The Saucier Family - Page 30
Pierre Saucier who was born on July 6, 1804 at Mobile and died on July 12, 1864, age sixty, was the ninth child of Philippe Saucier and Marie Louise Nicaise; he was also a grandson of Henri Saucier and Barbe LaCroix and a great grandson of Jean Baptiste Saucier and Gabrielle Savary, early pioneers of Colonial Mobile. Pierre had legally changed his birth name in 1820, at age sixteen, according to a family spokesman, to “Pierre”. He, understandably, did not like the name given to him by his parents at birth. He was named and baptized at birth as Sexavando Decateaux Saucier. On January 24, 1840 in Harrison County, Mississippi, Pierre at age thirty-six married twenty-three year old Elizabeth Nicaise, in a civil ceremony. Elizabeth was the niece of Pierre’s mother Marie Louise Nicaise. They were later officially married in the Catholic Church on March 31, 1841 at Saint Louis Cathedral in New Orleans after receiving a special dispensation from the Catholic Church for the two cousins to marry. Pierre, a merchant, real estate developer, and public official, at the age of fifty-one in 1855 built their family home on the beach front in Pass Christian. They had six children, Jean Jacques, Anatole Jacques, Pierre, Jr., Francis Napoleon, Evariste Marie, and Mattheu Saucier, all born in Pass Christian. After the Civil War Pierre's home was referred to as Union Quarters after it was confiscated by the Union for their headquarters. In Pierre’s will which was written and signed by him, witnessed by his son Jacques and two others on December 23, 1862, he lists five sons as his heirs, Jean Jacques (John), Anatole, Pierre (Peter), Napoleon and Evariste Saucier. Pierre and Elizabeth also had a sixth son, Mattheu, who died at age four years in 1856. His three older sons, John, Anatole and Peter were named as co-executors of his estate. Pierre’s mother, Mary Louise Nicaise, who had died in 1840, the same year he married Elizabeth, had made Pierre the executor of her estate with instructions concerning Rosalie Saucier and Clementine Saucier, her servants. In his will Pierre leaves instructions to John, Anatole and Peter, his executors, on handling his estate after his death. He also gave instructions for the care of his late mothers two servants Rosalie and Clementine, that he had protected and cared for since his mother’s death. Following Pierre’s death in 1864 his will was recorded and probated on April 6, 1865.
Several writers and researchers in the mid 1900’s had written the following account that has been passed down in family records as fact for several generations: “upon learning in July of 1864, while the Civil War was still raging, about the wounding of his son Pierre Saucier, Jr., a Lieutenant in the 3rd Mississippi Infantry, during the battle of Vicksburg, Pierre journeyed to Vicksburg to return his son home to recuperate from his injuries”. According to the old legend “his son died during the trip home, “his father, Pierre, Sr. collapsed and died aboard the train shortly after his son died. The family on meeting the train at Pass Christian received two bodies packed in charcoal filled boxes”. Both father and son it was said “were buried in the family plot at Delisle”. This writer has questions concerning the son Pierre, Jr., which the old legend says died on the train trip home. Pierre, Jr. was still living when his father’s home was sold in 1871 and both the 1880 and 1910 census show him as still living, so who was the son who supposedly died in 1864 from his battle wounds at Vicksburg? Could it have been that Pierre, Jr. was only wounded and it was only his father’s body that was received at the train station? Or could it have been son John who was a Lieutenant in the 3rd Mississippi that was wounded and lived or possibly another family member with the name Pierre?
As a Pass Christian, Delisle and New Orleans merchant, Pierre Saucier, his brothers, and their brothers-in-law at one time owned a good deal of property adjoining each other, encompassing much of what is today the city of Pass Christian, Mississippi. Pierre Saucier, along with two of his son-in-law's, Jean Baptiste Toulme and Ramon Sebastian Lizana, acquired a large portion of the "Charlot Land Grant" from the freed slave, Charles Asmard, who owned it. This large track of land included all of the current downtown area of Pass Christian, Mississippi. Pierre at the age of 45 built his home on the beach front at Pass Christian not far from its harbor and wharves. One of his brothers-in-law built a store next to Pierre's property and home.
During the Union Army's occupation of the area during the Civil War, Pierre’s beach front home was taken over by the Union Forces and used as residential quarters for the Officers of the military post at Pass Christian. During the first night family members removed items of value from their home hiding them in the swamp for safe keeping. The family members that remained had to move to the second floor and attic areas as the Officers took over the ground floor of the house for their billets for well over a year, before moving on to Biloxi. Thereafter the home was always referred to as “Union Quarters”
Six years later in 1870, after Pierre’s death, the surviving children put Pierre’s mansion and other holdings on west beach on the market in New Orleans to be sold to the highest bidder. When the main house was put on the market and sold in 1871, Anatole Jacques and his family, who had been living there, moved into the smaller cottage next to the mansion. The old home was sold at auction in New Orleans to the highest bidder.
Jean (John) Jacques Saucier, known in the family as John, was the first born child and first son of Pierre Saucier and Elizabeth Nicaise. John was born on June 7, 1840 in Delisle and died in 1877 at Pass Christian at age thirty-seven. Jean Jacques was the grandson of Philippe Saucier and Mary Louise Nicaise, first great grandson of Henri and Saucier and Barbe LaCroix and his second great grandparents were Jean Baptiste Saucier and Gabrielle Savary of Colonial Mobile. On September 7, 1865, at age twenty-five years he married Sarah Louise Carr in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. Sarah was twenty-six years old at the time of their marriage and the daughter of Robert and Deborah Carr of Bay St. Louis. She was born in 1839 and died in 1880 at age forty-one. John Saucier joined company F of the 3rd Mississippi Infantry in 1861 and rose to the rank of Lieutenant. In letters written home while serving in the Confederate Army to Sarah, not yet his wife, he refers to her as his cousin. During their marriage they raise six children in Pass Christian, Elizabeth Deborah, Minnie, Belle Nin, Charles Everett, Helen and Martha Ester Saucier.
Anatole Jacques (James) Saucier, known as James in the family, was the second born child and second son of Pierre Saucier and Elizabeth Nicaise. Anatole Jacques was the grandson of Philippe Saucier and Mary Louise Nicaise, a great grandson of Henri and Saucier and Barbe LaCroix and his second great grandparents were Jean Baptiste Saucier and Gabrielle Savary of Colonial Mobile. He was born in 1842 and died in Pass Christian, Mississippi on December 8, 1898 at fifty-six years of age. At age twenty-two he married his eighteen year old cousin Mary Catherine Walker. She was born in 1846 and died on November 17, 1925 at Pass Christian, Mississippi at age seventy-nine. Mary Catherine was widely known on the Gulf Coast as the heroine of Union Quarters during the reconstruction period after the Civil War. She was the daughter of Dudley Walker and Azelie Marie Toulme and a granddaughter of Victorie Saucier and Jean Baptiste Toulme of Bay St. Louis. Anatole and Mary Catherine were married on October 13, 1864 at Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church in Bay St. Louis after receiving special permission from the Catholic Church for the two cousins to marry. They had ten children, Anatole Paul, James Edward, Mary Rebecca, Mary Louise, Sidney James, Henry George, Cecile Mary, Mary Florine, Joseph Benedict and Robert Joseph Saucier.
Anatole Paul Marie Saucier was the first born son of Anatole Jacques Saucier and Mary Catherine Walker. Anatole Paul was a grandson of Pierre Saucier and Elizabeth Nicaise, a great grandson of Philippe Saucier and Mary Louise Nicaise, and the second great grandson of Henri Saucier and Barbe LaCroix. Anatole Paul would have been the third great grandson of Jean Baptiste Saucier and Gabrielle Savary, early pioneers of Colonial Mobile. He was born in Pass Christian on July 31, 1865 during the Civil War and occupation of the city by Union Forces. Anatole died in Pass Christian after an illness of five months at the age of seventy-nine on November 9, 1944. He married Margaret Courtney in 1891 in Pass Christian. She was born on December 16, 1872 and died at age eighty on November 17, 1953 in Pass Christian, Mississippi. At the time of Anatole's death he was an Alderman of Pass Christian's Ward Four and was a former Mayor of that city in 1912 – 1913. He was also a member of the Mississippi Seafood Commission, serving as the State Oyster Inspector as well as operating a business within the city. As Mayor, he and his family greeted President Wilson at the Pass Christian train station when he arrived for a vacation on Christmas Day in 1912. It had rained for several days and water was still standing in the streets of Pass Christian. "Some rain you had, Mr. Mayor", remarked President Wilson. "Aw, we jes cleaned up the place for you, Mr. President", replied Mayor Saucier. Anatole Jacques Saucier and Mary Catherine Walker raised five children, Louis Lamar, James, Naomi, Talma Courtney and Catherine Saucier.
James Edward Saucier was the second born child of Anatole Jacques Saucier and Mary Catherine Walker. He was born in Pass Christian on January 23, 1867 and died a few weeks after his birth on February 13, 1867 at Pass Christian. James Edward was a grandson of Pierre Saucier and Elizabeth Nicaise, great grandson of Philippe Saucier and Mary Louise Nicaise and the second great grandson of Henri Saucier and Barbe LaCroix and was a third great grandson of Jean Baptiste Saucier and Gabrielle Savary, early pioneers of Colonial Mobile.
Mary Rebecca Saucier was the first daughter and third child born to Anatole Jacques Saucier and Mary Catherine Walker. Mary Rebecca was born on January 30, 1869 at Pass Christian and died there on September 19, 1951 at age eighty-three. She was a granddaughter of Pierre Saucier and Elizabeth Nicaise, a great granddaughter of Philippe Saucier and Mary Louise Nicaise and the great granddaughter of Henri Saucier and Barbe LaCroix, and was a second great granddaughter of Jean Baptiste Saucier and Gabrielle Savary, early pioneers of Colonial Mobile. She never married and lived in the family home in Pass Christian along with her unmarried siblings.
Mary Louise Marguerite Saucier was the second born daughter and fourth child of Anatole Jacques Saucier and Mary Catherine Walker. She was born in Pass Christian on July 19, 1870 and died in Gulfport on December 30, 1962, age ninety-two, after being hospitalized for a few days due to an illness. Mary Louise was a granddaughter of Pierre Saucier and Elizabeth Nicaise, a great granddaughter of Philippe Saucier and Mary Louise Nicaise, and the second great granddaughter of Henri Saucier and Barbe Lacroix. Mary Louise would have been the third great granddaughter of Jean Baptiste Saucier and Gabrielle Savary, early pioneers of Colonial Mobile. Mary Louise, like seven of her other siblings was never married and lived with her unmarried siblings in the family home in Pass Christian. In 1960, Mary Louise Saucier, the spinster sister of Anatole Paul Saucier and Pierre’s granddaughter, while celebrating her 90th birthday at her Pass Christian home, told guests about the events at theirhome concerning the Union Army and the soldiers occupying their home that had been related to her by her mother. “Mother was in the parlor playing the piano when the Union soldiers, unannounced, walked into the house. Because the music was pretty, the soldiers gathered around to listen and became friendly. To quite her mothers’ fears, the Union Officer in charge asked her if she could play the popular song “Bonnie Blue Flag”, to which she replied “I certainly can”. “Smiling the Officer guided my mother back to the piano and she played for the soldiers”. Louise still had fond memories of hearing the story, when she was a young girl, of when her mother had played the “Bonnie Blue Flag” for the soldiers in their home. Mary Louise Saucier, who never married or had children of her own, passed away at the age of 92 years on December 30, 1962 after being in the hospital for a few days with many of her nieces and nephews at her bed side.
Sidney James Saucier was the fifth child born to Anatole Jacques Saucier and Mary Catherine Walker. Sidney was born on February 25, 17872 at Pass Christian and died in Pass Christian on February 7, 1947 at age seventy-four, a son of Philippe Saucier and Mary Louise Nicaise, and the second great grandson of Henri Saucier and Barbe LaCroix. Anatole Paul would have been the third great grandson of Jean Baptiste Saucier and Gabrielle Savary, early pioneers of Colonial Mobile. On April 25, 1900 he married Azoline Courtenay in Harrison County, the daughter of Cloiselle Courtenay and Justine Eumont. She was born on January 4, 1980 in Pass Christian and died in that city on January 16, 1957. Two children were born to Sidney and Azoline, Sidney James Saucier, Jr. and Clara Mae Saucier.
Henry George Saucier was born on February 5, 1874 and was the sixth child of Anatole Jacques Saucier and Mary Catherine Walker. He died in Pass Christian in around 1880 at about age six. Henry George was a grandson of Pierre Saucier and Elizabeth Nicaise, a great grandson of Philippe Saucier and Mary Louise Nicaise, and the second great grandson of Henri Saucier and Barbe LaCroix. Anatole Paul would have been the third great grandson of Jean Baptiste Saucier and Gabrielle Savary.
Cecile Mary Saucier was the seventh child and third daughter born to Anatole Jacques Saucier and Mary Catherine Walker. Cecile Mary was born in 1877 in Pass Christian and her death date is not know at this time. Cecile was a granddaughter of Pierre Saucier and Elizabeth Nicaise, great granddaughter of Philippe Saucier and Mary Louise Nicaise, and the second great granddaughter of Henri Saucier and Barbe Lacroix. She would have been the third great granddaughter of Jean Baptiste Saucier and Gabrielle Savary, early pioneers of Colonial Mobile. It is unknown if she married and left descendants or possibly died young.
Mary Florence Saucier was the eighth child of Anatole Jacques Saucier and Mary Catherine Walker. Mary was born in April of 1881 and died in Pass Christian on July 2, 1956 at age seventy-seven. Mary Florence was a granddaughter of Pierre Saucier and Elizabeth Nicaise, great granddaughter of Philippe Saucier and Mary Louise Nicaise, and the second great granddaughter of Henri Saucier and Barbe Lacroix. She would have been the third great granddaughter of Jean Baptiste Saucier and Gabrielle Savary, early pioneers of Colonial Mobile. Like her other sisters she never married and lived in the family home in Pass Christian with her siblings until her death.
Joseph Benedict Saucier, the son of Anatole Jacques Saucier and Mary Catherine Walker, was a native of Pass Christian, where he was born on September 11, 1882; he was the ninth of ten children. Joseph Benedict was also a grandson of Pierre Saucier and Elizabeth Nicaise, a great grandson of Philippe Saucier and Mary Louise Nicaise, and the second great grandson of Henri Saucier and Barbe LaCroix. Anatole Paul would have been the third great grandson of Jean Baptiste Saucier and Gabrielle Savary, early pioneers of Colonial Mobile. Although a comparatively young man, who, like seven of his nine siblings had never married, he was one of the best known and most successful processors of can goods and sea foods in the South. For a number of years he filled the position of processor at the Pass Packing Company at Pass Christian, after which he was with the McIllhenny Canners of Avery Island, Louisiana; then with Lopez and Dukate at Biloxi. After leaving Lopez and Dukate of Biloxi he returned to McIllhenny Canners and while working for McIllhenny at Morgan city, Louisiana, he contacted a serious case of Pneumonia which caused his death. He was "a young man of exceptionally high character and a devout Christian" according to the local newspaper who reported on his death in 1908. He died on July 28, 1908 at the age of twenty-five years at the residence of his mother in Pass Christian and buried in the family cemetery.
Robert Joseph Saucier was born on January 30, 1885 at Pass Christian and died on April 8, 1969 in Pass Christian at age eighty-four. He was the tenth child of Anatole Jacques Saucier and Mary Catherine Walker. Robert was a grandson of Pierre Saucier and Elizabeth Nicaise, a great grandson of Philippe Saucier and Mary Louise Nicaise, and the second great grandson of Henri Saucier and Barbe LaCroix. Anatole Paul would have been the third great grandson of Jean Baptiste Saucier and Gabrielle Savary, early pioneers of Colonial Mobile. His occupation during his life was that of a plumber in his home city. During much of his later life he resided in the old Nelson Hotel on East Beach Boulevard, just a few doors to the west of his grandfather's old home Union Quarters. Robert like many of his siblings never married and remained a bachelor his entire life.
Pierre Saucier, Jr., known as Peter, was the third son and child of Pierre Saucier and Elizabeth Nicaise and was born in July of 1843 at Delisle, Mississippi. Pierre was the grandson of Philippe Saucier and Mary Louise Nicaise, first great grandson of Henri Saucier and Barbe LaCroix and his second great grandparents were Jean Baptiste Saucier and Gabrielle Savary of Colonial Mobile. He married Adelaide Dedeaux on February 15, 1872 at New Orleans; she was born in February of 1847. Pierre Saucier, Jr. enlisted on September 4, 1861 at Pass Christian, Mississippi in the 3rd Regiment of the Mississippi Infantry, Company H, and Army of Tennessee. He and Adelaide had one known son, Henry Velez Saucier, before his death. Both Henry, then age 67 and Adeliade, age 65 are shown in the 1910 census along with their son Henry, then age 42 and his wife Rosalia age 31, all living together in Pass Christian. Death dates are unknown for both Pierre and Adelaide at this time
Henry Veltz Saucier was the only known son of Pierre Saucier, Jr and Adelaide Dedeaux, and was born at Pass Christian on February 16, 1867. His death date is not known. Henry was the grandson of Pierre Saucier and Elizabeth Nicaise of Delisle, Mississippi, a great grandson of Philippe Saucier and Mary Louise Nicaise, great great-grandson of Henri Saucier and Barbe LaCroix and his third great grandparents were Jean Baptiste Saucier and Gabrielle Savary of Colonial Mobile. Henry, age thirty, married eighteen year old Albertine Dedeaux on June 5, 1897 at New Orleans. She was born in about 1879 in Mississippi. (some records list Albertine’s last name as Graber). Very few records are found for Henry and Albertine, they seem to have just disappeared.
Francis Napoleon Saucier was born on May 15, 1845 in Mississippi and died on July 1, 1894 at age forty-nine and was buried in Magnolia, Pike County, Mississippi. He was the fourth born son of Pierre Saucier and Elizabeth Nicaise, grandson of Philippe Saucier and Mary Louise Nicaise, first great grandson of Henri Saucier and Barbe LaCroix and his second great grandparents were Jean Baptiste Saucier and Gabrielle Savary of Colonial Mobile. On December 27, 1866 he married Mary Louise Orr in Harrison County. She was born on February 17, 1849 in New Orleans, Louisiana and was the daughter of Benjamin and Helena Orr of New Orleans. Francis Napoleon, Mary Louise and their four children were living in New Orleans in 1880 according to the census of that year. The death date for Francois Napoleon is given in the Mississippi Registry of Confederate Soldier's Graves as July 1, 1894, his wife Mary Louise died at age thirty-two on January 12, 1881 at New Orleans. It is unknown if he remarried after Mary Louise's death. He would have been forty-nine years old at the time of his death and was buried at Magnolia, Pike County, Mississippi. Francis Napoleon Saucier served with the Confederate Army during the Civil War. He enlisted on September 1, 1862 as a private in Company H of the 3rd Regiment Mississippi Infantry, which later became company F, at Vicksburg, Mississippi. He was taken prisoner by the Union forces on July 4, 1863 at Vicksburg. After his parole on July 14, 1863, he returned to duty with the Confederate company then stationed at Shieldsboro, Mississippi (now Bay St. Louis, Mississippi) and was discharged from the Confederate Army in 1865. Francis Napoleon and Mary Louise had four known children, Lillie Lorena, Mary Anna, Joseph Henry and Mable Saucier before her early death.
Lillie Lorena Saucier was born on December 25, 1867 in Pass Christian, Mississippi and died at New Orleans on September 4, 1878 at age ten years. She was the first child and daughter born to Francis Napoleon Saucier and Mary Louise Orr. A granddaughter of son of Pierre Saucier and Elizabeth Nicaise, great granddaughter of Philippe Saucier and Mary Louise Nicaise, great great-granddaughter of Henri Saucier and Barbe LaCroix and her third great-grandparents were Jean Baptiste Saucier and Gabrielle Savary of Colonial Mobile.
Mary Anna Saucier was born on September 25, 1869, at Pass Christian, Mississippi and died on January 12, 1958, in New Orleans at age eighty-eight. She was the second child and second daughter born to Francis Napoleon Saucier and Mary Louise Orr. She was a granddaughter of Pierre Saucier and Elizabeth Nicaise, a great granddaughter of Philippe Saucier and Mary Louise Nicaise, great great-granddaughter of Henri Saucier and Barbe LaCroix and her third great grandparents were Jean Baptiste Saucier and Gabrielle Savary of Colonial Mobile. Mary Ann, age thirty-four, married Robert James Whann, age fifty-one, on May 17, 1904, at New Orleans. Robert’s first wife had died the previous year. Robert was born on November 26, 1852, and died on August 28, 1908, at New Orleans. He was the son of Robert James Whann and Columbia Cornelia Hoblitzell of Virginia. Mary Ann and Robert had two children, Anna Eleanor and Robert James Whann, Jr.
Joseph Henry Saucier was born in about 1874 in Mississippi, his death date is unknown. He was the third child son born of Francis Napoleon Saucier and Mary Louise Orr He was a grandson of Pierre Saucier and Elizabeth Nicaise, a great grandson of Philippe Saucier and Mary Louise Nicaise, great great-grandson of Henri Saucier and Barbe LaCroix and his third great grandparents were Jean Baptiste Saucier and Gabrielle Savary of Colonial Mobile. No addition information is available for Joseph.
Mabel M. Saucier was born on February 7, 1878, at New Orleans and died on September 2, 1961, in New Orleans at age eighty-three. She was the fourth child and third daughter born to Francis Napoleon Saucier and Mary Louise Orr. She was a granddaughter of Pierre Saucier and Elizabeth Nicaise, a great granddaughter of Philippe Saucier and Mary Louise Nicaise, and a great great-granddaughter of Henri Saucier and Barbe LaCroix and her third great grandparents were Jean Baptiste Saucier and Gabrielle Savary of Colonial Mobile. No additional information is available.
Evariste Marie Saucier, born April 9, 1851 at Delisle was the fifth child and fifth son of Pierre Saucier and Elizabeth Nicaise. Evariste Marie was the grandson of Philippe Saucier and Mary Louise Nicaise, first great grandson of Henri Saucier and Barbe LaCroix and his second great grandparents were Jean Baptiste Saucier and Gabrielle Savary of Colonial Mobile. He died in San Antonio, Texas on February 11, 1903. On February 12, 1873 he married Missouri Virginia Bond who was born October 2, 1850 and died May 12, 1883 in Texas. She was the daughter of Rankin Bond and Charity Dale. In 1873 after his marriage to his first wife, Missouri, Evariste Marie Saucier, like his father before him, officially changed his name to Meredith Everett Saucier and moved from Mississippi to Texas where he raised his family and made his home until his death. After Missouri's death, on September 26, 1884, he married his second wife Elizabeth Roussell in San Antonio, Texas. Elizabeth was born on April 16, 1860 in Texas and died August 15, 1919 in San Antonio. She was the daughter of Joseph Francisco Roussel and Roselia Fortier. There were four children born to them before Missouri's death, Albert Loring, Ida Josephine, Sallie Elizabeth and Leon Steve Saucier. Five children were born in his second marriage to Elizabeth, Edward Joseph, Ferdinand Everest, Emil Peter, Aimee Elizabeth and Anatole James Saucier.
Albert Loring Saucier was the first born child and son of Evariste Marie Saucier and Missouri Virginia Bond. He was born in 1874 at Dallas, Texas and died on October 11, 1910 at Houston, Texas at age thirty-six. He was a grandson of Pierre Saucier and Elizabeth Nicaise, the great grandson of Philippe Saucier and Mary Louise Nicaise, great great-grandson of Henri Saucier and Barbe LaCroix and his third great grandparents were Jean Baptiste Saucier and Gabrielle Savary of Colonial Mobile. Albert married Viola Theodora Pell who was born in New Orleans on October 13, 1884 and died on January 20, 1963 at Houston, Texas. She was the daughter of Theodore Pell and Annie Dauernhein of New Orleans, Louisiana. Albert and Annie had one daughter, Muriel Dale Saucier.
Ida Josephine Saucier was the second born child and first daughter of Evariste Marie Saucier and Missouri Virginia Bond. She was born on June 7, 1875 at Dallas, Texas and died there on November 4, 1925 at the age of fifty years. She was a granddaughter of Pierre Saucier and Elizabeth Nicaise, the great granddaughter of Philippe Saucier and Mary Louise Nicaise, great great-granddaughter of Henri Saucier and Barbe LaCroix and her third great grandparents were Jean Baptiste Saucier and Gabrielle Savary of Colonial Mobile. Ida, at age twenty-three, married thirty-seven year old Chris C. Christianson in 1898 at Dallas. Chris was born in Norway on April 12, 1861 and died in Terrell, Texas on April 3, 1949 at age eighty-seven. Ida and Chris had two children, Chris Christianson, Jr., and Nell Marguerite Christianson.
Several writers and researchers in the mid 1900’s had written the following account that has been passed down in family records as fact for several generations: “upon learning in July of 1864, while the Civil War was still raging, about the wounding of his son Pierre Saucier, Jr., a Lieutenant in the 3rd Mississippi Infantry, during the battle of Vicksburg, Pierre journeyed to Vicksburg to return his son home to recuperate from his injuries”. According to the old legend “his son died during the trip home, “his father, Pierre, Sr. collapsed and died aboard the train shortly after his son died. The family on meeting the train at Pass Christian received two bodies packed in charcoal filled boxes”. Both father and son it was said “were buried in the family plot at Delisle”. This writer has questions concerning the son Pierre, Jr., which the old legend says died on the train trip home. Pierre, Jr. was still living when his father’s home was sold in 1871 and both the 1880 and 1910 census show him as still living, so who was the son who supposedly died in 1864 from his battle wounds at Vicksburg? Could it have been that Pierre, Jr. was only wounded and it was only his father’s body that was received at the train station? Or could it have been son John who was a Lieutenant in the 3rd Mississippi that was wounded and lived or possibly another family member with the name Pierre?
As a Pass Christian, Delisle and New Orleans merchant, Pierre Saucier, his brothers, and their brothers-in-law at one time owned a good deal of property adjoining each other, encompassing much of what is today the city of Pass Christian, Mississippi. Pierre Saucier, along with two of his son-in-law's, Jean Baptiste Toulme and Ramon Sebastian Lizana, acquired a large portion of the "Charlot Land Grant" from the freed slave, Charles Asmard, who owned it. This large track of land included all of the current downtown area of Pass Christian, Mississippi. Pierre at the age of 45 built his home on the beach front at Pass Christian not far from its harbor and wharves. One of his brothers-in-law built a store next to Pierre's property and home.
During the Union Army's occupation of the area during the Civil War, Pierre’s beach front home was taken over by the Union Forces and used as residential quarters for the Officers of the military post at Pass Christian. During the first night family members removed items of value from their home hiding them in the swamp for safe keeping. The family members that remained had to move to the second floor and attic areas as the Officers took over the ground floor of the house for their billets for well over a year, before moving on to Biloxi. Thereafter the home was always referred to as “Union Quarters”
Six years later in 1870, after Pierre’s death, the surviving children put Pierre’s mansion and other holdings on west beach on the market in New Orleans to be sold to the highest bidder. When the main house was put on the market and sold in 1871, Anatole Jacques and his family, who had been living there, moved into the smaller cottage next to the mansion. The old home was sold at auction in New Orleans to the highest bidder.
Jean (John) Jacques Saucier, known in the family as John, was the first born child and first son of Pierre Saucier and Elizabeth Nicaise. John was born on June 7, 1840 in Delisle and died in 1877 at Pass Christian at age thirty-seven. Jean Jacques was the grandson of Philippe Saucier and Mary Louise Nicaise, first great grandson of Henri and Saucier and Barbe LaCroix and his second great grandparents were Jean Baptiste Saucier and Gabrielle Savary of Colonial Mobile. On September 7, 1865, at age twenty-five years he married Sarah Louise Carr in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. Sarah was twenty-six years old at the time of their marriage and the daughter of Robert and Deborah Carr of Bay St. Louis. She was born in 1839 and died in 1880 at age forty-one. John Saucier joined company F of the 3rd Mississippi Infantry in 1861 and rose to the rank of Lieutenant. In letters written home while serving in the Confederate Army to Sarah, not yet his wife, he refers to her as his cousin. During their marriage they raise six children in Pass Christian, Elizabeth Deborah, Minnie, Belle Nin, Charles Everett, Helen and Martha Ester Saucier.
Anatole Jacques (James) Saucier, known as James in the family, was the second born child and second son of Pierre Saucier and Elizabeth Nicaise. Anatole Jacques was the grandson of Philippe Saucier and Mary Louise Nicaise, a great grandson of Henri and Saucier and Barbe LaCroix and his second great grandparents were Jean Baptiste Saucier and Gabrielle Savary of Colonial Mobile. He was born in 1842 and died in Pass Christian, Mississippi on December 8, 1898 at fifty-six years of age. At age twenty-two he married his eighteen year old cousin Mary Catherine Walker. She was born in 1846 and died on November 17, 1925 at Pass Christian, Mississippi at age seventy-nine. Mary Catherine was widely known on the Gulf Coast as the heroine of Union Quarters during the reconstruction period after the Civil War. She was the daughter of Dudley Walker and Azelie Marie Toulme and a granddaughter of Victorie Saucier and Jean Baptiste Toulme of Bay St. Louis. Anatole and Mary Catherine were married on October 13, 1864 at Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church in Bay St. Louis after receiving special permission from the Catholic Church for the two cousins to marry. They had ten children, Anatole Paul, James Edward, Mary Rebecca, Mary Louise, Sidney James, Henry George, Cecile Mary, Mary Florine, Joseph Benedict and Robert Joseph Saucier.
Anatole Paul Marie Saucier was the first born son of Anatole Jacques Saucier and Mary Catherine Walker. Anatole Paul was a grandson of Pierre Saucier and Elizabeth Nicaise, a great grandson of Philippe Saucier and Mary Louise Nicaise, and the second great grandson of Henri Saucier and Barbe LaCroix. Anatole Paul would have been the third great grandson of Jean Baptiste Saucier and Gabrielle Savary, early pioneers of Colonial Mobile. He was born in Pass Christian on July 31, 1865 during the Civil War and occupation of the city by Union Forces. Anatole died in Pass Christian after an illness of five months at the age of seventy-nine on November 9, 1944. He married Margaret Courtney in 1891 in Pass Christian. She was born on December 16, 1872 and died at age eighty on November 17, 1953 in Pass Christian, Mississippi. At the time of Anatole's death he was an Alderman of Pass Christian's Ward Four and was a former Mayor of that city in 1912 – 1913. He was also a member of the Mississippi Seafood Commission, serving as the State Oyster Inspector as well as operating a business within the city. As Mayor, he and his family greeted President Wilson at the Pass Christian train station when he arrived for a vacation on Christmas Day in 1912. It had rained for several days and water was still standing in the streets of Pass Christian. "Some rain you had, Mr. Mayor", remarked President Wilson. "Aw, we jes cleaned up the place for you, Mr. President", replied Mayor Saucier. Anatole Jacques Saucier and Mary Catherine Walker raised five children, Louis Lamar, James, Naomi, Talma Courtney and Catherine Saucier.
James Edward Saucier was the second born child of Anatole Jacques Saucier and Mary Catherine Walker. He was born in Pass Christian on January 23, 1867 and died a few weeks after his birth on February 13, 1867 at Pass Christian. James Edward was a grandson of Pierre Saucier and Elizabeth Nicaise, great grandson of Philippe Saucier and Mary Louise Nicaise and the second great grandson of Henri Saucier and Barbe LaCroix and was a third great grandson of Jean Baptiste Saucier and Gabrielle Savary, early pioneers of Colonial Mobile.
Mary Rebecca Saucier was the first daughter and third child born to Anatole Jacques Saucier and Mary Catherine Walker. Mary Rebecca was born on January 30, 1869 at Pass Christian and died there on September 19, 1951 at age eighty-three. She was a granddaughter of Pierre Saucier and Elizabeth Nicaise, a great granddaughter of Philippe Saucier and Mary Louise Nicaise and the great granddaughter of Henri Saucier and Barbe LaCroix, and was a second great granddaughter of Jean Baptiste Saucier and Gabrielle Savary, early pioneers of Colonial Mobile. She never married and lived in the family home in Pass Christian along with her unmarried siblings.
Mary Louise Marguerite Saucier was the second born daughter and fourth child of Anatole Jacques Saucier and Mary Catherine Walker. She was born in Pass Christian on July 19, 1870 and died in Gulfport on December 30, 1962, age ninety-two, after being hospitalized for a few days due to an illness. Mary Louise was a granddaughter of Pierre Saucier and Elizabeth Nicaise, a great granddaughter of Philippe Saucier and Mary Louise Nicaise, and the second great granddaughter of Henri Saucier and Barbe Lacroix. Mary Louise would have been the third great granddaughter of Jean Baptiste Saucier and Gabrielle Savary, early pioneers of Colonial Mobile. Mary Louise, like seven of her other siblings was never married and lived with her unmarried siblings in the family home in Pass Christian. In 1960, Mary Louise Saucier, the spinster sister of Anatole Paul Saucier and Pierre’s granddaughter, while celebrating her 90th birthday at her Pass Christian home, told guests about the events at theirhome concerning the Union Army and the soldiers occupying their home that had been related to her by her mother. “Mother was in the parlor playing the piano when the Union soldiers, unannounced, walked into the house. Because the music was pretty, the soldiers gathered around to listen and became friendly. To quite her mothers’ fears, the Union Officer in charge asked her if she could play the popular song “Bonnie Blue Flag”, to which she replied “I certainly can”. “Smiling the Officer guided my mother back to the piano and she played for the soldiers”. Louise still had fond memories of hearing the story, when she was a young girl, of when her mother had played the “Bonnie Blue Flag” for the soldiers in their home. Mary Louise Saucier, who never married or had children of her own, passed away at the age of 92 years on December 30, 1962 after being in the hospital for a few days with many of her nieces and nephews at her bed side.
Sidney James Saucier was the fifth child born to Anatole Jacques Saucier and Mary Catherine Walker. Sidney was born on February 25, 17872 at Pass Christian and died in Pass Christian on February 7, 1947 at age seventy-four, a son of Philippe Saucier and Mary Louise Nicaise, and the second great grandson of Henri Saucier and Barbe LaCroix. Anatole Paul would have been the third great grandson of Jean Baptiste Saucier and Gabrielle Savary, early pioneers of Colonial Mobile. On April 25, 1900 he married Azoline Courtenay in Harrison County, the daughter of Cloiselle Courtenay and Justine Eumont. She was born on January 4, 1980 in Pass Christian and died in that city on January 16, 1957. Two children were born to Sidney and Azoline, Sidney James Saucier, Jr. and Clara Mae Saucier.
Henry George Saucier was born on February 5, 1874 and was the sixth child of Anatole Jacques Saucier and Mary Catherine Walker. He died in Pass Christian in around 1880 at about age six. Henry George was a grandson of Pierre Saucier and Elizabeth Nicaise, a great grandson of Philippe Saucier and Mary Louise Nicaise, and the second great grandson of Henri Saucier and Barbe LaCroix. Anatole Paul would have been the third great grandson of Jean Baptiste Saucier and Gabrielle Savary.
Cecile Mary Saucier was the seventh child and third daughter born to Anatole Jacques Saucier and Mary Catherine Walker. Cecile Mary was born in 1877 in Pass Christian and her death date is not know at this time. Cecile was a granddaughter of Pierre Saucier and Elizabeth Nicaise, great granddaughter of Philippe Saucier and Mary Louise Nicaise, and the second great granddaughter of Henri Saucier and Barbe Lacroix. She would have been the third great granddaughter of Jean Baptiste Saucier and Gabrielle Savary, early pioneers of Colonial Mobile. It is unknown if she married and left descendants or possibly died young.
Mary Florence Saucier was the eighth child of Anatole Jacques Saucier and Mary Catherine Walker. Mary was born in April of 1881 and died in Pass Christian on July 2, 1956 at age seventy-seven. Mary Florence was a granddaughter of Pierre Saucier and Elizabeth Nicaise, great granddaughter of Philippe Saucier and Mary Louise Nicaise, and the second great granddaughter of Henri Saucier and Barbe Lacroix. She would have been the third great granddaughter of Jean Baptiste Saucier and Gabrielle Savary, early pioneers of Colonial Mobile. Like her other sisters she never married and lived in the family home in Pass Christian with her siblings until her death.
Joseph Benedict Saucier, the son of Anatole Jacques Saucier and Mary Catherine Walker, was a native of Pass Christian, where he was born on September 11, 1882; he was the ninth of ten children. Joseph Benedict was also a grandson of Pierre Saucier and Elizabeth Nicaise, a great grandson of Philippe Saucier and Mary Louise Nicaise, and the second great grandson of Henri Saucier and Barbe LaCroix. Anatole Paul would have been the third great grandson of Jean Baptiste Saucier and Gabrielle Savary, early pioneers of Colonial Mobile. Although a comparatively young man, who, like seven of his nine siblings had never married, he was one of the best known and most successful processors of can goods and sea foods in the South. For a number of years he filled the position of processor at the Pass Packing Company at Pass Christian, after which he was with the McIllhenny Canners of Avery Island, Louisiana; then with Lopez and Dukate at Biloxi. After leaving Lopez and Dukate of Biloxi he returned to McIllhenny Canners and while working for McIllhenny at Morgan city, Louisiana, he contacted a serious case of Pneumonia which caused his death. He was "a young man of exceptionally high character and a devout Christian" according to the local newspaper who reported on his death in 1908. He died on July 28, 1908 at the age of twenty-five years at the residence of his mother in Pass Christian and buried in the family cemetery.
Robert Joseph Saucier was born on January 30, 1885 at Pass Christian and died on April 8, 1969 in Pass Christian at age eighty-four. He was the tenth child of Anatole Jacques Saucier and Mary Catherine Walker. Robert was a grandson of Pierre Saucier and Elizabeth Nicaise, a great grandson of Philippe Saucier and Mary Louise Nicaise, and the second great grandson of Henri Saucier and Barbe LaCroix. Anatole Paul would have been the third great grandson of Jean Baptiste Saucier and Gabrielle Savary, early pioneers of Colonial Mobile. His occupation during his life was that of a plumber in his home city. During much of his later life he resided in the old Nelson Hotel on East Beach Boulevard, just a few doors to the west of his grandfather's old home Union Quarters. Robert like many of his siblings never married and remained a bachelor his entire life.
Pierre Saucier, Jr., known as Peter, was the third son and child of Pierre Saucier and Elizabeth Nicaise and was born in July of 1843 at Delisle, Mississippi. Pierre was the grandson of Philippe Saucier and Mary Louise Nicaise, first great grandson of Henri Saucier and Barbe LaCroix and his second great grandparents were Jean Baptiste Saucier and Gabrielle Savary of Colonial Mobile. He married Adelaide Dedeaux on February 15, 1872 at New Orleans; she was born in February of 1847. Pierre Saucier, Jr. enlisted on September 4, 1861 at Pass Christian, Mississippi in the 3rd Regiment of the Mississippi Infantry, Company H, and Army of Tennessee. He and Adelaide had one known son, Henry Velez Saucier, before his death. Both Henry, then age 67 and Adeliade, age 65 are shown in the 1910 census along with their son Henry, then age 42 and his wife Rosalia age 31, all living together in Pass Christian. Death dates are unknown for both Pierre and Adelaide at this time
Henry Veltz Saucier was the only known son of Pierre Saucier, Jr and Adelaide Dedeaux, and was born at Pass Christian on February 16, 1867. His death date is not known. Henry was the grandson of Pierre Saucier and Elizabeth Nicaise of Delisle, Mississippi, a great grandson of Philippe Saucier and Mary Louise Nicaise, great great-grandson of Henri Saucier and Barbe LaCroix and his third great grandparents were Jean Baptiste Saucier and Gabrielle Savary of Colonial Mobile. Henry, age thirty, married eighteen year old Albertine Dedeaux on June 5, 1897 at New Orleans. She was born in about 1879 in Mississippi. (some records list Albertine’s last name as Graber). Very few records are found for Henry and Albertine, they seem to have just disappeared.
Francis Napoleon Saucier was born on May 15, 1845 in Mississippi and died on July 1, 1894 at age forty-nine and was buried in Magnolia, Pike County, Mississippi. He was the fourth born son of Pierre Saucier and Elizabeth Nicaise, grandson of Philippe Saucier and Mary Louise Nicaise, first great grandson of Henri Saucier and Barbe LaCroix and his second great grandparents were Jean Baptiste Saucier and Gabrielle Savary of Colonial Mobile. On December 27, 1866 he married Mary Louise Orr in Harrison County. She was born on February 17, 1849 in New Orleans, Louisiana and was the daughter of Benjamin and Helena Orr of New Orleans. Francis Napoleon, Mary Louise and their four children were living in New Orleans in 1880 according to the census of that year. The death date for Francois Napoleon is given in the Mississippi Registry of Confederate Soldier's Graves as July 1, 1894, his wife Mary Louise died at age thirty-two on January 12, 1881 at New Orleans. It is unknown if he remarried after Mary Louise's death. He would have been forty-nine years old at the time of his death and was buried at Magnolia, Pike County, Mississippi. Francis Napoleon Saucier served with the Confederate Army during the Civil War. He enlisted on September 1, 1862 as a private in Company H of the 3rd Regiment Mississippi Infantry, which later became company F, at Vicksburg, Mississippi. He was taken prisoner by the Union forces on July 4, 1863 at Vicksburg. After his parole on July 14, 1863, he returned to duty with the Confederate company then stationed at Shieldsboro, Mississippi (now Bay St. Louis, Mississippi) and was discharged from the Confederate Army in 1865. Francis Napoleon and Mary Louise had four known children, Lillie Lorena, Mary Anna, Joseph Henry and Mable Saucier before her early death.
Lillie Lorena Saucier was born on December 25, 1867 in Pass Christian, Mississippi and died at New Orleans on September 4, 1878 at age ten years. She was the first child and daughter born to Francis Napoleon Saucier and Mary Louise Orr. A granddaughter of son of Pierre Saucier and Elizabeth Nicaise, great granddaughter of Philippe Saucier and Mary Louise Nicaise, great great-granddaughter of Henri Saucier and Barbe LaCroix and her third great-grandparents were Jean Baptiste Saucier and Gabrielle Savary of Colonial Mobile.
Mary Anna Saucier was born on September 25, 1869, at Pass Christian, Mississippi and died on January 12, 1958, in New Orleans at age eighty-eight. She was the second child and second daughter born to Francis Napoleon Saucier and Mary Louise Orr. She was a granddaughter of Pierre Saucier and Elizabeth Nicaise, a great granddaughter of Philippe Saucier and Mary Louise Nicaise, great great-granddaughter of Henri Saucier and Barbe LaCroix and her third great grandparents were Jean Baptiste Saucier and Gabrielle Savary of Colonial Mobile. Mary Ann, age thirty-four, married Robert James Whann, age fifty-one, on May 17, 1904, at New Orleans. Robert’s first wife had died the previous year. Robert was born on November 26, 1852, and died on August 28, 1908, at New Orleans. He was the son of Robert James Whann and Columbia Cornelia Hoblitzell of Virginia. Mary Ann and Robert had two children, Anna Eleanor and Robert James Whann, Jr.
Joseph Henry Saucier was born in about 1874 in Mississippi, his death date is unknown. He was the third child son born of Francis Napoleon Saucier and Mary Louise Orr He was a grandson of Pierre Saucier and Elizabeth Nicaise, a great grandson of Philippe Saucier and Mary Louise Nicaise, great great-grandson of Henri Saucier and Barbe LaCroix and his third great grandparents were Jean Baptiste Saucier and Gabrielle Savary of Colonial Mobile. No addition information is available for Joseph.
Mabel M. Saucier was born on February 7, 1878, at New Orleans and died on September 2, 1961, in New Orleans at age eighty-three. She was the fourth child and third daughter born to Francis Napoleon Saucier and Mary Louise Orr. She was a granddaughter of Pierre Saucier and Elizabeth Nicaise, a great granddaughter of Philippe Saucier and Mary Louise Nicaise, and a great great-granddaughter of Henri Saucier and Barbe LaCroix and her third great grandparents were Jean Baptiste Saucier and Gabrielle Savary of Colonial Mobile. No additional information is available.
Evariste Marie Saucier, born April 9, 1851 at Delisle was the fifth child and fifth son of Pierre Saucier and Elizabeth Nicaise. Evariste Marie was the grandson of Philippe Saucier and Mary Louise Nicaise, first great grandson of Henri Saucier and Barbe LaCroix and his second great grandparents were Jean Baptiste Saucier and Gabrielle Savary of Colonial Mobile. He died in San Antonio, Texas on February 11, 1903. On February 12, 1873 he married Missouri Virginia Bond who was born October 2, 1850 and died May 12, 1883 in Texas. She was the daughter of Rankin Bond and Charity Dale. In 1873 after his marriage to his first wife, Missouri, Evariste Marie Saucier, like his father before him, officially changed his name to Meredith Everett Saucier and moved from Mississippi to Texas where he raised his family and made his home until his death. After Missouri's death, on September 26, 1884, he married his second wife Elizabeth Roussell in San Antonio, Texas. Elizabeth was born on April 16, 1860 in Texas and died August 15, 1919 in San Antonio. She was the daughter of Joseph Francisco Roussel and Roselia Fortier. There were four children born to them before Missouri's death, Albert Loring, Ida Josephine, Sallie Elizabeth and Leon Steve Saucier. Five children were born in his second marriage to Elizabeth, Edward Joseph, Ferdinand Everest, Emil Peter, Aimee Elizabeth and Anatole James Saucier.
Albert Loring Saucier was the first born child and son of Evariste Marie Saucier and Missouri Virginia Bond. He was born in 1874 at Dallas, Texas and died on October 11, 1910 at Houston, Texas at age thirty-six. He was a grandson of Pierre Saucier and Elizabeth Nicaise, the great grandson of Philippe Saucier and Mary Louise Nicaise, great great-grandson of Henri Saucier and Barbe LaCroix and his third great grandparents were Jean Baptiste Saucier and Gabrielle Savary of Colonial Mobile. Albert married Viola Theodora Pell who was born in New Orleans on October 13, 1884 and died on January 20, 1963 at Houston, Texas. She was the daughter of Theodore Pell and Annie Dauernhein of New Orleans, Louisiana. Albert and Annie had one daughter, Muriel Dale Saucier.
Ida Josephine Saucier was the second born child and first daughter of Evariste Marie Saucier and Missouri Virginia Bond. She was born on June 7, 1875 at Dallas, Texas and died there on November 4, 1925 at the age of fifty years. She was a granddaughter of Pierre Saucier and Elizabeth Nicaise, the great granddaughter of Philippe Saucier and Mary Louise Nicaise, great great-granddaughter of Henri Saucier and Barbe LaCroix and her third great grandparents were Jean Baptiste Saucier and Gabrielle Savary of Colonial Mobile. Ida, at age twenty-three, married thirty-seven year old Chris C. Christianson in 1898 at Dallas. Chris was born in Norway on April 12, 1861 and died in Terrell, Texas on April 3, 1949 at age eighty-seven. Ida and Chris had two children, Chris Christianson, Jr., and Nell Marguerite Christianson.