The petitioners are Marie Eulalie Lalanne, also called Modestine, and her husband, Daniel Depassau, Charles Percy, and Albert Depassau, all free people of color and the surviving relatives and heirs of the late Louise Bonne Lalanne, a free woman of color. They represent that the late Lalanne had seven children, whom she instituted as her sole legatees by an 1812 last will and testament. All the children are now dead, except for Modestine. Other surviving family members are Charles Percy, Louise's grandson, and Albert Depassau, her other son-in-law. Modestine, Daniel, Charles, and Albert represent that Louise's will was properly probated and “letters testamentary” duly granted after her death in 1816. Furthermore, the heirs were never “legally dispossessed of their right and title” in the tract of land that is the subject of the present suit. The petitioners allege, however, that the said land was illegally sold in 1824 before a proper partition of the estate could be made according to the deceased’s last will and testament. The land is now in the hands of a free man of color named Manuel Moreau. The petitioners therefore pray that Moreau be condemned to return their share in the land and to pay them back rents, at a rate of $30 per month.
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Repository: New Orleans Public Library, New Orleans, Louisiana
