Marie Aspasie Guidry Patin

My Fourth Great-Grandmother 

(About 1796 to about 1863)

Daughter of Joseph and Scholastique Hebert 

Wife of Ursin Patin 

Mother of Marie Silvanie (1817), Hortiste (1818), Julienne Azelima (1821-1896), Joseph Patin (1823-1826), Jean Dupre (1824), Toussaint Claireville (1826), Faneley (1831), Emile Laurent (1833), Emilie, (1836), Desire Hermina (1838), and Marie Pamela (unknown)

It is time to meet Marie (Aspasie) Guidry Patin, mother of Julienne Azelima (Azelima) Patin Walker. She was Velma Carrow Provost’s great-great-grandmother. Aspasie was the daughter of Acadians Joseph Guidry of Opelousas, Louisiana, and Scholastique Hebert.^[1]Rev. Donald J. Hebert, Southwest Louisiana Records Volume 1A, (Eunice, Louisiana: Hébert Publications, 1996) 1A:374. The citation reads: “GUIDRY, Marie … Continue reading  Her mother was one of the first of her line born in Louisiana.^[2]Ibid, p. 147. Citation reads “HEBERT, SCHOLASTIQUE (Jean Charles & Magdelaine ROBICHAUD) bt. 5 May 1776 Spons: Claude BROUSSARD & Magdeleine ROBICHAUD. … Continue reading Aspasie was baptized about a year after her birth 1 November 1797. Her paternal grandparents were Pierre Guidry and Claire Babin, both of Acadia. Her maternal grandparents were Acadians Jean Charles Hebert and Magdeleine Robichaux. Fr. Michel Bernard Barriere performed the baptism.^[3]Ibid, p.374. Magdeleine Robichaux surname was recorded as Trahan.

Aspasie was the eldest of fourteen children who were baptized at St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church in St. Martinville, Louisiana. St. Martin is one of the three oldest Catholic churches established in Louisiana in 1765. The current church building was constructed in 1836 with additions made to it.^[4]“More of our Church History,” Saint Martin de Tours Catholic Church (https://saintmartindetours.org/full-history : viewed 28 March 2022).

How was it that Aspasie Guidry, a grandchild of Acadian immigrants, came to marry Ursin Patin whose family was of the wealthier French planter class and who had been in Louisiana since 1724? Had her father and grandfather obtained wealth through land grants? Had the families lived near each other? The 1810 U.S. census does not offer any clues. 

Aspasie married at the age of twenty-one on 22 April 1816.^[5]Hebert, Southwest Louisiana Records, 2A:739-740. Citation reads: “PATIN, Ursin – native of this parish (major son of Antoine – inhabitant at la grand point & Catherine … Continue reading Ursin was about five years older than Aspasie and was a native of the St. Martinville parish. His parents were inhabitants of La Grand Point, Louisiana. Aspasie’s parents were inhabitants of Vermilion, Louisiana. Fr. Gabriel Isabey performed the sacred rite while witnesses were family, members Antoine Guidry, Julien Robichaud, Zephirin Broussard, Pierre Guidry, Charles Guidry; Ursin’s parents Catherine Bossier and Antoine Patin; and Aspasie’s father, Joseph Guidry.^[6]Hebert, Southwest Louisiana Records, 2A:739-740. Did her father build a house for the newly married couple, a custom that some wealthy Acadians and Creoles of the time observed? 

Aspasie began bearing children at age twenty-two and continued until she was forty-three. She bore at least eleven children. Like many other women of that time, her pregnancies were every two years on average. Her mother was still in her child-bearing years when Aspasie married. So, it is not surprising that Aspasie’s oldest child was two and a half years older than Aspasie’s youngest sister Scholastique Azelie Guidry, born in 1819.^[7]Hebert, Southwest Louisiana Records, 2A:739. Citation reads: “PATIN, Marie Silvanie (Ursin & Aspasie GUEDRY) b. 18 Jan. 1817, bt. 21 June 1818 Pats: Antoine PATIN … Continue reading Joseph, Aspasie’s first son, died at the age of three-and-one-half years in 1826.^[8]Hebert, Southwest Louisiana Records, 2-C:603. Citation reads “PATIN, Joseph (Ursin & Marie Aspasie GUIDRY) died 22 May 1826 at age 3 1/2 years; buried 23 May 1826 in the church … Continue reading

The Patin family lived in the Western District of Lafayette in 1850. Ursin was sixty-two years old and a planter with real estate valued at about $7,074. Aspasie was fifty-five and could not read or write.^[9]1850 U.S. census, Lafayette Parish, Louisiana, population schedule, Western District, p. 490, dwelling 19, family 19, Ursin Patin household; National Archives and Records … Continue reading See the Table 1 for other members of the household. 

1850 U.S. Census Entry	Name	Age	Sex
S. Patin	Marie Silvanie	33	F
F. Patin	Faneley	19	F
E. Patin	Emile Laurent	17	M
Emelie Patin	Emilie	15	F
Emma Patin	Desire Hermina	12	F
Z. Boudreau	unknown	16	F
W. Walker	unknown	3	M

Emile and Emma were attending school. Marie Silvanie’s husband, Valery Boudreau, died sometime around 1845;^[10]Hebert, Southwest Louisiana Records, 2:387.  therefore, it is probable that she and her daughter were living with her parents. Who was the three-year-old W. Walker? Aspasie’s daughter Azelima was married to James H. Walker, and they had a son named William; but it is unlikely that he was this child, as he had not yet been born; but the child is the same age as Azelima’s eldest son, Ursin.

Three years later, Aspasie became a widow in March of 1853 when Ursin died at the age of sixty-three.^[11]Ursin Patin, James H. Walker family record book, 1847-1978, Louisiana State University – LSU Libraries, Special Collections, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, “Ursin Patin departed this life … Continue reading He may have succumbed to yellow fever. There had been an epidemic of yellow fever in New Orleans that year that killed one in fifteen people.^[12]Laura K. Kelley, “Yellow Fever,” 64 Parishes (https://64parishes.org/entry/yellow-fever-in-louisiana : accessed 29 March 2022). Daughters Emilie and Hermina were minors under the age of sixteen at the time and living with Aspasie. Eldest son Jean Dupre took the oath of under tutor (a type of guardian) to ensure the interests of Emilie and Hermina on 31 March 1853. Aspasie took the oath of natural tutrix (mother as guardian) for the children on 5 May 1853.^[13]Succession of Ursin Patin deceased, Succession Volume A 1848-1856, pgs.555-566; FamilySearch.com, “Successions, 1848-1868; index to successions, 1823-1971,” Successions v. A-C … Continue reading

Note: Going forward, unless otherwise cited, all information about the distribution of Ursin Patin's estate, the family meetings and the auction of the estate were derived from the documentation making up the Succession of Ursin Patin Deceased found in Familysearch.com. See citation 13 below for details. Succession is "the process which transfers ownership of the property from the deceased person to those who inherit."[14]"Probate & Succession in Louisiana," http://goea.louisiana.gov/assets/legalservicesfiles/probateandsuccession.pdf : viewed 1 April 2022). A transcription of the Succession will be available on this site. A link will be made available once the transcription is complete and proofed.

Since Louisiana had been French and Spanish territory until 1803, their laws and codes influenced Louisiana’s civil law and continued after Louisiana entered the United States. Inheritance practices followed French code. Thus, Aspasie received half of the estate upon dissolution of the marriage and the other half went to the children. 

Accordingly, an inventory of Ursin’s estate was taken on 31 March 1853 and then an auction was held 9 February 1854 to distribute the cash from the sale among the heirs. Alexander Latiolais and Charles Z. Martin performed the inventory of forty-nine items, including descriptions of three different land properties. A sugar house, sugar mill and all that belonged to it was included in the inventory. This had been a partnership between Ursin and his son Jean Dupre. It was valued at $500. 

The following people were enslaved and documented in the estate inventory: Adeline, 56; Colas, 65; Etienne, 45; George, 60; Gaston, 29; Therence, 35; Frederick, 14; Francis, 14; Francois, 14; Cephalide, 25, with her three children, Marie, 6, Philomine 3, and Louise, 12 months; Marcelite, 30, with her three children, Raymond, 6, Augutte, 3, and Edgar, 15 months; Dominque, 12 years; Emilie, 21, with her child Adeline, 2; Delphine, 18, with her child Julie, 2 years; Adele, 12; Sally 25; and Julie, 60, with her child Mathilde, 8.  

Also included the inventory was a vacherie (Acadians used this term in to describe an enclosure for cattle) in Texas which may have held thirty-eight horses, thirty-five head of cattle, thirty hogs, three pair of oxen, and twenty-one head of sheep. 

Witnesses to the inventory who were family included: 

• Aspasie Guidry 
• Alexander Guidry and Antoine Guidry, Aspasie’s brothers 
• L.D. Patin, probably Jean Dupre, Aspasie’s son 
• J.H. Walker, Aspasie’s son-in-law married to Azelima 
• Cesaire Martin, son-in-law, married to Marie Pamela 
• L.T. Judice, Ursin’s brother-in-law married to Marguerite Patin 
• Emile Patin, son  
• Marie Sylvanie Patin, daughter 
• Faneley Patin, daughter 

A family meeting was also held that same day at Aspasie’s home to discuss the interests of minors Emilie and Hermina. Family members present included: Aspasia’s brothers Alexander Guidry, Eusibe and Antoine, as well as Hypolite A. Patin and Desire Dolsin Patin, near relations. The family “maturely deliberated, consulted and advised.” Based on the best interests of the minors and “the prudent and trustworthy character of the Lady,” Aspasie was “permitted to keep all the property composing said Succession as she has manifested and desired to take, at the price of estimation.” Her son, Jean Dupre, under tutor, agreed. 

Also on 31 March 1853, the other legal heirs and their representatives agreed to the terms of the meeting. Those agreeing were: Jean Dupre Patin; Louis Theogine Judice representing his wife, Azema Patin (daughter Hortiste); Cesaire Martin representing his wife, Pamela; Emile, Faneley, and Marie Sylvanie Patin; and James H. Walker representing his wife, Azelima. All lived in Lafayette except Azelima and her husband who lived in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana. 

Should we dare imagine what it was like in that meeting? More than nine people in a room in Aspasie’s home. Was it crowded? Were they in the kitchen or in a common room?  Everyone dressed in their Sunday best clothing, maybe wearing black if they had it in their wardrobe. Some sitting, some standing, and some pacing the floor. Some crying because of sadness, others worried about their future, some reflecting on life and death. The notary, William Brandt, was probably sitting at a table or desk so that he could record the proceedings. He probably led the meeting and explained all the steps to be taken to distribute the estate. 

Ten months later, another family meeting was held on 5 January 1854 to divide the estate. Aspasie received the following from the estate: 

• The plantation valued at $3,050 (one tract of land measured at 341 arpents (a French measurement of land equal to about 0.84 acres) in the parish of Lafayette with all the buildings and fencing. This property was on the west side of Bayou Vermilion and bounded by the widow of Narcisse Begnaude on the north, Madam Charles Mouton on the south, Charles H. Mouton on the east, and by Olivier Boudreaux on the west. 
• A tract of land measured sixty-four arpents on the west side of the Bayou Vermilion, in “Prairie Sorrell.” 
• Enslaved Adeline, Colas, Gustin, François; Marcelite and her three children, and Adele 

At this same meeting, it was decided that the other property belonging to the estate was to be sold at auction. Advertisements would be made in the local newspaper, Echo of Lafayette, in French and English. Jean Dupre would hold the auction at his plantation. Family members attending this meeting were: Alexander Guidry, Antoine Guidry, Eusibe Guidry, and Aspasia’s brother-in-law Joseph Sonnier. Witnesses to the decisions made were Charles Z. Martin and Charles H. Mouton. 

An auction was held 9 February 1854. There were ninety-seven lots to be sold to the highest bidder. Imagine a large group of people assembling on a Thursday, early in the day, at Jean Dupre’s plantation. Some arrived on foot while others arrived with a mule and cart to take away any items they may have purchased. Maybe they assembled near a large barn. There may have been excitement in the air for the non-family members as they hoped to buy some farm equipment or animals at a bargain price. Gossip was traded. Some talked about the quality of the items to be auctioned while others were reminiscing about Ursin and thinking how sad it was for the family.

Maybe there was a feeling of melancholy around the family as they witnessed the dismantling of their family home. Were they upset when something was sold for far less than they thought it should have sold? How frustrating it must have been when they had to outbid someone over and over again to obtain an item they wanted to remain with the family.

The enslaved were most likely worried that they would be separated and sold to a wicked slave owner. They were helpless in their plight. Had the family discussed beforehand what should happen to the enslaved? Maybe the family agreed how they should be divided and who should purchase them so that as many as possible could stay together in their family units. The auction ended with items sold for a total of $20,821.10. That is over $757,000 in today’s dollar value.

A sampling of what was sold follows: 

Son-in-law Louis Theogine Judice purchased a tract of prairie land in Lafayette “measuring 90 superficial arpents bounded south by land of Olivier Boudreaux north by Antoine Dominguez east by land belonging to the estate of Ursin Patin and west by Olivier Boudreau” valued at $1,200. 

C.H. Mouton and J.A. Rigues purchased 50 superficial arpents of prairie land adjoining their properties valued at $825. 

The “Martin’s” Cypress swamp, on the west side of Bayou Vermilion, was purchased by Jospeh Dugas and others for $130. 

Joseph M. Dugas & Narcisse Dugas purchased seventy-nine arpents of prairie land on the west side of the Bayou Vermilion for $3,000. This property was bounded north by their property and on the south by Dupre Patin, and on the west by Marcelin Dugas. 

Ursin Patin had been in partnership with Robert Cade concerning the vachary at Pine Island in Jefferson County, Texas (U.S. Highway 90 eleven miles west of Beaumont).^[15]Robert Wooster, “Pine Island, TX (Jefferson County),” Handbook of Texas, Texas State Historical Association … Continue reading Robert Cade was a planter, businessman, and on the Board of Directors for the Great Western Railroad.^[16]“Great Western Railroad,” New Orleans Weekly Delta, 16 May 1852, page.1, Col.3. He also lived in the Western District of Lafayette, near the Patins.^[17]1850 U.S. census, Lafayette Parish, Louisiana, population schedule, Western District, p. 479, dwelling 199, family 199, Robert Cade household; National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) … Continue reading Son Clairville Patin purchased the 200 acres and buildings for one hundred dollars. 

The following enslaved people were sold: Etienne to Jules Dugas; Frederick to Claireville Patin; Francis to James H. Walker; Dominque to George Jackson; Therence to Jean Alvarado; George to Henry L. Monnier; Cephalide and her three children to Sylvanie Patin; Delphine and her two children to Cesaire Martin; Sally to Odil Bernard; and Julie and her daughter to Faneley Patin. There was no mention of what happened to Emelie and her child who had been included in the initial estate inventory.  What an awful feeling the enslaved must have had when the gavel which sealed their fate was pounded for the last time by auctioneer F. Voorhies.

There were 18,000 bricks sold to André Martin for $154.80. What did it mean to have so many bricks? Had Aspasie’s home been built of brick and those were left over? Maybe there was a plan to build a home of brick but Ursin died before the plan could be carried out. Or, maybe Ursin’s plantation manufactured bricks. 

Judging from the purchases Aspasie made from the sales of the estate, one can surmise Aspasie’s intentions for her future and the future of her children; namely, she intended to continue operating the plantation, possibly running it herself. Though, she may have hired a manager; or her son Claireville may have been given that role. 

Aspasie purchased the following items from the estate: 

• a pair of American horses 
• one vacherie in Texas, with the brand, vacherie horses  
• one ox cart 
• yokes 
• scythes 
• sugar house
• 350 barrels of corn  
• fodder
• one stack hay 
• two pair work oxen 
• a cow and a calf 
• three heifers 

The 1860 U.S. census gives some merit to the possibility that Aspasie planned to continue running the plantation. She was described as a planter. Her real estate was valued at $6,900 and her personal estate was valued at $8,000. Her daughter, Ermina lived with her, and Ermina had a personal estate worth $1,200.^[18]1860 U.S. census, Lafayette Parish, Louisiana, population schedule, p.40, dwelling 280, Mrs. Ursin Patin household; National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) microfilm publication M653, … Continue reading Who worked for her on her plantation? Did she grow cane to make sugar? She had bought a sugar house at the auction. She continued to enslave nine people: one female who was seventy years old, four other females and four males.^[19]1860 U.S. census, Lafayette Parish, Louisiana, slave schedule, Attakapas, p.22, Mm. Ursin Patin, owner or manager (nine unnamed slaves); NARA microfilm publication M653, record group … Continue reading

Son Claireville and his family lived nearby. He was also a planter and his real estate was valued at $750, and his personal estate was valued at $4,000.^[20]1860 U.S. census, Lafayette Parish, Louisiana, population schedule, p.40, dwelling 279, Mrs. Ursin Patin household; National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) microfilm publication M653, … Continue reading He enlisted in the Civil War in 1861 in Company F of the 18 Infantry for the Confederacy. He eventually was promoted to Captain. He was also a prisoner of war in Natchitoches, Louisiana.^[21]For enlistment, see “U.S., Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles, 1861-1865, images, Ancestry.com, C.T. Patin, Louisiana, F, 18th Infantry … Continue reading Aspasie’s son, Emile, also enlisted in the Confederate army in 1861 and served at least until 1863.^[22] “Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of Louisiana,” images, Ancestry.com & … Continue reading

Did the stress of running what was left of the plantation affect Aspasie health? Did the Civil War cause her to be anxious and worried, especially with two sons participating? Had either of these or both contributed to her death at age sixty-three? We will never know. Nonetheless, there is uncertainty as to exactly when Aspasie died. Aspasie’s gravestone places her death as 3 June 1863, but the family bible recorded Aspasie’s death as 2 June 1864 in the Parish of Lafayette.^[23]Find A Grave, database with images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/141341953/aspasie-marie-patin : viewed 25 March 2022, memorial 141341953, Aspasie Marie Guidry Patin, … Continue reading Her gravestone inscription “Aspasie Guidry epouse de Ursin Patin decedee le 3 Juin 1863 a l’age de 72 ans Oh! ma mère” implies that Aspasie and her family spoke French. Her children must have dearly loved her to have inscribed “Oh! ma mère” on the gravestone. What a lovely and heartfelt expression and an appropriate ending to the story of my fourth great-grandmother. 

Coming soon will be the story of Scholastique Hebert Guidry, Aspasie’s mother.