Person:Michel Benoit (3)

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Michel Benoit was born to Michel Benoit and Elise Granger on 9 Jan 1833. During his lifetime, he was a cattle driver, land owner and farmer, Cajun healer, war veteran, daily laborer, barkeep and grocer. He married three times, outliving two of his wives, and he fathered at least 25 children. Michel died on 14 April 1909, at age 76.

Facts and Events

Portrait

Parentage

Michel Benoit was born to Michel Benoit and Elise Granger on 9 Jan 1833. He was christened in Lafayette Parish on 11 September 1834. ^{[9] [10]}

Document	Information
1850 Census - Household of Michel Benoit, Sr. [15]	1850 Census, Calcasieu, Louisiana, United States Michel Benoit M 42 Planter, Value of real estate - $200 Lise F 36 Michel M 16 Jn Bte M 14 Zelmise F 11 [Marie Zelmire] Lise F 8 [Elisa] Virgine F 6 Julien M 3 Jacques M < 1 year

Physical Appearance

According to his enlistment record, Michel stood 5'11" tall, and had black hair and grey eyes.

Marriages

Michel was married three times, as he outlived his first two wives. In addition to his own children, he raised children from his wives' previous marriages.

Marriage to Marie Cleonise Babineaux

On 28 February 1854, at age 20, Michel married Marie Cleonise Babineaux at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Vermilionville, Louisiana.

Document	Information
1870 Census - Household of Michel and Marie Cleonise Benoit [6]	20 June 1870; Census Place: Ward 3, Lake Charles, Calcasieu, Louisiana, United States Michel Benoit 37 Farm Laborer, Value of Real Estate: $300, Value of Personal Estate: $300 Cleonise Benoit 25 Keeping House Eamunide Benoit 12 Antior Benoit 9 Edgar Benoit 6 Letitia Benoit 2

Marriage to Marie Domatile Duhon

Michel married Marie Domathile Duhon about 1875. Michel was 41 years old when they married. They had seven sons.

In the 1880 Census, the family was living in Lake Charles.

Document	Information
1880 Census - Household of Michel and Marie Donathile Benoit [7]	Year: 1880; Census Place: Lake Charles, Calcasieu, Louisiana; Benoit, Michel Head WM 46 beef driver Donathile wife WF 26 keeping house Antaell son WM 19 laborer (Michel's son from his marriage to Marie Cleonise Babineaux) Edgar son WM 16 (Michel's son from his marriage to Marie Cleonise Babineaux) Eudea daughter WF 14 (Michel's daughter from his marriage to Marie Cleonise Babineaux) Adaline daughter WF 8 (Michel's daughter from his marriage to Marie Cleonise Babineaux) Juleen son WM 1 Justilian son WM 1 Favier, Cleontine stepdaughter WF 8 Babino, Odelia servant WF 12 Surner, Ernest laborer WM 18, born in Texas Roll T9_449; Family History Film: 1254449; Page: 482.4000; Enumeration District: 8; Image: 0729
Family portrait: Michel Benoit and Marie Domathile Duhon Benoit.	Michel and Marie Domathile Duhon Benoit pose with five of their seven sons. The girls standing in the back could be from Michel's first marriage. One of them might also be Domathile's daughter from her first marriage, who was shown in the 1880 census as 8 years old and living in Michel's household. The sons in the photo are more than likely twins Eustlian and Julian, Roman, Murphy and Raymie.

Marriage to Genevive "Jenny" Montie

Michel married Genevive "Jenny" Montie around 1896. Michel would have been around 62 years old at the time of their marriage, and Jenny would have been around 17 years of age.

Michele and Jenny raised three daughters. It is believed that one of those daughters was adopted. According to Michel's son Willie Benoit, there were also two children from this marriage who died, Jessie and Bennie.

In 1890, the Census shows Michel and Jenny living in Ward 5, Lower Sabine, Calcasieu Parish. Michel's occupation in 1890 was listed as daily laborer.

Document

Information

1900 Census - Household of Michel and Jenny Benoit [8]

13 Jun 1900, Ward 5, Lower Sabine, Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, USA Benoit, Michel Head WM Apr 18 67 Married 4 years, Daily laborer (parents born in LA) Jennie Wife WF Jun 1879 20, Married 4 years, Mother of 2 children with 2 children living, Read-no, Write-no, (parents born in LA) Justilian son WM Apr 1879 21 Daily laborer Ustilian son WM Apr 1879 21 Daily laborer Murphy son WM Jan 1883 17 Renie son WM Mar 1885 15 Roman son WM Feb 1886 12 Preston son WM May 1892 8 Willie son WM Jun 1896 3 Ida daughter WM Nov 1899 1 Roll T623_561; Page: 5B; Enumeration District: 18

Michel had his last child at around age 75. His son Willie Benoit recalled that after the birth of this child, his dad was going down the hall whistling and saying, "God willing, I'm going to have more children." Unfortunately, he died before that could happen.

Willie was young when his mother Marie Domathile died, so Jenny raised him. According to Willie, "she was a good woman."

Military Service

During the American Civil War, Michel served as a private in Company A of Daly's/Ragdale's Battalion Texas Cavalry, a unit partially raised in Calcasieu Parish. He enlisted in Calcasieu Parish on 10 Apr 64. His discharge papers list his occupation at the time he enlisted as farmer and his age as 30. From September through December 1864, he was detailed as a hospital attendant. He was discharged on disability in Sabine, Pass, Texas, on 29 January 1865 (which was five months before the end of the war).

Text of Certificate of Disability for Discharge

Michell Benoit, private, of Captain Sterling T. Seawell’s Company, (A) of the Daly Battalion Regiment of Confederate States Calvary, was enlisted by Captain Seawell of the Daly’s Battalian Regiment of Calvary at Calcsieu Louisiana on the tenth day of April 1864, to serve the war years; he was born in Calcasieu Parish, in the State of Louisiana, is 30 years of age, five feet, eleven inches high, Florid Brunette complexion, gray eyes, Black hair, and by occupation when enlisted, Farmer. During the last two months said soldier has been unfit for duty forty seven days. He has been totally disabled for duty since the 30 of June by fits of convulsions, and, on inquiry among his friends are informed that he has ben subject to such fits for many years. Station: Sabine Pass, Texas. Date: 11th August, 1864. Signed by Captain Seawell. We Certify that we have carefully examined the said Pvt. Michell Benoit of Captain Seawell’s Company, and find him incapable of performing the duties of a soldier because of [illegible word] of long standing, some of us having seen him in one of these fits. We recommend he be discharged from the army.

Images of Military Records

Military Record - Page 1: Envelope. Benoit, Michel. Co. A, Ragsdale's Batt'n Texas Calvary. Private. Card Numbers. 50438760. 50438940. 50439096. 50439292. 50439473.

Military Record - Page 2: Sept 1864. Detailed as Hospital Attendant at Bat. Hospital Sabine S.O. 264 (over)

Military Record - Page 3: Card Number. 50438760. Sept 20, 1864 Dist Hd Qrs

Military Record - Page 4: Oct 1864. Detailed in Post Hospital at Sabine S.O. 246 Dist Hd (over)

Military Record - Page 5: Card Number 50438940. Sept 12, 1864

Military Record - Page 6: Nov 1864. Detailed at Post Hospital Sabine Pass S.O. 24 (over)

Military Record - Page 7: Card Number 50439096. Dec 20, 1864. Dist Hd Qrs

Military Record - Page 8: Dec 1864. Detailed S.0. 246 Sept 2/64. Dist Headqrs (over)

Military Record - Page 9: Card Number 50439292. Attendant Post Hospital, Sabine

Military Record - Page 10: January 1865. Alterations since last return among the enlisted men: January 29, 1865. Sabine. Loss - discharged disability.

Military Record - Page 11: Certificate of Disability for Discharge in the case of Michel Benoit. Aug. 16, 1864.

Military Record - Page 13: Certificate of Disability for Discharge in the case of Michel Benoit. Aug. 16, 1864.

Military Record - Page 12: Certificate of Disability for Discharge

Military Record - Page 14: Certificate of Disability for Discharge

Daly’s/Ragsdales’s Battalion Volunteer Texas Cavalry

Source: Acadians in Gray from From Sifakis, Compendium of C.S. Armies: Texas, 96. ^[3]

Organization: Organized with five companies ca. January 1864. Dismounted in February 1865. Surrendered by General E.K. Smith, commanding Trans-Mississippi Department, on May 26, 1865.

First Commander: Andrew Daly, LTC

Field Officer: Samuel G. Ragsdale, MAJ, LTC

Assignments: Eastern Sub-district, District of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, Trans-Mississippi Department (Jan-Sep 64); Unattached, 3rd (Drayton’s) Texas Cavalry Division, 3rd Corps, Trans-Mississippi Department (Sep 64-Feb 65); 6th (HEBERT’s) Texas Infantry Brigade, 2nd (HEBERT’s) Texas Infantry Division, 3rd Corps, Trans-Mississippi Department (Feb-May 65)

Battles: Calcasieu Pass (May 6, 1864)

From Bergeron, "Free Men of Color in Grey," 251: "This unit had moved into southwestern Louisiana [by September 1864] to perform guard and picket duty around the Calcasieu and Mermentau rivers and had enlisted several dozen Louisianians."

Art Bergeron to the Steven A. Cormier of Acadians in Gray, February 1997: "On several occasions during 1863 and 1864, Texas Confederate troops moved into southwestern Louisiana. These soldiers entered the state to collect supplies or to assist in protecting the area from Union invasion. While performing these tasks, the Texans took advantage of their situation to recruit local men into their military units. One unit that enlisted a sizable number of Louisianians was Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Daly’s Texas Cavalry Battalion (later commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Samuel G. Ragsdale). Some of the Louisianians had served previously in units from their own state, while others were enlisting for the first time.

Family Stories

Why Michel Settled in Vinton, Louisiana

Michel drove cattle between New Orleans and Texas. Family stories tell that when Michel drove cattle through Vinton, he would rest under the shady trees in a spot that is the current location of the Vinton library and playground. He liked the place so much, he vowed someday to live there. That is why he eventually moved to Vinton.

Why the Family Left the Catholic Church

According to Michel Benoit's nephew, Donatile passed away while Michel was on a cattle drive to New Orleans. The priest would not bury Donatile because Michel didn't have any money. Michel brought her back and buried her at Niblett's Bluff. After that, he wouldn't have anything more to do with the Catholic Church.

The Year the Family Almost Starved

Michel Benoit owned a bar in Vinton. Several women in town who opposed alcoholic beverages wanted him to shut it down. They promised him that if he closed the bar and opened a grocery store, they would shop there. So he shut down the bar and opened a grocery store. According to his son Willie Benoit, they almost starved that year because the ladies didn't shop in his store after all.

Note: The bar was located on the northeast corner of Eddy Street and Lorree Street.

Land Patents

1860 Patent	1870 Patent	1892 Patent
Land Patent Michel Benoit Fils, 1870 [13]	Land Patent Michel Benoit, 1870 [13]	Land Patent Michel Benoit, 1892 [13]
Patent Description: Issue Date: 12/10/1860 Acres: 40.37 Authority: April 24, 1820: Sale-Cash Entry (3 Stat. 566) Document Nr.: 7775 Accession/Serial Nr.: LA1390__.432 Legal Land Description: Aliquot Parts: NWSE Sec./Block: 22/ Township: 11-S Range: 9-W	Patent Description: Issue Date: 2/10/1870 Acres: 80.72 Authority: April 24, 1820: Sale-Cash Entry (3 Stat. 566) Document Nr.: 2738 Acc./Ser. Nr.: LA1400__.284 Legal Land Description: Aliquot Parts: W½NW Sec./Block: 4/ Township: 11-S Range: 9-W Note: Need to make sure this patent isn't for Michel Benoit, Sr.	Patent Description: Issue Date: 3/7/1892 Acres: 161.46 Authority: May 20, 1862: Homestead EntryOriginal (12 Stat. 392) Document Nr.: 143 Acc./Ser. Nr.: LA0380__.460 Legal Land Description: Aliquot Parts: 3 listed - SWNE, SENW, N½SW Sec./Block: 22/ Township: 11-S Range: 9-W Note: Need to make sure this patent isn't for Michel Benoit, Sr.

Michel Benoit in the Lake Charles Newspaper

Lake Charles Daily American. 8 May 1899. [7]

Lake Charles Daily American. 13 Feb 1900. [7]

Michel Benoit Charged with Hoodlumism 1907 [7]

Death and Burial

Michel died on 14 April 1909, and is buried in Niblett's Bluff Cemetery.

Headstone - Nibletts Cemetery.

Military marker.

UCV Cross, originally attached to a fence around Michel Benoit's grave.

Military Record

Military Record

1. ↑ 1840 Census, in Janice Batte Craven and La Vaughn H. "LV" Hayes. List of the First Families of Imperial Calcasieu Parish, 1840.
2. ↑ ^2.0 2.1 American Civil War Soldiers, Sources: 425.

   Name: Michael Benoit
   Side Served: Confederacy
   State Served: Texas
   Service Record: Enlisted as a Private.
   Enlisted in Company A, Ragsdale's Battn Cavalry Regiment Texas.

3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2} Steven A. Cormier. Acadians in Gray.
4. ↑ ^4.0 4.1 Jan Craven. Reese Perkins Application for Pension.

   Excerpts from a Soldier's Application for Pension mentions Michel Benoit.

5. ↑ ^5.0 5.1 Film Number M227 roll 3, in National Park Service database. Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System (CWSS), Primary quality.
6. ↑ ^6.0 6.1 Seymour, Geneva Bailey. 1870 census of Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana. (Lubbock, Texas: G. Seymour, c1982), Year: 1870; Census Place: Ward 3, Calcasieu, Louisiana; Roll M593_509; Page: 21; Image: 42., 20 Jun 1870.
   1870 Census
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4} United States. Bureau of the Census. 10th census, 1880. Louisiana, 1880 federal census : soundex and population schedules. (Washington, District of Columbia: The National Archives, 19--?), Year: 1880; Census Place: Lake Charles, Calcasieu, Louisiana; Roll T9_449; Family History Film: 1254449; Page: 482.4000; Enumeration District: 8; Image: 0729., 4 Jun 1880, Primary quality.
   1880 Census
8. ↑ ^8.0 8.1 United States. Census Office. 12th census, 1900. Louisiana, 1900 federal census : soundex and population schedules. (Washington, District of Columbia: The National Archives, 19--?), Year: 1900; Census Place: Lower Sabine, Calcasieu, Louisiana; Roll T623_561; Page: 5B; Enumeration District: 18., 13 Jun 1900, Primary quality.
   1900 Census - Household of Michel and Jenny Benoit
9. ↑ ^9.0 9.1 Louisiana Genealogy Trails. Lafayette Parish Birth Records.

   Name: Benoit, Michel M
   Father: Michel Benoit
   Mother: Lise Granger
   Christening: 11 Sep 1834

10. ↑ ^{10.0 10.1 10.2} Hébert, Donald J. Southwest Louisiana Records: Church and Civil Records of Settlers, 1756-1810. (Eunice, Louisiana: Hebert Publications, 1974-), Volume III, p 40.

    Benoit, Michel (Michel & Lise Granger) bt 13 Nov 1834 at age 10 months (Laf Ch. : v. 3, p 223)

11.   LOUISIANA CONFEDERATE PENSION APPLICATION INDEX , http://files.usgwarchives.org/la/state/military/wbts/csa-pension-index/b.txt.

    INDEX_NAME: BENOIT, MICHEL
    REEL: CP1.10
    MICRODEX: 1.000000
    MICRODEX__: 19.000000
    PAGES: 4.000000

12.   Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of Texas, in Walker, James D. U. S. Military service and pension records housed at the National Archives. (Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, c1969), M323. Record Group: 109.
    Military Record Military Record Military Record Military Record Military Record Military Record Military Record Military Record Military Record Military Record Military Record Military Record
13. ↑ ^{13.0 13.1 13.2} United States. Bureau of Land Management, General Land Office Records, Land Patent Search.
    1860 Land Patent, Michel Benoit Fils Land Patent 1870 Land Patent 1892
14.   Lake Charles, Louisiana. American Press. (Lake Charles, Louisiana).
    8 May 1899 13 Feb 1900 Michel Benoit Charged with Hoodlumism 1907
15. ↑ Seymour, Geneva Bailey. 1850 census of Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana. (Cecilia, Louisiana: H?bert Publications, c1980), Year: 1850; Census Place: Calcasieu, Calcasieu, Louisiana; Roll: M432_230; Page: 381; Image: 275., 1850 .
    1850 Census - Household of Michel Benoit, Sr.