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The transition from tobacco to cotton farming at Magnolia followed the invention of the Whitney cotton gin in 1793. As the textile mills increased demand for cotton, the use of enslaved labor to plant, pick, and process cotton increased. Wherever slavery existed, there were efforts on the part of the enslaved to escape that cruel institution and gain freedom. On October 14, 1804, several enslaved people left the plantation of Ambrose LeComte and other neighboring plantations. A posse tried to recapture the freedom seekers, but the escapees eluded capture and entered Spanish territory. Natchitoches residents requested the fugitives return from Spanish officials. Upon return, the freedom seekers were interrogated, publicly whipped, and returned to their owners. Despite having to contend with freedom seekers, the first U.S. census for Louisiana, taken in 1810, records that the number of people enslaved by the LeComtes had increased to fifty-four. The following information has been retrieved from archival records. 1801 Francois Dophino, age 11 months, born in 1800, daughter of Magdeleine 1803 Susanne, age 1 year, born in 1802 1804 Arcene, age 15 days, born in 1804, daughter of Marie des Douleurs Athanase, age 12 years, born in 1792 Fanchon, sold Francoise, 12 years old Francoise, age 10 years, born in 1794 1700s1845 |
Last updated: January 13, 2022