Ascension County Louisiana Archives News.....Pelico (Bujol) Plantation, Ascension Parish, Louisiana June 30, 1939
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Mary K. Creamer marykcreamer@yahoo.com January 19, 2020, 3:44 pm

Source: The Bunkie Record (Bunkie, Louisiana) 30 June 1939, Friday, Page 4 June 30, 1939

PELICO PLANTATION - In his splendid book, "The Flight of a Century in 
Ascension Parish," Sidney A. Marchand gives descriptions of many of the 
famous old plantations of Ascension parish, some of which are quoted from an 
early writer who had known many of the early planters of this section and 
who had left much interesting detail in his reminiscences. One such 
reminiscence, written in 1882 and probably a story written for the local 
paper, bears the title, "Bujol's Pelico," and is as follows:

After Gaudin, came jolly Auguste Broussard, who lived where now resides 
Ernest Melancon. Valery Leblanc - dit (says) Billard, next owned the place. 
He and his wife are dead. "Pelico" come next - built up, little by little, 
by Edmond Bujol who died last year (1881). Pharaon Leblanc, Victor, Gideon, 
Joachim, and Trasimond Landry, were the former owners. All are dead. It 
belongs at present to Bujol and J. Emile St. Martin, son and son-in-law of 
the founder. That "Pelico" may prosper under their management as it 
increased in the care of "old man Edmon" is the wish of those who knew and 
loved the father and now desire the success of the planters, his 
representatives."

Having been told by several that the word "Pelico" was probably a made-word, 
coming from "Pelican Company," we began a search for some one who could give 
us the correct information. A request to Mr. Marchand resulted in the 
address of Mrs. M. E. Doods, who was born in 1844, has lived her entire life 
in and near Donaldsonville, and who is frequently consulted by those who 
desire data of the early days of the town and parish. Our visit to Mrs. 
Dodds destroyed the theory that the word came from a once great planting 
corporation, the "Pelican Company" but resulted in the story of the origin 
of the word as applied to the plantation today. This story we must begin at 
old St. Michaels historic old Sacred Heart Convent, located at Convent, in 
St. James parish. Founded in 1825, St. Michael's was one of the first great 
schools of Louisiana and the daughters of many generations of Louisiana 
families spent their school life with-in its confines. Mrs. Dodds, as Emilia 
Bouchereau, was a pupil there just before and probably during the Civil War. 
(And, inadvertently, we feel that we must here enter a personal note by 
relating that our own mother, and her younger sister, were also pupils of 
the old Convent, immediately preceding the Civil War, and that Mrs. Dodds 
knew and still remembers both, quite well. And with great reverence we also 
record that Mrs. Dodds is the only person we have known who was our mother's 
schoolmate. And that this meeting was brought about through our love for the 
Pelican but gives us greater love for that famous old bird.) The Civil War 
deprived the Bouchereau family of their lands and their wealth, and the 
daughter, Mrs. Dodds, beautifully educated and a skilled musician, in the 
year 1867 became a governess in the home of Edmond Bujol. Mrs. Dodds relates 
today that she was "so young and happy and always singing." And it seems 
that one of her favorite songs was "Silvio Pellico," and that Mr. Bujol 
himself became so intrigued with the song that he gave the name to his 
plantation. Mrs. Dodds sings the song today and gave me a copy of the words, 
written in French. The theme is all about the return of Spring and the rain 
and the perfume of the flowers, and the lament of an exile to this country. 
Of the translation or meaning of the word "Pellico" the song gives no idea. 
She knows many other old songs and had stacks of sheet music that is 
priceless. We were allowed to read through these and made notes of the 
titles of some of the Confederate War Songs - and we record them below:

Beauregard - Beauregard
Bonnie Blue Flag
God and Our Rights
God Save the South
God Will Defend the Right
Missouri
My Maryland
New Red, White, and Blue
Origin of the Stars and Bars
Richmond is a Hard Road to Travel
Southern Marseillaise
Southerner's Chant of Defiance
The Confederate Flag
The Stars of Our Banner
There's Life In the Old Land Yet
The Volunteers
We Conquer or We Die.
    



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