Register
Founding Fathers of Louisiana
| FOUNDING FATHER | YEARS | ROLE | DESCENDANTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle | 1643-1687 | – Explorer that claimed La Louisiane for France – Society of Jesuits – Founder of forts and settlements in Canada, Illinois, Louisiana, Texas – War hero and fur trader | |
| Pierre Le Moyne, Sieur d’Iberville | 1661-1706 | – Founder of the Louisiana colony – Explorer and successful seaman and soldier – Commander of the French West Indian fleet – Knight of the Order of Saint-Louis – War hero and fur Trader | |
| Henri de Tonti | 1649-1704 | – “Father of Arkansas” – Established the Poste de Arkansea and St. Louis – Explorer of the Mississippi, Illinois, and Great Lakes – War hero and fur trader – Served with La Salle and Bienville | |
| Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne, Sieur de Bienville | 1680-1776 | – “Father of Louisiana” – Explorer and successful seaman and soldier – First governor of Louisiana – Founder of New Orleans – Served with Iberville and Tonti | |
| Louis Juchereau de Saint Denis | 1676-1744 | – Explorer and founder of Natchitoches – Commandant of Post St. Jean Baptiste des Natchitoches – Known as “Big Leg” and “Pretty Legs” by natives due to his tattoos – Served with Iberville, Bienville, and Brevel | – Louise-Marguerite Juchereau de Saint-Denis – Maria Rosa Juchereau de Saint-Denis de la Chaise – Don Louis-Charles-Antoine Juchereau de Saint-Denis – Marie-Dolores-Simone des Douliers Juchereau de Saint-Denis de Blanc de Neuville – Marie Petronille Felicie Juchereau de Saint-Denis de Mezieres |
| José Domingo Ramón | ? – 1723 | ||
| Jean-Baptiste Bénard de la Harpe | 1683-1765 | ||
| Claude Charles du Tisne | 1681-1730 | ||
| Renault d’Hauterive | 1691-? | ||
| Jean Baptiste Brevel | 1698- 1754 | – Explorer of Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas – French marine at Fort St. Jean Baptiste des Natchitoches and Le Poste des Cadodaquious – Indian Trader – Served with St. Denis, Grappe, and Tisne | – Jean Baptiste Brevel II (Isle Brevelle, LA) – Villere Pierre Brevelle (Brouillette, LA) – Villere P. Brevelle II (Marksville, LA) – Herman Joseph Brevelle (Marksville, LA) – Mark Paul Brevelle (Hessmer, LA) – Robert K. Brevelle (Leesville, LA) – Tristan Carman Brevelle (Anacoco, LA) |
| Marqués de San Miguel de Aguayo | 1677-1730 | ||
| Pierre Dugué de Boisbriand | 1675- 1736 | ||
| Étienne de Perier | 1686-1766 | ||
| Alexis Grappe | 1717-1775 | – Non-commissioned Commander of Caddo Post – Marine stationed at Fort St. Jean Baptiste des Natchitoches | – Francois Baptiste Grappe – Marie Pelagie Grappe – Marie Francoise Grappe – Marie Anne Grappe – Jean Baptiste Grappe |
| Athanase de Mézières | 1719-1779 | – Governor of Texas – Lt. Governor of Natchitoches and Frontier – Commandant of Natchitoches – Indian Trader, soldier, diplomat | – Elizabeth Marie Felicité de Mezieres – Marie Pelagie de Mezieres – Cesaire Marie de Mezieres – Louis Francois Marie de Mezieres – Antoine Marie de Mezieres – Marie Stephanie Pelagie de Mezieres – Marie Jean Jacques de Mezieres – Marie Nicolas Zozime de Mezieres |
Register of Founding Fathers and their descendants. Founding Fathers explored and governed settlements including Indigenous villages in the colony through Governor Bienville’s last term in 1743. Additional Founding Fathers are currently being researched.
If you believe that a Founding Father should be added to the register, please email melissa.collins@laghs.com with supporting documentation.
Indigenous Tribes
Register of Native American tribes residing within the borders of present-day Louisiana at the time of European contact through early colonization (defined by the building of Nuestra Señora del Pilar de los Adaes Presidio in 1721 to check French expansion after the establishment of the Fort St. Jean Baptiste des Natchitoches).
