RICHARD, JEAN-BAPTISTE Jean-Baptiste Richard[1], born 2 February 1719, son of Martin Richard and Marguerite Bourg, married 1740 Catherine Cormier[2], born 1721, daughter of Alexis Cormier and Marie Le Blanc. This family was deported to Georgia where on a prisoner list dated 23 August 1763[3] is found: Jean Richards, wife, 4 children [Jean Richard age 44 Catherine Cormier age 42 Jean age 19 born 1744 Rosalie age 9 born 1754 Joseph age new born? born 24 March 1763? Child [name unknown, no further record of this child][4] This family along with 3 other close knit families, boarded a ship in December 1763 to leave Georgia. In the [Savannah] GEORGIA GAZETTE dated December 22, 1763[5] is found: Yesterday more of the Acadians, in number about 21, went in a vessel for Mobile, from which place they are to go to New Orleans. Sailed for Mobile Dec. 21, Sloop Savannah Packet, John Somerville [Master] These Acadians arrived in Mobile on or just before 22 January 1764 where the marriage of Jean-Baptiste Poirier and Madeleine Richard was blessed by the first priest they had seen in years. A copy of this ceremony is in Vidrine’s “Love’s Legacy[6]. Note this indicates a journey of about one month to Mobile. In the GEORGIA GAZETTE dated 26 February 1764, the return of the Savannah Packet to Savannah is noted[7], a return voyage of one month. This indicates the Acadians in Mobile boarded a different ship for New Orleans which could have been bound from New York to New Orleans. From Mobile, they went on to New Orleans arriving on or just before 26 February 1764. On arrival in New Orleans, Joseph was baptized. RICHARD, Joseph (Jean and Catherine COLMIER [sic for Cormier]) bap. Feb. 26, 1764, born March 24, 1748 [sic], sponsors Jean RICHARD, the infant’s brother, and Magdeleine RICHARD, the infant’s aunt (SLC, B5, 40)[8] The birth date March 24, 1748 would seem to be in error as the record states he is an infant. Possibly, he was born 24 March 1763? He seems to have been in the list dated 23 August 1763. Sometime after 6 April 1764, this family settled on the west bank of the Mississippi just down river from Verret’s Plantation. In the 29 June 1766 Cabaanocé Lower Coast (Verret’s Company) census [9] is found: [Jean-Baptiste pere] Richards man age 47 Catherine [Cormier] woman age 46 [Jean] Richard [fils] man age 22 Rozalie girl age 12 Joseph, baptized 26 February 1764, is not in the census [died?]. Jean Richard fils married 7 November 1767[10] Rosalie Bourgeois, born 1750, daughter of Pierre Bourgeois[11] and Marie-Françoise Cormier[12]. In the 1 January 1777 St. James Parish census[13] is found: Jean [-Baptiste] Richard age 57 Catherine Cormier, wife age 56 Rozalie, daughter age 21 Jean Richard age 32 Rozallie Bourgeois, wife age 26 Pierre, son age 8 Paul, son age 6 Michel, son age 1 Pellagie, daughter age 4 [1] White, Stephen A. DICTIONNAIRE GÉNÉALOGIQUE DES FAMILLES ACADIENNES p. 1381. [2] Ibid. p. 405. [3] Jehn, Janet ACADIAN EXILES IN THE COLONIES p. 231. [4] The information in […..] is personal interpretation. [5] No. 38, p. 2. [Microprint American Antiquarian Society, Worchester, Mass. 1968] [6] Pp. 320-321. [7] No. 46, p. 2. [8] Woods, Earl & Nolan, Charles eds. SACRAMENTAL RECORDS OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF NEW ORLEANS v. 2, 1751-1771 p. 238. [9] 29 JUNE 1766 CABAANOCÉ LOWER COAST CENSUS AGI, PAPELES DE CUBA, Legajo 202, folio 225. [10] CABAANOCÉ MARRIAGES AGI, PAPELES DE CUBA, Legajo 187A, folio 206. [11] White, Stephen A. DICTIONNAIRE GÉNÉALOGIQUE DES FAMILLES ACADIENNES p. 258. [12] Ibid. p. 406. [13] 1 JANUARY 1777 ST. JAMES CENSUS AGI, PAPELES DE CUBA, Legajo 190, folio 192-205. Roger A. Rozendal rogroz@swbell.net