Marie Catherine Vinconneau

Marie Catherine Vinconneau (11 September 1715–5 December 1797) was the daughter of Louis Vinconneau, a master tailor of garments, and Catherine Doussin. She traveled from France to Louisiana with her mother in 1719 and married Jean Baptiste Baudreau in Pascagoula on 1 March 1734. She is Barbara’s sixth great-grandmother.

Marie Catherine Vinconneau was born on 11 September 1715. A family note records that she was baptized on 13 September 1715. Her parents were Louis Vinconneau, described in her marriage record as a master tailor of garments, and Catherine Doussin.

On 17 March 1719, Marie reportedly left France with her mother aboard the ship Dauphine, bound for Louisiana.

Marie married Jean Baptiste Baudreau on 1 March 1734 at Pascagoula, Mississippi. The marriage record identifies her as Marie Catherine Vinconnau of La Rochelle and as the daughter of the late Louis Vinconnau and Catherine Doussin. By that time, her mother was the wife, in her second marriage, of Joseph Simon dit La Pointe, a resident of Pascagoula.

The ceremony was performed by Fr. Matthias, a Capuchin apostolic missionary priest serving as pastor of Fort Conde of Mobile, the Pascagoulas, and dependent areas. After publication of one marriage bann on 21 February, a dispensation was granted for the remaining two banns. The couple exchanged consent and received the nuptial blessing with the ordinary ceremonies of the Church at the home of Joseph Simon dit La Pointe in Pascagoula. Witnesses who signed included Jean Baptiste Baudrau, father of the groom; Charles Egron dit La Motte; Christian Ladner; Francois Rilieux; Nicholas Bodin dit Miragouin; Pierre Millon; and Nicolas Rousseau.

Marie Catherine Vinconneau died on 5 December 1797.

Historical context

Marie’s 1734 marriage connected families then residing in the Pascagoula area. Her husband was identified in the marriage record as a Creole of Dauphin Island, while she was identified as being of La Rochelle. The ceremony took place in her stepfather’s home and was officiated by the Catholic missionary pastor serving Mobile, Pascagoula, and surrounding areas.

Sources & research

Family notes, No. 358.
Graveline Society Publication of 2004, article “New Discovery,” by Eloise Genest.
MAA, BB1, p. 102.
Love’s Legacy, p. 29.
Census Tables 1699–1732.