ROY, Sebastien, St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana Submitted by Mike Miller ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** Louisiana: Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form (volume 3), pp. 385-386. Edited by Alc‚e Fortier, Lit.D. Published in 1914, by Century Historical Association. Roy, Sebastien, native and life-long resident of St. Bernard parish, vice- president of the Bank of St. Bernard, and merchant, was born Sept. 8, 1850, the son of Frederic, and Marie-Louise (Roche) Roy. Frederic Roy was born in Bordeaux, France; his wife was born in St. James parish, La. At the age of 10 Sebastien Roy's father came from France to New Orleans with his parents, and in early manhood entered business life as architect and building contractor. The first St. Louis hotel and the first Citizens' bank building were erected by Mr. Roy as contractor. Under the old municipal system of government he was a member of the city council. In 1835 he moved to St. Bernard parish, purchased a large tract of land and a residence from the Darcautel family. The house was historically interesting by its having served as a temporary hospital for Gen. Jackson's soldiers during the battle of New Orleans in Jan., 1815. It was a 2-storied structure with wide galleries enclosed within blinds, causing it to be called "La Maison aux Jalousies,''--the house with blinds. Frederic Roy operated, during many years a brickyard, a saw mill and a sugar mill on his property. The tract and appurtenances were sold to the American Sugar Refining Co. for the site of its immense plant. In public affairs, Frederic Roy always showed great interest. For many years he was a member of the police jury, and its president during 2 terms. He was twice married, the first wife was Miss Laure Dreux. The second wife, Miss Marie Louise Roche, was a descendant of the Chevalier D'Arensbourg, one of the settlers on the German Coast, that part of Louisiana now known as the parishes of St. Charles and St. John the Baptist. The Roches were related to the de la Chaise family, of France. Mame de la Chaise became the wife of Chauvin de Lery, a French colonist, in Louisiana. Their children numbered 22, of whom there is record of only 8 and their descendants. Constance de Lery, one of the daughters was married to Pierre Hardy, of New Orleans ; Armantine Hardy became the wife of Pierre Roche, of St. James parish, and a veteran of the War of 1812, and on the firing line at the battle of New Orleans, 1815; and the latter were the parents of Marie Louise Roche, who was wedded to Frederic Roy, father of Sebastien Roy. Mr. and Mrs. Frederic had 8 children. Three are living: Sebastien, William F., and Arcelie, widow of Esteve E. Nunez, late sheriff of St. Bernard Parish. Sebastien Roy, the subject of this sketch, was educated at the Jesuits college, New Orleans, and at Dolbear's Commercial college, graduating from the latter institution in 1878. He secured employment as bookkeeper for the New Orleans National Banking association; next as cashier for C. Cavaroc & Son, importers. Returning to St. Bernard, Sebastien Roy was associated with his father in the management of Roy's brick yard. Ever since early manhood he has been identified with the commercial, social, financial political activities of St. Bernard. During 13 years he a leading member of the police jury; also president of the school board for 4 years; and at present he is supervisor of the 1st district of St. Bernard. For 25 years Mr. Roy was president the St. Maurice Benevolent & Mutual Aid association. He is member of L'Athenee Louisianais; vice-president of the Alliance Franco-Louisianais; member of the Societe Francaise du Quatorze Juillet; of the New Orleans Association of Commerce; of the Crescent City Carnival club; president of the St. Bernard Drug Co., and ex-president of fairs that were given for the benefit of St. Maurice Catholic church; also a member of the Louisiana Historical society. Mr. Roy is known in his parish, and in fact throughout the state, as "the father of good roads" for St. Bernard. In July, 1900, Mr. Roy and another public-spirited citizen, Gustave Jacques secured $2,500 by private subscription to inaugurate a system of good roads in the parish. The police jury, on motion of Mr. Roy, who was one of its members, added $1,000. The New Orleans Association of Commerce paid a deserved tribute to Sebastien Roy for his zeal and activity as road supervisor, by electing him chairman of the good roads committee of the association. July 3, 1872, Mr. Roy married Miss Louise Rosa Cappes- Bellouguet, of St. Bernard. Their children are: Alice, wife of Auguste Roy; Eucharis, wife of Raoul Laudumiey; Louise Rosa, wife of Rene de Russy-Cortes; Walter and Sebastien Roy, Jr. One son, Leonce, died at the age of 27 years, leaving a widow and 1 daughter.