Marie Louise Rosette Rochon (1767 - 1863)

Born 1767 in Mobile, West Florida, Amérique coloniale britannique [uncertain]

Ancestors

Died 5 Mar 1863 at about age 96 in Nouvelle-Orléans, Orleans, Louisiane, États-Unis d'Amérique [uncertain]

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Biography

Rosette Rochon is a part of US Black heritage.

Rosette Rochon has French origins.

Marie Louise Rosette Rochon, daughter of Pierre Rochon, a Louisiana Creole son of a French father and native American mother, and Marianne Benoit, his slave, was born a slave in 1767 at Dog River Plantation in Mobile, West Florida (now Alabama),^[1]which had become British Territory after the end of the Seven Years' (French and Indian) War in 1763. She would grow up to become a wealthy and influential businesswoman, investor and entrepreneur in New Orleans.

Freed within a few years of her birth by her father, when she came of age she was the placée of Jean Baptiste Hardy de Bois Blanc (died c.1797) and lived in Haiti until the Haitian Revolution, when he died, and she escaped to New Orleans.^[2]

Known children of the union:

1. Donatien Hardy (b. Santo Domingo, c.1785)
2. Zelime Hardy (c.1790)^[3]

In New Orleans, she became the placée of Joseph Forstall, a wealthy white New Orleans Creole.^[2]

Known children of the union:

1. Valcour Forstall (1798-1844)^[4][5][6]
2. Rosemond Forstall (1800–1851)^[7]
3. Joseph Dorestan Forstall (1807–1835)^[8]
4. Rosalia Forstall (c.1810)

Finally she was the placée of Charles Populus, wealthy white New Orleans Creole. ^[2][9]

On the 1810 census she was resident of Faubourg Marigny in New Orleans.^[10] In 1830 she was counted on the census in a household of nine free persons of color, no slaves, in the "Lower Suburbs" of New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana.^[11] In 1840 she was counted on the census, in a large household of free people of color and five slaves, in New Orleans Ward 3, Orleans, Louisiana.^[12] In 1850 she was counted on the census in Ward 1, New Orleans, Louisiana.^[13]

She died on March 5, 1863 in New Orleans, Louisiana, at almost 100 year old,^[14] and was buried at St. Louis Cemetery No. 2, in the tomb she had built for her son, Joseph Dorestan Forstal.^[3]

Articles

"Rosette Rochon,"

Rosette Rochon was born around 1767 in colonial Mobile, the daughter of Pierre Rochon, a shipbuilder from a French Canadian family (possibly related to the Bienville and Iberville LeMoynes), through his mulatto slave consort Marianne, who bore him five other children.

When Rosette came to a suitable age, she was freed by her father and given as placée to a Monsieur Hardy, with whom she relocated to the colony of Saint Domingue. During her sojourn there, Hardy must have died or relinquished her, for in 1797 during the Haitian Revolution, she escaped to New Orleans, where she later became the placée of Joseph Forstall.

Rochon came to speculate in real estate in the French Quarter; she eventually owned rental property, opened grocery stores, made loans, bought and sold mortgages, and owned and rented out slaves.

She also traveled extensively back and forth to Haiti, where her son by Hardy had become a government official in the new republic.

Her social circle in New Orleans once included Marie Laveau, Jean Lafitte, and the free black contractors and real estate developers Jean-Louis Dolliole and Joseph Dolliole.

In particular, Rochon became one of the earliest investors in the Faubourg Marigny, acquiring her first lot from Bernard de Marigny in 1806. Bernard de Marigny, the Creole speculator, refused to sell the lots he was subdividing from his family plantation to anyone who spoke English. While this turned out to be a losing financial decision, Marigny felt more comfortable with the French-speaking, Catholic free people of color (having relatives, lovers and even children on this side of the color line); consequently, much of Faubourg Marigny was built by free black artisans for free people of color or for French-speaking white Creoles. Rochon remained largely illiterate dying in 1863 at the age of 96, leaving behind an estate valued at $100,000 (today, an estate worth a million dollars).

The Following Comments were submitted by Reynard Jean Paul Rochon with credits to David A. Sprinkle, who apparently has done quite a bit of research into this subject.

Rosette and all the children of Pierre and Marriene were freed at birth very publicly in the Mobile Register,^[15] and by all accounts were COMPLETE members of Pierre's family proper. Marriene on the other hand remained a slave of Pierre until his death. Pierre's 1st wife Catherine Paux had already died.

Pierre was not related to Iberville and Bienville but definitely served Louis XIV with them. Pierre's parents Charles Rochon and Henriette Colon (daughter of Catherine Exipakinoea of the Huron and Illiniwek of the Great Lakes) sailed with Henri Tonti on the missions of discovery. Bienville convinced Charles Rochon to stay in the south instead of returning to Quebec with the a land grant of the Dog River Plantation in Mobile. Pierre and his brother Charles Jr. took control of the plantation at the time of Charles Sr. death.^[16]</blockquote>

Historical Information

From French Wikipedia:

Rosette Rochon, born Marie-Louise Rosette Rochon 1767 and died in 1863, Louisiana businesswoman.

Rosette Marie-Louise Rochon (sometimes spelled "Rochen") was the daughter of Marianne, a slave mulatto, and Pierre Rochon, wealthy Canadian planter and first owner of a large plantation along the Dog River in Mobile. Her grandparents were Charles Rochon and Henriette Colon, daughter of Catherine Exipakinoea, herself born of a native father of the Huron Great Lakes region.

Rosette Rochon was only 5 years old when her father died. Her mother settled in the small port city of New Orleans, in what would become the French Quarter, buying a house on Rue St. Philip. Very young, she met Jean Baptiste Hardy de Bois Blanc, who became her lover. Their son Donatien Hardy, who became Minister of the Haitian government after independence, was born in Santo Domingo. The family fled the insurrection of the slaves, during which her ​​lover was killed, probably around 1797. Returned to Louisiana, she then was the mistress of Joseph Forstall.

Marie Laveau, Jean Lafitte, the real estate speculator Laurent Ursain Guesnon and the leader of the black community Jean-Louis Dolliole were all part of her business relationships. She invested in food stores, livestock, financial loans, the slave trade and real estate.

She was one of the first to invest in 1806 in the Faubourg Marigny, purchased from Bernard de Marigny, considered an original because he refused to sell the plots of his former plantation to people not speaking French and not Catholic, so quickly the local population was mainly composed of French refugees from Santo Domingo in America, fleeing the uprising of 1793, and free people of color.

Rosette Rochon died in New Orleans March 5, 1863 at the age of 97, leaving her heirs a fortune valued today at over a million dollars.^[17]

From an unknown source:

Marie Louise Rose “Rosette” Rochon and her 5 siblings were born slaves – to a French colonial planter and shipbuilder and a slave mother. All were freed through Pierre Rochon’s will. Their mother, Marianne, and the children subsequently moved to New Orleans.

Real estate records reveal that during the course of her life, Rosette bought, sold, built and leased numerous properties. She operated several culinary businesses that included grocery stores and a butcher shop. Rosette was probably the first person to operate a chain of corner grocery stores in New Orleans. She also ran a cattle operation on the north shore and shipped cattle in to the city to supply the meat markets. ^{[citation needed]}

Musée Rosette Rochon

Musée Rosette Rochon.

The Musée Rosette Rochon is projected to be a major historic house museum and a vital educational center for the Marigny and adjacent French Quarter, Tremé, and Bywater neighborhoods.

It is an early antebellum home built for Rosette Rochon, a free businesswoman of color who amassed wealth and lived to about the age of one hundred. The house also has many remarkable details, being one of the most important early examples in New Orleans of architectural transition between Creole and American styles.

"It is a perfect example of a first generation Creole cottage with its briquette entre poteaux (brick between post) construction and abat-vent or roof overhang supported by iron bearers.

Faubourg Marigny was particularly attracted to gens de couleur libres (free people of color). Many were women. The cottage at 1515 Pauger was built circa 1815 by Rosette Rochon.

Many of her buildings are gone but fortunately one of her most elegant and intact cottage has survived.

New Orleans [had] no museum devoted to the legacy of the city's antebellum free Black population, which was by far the wealthiest in the United States.

The Rochon project is a non-profit foundation dedicated to the promotion of and the education about the history of Black people, women, business, the building trades, race relations, and the preservation of the city's unique Afro-Creole and African-American cultures. It will soon be part of a collection of drawings in a sketchbook titled "Color Me Creole" by the late local artist Lloyd Sensat.

Don G. Richmond, The Story of Rosette Rochon

She was born in Mobile, Alabama in 1767, and died in New Orleans, Louisiana on March 5, 1863. Her father, Pierre Rochon, was Mobile's first shipbuilder, a naval store supplier, and a planter. Her mother, Marianne, was a mulatto slave. Rosette was the youngest of six children, and was freed by her father in 1770. The Rochon family can be traced back to 1576 in France. After her father died in 1771, Rosette (age 5) and her family moved to New Orleans and bought property in the Vieux Carré on Rue St. Philip. Her brother fought in the War of 1812. Rosette lived through the War of Independence, the War of 1812, the Haitian Revolution and the War Between the States.

She must have been a beauty - French, Negro and one-eighth Kaskasian Illinois Indian (Octoroon). As a young woman, she became involved with a certain M. Hardy - probably Jean Baptiste Hardy de Bois Blanc. A sojourn in Haiti follows where a son, Donatien Hardy, was born - he later became an official in the government. The unsettled conditions there may have prompted the return to New Orleans where a daughter, Zelime Hardy, was born. Later, a liaison occurs with Joseph Forstal, a White Creole of substance, and from that union, two sons and two daughters were born. Although Rosette was illiterate, all her children could read and write.

She was a woman of business who owned and operated grocery stores ("Victualler et Boucher" - 1822 Professional Directory, ed. Paxton), had a Spanish permit to brand cattle in Opelousas, bought and sold real estate, mortgages, slaves (freeing at least one - the woman, Orice, in 1835), had at least one bondsman, loaned or rented out slaves or labor as barter for firewood and candles. She loaned money at interest, built and sold or rented out fine buildings and rooms.

She was one of the first investors in the Faubourg Marigny, buying land on May 10, 1806. [The plan of the subdivision was presented to the city on March 16, 1806.] As one of the premier investors in the new Marigny suburb, Rochon contributed to the importance of the neighborhood, the city, and to the Creole culture. She was a well-to-do woman who succeeded in a man's world.

She was entombed in St. Louis No. 2 Cemetery in the fine tomb she had built for her son, Joseph Dorestan Forstal, the "Golden One." Paul Monsseaux was the sculptor.

Her legacy, the Musée Rosette Rochon, is one of the two last surviving structures she built.^[3]

Louisiana, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1756-1984

• There is a significant listing and biographical detail of her family and extended family.
• Name: Zelime Hardy; Gender: Female; Relationship: Daughter
• Item Description: Successions, 15432-15497, 1846-1880; a short list of Individuals Listed; Relationship;
• Rosette Rochon [mother]
• Zelime Hardy Daughter
• Dorestan Forstal Son
• Daniel Griff age 50, [Slave]; His wife Clarifer age 45 [Slave] and their son Louis age 15 [Slave].
• Her Forstall children are listed.^[18]

Sources

1. ↑ [( West Florida Territory of Great Britain (1763–1783), Spain (1783–1821). Areas disputed between Spain and United States from 1783–1795 and 1803–1821.)]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Florida
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} Wikipedia contributors, "Rosette Rochon," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rosette_Rochon&oldid=1046120620 (accessed November 15, 2021). Cites no sources.
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2} Andrew Hopkins, citing Don G. Richmond, Musée Rosette Rochon Restoration Project, August 1, 2002 Art blog
4. ↑ "Louisiana, Orleans Parish Death Records and Certificates, 1835-1954", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:ZXZL-DCPZ : 19 May 2020), Rosette Rochon in entry for Valcour Forstall, 1844.

   Valcour Forstall, F.M.C, age about 46, natural son of Rosette Rochon and J. Joseph Forstall, died at midnight, 24 Sept 1844 at the residence of his mother in Faubourg Marigny.

5. ↑ "Louisiana, Orleans Parish Death Records and Certificates, 1835-1954", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:ZXZL-DCN2 : 19 May 2020), Valcour Forstall, 1844.
6. ↑ "Louisiana, Orleans Parish, State Museum Historical Center, Cemetery Records, 1805-1944", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6ZL5-6MLJ : 19 May 2021), Valcour Forstall, F.M.C., died[sic, buried] 28 Sep 1844, age 45, buried St. Louis Cemetery No. 2.
7. ↑ "Louisiana, Orleans Parish Death Records and Certificates, 1835-1954", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:ZXZT-TR3Z : 4 March 2021), Rosette Bochon in entry for Rosemond Forstall, 1851.

   Natural son of Rosette Rochon and Forstall, age 50, died March 20, 1851 at the home of his [mother and nephew, declarent] Emile Forstall in Fauburg Marigny.

8. ↑ "Louisiana, Orleans Parish Death Index - F Death Index Reel 1, (Baton Rouge, LA: Louisiana Archives, 2001), LAGenWeb Archives vol. 4 p. 186

   Forstal, Joseph Dorestan 28 yrs M C 01/1/1835 4 186

9. ↑ Don G. Richmond, Musée Rosette Rochon,Lillian Gallagher, Family Tree Information on Rochon family: DESCENDANTS OF SIMON ROCHERON/ROCHON & MADELINE BISSON, pp. 7-9
10. ↑ "United States Census, 1810," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XH2C-D17 : accessed 11 November 2021), Rochon, New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, United States; citing p. 275, NARA microfilm publication M252 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 10; FHL microfilm 181,355. Also (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GYY1-PMZ?i=53&cc=1803765&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AXH2C-D17)
11. ↑ 1830 Census: "Fifth Census of the United States, 1830," (NARA microfilm publication M19, 201 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.

    Rosette Rochon, Lower Suburbs of New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana

    Free Colored Persons - Males - Under 10: 2

    Free Colored Persons - Males - 10 thru 23: 1

    Free Colored Persons - Males - 36 thru 54: 1

    Free Colored Persons - Females - Under 10: 2

    Free Colored Persons - Females - 10 thru 23: 2

    Free Colored Persons - Females - 24 thru 35: 1

    Total Free Colored Persons: 9

    Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored): 9

12. ↑ 1840 Census: "Sixth Census of the United States, 1840," (NARA microfilm publication M704, 580 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.

    Rosette Rochon, New Orleans Ward 3, Orleans, Louisiana

    Free Colored Persons - Males - Under 10: 4

    Free Colored Persons - Males - 10 thru 23: 3

    Free Colored Persons - Males - 24 thru 35: 2

    Free Colored Persons - Males - 55 thru 99: 1

    Free Colored Persons - Females - Under 10: 2

    Free Colored Persons - Females - 10 thru 23: 1

    Free Colored Persons - Females - 24 thru 35: 1

    Free Colored Persons - Females - 36 thru 54: 1

    Slaves - Males - 10 thru 23: 1

    Slaves - Males - 24 thru 35: 1

    Slaves - Females - 10 thru 23: 1

    Slaves - Females - 24 thru 35: 1

    Slaves - Females - 36 thru 54: 1

    Persons Employed in Commerce: 4

    Total Free Colored Persons: 18

    Total Slaves: 5

    Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves: 23

13. ↑ 1850 Census: "Seventh Census of the United States, 1850," (National Archives Microfilm Publication M432, 1009 rolls); Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29; National Archives, Washington, D.C.

    R Rochon, New Orleans Municipality 3 Ward 1, Orleans, Louisiana, USA

    Gender: Female

    Race: Mulatto

    Age: 80

    Birth: abt 1770, Louisiana

    Real Estate: 8000

    Cannot Read, Write

    Household Members:

    R Rochon 80 (Rosette)

    R Forstall 48 (Rosemond)

    E Forstall 16 (Rosemond's nephew Emile)

14. ↑ Rosette Rochon entry in "1863 Orleans Parish Death Index," - L through Z, (Baton Rouge, LA: Louisiana Archives, 2000), LAGenWeb Archives, vol. 22 p. 196

    Rochon, Rosette 100 yrs F C 3/5/1863 22 196

15. ↑ WT Note: not the newspaper of that name founded in 1813, as Pierre died in 1771. The writer is referring to the Mobile civil courthouse register, where documents are filed.
16. ↑ Reynard Jean Paul Rochon, commentary on "Rosette Rochon," in Creole History, Frenchcreoles.com, website.
17. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Rosette Rochon," Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, https://fr.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rosette_Rochon&oldid=185923141 (Page consulted August 30, 2021). Google Translation to English supplemented by ~~~~
18. ↑ Louisiana District Court, Orleans Parish, Succession Records, 1846-1880; Index, 1846-1880

• Don G. Richmond, Musée Rosette Rochon Restoration, Power Point Presentation: https://www.slideserve.com/libitha/musee-rosette-rochon
• Sept 17, 1863; Succession : de Rosette Rochon #19423. The article is printed in French and includes on the same page historical references including one by President Abraham Lincoln. Source: U.S., African American Newspapers, 1829-1947 for Rosette Rochon; L´Union 1863; September. L’Union the South’s First Black Newspaper and New Orleans Tribune, America’s First Black Daily.Newspaperhttps://neworleanshistorical.org/items/show/1539

See Also:

• Membership Required: Family Tree: ancestry.com; family-tree/person/tree/181447876/person/182371954068/facts?_phsrc=ZYg14&_phstart=successSource
• Membership Required: Family Tree:Numerous Sources: Marie Louise Rosette Rochon: ancestry.com; cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&dbid=6697&h=615229&ssrc=pt&tid=181447876&pid=182365423316&usePUB=true
• Nicholas Foreman, Continuity of Caste: Free People of Color in the Vieux Carré of New Orleans, 1804-1820, Master of Arts (History) Thesis, May 2012, Populus Family Information
• Women in Colonial Louisiana: https://nolatours.com/women-colonial-louisiana/
• Dog River Plantation Research: https://core.tdar.org/project/380940/dog-river-plantation-1mb161-mobile-county-alabama
• Source Citation : Library of Congress; Washington D.C.; Various photo collections from the Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. Description: Town/Location: Musee Rosette Rochon, 1515 Pauger Street, New Orleans, Orleans Parish, LA. [See Attached Image listed on this profile]