Parish History
Legend has it that Ponce de Leon visited this area east of the
Mississippi and named it "Nueva
Feliciana", which in Spanish means "New
Happy Land". The salubrious climate, unequaled flora,
flowing waters, and fertile soil were likely the major attractions to
this area. From its bluffs, to the Tunica hills in the Northwest, and
pine hills in the East; West Feliciana Parish is fascinatingly diverse
in topography. Besides the mighty Mississippi River, the area's major
streams are Thompsons' Creek, Bayou Sara, and Alligator Bayou.
It is believed that the area was first settled near the Tunica Indian
Villages in about 1712, with slow settlement thereafter. By 1729, the
French began to settle this area where a small fort was built, called
St. Reyne aux Tonicas. Settlement did not begin in earnest until about
1770.
As a result of the "Second Battle of Baton Rouge" with the
Spanish; the independent West Florida Republic was established. This
republic became part of the U.S. in late 1810.
The area of New Feliciana Parish
had grown so populated that by 1824, it was divided into
East and West Feliciana Parish.
Cotton was primarily grown in this area, which was transported via the
waterways to ports. There were two main Villages, that of St.
Francisville and Bayou Sara. By 1838, there was even a horse drawn coach
line which frequented these two settlements. Soon after, the 24 mile
long road to Woodville, Mississippi brought more commerce to the area.
The major crops in 1850 were corn, rice and predominately sugar cane.
West Feliciana Parish was full of large plantations and a great wealth
had grown from the cultivation of cotton and sugar cane.
St. Francisville is the oldest town originally chartered in the Florida
parishes. The majority of this city is on the National Register of
Historic Places. The West Feliciana Parish Courthouse has some of the
earliest intact and indexed records of the area. For those with both
American and African-American ties to the Felicianas, genealogical
research here should prove fruitful.
Facts about the Louisiana Purchase
|
|
The Territory: 828,000 square miles including New Orleans and
parts of what would become 13 states west of the Mississippi
River |
|
|
The Price: $15 million |
|
|
The Buyer: The United States of America |
|
|
The Seller: France |
|
|
The International Principals: Thomas Jefferson, Napoleon
Bonaparte, James Monroe, Robert Livingston, Francois de
Barbe-Marbois |
|
|
The Deal: Negotiated in Paris during 1802 and 1803 |
|
|
Signing Agreement: April 30, 1803 in Paris |
|
|
Ratified: By the United States Senate in October, 1803 |
|
|
Retrocession: From Spain to France November 30, 1803 in New
Orleans |
|
|
New Orleans, Louisiana Territory Principals: Pierre Clement de
Laussat, William Charles Cole Claiborne, General James Wilkinson |
|
|
Transfer from France to the United States: December 20, 1803 in
the Sala Capitular in the Cabildo located in the historic French
Quarter on Jackson Square in New Orleans |
