Cyrille Fabian Richard was born February 20, 1788, and died September 1, 1839. Marie Zeline Prejean was born November 25, 1799, and died June 2, 1841. They married in 1820 in Grand Coteau, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana.
Their marriage, deaths, and family are documented in church records, courthouse records, and other sources. The 1841 succession of Cyrille Richard and Marie Zeline Prejean provides important information about their children, several of whom were still minors when their mother died.
The records located so far identify seven children associated with Cyrille and Marie Zeline: Cyrille, Octave, Marie Clementine, Aurelian, Clemine, Gustave, and Marie Aurelia. The records do not always agree on names, dates, or other details, and some aspects of the family’s history remain unresolved.
(Pierre) Cyrille Fabien Richard
February 20, 1788 – September 1, 1839
Baptism: December 7, 1788, Opelousas, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana.
Cyrille was the son of Fabien Richard and Francoise Thibodeaux.
Source SWLAR: Richard, Pierre Cyrille (Fabien and his wife Francoise Tibodo), born February 20, 1788; baptized December 7, 1788; sponsors Pierre Cyrille Thibodo and Marie Magdelaine Blanchard; Father Joseph de Arazena (Opelousas Church: v. 1-A, p. 87).
Death: September 1, 1839, Opelousas, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana.
Source SWLAR: Richard, Cyrille Fabien married Marie Azelie Prejean died
September 1, 1839 at age 53 years (Opelousas Church: v2 p224)
Marie Zelina Prejean
November 25, 1799 – June 2, 1841
Birth: November 25, 1799, Grand Coteau, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana.
Death: June 2, 1841, Grand Coteau, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana.
Source SWLAR: PREJEAN, Marie Zelia, married Cyrille RICHARD, died 2 June 1841 at age 38 years (Lafayette Church: v. 3, p. 153).
Marriage of Cyrille Richard and Marie Zelina Prejean
1820, Grand Coteau, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana
Cyrille Richard and Marie Zeline Prejean married in 1820 in Grand Coteau, Louisiana. SWLAR records shows their marriage dated as February 31, 1820, which has to be a mistake.
Cyrille was approximately 30 years old and Marie Zeline approximately 21 years old.
Source SWLAR: RICHARD, Cyrille, 30 yrs. old, born in Opelousas, living in Karancros (Fabien & Francoise THIBODEAUX), married 31 Feb. [probably January] 1820 Marie Zeline PREJEAN, 21 yrs. old, born at Karancros (deceased Andre & Marie BERNARD). Witnesses: Pierre Cyrille THIBAUDO, uncle of Cyrille Richard, and Dominique PREJEAN. Fr. Hercule BRASSAC (GC Ch.: v. 1, p. 3, #7).
Estate of Cyrille Richard & Marie Zeline Prejean
St. Landry Courthouse Succession No. 1000
July 15, 1841, Opelousas, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana
Cyrille Richard died in 1839, and Marie Zeline Prejean died in 1841, leaving their children as minors.
A loose sheet in the succession identifies the minor heirs as:
- Cyrille
- Octave
- Marie Clementine
- Orlien / Aurelian
- Clemine (is not shown on the loose sheet, but perhaps is in the actual succession)
- Gustave
- Marie Aurelia
Tutors
Andre Prejean was tutor of:
- Cyrille
- Marie Clementine
- Orlien/Aurelien
- Gustave
Charles Peck was tutor of:
- Octave
- Marie Aurelia
Family Council
The family council consisted of:
- Jean F. Richard
- Jean Prejean
- Syphorian Prejean
- Louis Prejean
Those attending a family meeting included:
- Jean Fabian Richard and Pierre Placide Richard, paternal uncles
- Jean Prejean, Syprien Prejean, and Louis Prejean, maternal uncles
Note: Orelien is not shown to have a tutor. And the list of family council members does not include Pierre Placide Richard, however is shown as attending the meeting.
Children
Baby Richard
November 9, 1820 – November 9, 1820
Born and died November 9, 1820, in Grand Coteau, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana.
The child died at birth and was buried the same day in the St. Charles Church cemetery in Grand Coteau.
Source SWLAR: Richard, Baby (Cyrille dit cadet and Marie Zelme Prejean), died November 9, 1820, at birth (Grand Coteau Church: v. 1, p. 4).
Source SWLAR: Richard, child (Cyrille dit Cadet Fabien & Marie Zeline Prejean), buried November 9, 1820, in the St. Charles Church cemetery. Father Hercule Brassac (Grand Coteau Church: v. 1, p. 4, #34).
Marie Zeolide Richard
March 18, 1822 – March 28, 1826
Birth: March 18, 1822.
Baptism: September 1, 1822, Lafayette, Lafayette Parish, Louisiana.
Source SWLAR: RICHARD, Marie Zeolide (Cirille dit Cadet Fabien & Marie PREJEAN), born 18 March 1822, baptized 1 Sept. 1822. Sponsors Jean PREJEAN & Euphrosine RICHARD. Fr. Michel Bernard BARRIERE (Laf. Ch.: v. 1, p. 8).
Death: March 28, 1826.
Marie Zeolide died at noon at the age of five at the home of Mrs. Andre Prejean. She was buried March 29, 1826, in the parish cemetery.
Source SWLAR: RICHARD, Marie Zeolyde (Cyrille & Marie Marguerite PREJEAN), died 28 March 1826 at noon at age 5 years at the home of Mrs. Andre PREJEAN; buried 29 March 1826 in the church parish cemetery. Fr. Laurent PEYRETTI (Laf. Ch.: v. 2, p. 18, #52).
(Pierre) Cyrille Richard
July 12, 1824 – 1876
Birth: July 12, 1824.
Source SWLAR: Richard, Cyrille (Cyrille & Marie Prejean), born July 12, 1824 (Opelousas Church: v. 2, p. 301).
Baptism: October 17, 1824.
Source SWLAR: Richard, Cyril (Cyril & Marie Prejan [Prejean]), born July 12, 1824, baptized October 17, 1824. Paternal grandparents Fabien Richard & Francoise Thibeaudau; maternal grandparents Andre Prejan & Marie Bernard; sponsors Jean Richard & Joseph Brau [Breaux]. Father Flavius Henri Rossi (Opelousas Church: v. 2, p. 301).
Marriage license: June 9, 1847, Pierre Cyrille Richard and Azelie Martin.
Source SWLAR: RICHARD, Pierre Cyrille, married 9 June 1847 Azelie MARTIN (Opelousas Courthouse: Marriage #443).
Marriage Ceremony: June 10, 1847, Grand Coteau Church, Grand Coteau, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana.
Source SWLAR: RICHARD, Pierre Cyrille, married 10 June 1847 Azelie MARTIN (Grand Coteau Church: v. 1, p. 172).
Death: 1876, Opelousas, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana.
Children
- Cyrille Richard — born May 1, 1848
- Bonaventure Philogene Richard — born August 11, 1851
- Theophile Richard — born July 24, 1854
- Camille/Clemille Richard — born November 25, 1856
- Helene Richard — born January 16, 1861
- Martin Richard — born October 5, 1863
- Azelie Richard — born June 22, 1868
Source SWLAR: RICHARD, Cyrille (Pierre Cyrille & Azelie MARTIN), b. 1 May 1848 (Opel. Ch.: v. 4, p. 344).
Source SWLAR: RICHARD, Bonaventure Philogene (Cyrille & Azelie MARTIN), b. 11 Aug. 1851 (CP Ch.: v. 1, p. 3).
Source SWLAR: RICHARD, Theophile (Cyrille & Azelie MARTIN), b. 24 July 1854 (CP Ch.: v. 1, p. 20).
Source SWLAR: RICHARD, Camille (Cyrille & Azelie MARTIN), b. 25 Nov. 1856 (GC Ch.: v. 2, p. 142).
Source SWLAR: RICHARD, Helene (Cyrille & Asilee MARTIN), b. 16 Jan. 1861 (CP Ch.: v. 1, p. 54).
Source SWLAR: RICHARD, Martin (Cyrille & Anelie MARTIN), b. 5 Oct. 1863 (CP Ch.: v. 1, p. 67).
Source SWLAR: RICHARD, Azelie (Cyrille & Azelie MARTIN), b. 22 June 1868 (CP Ch.: v. 1, p. 121).
Octave Richard
Octave’s information can be viewed at Octave Richard (1826–1910): A Life Documented Through the Records
Marie Clementine Richard
August 1829 – unknown
Birth: August 1829.
Baptism: April 18, 1830.
Source SWLAR: RICHARD, Clementine (Cyrille & Marie PREJEAN), baptized 18 April 1830 at age 8 months. Paternal grandparents Fabien RICHARD & “maternals” [maternal grandparents] listed as Francoise THIBODEAUX. Sponsors Hyppolite BRAU & Terzille PREJEAN. Fr. Laurent PEYRETTI (Laf. Ch.: v. 3, p. 138, #303).
Marriage: May 4, 1846 – Manuel Domingue.
Marie Richard, age 17, married Manuel Domingue, age 21.
Source SWLAR: RICHARD, Marie, 17 years old (Cyrile & Marie Azeline Feignant), married 4 May 1846 Manuel DOMINGUE, 21 years old (Laf. Ch.: v. 3, p. 221).
Note: The surname “Feignant” in the source should be Prejean.
Aurelien Richard
About December 1831 – October 28, 1862
Birth: About December 1831.
Baptism: August 5, 1832, Lafayette, Lafayette Parish, Louisiana.
Source SWLAR: RICHARD, Aurelien (Cyrille & Marie Azeline PREJEAN), baptized 5 Aug. 1832 at age 8 months (Laf. Ch.: v. 4, #56).
Death: October 28, 1862, Lafayette, Lafayette Parish, Louisiana.
Source SWLAR: Richard, Aurelien, died October 28, 1862, at age 34 (Lafayette Church: v. 4, p. 101).
A succession notice appeared in the Opelousas Courier on Saturday, September 23, 1865.
Clemille (Emile) Richard
August 6, 1834 – November 16, 1854
Birth: August 6, 1834, Lafayette, Lafayette Parish, Louisiana.
The source record contains a conflicting birth date of March 6, 1834.
Source SWLAR: RICHARD, Emile (Cyrille & Marie PREJEAN), b. 6 March 1834 (Opelousas Church: v. 3, p. 325).
Death: November 16, 1854.
Source SWLAR: RICHARD, Clemille, died 16 Nov. 1854 at age 20 years (Lafayette Church: v. 4, p. 43).
Note on the Name Clemille/Emile: Clemille/Emile is shown as Clemine in the 1841 succession of Cyrille Richard and Marie Zeline Prejean.
Gustave Richard
December 3, 1837 – February 3, 1859
Birth: December 3, 1837, Opelousas, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana.
Source SWLAR: RICHARD, Gustave (Cyrille & Azeline PREJEAN), b. 3 Dec. 1837 (Opelousas Church: v. 4, p. 142).
After his father died in 1839 and his mother in 1841, Gustave’s uncle Andre Prejean became his guardian.
The 1850 U.S. Census lists Gustave living with his uncle Andre Prejean.
Marriage: Unknown.
Death: February 3, 1859, Lafayette, Louisiana.
Source SWLAR: Richard, Gustave (Cadet), died February 3, 1859, at age 21 years (Lafayette Church: v. 4, p. 77).
Marie Aurelia Richard
September 1839 – unknown
Birth: September 1839, Grand Coteau, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana.
Source SWLAR: RICHARD, Marie Aurelia (Cyrille & Marie Azeline PREJEAN), born Sept. 1839; baptized 17 June 1841 (GC Ch.: v. 1, p. 183).
Baptism: June 17, 1841.
Marriage: Unknown.
Death: Unknown.
Marie Aurelia was the youngest known child of Cyrille Richard and Marie Zeline Prejean.
Because her father died in 1839 and her mother died in 1841, Marie Aurelia was orphaned as a very young child. The 1841 succession of her parents identifies her as a minor heir and specifically states that Charles Peck was her tutor, along with her brother Octave.
There is a possibility that Marie Aurelia is the female child recorded as “Zelima,” age four, in the 1850 U.S. Census household associated with Octave and Virginie. No other evidence has been found tying a child named Zelima to Octave and Virginie, while Marie Aurelia would have been approximately 10 or 11 years old by the 1850 census rather than four. Consequently, this remains an unresolved census identification rather than an established fact.
Research Note: The information presented here is based on records and sources I have located during my research. It is not necessarily complete, and additional records or information may exist that have not yet been found or included. As new sources are discovered, this information may be updated or revised.
SWLAR: South West Louisiana Records
