Size.

407 items on 1 microfilm reel

Geographic locations.

New Orleans, Louisiana; Paris, Lorient, France

Inclusive dates.

1719-1954, undated

Bulk dates.

N/A

Language.

French

Summary.

Native of France and soldier and planter of New Orleans. He was married to Alexandrine de la Chaise de Pradel and operated Mon Plaisir Plantation. Letters deal with business matters, the development of the Louisiana colony, and the discipline of slaves.

Restrictions on access.

If microfilm is available, photocopies must be made from microfilm. Users must secure lender's approval prior to publishing works based on this collection.

Related collections.

N/A

Copyright.

Permission from the depositor is required for publication. Patrons should contact the Historic New Orleans Collection for permission procedures.

Physical rights are retained by the LSU Libraries. Copyright of the original materials is retained by descendants of the creators of these materials in accordance with U.S. copyright law.

Citation.

Jean Charles de Pradel and Family Papers, Mss. 2866, Louisiana and Lower Mississippi Valley Collections, LSU Libraries, Baton Rouge, La.

Location of originals.

Originals in The Historic New Orleans Collection, 533 Royal Street, New Orleans, La. 70130.

Stack location(s).

Mss.MF:P

1719-1730

11 items:

July 24, 1719

Document, Mobile. Certifies that a pension due to Pradel has not been paid to him. Signed by M. Raujon, director of the Company of Louisiana.

Mar. 28, 1721

Letter, Pradel to his father, mother, and brother, Paris. Discusses his failure to find employment and mentions the possibility of returning to Louisiana.

Apr. 8, 1721

Letter, Pradel to his father, Paris. Announces his intention to study fortification design.

July 18, 1728

Documents, signed by Pradel, Uzerche: receipt for sum of 800 livres given him by his elder brother from Pradel’s share of their father’s legacy; request that his elder brother stand security for him to the Company of the Indies for the value of 5 slaves. (2 items)

Apr. 18, 1729

Letter, Pradel to his elder brother, New Orleans. Requests that Lamaze settle a business matter for him.

Sept. 1, 1729

Letter, Pradel to his mother, New Orleans. Mentions his poor health, desire to return to France after his fortune is made, his purchase of a plantation near New Orleans; requests that his brother send him money to develop his business activities.

Sept. 22, 1729

Letter, Pradel to his brother. Discusses his business affairs.

Dec. 6, 1729

Letter, Pradel to his brother. Describes massacre at Fort Rosalie [Natchez], departure of French retaliatory expedition, and fears of a general uprising by natives.

Mar. 22, 1730

Letter, Pradel to his mother, New Orleans. Describes massacre of French garrison at Fort Rosalie [Nov. 28, 1729], atrocities committed by natives, French retaliatory expedition, his own reactions; discusses his business activities, death of Monsieur de la Chaise and his plans to marry de la Chaise’s daughter.

1730

11 items:

Jan. 23, 1730

Note, Monsieur Fougues to M. Lamaze, Port Louis. Requests payment of 2,000 livres according to directions from Pradel.

Jan. 25, 1730

Letter, Fougues to Lamaze.

Feb. 27, 1730

Letter, M. Fougues to M. Lamaze, Port Louis. Pertains to business affairs and

reports arrival of a ship from Louisiana at Pradel’s order, with an invoice of the order.

Mar. 13, 1703

Letter, Gautier to Lamaze, Bordeaux. Pertains to merchandise being sent to Louisiana for Pradel.

Apr. 15, 1730

Account of items furnished by Lamaze on order of Pradel, Uzerche.

Apr. 24, 1730

Letter, Fougues to Lamaze, Port Louis. Pertains to passage of shoemakers to Louisiana on request of Pradel.

May, 1730

Letter, Dupuy to Lamaze. Pertains to Pradel’s business affairs.

June 10, 1730

Letter, Fougues to Lamaze, Port Louis. Pertains to passage of shoemakers to Louisiana.

1731

10 items:

Mar. 8, 1731

Letter, Pradel to Lamaze, Lorient. Mentions business difficulties and requests a loan.

Mar. 28, 1731

Letter, Pradel to Lamaze. Pertains to business difficulties.

Apr. 1, 1731

Receipt, signed by Pradel, for loan of 3,000 livres from the legacy of his father.

Apr. 7, 1731

Letter, M. Gautier to Lamaze.

Apr. 13, 1731

Letter, Pradel to Lamaze, Lorient. Pertains to business difficulties.

[Apr. 1731]

Letter, Pradel to Lamaze. Thanks Lamaze for loan and discusses business plans.

May 1731

Receipt, signed by Pradel, for loan.

May 17, 1731

Letter, Pradel to Lamaze, Rochefort. Pertaining to his impending departure for Louisiana.

[between May and July 1731]

Letter, Pradel to his mother, [probably from Rochefort,]. Announces his imminent departure for Louisiana, reports efforts at reprisals against Indians who attacked Fort Rosalie, gives final instructions for handling his affairs in France.

July, 1731

Letter, Pradel to Lamaze, on board “La Gironde.” Reports being held near port because of contrary winds.

1732

5 items:

May 23, 1732

Letter, Pacot to Madame de Lamaze [Pradel’s mother], Lorient. Pertains to the care of Pradel’s infant daughter, who had been left in Pacot’s care.

May 30, 1732

Letter, Pacot to Touzac, Lorient. Informs him that he has withdrawn money on a letter of exchange.

May 30, 1732

Letter, Pacot to Lamaze, Lorient. Pertains to care of Pradel’s daughter.

May 30, 1732

Letter of exchange, Pacot to Touzac, Lorient.

June 7, 1732

Letter, Touzac to Lamaze. Pertains to Pacot’s letter of exchange.

1733-1739

9 items:

Jan. 25, 1733

Letter, Pradel to his mother, New Orleans. Discusses his health, concern for his daughter. Includes a note from Madame Pradel.

Jan. 25, 1733

Letter, Pradel to Lamaze, New Orleans. Reports suspected loss of a ship sailing from France to Louisiana, Pradel’s establishment of a store and its management; discusses his health, arrangements for care of his daughter.

Mar. 8, 1733

Letter, Pradel to Lamaze, New Orleans. Reports arrival of ship from France, problems created by lack of money in the colony, Pradel’s failure to receive a military promotion, his relations with the new governor.

Aug. 6, 1733

Letter, Pradel to Lamaze, New Orleans.

Aug. 8, 1733

Documents, signed by Sieur de Bienville, New Orleans. Pertain to the estate of a shoemaker whom Pradel brought to Louisiana. (2 items)

Mar. 18, 1738

Letter, Madame Pradel to Lamaze, Mon Plaisir. Reports her safe arrival in New Orleans, discusses family matters.

Dec. 30, 1733 [Jan. 8, 1739]

Document pertaining to the succession of the shoemaker Gaillard.

Dec. 16, 173[9]

Letter, Fougues to Lamaze, Port Louis. Pertains to Pradel’s business affairs.

1750-1753

9 items:

Sept. 27, 1750

Letter, Moulin to Abbé de Lamaze, Paris. Pertains to news of Pradel during his visit in Rochefort.

May 1751

Letter, Pradel to Lamaze, Monplaisir. Discusses arrangements for education of his children in France, plans for his son’s military career.

Apr. 2, 1752

Letter, Pradel to Lamaze. Pertains to activities of his son, mortality rate in Louisiana, his own health.

Sept. 12, 1752

Letter of exchange.

Sept. 25, 1752

Letter, Pradel to his brothers. Pertains to his health, sending his youngest daughter to France, business affairs.

Mar. 1, 1753

Letter Pradel to Lamaze. Pertains to loss of a ship from France, business matters.

Apr. 29, 1753

Letter, Pradel to his brothers, Monplaisir. Pertains to his health, the harvest, support of his son in France, development of the colony.

May 16, 1753

Letter, Charles de Pradel to Jean de Lamaze, Toulon. Sends congratulations on occasion of Lamaze’s marriage, discusses his own poor future prospects because of his Louisianan origin.

Nov. 20, 1753

Letter, Pradel to Lamaze. Pertains to business affairs, his son’s career; describes his house “Monplaisir” and its furnishings.

1754-1756

16 items:

Mar. 6, 1754

Account of Pradel’s income and expenses, 1751-1754, as kept by Lamaze.

June 7, 1754

Letters of exchange, New Orleans. (2 items)

Feb. 6, 1754

Letter, Pradel to Abbé Lamaze, Monplaisir. Pertains to purchase of slaves, profitable harvest.

May 23, 1754

Letter, Pradel to Abbé Lamaze. Pertains to his health, his son’s expenses, purchase of a slave, his country house, and its garden.

July 6, 1754

Letter, Pradel to his brothers. Pertains to business affairs, his son’s career, furnishings needed for the plantation house, plans for his daughters’ futures, his gardens.

Sept. 15, 1754

Letter, Pradel to Abbé Lamaze, Monplaisir. Pertains to his son’s visit to Louisiana.

Apr. 10, 1755

Letter, Pradel to his brothers, Monplaisir. Pertains to expenditures of his son and wife, his friendship with Governor Kerlerec, his health, the price of slaves, crops,

future plans for his daughters, business matters, problems of slave discipline, purchase of furnishings for his house.

Nov. 30, 1755

Letter, Pradel to Abbé Lamaze. Pertains to purchase of slave, business matters, his daughters, construction of an indigo house, method of processing indigo.

Jan. 10, 1756

Charles Pradel to Jean de Lamaze, Brest. Speaks of family matters, expectation of war with England.

Apr. 5, 1756

Pradel to his brothers, Monplaisir. Discusses his indigo crop, insurance on maritime shipping in time of war, business practices in Louisiana as influenced by threat of war.

Jan. 7 and Nov. 9, 1757

Letters of exchange, New Orleans. (4 items)

1750-1756

Note, apparently by Lamaze, covering letters from Pradel.

1762-1764

27 items:

July 23, 1762

Letter, Pradel to Abbé Lamaze. Mentions giving power of attorney to his son, his feelings about his son’s future.

Oct. 26, 1763

Letter, Pradel to Abbé Lamaze. Discusses economic and other problems within the colony; relations with his steward, a freed slave; business matters.

Mar. 14, 1764

Letter, Pradel to Lamaze. Announces death of his son from yellow fever, business affairs. Letter ends with a note from Madame Pradel announcing Pradel’s death on March 28.

Mar. 20, 1764

Letter of exchange, New Orleans.

June 21, 1764

Letter, M. Thomas to Abbé Lamaze, Rochefort. Pertains to settlement of business affairs of Pradel family.

July 31, 1764

Letter, M. Thomas to Abbé Lamaze, Rochefort. Discusses relationship with Charles de Pradel and his wife, successions of Jean Charles de Pradel.

1763-1764

A group of items pertaining to the succession of Pradel, including 14 authorizations for payment of various sums for the support of Madame Charles de Pradel and of Pradel’s daughters; 2 receipts signed by Madame Charles de Pradel for money given her by Lamaze, May 10, 1763 and Sept. 23, 1764. (18 items)

1750-1764

Itemized account of Pradel’s expenses and revenues, as prepared by Lamaze,

covering September. (3 sheets)

1751-1753

17 items:

A group of papers and letters, tied together, labeled:

“Lettres, et papiers justificatifs du compte que j’envoyai à mon frere Pradel Le 19 aout 1756, et dont il a negligee de m’envoyer une décharge. On trouvera cy joint une copie de cd compte, qui commence pour La recette en 1751, et pour La dépense en 1750, par L’emprunt de 6000#, pour payer M. Perier, qui avoit vendu à mon frere L’habitation qu’on appelle Monplaisir”

2 items: M. Moulin to Abbé de Lamaze, Sept. 12; Oct. 3, 1751

2 items: Messrs. Corvoisier and Richer to Abbé de Lamaze, Sept. 10; Oct. 15, 1751.

2 items: Madame de La Chaise to Abbé de Lamaze, Mar. 29, Apr. 21, 1752.

4 items: M. Moulin to Abbé de Lamaze, Mar. 26, Apr. 23, June 18, 1752; Jan. 27, 1753.

4 items: Madame de La Chaise to Abbé de Lamaze, May 16, June 6, 29, July 30, 1753.

3 items: M. Moré to Abbé de Lamaze, Apr. 7, May 13 [including itemized account dated May 12], 1753.

1752-1756

35 items:

Oct. 5, 1752

Letter, Pradel to Abbé de Lamaze. Asks his brother to send him rifles to frighten away birds that attack his trees.

1753-1755

10 items: M. Moré to Abbé de Lamaze, Dec. 4, 11, 16 [includes itemized account dated Nov. 28], 1753; Feb. 1, July 16, Sept. 1, 1754; Jan. 12, Mar. 4, 1755.

1753-1755

5 items: M. Moulin to Abbé de Lamaze, Dec. 22, 30, 1753; Dec. 28, 1754; Feb. 2, Mar. 9, 1755.

1754

3 items: Madame de La Chaise to Abbé de Lamaze, May 31, Aug. 19, Sept. 19, 1754.

1756

6 items: Madame Moré and M. Thomas to Abbé de Lamaze, July 22, Dec. 11, Apr. 24 [includes two letters of exchange, dated Apr. 1 and 2, 1756], undated [refers to letters of exchange previously listed].

Aug. 1755

Madame Moré to Abbé de Lamaze, Aug. 19, 1755. Inlcudes letter of exchange for 2,000 Livres, dated Aug. 7, 1755.

Nov. 8, 1755

Madame de la Mouche to Abbé de Lamaze.

Oct.-Nov. 1755

2 items: Madame de La Chaise to Abbé de Lamaze, Nov. 10, 1755. Includes letter of exchange for 1,400 livres, dated Oct. 30, 1755.

Mar.-May 1756

M. de la Mouche to Abbé de Lamaze, Mar. 27, May 15 [accompanied by a list of expenditures made for Abbé de Lamaze, May 15, 1756; signed receipt for watches purchased by de la Mouche, May 5, 1756; watch cases purchased by de la Mouche, May 15, 1756; signed receipt for boxed timepieces purchased by de la Mouche, May 9, 1756], 1756.

1765-1766, undated

13 items: Letters of Madame Alexandrine de la Chaise de Pradel

July 12, 1765

To Abbé Lamaze, New Orleans. [fragment]

July 12, 1765

To Abbé Lamaze, New Orleans [copy of above]. Pertains to welfare of her daughters in France, her refusal to allow the marriage of one daughter to a cousin of the de la Chaise family; her own property in Louisiana.

Aug. 12, 1765

To Abbé Lamaze. Pertains to a marriage she wishes to arrange for one of her daughters.

Aug. 15, 1765

To Abbé Lamaze. Pertains to her refusal to allow the marriage of her daughter with de la Chaise. Encloses two notes from Denis Nicholas Foucault, commissaire ordinaire at Mobile. (3 items)

Sept. 30, 1765

To Abbé Lamaze, New Orleans. Discusses Foucault’s integrity, her desire to have him as son-in-law.

May 11, 1766

To Abbé Lamaze, New Orleans. Pertains to conflicts with her daughters.

undated

To her mother-in-law, expresses regret at leaving France, concern for the welfare of her daughter who remains. [probably written 1731]

1769

This folder also contains a typewritten copy of an inventory of the property of Denis Nicholas Foucault, including a list of slaves giving names, ages, African nation of origin, and occupations; and copies of research materials giving information about the career of Foucault (4 items)

1764-1767,

21 items: Letters of Marie-Louise de Cacqueray-Valmenier, widow of Charles de

undated

Pradel, which pertain mainly to the settlement of her late husband’s debts and to her own financial affairs.

Jan. 15, 1764

To Abbé Lamaze, Rochefort. Mentions death of her infant daughter.

Apr. 8, 1764

To Abbé Lamaze, Rochefort.

June 1, 1764

To Abbé Lamaze, Nieul. Writes of her bereavement, intention to enter a convent.

July 15, 1764

To Abbé Lamaze, Nieul. Writes of expenses involved in establishing herself in a convent, fear of economic difficulties that might arise from the possible cession of Louisiana to Spain.

July-Sept. 1764

To Abbé Lamaze, Nieul, July 25, Aug. 6, 26, and Sept. 5, 16, and 24, 1764. (6 items)

Oct. 27, 1764

To Abbé Lamaze, Paris.

Dec. 8, 1764

To Abbé Lamaze, Paris. Encloses account of the succession of Charles de Pradel. (2 items)

May 30, 1767

To Abbé Lamaze, Panthémont. Seeks advice about the marriage of her brother.

undated

To Abbé Lamaze [fragment]

undated

Folder includes a photograph of the arms of Pradel de Lamaze (feminine version) and bibliographical material pertaining to the genealogy of Madame de Cacqueray de Pradel. (5 items)

1761-1765

52 items: Letters of the de la Chaise family, principally Madame Morin de la Chaise, guardian of the Pradel daughters, pertaining to the guardianship and maintenance of the three girls.

Jan. 5, 1761

To Abbé Lamaze, Lorient.

Aug. 2, 1761

To Abbé Lamaze. Announces the death of Alexandrine Pradel and the illness of Monette Pradel.

Sept. 1762-Oct. 1764

To Abbé Lamaze, Sept. 24, 1762; Feb. 21, Sept. 6, 1763; Jan. 30, Oct. 1, 1764. (5 items)

Dec. 7, 1764

M. de la Chaise to Abbé Lamaze. Offers condolences on death of Jean Charles and Charles de Pradel.

Jan. 25, 1765

M. de la Chaise to Abbé Lamaze.

May 7, 18, 1765

Madame Morin de la Chaise to Abbé Lamaze.

May-June, 1765

M. de la Chaise to Abbé Lamaze.

1765

Unknown sender to Abbé Lamaze.

The folder also contains genealogical and biographical notes on the history of the de la Chaise family. (38 items)

1762-1765

37 items: Letters of M. de la Mouche, pertaining mainly to his business relations with the Pradel family and to his own family.

Apr. 17, 1762

To Abbé Lamaze, Paris. Pertains to handling of letters of exchange from Louisiana.

1762-1765

22 items: To Abbé Lamaze, May 22, Aug. 21, 1762; Feb. 19, Mar. 19, Sept. 3, 1763; Jan. 13, Feb. 4, Mar. 24, May 26, June 16, July 8, Aug 10 (in Senlis), 25, 7, 15, 22, 27, 29, Oct. 2, 1764; Apr. 27, June 15, June 28, 1765.

Jan. 22, 1763

To Abbé Lamaze, Paris. Mentions effects of hard winter in Paris.

Feb. 18, 1764

To Abbé Lamaze, Paris. Includes statement of account, February 15, 1764.

May 18, 1764

To Abbé Lamaze, Paris. Offers condolences on death of Charles de Pradel.

July 14, 1764

To Abbé Lamaze, Paris. Offers condolences on death of Jean Charles de Pradel.

Sept. 27, 1764

M. Lebeuf to Abbé Lamaze, Paris.

Apr. 13, 1765

To Abbé Lamaze, Paris. Mentions attempt to visit Madame Cacqueray de Pradel in her convent at Panthémont.

Feb. 10, 1763

Receipt.

undated

Declaration

Aug. 30, 1764

Receipt.

undated

Note

Sept. 3, 1750

Letter of exchange (2 items)

July 17, 1765

Memorandum of receipts and expenses to account of Abbé Lamaze.

Aug. 1, 1765

Note approving above account.

1730-1738, undated

33 items: Miscellaneous biographical materials about Jean Charles de Pradel.

undated

Extract of baptismal certificate

May 22, 1730

Photocopy of registration of marriage of Jean Pradel and Alexandrine de la Chaise.

undated

Typewritten extracts from the dossier of the Chevalier de Pradel in the Archives de la Marine, Paris. (6 items)

undated

Photographic copies of documents in the Pradel dossier. (14 items)

1730-1734

Handwritten copies of documents in the Archives Nationales in Paris (Archives des Colonies, Série C13) which pertain to Pradel. (6 items)

1764

Photocopy of succession of Jean Baptiste Pradel (from Notarial Archives, New Orleans).

1736-1738

Fragments of documents bearing the signature of the Comte de Maurepas, Ministre de la Marine. (3 items)

undated

Miscellaneous notes pertaining to the Pradel family. (7 items)

undated

35 items: Miscellaneous biographical materials about Charles de Pradel.

Photographic copies of documents in the dossier of Charles de Pradel in the Archives de la Marine, Paris. (16 items)

Typewritten transcriptions of archival documents and miscellaneous notes relative to the military service of Charles de Pradel. (8 items)

Typewritten transcriptions of archival documents and miscellaneous notes relative to the pension of Madame Cacqueray de Pradel. (11 items)

undated

15 items: Miscellaneous manuscripts

Items include fragments of letters, accounts, notes, and envelopes.

1761, 1763

3 items: Printed materials

Dec. 12, 1761

“Arrest du Conseil d’Etat du Roi, Concernant les Lettres du change des colonies,

sutres que du Canada.”

Apr. 2, 1763

“Arrest du Conseil d’Etat du Roi, Pour le payement des Letters de Change tirées des Colonies, sur les Tréssoriers généraux de la Marine, & sur le Munitionnaire general des vivres de la Marine.”

July 15, 1763

“Arrest du Conseil d’Etat du Roi, Qui ordonne que les Lettres de change tirée de l’Isle-royale, la Louisiane, la Martinique & St. Dominque, sur les exercices 1755, 1756, 1757, & 1758, seront acquittées en 1764, aux époques qui y sont fixées.”

1920-1947, undated

10 items: Printed materials

1920

Martial de Pradel de Lamase, “Un officier colon en Louisiane: Le Chevalier de Pradel (1692-1764), “Revue de l’histoire des colonies francaises, IX.

Oct. 9, 1921

La Revue francaise hebdomadaire, XVI

Apr. 10, 1937

Charles de la Ronciére, “Colonies et survivances francaises aux Etats-Unis,” L’Illustration France-Amérique

1924

Martial de Pradel de Lamase, “Lettres louisianaises du Chavalier de Pradel,” Bulletin de la Section de Géographie

1954

Catalogue of exposition “Louisiane” sponsored by the U. S. Embassy in Paris.

Illustrations of French military uniforms of the 18th century (2 items).

Aug. 23, 1947

Newspaper clipping, “Miami du Missouri, ville francaise,” from La Croix

Map of Fort d’Orléans on the Missouri River.

undated

3 items: Materials pertaining to plantation “Mon Plaisir”

Folder includes a detailed map of the Mississippi River below New Orleans showing location of Mon Plaisir plantations.

undated

22 items: Research materials

Research notes, mostly handwritten, from printed and archival sources, giving information about colonial Louisiana.

1927-1945

7 items: Correspondence of Comte Martial de Pradel de Lamaze

De la Chaise family.

Education--France.

Fort Rosalie (Miss.)

Foucault, Denis-Nicolas, 1723-1803.

French Americans--Louisiana.

Genealogies.

Indians of North America--Colonization--Louisiana.

Indians of North America--Wars--1600-1750.

Indigo--Louisiana.

Louisiana--History--To 1803.

Maps.

Mon Plaisir Plantation (La.)

Natchez Indians.

Plantation owners--Louisiana.

Pradel, Alexandrine de la Chaise de.

Pradel, Charles de.

Pradel, Jean Charles de, 1692-1764.

Slaveholders--Louisiana.

Slavery--Louisiana.

Stack

Location

Box

Folder(s)

Contents (with dates)

Mss.MF:P

1

1-8

Papers of Jean Charles de Pradel (1719-1764)

9-10

Papers of Jean Charles de Pradel, Financial records (1751-1756)

11

Letters of Madame Alexandrine de la Chaise de Pradel (1765-1766, undated)

2

12

Letters of Madame Marie-Louise de Chacqueray-Valmenier de Pradel (1764-1767, undated)

13

De la Chaise family letters (1761-1765)

14

De la Mouche letters (1762-1765)

15

Biographical papers about Jean Charles de Pradel (undated)

16

Biographical papers about Charles de Pradel (undated)

17

Miscellaneous manuscripts and fragments (undated)

18-19

Printed items (1761-1763, 1920-1954)

20

Materials pertaining to Mon Plaisir Plantation

21

Research notes

22

Correspondence of Comte Martial de Pradel de Lamaze (1927-1945)