From: Barney and Leslie <barneyandleslie@gmail.com>
Date: September 25, 2007 12:27:45 AM CDT
To: Paul Martel <pmartel@mac.com>
Subject: Re: Martel Family Web Site

Dear Paul,

Thanks for the pdf. file.  It is very interesting.  I have been doing research on my Louisiana family lines for a long time.  The Martel line is one of the most interesting.  B. A. Martel was a very unique man.  Did you know that his family came to Louisiana from the Island of St. Domingue, after the slave uprising on 1790? He also had an unusual role in the Civil War. 

I have heard about the photo at the court house, but when I personally went to the court house there in Opelousas, I was told that it was not there.  I don't know what happened to it.  I have only the photo that appeared in the newspaper edition celebrating the anniversary of St. Landry Parish.  I have attached it, and I hope that it comes through. 

B. A. Martel had no male heirs during his marriages to three women.  He only had two daughters, Emma and Eugenie Gabriel.  I am descended from his daughter Eugenie and her second husband, Victor Brunet.

We have family reunions every year, alternating in S.E. Texas and S.W. Louisiana.  We alternate because all of the Brunet family moved to Texas in the early part of the 20th Century, and the rest of the family is in Louisiana.  We should be having a reunion in the Spring, and all of you are welcome to attend.  We have the Martel/Chachere/LeJeune/Brunet/Boutte families. 

As you say in your website, they are living in Amede's home.  But, my cousin and I have been looking at the documents very closely, and we feel that Odile and Alexandrine cannot be the same person.  Do you think that Theophile possibly had an affair with Odile and had children with her while still married to Alexandrine?  They are all listed on the 1880 census, with Odile living as the head of her house and two small children, one of them being John.  Theophile and Alexandrine are living alone with older children.  Am I on the right track here?

I realize this is all just conjecture.  It gets very confusing when you are looking at 10 or 12 census at once! 

I have attached the census' I am referring to, as well.  Sorry for such a confusing email.


Thanks and nice to make your acquaintance,
Leslie

-----------------------------------------------------Reply to above email-----------------------------------------------------

On 9/25/07, Paul Martel <pmartel@mac.com> wrote:
Hello Leslie,

Wow, that was quick reply.

As for the portrait of B.A. I was told by someone that it has been
put in one of the judge's chambers. Have to check that out.

A while back I met with Rose (St Andre) Giron who is Joan Nacoste's
mother. She goes by Rose St. Andre now.

She is a fascinating character - a bit eccentric - she refers to
herself as my crazy cousin Rose.

She has a wealth of knowledge in her head about the Martel family
here in Opelousas - but some of it is gossip.

But there are facts within.

Rose told me that Theophile married Alexandrine Estorge and that they
had two children, Albert and Mary.

Albert Martel married Aurelia Giron and from that union came the
Martel Family Band and her mother who was one of Albert's daughters.

Back to Theophile - she told me that Alexandrine's sister Odile moved
into the house (corner of Church and Market St.) - with her and
Theophile.

Theophile started making babies with her. One of those babies grew up
to be my grandfather John Martel.

One of the censuses that I have indicates that they were all living
in the same household at one time. Odile was listed as a servant - a
cook.

Rose told me that they all lived together like a family. She said
that back in those days things like that went on.

She also said that Alexandrine was glad that it was her sister and
not somebody else (maybe gossip).

Just got another email from you. So I'll send this one. I recognize
that portrait. It was the one which was hanging in the courthouse.

Thanks,

Paul Martel