“To the Free Coloured Inhabitants of Louisiana”
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| A group of students from Frederick Douglas High School play members of the Free Men of Color during the 195th anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans in the War of 1812 at Chalmette Battlefield on Friday, January 8, 2010. |
From 1729 until the Civil War, black soldiers, both Free men and slaves participated in the defense of Louisiana whenever it was threatened, as Ronald McConnell details in Negro Troops of Antebellum Louisiana. In 1812, when the conflict between the United States and Britain erupted anew, Louisiana was home to about 8,000 free persons of color, most of whom lived in New Orleans. As British troops approached Louisiana in 1814, military leaders called upon New Orleans’ extraordinarily diverse multi-cultural and multi-lingual population to protect the strategic city. General Andrew Jackson issued a direct appeal to the town’s free men of color, promising them equal treatment during and after their service.
…As sons of freedom, you are called upon to defend our most inestimable blessing. As Americans, your Country looks with confidence to her adopted Children for Valorous support, …— As Fathers, husbands, and Brothers, you are summoned to rally around the standard of the Eagle, to defend all which is dear in existence.”
(Andrew Jackson’s Letters and Orders, Letterbook G, September 21, 1814 (MS in Andrew Jackson Papers, Library of Congress), 157-58. Quoted from: McConnell, Ronald C. Negro Troops of Antebellum Louisiana. Louisiana State University Press: Baton Rouge, 1968.)
One individual who answered that called Dec 16, 1814, was a 20-year-old Free Man of Color named Innocent Mathieu. He was later identified as Louis Mathieu Devaux, my 3rd generation great grandfather and the Son Agnes Mathieu and my Louisiana Patriot of the American Revolution named - Mathieu Devaux dit Platillo. Their Story cans are seen on the PBS Program segment titled, the Galvez Papers.
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| Innocent Mathieu War of 1812 Company Pay Roll Dec 16, 1814 - Mar 25, 1815 |
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| This is a picture of what Private Innocent Mathieu may have looked like a member of the 1st Battalion Free Men of Color |
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| We Remember those who participated here at the Battle of New Orleans January 8, 1815 |
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Michael N. Henderson
General Society War 1812 Certificate
Documenting my Ancestral Lineage to
Private Louis dit Innocent Mathieu Devaux
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And after documenting my ancestral lineage to him, I have been approved and have become a member of the General Society of the War of 1812, in the State of Louisiana on July 20, 2012, and today I stand as a "living memorial" to his service and contribution to this country.
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| Michael N. Henderson LCDR USN Ret. President Button Gwinnett Chapter Georgia Society Sons of the American Revolution A Descendant of Private Louis dit Innocent Mathieu DeVaux 1st Battalion Free Men of Color at the Battle of New Orleans Jan 8, 1815 |
I am looking for the final resting place of Private Louis dit Innocent Mathieu Devaux, husband of Claire Eulalie Peytavain. If you know of this place, please leave me a message. Appreciate any assistance. Michael Henderson
Back to in search of Bounty land promised
