Ouachita County Louisiana Archives Biographies.....Dabbs, Julia Washington Bourgeat Muse July 23, 1822 - February 22, 1890 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Julia Scott julscott@alltel.net January 8, 2009, 10:12 pm Author: Julia A. Scott Julia Washington Bourgeat Muse Dabbs Biography Ouachita Parish Monroe, Louisiana 1822 - 1890 Julia A. Scott Family Research November 10, 2008 Julia Washington Bourgeat Muse Dabbs July 23, 1822 - February 22, 1890 Julia was the daughter of James Fort Muse (1776 Fairfield South Carolina - 1843 Bayou Lettsworth, La.)and Margaret Adelaide Bourgeat (1803 Point Coupee - New Roads, La. - 1895 New Orleans, La.). Paternal Grandparents were Thomas Muse and Elizabeth Fort of Fairfield County South Carolina. Material Grandparents were Narcisse Bourgeat of Point Coupee, La. and Marie Barbe Filhiol daughter of Jean Baptiste (Don Juan) Fihiol of Ft. Miro, Louisiana. Born in Louisiana, Julia was educated by the Catholic Nuns in Kentucky near Bardstown. Her confirmation papers were found in her family Bible showing confirmation in the Cathoic faith on Easter Sunday 1835 by the Rev'd Bishop Charbrat at Nazareth near Bardstown Kentucky. Julia, her sisters (Theresa Ann Muse born 1825,Margaret Ellen born 1827, and Eliza Mary Bourgeat born 1821, and her brother George Washington Muse were all born in Louisiana. James Fort Muse II was born in 1832 in Oldham, Kentucky. The family does not appear in the 1830 census for Louisiana. James Fort Muse married her mother, Margaret Adelaide Bourgeat on February 22, 1821, in Ouachita Parish,Monroe, Louisiana, with her Mother, Marie Barbe Filhiol, widow Bourgeat, her uncle Grammont Filhiol, and her Mother's 2nd husband, Conrad Linderman in attendance. James Fort Muse was a Sheriff in Fairfield County, South Carolina before moving to Louisiana. He studied law in Louisiana and practiced law in this state. Julia Washington Bourgeat Muse married Dr. Christopher Hunt Dabbs and recorded her marriage in her Bible as follows: "Married the 3rd March 1845 in the parish of Catahoula by the Hon S. G. Tallieferro of Catahoula Dr. C. H. Dabbs of Monroe, Ouachita to Miss Julia W. second daughter of James F. Muse Esq deceased of the Parish of Point Coupee La. Married over in the Catholic Faith 1851 by Rev. P. Canavan Missionary." The record for their marriage license in Catahoula Parish shows "Dobbs, Christopher H. and Mose, Julia W." Julia married two years after her father's death. Julia married at 23 years of age and her husband Dr. Christopher Hunt Dabbs was 40 years old. Julia's family relocated to Monroe after her father's death. Her baby sister, Martha Fort Muse (born 12 August, 1842 - died 18 September, 1846) died in Monroe and her obituary was in a Monroe Newspaper. Julia and Dr. Dabbs had 4 children: James Muse Dabbs born 9 Dec 1845 died 15 Feb 1876 (30 years 2 months 6 days) in Monroe, Louisiana. He married Mary Olivia Collett 24 Feb 1867. They had one child Julia Elizabeth Dabbs. Julia Adelaide Dabbs born 17 June 1849 died 12 Sept 1868 (19 years 3 months 2 days) Augustine Bourgeat Dabbs born 29 Jan 1848 died 19 April 1848 (2 months 22 days) Mary Elizabeth Dabbs born 17 Feb 1853 died 29 November 1911 (57 years 10 months 29 days) in King County Washington. Married James E. Behen St Matthews Catholic Church on 12 Jan 1876. Dr. Christopher H. Dabbs was a prominent Ouachita Parish Physician, Politician, and Planter. He spent a number of years in Catahoula Parish before moving to Monroe (witness to 2 legal papers in the Sicily Island area of Catahoula Parish 1833 and 1835). He was City Administrator for Monroe in 1858 (Mayor) and in 1854 was Grand Master of the Western Star Lodge No.25 (Mason's). He was elected auditor in Union Parish in 1865. History books tell us his Father was Richard Dabbs, Jr, born 1772 in Charlotte,Va. And his mother Elizabeth Mitchell Dabbs 1772 Charlotte, Virginia, A recent discovery of a lawsuit in Nashvile, Tenn. State of Tennessee Circuit Court of Davidson County November term 1833 lists the children of Richard and Elizabeth Dabbs. They are as follows: Lucy Dabbs Willis Elizabeth Dabbs Gill Julia Dabbs Willis Christopher H. Dabbs (not married at this time) Mary Dabbs Dabbs Thomas C. Dabbs (not married at this time) James R. Dabbs (not married at this time) Joseph W. Dabbs (not married at this time) Susan G. Dabbs (not married at this time) George W. Dabbs (not married at this time) Dr. Dabbs died in 1868 leaving his family in debt (which was not uncommon giving the conditions after the end of the Civil War). The Mason's arranged his funeral but nothing found confirms the cemetery where he was buried. His Great Grandaughter Mary Elizabeth Fitzgerald Orth (Seattle, Wa.), in a letter to Samuel Charles Scott III, tells of her memories of visiting the cemeteries on All Saints to place flowers and candles on the family graves. She remembers visiting Dr. Dabbs grave in the Protestant Cemetery in Monroe and the grave of James Muse Dabbs in the Catholic Cemetery in Monroe. She also remembers going to the funeral of her Great Grandmother Julia Washington Dabbs at the age of 11 and her burial in St. Matthews Cathoic Cemetery. Mary Orth was the daughter of Julia Muse Dabbs' sister Mary Elizabeth Dabbs and James E. Behen. The only grave site known for this family is St. Matthews Catholic Cemetery where Julia Washington Bourgeat Muse Dabbs is buried but am waiting for the Catholic Church to verify that James Muse Dabbs and several of Julia's grandchildren are buried at St. Matthews. Julia W. Dabbs is buried with her Granddaughter Julia Elizabeth Dabbs Scott and her family. Educated herself by the Nuns in Kentucky, Julia's two daughters were in Catholic Boarding School in Natichodoches, Louisiana, when their father, Dr. Dabbs, died. Many of the debts outstanding at the time of his death were for room and board and services for the two girls. One of the largest debts against the estate came from the Academy of the Sacred Heart in Natchitoches, La., for educational and boarding expenses for the two minor daughters of C. H. Dabbs. They attended that school in 1865. The bill was for board, tuition, books, stationary, baths, music and the use of the piano. Louisiana Census 1870 for Natchitoches Parish show Julia W. Dabs (Dabbs) as a teacher in that parish. On the same census year her only remaining daughter, Mary Elizabeth, was listed on the St James parish census. The historic district of Convent, La. in St. James Parish has listed St Michael's Church which was formerly called St. Joseph's School. Those listed on this census with Mary Dabbs were girls of school age. The historical marker for Convent, La. states the town was settled in 1722-1739 as Baron now parish seat of St. James Parish. Present day St. Michael’s Church (1809) was site of St. Michael’s Convent Order of the Sacred Heart 1825-1932. If Julia though Mary Elizabeth was going to be a nun, she was definitely wrong. Six years later (1976) Mary Elizabeth married Joseph Behen in Monroe, Louisiana, and that same year Julia Dabbs lost her only son James Muse Dabbs at age 30. The obituary in a Monroe Newspaper indicates Muse died at his Mother's home. Evidently Julia had returned to Monroe by that time. The Behens left Monroe shortly after Julia's death and were located in St. Louis in the 1900 Census. The Behen Family later migrated to Seattle, Wa. where Mary Elizabeth died in 1911 at the age of 57. Her daughter, Mary Elizabeth, married an Orth. Mary Elizabeth Orth's letters to Samuel Charles Scott III were a great help in family research. Mary Orth died 1970 in a Nursing Home in Seattle, Wa. She addressed an envelope and made arrangements with the Funeral Home to mail notice of her death to her cousin Sam. She was 96 years old at the time of her death. She was another of the strong independent women in this family. Julia Washington Bourgeat Muse Dabbs had two sons but only one survived to adulthood. James Muse Dabbs was listed in Louisiana Civil War records as a Corpl. Co. O. Cons. Crescent Regt. La. Infty. On Roll of Prisoners of War, he was paroled at Natchitoches, La., June 6th, 1865. Res. Monroe, La. A copy of a Civil War Pass is on the LaGenweb Archives in the military section. This picture is of the back side of the Pass with signatures and comments as he went through the line to his home. Hopefully, the front side of this Pass will be on same website soon. In Jan 1867 James Muse Dabbs (who was called Muse by the family) married Mary Olivia Collett. They had a daughter, Julia Elizabeth Dabbs in 1869 and a son James Christopher Dabbs born in 1872 who only lived 4 hours. Dr. Dabbs' oldest son, Christopher Hunt Dabbs, Jr. was sent to Georgetown College (documented in 1850 Census for Washington, D.C.) at age 15. In Julia's letter to Archbishop Anthony Blanc, she indicates twice in 1853 that Dr. Dabbs has been in Washington where he probably visited his son at Georgetown. Very little is known about Christopher Dabbs, Jr. He is not mentioned in the succession papers at the time of his father's death. His sister Selina is included but only as daughter by a previous marriage. Tennessee Marriage Records indicate C. H. Dabbs married S. S. Hunt in 1834 in Hardemon County. A legal transaction in Dec 29, 1835, in Fayette County, Tennessee, transfers to Salley Hunt one Negro man Slave named Dick Sorrell for the sum $1 and her love and affection for Christopher Hunt Dabbs, Jr., son of Dr. Christopher Hunt Dabbs. Christopher Hunt Dabbs, Jr. was born in Tennessee 1835. His sister M. Selina Dabbs was born in Louisiana in 1839. Selina never married and died at age 75 in Bell County, Temple, Texas. No mention was ever made in family oral history or in census records of their mother. It is assumed she came from Tennessee to Louisiana with Dr. Dabbs and died sometime after the birth of M. Selina Dabbs. Dr. Dabbs arrived in Ouachita Parish from Catahoula Parish - a widower with 2 children. Notre Dame Archives letters illustrate Julia Washington Bourgeat Muse Dabb's determination to establish a Catholic Church in Monroe. Her Great Uncle, Edmond Landry Grammont Filhiol, in 1851 donated the land on which the Catholic Church stands. He and Dr. C. H. Dabbs were on the building committee. One of the Archive letters describes the plan for building the church. Julia's letters to Archbishop Anthony Blanc in New Orleans document her strength and purpose. One of the earlier Priests Father Patrick Caravan married Julia Washington Muse and Dr. C. H. Dabbs in 1851 after a civil marriage in 1845 in Catahoula Parish. Father Julius J. O'Dougherty replaced Father Caravan in 1853. To say that Father O'Dougherty and Dr. Dabbs did not get along would be a understatement. Letters indicate great animosity between the two. In a letter to Archbishop Blanc (responding to charges made by Father O'Dougherty), Julia stressed her husbands support for the Catholic Church: "Blanc) will perceive from their town paper that Dr. (C.H.) Dabbs is yet a zealous friend of the Church, although not a Catholic. 22 pews are finished, more than half of which have been rented. The church carpenters stopped the day before O'Doherty left Monroe saying $2.50 per day was not enough for warm weather. All the carpenters have used one of Dr. Dabbs's houses free. Dr. Dabbs has written to another carpenter in N(ew) O(rleans) to finish the church, agreeably with his intention to give it up to (Blanc). O'Doher(ty) has found great fault with some parts of the church as being too expensive. The plan is the one adopted by Father (Patrick) Canavan, Mr. Filhiol and Dr. Dabbs, the building committee. Their pastor told his congregation that Dr. Dabbs was a drunkard not responsible for what he said and not a friend of the Church. And that he, O'D(oherty) would place church matters in other hands. Dr. Dabbs does not feel that another person should have the credit of completing it. The Doctor is a jovial person and too prone to laugh at the Irish. What remarks he made about O'Doherty, when a little tipsy, were too ridiculous to notice. Dr. Dabbs is a Free Mason and subscribed $100 toward building a lodge in Monroe. Julia's uncle, Mr. Filhiol, wishes Dr. Dabbs to have the church finished. The Protestant subscribers, who are perhaps more than half, will pay no one but Dr. Dabbs. The Doctor is a Democrat which appears not to please their pastor who is a strong Whig. About Dr. Dabbs character (Blanc) is referred to Jos(eph) H. Moore, commissioner of N(ew) O (rleans), who is well known to Father Mullen of St. Patrick's as a strict Catholic and the godfather of Julia's son. Her feelings are so hurt that Dr. Dabbs should be thought of as an enemy of the Catholic Church; he got every name on the subscription list except 3. If he is permitted to finish the church in peace, she does not mention all the opposition among some of the Protestants, he will resign it to (Blanc) and not meddle with it any more. The Doctor understood that O'Doherty said that her family drove Canavan from Monroe. He was incorrectly informed for Canavan lived with them and wrote after he left expressing his gratitude. They were almost the only persons who liked Canavan; their only objection was his brogue. O'D(oherty)'s sermons please generally." Julia Dabbs wanted her children educated in the Catholic faith and just before Dr. Dabbs' death she began her campaign to provide Catholic education for the children of Monroe. The formation of St. Matthew's Parochial School began in 1863 when Julia W. Dabbs and Miss K. Moran conducted the first denominational school in Monroe. In 1866 the the Daughters of the Cross from St. Vincents Convent in Shreveport, Louisiana, took charge of the Catholic School in Monroe and started St. Hyacinth's Academy. Father Gergaud, with the assistance of Mrs. Julia W. Dabbs and Miss K. Moran, worked to develop and to open a Catholic School. It began with a student population of sixty pupils. Father Gergaud and Father Ludovic Enaut, a young French Priest just arrived from France, began a young boy's school on June 9, 1869, with a student population of thirty pupils. Father Ludovic Enaut performed the marriage ceremony for my Grandmother Julia Elizabeth Dabbs Scott and Samuel Charles Scott on 4 March 1889 in his parlor at St. Matthews Catholic Church. At Dr. Dabbs' death his son James Muse on March 31, 1868, petitioned the courts stating that Dr. Dabbs was survived by his widow, Julia W. Muse, himself, 2 minor sisters, Julia A. and Mary E. Dabbs (the issue of his father by Julia W. Dabbs) and M. Selina Dabbs, daughter by a previous marriage. No mention was made of his son Christopher H. Dabbs, Jr. thus indicating that Christopher was deceased. Very little is known about this previous marriage. Tennessee Marriage Records indicate C. H. Dabbs married S. S. Hunt in 1834 in Hardemon County. A legal transaction in Dec 29, 1835, in Fayette County, Tennessee, transfers $1 and for love and affection for Christopher Hunt Dabbs, Jr., son of Doctor Christopher H. Dabbs, a Negro man slave named Dick Sorrell to Salley Hunt. Christopher Hunt Dabbs, Jr. was born in Tennessee 1835. His sister M. Selina Dabbs was born in Louisiana in 1839. Selina never married and died at age 75 in Bell County, Temple, Texas. After Dr. Dabbs death, the many acres of land he owned in Louisiana (Morehouse, Richland Caldwell and Carroll Parishes) were valued at 25 cents an acre and sold at public auction to pay debts of the estate. In Ouachita Parish a tract of land about 2 miles SE of Monroe containing 550 acres was appraised at 3 $ per acre or a total value of $1650. Julia Washington Bourgeat Muse Dabbs never married after the death of her husband. Dr. Dabbs died 29 March 1868 and Julia lost her eldest daughter Julia Adelaide Dabbs (age 19) in September the same year. Her son James Muse Dabbs had been quarantined in Shreveport in 1973 by the yellow fever epidemic. This was his second time to be quarantined in Shreveport. His health was damaged and he died at Julia's home on 15 Feb 1876. Father Gerguad in 1869 baptized Julia's Granddaughter and namesake (Julia Elizabeth Dabbs daughter of James Muse Dabbs) Father Gerguad died in 1873 in the yellow fever epidemic in Shreveport. A letter written by James Muse Dabbs in 1873 from Shreveport describes the horrors of his long quarantine in that city. A telegram was sent to Shreveport by his half-sister Selina Dabbs requesting that a Priest be called to attend her brother. Julia died in Monroe 22 Feb 1890 and is buried there in St. Matthews Catholic Cemetery. Sadly her death is not recorded in her Family Bible. It is possible her death is recorded in the Point Coupee Muse Family Bible which belonged to her Mother Margaret Adelaide Bourgeat Muse. James Fort Muse and Margaret Adelaide Bourgeat Muse Family Julia Washington Bourgeat Muse Dabbs had 4 sisters: 1) Elizabeth Mary Bourgeat Muse (28 Nov 1821 – 1893) born at Ft. Miro, Louisiana. Elizabeth Mary married Andrew Adolph Roland 28 October 1840 Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, and had two children: Ann Eliza Roland circa 1841 Andre Adolph Roland circa 1842 2) Theresa Ann Muse (28 July 1825 – 1894) born in Pine Woods, Ouachita Parish, Louisiana Theresa married Henry Merrill 3 December 1845 and had one child by him – Eliza Allen Merrill who died 18 September 1849 in Jackson Parish, Louisiana. Her second marriage on 27 October 1851 was to Charles H. Horton and she and Charles had the following children: Charles H. Horton, Jr. 1854 Paul T. Horton 1858 Victoria A. Horton 1859 Margaret Horton 1861 Louis S. Horton 1865 In 1860 the Louisiana Census shows Thersa and Charles in New Orleans. The 1870 census shows that they had migrated to California. 3) Margaret Ellen Muse (10 September 1827 – 1910) born in Pine Woods, Ouachita Parish, Louisiana. Margaret married married Charles Vanderdoss and they had the following children: Charles W. Vanderdoss 1853 Eva Mae Vanderdoss 1854 Adelaide Agatha Vanderdoss 1859 George Dale Vanderdoss 1875 Paul Robert Lee Vanderdoss 1864 Margaret and Charles migrated to Texas. 4) Martha Fort Muse (12 August 1842 – 18 September 1846) Martha died in Monroe, Louisiana. Julia had 2 brothers who lived to adulthood: 1) James Fort Muse II (27 October 1832 – 22 April 1890) born in Oldham, Kentucky. James first married Ceclie Roberta Borcegea daughter of Adolph Borcegea and Elizabeth. They had the following children: George B. Muse 1862 Malvina R. Muse 1870 James Alphonse Muse 1872 James Fort Muse III 1874 Joseph Johnston Muse 1877 Elizabeth James Muse 1868 Ceclie died in 1878 in New Orleans, Louisiana. James married Eliza Tircuit after the death of his first wife and they had the following children: Eugene Stocking Muse 1880 Cecelia Eudolie Muse 1882 James lived in New Orleans and family oral history says he was a Riverboat captain. The census I saw listed his occupation as clerk on a Riverboat. 2) George Washington Muse (1837 – 1861) Family oral history tells that George Washington Muse was the first soldier killed at Civil War Battle of Bull Run – the first battle of the War. Notre Dame Archive – Julia W. Dabbs letters relating to the establishment of a Catholic Church in Monroe 1851 Nov. 10 Mina, Father Ve. M(odeste) St. John Baptist,: (German Coast, Louisiana) to Archbishop Ant(hony) Blanc: New Orleans, (Louisiana) Father (Napoleon Joseph) Perché consulted the Provincial Council of Baltimore IX, page 199 et seq.; the reply of the Congregation of Sacred Rites has not yet come to Mina. Perché errs in asserting that a feat "ad libitum" ought never to be transferred. This is treated by the decree of the Congregation of January 24, 1682. (On the back of the letter in Blanc's hand): Dr. John E: Dr. C.H. Dabbs, Monroe; Dr. Bennet, Shreveport. VI-1-b - A.L.S. - (Latin) - 2pp. - 4to. - {4} 1852 Mar. 14 Canavan, Father P(atrick): Monroe, (Louisiana) to Archbishop Anthony Blanc: New Orleans, Louisiana Having returned from a very difficult journey through swamps and bayous, he gives an account of Monroe mission. The church will be finished in April; Canavan does not know how to act to have it painted. All here charge so much; their money is all done in. He believes Dr. C.H. Dabbs sent an order on Blanc for $100; Dabbs says he got some of it and that Blanc paid $22 to Mr. Moore as the remainder of $50 Blanc subscribed. The doctor put Blanc for $100. If Blanc gave Canavan any of that, Canavan never received it as such. It is true Blanc gave Canavan $70 there; $20 for Father Aylward which Canavan gave him going up the Red River; $20 Canavan had to say Masses for; and the remainder, $30, would not pay half of what Canavan is indebted through these missions. Canavan has been on missions since he came to America, always spending his own. He would like to draw on Blanc for a few hundred dollars to have the church painted. At Shreveport mission he hopes to have 2 lots after April 3; a few are to buy these lots and Canavan promised to go there in May or sooner. If possible Blanc is to send another priest to Monroe or Shreveport; Canavan cannot attend all these missions and mind his health. VI-1-c - A.L.S. - 2pp. - 4to. - {6} 1852 May 21 Canavan, Father P(atrick): Monroe, (Louisiana) to Archbishop Anthony Blanc: N(ew) Orleans, (Louisiana) Knowing Blanc's intention off visiting Monroe on his return from the Council, Canavan hurries to inform him that their church will not be finished as soon as expected. The architect quit immediately after Canavan went to Shreveport; he commenced drinking. Dr. C.H. Dabbs thought it better to let it stand until they got mechanics from New Orleans. Canavan is going next week to Shreveport to procure the lots he has already bought. There are a few making a fuss about deeding them to Blanc. Father Rousselon told Canavan to regulate them immediately and Father A(uguste) Martin said the same, that he ought to get them at the sum of $850, fenced in and in a beautiful location. He has 90 days to pay; it will be difficult to raise it. Canavan's health is a great deal better. VI-1-c - A.L.S. - 1p. - 4to. - {5} 1853 Jan. 2 Canavan, Father Patrick: Opelousas, (Louisiana) to Archbishop Anthony Blanc: New Orleans, (Louisiana) Canavan has just received Blanc's note of (December) 29 and hurries to respond to his inquiries about Monroe. Canavan left everything there to say Mass; the chalice was his own and the stone he returned to Father Rousselon. At (Harrisonville?) Harrisinburk there are many Catholics, Joel and Hugh Keenan; Judge Barry about 14 miles from there. (The priest) may use his pleasure as to going to Dr. (C.H.) Dabbs; Mrs. Julia Dabbs desired Canavan to let Blanc know that she always had a place for the priest. Canavan thinks he might do as well in the vestry. This place Blanc gave Canavan is hard; he has to ride a great deal. He found Father (John F.) Raviol and his sister very kind. But there is something; he cannot say yet what it may be. The people are dissatisfied with Raviol at Washington; he claims baptisms, marriages, and all that Canavan does. VI-1-e - A.L.S. - 1p. - 4to. - {10} 1853 Mar. 9 Dabbs, (Julia): Monroe, (Louisiana) to Archbishop Anthony Blanc: New Orleans, Louisiana Father (Julius J.) O'Dougherty has been in Monroe now one week. She fears he does not feel sufficiently encouraged to remain, many Catholics being lukewarm. The church is not yeat completed, the altar, pews and organ gallery yet to make. There are two good workmen at work. The vestry is used for Mass. The subscriptions not paid up amount to $1000 of which $800 are thought good. Dr. (C.H.) Dabbs has been absent since February 5 on a visit to Washington City. He will be home the latter part of the month. (Julia) received the letter of introduction to her husband of O'Dougherty. Father (Patrick) Canavan wished her to collect a small debt due him by John Fulham. She received $20 today from Fulham. It can be paid to the church and deducted from what remains of Blanc's subscription if Blanc will pay Canavan. On the 6yh she sent a box on the Cora 2 for Canavan. (On the letter in pencil) Mr. Douglas called to deliver this but Blanc was from home. VI-1-e - A.L.S. - 3pp. - 4to. - {7} 1853 Apr. 4 O'Dougherty, Father J(ulius J.): Monroe, L(ouisian)a to Archbishop A(nthony) Blanc: New Orleans, L(ouisian)a O'Dougherty deferred writing until he could advise of the state of religion here. He found Dr. (C.H.) Dabbs absent so was obliged to go to the tavern where he remains. He has discovered no more than three practical Catholic families here and some 8 or 10 individuals of indifferent profession. Some 15 negroes are under instruction. He found strong prejudice among the non- Catholic people. Mrs. (Julia) Dabbs admitted the impracticality of retaining a clergyman here. He pays $26 a month at the boarding house. He sees no prospect of receiving a cent. The church is slowly progressing toward its outward completion; nothing yet inside and the funds are exhausted. A planter named (J. Frank?) Pargaud has already subscribed $900. Mrs. Dabbs said the principal dependence was on an additional subscription from Pargaud and an expected gift from a non-Catholic, Major King who resides some 50 miles down the river. The church is 34 by 48 feet. It has a cupola some 15 feet high and a vestry 16 by 18. O'Dougherty not visited westward as he learned that a clergyman had visited them since Lent. He has not gone east to Miligan's (Milliken's) Bend not being aware if Father (Martin) Kelly continued there. VI-1-e - A.L.S. - 4pp. - 4to. - {9} 1853 Apr. 17 O'Do(ug)herty, Father J(ulius) J.: Monroe, (Louisiana) to Archbishop A(nthony) Blanc : New Orleans, L(ouisian)a O'Doherty received Blanc's letter containing the note of Bishop (Armand) De Charbonnel of Toronto, through Mrs. (Julia W.) Dabbs. The pecuniary matters have been arranged for, as the enclosed answer (no enclosure) to Charbonnel's note indicates. O'Doherty had written to Blanc relative to the state and prospects of the church here. Mrs. Dabbs will inform Blanc of O'Doherty's procedure. He hopes Blanc will not forget his wish to be near him. P.S. He begs Blanc to forward the enclosed to Charbonnel. VI-1-e - A.L.S. - 1p. - 4to. - {3} 1853 May 2 Dabbs, Julia: Monroe, (Louisiana) to Archbishop (Anthony Blanc: New Orleans, Louisiana) The prospect of organizing a Catholic congregation is much more flattering than it has ever been. The church is nearly completed. The pews will be sold on Sunday after next. Father (Julius J. O'Dougherty) is much esteemed and were he removed it would be a long time before another priest could effect as much as he has, perhaps never. Protestants seem much pleased with his explanations of the gospel; it is becoming quite fashionable to attend their church. Dr. (C.H.) Dabbs has returned from Washington in excellent health. VI-1-e - A.L.S. - 2pp. - 4to. - {4} (18)53 May 30 Dabbs, Julia: Monroe, (Louisiana) to Archbishop (Anthony Blanc: New Orleans, Louisiana) Dabbs' last letter to (Blanc) was suggested by Father (Julius J.) O'Do(ug) herty who had written to (Blanc) in a despairing mood and wished to have the impression of that letter removed. (Blanc) will perceive from their town paper that Dr. (C.H.) Dabbs is yet a zealous friend of the Church, although not a Catholic. 22 pews are finished, more than half of which have been rented. The church carpenters stopped the day before O'Doherty left Monroe saying $2.50 per day was not enough for warm weather. All the carpenters have used one of Dr. Dabbs's houses free. Dr. Dabbs has written to another carpenter in N(ew) O (rleans) to finish the church, agreeably with his intention to give it up to (Blanc). O'Doher(ty) has found great fault with some parts of the church as being too expensive. The plan is the one adopted by Father (Patrick) Canavan, Mr. Filhiol and Dr. Dabbs, the building committee. Their pastor told his congregation that Dr. Dabbs was a drunkard not responsible for what he said and not a friend of the Church. And that he, O'D(oherty) would place church matters in other hands. Dr. Dabbs does not feel that another person should have the credit of completing it. The Doctor is a jovial person and too prone to laugh at the Irish. What remarks he made about O'Doherty, when a little tipsy, were too ridiculous to notice. Dr. Dabbs is a Free Mason and subscribed $100 toward building a lodge in Monroe. Julia's uncle, Mr. Filhiol, wishes Dr. Dabbs to have the church finished. The Protestant subscribers, who are perhaps more than half, will pay no one but Dr. Dabbs. The Doctor is a Democrat which appears not to please their pastor who is a strong Whig. About Dr. Dabbs character (Blanc) is referred to Jos(eph) H. Moore, commissioner of N(ew) O (rleans), who is well known to Father Mullen of St. Patrick's as a strict Catholic and the godfather of Julia's son. Her feelings are so hurt that Dr. Dabbs should be thought of as an enemy of the Catholic Church; he got every name on the subscription list except 3. If he is permitted to finish the church in peace, she does not mention all the opposition among some of the Protestants, he will resign it to (Blanc) and not meddle with it any more. The Doctor understood that O'Doherty said that her family drove Canavan from Monroe. He was incorrectly informed for Canavan lived with them and wrote after he left expressing his gratitude. They were almost the only persons who liked Canavan; their only objection was his brogue. O'D(oherty)'s sermons please generally. VI-1-e - A.L.S. - 4pp. - 8vo. - {7} File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/la/ouachita/bios/dabbs152gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/lafiles/ File size: 30.8 Kb