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MSGenWeb Library Slave Narrative Project - Louis J. Piernas - Harrison County
http://msgw .org/slaves/piemas-xs lave.htm
MSGenWeb Library County: Harrison
Title: Mississippi Slave Narratives from the WPA Records Submitter: MSGenWeb Slave Narrative Project
Notice: This file may be downloaded for Personal Use Only, and may not otherwise be printed or copied without prior written consent of the submitter.
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From the WPA Slave Narratives:
Louis Joseph Piernas - Harrison County
Foreword: Politically prominent negro in Bay St. Louis, in period subsequent to reconstruction, the 80's and 90's. Lives the first street north of Estabrooke St, on north side of street, third house west of Necaise Avenue. It was stated to writer that Louis J. Piernas had repeatedly refused to give an interview to WPA project workers, saying that after having served the government over a long period of years, now that he was old and in need, its agents had refused him Relief. Indeed, her first attempt to contact him resulted in failure, she arriving just in time to see him disappearing down a lane, and to be told by a pert colored neighbor, that "Mr." Piernas was on the way to his "farm" and was too busy to talk to folks. This time she decided to use different tactics and to forego social conventions in order to get him to talk. Through the courtesy of Mr. John H. Lang of Pass Christian, she was allowed to use his name in requesting the interview. Arrived at his tiny but neat three room house, his elderly wife came to the door. The wife was bright creamy color, with pretty long white hair. "May I see your husband?" She said, "Wait, I call him." He soon appeared, a small mulatto in appearance, with gray hair and beard, attired as if to go somewhere.
"Mr. Piernas," she stated, "the government is having us write the life stories of very old colored people, and Mr. John H. Lang of Pass Christian has suggested that your life has been a very interesting one and that perhaps you would tell me about it."
Instantly he was attentive and complaisant and told his [story] courteously and without bitterness. His English was excellent and no attempt will be made to reproduce his slightly French accent.
Yes, Mr. John H. Lang is a very good friend of mine. I have known him all my life. I was bom March 11th, 1856, and will be 82 my next birthday. I was bom right here in Bay St. Louis, near what is called the Cowan settlement, but my ancestors were here before the Cowans and had a land grant from the Spanish government. I was born free, and so were all my fore parents. Some of them fought with Jackson in the Battle of New Orleans - we always just called it "Jackson's War."
My first American ancestor was a Spaniard named Piernas, and piemas, means "leg". My father, however, was bom in Havana. His
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