Person:Nicolas Sordelet (1)

DEED13 Jan 1866 Nicolas Sordelet and Francis Boitet bought 40 acres from Ochmry and Ann Bird for $400. Land was located NW1/4 of SE1/4, Sec 11, T30, R14 of Jefferson Twp. Allen County, IN04 Apr 1866 Nicolas and Jeanne Claude Sordelet, his wife, and Francis and Celina Boitet, his wife, sold previously bought land to Joseph Sweeney for $475.

COUNTY DIRECTORYNicolas Sordelet was listed as a farmer in the 1867 County Directory. His post office address was New Haven, IN.

CENSUSNicolas and Jeanne Claude appeared in only one Federal Census, that being in the year of 1870. They were the only two living in their household. Nicolas was listed as a farmer, and they both were reported as having been born in france. They lived in Section 11 of Jefferson Township, next to or very near their sons Jacques (Jacob) and Louis, and their families. In fact, during most of their lifetime in Jefferson Township, these folks all lived in section 11.

CHURCHThe center of activities for these Catholics of French descent, as well as other Catholics in the area, was the St. Louis Catholic Church at Besancon. These French folks began immigrating into Jefferson Township in 1840. They first called this settlement area New France or French Settlement in honor of their fatherland. Catholic services were first held in the home of Joseph Dodane. As years passed, and in 1851 a small church was built and it was called St. Louis Catholic Church. A very small little village grew up around the church. This was called Besancon, as a great many of the families came from the Besancon area of France. Eventually a rectory was built. Next came a school and a convent for the sisters, who were teachers in the school. A parish cemetery was also included.

OLD AGE The will of August Sordelet read, in part, as follows: "I will and ordain, however, that my said wife, Catherine, shall support and maintain in board and clothes my father and mother for and during the term of their natural lives.......and also that my said father and mother shall during the term of their lives use and occupy with my said wife where I now reside in the Township of Jefferson, Allen County, Indiana." Since Nicolas did not appear in the 1880 Federal Census, it is presumed he died before 1880. His death is not recorded at St. Louis Catholic Church, nor with the county records. Jeanne Claude died on 22 March 1879 at age 89. She is buried at St. Louis Catholic Church at Besancon.

1. ↑ ^1.0 1.1 Translated by Father Charles Banet, C.P.P.S. Baptismal Records, St. Madeleine's Catholic Church, Courchaton, Hoate Saone, France.
2. ↑ Jacob Sordelet household, 1870 Federal Census, Allen County, IN, Jefferson Tounship,
   Page 132,Dwelling 188, Family 210, National Archives Micropublication M593, Roll 298.
3. ↑ Allen County Deeds
   book 41, page 80.
4. ↑ Allen County Lines. Early Farm Life. (Allen County Genealogy Society, Fort Wayne, IN, Vol. IX, No. 2)
   page 49-50.
5. ↑ Allen County Deeds, Book 39:339, Allen County Courthouse, Fort Wayne, IN.
6. ↑ Allen County Deeds, Book 41:80, Allen County Courthouse, Fort Wayne, IN.
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7} Sordelet Family .FTW.
8. ↑ ^{8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 8.7} Fort Wayne City and Allen County directory for 1894-95.
9. ↑ Sue Pio Kratzman and Judy Pio Schroff. St. Louis Besancon Catholic Church Old Cemetery. (Fort Wayne, IN).
10. ↑ acte n° 35
    vue n° 50, à gauche.

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11. ↑ acte n° 6
    vue n° 117, en bas à gauche.

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