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May Family of South Louisiana, New Orleans, LA (2026)

This page was created by Lenora Gobert to discover more family members and history of Delosier May, his son Andrew Jackson May and his daughter, my paternal grandmother, Ethel May.

08/13/2022

What I found out about Delosier May--AJ May's father and my great, great grandfather--is that he was a freedman farmer who purchased and sold a number of tracts of land after leaving Alabama and settling in St Landry parish, Louisiana:

During and after the Civil War labor contracts were established through The Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands (Freedmen's Bureau) by the government to employ people, among other tasks.

--4 April 1868 Labor contract. Agreement between TA Scales and a group of Freedmen at Opelousas to cultivate the Thompson plantation in St Landry parish, commencing 1 January 1868 [agreement dated 4 months after work started] and terminating on 1 December 1868. All agreed to the contract based on Circular #3 Headquarters Bureau Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands providing for the employment and general welfare of Freedmen, Series 1868. TA Scales agreed to provide sufficient quarters and fuel to see that the premises were kept in good sanitary condition. An allotment was allowed for gardening and tools and animals. The laborers were allowed days off--the 4th of July and Election Days, to cooperate and encourage the establishment of any school for the children and give at minimum 1/4 acre for the er****on of a school house. The laborers were all share-croppers and had to agree to work Saturday afternoons, Sundays and at night if the employer needed them to. If TA Scales fails to provide good or insufficient food, or insufficient or unhealthy quarters, or is guilty of cruelty, the laborers will have legal recourse and the contract will be annulled at the option of the Assistant Commissioner (of the Freedmen's Bureau for that region).

Five men were signed on as sharecroppers but not Lozier [sic] May. He was 23 years old and would receive $8/month in wages. He could rent 1 acre of land and have free use of teams to cultivate it.

The contract was signed by O.H. Violet, Assistant Sub Asst over BRF and AL St Landry and Calcaseiu parishes. Captain Oscar Hamilton Violet was named Agent of the Freedmen's Bureau for St. Landry parish, La.. Feb. 1866 but was "removed" around Sept. 1868 for "interfering with politics." Sources: 1) Roll 48, Labor contracts-agreements with freedmen, May 1868, images 759-60, Subordinate office (plantation department), Louisiana Freedmen's Bureau Office Records 1865-1872, FamilySearch.org; 2) Geni.com, https://www.geni.com/people/Capt-Oscar-Violet-U-S-A/6000000088413819200.

--27 April 1869 He married Suzan Brewer. Osbard England was Minister of the Gospel.

--24 March 1879 Widow CL Dupre [Emma Poiret Dupre] sold to Delosier May a plot of land in Plaisance (near Washington a small town above Opelousas) for $512, bounded by Emma Poiret Dupre, and Ephraim Brown. Source: Book G-2, pg 10, Act #16769, 24 May 1879 and in Mortgage Book #19, pg 45.

--24 March 1879 Widow CL Dupre [Emma Poiret Dupre] sold to Ephram Brown a tract of land and documents has land maps pertinent to Delosier May's purchase. Source: Alienation Records Book G-2, pgs 11-12, Act # 16771 and in Mortgage Book 19, pgs 45-46, St Landry Courthouse.

--1 Feb 1881 Delosier May sold land in Prairie Plaisance to Jerry May (who may have been his uncle or a much older brother). Source: Land sale Delosier May to Jerry May:
1st A certain tract of Prairie land, containing 20 acres situated in Plaisance, being lot No 1 of the map filed in the sale of Emma Poiret, widow of Christoval L. Dupré, to Ephraim Brown, March 24th 1879, bounded on one side by Emma Poiret, on the other side by land of Ephraim Brown, on the other side by land of P.J. Parker and on the other side by land of Emma Poiret.
2nd A tract of wood land, containing 5 acres situated in Plaisance, bounded on one side by land of J. & A. Perrodin, on two sides by land of Emma Poiret and on the other side by land of Ephram Brown, being lot No 1 filed in the sale of Ephraim Brown, map marked B March 24th 1879.

These tracts are the same sold by Emma Poiret to present vendor on the 24th day of March 1879. This sale is made for the price and sum of $258 payable in 4 equal installments for which sum purchaser has furnished 4 promissory notes each for $64.50 at 8% yearly. The notes are given in payment of a mortgage which she held against Delosier May, resulting from a sale passed March 24th 1879 and authorized the Recorder to cancel the mortgage. Jerry May made his mark not knowing how to write. Delosier May signed. Source: Land Sale Delosier May to Jerry May, Act # 19394, Conveyance Book I-2, pg 217, 1 February 1881 and Alienation Book J No. 2 pgs 217-18 and Mortgage Book No. 20 pgs 591-92, Opelousas Courthouse, St Landry.

--12 Jan 1884 Auguste Perrodin liquidator of the late firm of Js A Perrodin of Opelousas to Delosia [sic] May of St Landry for $100. "Purchaser has this day drawn and executed his promissory notes each for fifty dollars, payable..." in two payments, "the following described property, to wit: a small piece of land, containing about one acre more or less, situated at Plaisance St Landry Parish, with the fencing thereon bounded north by land of Purchaser south by land of U.T. Blackshear east by Public road leading from Opelousas to Ville Platte west by land of P.Blackshear being part of same land purchased by vendor from H. Durio. Purchaser has this day drawn and executed two promissory notes of Fifty Dollars each. Delosier May signed. Source: Conveyance Book O-2, Act #23120, pg 546, and Mortgage Book No 22, pg 385, Opelousas Courthouse, St Landry.

--1 Feb 1884 Sale of Land. Delosier May, resident of St Landry, sold to Jerry May, resident of St Landry, 1st A certain tract of Prairie land, containing 20 acres situated in Plaisance, being lot No 1 of the map filed in the sale of Emma Poiret, widow of Christoval L. Dupré, to Ephraim Brown, March 24th 1879, bounded on one side by Emma Poiret, on the other side by land of Ephraim Brown, on the other side by land of P.J. Parker and on the other side by land of Emma Poiret.

2nd A tract of wood land containing 5 acres, situated also in Plaisance, bounded on one side by land of J. & A. Perrodin, on two sides by land of Emma Poiret, widow of Christoval Dupré and on the other side by land of Ephraim Brown, being lot No 1 filed in sale of Ephram Brown, map marked B, March 24th 1879.

--21 Nov 1889 Jules Perrodin and Auguste Perrodin to Delosier May for $115. Jules Perrodin and Auguste Perrodin of the former firm of J & A Perrodin of St Landry parish sold to Delosier May of same residence "A certain tract of land situated in the Parish of St Landry La near Garrigues bridge Bounded North by the public road leading from Opelousas to Ville Platte, South & East by Canal dividing aforesaid land from that of U.T. Blackshear and West by [?] having three hundred and forty eight feet front on public road leading from Opelousas to Ville Platte more or less & start from the ditch intersecting said road and [?] having one hundred and ninety eight feet along the canal separating said land from U.T. Blackshear -- together with all the buildings & improvements thereon -- being property acquired by vendors from J.B. Bideau by act recorded July 22d 1884 in Conveyance Book D No 2 pg 567 -- Recorders Office St Landry Parish, La." Delosier May executed two promissory notes each for fifty seven 50/100 dollars to Jules Perrodin. Source: Conveyance Book Y-2, Act # 30123 1/2, pg 280-281, 26 Nov 1889 and Mortgage Book 28 pg 235-236.

--21 Nov 1889 Delosier May retroceded land to Jules Perrodin which was a "certain piece of land of one acre more or less situated at Plaisance bounded north by Rudin[?] south by N F Blackshear, east by public road leading from Ville Platte leading to Opelousas and west by P Blackshear being same property acquired by vendor from A Perrodin and for which vendor gave his two notes of $50 each having eight percent interest from date till paid and paid in one and two years after date which is recorded in Conveyance Book O No. 2 page 46 and Mortgage Book No. 23 pg 383 of the Recorders office of St Landry parish. The consideration of the sale is as follows: The vendor is hereby relieved of any indebtedness under the notes..." Delosier May signed. Source: Conveyance Book Y-2, Act #30124, pg 281, 26 Nov 1889.

[Legal Definition of retrocession

1 : the return of title to property to its former or true owner specifically, in the civil law of Louisiana : the return to a decedent's heirs of property of the decedent that had been sold or assigned by coheirs

Note: An heir's right to retrocession has been repealed. Source: https://www.merriam-webster.com/legal/retrocession]

--16 Nov 1894 Jules Perrodin to Delosier May, sale of land for $800. Eight promissory notes were made in advance in the sum of $100 each. Payments to be made respectively on the 15th day of December of the years 1895, 1896, 1897, 1898, 1899, 1900, 1901, 1902. He accepted for himself " a certain tract of land with buildings and improvements thereon situated at Jouberts Cove Parish of St Landry and measuring about one hundred and sixty arpents more or less and is bounded north by Joseph Cossey [?] -- south Antoine Franchebois -- east Ferdinand Warlett [?] -- west Estate of Ernest Malveau -- being same acquired by vendor on the 25th April 1877 of Zeline Malveau and her husband F.T. Davich [?]. Delosier May signed. Source: Conveyance Book G-3, Act # 36301, pg 77, Opelousas Courthouse, St Landry.

--11 Jan 1896 Delosier May to Jules Perrodin Retrocession. Auguste Perrodin swore to the notary that Delosier May and Jules Perrodin were contracting parties. "The said Delosier May, by these present declares that he cannot pay eight mortgage notes, subscribed by him 21st of November 1894, to the order of said Jules Perrodin of one hundred each, total $800.00, retrocedes to the said Jules Perrodin, the plantation and improvements, sold to him by the same, 21st November 1894, situated Anse [L'Anse] de Jaubert , St Landry Parish, containing one hundred and sixty five arpents of land, more or less, with the same guarantees stipulated in the above sale to him bounded: north by land of Joseph Corsey -- west by land of Estate Ernest Malveau -- south by land of Antoine Franchebois -- east by land of Ferdinanad Wartelle -- for the price and sum of eight hundred dollars, the amount of the said notes. Delosier May signed. Source: Conveyance Book J-3, Act # 38831, pg 219, Opelousas Courthouse, St Landry.

--20 May 1897 Tax Adjudication. Parish Sheriff seized Delosier May's land for failure to pay taxes amounting to $21.45. 160 acres bounded north by J. Casey south by A. Franchbois east by F. Wartelle and west by Est. of Malveaux [sic]. The land did not sell. Source: Conveyance Book M-3, Act # 40437, pg 386, Opelousas Courthouse, St Landry parish.

--22 May 1897 Delosier May paid the State Treasury $10.80 being the full amount of taxes, interest, costs and penalties due for the year 1896. The land being 100 acres land bounded north by J. Casey, south by A. Franchbois, east by T. Wartelle and west by Est. of Malveau. Source: Conveyance Book Y-3, Act # 48286, pg 443, Opelousas courthouse, St Landry parish.

--29 Dec 1898 Delozier [sic] May to O.A. Durio Sale of Land. Delosier May sells to O.A. Durio for $80.00 cash "A certain tract of land situated in the Parish of St Landry La, near Garriques Bridge. Bounded north by public road leading from Opelousas to Ville Platt, south and east by canal dividing the land from that of U.T. Blackshear, west by Eugene Lachapelle, having 348 feet front on the public road leading from Opelousas to Ville Platte more or less to start from the ditch intersecting the road and near having 198 feet along the canal separating the land from U.T. Blackshear, together with all the buildings and improvements thereon -- being same property acquired by vendor from Jules and Auguste Perrodin. Delosier May signed. Source: Conveyance Book Q-3, Act # 42591, pg 85, Opelousas courthouse, St Landry.

--28 Dec 1899 JW Jackson to Delosier May sale of land. Delosier May purchased "the following-described property, to wit: 1st, Sixty (60) arpents of land more or less, near Garrigues Bridge, St Landry Parish LA, bounded north by lands formerly owned by Henry L Garland now by Rogers and others, south by the tract herein last described and land of Jerry May, east by Public Road leading from Opelousas to Ville Platte and west by land of Paul Lambert, including one arpent upon which the gin (cotton gin) formerly stood. 2nd Thirteen (13) arpents of woodland in Big Woods, Plaisance, St Landry Parish and State of La, bounded north by land of Jean Jumere, south by Wdw C.L. Dupré, east by land formerly belonging to Wdw Napoleon L Pitre and west by land of Paul Lambert. 3rd another tract of woodland, containing Twenty five (25) arpents more or less, bounded north by Bayou Carron, south by land of Poiret, east by land formerly belonging to Thiery, now Thomas and west by land of Poiret. Being the same property (except the one arpent mentioned above and which was acquired by a different title), more amply explained in Conveyance Book R No 2 page 123 Recorder's Office, St Landry Parish. 4th Ten (10) acres of land more or less adjoining the 1st tract herein described, bounded north by tract 1st herein described, south by land of P.T. Blackshear, east by Public Road leading from Opelousas to Ville Platte and west by land of Jerry May more amply explained in Conveyance Book A No 3 page 65. The sale is made and accepted for and in consideration of the price and sum of One thousand ($1000.00) dollars." Delosier May executed ten promissory notes each for the sum of $100 made payable respectively two notes on Dec 15th 1900 and one on the 15th day of Dec on the years 1901, 1902, 1903, 1904, 1905, 1906, 1907 and 1908. Delosier May signed. Source: Conveyance Book S-3, Act # 44002, pg 189-191; also in Mortgage Book #37 pgs 284-285; Opelousas Courthouse, St Landry.

--8 Mar 1902. "STATE TAX SALES Of Immovable Property adjudicated to the State of Louisiana for the Taxes of 1889, 1890, 1891, 1892, 1893, 1894, 1895, 1896, 1897 and 1898." By Act 80 of the General Assembly approved 12 July 1888 a sheriff's sale occurred 5 April 1902. Taxes of $19.35 were owed in 1895 by Delosier May on 160 acres. Source: St Landry Clarion, 8 March 1902, newspapers.com.

--15 Apr 1902. Certificate of Redemption of Land Sold for Taxes and Bid for the State. Delosier May paid into the State Treasury $10.80 being the full amount of taxes, interest, costs and penalties due for the year 1896 on the following property: 160 acres of land bounded north by J. Cosey, south by A. Franchbois, east by T. Wartelle, and west by Est. of Malveau. The property was redeemed to Delosier May. Source: Certificate, Conveyance Book Y-3, pg 443, Act # 48286.

["Act 170 of 1898. Sec 62. Be it further enacted, etc., That if the owner or any person interested personally, or as heir, legatee, creditor or otherwise in any lot or lands bid in for and adjudicated to the State within twelve months from the day the act or deed is filed for record in the conveyance office, pay to the Treasurer of the State the taxes, interest and costs and twenty per cent, thereon; the Auditor upon production of the Treasurer's receipt, shall execute and deliver to such person a certificate of redemption of the same ..." Source: Certificate, Conveyance Book Y-3, pg 443, Act # 48286.]

--23 Aug 1902 Right of Way. Delosier May agreed to sell for $200 to Rufus C Webb, a resident of Acadia parish, or his assigns represented by J. Franklin Schell, agent and attorney in fact for Webb, a strip of land or right-of-way over and across land described as seventy acres, more or less, bounded north by public road from Opelousas to Ville Platte, south by Est. of Jerry May, east by P.T. Blackshear, west Paul Lambert. The land purchased was 350 feet in width to be surveyed and located. Rufus C. Webb agrees to construct and maintain one irrigation canal on the strip of land and will supply water for the irrigation of the land traversed by the canal: such land to be cultivated in rice or other crops as the land owners desire. Rufus C. Webb will have the right to charge and collect the customary rate of rent and charges for the water furnished. Given 12 months to execute the sale and if, through no fault of Delosier May, the sale does not go through Webb cannot claim reimbursement of the sum paid this day. Delosier May promised to construct and maintain a fence on both sides of the canal. Delosier May signed. Source: Conveyance Book Z-3, Act # 49279, pg 581, Opelousas courthouse, St Landry.

--8 Oct 1902 Delosier May to J Franklin Schell Act of Sale. Delosier May sold for $1,200.00, receiving $50.00 payment on this day "...the following described property, situated in the Parish of St. Landry, to-wit: First, Sixty arpents of Land more or less situated near Garrique's [sic] Bridge, bounded on the North by Land formerly belonging to H.L. Garland, now by Rogers and others; South by the Tract last herein described and the Land of Jerry May. East by Public Road leading from Opelousa to Villeplatte [sic], and West by Land of Paul Lambert, including one arpent upon which the Gin formerly stood." 2nd, 13 arpents of woodland situated in the part of Plaisance known as Big Woods, bounded north by Jean Jumere south by Widow C.L. Dupre, east by the land formerly belonging to Widow Napoleon Pitre, west by land of Paul Lambert. 3rd, another tract of woodland containing 20 arpents bounded north by Bayou Carron, south by the land of Poiret, east by land formerly belonging to Thiery, now Thomas, and west by land of Poiret. 4th, 10 acres adjoining the first tract described, bounded north by tract herein described, south by P.T. Blacksher, east by public road leading from Opelousas. The balance to be paid in payments of $100. Delosier May signed. Source: Conveyance Book A-4, Act # 49493, pg 161-163, pgs 497-499 and Mortgage Book # 40, pgs 498-499, Opelousas courthouse, St Landry.

--11 Nov 1932 Delosier May died in Port Arthur, TX and was buried a day later in Lake Charles, LA.

10/28/2021

While searching on Newspapers.com (the free library version) for someone else who was a formerly enslaved person and for whom I found some information, I decided to search for Delosier May, Andrew Jackson May's father, my paternal grandmother's grandfather and my second great grandfather. I found that Delosier May was having a parcel of land sold for non-payment of taxes in the 1870s! So, he had to have been a landowner in the 1870s which led me to the St Landry courthouse in Opelousas to search the conveyances for him as a landowner. Lo and behold, I got many hits regarding his land transactions! Who knew?! Our (including my cousins) 2nd ggrandfather was a landowner in the 1870s. Following is some of his history: Delosier May was born 18 June 1840 in Livingston, Sumter County, Alabama, son of Phill Gaose and Judia May. --Was an Alabama slave who died at the age of 102 in Port Arthur, TX. Served as a local preacher in Louisiana and Texas. Source: "Negro Pastor, 79, With 48 Years of Service to Observe His 30th Year at Abbeville Church Sunday," Abbeville Meridiondale, 26 October 1961.

--4 April 1868 Labor contract. Agreement between TA Scales and a group of Freedmen at Opelous to cultivate the Thompson plantation in St Landry parish, commencing 1 January 1868 [agreement dated 4 months after work started] and terminating on 1 December 1868. All agreed to the contract based on Circular #3 Headquarters Bureau Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands providing for the employment and general welfare of Freedmen, Series 1868. TA Scales agreed to provide sufficient quarters and fuel to see that the premises were kept in good sanitary condition. An allotment was allowed for gardening and tools and animals. The laborers were allowed days off--the 4th of July and Election Days, to cooperate and encourage the establishment of any school for the children and give at minimum 1/4 acre for the er****on of a school house. The laborers were all share croppers and had to agree to work Saturday afternoons, Sundays and at night if the employer needed them to. If TA Scales failed to provide bad or insufficient food, or insufficient or unhealthy quarters, or is guilty of cruelty, the laborers will have legal recourse and the contract will be annuled at the option of the Assistant Commissioner.

Five men were signed on as sharcroppers but not Lozier [sic] May. He was 23 years old and would receive $8/month in wages. [Based on this document he would have been born in 1845, not 1840.] He could rent 1 acre of land and have free use of teams to cultivate it.

The contract was signed by O.H. Violet [?] Assistant Sub [?], B.R.F.- A.L. [acronym for something] of St Landry and Calcaseiu parishes. Source: Roll 48, Labor contracts-agreements with freedmen, May 1868, images 759-60, Subordinate office (plantation department), Louisiana Freedmen's Bureau Office Records 1865-1872, FamilySearch.org; 18 Sept 2021.

--24 March 1879 Widow CL Dupre [Emma Poiret Dupre] sold to Delosier May a plot of land in Plaisance for $512, bounded by Emma Poiret Dupre, and Ephrain Brown. Delosier May signed. Source: Book G-2, pg 10, Act #16769, 24 May 1879 and in Mortgage Book #19, pg 45; 30 May 2021.

--24 March 1879 Widow CL Dupre [Emma Poiret Dupre] sold to Ephram Brown a tract of land and documents has land maps pertinent to Delosier May's purchase. Source: Alienation Records Book G-2, pgs 11-12, Act # 16771 and in Mortgage Book 19, pgs 45-46, St Landry Courthouse; 3 Aug 2021.

--1 Feb 1881 Delosier May sold land in Prairie Plaisance to Jerry May. Source: Land sale Delosier May to Jerry May:
1st A certain tract of Prairie land, containing 20 acres situated in Plaisance, being lot No 1 of the map filed in the sale of Emma Poiret, widow of Christoval L. Dupré, to Ephram Brown, March 24th 1879, bounded on one side by Emma Poiret, on the other side by land of Ephram Brown, on the other side by land of P.J. Parker and on the ohter side by land of Emma Poiret.
2nd A tract of wood land, containing 5 acres situated in Plaisance, bounded on one side by land of J. & A. Perrodin, on two sides by land of Emma Poiret and on the other side by land of Ephram Brown, being lot No 1 filed in the sale of Ephram Brown, map marked B March 24th 1879.

These tracts are the same sold by Emma Poiret to present vendor on the 24th day of March 1879. This sale is made for the price and sum of $258 payable in 4 equal installments for which sum purchaser has furnished 4 promissory notes each for $64.50 at 8% yearly. The notes are given in payment of am ortgage which she held against Delosier May, resulting from a sale passed March 24th 1879 and authorized the Recorder to cancel the mortgage. Jerry May made his mark not knowing how to write. Delosier May signed. Source: Land Sale Delosier May to Jerry May, Act # 19394, Conveyance Book I-2, pg 217, 1 February 1881 and Alienation Book J No. 2 pgs 217-18 and Mortgage Book No. 20 pgs 591-92, Opelousas Courthouse, St Landry; 30 May 2021.

--12 Jan 1884 Auguste Perrodin liquidator of the late firm of Js A Perrodin of Opelousas to Delosia [sic] May of St Landry for $100. "Purchaser has this day drawn and executed his promissory notes each for fifty dollars, payable..." in two payments, "the following described property, to wit: a small piece of land, containing about one acre more or less, situated at Plaisance St Landry Parish, with the fencing thereon bounded north by land of Purchaser sourth by land of U.T. Blackshear east by Public road leading from Opelousas to Ville Platte west by land of P.Blackshear being part of same land purchased by vendor from H. Durio. Purchaser has this day drawn and executed two promissory notes of Fifty Dollars each. Delosier May signed. Source: Conveyance Book O-2, Act #23120, pg 546, and Mortgage Book No 22, pg 385, Opelousas Courthouse, St Landry; 31 May 2021.

--1 Feb 1884 Sale of Land. Delosier May, resident of St Landry, sold to Jerry May, resident of St Landry, 1st A certain tract of Prairie land, containing 20 acres situated in Plaisance, being lot No 1 of the map filed in the sale of Emma Poiret, widow of Christoval L. Dupré, to Ephrain Brown, March 24th 1879, bounded on one side by Emma Poiret, on the other side by land of Ephrain Brown, on the other side by land of P.J. Parker and on the other side by land of Emma Poiret.

2nd A tract of wood land containing 5 acres, situated also in Plaisance, bounded on one side by land of J. & A. Perrodin, on two sides by land of Emma Poiret, widow of Christoval Dupré and on the other side by land of Ephrain Brown, being lot No 1 filed in sale of Ephram Brown, map marked B, March 24th 1879.

--21 Nov 1889 Jules Perrodin and Auguste Perrodin to Delosier May for $115. Jules Perrodin and Auguste Perrodin of the former firm of J & A Perrodin of St Landry parish sold to Delosier May of same residence "A certain tract of land situated in the Parish of St Landry La near Garrigues bridge Bounded North by the public road leading from Opelousas to Ville Platte, South & East by Canal dividing aforesaid land from that of U.T. Blackshear and West by [?] having three hundred and forty eight feet front on public road leading from Opelousas to Ville Platte more or less & start from the ditch intersecting said road and [?] having one hundred and ninety eight feet along the canal seperating said land from U.T. Blackshear -- together with all the buildings & improvements thereon -- being property acquired by vendors from J.B. Bideau by act recorded July 22d 1884 in Conveyance Book D No 2 pg 567 -- Recorders Office St Landry Parish, La." Delosier May executed two promissory notes each for fifty seven 50/100 dollars to Jules Perrodin. Source: Conveyance Book Y-2, Act # 30123 1/2, pg 10, 26 Nov 1889; 18 July 2021.

--21 Nov 1889 Delosier May retroceded land to Jules Perrodin which was a "certain piece of land of one acre more or less situated at Plaisance bounded north by Rudin[?] south by N F Blackshear, east by public road leading from Ville Platte leading to Opelousas and west by P Blackshear being same property acquired by vendor from A Perrodin and for which vendor gave his two notes of $50 each having eight percent interest from date till paid and paid in one and two years after date which is recorded in Conveyance Book O No. 2 page 46 and Mortgage Book No. 23 pg 383 of the Recorders office of St Landry parish. The consideration of the sale is as follows: The vendor is hereby relieved of any indebtedness under the notes..." Delosier May signed. Source: Conveyance Book Y-2, Act #30124, pg 281, 26 Nov 1889; 30 May 2021.

--16 Nov 1894 Jules Perrodin to Delosier May, sale of land for $800. Eight promissory notes were made in advance in the sum of $100 each. Payments to be made respectively on the 15th day of December of the years 1895, 1896, 1897, 1898, 1899, 1900, 1901, 1902. He accepted for himself " a certain tract of land with buidlings and improvements thereon situated at Jouberts Cove Parish of St Landry and measuring about one hundred and sixty arpents more or less and is bounded north by Joseph Cossey [?] -- south Antoine Franchebois -- east Ferdinand Warlett [?] -- west Estate of Ernest Malveau -- being same acquired by vendor on the 25th April 1877 of Zeline Malveau and her husband F.T. Davich [?]. Delosier May signed. Source: Conveyance Book G-3, Act # 36301, pg 77, Opelousas Courthouse, St Landry; 31 May 2021.

--11 Jan 1896 Delosier May to Jules Perrodin Retrocession. Auguste Perrodin swore to the notary that Delosier May and Jules Perrodin were contracting parties. "The said Delosier May, by these present declares that he cannot pay eg iht mortgage notes, subscribed by him 21st of November 1894, to the order of said Jules Perrodin of one hundred each, total $800.00, retrocedes to the said Jules Perrodin, the plantation and improvements, sold to him by the same, 21st November 1894, situated Anse [L'Anse] de Jaubert , St Landry Parish, containing one hundred and sixty five arpents of land, more or less, with the same guarantees stipulated in the above sale to him bounded: north by land of Joseph Corsey -- west by land of Estate Ernest Malvewu -- south by land of Antoine Franchebois -- east by land of Ferdinanad Wartelle -- for the price and sum of eight hundred dollars, the amount of the said notes. Delosier May signed. Source: Conveyance Book J-3, Act # 38831, pg 219, Opelousas Courthouse, St Landry; 31 May 2021.

--20 May 1897 Tax Adjudication. Parish Sheriff seized Delosier May's land for failure to pay taxes amounting to $21.45. 160 acres bounded north by J. Casey south by A. Franchbois east by F. Wartelle and west by Est. of Malveaux [sic]. Source: Conveyance Book M-3, Act # 40437, pg 386, Opelousas Courthouse, St Landry parish; 31 May 2021.

--22 May 1897 Delosier May paid the State Treasury $10.80 being the full amountof taxes, interest, costs and penalties due for the year 1896. The land being 100 acres land bounded north by J. Casey, south by A. Franchbois, east by T. Wartelle and wes by Es.t of Malveau. Source: Conveyance Book Y-3, Act # 48286, pg 443, Opelousas courthouse, St Landry parish. 31 May 2021.

--29 Dec 1898 Delozier [sic] May to O.A. Durio Sale of Land. Delosier May sells to O.A. Durio for $80.00 cash "A certain tract of land situated in the Parish of st Landry La, near Garriques Bridge. Bounded north by public road leading from Opelousas to Ville Platt, south and east by canal dividing the land from that of U.F. Blackshear, west by Eugene Lachapelle, having 348 feet front on the public road leading from Opelousas to Ville Platte more or less to start from the ditch intersecting the road and near having 198 feest along the canal separating the land from U.T. Blackshear, together with all the buildings and improvements thereon -- being same property acquired by vendor from Jules and Auguste Perrodin. Delosier May signed. Source: Conveyance Book Q-3, Act # 42591, pg 85, Opelousas courthouse, St Landry; 31 May 2021.

--28 Dec 1899 JW Jackson to Delosier May sale of land. Delosier May purchased "the following-described property, to wit: 1st, Sixty (60) arpents of land more or less, near Garrigues Bridge, St Landry Parish LA, bounded north by lands formerly owned by Henry L Garland now by Rogers and others, south by the tract herein last described and land of Jerry May, east by Public Road leading from Opelousas to Ville Platte and west by land of Paul Lambert, including one arpent upon which the gin formerly stood. 2nd Thirteen (13) arpents of woodland in Big Woods, Plaisance St Landry Parish and State of La, bounded north by land of Jean Jumere, south by Wdw C.L. Dupré, east by land formerly belonging to Wdw Napoleon L Pitre and west y land of Paul Lambert. 3rd another tract of woodland, containing Twenty five (25) arpents more or less, bounded north by Bayou Carron, south by land of Poiret, east by land formerly belonging to Thiery, now Thomas and west by land of Poiret. Being the same property (except the one arpent mentioned above and which was acquired by a different title), more amply explained in Conveyance Book R No 2 page 123 Recorder's Office, St Landry Parish. 4th Ten (10) acres of land more or less adjoining the 1st tract herein described, bounded north by tract 1st herein described, south by land of P.T. Blackshear, east by Public Road leading from Opelousas to Ville Platte and west by land of Jerry May more amply explained in Conveyance Book A No 3 page 65.. The sale is made and accepted for and in consideration of the price and sum of One thousand ($1000.00) dollars." Delosier May executed ten promissory notes each for the sum of $100 made payable respectively two notes on Dec 15th 1900 and one on the 15th day of Dec on the years 1901, 1902, 1903, 1904, 1905, 1906, 1907 and 1908. Delosier May signed. Source: Conveyance Book S-3, Act # 44002, pg 189, Opelousas Courthouse, St Landry; 31 May 2021.

--1900 enumerated as Dalasier May in census with wife Sudan and five children; listed as head of household, male, black, 59 years old, born in November 1840. married for 30 years in present marriage; indicates born in Alabama, mother and father born in Alabama; his occupation was as a blacksmith and he had not been unemployed for any months; indicated could read, write and speak English; he rented his farm and was listed as #120 on the farm schedule.
Source: 1900 Census, Washington Town, St. Landry Parish; ED 59, Sheet #8.

--8 Mar 1902. "STATE TAX SALES Of Immovable Property adjudicated to the State of Louisiana for the Taxes of 1889, 1890, 1891, 1892, 1893, 1894, 1895, 1896, 1897 and 1898." By Act 80 of the General Assembly approved 12 July 1888 a sheriff's sale occurred 5 April 1902. Taxes of $19.35 were owed in 1895 by Delosier May on 160 acres. Source: St Landry Clarion, 8 March 1902, newspapers.com; 8 May 2021.

--15 Apr 1902. Certificate of Redemption of Land Sold for Taxes and Bid in for the State. Delosier May paid into the State Treasury $10.80 being the full amount of taxes, interest, costs and penalties due for the year 1896 on the following property: 160 acres of land bounded north by J. Cosey, south by A. Franchbois, east by T. Wartelle, and west by Est. of Malveau. The property was redeemed to Delosier May. Source: Certificate, Conveyance Book Y-3, pg 443, Act # 48286; 18 July 2021.

--23 Aug 1902 Right of Way. Delosier May agreed to sell for $200 to Rufus C Webb, a resident of Acadia parish, or his assigns represented by J. Franklin Schell, agent and attorney in fact for Webb, a strip of land or right-of-way over and across land described as seventy acres, more or less, bounded north by public road from Opelousas to Ville Platte, south by Est. of Jerry May, east by P.T. Blackshear, west Paul Lambert. The land purchased was 350 feet in width to be surveyed an located. Rufus C. Webb agrees to construct and maintain one iffigation canal on the strip of land and will supply water for the irrigation of the land traversed by the canal: such land to be cultivated in rice or other crops as the land owners desire. Rufus C. Webb will have the right to charge and collect the customary rate of rent and charges for the water furnished. Given 12 months to execute the sale and if, through no fault of Delosier May, the sale does not go through Webb cannot claim reimbursement of the sum paid this day. Delosier May promised to construct and maintain a fence on both sides of the canal. Delosier May signed. Source: Conveyance Book Z-3, Act # 49279, pg 581, Opelousas courthouse, St Landry; 31 May 2021.

--8 Oct 1902 Delosier May to J Franklin Schell Act of Sale. Delosier May sold for $1,200.00, receiving $50.00 payment on this day "...the following described property, situated in the Parish of St. Landry, to-wit: First, Sixty arpents of Land more or less situated near Garrique's [sic] Bridge, bounded on the North by Land formerly belonging to H.L. Garland, now by Rogers and others; South by the Tract last herein described and the Land of Jerry May. East by Public Road leading from Opelousa to Villeplatte [sic], and West by Land of Paul Lambert, including one arpent upon which the Gin formerly stood." 2nd, 13 arpents of woodland situated in the part of Plaisance known as Big Woods, bounded north by Jean Jumere south by Widow C.L. Dupre, east by the land formerly belonging to Widow Napoleon Pitre, west by land of Paul Lambert. 2rd, another tract of woodland containing 20 arpents bounded north by Bayou Carron, south by the land of Poiret, east by land formerly belonging to Thiery, now Thomas, and west by land of Poiret. 4th, 10 acres adjoining the first tract described, bounded north by tract herein described, south by P.T. Blacksher, east by public road leading from Opelousas. The balance to be paid in payments of $100. Delosier May signed. Source: Conveyance Book A-4, Act # 49493, pg 161, Opelousas courthouse, St Landry; 31 May 2021.
--11 Nov 1932 was living at 1521 Phiffer Ave., Port Arthur, Jefferson County, TX where he had been living for 8 years and he was still married. Was living with his son Roy May. Source: Texas State Department of Health Standard Certificate of Death, 11 Nov 1932. He died 11 Nove 1932 in Port Arthur, Jefferson County, Texas and was buried 12 Nov 1932 in Lake Charles, Acadia Parish, Louisiana.

He may have died intestate as I contacted the Jefferson County, TX probate office and they have no information on a probate for him. 1 June 2021.
While researching Delosier in the St Landry courthouse, with the help of my fellow researcher Marie Marcel, we found many, many more documents on his brother Jerry May and I will provide land ownership details on him in another post.

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08/13/2022

10/28/2021

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