Humanities Book of the Year
2022
The Members of the Economy Society
The Economy Society (Société d'Economie et d'Assistance Mutuelle) began in 1836 and disbanded around the 1950s. The organization counted as members many of the activists and entrepreneurs in a community termed colored, Black, and Negro over the century. My book, Economy Hall: The Hidden History of a Free Black Brotherhood tells the story of this community from the Haitian Revolution to the creation of jazz through the life of an influential society secretary.
Economy members served in the Battle of New Orleans and Civil War, died in the New Orleans Massacre and "Battle of Liberty Place," worked in the Reconstruction government and post-Reconstruction politics and much more. Their hall hosted public debates, theater, concerts, recitals, and balls.
Below are the names of men who were members of the society in 1876 when the Economy re-incorporated to include Les Amis de l’Équité—the Friends of Equity. Hundreds of men joined and departed the society over the length of its existance. This list is only a snapshot in time.
--Fatima
The typescript list below is an attempt to decipher the handwriting in the revised constitution of the society in 1876 (above) and replicates those spellings. Be aware that the names may be spelled differently on other documents. When possible, I have noted with an asterik names that I have double checked in other minute books to denote a more complete spelling or a transposed surname. A question mark means that I could not confirm the spelling. The remainding names should be accurate as written.
If you use this work, please credit my webpage.--Fatima Shaik
M. J. Piron
F. Casenave (*Florestan)
V. A. Meilleur (*V. Albert)
E. G. Gignac (*George)
Leon Vigne
T. William (*Théodule?)
Andre Dominguez (*André)
Raymond Mary
Jules Bard
Ignace Steel
Jos. Delay (*Joseph)
Louis Carlon
J. B. Margueze (*Marquez?)
L. A. Meilleur
Jos Laurent (*Joseph)
J. Sepere?
Valsin Boutté
Simeon Labeau
Simeon Labeau
Alfred Jourdain
Mazin Pierre (*Pierre Mazin)
Louis Rouzan
Victor Hubert
Dussuau Emile (*Emile Dussuau)
Francis Gardere (*Gardère)
M. E. Perrault
M. Camps (*Manuel)
Rob. Willard (*Robert)
Ant. Rousseau (*Antoine)
Arm. Bedout (*Armand)
Jos. Percy (*Joseph)
Louis Legros
Ch. Middleton (*Charles)
Prosper Avril
Homer Boutté
Gus Bedout (*Gustave)
Henri Labeau
Hypolite Nicolas
J. Sangade?
V. Populus
Edgar Davis
Marcelin Martin (*Martin Marcelin)
Robert Charles (*Charles Robert)
Mollay P. A. (*P.A. Mollay)
Louis Daniel
Lacoste Hortaire (probably Hortaire Lacoste)
Joseph Alcindor
N. E. D. Morand (*Nelson)
Ch. P. Vigers (*Charles)
F. Herriman (*Frederic)
Geo. Madison (*George)
E. J. Tennette (*Emile)
A. J. Cheveau(*Auguste)
Ben Xavier (*Benjamin)
Domingo Cadaron (*Dominique Cadaron)
Isadore Armand
Fran Pigneguy(Francis Pignéguy)
Henry L. Rey (*Louis)
J. Abelard (Joseph Abélard)
Joseph Rippoll
Fran Georges (*Francis)
Aug. Motin (*Augustin Mutin)
Fran. Diaz (*Francisco)
Jean Fournier
George James
Manuel Barriere (Barrière)
F. Tervalon (*François)
Francisco Oliba
Louis N. Fouché (*Nelson)
Edgar Davis
Patricio Martinez
Ch. Aubert (*Charles Auber)
Joes. Alcina (*Joseph)
Armand Bond (*Bon)
M. H. Nelson
H. Christophe (*Henri)
L. Pesson
Alfred Mary(*Jean Alfred Mary)
A. Ferrand (*Armand or Joseph A.)
Ant. Steel
Jules Déjan
Ernest Alix
Jos. Rippoll (*Joseph)
Jos. Labeau
Fran Hernandez
Wm. Moulaizon (*William)
Ant Luciani (*Antoine/ Antonio)
Joe. Burel (*Joseph)
Labeau Jean (*Jean Labeau)
Engle Barthe (*also Engle Bart)
Adam Manuel (*Manuel Adam)
Antoine Pierre
George James (*George F. James)
Marcelin Fortin
Nickerson William (*William Nickerson)
