Humanities Book of the Year
2022
If you use this work, please credit my webpage.--Fatima Shaik
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 the 1836 founders and men who were members of the society in 1874 and 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. These lists are only snapshots in time.
--Fatima
1874 Members
Joseph Allain
Ludger Boguille
Eugene Meilleur
Alexandre Perez
St. Marc Pajaud
Adolphe Desmazilliere
Ernest Vila
Charles Chord
Thézir Populus
Ernest Blache
Ernest Bertow
Eugene Rillieux
François Remy
Henry J. Willz?
Othello Dimmouille
Pedro Barthelemy
Français Gallaud
Benjamin J. Xavier
Jeauble? Siméon
Victor Hubert
Ernest Wolf
Leopold Hewlett
François Tervalon
Henry Camps
E. Berthelot
Ones? Azaretto
Siméon Monde
Emile Trosclair
H. Thomas Auginnie?
Joseph Bady
Anthony Péralt
Louis Sylvaino
Manuel Bordenave
Emile Bagneris
William Joseph Taylor
Joseph N. Caytano
Eugene Cabrere
Gustave Mathiew
Hippolyte Grelet?
Florestan Casenave
Richard Leaisoux
Ernest Lacroix
Michel Montégut
Aleide Lewis
Edouan Dumouille
Frédérie Herriman
Charles Charbonnet
Heimozene Gallaud
Remil Chiada
Alfred Jean Marie
Manuel Fuentes
Alcide Pemossier?
Joachim Louis
William Moulazon
Jean Lambert
V. Albert Meileu (sic Meilleur)
Samuel L. Armstrong
Antoine Joseph
Joseph Brulé
Lolo Dominique
Octave Esteves
Isadore M. Armand
Jules Bernard
Aristide Rivarde
Lucien?
Pessou?
Arthur L. Thibaut
Frank Smith
Charles Gignard
Jean Labeau
Charles P. Vigers
Lucien J. P. Capla
Ernest Slade
Charles Savary
Alfred Bougeois
Placide L. Lalourner?
Engle Bart
Adlophe Roger
Achille François
Eugene Rapp
Joseph Vila
Antione Mathiew
Edgar Lewis
Jean V. Bossiere
Elezée Pizéro
Jules L. Frédéric
Eugene L. Picotte
Joseph Sépéro
Signatories of the 1876 Constitution
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.
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)
