Octave Richard

Octave Richard (1826–1910): A Life Documented Through the Records

By

December 13 (or September 13), 1826 – July 3, 1910

Octave Richard, sometimes shown as Alexandre Octave Richard or Octave Alexander Richard, was my great-great grandfather. His daughter, Marie Lucia, was my paternal grandfather’s mother.

Much of what is known about Octave Richard comes from his statements in his Applications for a Soldier’s Pension of 1898 and 1900. By the time Octave completed his first Soldier’s Pension application in 1898, four of their children had died: Alexandre Octave, Joseph, Marie Octavia, and Marie Umea.

Octave was 42 years old when he became a widower in 1868, after his first wife, Virginie LeFort, died shortly after giving birth to their daughter, Marie Lucia. Virginie’s death in 1868 left Octave with young children.

According to Virginie’s succession in 1869 (Part 1 – Part 2 – Part 3 – AI Extracted Summary), he bought land and other items from her estate.

His land records show that he was involved in numerous purchases and sales of property over the years. These transactions indicate that Octave was active in buying and selling land, although the records are difficult to interpret and do not, by themselves, establish his financial circumstances at the time of each transaction.

In his 1898 pension application, he stated that his estate consisted of one horse valued at approximately $30 and that he had supported himself through the carpenter trade during the preceding five years but could no longer work. By 1900, he stated that the horse was dead and that he had no property.

Octave Richard’s life spanned a period of major change in Louisiana history. Born in Grand Coteau in 1826, he was orphaned as a teenager, married Virginie LeFort at age 20, and raised a large family.

Octave subsequently married Zelima Pitre in 1871. Their marriage eventually became estranged, and a newspaper clipping published in the Opelousas Courier on November 30, 1878, documents that Zelima had left him. Zelima died in Plaisance, Louisiana, on December 5, 1881. The available records indicate that she and Octave were still married at the time of her death.

Octave married Adelaide Broussard in 1882. She left him in January 1894, according to Octave’s later pension application. They apparently never divorced.

By the time Octave applied for a Soldier’s Pension in 1898, he was an elderly man with very limited resources. He reported that he could no longer support himself through carpentry, owned little property, and was living with relatives. In his 1900 application, he described himself as crippled and dependent upon a stick to walk.

He died on July 3, 1910, and was buried the following day at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church Cemetery in Church Point, Acadia Parish, Louisiana. His exact grave remains unknown.

Identity Note

There were several men named Octave Richard, or with similar variations of the name, in the records of southwest Louisiana during this period. This Octave Richard is sometimes confused with another Octave Richard who died in 1880, as well as with Charles Octave Richard.

The records discussed in this article—including church, census, land, military, pension, and family records—refer to Octave Richard, son of Cyrille Fabien Richard and Marie Zelina Prejean, born in 1826 and died July 3, 1910.

Because of these similarly named individuals, individual records should not be attributed to this Octave Richard solely on the basis of his name.

Birth & Baptism

Birth: September 13, 1826, Grand Coteau, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana

Baptism: August 25, 1827, Opelousas Church, Opelousas, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, by Father Flavius Henri Rossi.

Parents: Cyrille Fabien Richard and Marie Zelina Prejean

Paternal grandparents were Fabien Richard and Francoise Thibodeaux, and his maternal grandparents were Andre Prejean and Marie Bernard. The sponsors were Antoine Dupre and Marie Prejean.

There are conflicting records concerning Octave’s date of birth.

  • September 13, 1826 — baptismal/church record
  • December 13, 1826 — Octave’s own statements in his Soldier’s Pension applications
  • December 1826 — 1900 U.S. Census
  • December 13, 1826 — church death record

Because the baptismal record specifically states that Octave was born September 13, 1826, this date appears to be the strongest contemporary evidence for his actual birth date. However, December 13, 1826, is the date Octave himself consistently gave in his later years.

The SWLAR record also shows Octave’s baptismal date as August 23, 1827, the original record shows it as August 25, 1827.

The original baptismal record in French states:

“L’an mil huit cent vingt sept, le vingt cinq d’Aout a ete bapt. par moi — Octave ne le treize de Septembre derriere legiteme de Cyril Richard et de Maria Prejan…”

The English translation of the baptismal record

“In the year 1827, the twenty-fifth of August was baptized by me Octave, born the thirteenth of September last, the legitimate son of Cyril Richard and Maria Prejan. Paternal grandparents Fabien Richard and Francoise Thibodeaux. Maternal grandparents Andre Prejan and Maria Bernard. Sponsors Antoine Dupre and Marie Prejean. Signed Father Flavius H. Rossi.”

Octave himself gave a different birth date in his Soldier’s Pension applications. In his later statements, he reported that he was born December 13, 1826. His death record also gives December 13, 1826, and the 1900 U.S. Census lists his birth as December 1826.

Note Regarding Octave’s Birth Date

Despite the uncertainties surrounding some dates, census entries, land transactions, and family relationships, the surviving records provide a remarkably detailed picture of Octave’s life—from his baptism in 1827, through his marriages and large family, his Civil War service, his years of land transactions, and finally his difficult circumstances late in life.

South West Louisiana Records Sources

Source SWLAR: Richard, Octave (Cyrille & Marie Prejean) b. 13 September 1826 (Opelousas Church: v. 3, p. 3).

Source SWLAR: Richard, Octave (Cyril & Marie Prejan [Prejean]) born 13 September 1826, baptized 23 August 1827; paternal grandparents Fabien Richard & Francoise Thibeaudau; maternal grandparents Andre Prejan [Prejean] & Marie Bernad; sponsors Antoine Dupre & Marie Prejean; Father Flavius Henri Rosse (Opelousas Church, v. 3, p. 3).

Marriages

First Marriage

Virginie “Eugenie” LeFort, about October 1826 to December 19, 1868

Marriage Ceremony: Octave Richard, age 20, son of Cyrille Richard and Marie Zeline Prejean, married Virginie LeFort, age 19, daughter of Francois LeFort (about 1786 to December 21, 1836) and Julie Landry (December 5, 1805 to May 15, 1833), on November 30, 1846, at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Lafayette, Louisiana.

The marriage was performed by Father S. F. Hegret. Witnesses were Charles Peck, T. Dugas, and Philippe Richard. Charles Peck was a maternal uncle of Octave by marriage who became tutor of Octave after his parents died.

Note on the Name “Eugenie”: The only known instance in which Virginie is identified as “Eugenie” is the marriage record. It is possible that her name was misunderstood when given to the priest or was recorded incorrectly.

Source: Certificate of Marriage of Octave Richard and Virginie LeFort from Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Lafayette, Louisiana, volume 3, page 228.

Virginie died December 19, 1868, according to Sacred Heart Catholic Church records in Church Point, Louisiana.

Virginie was the daughter of Francois LeFort (about 1786 to December 21, 1836 and Julie Landry (sometimes referred to Hebert) December 5 1805 to May 15, 1833.

South West Louisiana Records Sources

Source SWLAR: LeFort, Virginie (Francois and Julie Hebert) bt 15 April 1827 at age 6 months (Lafayette Church: volume 2, #352. Note: Discrepancy with the name Julie Hebert vs Julie Landry.

Source SWLAR: Richard, Octave, 20 years old (Cyrile & Marie Zeline Prejeant), married November 30, 1846, Eugenie Le Fort, 19 years old (Lafayette Church: volume 3, page 228).

Source SWLAR: Eugenie, 19 years old (Francois & Julie Landry), married 30 Nov. 1846 Octave Richard, 20 years old (Lafayette Church: volume 3, page 228).

Source SWLAR: Lefort, Virginie married Octave Richard Succession: 18 Feb 1869 (Opelousas Court House #3260)

Children of Octave Richard and Virginie LeFort

Octave and Virginie had eight known children:

  1. Alexandre Octave Richard — 1848–1865
  2. Joseph Richard — 1850–1885
  3. Marie Octavia Richard — 1852–1874
  4. Francois Auguste Richard — 1855–about 1920
  5. Marie Ovina Richard — 1859–1946
  6. Marie Umea Richard — 1862–1888
  7. Marie Louisiana Richard — 1865–1934
  8. Marie Lucia Richard — 1868–1953

Virginie died within a week of Marie Lucia’s birth.

By the time Octave completed his first Soldier’s Pension application in 1898, four of their children had died: Alexandre Octave, Joseph, Marie Octavia, and Marie Umea.

Second Marriage

Zelima Pitre, August 12, 1829 – December 5, 1881

Marriage License: Octave Richard, widower of Virginie LeFort, obtained a marriage license #6571 with Zelima Pitre, widow of Dejean Sebastien, on July 25, 1871 at the St. Landry Parish Court House in Opelousas, Louisiana

Marriage Ceremony: Octave and Zelima married on August 8, 1871 at the Opelousas Church, Opelousas, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana. Reverend M. Bandy performed the ceremony. Witnesses were O. Jeansomme, Francois D. Pitre, and Thomas Bacon.

Marriage Contract #11441: August 8, 1871, St. Landry Parish Courthouse, Opelousas, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana (for easier reading, view AI extracted information from the contract).

A newspaper clipping in the Opelousas Courier, dated November 30, 1878, documents that Zelima had left Octave.

No divorce record between Octave and Zelima was found.

In the 1880 U.S. Census, Octave is living with his daughters Marie Louisiana and Marie Umea, and with or near his son Joseph and his familiy. Zelima is living with one of her sons, with her son Dejean Sebastien living nearby. Dejean is living with his wife, Marie Ovina Richard, and her sister, Marie Lucia Richard.

Zelima died December 5, 1881 in Plaisance, Louisiana. The church record identifies her as “Sebastien, Mrs. Dejean”, despite the fact that she had married Octave Richard in 1871 and appeared to remain married to him at the time of her death.

The record’s identification of Zelima by her first husband’s name is unusual and may reflect the way the church continued to identify her in its records.

Zelima was the widow of Dejean Sebastien, who died November 3, 1869.

Zelima was the daughter of Joseph Pitre and Sophie Fontenot.

South West Louisiana Records Sources

Source SWLAR: Pitre, Zelima (Joseph and Sophie Fontenot), b. 12 August 1829 (Opelousas Church: volume 3, page 104)

Source SWLAR: Sebastien, Dejean died 3 November 1869 at age 45 years (Opelousas Church: volume 2, page 265)

Source SWLAR: Richard, Octave (Cyrille & Marie Azeline Prejean), marriage August 8, 1871, Zelima Pitre, widow of Dejean Sebastien (Opelousas Church: v. E, #161).

Source SWLAR: Richard, Octave, Marriage Contract, August 8, 1871, Zelima Pitre (Opelousas Courthouse: Donations, v. 3, p. 167).

Source SWLAR: Richard, Octave, married 25 July 1871 Zelima Pitre (Opelousas Courthouse Marriage License #6571).

Source SWLAR: Sebastien, Mrs. Dejean, died 5 Dec. 1881, Plaisance, LA (Opelousas Church: v. 2, p. 382).

Third Marriage

Adelaide Broussard, April 25, 1837 – after 1913.

Marriage License: Octave Richard obtained a marriage license #12274 with Adelaide Broussard on March 16, 1882 at the St. Landry Parish Court House in Opelousas, Louisiana.

Marriage Ceremony: Octave and Adelaide were married on March 20, 1882 at the Opelousas Church, St Landry Parish, Louisiana. The ceremony was performed by Reverend J. F. Raymond. Witnesses were Pauline Fontenot, Thomas Bourgeous, and Theophile Richard.

Adelaide’s parents were Murphy Broussard and Adelaide Prejean. She was previously married to James N. Baptise Rider and Joseph L Carrier.

On March 11, 1871, there was a Sheriff’s sale of Adelaide vs Joseph L Carrier. This makes it questionable if Adelaide and Joseph were divorced or if he died.

According to Octave’s statements in his 1898 and 1900 Applications for a Soldier’s Pension, Adelaide left him on January 24, 1894.

Adelaide later filed an application for a widow’s pension after Octave’s death. Her papers are dated June 6, 1913, and were filed July 5, 1913. She stated she was living in Carencro, Lafayette Parish, Louisiana.

In her application, Adelaide stated that Octave died July 25, 1911. This conflicts with the church death record, which records Octave’s death as July 3, 1910, and burial on July 4, 1910.

A death date for Adelaide was not found. Due to filing for Widow’s Pension in 1913, her death must have occurred after that time.

Adelaide was the daughter of Murphy Broussard and Adelaide Prejean.

South West Louisiana Records Sources

Source SWLAR: Broussard, Adelaide (Murphi & Adelaide Prejean) b. 25 April 1837 (Opelousas Church: volume 4 page 26)

Source SWLAR: Broussard, Adelaide m 27 Dec 1852 James N. Baptiste Rider (Opelousas Court House: Marriage License #1020)

Source SWLAR: Broussard Adelaide (Morphy & Adelaide Prejean) married 4 Jan 1853 James V. Rider (Opelousas Church: volume 2, page 293)

Source SWLAR: Broussard, Adelaide widow of James V. B. Rider married 28 March 1855 Joseph Louis Carrier (Opelousas Court House: Marriage license: #1290)

Source SWLAR: Richard, Octave, married 16 March 1882 Adelaide Broussard, widow of Joe Carrier (Opelousas Courthouse: Marriage License #12274).

Source SWLAR: Richard, Octave (Cyrille & Azelie Prejean), married March 20, 1882, Adelaide Broussard (Opelousas Church: v. 2, p. 541).

Civil War Service

Company A, 2nd Louisiana Regiment

Octave’s Civil War service is primarily documented through his Applications for a Soldier’s Pension.

There are some inconsistencies in his statements concerning his enlistment date and military details.

In his December 1, 1898 application, he appears to state that he enlisted in approximately 1863. In his June 4, 1900 application, he stated that he enlisted in St. Landry Parish in June 1864.

He stated that he was discharged at the surrender in Opelousas in May 1865.

Soldier’s Pension Application

1898 and 1900 Application for a Soldier’s Pension

In his December 1, 1898 Application for Soldier’s Pension, Octave stated that:

  • He was living in Bellevue.
  • He was born in Grand Coteau, St. Landry Parish, in 1826.
  • He enlisted in approximately 1863.
  • He was discharged after the war in May 1865 at Opelousas.
  • He served under Colonel Thompson.
  • Captain Ducourdie Lamendier appears to have been his company commander.
  • He was present at the surrender in Opelousas.
  • He was not injured or crippled during the war.
  • He was never a prisoner of war.
  • He never took an oath of allegiance to the United States Government during the war.
  • He had lived in Louisiana all his life.
  • He had no one specifically responsible for taking care of him.
  • He was married, but his wife had left him on January 24, 1894.
  • He had four surviving children from his first marriage: Francois, Marie Ovina, Marie Louisiana, and Marie Lucia.
  • He was not engaged in any business.
  • His estate consisted of one horse valued at approximately $30.
  • His wife had no property.
  • During the preceding five years he had supported himself through the carpenter trade, but could no longer do the work.
  • He had been living with various people and was presently living with one of his nephews, Alphonse Dominique, who helped him as he could.
  • He did not use intoxicants.
  • His attorney was H. E. Estorage, who would receive $5 if successful in obtaining the pension.
  • His comrades included Alphonse Dominique of Lafayette, Lucius Guilbeau of Grand Coteau, and Dupreville Meche of Grand Coteau.
  • His post office was through H. E. Estorage in Opelousas.
  • His witnesses were L. J. Richard and D. S. Edwards.

Octave signed the application on December 1, 1898.

This application provides an important picture of Octave’s financial circumstances late in life. Although he had bought and sold land throughout his lifetime, by 1898 he reported having essentially no assets other than a horse valued at approximately $30 and being unable to continue working as a carpenter.

In his June 4, 1900 Application for Soldier’s Pension, Octave stated that:

  • He was living in Carencro.
  • He was born in St. Landry Parish on December 13, 1826.
  • He enlisted in St. Landry Parish in June 1864.
  • He served under Colonel Thompson.
  • Captain Ducoudray Lamorandier was among his officers.
  • Other officers included 1st Sergeant Don Louis Richard, 2nd Lieutenant Louis Lalonde, 2nd Junior Lieutenant J. B. Hebert, Sergeant L. Guilbeau, and Corporal Rawls.
  • He was discharged at the surrender in May 1865 in Opelousas.
  • He never took an oath of allegiance to the United States Government during the war.
  • He had been born and raised in Louisiana.
  • He had been married three times.
  • His wife had been gone from him for years.
  • He had four surviving children from his first wife.
  • His wife was 63 years old.
  • His son Francois was approximately 45 years old.
  • His oldest daughter, Marie Ovina, was approximately 43.
  • His second daughter, Marie Louisiana, was approximately 35.
  • His youngest daughter, Marie Lucia, was approximately 31.
  • His four surviving children were poor and living by sharecropping or similar arrangements.
  • He had no property.
  • The horse he had owned when he made his first application had died.
  • His wife had no property.
  • He had become crippled approximately a year earlier and needed a stick to walk.
  • He did not use intoxicants.
  • His attorney was S. J. Gosselin, Justice of the Peace and Notary Public, without compensation.
  • His comrades included Alphonse Dominique of Carencro, Luis Guilbeau of Sunset, and Paul and Adolphe Miller of Acadia Parish.
  • His post office was Carencro, Lafayette Parish.
  • His witnesses were S. J. Gosselin and H. Hebert.

Octave signed the application June 4, 1900.

Land Purchases & Sales

The records show Octave both purchasing and selling land over several decades. The financial meaning of the individual transactions is not always clear, particularly where the original records are difficult to read.

United States Census Records

1830 U.S. Census

Octave appears to have been listed as an unnamed male child under age five in the household of his father, Cyrille Richard.

1840 U.S. Census

Octave appears to have been listed as an unnamed male between the ages of 10 and 15 in the household associated with his father, Cyrille Richard.

Cyrille had died in 1839, so it is possible that the census taker continued to use Cyrille’s name for the family even though he was deceased.

1850 U.S. Census

The 1850 census shows Octave, Virginie, and their son Alexandre Octave, age two, in St. Landry Parish.

The census also contains a female listed as Zelima, which looks like “Tehe”, age four.

There is no other record presently identified that connects a child named Zelima to Octave and Virginie.

Based on the known family records, it is possible that the person recorded as “Zelima” was actually Marie Aurelia Richard, Octave’s youngest sister, who was born in September 1839.

Marie Aurelia was the youngest known child of Cyrille Richard and Marie Zelina Prejean. Her father died in 1839, shortly before or around the time of her birth, and her mother died in 1841.

There is no known evidence of another Zelima belonging to Octave’s immediate family at this time. The only clearly documented Zelima associated with the family is Zelima Guidry, Virginie LeFort’s niece, who appears with Octave and Virginie in the 1860 census.

This identification of the 1850 “Zelima” as Marie Aurelia remains a research hypothesis, rather than a proven identification.

1860 U.S. Census

The 1860 census shows:

  • Octave Richard
  • Virginie Richard
  • Alexandre Octave
  • Joseph
  • Octavie
  • Francois
  • Marie Ovina

in Grand Coteau, St. Landry Parish.

The census also shows Zelima Guidry, age nine. Zelima was the daughter of Julie LeFort, Virginie’s sister.

Zelima’s father, Theogene Guidry, had died around 1857. It is possible that Julie was also deceased or otherwise unable to care for Zelima, which may explain why she was living with Octave and Virginie.

The household also includes Rachel Jecher (or Techer), age 88, born in Virginia. Her relationship to the family is unknown.

1870 U.S. Census

No census record has been located for Octave in 1870.

1880 U.S. Census

The 1880 census shows Octave living with his daughters Marie Umea and Marie Louisiana.

His son Joseph Richard was living with his own family in the same general area, with his household nearby. One of Octave’s daughters was also living with or near Joseph’s family.

Marie Lucia was not living with Octave in 1880. She was living with her sister Marie Ovina.

Octave’s son Francois was living nearby with his own family.

1890 U.S. Census

No census record has been located for Octave in 1890.

1900 U.S. Census

Octave was living with his nephew Alphonse Dominique and Alphonse’s family in Lafayette Parish, possibly in or near Carencro.

Alphonse’s wife, Zelima Guidry, was the niece of Virginie LeFort and had been living with Octave and Virginie in the 1860 census.

1910 U.S. Census

The 1910 census shows Octave’s daughter Marie Louisiana Richard and her children in Lafayette Parish, possibly in or near Carencro.

Octave’s death occurred earlier in the same year.

Death & Burial

Death: July 3, 1910, location unknown

Burial: July 4, 1910, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church Cemetery, Church Point, Acadia Parish, Louisiana

The church death record gives his birth date as December 13, 1826.

The church death record establishes that Octave was buried in Church Point, although his exact grave location is unknown.

The church record states that he had received the last sacraments.

According to information obtained from the priest at the church in December 2017, Octave is buried in the church cemetery, but his grave has not been identified. He may not have had a headstone, the headstone may have been lost, or he may have been buried with someone else.

Source: Certificate of Death: Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church, Church Point, Acadia Parish, Louisiana, v. 2, p. 49, #28.

South West Louisiana Records Sources

Source SWLAR: Richard, Octave, born December 13, 1826; died July 3; buried July 4, 1910 (Church Point Church: v. 2, p. 49).

Succession

No succession has been found for Octave.

Research Note
This article is based on church records, civil records, census records, newspaper clippings, military pension applications, land records, and other family-history sources. Every effort has been made to accurately transcribe and interpret these records; however, historical records sometimes contain conflicting dates, names, spellings, ages, and other information. Where the evidence is uncertain or conflicting, that uncertainty is noted in the text. Interpretations are identified as such and may be revised if additional records are discovered.

Related Posts

Scroll to Top