Our Cousins, The Creole Decendants of Louisiana Pioneers
How the Rambin family connects to the Cane River Community
by: Lesa Rambin
Louis and Manuella my 6th-great grandparents
Louis Juchereau de St.Denis was the founder and commandant
of the Fort that became Natchitoches, Louisiana.
His wife, Manuela Sanchez y Navarro was the granddaugher
of the Commandant of Nuevo Espana (Spanish Texas and Northern Mexico).
Marie and Marcel ,my 5th-great-grandparents.
The sixth child,born to Louis de St.Denis and Manuella was Marie des Neiges de St.Denis
,wife of Marcel DeSoto, a Spainard, who defected from New Spain (Texas).
My father's great-great-grandparents, Marie and Francois Rambin
Marie Demosite DeSoto and Francois Rambin (hero of the battle of 1812) founded
Rambin, La. (near Mansfield)
Marie CoinCoin was born to slavery.
Her "owner" was Louis Juchereau de St.Denis.
Claude Pierre Metoyer
owned the Plantation
next door to the Juchereau estate.
The story of Marie CoinCoin and Claude Pierre Metoyer is a beautiful and romantic tale!
Claude Pierre Metoyer, a Frenchman and plantation owner, fell in love with the beautiful
Marie CoinCoin. She had 4 children who were not fathered by Metoyer and 8 children who were.
The Parish Priest complained loudly about the SIN of the parents for having these children, born out of wedlock.
Yet, he would not marry Metoyer to CoinCoin. (based upon race?)
My 5th-great-grandmother was noted for her outspoken opinions, and often had verbal battle
with the parish priest on behalf of Marie CoinCoin. It was g-g-g-g-g-grandma's opinion that the priest
should marry them and "shut up" about the illegitimate statis of the children. (documented in Parish Records)
Upon the death of Louis Juchereau de St.Denis, Marie CoinCoin was left to Marie Des Neiges de St.Denis Y DeSoto .
It was then that provisions were made for Marie and all 12 children to live as a family, at last,
with Metoyer, Father of the Cane River Creole Community.
Metoyer referred to Marie CoinCoin as his "wife" for the rest of his life.
Although they were never allowed to marry.
Upon Metoyer's Death, the Estate , MELROSE PLANTATION, was left to Marie CoinCoin and Metoyer's eldest son.
Metoyer provided well for all 12 of the children (4 were not his) and saw that all were educated.
To my knowledge, Melrose Plantation was the only Plantation owned by persons of color.
It is the decendants of this family that became the founding family of the Cane River "Creole" Community.
Marie des Neiges de Juchereaude St.Denis Y de Soto
, my 6th Great Grandmother OBVIOUSLY loved Marie CoinCoin like a SISTER,
and so I bring to you Her DECENDANTS:
N. Augustin Metoyer (Jan 22, 1768 - Dec 19, 1856): the eldest son
Among the residents of this community are found others who are
decendants of other notable founding French and Spanish families.
One of these families are the PRUDHOMME family of Cane River.
Here are a couple of LINKS you may find interesting and helpful:
Creole Pages
Cane River: Decendants of Marie CoinCoin
Please address comments,suggestions and additions to:
WEBMASTER
Email: rambin@ibm.net
