Iberia County Louisiana Archives Obituaries.....Weeks, William F. - January 24, 1895
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Mary K. Creamer marykcreamer@yahoo.com July 4, 2017, 11:53 am

source: New Iberia Enterprise and Independent Observer. (New Iberia, La.)
1902-1944, February 02, 1895, Image 3

NECROLOGICAL

Died, at the Week's home, at New Iberia, on Thursday, the 24th day January, 
1895, at 10 o'clock A. M., WILLIAM F. WEEKS, aged 71 years. "Resquiescat in 
pace." Whilst this simple epitah, fulfilling all the aims of a life well 
spent, in the service of the Lord, should satisfy the vanity of any mortal, 
and prove a sufficient solace to the relatives and friends of the departed, 
it becomes, in this instance, the duty of a life long friend to perpetuate, 
in type, the deeds of one who has been so intimately connected, with the 
origin and development of the country; - that his numerous good traits, may 
serve as an example to the rising generation.

Shortly after the admission of Louisiana as one of the States in the 
American Union, the immigration from the original states was directed to it. 
Already the home of the early Spanish and French colonists under the two 
regimes that had preceded the treaty of cession to the U. S., the parish of 
St. Martins, the home of the "Commandant" and of the elite of the French 
immigration, attracted thereto the early American settlers.

"Nueva Iberia," as letters in the possession of the writer, stamped from 
Baltimore, Md., as  late as 1824, seems to have been the name adhered to for 
New Iberia by the Spanish colonists, who had settled at this point.

St. Martinsville, the home of "Commandant" DeBlanc, the Declouets, 
Dubuclets, DelaHoussaies, Fuseliers, Oliviers, Devezins, Delhommes, 
Dumartraits, Briants and others, continued, for a long time, the most 
attractive point for the French colonists, whether coming from the mother 
country, or from its West India possessions. Outside of New Orleans, St. 
Martinsville was the most attractive city of "La Nouvelle France," on 
account of the intelligence and wealth of its citizens. Its proverbial gaity 
and unbounded hospitality, had entitled it to the well merited surname of 
"Petit Paris." It was not surprising, under those circumstances, that the 
elite among the early Anglo Saxon immigration, found its way to the parish 
of St. Martins, then including within its boundaries the present parish of 
Iberia. The Palfreys, Bakers, Conrads, Morses, Towles, Eastins, Bronsons, 
Hickeys, Brents, Porters, Weeks, Wilkins and others were among the first to 
fraternize with the customs and manners of the Latin race who had preceded 
them under Territorial Regime. The congeniality and unbounded hospitality of 
the French Chevaliers soon captivated the esteem and friendship of their 
American friends.

William F. Weeks was the son of David Weeks and Mary Conrad, who were among 
the early settlers in the parish of St. Martins. Deceased was born at "Pare 
Perdu," the first home of his father. The latter, if the writer mistakes 
not, came direct from New Haven, Connecticut, by sailing vessel. There was, 
at that time, and for a long period subsequent, considerable traffic between 
the Atlantic ports of the East and the Valley of the Teche. Among the 
articles brought over, for sale and barter, were potatoes, onions, lime, 
codfish, soap, candles, and the noted "Connecticut Yankee clocks." These 
wares were exchanged for hides, horns, bones, tallow, molasses, etc., ets. 
Large invoices of cotton and woolen goods, shoes, leather and numerous other 
wares, the product of Yankee thrift and energy, were brought to the 
commercial firms of Edgar, Shute & Taylor, afterwards Taylor & De Valcourt - 
both firms then doing an extensive business at New Iberia.

On his mother's side William F. Weeks descended from Mary Conrad, a sister 
to Alfred, Frederick and Charles M. Conrad. The first was, for a long time, 
cashier of the Gas Light Bank, at Franklin, La. The two last were 
distinguished members of the New Orleans bar. Charles M. Conrad married the 
niece of George Washington. Her remains rest, side by side, at Mount Vernon, 
with those of the "Father of his Country." Upon the election of Gen. Taylor, 
to the Presidency of the United States, Charles M. Conrad was made Secretary 
of State. He filled this position with credit to himself and the nation, 
until the end of the Fillmore administration. Among the aunts of deceased, 
on his mother's side, were Mrs. Harding, Mrs. Palfrey and Mrs. Towles; the 
latter being the mother of our worthy citizen Philip Towles.

Many years after the death of deceased's father, his widow was wedded to the 
Hon. John Moore, a man of sterling merit, who rose from the position of 
parish Judge of the parish of St. Mary, to that of State Senator, and 
finally, to that of Representatives to the Federal Congress.

From "Parc Perdu," deceased's father having purchased the large sugar estate 
of "Grand Cote," removed to New Iberia. Upon the lot now the resident 
property of Mr. H. Coguenhem, adjacent to Mr. Chas. Sonnemann, and fronting 
Main street, stood, for many years, the early home of the Week's, at New 
Iberia. Whilst the old home has long since disappeared, there stands, and 
will continue to stand, until felled to the ground by the vandalism of 
civilization, a cluster, a cluster of trees, nature's monument, around which 
there still dwells pleasant recollections of the boyhood days of one 
surviving septuagenarian. Perched under their dense foliage, and fanned by 
the balmy Gulf breeze, during the long summer solstice, the mocking birds 
warble sweet anthems of praise to the memory of the departed ones who were 
so considerate to provide for them this pleasant retreat.

In 1834, Mr. David Weeks conceived the plan of building the present, antique 
and attractive brick residence, now the home of a fourth generation. It was 
reserved to the projector of this elegant home, to be disappointed in the 
realizatien of his plans: "L'homme propose et Dieu dispose," was verified in 
this instance. Having gone to Connecticut, on a visit to relatives and 
friends, he met with an untimely death, away from home.

The present Weeks mansion, the Alma House, the home of Dr. Leonard J. Smith, 
and the Roman Catholic church, were built about simultaneously, and were, up 
to 1836, the only brick structures in New Iberia.

It was at the Weeks home, at New Iberia, that William F. Weeks, Alfred 
Weeks, Francis Weeks, Harriet Weeks, and the writer, received their first 
educational training, under Hiram Stetson, a graduate of Yale University, 
who had been engaged by Mr. David Weeks, as a private teacher. Following the 
untimely death of the latter, the widow determined to send her two sons to 
the University of Virginia. The preceptor Stetson, having been appointed, by 
Governor Roman, as professor of English Literature, at Jefferson College, it 
was allotted to the writer to share the fortunes of his preceptor.

The critical condition of the sugar industry, which developed early in the 
forties, caused the return of the two brothers, William and Alfred to their 
native home.

When barely 21 years of age, William F. Weeks was wedded to Mary Paltrey, 
the daughter of Judge Palfrey, at one time parish Judge of the parish of St. 
Martins, and a brother to Senator Palfrey of Massachusetts, having died 
possessed of a sugar estate, including slaves, near St. Martinsville, Mr. 
Gorham Palfrey caused the removal of the slave property, which had fallen to 
his inheritance, to Massachusetts, where he could, under the laws of that 
commonwealth, enfranchise the unfortunate victims of the most cruel and 
barbarons institution, the result of a trafic now repugnant to the entire 
civilized world. When such acts are the result of true philanthropy [ink 
smudge] are entitled to everlasting gratitude. When, on the contrary, such 
acts are the result of fanatical interference, as in the case of John Brown, 
they are to be condemned. Many of the descendants of the slaves emancipated, 
by Gorham Palfrey, are still living in the city of Boston, to bless the 
memory of their liberator.

Possessed of a thorough moral training and a well cultivated mind, William 
F. Weeks was enabled, whilst quite young, to grapple with the management of 
the "Grand Cote" sugar estate - a task that had baffled the most expert 
managers of such property. With undaunted energy, industry and perseverance, 
thoroughly enslaving himself and his family from the pleasures of life, he 
was enabled to master, one by one, the numerous difficulties, that 
surrounded this gigantic undertaking. In a few years, he was not only 
enabled to pay all indebtedness, but to purchase the several interests of 
his co-heirs, thereby enabling each one to make separate investments. Alfred 
C. Weeks, the second brother, died at the commencement of the war, on his 
sugar plantation near Jeanerette. After his death, the widow and children 
removed to Washington, D. C., where they now reside. Francis Weeks, the 
eldest sister, married David Magill, a Virginian and a lawyer of distinction 
at the St. Martinsville bar. The latter died, leaving a widow and child, who 
met with a sad and untimely death, at the time of the Last Island storm. 
Mrs. Weightman and Chas. Weeks are the only surviving sister and brother of 
deceased. Mrs. Weightman, with her two sons and one daughter, is now in 
Chicago. Chas. Weeks now one of the oldest among the native residents of New 
Iberia, is the father of John, Edward and Willie Weeks, the two last among 
the most promising lawyers at the New Iberia bar. The elegant Swiss cottage, 
immediately fronting the old Weeks home, is the residence of Charles Weeks' 
family.

Below the cluster of trees which still marks the spot whereon stood the old 
Weeks residence, and immediately fronting the elegant Henshaw home, stood 
the E[ink smudge]. Henshaw's residence was the, as it is now, at the extreme 
lower corporate limits of New Iberia. Upon the site of this elegant mansion, 
stood the "Mingona" house, subsequently the home of John C. Marsh, and 
afterwards of A. B. Henshaw, the father of our present esteemed citizen. 
"Mingona," the original owner, was said to be associated with Lafitte, in 
his smuggling operations around Vermilion Bay. Engaged in the heinous slave 
traffic, their memories are associated with all that is barbarous in the 
annals of civilization.

In those eaarly (sic) days, the aristocratic East End of New Iberia, 
consisted of the old college building, the Morse home and subsequently the 
home and sugar plantation of John F. Miller, extending to the upper limits 
of the Satterfield home. A larger sugar mill and distillery, with numerous 
negro cabins fronting the Teche, comprised, with one exception, all the 
improvements on this extensive front. The house now occupied by R. F. 
Hogsett, was in those early days, the home of Simon Walsh, brother-in-law to  
Judge D. D. Avery. Above the present Henshaw property, on both sides of Main 
street, and extending to Weeks street, stood the old and the present Weeks 
home, with barns, stables, etc., and an open field back to the forty acres. 
From Weeks' street to Corinne, on both sides of Main street, there stood one 
bakery, two saloons, and on the bayou front, where now stands Serrett's 
hotel, was the residence of Abom, the U. S. Customhouse officer. The 
property between Weeks and Julia running forty acres back, was known as the 
Boutte property. From Julia to Iberia streets, fronting Main street, and 
running forty acres back was the Duperier property. On this, stood the old 
homestead of the Taylor and DeValcourt store, the stables, barns, etc. On 
the south side of Main street, where now stands the Daigre and Gouguenhem 
stores, stood a one story brick building, known as the Washington ball room. 
Above Iberia street, and extending to Swain street, running back forty acres 
was the Stine property. On this property, at the north and south corner of 
Iberia and main, stood two yankee residences, that had been brought "knocked 
down," by sailing vessels. Upon the site of the Court House stood the Stone 
residence. On the rear of McMahon's store, on the bayou front, stood the 
"old tan yard." and Squire French's home. The Boyer residence was that of 
Thomas Johnson, engaged in making rum puncheons for the distillery of Miller 
and Marsh. The residence of Max Mattes, the oldest structure in New Iberia, 
was built by Louis Segura, the eldest brother of Raphael Segura, whose 
father and mother, were among the original Spanish colonists. The Alma 
House, built in 1[ink smudge], by Dr. L. J. Smith, was the last house, on 
Main street, within the corporate limits. All above the Alma House and 
extending to the St. Marc Darby's estate, constituted the Raphael Smith 
sugar plantation. The entire south side of Main street extending from the 
upper to the lower corporate lines, forty acres in depth, with the exception 
of the Catholic church, and grave yard, established in 1835, was an open 
prairie, where grouse, ducks and snipes were found in abundance.

At the end of the forties, William F. Weeks, having met with success in his 
agricultural pursuits, and being freed from the arduous task of closely 
supervising his sugar estate, made New Iberia his home. Vast changes had 
taken place After the yellow fever epidemic of 1839, it had gradually became 
the head of navigation, and the commercial emporium of the Attakapas. Up to 
the time of the breaking out of the civil war, the home of William F. Weeks 
was noted for its genuine hospitality to visitors from all sections. The 
ending of the war, with the complete annihilation of slave property, 
entailed upon him, as it did upon every slave holder, heavy financial 
losses. He was among the few who retained possession of their landed 
estates. With undaunted energy, he contracted new liabilities, that he 
might, with new methods, adapt himself to the new order of things. In the 
numerous changes made necessary for success, whether in the manufacturing 
process, or in the advanced methods of agriculture, he was always in the 
front ranks of progress. All that he realized from his vast sugar estate, 
was paid out freely to the laborer, the mechanic, and for such improvements 
as his judgment dictated, for the success of the industry in which he was 
engaged. It was only a few years back, that realizing his failing energies, 
and his inability to cope with the inimical legislation that threatened the 
sugar industry, he concluded to sell "Grande Cote." Since the sale of the 
latter, he had been almost unremittingly at his New Iberia home. The death 
of the companion of his life, a few years ago, in the identical room, in 
which he himself surrendered his soul to His Maker, was the first death 
warning since that of his mother, in 1864. The Weeks home, now occupied by a 
fourth generation, has been noted for its hospitality. To friends and 
strangers, its broad avenues, its shaded grounds, its wide galleries, its 
spacious dining room, its numerous bed rooms, were always ready to extend a 
hearty welcome to all.

William F. Weeks was by nature a true and sincere friend. Scrupulously 
honest, he was self-sacrificing in his business relations. Having but few 
individual wants, he lived for the enjoyment of his family. Devoted to 
agricultural pursuits, he was also a great horse fancier. His greatest 
enjoyment, away from the cares of his plantation, was to occasionally visit 
the Blue Grass region of Kentucky, where with the Alexanders, the Swigerts, 
the Martins, and others, he could talk "pedigrees." His fondness for the 
turf and fine stock came to him from inheritance. His father, David Weeks, 
I. F. Miller, Parrot, Kenner, Minor, Duncan, Duplantier, Harding and 
Penniston were among the organizers of the Attakapas Jockey Club 
Association, which proved a source of great attraction for New Iberia during 
several years. It was through this organization that "George Martin" and 
"Sorrow," two English thoroughbreds, were imported to the country, as early 
as 1835.

Having, during a septnagenarian life, enjoyed the closest intimacy with the 
deceased - always sympathizing, it not always agreeing upon matters of minor 
importance - no one more thoroughly appreciates the loss that has been 
sustained by the death of William F. Weeks, to his family, his friends, and 
the community at large, than the friend of his youth, of manhood, and of old 
age. D.
          

NOTE: Additional Comments:
www.findagrave.com memorial # 21167573


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