Roman family papers, 1820-1963 | Louisiana Research Collection

By Ariel St.Etienne

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Collection Overview

Title: Roman family papers, 1820-1963

ID: LaRC/Manuscripts Collection 179

Primary Creator: Roman family

Extent: 3.0 Boxes. More info below.

Arrangement: The collection consists of 3 boxes and 1 oversize folder. It is 3 linear feet.

Languages: French, English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

This collection contains personal documents, such as letters, receipts, and sales contracts, for the Roman family. There are many personal documents for Henry Roman and Jacques Telesphore Roman, as well as slave sales for the Roman family. Jacques Telesphore Roman was the owner of Oak Alley Plantation in St. James Parish. The collection contains letters written to Thérèse Roman and Henry, or Henri, Roman. Most of the documents in this collection are written in French with translations found in folders throughout the collection.

Biographical Note

The family tree of the Roman family begins with Noël Roman, a bourgeois of Grenoble, France. His grandson, Jacques Roman, settled in Louisiana in the 1700s. Jacques was known for owning large cattle herds, as well as his sugar plantation in St. James Parish. His sons, Andre Bienvenu and Jacques Telesphore, followed in their father's footsteps and soon became leading sugar planters in Louisiana. Jacques Telesphore married Marie Thérèse Celina Josephine Pilie of New Orleans, commonly known as Celina, and owned Oak Alley plantation. The couple had three children, Octavie, Louise and Henri, commonly known as Henry. Henri married Thérèse de Bouligny.

Andre Bienvenu Roman, one of Louisiana's most distingueshed Creoles of his time, was elected into the Louisiana House of Representatives for several terms, during which he became speaker of the house. He also served as judge and became governor in 1831 for a four year term, and again in 1839. Andre was one of three Southern commissioners sent to Washington, D.C. to attempt a peaceful succession from the union. Andre was sent to court when he refused to take an oath of allegiance to the United States.

The Roman family is related to the de la Villebuevre, Buchanan, and Scott families through marriage. The Roman family also has strong ties to the Catholic Chuch, as the daughter of Jacques Telesphore Roman became a carmelite nun and mother superior of New Orleans.

Administrative Information

Repository: Louisiana Research Collection

Alternate Extent Statement: 3 linear feet

Access Restrictions: Collection is open to the public. No known restrictions.

Use Restrictions: Physical rights are retained by the Louisiana Research Collection. Copyright is retained in accordance with U.S. copyright laws.

Preferred Citation: Roman family papers, Manuscripts Collection 179, Louisiana Research Collection, Howard-Tilton Memorial Library, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118.

Processing Information: Collection finding aid written by intern Ariel St. Etienne.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Box:

[Box 1: Roman family papers, 1820-1860],
[Box 2: Roman family papers, 1863-1963, undated],
[Box 3: Roman family papers, 1820-1939, undated],
[Oversize folder 1: Portrait of J. Lion],
[All]

Box 1: Roman family papers, 1820-1860

Folder 1: Jacques Telesphore Roman family personal papers, 1820-1838

This folder includes petitions for the succession of Madame J.E. Roman and items for Jacques Telesphore Roman, such as accounts and personal letters.