1774-1844, Municipal government, Louisiana, New Orleans, Negotiable instruments
Date created ms: 1816-02-01
Abstract: Mandat de Payment (order to pay) $10 to Jean Victor, a free man of color, one month's city pension for the needy issued by Augustin Macarty, the Mayor of New Orleans. The Mayor of New Orleans issued these pay bills or cash vouchers to authorize the City Treasurer to remunerate individuals for services rendered to the City. The mandats were printed forms with pertinent data filled in. Each was signed by the Mayor and usually by the person to whom it was issued, or a designated representative. In French.

title: Charles Thorton Butler baptismal certificate, 1844 February 22.
Subject: African Americans, Louisiana, History, 19th century, Free African Americans, Louisiana, New Orleans. African American Catholics, Louisiana, New Orleans, Indians of North America, Louisiana
Date created ms: 1844-02-22
Abstract: Baptismal certificate of Charles Thorton Butler of New Orleans. Father James Lesne, Rector of Saint Anthony's Chapel in New Orleans from 1840-1854, certified that he baptized Charles Thornton Butler, born May 16, 1817 at Lafourche, the legitimate son of Charles Butler, a free man of color, and his wife, Rachel Butler, who is described as an Indian woman.

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