Person:Pierre Vincent (11)

Vincent Settlement

Pierre Vincent is thought to be the first permanent settler in the area of Louisiana south of Lake Charles. There were others in the area before him -- horse traders and cattle drovers -- but they left no permanent mark on the land.^S4

Marriage to Sarah (Sally) Celeste Ryan

Pierre Vincent Jr. married Sarah Celeste (Sally) Ryan, the daughter of Jacob Ryan Sr. Ryan had migrated from Georgia to the region around Perry's Bridge in Vermilion Parish, La., but in 1817 moved to Calcasieu Parish. One of his sons, Isaac, moved also to Calcasieu, where we are told, he met up with Jim Bowie. It was perhaps an unfortunate meeting. Isaac Ryan's name can be found among those who followed Bowie to the Alamo and died there with him.

Pierre Vincent Jr. and Sally Ryan also moved to Calcasieu. They were among the first ten settlers in those parts (If you don't count the Indians, which few people do). They were probably among the first five. They would leave their mark.

The main thoroughfare through Lake Charles is named Ryan Street, after Jacob Ryan Jr., who opened a sawmill on the lakefront, claimed the land around it, then sold it by the 100 fool rope length through what is now the city's downtown. The story goes that, if you wanted to buy some land from him, you'd find him rocking on his front porch, with a coil of rope alongside his chair. "I want to buy some land" you'd say. "Measure it off," he'd say, and throw you the rope.

Pierre Vincent Jr. and Sally Ryan settled across the river from Lake Charles and reared ten children at a homesite still known as Vincent Settlement.

Before all was said and done, the Ryans (along with some others) had up and founded a town. The Vincent's stayed on the farm and raised cattle and kids.

Source: Vincent Family Association Website ^S3

Documentation

Photographs

Headstone - Pierre Vincent Jr S2

Census Records

1850 Census - Household of Pierre Vincent S1

Newspaper Clippings

Spaniards Probably Said First SWLA Mass in 1785 - Mentions Pierre Vincent S5

History of Ged Starts with Pierre Vincent and Sarah Ryan S5

Pierre Vincent- Bayou d'Inde Pioneer S5

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} United States. Census Office. 7th census, 1850. Louisiana, 1850 federal census : population schedules. (Washington, District of Columbia: The National Archives, 1964)
   Year: 1850; Census Place: Calcasieu, Calcasieu, Louisiana; Roll M432_230; Page: 384A; Image: 285.
2.   Find A Grave.
3.   Vincent Family History, in Vincent Family Association.
4.   Parish History, in Catholic Diocese of Lake Charles.
5.   Lake Charles, Louisiana. American Press. (Lake Charles, Louisiana).
6.   LeDoux Family - Calcasieu Parish.
7.   Find A Grave Memorial 25625443