Ferchaud, Marcelle 1886 - 1964
Submitted by Kimberly King

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Marcelle Ferchaud was born in 1886, on a plantation in
St. James, La. Her Grandfather, Jean Berthalemy
Ferchaud, came from France and moved to Saint James in
Plaquemines parish, and built a sugar plantation there
in the early 1800's.  He owned many slaves, and was
noted in public records to have been an auctioneer for
the area and a judge. In one narrative, he received
possession of a young woman slave, and her two
children. He sold them for around $1000.

Jean died and left his plantation to his son Louis
Ferchaud. Louis was later to move to New Orleans, with
his family so the children could attend school, and
learn to speak English.  Marcelle was Louis's
daughter.

While in New Orleans, Louis left the plantation in the
care of his brother Jean. Jean was to have send
profits from the plantation to his brother Louis in
New Orleans.  But over time the profits were less and
less, and finally Louis was to travel to St. James, to
visit the plantation, only to find that the plantation
was unkept, and in such disrepair that he had to sell
it.  

The plantation was sold for $1,700. Later, oil was
found on the property.

Many stories surround the 2 plantations owned by the
Ferchaud's. One is that the original plantation was
owned in Plaquemine's parish, and was washed away by
the river.  

Another says that Jean lost one of the plantations
while gambling.  


Marcelle Ferchaud was 9 years old when her family
moved to New Orleans. Marcelle married John Sanchez
Morel on January 20th, 1910. She was 22, James was 24.
Sometime later they moved to Hammond, La.  

Their new home was located at 604 South Cherry street,
and was their original home. It is recorded that the
house was moved, by mules, to it's current spot in
Hammond.

Marcelle and John had 4 children.  John James, Marie
Marcelle, Marcelle, and Tommy Dick. John James was
named after his father. John joined the Air Force, as
a First Lt, and later became a navigator. He died on 2
September 1949.  His body was never found. His mother,
Marcelle, waited on the porch of the house every day
until her death, hoping he would walk up one day. For
more information on John, go to this website:
 http://members.tripod.com/~Motomom/389THBG

Marcelle spoke fluid French, and often spoke of her
mother, who she called "Memere", which is French for
Mother.  Memere lived with Marcelle until her death.
The funeral was held at the home on Cherry Street.

Marcelle developed breast cancer and cancer of the
eye.  She eventually lost her eye, and was given a
glass eye to wear. 

Priests would come to the house at 604 S. Cherry to
administer her communion in bed. She was Catholic. 
Her granddaughter, Susan Larose, remembers walking
through the house, ringing a bell, and carrying a
candle during these ceremonies.

In one story she was given a large hat to wear to
cover some moles that were forming on her scalp. She
said "I would not be caught dead wearing that hat.",
and thus she never wore it. However when she died the
family, that did not know she hated the hat, had it
placed on her head upon her funeral.

Marcelle died in 1964 from complications of the
cancers.  She is fondly remembered as a wonderfully
loving mother. She is buried in Greenlawn Cemetary,
Hammond, LA. 

If you have any further information on my Great
Grandmother please feel free to email me, Kimberly
King, at flygal46@yahoo.com