Hello Everyone,
I came across this Celestine Cantrelle in the following book.
PLANTATION PARADE, The Grand manner in Louisiana by HARNETT T. KANE.
Copyright MCMXLV, Harnett T. Kane.
In the chapter, The Lady Who Played Poker, page 148, there is the son of
Felicite CHRETIENS, Hippolyte the THIRD married Celestine CANTRELLE of one
of the Mississippi River familes, and Celestine helped in the management of
the plantation, Chretien Point.
The 40's ended, and the 50's. In 1863 the Federals approached from Bayou
Teche. Many of the residents deserted their homes; a few hundred yards from
Chretien Point a body of Confederates assembled against overwhelming
numbers, and the way lay open. The tired Hippolyte, ill in bed,
Page 149.
found that his slaves had escaped to freedom. He and his family were
alone; he knew that his place, greatest in the section, and to the invader
an arrant symbol of Southernism, was a probable target.
The Federals marched forward and lined up before the mansion. Only the
scratching of the chickens and the noise of the hogs in their pens broke the
silence. The Doric pillars looked the whiter in the morning sun. Cannons
were dragged into position. By God, it would take plenty of ammunition to
blow this into Confederate heaven, now wouldn't it? So suddenly that some
jumped, the central doorway of the second floor pushed open. Hippolyte
Chretien dragged himself across the gallery, leaned over the rail, and moved
his hands in a peculiar fashion.
Several men guffawed. The General quieted them. The forlorn figure
straightened up and slowly, carefully, went again through the motions. In a
final effort to save his house, Hippolyte Chretien was letting them know he
was a Mason. There must, he had reasoned to himself, be some Masons among
the officers. There was-the General himself. The latter stood silent, his
eyes intent on the face of the sick man; he lifted his arm and returned the
signal.
Hippolyte Chretien had done what even his stout-willed mother might not have
accomplished. The cannons were dragged away. The General and Hippolyte had
a brief conversation; the house would be spared, but the cotton-gin, the
storehouse, and those side buildings-they must be ripped apart. Cattle and
other supplies were removed. But, as the dust rose after the departing
file, Chretien Point itself towered as strongly as ever.
A few years later Hippolyte was dead. His wife carried on for a time, to
pass the management to her son Jules.
Does anyone know anymore about Celestine CANTRELLE? This is the first I've
seen the name and would like to know more.
Till Later
Carol Ashby Watters
cwatters(a)cswnet.com