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By 1860, the LeComtes and the Hertzogs owned more enslaved people than anyone else in the parish. Beginning with an enslaved woman and two enslaved children in 1766, the enslaved population reached 235 persons, housed in seventy cabins, by 1860. In the midst of the Civil War, Arnold attempted to escape enslavement according to the following newspaper ad: “Detained in the Parish jail of Avoyelles the runaway negro man Arnold, who says he belongs to Ambroise LeComte of the Parish of Natchitoches. Said slave is 20 years old and is 5 feet 9 inches high. The owner is hereby duly notified to claim his property according to law. Parish of Avoyelles January 10th, 1863. Dora Guillot. Jailor.” The following information has been retrieved from archival records. 1860 Zelise, age 16 Alexander, age 15 Charlotte, child of Meliza Dorsina, child of Bazilis Emile, child of Clementia Emilis, child of Clementia Fine |
Last updated: January 2, 2022